It is near the beginning of 2012. Wow, where has the last year gone? And what will happen this year?! The news has been rich with stories of people believing that by this time 2012 this world will be non-existant. Craziness, I say... Craziness indeed. I would never concern myself with such silliness...
But then, should I? No, I am not speaking of the impending doom predicted by a complete misunderstanding of the Mayan calender. But as I sit here pondering the past year, I must ask this... What if I am not here on this planet by December 2012?
Yesterday I spent some time reading from the book of James, specifically 4:14 which states "Whereas you know not what shall be on the morrow; For what is your life? It is but a vapor, that appears for a little time and then vanishes away." Or in laymen's terms: you can't count on being alive tomorrow. Actually, DON'T count on it.
Have you ever visited a graveyard or read through obituaries just for the sake of doing it? In almost every case there is one common, running theme: They were not expecting to die when they did. Death is inconvenient; it takes us on it's terms and timeframe, not ours. We may make our little plans for tomorrow- fine. But we are not promised it.
I know that the world will not end this year... But I can't say the same for me. It is my prayer that I will. I happen to believe that life is a precious gift... But the one thing I must make sure of, and I urge you to do the same... Live today. Love today. Forgive today. Embrace today. And most importantly follow Christ today. Follow where ever He leads today. Happy New Year...
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Friday, July 29, 2011
To Church or Not To Church- That is the Question
As I was driving around today, I had a thought come to my mind. It was a thought about church hoppers. You know what I mean, those people who tend to go from church to church, never actually settling in to a church home. Then my thought went to those who have a church home, but leave suddenly, with the doors swinging as though a ghost had gone through them... Finally, my thoughts landed on those who have no church home at all. Those who are Christians but don't attend church anywhere. They just sit at home.
My thoughts, though ranging across differing types of Christians, all revolved around one central question. It was a simple question, really. That little itty bitty... Why?
I can't help it, I am a very curious individual. Why is a rather common question in my thinking. One thing that I commonly ask myself is, why do people think or act the way they do? I can't help it! I want to know. So I pondered these questions, why do people church hop? Why do people leave churches suddenly? Why do Christians sit at home instead of attending church? And I think I have a few ideas on the possibilities.
First off, I think it may be in part due to the culture we live in. We have evolved into a very fast-paced, microwave-type I need/want/desire immediate satisfaction type of culture. To think the church is immune to this insanity is, in fact, insane. Too often people will attend a church, and the very moment they feel less than satisfied, they leave. The very moment they feel like something they WANT right now isn't happening, they disappear without even saying goodbye. I would dare say that there are many church-goers that fall into this category. It would explain why so many Christians have a hard time getting grounded in one church family, and either have duel memberships- or are just regularly looking for "where God wants" them to go and yet never seeming to find it.
I think that this does not just apply to the church hoppers, though. I would also state that I think it applies to those who sit at home, playing the part of the lone ranger Christian. I don't know how many I have met and talked to that say things like, "I haven't found a church that meets my needs"; "I haven't found a church that feeds me(spiritually)", or "I find church to be boring, and I get nothing from it". (Of course, the classic one is when they say how messed up the church that they don't attend- and have probably never been to- is. I have yet to figure out how they can be so confident that every church is just so bad so they won't go, as though they are punishing someone by sitting at home...)
After pondering this a while, I think the decision I came up with in my mind on this is, wow. I think I totally get where they are coming from. After all, scripture plainly teaches that we should not forsake the assembly of the brethren unless the brethren are not giving to us, providing for us, taking care of our every spiritual need, always agreeing with the way we think things should be run, and making sure we are never bored... Ummm... Oh, wait a second... Oh, my bad that is NOT what scripture says... HAHA, oh I can't believe that I... Well, here is what it actually says: "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25
Well, I am pretty sure that after reading that, we should get one thing clear: CHURCH IS NOT ABOUT YOU! It is not about pampering you, pleasing you, etc. I know that may be a hard pill to swallow, but- what, do you want me to lie to you?
I know this may be the politically incorrect thing to say, but if the reason you are church hopping, or not attending, has anything to do with the words me myself, and I then you are just NOT getting it. You are basing your spiritual life on selfish insanity. It may be hard to believe, but we are actually supposed to go to church to serve each other, to pray for each other, to encourage each other. Your main spiritual growth should be happening in your home as you spend time in your personnal relationship with the Lord. And, I might add, church hoppers and non-attenders make lousy support systems for other believers. To put it simply: it's awfully hard to bear one another's burdens if you are never around to know what another's burdens are!
Of course, there is one other reason that came to mind, dealing with these type of Christians. It is the ever painful, the putrid, disgusting beast known as "I was offended by (insert random name of brother or sister here)".
Offended.
Well, forgive me for saying this, but... too bad. Cry me a river and get over it. No one wants to hear it; at least, I don't. NOW before YOU get offended by my apparent lack of compassion on this subject, please understand that said heartlessness does not apply to all who feel this way. Just the majority. Allow me to explain...
The reality is, that we are all humans. As a result of this particular fact, it should be noted that in reality, we all will, at some point or another, suffer offense from another Christian brother or sister who also happens to be human. You could say it is human nature... We know that this is a high risk situation, because even Jesus talked about it. Ironically, He outlined VERY CLEARLY how we are supposed to handle offense in Matthew 18:15-17. His command(notice I did not say advice, suggestion, or wisdom but COMMAND) was that WHEN a brother offends you you are TO GO to said brother, sit down with them and let them know that there is a problem. He did not say "Go if you feel like it". He did not say "Go unless you think there is a better church to attend." He said GO. Period.
I think that logic would explain without words why this is: Because offenses not tended to, lead to hurt, lead to anger, lead to bitterness. And bitterness never, EVER brings anything good. So understand as plain as I can get: if you do NOT go to a brother or sister who has offended you and take care of the problem, you WILL- not may, but WILL- eventually be overtaken by bitterness.
So here is where my lack of compassion comes in to play. I think, and have seen quite a few times, people leaving a church because someone offended them. Someone did something that hurt them, hurt their feelings, made them feel bad. But the problem is- a lot of those people REFUSE to handle the situation the way Jesus COMMANDED it to be handled. Instead of going to the person, they run away. In reality, I think a lot of times, the offender doesn't even have a clue that they offended the person! I will also add here, in case some of you think this way, Jesus did NOT say the offender was to go to the offended. Just saying that for the record because I know someone will say, "but shouldn't they be responsible to come talk to me?" To which I will reply, nope. Sorry. That is not what Jesus said to do. (Now if you know you have offended someone it certainly the right thing to go talk to them; however, the responsibility to do it is theirs...) With all that being said, I guess I would say that I have little compassion for someone who is offended and refuses to handle it biblically. Jesus never said anything casually, and all His teachings were for a purpose. He is God, after all. I am pretty sure He knows what He is talking about.
So there you have it. My conclusion, whether you agree or disagree, is that many church hoppers and non-attenders really need to look at their motives for their actions... Because sometimes I really do wonder if they are in the Lord's will or not. I guess I would end this blog by asking this new question... Is there really any good reason to not be involved, serving, at a church with your brothers and sisters? I can't think of any...
My thoughts, though ranging across differing types of Christians, all revolved around one central question. It was a simple question, really. That little itty bitty... Why?
I can't help it, I am a very curious individual. Why is a rather common question in my thinking. One thing that I commonly ask myself is, why do people think or act the way they do? I can't help it! I want to know. So I pondered these questions, why do people church hop? Why do people leave churches suddenly? Why do Christians sit at home instead of attending church? And I think I have a few ideas on the possibilities.
First off, I think it may be in part due to the culture we live in. We have evolved into a very fast-paced, microwave-type I need/want/desire immediate satisfaction type of culture. To think the church is immune to this insanity is, in fact, insane. Too often people will attend a church, and the very moment they feel less than satisfied, they leave. The very moment they feel like something they WANT right now isn't happening, they disappear without even saying goodbye. I would dare say that there are many church-goers that fall into this category. It would explain why so many Christians have a hard time getting grounded in one church family, and either have duel memberships- or are just regularly looking for "where God wants" them to go and yet never seeming to find it.
I think that this does not just apply to the church hoppers, though. I would also state that I think it applies to those who sit at home, playing the part of the lone ranger Christian. I don't know how many I have met and talked to that say things like, "I haven't found a church that meets my needs"; "I haven't found a church that feeds me(spiritually)", or "I find church to be boring, and I get nothing from it". (Of course, the classic one is when they say how messed up the church that they don't attend- and have probably never been to- is. I have yet to figure out how they can be so confident that every church is just so bad so they won't go, as though they are punishing someone by sitting at home...)
After pondering this a while, I think the decision I came up with in my mind on this is, wow. I think I totally get where they are coming from. After all, scripture plainly teaches that we should not forsake the assembly of the brethren unless the brethren are not giving to us, providing for us, taking care of our every spiritual need, always agreeing with the way we think things should be run, and making sure we are never bored... Ummm... Oh, wait a second... Oh, my bad that is NOT what scripture says... HAHA, oh I can't believe that I... Well, here is what it actually says: "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25
Well, I am pretty sure that after reading that, we should get one thing clear: CHURCH IS NOT ABOUT YOU! It is not about pampering you, pleasing you, etc. I know that may be a hard pill to swallow, but- what, do you want me to lie to you?
I know this may be the politically incorrect thing to say, but if the reason you are church hopping, or not attending, has anything to do with the words me myself, and I then you are just NOT getting it. You are basing your spiritual life on selfish insanity. It may be hard to believe, but we are actually supposed to go to church to serve each other, to pray for each other, to encourage each other. Your main spiritual growth should be happening in your home as you spend time in your personnal relationship with the Lord. And, I might add, church hoppers and non-attenders make lousy support systems for other believers. To put it simply: it's awfully hard to bear one another's burdens if you are never around to know what another's burdens are!
Of course, there is one other reason that came to mind, dealing with these type of Christians. It is the ever painful, the putrid, disgusting beast known as "I was offended by (insert random name of brother or sister here)".
Offended.
Well, forgive me for saying this, but... too bad. Cry me a river and get over it. No one wants to hear it; at least, I don't. NOW before YOU get offended by my apparent lack of compassion on this subject, please understand that said heartlessness does not apply to all who feel this way. Just the majority. Allow me to explain...
The reality is, that we are all humans. As a result of this particular fact, it should be noted that in reality, we all will, at some point or another, suffer offense from another Christian brother or sister who also happens to be human. You could say it is human nature... We know that this is a high risk situation, because even Jesus talked about it. Ironically, He outlined VERY CLEARLY how we are supposed to handle offense in Matthew 18:15-17. His command(notice I did not say advice, suggestion, or wisdom but COMMAND) was that WHEN a brother offends you you are TO GO to said brother, sit down with them and let them know that there is a problem. He did not say "Go if you feel like it". He did not say "Go unless you think there is a better church to attend." He said GO. Period.
I think that logic would explain without words why this is: Because offenses not tended to, lead to hurt, lead to anger, lead to bitterness. And bitterness never, EVER brings anything good. So understand as plain as I can get: if you do NOT go to a brother or sister who has offended you and take care of the problem, you WILL- not may, but WILL- eventually be overtaken by bitterness.
So here is where my lack of compassion comes in to play. I think, and have seen quite a few times, people leaving a church because someone offended them. Someone did something that hurt them, hurt their feelings, made them feel bad. But the problem is- a lot of those people REFUSE to handle the situation the way Jesus COMMANDED it to be handled. Instead of going to the person, they run away. In reality, I think a lot of times, the offender doesn't even have a clue that they offended the person! I will also add here, in case some of you think this way, Jesus did NOT say the offender was to go to the offended. Just saying that for the record because I know someone will say, "but shouldn't they be responsible to come talk to me?" To which I will reply, nope. Sorry. That is not what Jesus said to do. (Now if you know you have offended someone it certainly the right thing to go talk to them; however, the responsibility to do it is theirs...) With all that being said, I guess I would say that I have little compassion for someone who is offended and refuses to handle it biblically. Jesus never said anything casually, and all His teachings were for a purpose. He is God, after all. I am pretty sure He knows what He is talking about.
So there you have it. My conclusion, whether you agree or disagree, is that many church hoppers and non-attenders really need to look at their motives for their actions... Because sometimes I really do wonder if they are in the Lord's will or not. I guess I would end this blog by asking this new question... Is there really any good reason to not be involved, serving, at a church with your brothers and sisters? I can't think of any...
Saturday, April 2, 2011
The self loathing, sado-masochist bride of Christ
She stands in her corner, eyes cast down, staring at the open wound on her flesh. One arm is riddled with cuts, in the other hand she holds the knife dripping with her own blood. Her eyes are filled with hate. She loathes herself; she loathes the way certain parts of her body are. She wishes they could be different, maybe even removed from the body. There are just some things she feels brings a disgrace to her as a whole.
Despite the pain it brings, she continues to cut her body, oblivious to anything other than her hate for herself. Others around her notice with shock her behavior, yet she doesn't notice their horrified stares. The world could be passing away, and yet all she can see is the inadequacies of her body. Despite her actions, there does reside something deeper- the hurting souls around her would be surprised, perhaps, to learn that inside her is a burning love, a deep compassion, and arms that could reach out to them and hold them, to bring healing and comfort to the broken... Unfortunately, at this stage in her life, she is too consumed with hatred of herself to notice those around her that need that love she holds so close to her.
So it is with deep concentration that she raises the blade again, drawing it's sharp edge across her already fragile skin, cutting deeper still, punishing herself for her flaws.
The immediate thought is that this obviously some poor delusional soul, some lost child to whom we cannot relate... Yet the question I raise to you today is this: What if this is a picture, not of a bitter child- but rather, a picture of the church?
We are the body of Christ. This is an important point that we as believers must remember. This means, my fellow Christians, that you and I are not only brothers and sisters- but we are a part of the same body. I say this with fascination, as we so often divide ourselves by denominations, referring to each other as a member of the "baptist" body or the "nazarene" body or the "pentecostal" body... And while I have no issue with different denominations, I do think that our refusal to work across denominational lines causes us to fail at effectively communicating the gospel to the world... But that is not where I am going with this post.
Rather, the issue at hand is the concept of hating each other. We get so wrapped up in looking at each other's faults- even in our own churches- that we become impotent. We stare at others in our church, thinking ourselves so righteous compared to them. We attack them with our tongue- which cuts like a knife. Our gossip penetrates the skin of the Body, in an attempt to bleed out the flaws we see in others. Our hatred for "that person" gets under our skin, and we take the knife, attempting to cut the bothersome sliver out. We see the way they dress- it looks so dirty, so unclean compared to ourselves! So we take the steel wool and scrub at the skin til it is eaten away, leaving metal splinters embedded in the skin, infecting us and causing us to hate even more...
I find it interesting how often we fight amongst each other... We fight over raptures and securities, we wound over healings, we argue with our tongues over tongues, we tear each other down over buildings and carpets and the like... We become consumed with destroying ourselves...
Please don't get me wrong- I am not saying that we should tolerate a false gospel being taught amongst ourselves; however, there is a grave difference between doctrine that damns and doctrine that is a matter of difference of opinion. Yet too often we treat the purveyors of fiction with more grace than those who hold to a different perception on non-essential doctrine. We honor deniers of Christ while rejecting our own brothers and sisters whose life makes for a better story to share at "prayer groups". And in the meantime...
While we are consumed with our own self-loathing, a lost world stands by and looks on as we destroy ourselves, cutting ourselves, our blood pouring over our body from our own self-inflicted wounds. We are oblivious to the lost and hurting souls, those blinded and marching towards hell... We have the ability to reach our arms out to them, to take the love of Christ to them- but we would rather be absorbed by our hatred for ourself, we would rather scar our arms than reach our arms out to show love and compassion.
We are that self-loathing child... Perhaps it is time we consider putting down the knife, and focus on what really matters in this world... The question is, can we at this point make a difference? Or will the world shy away from us now, frightened at our scars, afraid to come near our monstrous creation for fear that they will be the next victim of our knife?
God help us learn to love each other before we completely immobilize ourselves...
Despite the pain it brings, she continues to cut her body, oblivious to anything other than her hate for herself. Others around her notice with shock her behavior, yet she doesn't notice their horrified stares. The world could be passing away, and yet all she can see is the inadequacies of her body. Despite her actions, there does reside something deeper- the hurting souls around her would be surprised, perhaps, to learn that inside her is a burning love, a deep compassion, and arms that could reach out to them and hold them, to bring healing and comfort to the broken... Unfortunately, at this stage in her life, she is too consumed with hatred of herself to notice those around her that need that love she holds so close to her.
So it is with deep concentration that she raises the blade again, drawing it's sharp edge across her already fragile skin, cutting deeper still, punishing herself for her flaws.
The immediate thought is that this obviously some poor delusional soul, some lost child to whom we cannot relate... Yet the question I raise to you today is this: What if this is a picture, not of a bitter child- but rather, a picture of the church?
We are the body of Christ. This is an important point that we as believers must remember. This means, my fellow Christians, that you and I are not only brothers and sisters- but we are a part of the same body. I say this with fascination, as we so often divide ourselves by denominations, referring to each other as a member of the "baptist" body or the "nazarene" body or the "pentecostal" body... And while I have no issue with different denominations, I do think that our refusal to work across denominational lines causes us to fail at effectively communicating the gospel to the world... But that is not where I am going with this post.
Rather, the issue at hand is the concept of hating each other. We get so wrapped up in looking at each other's faults- even in our own churches- that we become impotent. We stare at others in our church, thinking ourselves so righteous compared to them. We attack them with our tongue- which cuts like a knife. Our gossip penetrates the skin of the Body, in an attempt to bleed out the flaws we see in others. Our hatred for "that person" gets under our skin, and we take the knife, attempting to cut the bothersome sliver out. We see the way they dress- it looks so dirty, so unclean compared to ourselves! So we take the steel wool and scrub at the skin til it is eaten away, leaving metal splinters embedded in the skin, infecting us and causing us to hate even more...
I find it interesting how often we fight amongst each other... We fight over raptures and securities, we wound over healings, we argue with our tongues over tongues, we tear each other down over buildings and carpets and the like... We become consumed with destroying ourselves...
Please don't get me wrong- I am not saying that we should tolerate a false gospel being taught amongst ourselves; however, there is a grave difference between doctrine that damns and doctrine that is a matter of difference of opinion. Yet too often we treat the purveyors of fiction with more grace than those who hold to a different perception on non-essential doctrine. We honor deniers of Christ while rejecting our own brothers and sisters whose life makes for a better story to share at "prayer groups". And in the meantime...
While we are consumed with our own self-loathing, a lost world stands by and looks on as we destroy ourselves, cutting ourselves, our blood pouring over our body from our own self-inflicted wounds. We are oblivious to the lost and hurting souls, those blinded and marching towards hell... We have the ability to reach our arms out to them, to take the love of Christ to them- but we would rather be absorbed by our hatred for ourself, we would rather scar our arms than reach our arms out to show love and compassion.
We are that self-loathing child... Perhaps it is time we consider putting down the knife, and focus on what really matters in this world... The question is, can we at this point make a difference? Or will the world shy away from us now, frightened at our scars, afraid to come near our monstrous creation for fear that they will be the next victim of our knife?
God help us learn to love each other before we completely immobilize ourselves...
Saturday, March 12, 2011
The End Is Near! The End Is Near! Or... Is It?
And so we are finally nearing then end. Just look at the middle east- it is going up in flames. Absolutely insane are the happenings, as no one seems to know what the word "peace" means over there anymore. Governments are being overthrown, riots in the steet, leaders killing their own people... And at the end of the day, we are left wondering who to cheer for. Do we applaud the uprising of the people who are attempting to break free of oppresion from dictators? Or do we hope for the dictators because we see lurking in the shadows, those who are attempting to take control- and in seeing them, we realize that the dictator may be the lesser of two evils... All the while the reality that our one true mideast ally, Israel- may be soon facing a war they are not wanting... And we are reminded in our minds that in the end times, there will be wars and rumors of wars.
Add to that the recent earthquake and tsunami that recently shook the very foundations of Japan. Death, destruction, despair. A quake so powerful that the tsunami even reached U.S. shores. In this short time after, we have yet to see just how many people have been killed, how many homes have been lost, at the hand of the 5th most powerful quake since 1900... And our minds are reminded that in the end times there will be earthquakes and natural disasters...
Then we cast our gaze to our own land. This Christian nation that boldly proclaims, "In God We Trust" on the money we spend on pornography. This Christian nation that proudly sings "God Bless America" at every ball game while we stay too busy with our entertainment to give God any more time than that. This Christian nation that bends over backwards to make sure that a criminal's rights are not violated, while refusing the basic right to life to our own children. And our minds are reminded that in the end times, it shall be like the days of Noah...
And so we wait. We cast our eyes to the heavens, anxious and looking for His return. We just know that we know that Jesus is coming to rescue us from this land! Any year now; any month now; any day now; any minute... Ah, yes- we are committed to this belief. Look, there on the nightstand- we have a book explaining all the last days signs sitting right next to our Bible. We watch the news with disdain, trying to see the signs we have read about in every newscast... LOOK THERE! Wasn't that a prophecy fulfillment from Daniel about the end?! On the rare occasion that we do take our gaze off the skies, we look around and get depressed at the state of affairs. We become filled with sarcasm and cynicism; our eyes become dark to the idea of hope for this world. Just look at the sexual deviants, the killers, the vile filth, on and on we just want to SCREAM!!! So we quickly return our gaze back to the heavens, choosing to remain silent except to utter those famous words- "come quickly, Lord... Come quickly and save your servant..."
It is at this time that I must interject a thought... What if... What if we are wrong?
I quickly try to push that thought, that heresy from my mind! I quickly shut my mouth as soon as I utter the words, for fear that I may be shunned as a non-believer... And yet, still- the question lingers...
Now let me clear something up before your mind wanders too far- I am not suggesting we are wrong about GOD, or His Word. But rather, I think we may have some things a little screwy when it comes to our view of the end times, and the current times. Allow me to explain:
I know there is a lot going on in the world right now. I know we are in some, shall we say, frightening times. Uncertain times. Dark and sinful times. I agree that at times it seems there is little hope for this world. But I am not quite convinced that our eyes should be cast upward just yet. I am, in fact, a little less than concerned about it. How can I dare utter this, you ask? Do I not realize that any moment Jesus could appear from the clouds and catch me in my heresy of not believing it is the end times? The answer to the second question is, Yes. I do believe He COULD return any minute. But my answer to the first question explains why I am not convinced He WILL return any minute.
I think Paul said it best, put into words better than I could, why I feel the way I do. He writes in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 the following: "Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto Him, that ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit nor by word; nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall NOT come, except there come a falling away FIRST, AND that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as god sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is god."
I think this passage should be self explanatory; but I think the most interesting point is the thought that the day of Christ shall not come till the man of perdition- that is, THE Antichrist- be revealed... Last time I checked, we still haven't seen his ugly mug...
Call me nieve, perhaps- but until the day that we can say, "Hey WOW that guy HAS to be the Antichrist" and actually BE right as opposed to guessing- I will hold to a different perspective on our times. And what, persay, is that perspective you ask?
It is simply this (in the words of the great Yogi Berra): "It ain't over til it's over!"
I think that we need to get our head out of the clouds. The American Christian has been hung up on this idea for the past few decades that Christ is gonna rescue us any minute now. So we look up, we reach up, we hope up... In the meantime, there are lost people who need to hear the Gospel walking right under our nose. In the meantime, there are people who desperately need the Hand of Christ to reach out to them, walking beneath our upwards and outstreched arms. There are people who need to know that there is hope for the sinner, hope of a love that can set them free, who don't even understand our hope stretched into the atmosphere...
My friends, it is so easy to get caught up in the idea that this is the end times. But the reality is, we don't know that. We can't say that for sure, because as Paul pointed out, not all the signs are there yet. And while we sit on our virtual mountaintop for Jesus we are completely missing out on opportunities to be used by God in changing lives in the valley. I would daresay that we even border on dwelling in pride and self pity, believing that we are here to wait for God to rescue us from this garbage that surrounds us, from these heathens that pester us, from these unrighteous souls at our doorstep... Oh, that God would free us from their putrid filth that vexes our souls!!!
I will end this with a question: Why are you here? Why are you on planet earth? Is it to wait for the King to rescue you when you have already been rescued from darkness? Is it to sit on a mountaintop, refusing to use your talent that he has given you because you are too busy wating for His return- and besides, it would just be wasted on those infidels anyways? Is God really o.k. with that? Or would He rather us be down in the valley, answering the times the way Isaiah did when asked by God "Who will go for us"- answering with those solem words, "here am I Lord, send me"? Would He rather us take the good news of His grace, His mercy, His freedom to this dark world than to sit on our hands asking Him for more freedom from those around us?
Think about it. Then ask yourself if the reason there is no revival in America is because our head is in the clouds...
Add to that the recent earthquake and tsunami that recently shook the very foundations of Japan. Death, destruction, despair. A quake so powerful that the tsunami even reached U.S. shores. In this short time after, we have yet to see just how many people have been killed, how many homes have been lost, at the hand of the 5th most powerful quake since 1900... And our minds are reminded that in the end times there will be earthquakes and natural disasters...
Then we cast our gaze to our own land. This Christian nation that boldly proclaims, "In God We Trust" on the money we spend on pornography. This Christian nation that proudly sings "God Bless America" at every ball game while we stay too busy with our entertainment to give God any more time than that. This Christian nation that bends over backwards to make sure that a criminal's rights are not violated, while refusing the basic right to life to our own children. And our minds are reminded that in the end times, it shall be like the days of Noah...
And so we wait. We cast our eyes to the heavens, anxious and looking for His return. We just know that we know that Jesus is coming to rescue us from this land! Any year now; any month now; any day now; any minute... Ah, yes- we are committed to this belief. Look, there on the nightstand- we have a book explaining all the last days signs sitting right next to our Bible. We watch the news with disdain, trying to see the signs we have read about in every newscast... LOOK THERE! Wasn't that a prophecy fulfillment from Daniel about the end?! On the rare occasion that we do take our gaze off the skies, we look around and get depressed at the state of affairs. We become filled with sarcasm and cynicism; our eyes become dark to the idea of hope for this world. Just look at the sexual deviants, the killers, the vile filth, on and on we just want to SCREAM!!! So we quickly return our gaze back to the heavens, choosing to remain silent except to utter those famous words- "come quickly, Lord... Come quickly and save your servant..."
It is at this time that I must interject a thought... What if... What if we are wrong?
I quickly try to push that thought, that heresy from my mind! I quickly shut my mouth as soon as I utter the words, for fear that I may be shunned as a non-believer... And yet, still- the question lingers...
Now let me clear something up before your mind wanders too far- I am not suggesting we are wrong about GOD, or His Word. But rather, I think we may have some things a little screwy when it comes to our view of the end times, and the current times. Allow me to explain:
I know there is a lot going on in the world right now. I know we are in some, shall we say, frightening times. Uncertain times. Dark and sinful times. I agree that at times it seems there is little hope for this world. But I am not quite convinced that our eyes should be cast upward just yet. I am, in fact, a little less than concerned about it. How can I dare utter this, you ask? Do I not realize that any moment Jesus could appear from the clouds and catch me in my heresy of not believing it is the end times? The answer to the second question is, Yes. I do believe He COULD return any minute. But my answer to the first question explains why I am not convinced He WILL return any minute.
I think Paul said it best, put into words better than I could, why I feel the way I do. He writes in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 the following: "Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto Him, that ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit nor by word; nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall NOT come, except there come a falling away FIRST, AND that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as god sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is god."
I think this passage should be self explanatory; but I think the most interesting point is the thought that the day of Christ shall not come till the man of perdition- that is, THE Antichrist- be revealed... Last time I checked, we still haven't seen his ugly mug...
Call me nieve, perhaps- but until the day that we can say, "Hey WOW that guy HAS to be the Antichrist" and actually BE right as opposed to guessing- I will hold to a different perspective on our times. And what, persay, is that perspective you ask?
It is simply this (in the words of the great Yogi Berra): "It ain't over til it's over!"
I think that we need to get our head out of the clouds. The American Christian has been hung up on this idea for the past few decades that Christ is gonna rescue us any minute now. So we look up, we reach up, we hope up... In the meantime, there are lost people who need to hear the Gospel walking right under our nose. In the meantime, there are people who desperately need the Hand of Christ to reach out to them, walking beneath our upwards and outstreched arms. There are people who need to know that there is hope for the sinner, hope of a love that can set them free, who don't even understand our hope stretched into the atmosphere...
My friends, it is so easy to get caught up in the idea that this is the end times. But the reality is, we don't know that. We can't say that for sure, because as Paul pointed out, not all the signs are there yet. And while we sit on our virtual mountaintop for Jesus we are completely missing out on opportunities to be used by God in changing lives in the valley. I would daresay that we even border on dwelling in pride and self pity, believing that we are here to wait for God to rescue us from this garbage that surrounds us, from these heathens that pester us, from these unrighteous souls at our doorstep... Oh, that God would free us from their putrid filth that vexes our souls!!!
I will end this with a question: Why are you here? Why are you on planet earth? Is it to wait for the King to rescue you when you have already been rescued from darkness? Is it to sit on a mountaintop, refusing to use your talent that he has given you because you are too busy wating for His return- and besides, it would just be wasted on those infidels anyways? Is God really o.k. with that? Or would He rather us be down in the valley, answering the times the way Isaiah did when asked by God "Who will go for us"- answering with those solem words, "here am I Lord, send me"? Would He rather us take the good news of His grace, His mercy, His freedom to this dark world than to sit on our hands asking Him for more freedom from those around us?
Think about it. Then ask yourself if the reason there is no revival in America is because our head is in the clouds...
Friday, March 4, 2011
God has given us each other, and we will never walk alone
In the shelter of each other
We will live
We will live (In the shelter)
In the shelter of each other
We will live
We will live (You will never walk alone)
I know! I know! it is a bit strange, perhaps, to start out a blog with song lyrics. But I have always believed music is a powerful spiritual force, and have always been very moved and often inspired when men write from their hearts and place that on the stringed instruments... :) So forgive this brief indulgence, and know it is with a purpose...
I first heard this song by Jars of Clay at the Rock and Worship Roadshow. It placed deep thoughts in my brain and I have had it's message stuck in my head ever since. What is this? I thought Christ was our shelter! How is it then that this songwriter has made a bold proclaimation of living in the shelter of each other?
Now I must confess, that I have not spoken with said songwriter. But I believe I have an idea of what he was after when he penned this song. And I believe it is a message that needs to be echoed throughout our churches. Why? Because I believe the message that the songwriter was expressing is the same message that God expresses in the Word, and if applied, could radically alter the future of this nation...
I think the first thing to look at is what exactly it is that we, as a group of believers, are. We as Christians are described as many things- from the light of the world to the salt of the earth, to priests and children of the most High God- but there is one thing we are referred to that caught my attention as concerning this current subject. And that is, the Body of Christ Himself. In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul illustrates this idea that some of us are likened spiritually to the feet of a body; some likened to hands; some to ears; and so on. He illustrates the point that we all are different, and we all have different gifts. I think it is safe to say that Paul was in a sense, saying that there are no blank-minded robots in the family of God. We are all individuals, unique in a variety of ways. BUT despite this undeniable truth of individuality, Paul ALSO makes another point in his "unique" comparrison of the church to a body: that just as in the physical, the "eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of you"- so we, as a part of the Body of Christ, cannot say to another "I have no need of you"! In fact, Paul takes it one step further by stating the following: "There should be no schism in the Body, but that the members have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, ALL the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, ALL the members rejoice with it." (1 Cor. 12:25-26) This same idea is echoed in the book of Hebrews, where it is written "Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also IN THE BODY." (Hebrews 13:3)
In a lost and dying world, we have been left as a witness to those around us, to show Christ, to shine His Light in the darkness, to reflect Him that set us free. We ARE His Body on this frail planet. As a result of that, we must also understand that we ARE His arms for reaching not only the lost- but those amongst ourselves that are hurting, that are in need, that are weeping, that are broken. Here is my thought: Is it at all possible that Christ provides us that much needed shelter that we are so desperate for, those arms that we so badly need to lean on in our darkest hour- that He provides for that need through His Body? That His Body- the Body of believers- is to be the comfort, the shelter, the fulfillment of His promise?
I would daresay that the answer to that question is yes. If we are to weep with those who weep, if we are to rejoice with those who rejoice, then we must have need to be involved with each other's lives. We are to be that fulfillment of promise. Can you imagine what kind of effect that would have on this world if they saw us actually loving each other?
Now this does not mean welcome with open arms any who claim the name of Jesus. we must be wise and discerning, for scripture warns us that there are many false teachers and antichrists that may look good on the outside, but in reality are just pawns of the devil himself, teaching wicked doctrine. We must be cautious not to endure false teaching, and rather rebuke it with love. But that is the key- LOVE. 1 Corinthians 13 style love. And for those who are His- we must unite in love. We must be those arms of comfort. We must be the healing hand. We must find shelter in each other.
Instead, though, too often we are divided. we fight over carpet colors at church. We fight over pre-tribulation vs. post-tribulation rapture. We fight over worship styles. We fight over whose denomination is the best. We gossip about each other, we are backbiters, hateful, bitter, angry at our brothers and sisters. Paul said that the eye cannot say to the hand I have no need of you- but the reality is, we attempt to do that constantly.
I recently heard an interesting observation about communism- that the leaders of the communist movement seek to divide a nation's people. The reason being, is simple: a united people cannot be defeated. I think there is a lesson we need to take from the Marxist-loving atheists. It is, in it's simplest form, as follows: Satan seeks to divide the Body of Christ. The reason being, is simple: a united Body cannot be defeated. In fact- the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
My friends, we live in desperate times. I believe the only hope for this nation is the message of the Gospel- a message that can only be effectively communicated by a united Body. Isn't it time that we lay aside our petty differences, put down our own pride, accept that on some matters it is more important to be there for your brother as opposed to be more right than your brother? My friends, I daresay that there is a nation full of broken people who are desperate for us to heal our own self-inflicted wounds so that we can, in turn, take the healing salve to them.
We will live
We will live (In the shelter)
In the shelter of each other
We will live
We will live (You will never walk alone)
I know! I know! it is a bit strange, perhaps, to start out a blog with song lyrics. But I have always believed music is a powerful spiritual force, and have always been very moved and often inspired when men write from their hearts and place that on the stringed instruments... :) So forgive this brief indulgence, and know it is with a purpose...
I first heard this song by Jars of Clay at the Rock and Worship Roadshow. It placed deep thoughts in my brain and I have had it's message stuck in my head ever since. What is this? I thought Christ was our shelter! How is it then that this songwriter has made a bold proclaimation of living in the shelter of each other?
Now I must confess, that I have not spoken with said songwriter. But I believe I have an idea of what he was after when he penned this song. And I believe it is a message that needs to be echoed throughout our churches. Why? Because I believe the message that the songwriter was expressing is the same message that God expresses in the Word, and if applied, could radically alter the future of this nation...
I think the first thing to look at is what exactly it is that we, as a group of believers, are. We as Christians are described as many things- from the light of the world to the salt of the earth, to priests and children of the most High God- but there is one thing we are referred to that caught my attention as concerning this current subject. And that is, the Body of Christ Himself. In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul illustrates this idea that some of us are likened spiritually to the feet of a body; some likened to hands; some to ears; and so on. He illustrates the point that we all are different, and we all have different gifts. I think it is safe to say that Paul was in a sense, saying that there are no blank-minded robots in the family of God. We are all individuals, unique in a variety of ways. BUT despite this undeniable truth of individuality, Paul ALSO makes another point in his "unique" comparrison of the church to a body: that just as in the physical, the "eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of you"- so we, as a part of the Body of Christ, cannot say to another "I have no need of you"! In fact, Paul takes it one step further by stating the following: "There should be no schism in the Body, but that the members have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, ALL the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, ALL the members rejoice with it." (1 Cor. 12:25-26) This same idea is echoed in the book of Hebrews, where it is written "Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also IN THE BODY." (Hebrews 13:3)
In a lost and dying world, we have been left as a witness to those around us, to show Christ, to shine His Light in the darkness, to reflect Him that set us free. We ARE His Body on this frail planet. As a result of that, we must also understand that we ARE His arms for reaching not only the lost- but those amongst ourselves that are hurting, that are in need, that are weeping, that are broken. Here is my thought: Is it at all possible that Christ provides us that much needed shelter that we are so desperate for, those arms that we so badly need to lean on in our darkest hour- that He provides for that need through His Body? That His Body- the Body of believers- is to be the comfort, the shelter, the fulfillment of His promise?
I would daresay that the answer to that question is yes. If we are to weep with those who weep, if we are to rejoice with those who rejoice, then we must have need to be involved with each other's lives. We are to be that fulfillment of promise. Can you imagine what kind of effect that would have on this world if they saw us actually loving each other?
Now this does not mean welcome with open arms any who claim the name of Jesus. we must be wise and discerning, for scripture warns us that there are many false teachers and antichrists that may look good on the outside, but in reality are just pawns of the devil himself, teaching wicked doctrine. We must be cautious not to endure false teaching, and rather rebuke it with love. But that is the key- LOVE. 1 Corinthians 13 style love. And for those who are His- we must unite in love. We must be those arms of comfort. We must be the healing hand. We must find shelter in each other.
Instead, though, too often we are divided. we fight over carpet colors at church. We fight over pre-tribulation vs. post-tribulation rapture. We fight over worship styles. We fight over whose denomination is the best. We gossip about each other, we are backbiters, hateful, bitter, angry at our brothers and sisters. Paul said that the eye cannot say to the hand I have no need of you- but the reality is, we attempt to do that constantly.
I recently heard an interesting observation about communism- that the leaders of the communist movement seek to divide a nation's people. The reason being, is simple: a united people cannot be defeated. I think there is a lesson we need to take from the Marxist-loving atheists. It is, in it's simplest form, as follows: Satan seeks to divide the Body of Christ. The reason being, is simple: a united Body cannot be defeated. In fact- the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
My friends, we live in desperate times. I believe the only hope for this nation is the message of the Gospel- a message that can only be effectively communicated by a united Body. Isn't it time that we lay aside our petty differences, put down our own pride, accept that on some matters it is more important to be there for your brother as opposed to be more right than your brother? My friends, I daresay that there is a nation full of broken people who are desperate for us to heal our own self-inflicted wounds so that we can, in turn, take the healing salve to them.
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