Sometimes you gotta just return to the gospel. Return to the cross. Return to the basic "meat and potatoes" of your faith and get your fill.
Last night I did that. Spent a couple hours studying Romans 7:7-25, and man, that is not a feel good chapter. But it's humbling. It puts you back in the reality of your fallen self. It reminds me once again that my desires and my actions do not always match up, and there is no escape from that.
Sin is mentioned at least 17 times and is often used with verbs in that passage. It's active. It seizes opportunities to manifest itself (vs. 8 & 11). It deceives (v. 11). It enslaves (vs. 14 & 25). It is living in all of us, and we cannot exterminate or wipe it out in this lifetime (v. 17, 20 & 23).
Additionally, the law is described as spiritual (v. 14), holy (v. 12), good (v. 16) and God's (v. 22). Just because the commandments and law condemn us and our inability to keep them, doesn't make them bad or wrong or unspiritual. Instead, it causes us to see sin as just that -sin. As "utterly sinful" (v. 13).
Utterly sinful. Funny when you think about that word. Is it that we don't understand the meaning of sin? Is it that we don't take the word seriously? Is it that we believe God is only gracious and not just? Is it that we excuse away the black and white in favor of a gray - "it's not as bad as (fill in the blank)"? I'd like to suggest all of the above and more. We like to think the best of people. We already think the best of ourselves. And it's much easier to believe good people receive good rewards in the next life for being kind and nice and honest here on earth.
But this is our great error. Good people are. not. free. from. sin. Christians are. not. free. from. sin. When you believe in Christ and become a Christian, you don't watch your problems disappear. Instead, you actually begin to see the battles within yourself more and more clearly, and you struggle with that war and tension between what you know and what you do.
However! There is good news my friends. Check out Romans 8:1, the next verse after the passage I studied. "Therefore" it starts. Notice that's a transition word. In light of all that has come before, now the writer wants to make a statement. Therefore, because of what was written before and now that you understand - "there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Therefore, even though we will struggle forever on this earth between what we know we should do and what we actually do, God is good enough and gracious enough and merciful enough to create a way we can be freed from drowning in fallen humanity for eternity. And He's done it without any aid on our part. This is the rescue mission of Jesus Christ.
Let's pretend it's a movie. Adam and Eve come on the scene. Life is perfect and how it should be. Man is made perfect in God's image and display that for the world to see. Sin enters because of humans. The law enters to help humans return to a right relationship with God. Sin goes crazy at work in the hearts of men to degrade them based on this law, though, and to trick and trap and seize their lives. God unfolds a counter-attack and sends Jesus to live and die and conquer death three days later. I've got Denzel Washington's voice in my head from the movie "Remember the Titans". He's talking to the other coaches about not letting up even after a tragic car accident with one of the team leaders, but he doesn't let anything stop him. "I'm a winner," he says. "I'm going to win."
This is the gospel we are all invited to daily. A winning one. A grace-filled one. A tragic one when we understand our condition, but a beautiful one when we realize God never left us there helpless. He continued with the "therefore" and finished with the cross. Price has been paid. Ransom made. Rescue complete.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Friday, December 16, 2011
[oceans]
Three days ago my small group studied Hebrews 2:1-4, and I am still trying to put into words my thoughts and lessons learned from that. Talking it out usually doesn't work and hasn't, so I shall try my hand at writing.
It was about drifting. Drifting away from the Lord. Either we're pushing on in the grace of the cross or we're drifting away from Him. There is no standing still in faith because the world isn't a quiet lake. It's a raging ocean.
That reminds me of that time I tried surfing once. We were in San Diego learning about tribal missions, and our speaker was also a legit surfer. He took us to the beach in the afternoons, and I learned pretty quick that it is much harder than it looks after getting owned before I even got out into the waves. I'd take two steps forward and the water would push the gigantic surf board and I back one. Then I'd take three steps forward and the waves would push me back two. On and on it went until I finally got beyond the shore, but by then, I was exhausted and simply wanted to float on the board rather than attempt to catch a wave.
Exhaustion. I remember Oswald Chambers wrote about that once. He talked about spiritual exhaustion coming from serving and people relying on you instead of Christ for truth, and man, I feel that this semester. But I like Chambers because he doesn't leave us there feeling sorry for ourselves.
"Has the way in which you have been serving God betrayed you into exhaustion?," Chambers wrote. "If so, then rally your affections. Where did you start the service from? From your own sympathy or from the basis of the Redemption of Jesus Christ? Continually go back to the foundation of your affections and recollect where the source of power is. You have no right to say - 'O Lord, I am so exhausted.' He saved and sanctified you in order to exhaust you. Be exhausted for God, but remember your supply comes from Him. 'All my fresh springs shall be in Thee.'" [My Utmost For His Highest]
And that last sentence is the key of all my rambling don't you think? When God tells us to spend time with Him in the Word, prayer, fellowship, service, He doesn't ever start with a command. It's always an invitation. An invitation to find peace and answers and joy in Him. "Come to me all who are weary and I will give you rest." And that is just as comforting as, "Deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me."
Because it's not really about working and stressing and plotting and planning and sacrificing for Him. It's listening and responding and doing what He's asked us to do on the basis of the cross. It's seeing our salvation freshly every day. It's doing the things we can do and trusting God to do what only He can do.
Life is an ocean with waves all around us. Satan has plans for our lives just as much as God does, and Satan comes only to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10). But the good news is the second part of that verse. "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." [Jesus]
Isn't this exactly what we want? Isn't this what we internally all desire whether we confront it now or on our death bed? To have a full, meaningful life. To be absolutely exhausted for God's glory by the end of our lives. To cross the final finish line of the race with legs that are beyond numb but knowing just one and one good thing - you left everything you were given out there.
It was about drifting. Drifting away from the Lord. Either we're pushing on in the grace of the cross or we're drifting away from Him. There is no standing still in faith because the world isn't a quiet lake. It's a raging ocean.
That reminds me of that time I tried surfing once. We were in San Diego learning about tribal missions, and our speaker was also a legit surfer. He took us to the beach in the afternoons, and I learned pretty quick that it is much harder than it looks after getting owned before I even got out into the waves. I'd take two steps forward and the water would push the gigantic surf board and I back one. Then I'd take three steps forward and the waves would push me back two. On and on it went until I finally got beyond the shore, but by then, I was exhausted and simply wanted to float on the board rather than attempt to catch a wave.
Exhaustion. I remember Oswald Chambers wrote about that once. He talked about spiritual exhaustion coming from serving and people relying on you instead of Christ for truth, and man, I feel that this semester. But I like Chambers because he doesn't leave us there feeling sorry for ourselves.
"Has the way in which you have been serving God betrayed you into exhaustion?," Chambers wrote. "If so, then rally your affections. Where did you start the service from? From your own sympathy or from the basis of the Redemption of Jesus Christ? Continually go back to the foundation of your affections and recollect where the source of power is. You have no right to say - 'O Lord, I am so exhausted.' He saved and sanctified you in order to exhaust you. Be exhausted for God, but remember your supply comes from Him. 'All my fresh springs shall be in Thee.'" [My Utmost For His Highest]
And that last sentence is the key of all my rambling don't you think? When God tells us to spend time with Him in the Word, prayer, fellowship, service, He doesn't ever start with a command. It's always an invitation. An invitation to find peace and answers and joy in Him. "Come to me all who are weary and I will give you rest." And that is just as comforting as, "Deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me."
Because it's not really about working and stressing and plotting and planning and sacrificing for Him. It's listening and responding and doing what He's asked us to do on the basis of the cross. It's seeing our salvation freshly every day. It's doing the things we can do and trusting God to do what only He can do.
Life is an ocean with waves all around us. Satan has plans for our lives just as much as God does, and Satan comes only to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10). But the good news is the second part of that verse. "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." [Jesus]
Isn't this exactly what we want? Isn't this what we internally all desire whether we confront it now or on our death bed? To have a full, meaningful life. To be absolutely exhausted for God's glory by the end of our lives. To cross the final finish line of the race with legs that are beyond numb but knowing just one and one good thing - you left everything you were given out there.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
[things i am learning]
Every day I'm technically in ministry. I say technically because by title I am, but truthfully, every day of my life following Christ is ministry. The world watches my actions, hears my words, sees my reactions, perceives my heart's inner peace. It took a title for me to start realizing this, but here are just some of the things I have learned by God's grace the last six months in "ministry":
1. I am human. I am in-capable of loving people well by my strength or courage. I am headed toward defeat when I fail to spend adequate time with the Lord and draw on my wisdom instead of His.
I like this quote that reminds me of that: "The language of all true faith is simply 'thank you!'. That is your response to God. Don't complicate it. Jesus Christ has give you Himself because you do not have what it takes to live the Christian life." [I. Gordon]
2. I have more questions than answers, and that is ok.
3. Everything I do is a reflection of the cross if I claim to follow Christ. I spend my days with people who mostly don't know Him or many times haven't even heard what He's done for them, and that makes you reflect on your words and your actions much differently. Sad that it took me til now to really think deeply and seriously about what gospel I preach with every aspect of my life. Not just during "on the clock" hours but more-so the "off the clock" times.
4. God is worth it. Brad Buser told us the story last summer of doubting whether he would be any good at taking the gospel to an unreached tribe in Papau New Guinea, and as he voiced his hesitation one last time, his leader said, "Based on what Jesus has done, get on the train (headed to missions training) unless God shuts you down. He's big enough to shut you down."
Based on what Jesus has done for me, I am on the train to spend my life sharing the gospel with people who have never heard. And over and over and over again, despite criticism from some of the people closest to me and doubt in my own heart and times when I just want to shut the world out, God has been faithful in reminding and assuring me what Jesus has done in my life and Who He is. That is enough I do say. Matthew 28:18-20 is a verse. We don't need a "call" when we have a verse. The ultimate question is whether Jesus is Lord of our lives or not. Who has commanded us to go is so much more powerful than the what He's asked us to do.
1. I am human. I am in-capable of loving people well by my strength or courage. I am headed toward defeat when I fail to spend adequate time with the Lord and draw on my wisdom instead of His.
I like this quote that reminds me of that: "The language of all true faith is simply 'thank you!'. That is your response to God. Don't complicate it. Jesus Christ has give you Himself because you do not have what it takes to live the Christian life." [I. Gordon]
2. I have more questions than answers, and that is ok.
3. Everything I do is a reflection of the cross if I claim to follow Christ. I spend my days with people who mostly don't know Him or many times haven't even heard what He's done for them, and that makes you reflect on your words and your actions much differently. Sad that it took me til now to really think deeply and seriously about what gospel I preach with every aspect of my life. Not just during "on the clock" hours but more-so the "off the clock" times.
4. God is worth it. Brad Buser told us the story last summer of doubting whether he would be any good at taking the gospel to an unreached tribe in Papau New Guinea, and as he voiced his hesitation one last time, his leader said, "Based on what Jesus has done, get on the train (headed to missions training) unless God shuts you down. He's big enough to shut you down."
Based on what Jesus has done for me, I am on the train to spend my life sharing the gospel with people who have never heard. And over and over and over again, despite criticism from some of the people closest to me and doubt in my own heart and times when I just want to shut the world out, God has been faithful in reminding and assuring me what Jesus has done in my life and Who He is. That is enough I do say. Matthew 28:18-20 is a verse. We don't need a "call" when we have a verse. The ultimate question is whether Jesus is Lord of our lives or not. Who has commanded us to go is so much more powerful than the what He's asked us to do.
Friday, November 25, 2011
[borrowed legacies]
Someone once told me we're all living on a borrowed legacy. That we are not the creators of our lots in life but simply recipients. It hit and humbled me.
And this time of year, people are posting all over the internet things they are thankful for. Family. Friends. Jobs. Food. Time. Things. Pets - the list goes on. Yet while there are many things I could list tonight, the day after Thanksgiving, I'll pick just one instead. I am thankful for the borrowed legacy I live on.
For generations of family that made faith the core of all things in life. For deep family values rooted in me since birth. For opportunities every day to learn about perseverance, hard work, community and team work on the family farm that was started over 150 years ago. For financial providence to meet basic needs and luxuries. And most of all, for faith in God made possible because of a Jesus that died for all nations, for I, too, am a Gentile. A Jesus that came and lived and died and rose so that we may know our Creater and be made right with Him.
This Thanksgiving I'm thankful for a lot of things. But most of all, I am thankful for the borrowed legacy I live on every day. That I am only who I am because of all the people who have gone before me and live around me every day. And that this, more than anything else during the holiday times, is most important. Not gifts or food or gatherings or songs or millions of cards and cookies. But a deep gratitude for all I have. And a deep gratitude for all I can pass on and give this Christmas and coming year.
And this time of year, people are posting all over the internet things they are thankful for. Family. Friends. Jobs. Food. Time. Things. Pets - the list goes on. Yet while there are many things I could list tonight, the day after Thanksgiving, I'll pick just one instead. I am thankful for the borrowed legacy I live on.
For generations of family that made faith the core of all things in life. For deep family values rooted in me since birth. For opportunities every day to learn about perseverance, hard work, community and team work on the family farm that was started over 150 years ago. For financial providence to meet basic needs and luxuries. And most of all, for faith in God made possible because of a Jesus that died for all nations, for I, too, am a Gentile. A Jesus that came and lived and died and rose so that we may know our Creater and be made right with Him.
This Thanksgiving I'm thankful for a lot of things. But most of all, I am thankful for the borrowed legacy I live on every day. That I am only who I am because of all the people who have gone before me and live around me every day. And that this, more than anything else during the holiday times, is most important. Not gifts or food or gatherings or songs or millions of cards and cookies. But a deep gratitude for all I have. And a deep gratitude for all I can pass on and give this Christmas and coming year.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
[watch Him work]
A pastor once mentioned that God hasn't developed laryngitis. He meant God hasn't stopped speaking in loud and real and clear ways even though we accuse Him of this all the time, and working in international ministry keeps me reminded that He has not stopped moving in powerful ways either. Today was one more awesome example.
A new international attended worship at Memorial. We didn't get to visit much beforehand, but afterwards I learned that he was a Christian from southern India. And then I found out that he's a native Tamil speaker - the same language of a woman who has become a good friend this last year. A woman I have been studying the Bible with lately despite many language struggles. A Hindu friend, yes, but one who reads a Psalm every day in the Tamil Bible we were able to give to her, and one who has a lot of questions about Jesus. Insert new Indian friend as interpreter or even leader? I think so.
That wasn't the end of the story though. Ten minutes later I was getting ready to leave and passed by him looking at the bulletin board with pictures and updates from our agricultural missionary in Ethiopia. Included on the board was a list of needs and prices to fulfill each one - support a missionary $50/month; build a new well $135; etc.
He pointed at the list and said, "I'd like to support a missionary. I'd also like to pay for a well. How do I do this and support God's work?" With that he pulled out two crisp $100 bills and asked what he should do with them. We went to the office together and handed the money to one of our pastors. Then on his way out he said something even more humbling.
"I did not know there were such pious Christians in America but you are doing great work," he told me. "We need Jesus in India because you know, ninety-eight percent of people are Hindu. It is great to hear about God's work you are doing. May He bless you." With that, he turned and took off back to campus leaving me speechless.
I'm not sure what he meant by pious. And I'm not sure I'd call myself or American Christians pious necessarily. But I think he meant it in a positive way from his actions and other words.
More than that, though, it reminded me once again that God has not developed laryngitis. And He hasn't stopped working in ways only He can work. Today proves it. He's bigger than Sunday School curriculum and English programs and international dinners and building wells and all the different schemes we've come up with to try and "do God's work". I have full confidence that He will get the glory due His name, and I am incredibly humbled watching Him work.
A new international attended worship at Memorial. We didn't get to visit much beforehand, but afterwards I learned that he was a Christian from southern India. And then I found out that he's a native Tamil speaker - the same language of a woman who has become a good friend this last year. A woman I have been studying the Bible with lately despite many language struggles. A Hindu friend, yes, but one who reads a Psalm every day in the Tamil Bible we were able to give to her, and one who has a lot of questions about Jesus. Insert new Indian friend as interpreter or even leader? I think so.
That wasn't the end of the story though. Ten minutes later I was getting ready to leave and passed by him looking at the bulletin board with pictures and updates from our agricultural missionary in Ethiopia. Included on the board was a list of needs and prices to fulfill each one - support a missionary $50/month; build a new well $135; etc.
He pointed at the list and said, "I'd like to support a missionary. I'd also like to pay for a well. How do I do this and support God's work?" With that he pulled out two crisp $100 bills and asked what he should do with them. We went to the office together and handed the money to one of our pastors. Then on his way out he said something even more humbling.
"I did not know there were such pious Christians in America but you are doing great work," he told me. "We need Jesus in India because you know, ninety-eight percent of people are Hindu. It is great to hear about God's work you are doing. May He bless you." With that, he turned and took off back to campus leaving me speechless.
I'm not sure what he meant by pious. And I'm not sure I'd call myself or American Christians pious necessarily. But I think he meant it in a positive way from his actions and other words.
More than that, though, it reminded me once again that God has not developed laryngitis. And He hasn't stopped working in ways only He can work. Today proves it. He's bigger than Sunday School curriculum and English programs and international dinners and building wells and all the different schemes we've come up with to try and "do God's work". I have full confidence that He will get the glory due His name, and I am incredibly humbled watching Him work.
Friday, November 4, 2011
[step by step. day by day]
I'm learning that growing in Christ is a process. And it happens in small steps. Not giant leaps.
Like thankfulness. I've been convicted lately about my ungrateful heart and attitude on a lot of things, so I took a friend's suggestion and started thanking God for 100 things every day - even things I wasn't particularly thankful for. I prayed for a thankful heart, yes, but I didn't leave it at that. And it didn't happen overnight.
The next day I thanked Him for even exit signs and then found myself frustrated with Sudanese culture only two hours later. Eight days later I was trying to get groceries with a Korean woman in a sleet storm and commented on the less than ideal weather only to hear her pipe up, "It's a great day if you have friends!" Thanks God.
Yet after 10 days I find myself scraping frost off my car at 5:15 a.m. before spinning class and immediately thanking God for ice scrappers without even thinking about it. And then thanking Him that I have electricity when the light stops working in our bathroom later, realizing that it's starting to become a natural response to little things for me.
And while I don't claim to have an incredibly, filled-to-the-brim, more than thankful heart yet, I can see God changing it step by step, opportunity by opportunity.
Oftentimes we pray for miracles. My heart to become thankful over night. Salvation for a close friend. Healing of a disease or sickness right now. And while we should not stop believing in miracles, I have learned it is just as important to pray for opportunities. Opportunities to thank God instead of complain. Opportunities to share truth with that close friend. Opportunities for God to give a sick person peace, comfort and trust in Him regardless of how things look from our perspective.
Then we gotta take 'em. Take 'em when God gives 'em, and thank Him for that, all the while remembering that the journey is valuable beyond our vision right here and now. Thanks God for continuing to teach me that.
Like thankfulness. I've been convicted lately about my ungrateful heart and attitude on a lot of things, so I took a friend's suggestion and started thanking God for 100 things every day - even things I wasn't particularly thankful for. I prayed for a thankful heart, yes, but I didn't leave it at that. And it didn't happen overnight.
The next day I thanked Him for even exit signs and then found myself frustrated with Sudanese culture only two hours later. Eight days later I was trying to get groceries with a Korean woman in a sleet storm and commented on the less than ideal weather only to hear her pipe up, "It's a great day if you have friends!" Thanks God.
Yet after 10 days I find myself scraping frost off my car at 5:15 a.m. before spinning class and immediately thanking God for ice scrappers without even thinking about it. And then thanking Him that I have electricity when the light stops working in our bathroom later, realizing that it's starting to become a natural response to little things for me.
And while I don't claim to have an incredibly, filled-to-the-brim, more than thankful heart yet, I can see God changing it step by step, opportunity by opportunity.
Oftentimes we pray for miracles. My heart to become thankful over night. Salvation for a close friend. Healing of a disease or sickness right now. And while we should not stop believing in miracles, I have learned it is just as important to pray for opportunities. Opportunities to thank God instead of complain. Opportunities to share truth with that close friend. Opportunities for God to give a sick person peace, comfort and trust in Him regardless of how things look from our perspective.
Then we gotta take 'em. Take 'em when God gives 'em, and thank Him for that, all the while remembering that the journey is valuable beyond our vision right here and now. Thanks God for continuing to teach me that.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
[in spite of politics, not by their aid]
Politics. Not something I write about often. Or ever. And not something I really ever care to write about. Or waste time arguing over.
But I found the following writing by Will Rogers and laughed out-loud - my sentiments exactly. Yeah I'll use my freedom and privilege to learn about the candidates in a year and vote, but beyond that, I don't know why we spend so much money and time on the fluff and circle-talking and dirt-digging business we call politics.
My faith still lies in the everyday person. Individuals determined to change their corner of the world are far more impactful than legislators will ever be. And you can argue that all you want, but I'm not looking for a debate. Just wanting to share an opinion that's not wrapped up in some party's stance or whose votes I might gain or lose with it. Just hoping to remind even myself that big shots aren't usually the ones who make the difference. Here's Will Rogers' take:
Will Rogers' Advice to the Candidates
"Go Fishing Until Election"
"There should be a moratorium called on candidate speeches. They have both called each other everything in the world they can think of. From now on they are just talking themselves out of votes. The high office of President of the United States has degenerated into two ordinarily fine men being goaded on by their political leeches into saying things that if they were in their right minds they wouldn't think of saying.
Imagine Mr. Hoover last night "any change of policies will bring disaster to every fireside in America." Of all the conceit. This country is a thousand times bigger than any two men in it, or any two parties in it. These big politicians are so serious about themselves and their parties. This country has gotten where it is in spite of politics, not by the aid of it.
That we have carried as much political bunk as we have and still survived shows we are a super nation. If by some divine act of Providence we could get rid of both these parties and hired some good man, like any other big business does, why that would be sitting pretty.
This calamity was brought on by the actions of the people of the whole world and its weight will be lifted off by the actions of the people of the whole world, and not by a Republican or a Democrat.
So you two boys just get the weight of the world off your shoulders and go fishing. Both of you claim to like to fish, now instead of calling each other names till next Tuesday, why you can do everybody a big favor by going fishing, and you will be surprised but the old U.S. will keep right on running while you boys are sitting on the bank. Then come back next Wednesday and we will let you know which one is the lesser of the two evils of you."
[Will Rogers]
But I found the following writing by Will Rogers and laughed out-loud - my sentiments exactly. Yeah I'll use my freedom and privilege to learn about the candidates in a year and vote, but beyond that, I don't know why we spend so much money and time on the fluff and circle-talking and dirt-digging business we call politics.
My faith still lies in the everyday person. Individuals determined to change their corner of the world are far more impactful than legislators will ever be. And you can argue that all you want, but I'm not looking for a debate. Just wanting to share an opinion that's not wrapped up in some party's stance or whose votes I might gain or lose with it. Just hoping to remind even myself that big shots aren't usually the ones who make the difference. Here's Will Rogers' take:
Will Rogers' Advice to the Candidates
"Go Fishing Until Election"
"There should be a moratorium called on candidate speeches. They have both called each other everything in the world they can think of. From now on they are just talking themselves out of votes. The high office of President of the United States has degenerated into two ordinarily fine men being goaded on by their political leeches into saying things that if they were in their right minds they wouldn't think of saying.
Imagine Mr. Hoover last night "any change of policies will bring disaster to every fireside in America." Of all the conceit. This country is a thousand times bigger than any two men in it, or any two parties in it. These big politicians are so serious about themselves and their parties. This country has gotten where it is in spite of politics, not by the aid of it.
That we have carried as much political bunk as we have and still survived shows we are a super nation. If by some divine act of Providence we could get rid of both these parties and hired some good man, like any other big business does, why that would be sitting pretty.
This calamity was brought on by the actions of the people of the whole world and its weight will be lifted off by the actions of the people of the whole world, and not by a Republican or a Democrat.
So you two boys just get the weight of the world off your shoulders and go fishing. Both of you claim to like to fish, now instead of calling each other names till next Tuesday, why you can do everybody a big favor by going fishing, and you will be surprised but the old U.S. will keep right on running while you boys are sitting on the bank. Then come back next Wednesday and we will let you know which one is the lesser of the two evils of you."
[Will Rogers]
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