arabi grace

Unchurched People Like Jesus, but...

2011-03-22T15:24:00.002-04:00

A few years back, Dan Kimball, pastor of Vintage Faith Church in California, wrote They Like Jesus But Not the Church. A few conversations with people in the South Georgia that do not regularly attend church continue to reveal the truth of Kimball's premise.

Here are 6 things I have learned about unchurched people in South Georgia. (This is a subjective list based on conversations.)

1. Unchurched people in SoGa have had some experience with the church.

Most of the adults I have talked with about spiritual matters have had experience with the church. Because of this fact, I believe many of them are more dechurched than unchurched. Most of the experiences came early with grandparents and often with Vacation Bible School and Summer Camps. The factor that stands out to them is that there were some good times in these experiences.

"The lady who told the Bible stories was so funny!"

"We had a blast putting shaving cream on the leaders!"

"I remember eating these green cupcakes!"

"The man who drove the bus was very kind to me."

In those times, the unchruched picked up some basic impressions about church and Jesus and the Bible. Their overwhelming impression of God is that He is loving. This idea of God loving people vaguely has something to do with Jesus showing us he loves us because he died on the cross. That has been the general vein of theology I have heard in these conversations.

2. Unchurched people in SoGa believe church people are judgmental.

Now that those young former-VBS attenders have grown up, they now have seen that most of the people (or one very specific person) in church are judgmental, not very nice and downright mean. Since the unchurched believe they just accept people as they are, they have trouble wondering why church people can not do the same.

For the record, I have certainly met some mean people at church.

Honestly, most unchurched people have just as many judgmental attitudes as the next person. However, they have certainly experienced that attitude and it is why they do not want to be involved with church and church people.

3. Unchurched people in SoGa are afraid to come to church.

Every week, regularly church attenders go to the congregation of their choice and never give it another thought. That is not the case with the unchurched. Because of some of their concerns about church people, even if they have an overwhelming desire to have some deep questions answered, the fear of what might happen inside is a giant obstacle.

This should not be too hard for us to understand. I have had Christians tell me the reason they do not go to church on vacations is because they don't know anyone! That is the feeling most unchurched people get even if they want to attend.

4. Unchurched people in SoGa believe it is possible to be a Christian and not go to church.

I have talke with many unchurched people that are quite certain of their relationship with God. They speak of praying many prayers. They speak of having times of worship alone with God. This is all part of a bigger issue of "Churchless Christianity" that is found all over the country.

Some of this has been created by bad church experiences, I am sure. Some of this is because of fear. The point is, many unchurched people have been stabbed in the back, judged and talked about and those experiences have led them to believe that the church is so broken that it must not be a part of God's plan.

5. Unchurched people in SoGa know they are sinners.

"I drink way too much. I know it's not right."

"I know I should be reading the Bible and going to church."

"I need to stop cussing and talking so mean to my wife."

"I don't know if God can forgive me for what I have done. I've made such a mess of my life."

That's just a couple of the many confessions I have heard from unchurched people. Some have told me that they are just as good as the people who go to church--they've done business with the church people! Yet, they know when they do wrong. Many of them feel guilty about it. Many of them want to change. Many of them just don't know if they can.

6. Unchurched people in SoGA have deep questions about life and God.

"I just don't know if Jesus is God's Son. Is He really God?"

"How can God forgive me?"

"If God is loving, how could he..."

"...let my sister die?" "...let my daddy die?" "...let my momma die?"

"...allow me to be raped?"

"...not stopped the accident?"

I have met so many unchurched people in South Georgia that are not raving atheists. They don't hate God. It's just that they have go some big questions and they don't know the answers. They have some vague ideas and impressions about God and they can not get them squared up in their minds.

What have you discovered about the unchurched people you know in South Georgia. How have you engaged with them? How will you engage with them? How will you pray to God for them?

A Very Loose Paraphrase of Isaiah 58

2011-02-23T12:48:00.002-05:00

Isaiah, shout as loud as you can that my people are rebels who do nothing but walk in sin. They go about looking really religious. They look like a people that are really concerned about me and my desires. It’s all pretend. They’re hypocrites. Do you hear them praying their false prayers? They want people to see them calling out to me—but I promise you. It’s not for me they call.

Listen to them. It’s a mockery.

“Oh God. Don’t you see us down here? We are fasting and praying! You don’t seem to see how good we are. You are ingnoring us God. Why?”

Listen people. The reason I am ignoring your kind of fasting and prayer is because you are only concerned with your own pleasure. That is number one for you. You go to all this trouble to appear spiritual and it is not even about me! You fast and pray and as fast as you can you just go out fighting, trying to get your own way. Your attitudes toward one another have not changed. You are selfish people looking out for no one but number one. Even worse, you want me to treat you with grace and kindness and favor and just look at how you treat your workers. You’re filled with injustice.

Listen people. I am not going to hear you! I am not listening to that! My desire for you this—humble yourself before me. Get into your heads that I am God. I am your creator. It is me that chose you to be my people. My greatest desire is for you to know me and my ways and walk in the joy of them all! No more pretending. Just humility and honesty before me. That is what I am calling for today.

When you are fasting in humility before me, I want you to see your putrid sin. I want you to confess and repent from it. I will gladly forgive you and set you free from the wickedness that is binding you down. I will lift your burden when you come to me in that kind of attitude. You will be clean. Then, when you experience the cleanness of forgivenss, I am going to help you see the problems of people around you. I am going to fill you with a heart of love—just like I have for you—in order that you might go and serve those in need.

See the hungry man? Then here’s the power to be compassionate. Go feed him.

See the homeless man? You sin is forgiven. Now you can see his burden. Invite him into your house.

See the naked man? You’re free. Go to the store and buy him a new outfit.

There will be great joy in this service. And your joy will increase as you continue to be honest before me about the condition of your heart. No need to pretend. No need to act all goody-too-shoes. You can be honest and repentant and continue to receive the refreshing of my forgiveness. I hate hypocrisy. I love honesty and humility. Here, let me lift you up!

Do you need hope? Here it is.

Do you need healing? Here it is.

I love to give good gifts to you. I love to give myself to you. There is no need to keep pointing out the sin that everyone else is doing. Honestly, aren’t you just doing that to make yourself feel better?

Just keep on doing the good work I show you. Keep on feeding the hungry. Help those that are suffering from injustice and pain and sorrow. Be their friend. Be their advocate. You can risk doing that for them because that is exactly what I do for you. It is for your joy and my glory that you do such kind things for the broken people in this broken word. You shine out as a real life example of how things can be. You show the world that God is real and that He can be known.

When you live the humble life, filled with honost fasting and repentance and doing the good work I show you, guess what? I will fill your life with light. Even in the times when you feel sad, your will overflow with joy and contentment. I am for you and with you. I am going to make you strong. I will care and water you life just like a master gardner cares for his most prized rose bushes. You are going to be like a flowing spring of fresh water that never stops flowing. All the sin has been forgiven. My spirit will flow unhindered in your life.

The places in your life that have been destroyed—I will rebuild them!

The generations that come from you—they will have a strong and godly foundation because of your humility before me!

Do you know what people will call you? That is the one who brings healing around here! People will say, “If it is broken, we can trust him! We can trust her! They are people of God! God is one there side! They make our neighborhood and city better! Because of them we know God!”
Oh precious people. Keep walking in honor before me. On the Lord’s Day, take time to forget what you want and remember what I want. Seek my face. Seek my word. Seek my ways. Do good. Serve and help people who need it. Here’s what is going to happen. Your delight in me will keep on growing and my delight in you will keep on growing.

You will go higher and farther and wider than you ever thought possible. My blessing will be so rich and heavy on you that even when you do sin, you will thirst for repentance that you might continue to walk in the goodness of my blessing. I will restore all that has been lost. I give you a faithful foundation on which to live and build generations to come.

Listen. I promise!

Marriage That Knocks Your Socks Off

2011-02-15T15:04:00.003-05:00

(A doctor enters the examination with a grim look on his face.)

Mr. Jones: What is it doc? Your face is not giving me confidence!
Doctor: Mr. Jones, I’m sorry to tell you…
Mr. Jones: What is it? What is it?!!?
Doctor: If you don’t take your wife on a romantic date you’ll be dead by the end of the year!

[32 ] This mystery is profound, and I am saying that [marriage] refers to Christ and the church. [33 ] However, let each [husband] love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. -Ephesians 5 (ESV)

I have noticed something special happens when I talk with people who have accomplished a great goal in their life. It is usually something similar to this sentiment—“I am so glad I did it!”

Talk to the man or woman who has lost a significant amount of weight after being told by the doctor that failing to do so was going to lead to an earlier end of life expectancy. They battled and struggled to embrace a new lifestyle. I’ve met people who needed to make drastic changes in order to accomplish weight loss. Yes, they admit missing their old midnight snack of a frozen pizza or a bag of chips and eating dessert with every meal. However, when they get to the goal weight…THEY BEAM WITH ACCOMPLISHMENT AND PRIDE! THEY GO ON AND ON ABOUT HOW GREAT THEY FEEL. THERE IS CONFIDENCE IN BEING A PART OF NEW ACTIVITIES LIKE CYCLING OR SWIMMING LAPS OR WALKING AROUND THE MALL WITHOUT GETTING WINDED.

Think of the person who desires a college education after life had a way of throwing their dream off track and college was not a possibility until they were in their thirties or forites. Nothing better than hearing that person talk about getting that degree. Was it hard? You bet! It had been years since they were in school. Reading was something they did for their kids and the choices were Mickey Mouse or Snow White. Algebra! Western Civilization! Philosophy! The struggle was great but the accomplishment was better.

Most people who have done these things take a look at their life or circumstances and recognize that something needs to be different. Sometimes it is something internal driving them for a change. Sometimes it is external from a proclamation by a doctor or manager. Some folks take a long time to finally make THE decision to go for it. Dieters have many missteps until they finally get the big weight loss. Some adults have some misfires until they finally get the degree.

Honestly, if they new it would have felt so great, they would have done it sooner. "I don't know why I waited so long1"

I think that is true of how we look at our marriages. It is easy to get content with the way things are but honestly, things never stay the same. There always tends to be a drift away from health. Couples wake up and wonder what happened to that person they were so in love with years ago. Sometimes it is habit. Sometimes it is a difficult circumstance. Sometimes it has been a series of heartbreaks or lost dreams. Sometimes it began with one night of not making things right after a fight. Sometimes it started with turning on the television rather than asking, “How was your day?”

One question: How would it feel to have the kind of marriage that blew your socks off? To think to yourself, “I can’t wait to get home tonight and be with my spouse!”

Another question: is there one thing you could do or say today that might take you on that journey?

Raising Godly Generations

2011-02-08T14:42:00.002-05:00

This past week, we considered raising up godly generations from Deuteronomy 6 in our morning worship gathering. No doubt, those believers who are growing in their relationship with Christ most assuredly desire their children and grandchildren to experience the same. Let me encourage you to be intentional in this activity.

In your godly action, here are a few first steps you can be taking:

1. Pray for your children and grandchildren.
Use the prayers in the Bible to pray for your children. One such example is Ephesians 1:15-22 and how you might use it to pray…

[15] For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints,
>if they are not Christians, pray that God will save them, for them to recognize their sin and that Jesus paid the penalty for their sin on the cross and through the power of his resurrection, for them to become followers of Jesus
>if they are Christians, thank God for it and ask God to keep them growing in faith and in love for other Christians

[16] I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers,
>continue to ask God to help you be the chief intercessor for your children and grandchildren. Ask God to help you labor in prayer over the life of your children and grandchildren. (It might be good to set aside specific and prolonged time for this, not just “bless ‘em Lord on the way to work!)

[17] that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the
knowledge of him,
>ask God to fill them with spiritual wisdom (Proverbs 1:7) and with the knowledge of God (for us, this is knowing God through His Word)

[18] having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,
>that their hearts will be enlightened/opened to the hope that God has called us

[19] and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might
>to realize that great power which God has directed toward us

[20] that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,
>that they will understand the might work of God through Jesus on their behalf
[21] far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
>for them to know that Jesus is the ruler of all and that his name is about all names
>for them to becoming more and more submissive to the rule of Jesus in their own lives
>that they will come to have an increasing eternal vision of things

[22] And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, [23] which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
>for them to be full participants in the life of the church
>that they will be the kind of people who are deeply concerned with Jesus being honored in their church
>for them to be filled with Jesus (i.e. full of the Spirit)
>for them to be surrounded by other believers who are concerned about the glory of Jesus

2. Pray for them, if they are in your home, while putting them to bed at night or before they go to school or, if they are grown and gone, before they leave to go back home or before you get off the phone talking with them.

>for the children in your home:

“Father, I am thankful that you have saved ______ and that she is a follower of Jesus. Today, as she goes to school, remind her they are greatly loved by you. Help her to love you more and more and recognize that Jesus is in control of all things. Amen.”

>for you grown children:

Before they leave from a visit or before you get off the phone “Son, before you leave, I want to pray for you. Will that be o.k.?” It can be meaningful to hold their hand or place your hand on their shoulder.

“Father, I pray for my son today and ask you to be glorified in his life and his family. Give him godly wisdom and insight to raise his children in a way that pleases you. Help his relationship with you to be growing and dynamic. May many people come to know you because of his relationship with you. Amen.”

3. Read the Bible to Them
A short passage before bedtime or at the breakfast table. If your children are young, read the Gospels. Read passages appropriate to their life circumstance. The Proverbs give practical insight. Paul’s letters give explanation to faith and certain specific situations in life. A short explanation can be helpful. “What we learn about Jesus in this passage is…”

If your children and gone, write them encouraging notes with a bible verse or two written out. A child facing a difficult circumstance might be more encouraged by reading Psalm 23 written in your hand rather than you simply saying, “It’ll work out.” Isn’t amazing how vague we can be when giving advice!

4. Sing Together
Worship at church will mean more when your children sing together at home with you. Songs can teach us and our children and grandchildren about the greatness of God. The songs of Keith Urban are catchy but the songs of Charles Wesley, Isaac Watts and Chris Tomlin will help them love Jesus more.

May God greatly empower you as you practice Deuteronomy 6 among the children and grandchildren that God has given you. He uses people that feel inadequate and fearful everyday!

Is Jesus Enough in the Midst of Frustration?

2009-11-30T15:51:00.003-05:00

Frustration. Joy. Anger. Wonder. Disappointment. Excitement.

All of these things are profound realities in our lives. We live in this world that is filled with extreme pain and failure as well as moments of such ecstasy that we can hardly contain them. Being that our world is “fallen” because of sin, we live with these polar opposites. All is not as it should be in the world. However, by the power of the cross, we have/and are: been made into new creatures, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit and will one day meet Christ in the complete fulfillment of His glory.

Yet, we are left with these opposites in the now.

Sunday evening in our Adult Disciple Group, we watched an interesting discussion with best-selling author Donald Miller and theology professors Dan Allender and Tremper Longman. Honestly, I must admit that the discussion created more “discussion” among our group of 13 than I would have thought. It was candid and challenging to hear what was happening in our midst. A few of the highlights (at least the ones that really stood out to me) were:

-God works in the desert places of our life. In fact, it is often in the desert that the Gospel
is most fulfilled in our lives

-There is no hope for ultimate fulfillment in this life (we live "east of Eden")

-The struggle we have in this life is that “we” want to be in control and we will go along with God's plans as long as they meet what I want

-We are tempted to misread the Bible as, merely, a self-help book

-If we are not careful we become the very thing that God hates – legalists. Believing that if we do certain things, then God is obligated to bless us.

-The life of Job and so many other faithful followers of God leave us with many unanswered questions about living in this life

-It is frustrating when we encounter folks that have “false expectations” of God and we have met them in those times where they have asked us, “If God is good, why did He let that happen?!” (We struggle with how to answer)

-We struggle over the fact that we believe that if we can get those we care about to church (we tell people, “If you come it will help you.”) then maybe they will get fixed

-We mourn over those same people when they finally come to church and their lives do not get better and they leave. (They must be thinking: “I tried God and he didn't work.”)

-We fear that perhaps we are the ones causing people to have false expectations and it even causes us to not want to say anything at all!

Whew! These are some big issues that we kicked around last night. The discussion did not leave us with merely being depressed because our “discussers” turned the conversation in reminding us that we are called to “fear God” and to understand that our hope is in the resurrection of Christ.

Yes, we have many unanswered questions. Yes, we struggle when things are difficult. Yes, we fail to have the “right” answers when asked tough questions. Yet, it seems to me that many in the room Sunday night have come to learn in the midst of all those realities that Jesus and His Grace are sufficient.

Why? Because we have come to understand the perspective we must have about our lives as shared by Dan Allender. The starting point of our lives is to understand that we are not the creator but the creature. We live “east of Eden” because of sin and left in that sin, we will continue to be apart from God. In that condition, the might, loving God acts on our behalf to justify us through His Son.

Practically speaking, we have to remind ourselves to what are we inviting people. Yes, we want them to come and be apart of Arabi Baptist Church. However, what we really want is for them to come and follow Jesus in the forgiveness of sin. We know that anything the people we care about substitute for Jesus will fail them. We are not always completely sure that what we think or have to say to them will be right. However, Peter, James, John, Stephen, Irenaeus, Caedmon, Augustine, Martin Luther, John Wesley, Charles Spurgeon, Dwight Moody, Lottie Moon, Billy Graham, and generation after generation of followers of Christ have been convinced that the Gospel is enough and it is worth going to great lengths in order to communicate in this painful, joyful, frustrating and wonderful world!

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23

Fellowship in Fun

2009-10-19T08:45:00.002-04:00

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works"
Hebrews 10:24

"Old" (i.e. the older members participating) and young moved across with the field with joy and excitment. Runners strove up the baselines with intensity. Batters swung for the gate. Throws were made-some taking their spots while others were errant. Runs were scored. And laughter was heard all around.

Saturday was a fantastic time together for those who gathered for the church-wide softball game. It had been many years since a softball game had actually taken place on our old field. I am sure that memories flooded the minds of those that participated in church league games years ago. For one moment, the old competitive juices flowed again in a game that led to a final score of 23-22.

As we played together on Saturday, we were reminded of the simple joy of just being together and being a part of an activity that allowed us to enjoy one another. You can't help but wonder why such things are not more a part of our regular fellowship. It is in those times that we get to see things about each other that we have never seen before. We are able to "let our hair down" and laugh and run and smile. It is in that fellowship together that we enjoy one another and are glad that we are a part of each other's lives.

In those moments we recognize how much we love each other and are glad that we are in each others lives.

In the midst of sore muscles and funny attempts to recover old sports glory, we are surrounded by the joy of being part of the church. We see God's good gift of laughter and friendship and sport.

We see that fellowship is often the choice to be together. Yes - we can be doing something else with our Saturdays. Yes - we can be somewhere else. Yes - when we are together like that, we wonder, perhaps, why we have not sought that fellowship sooner and more often. (I am sure some who woke up on Sunday mornign know why it has been a long time?)

As I headed off toward Savannah on Saturday evening after the softball game and cookout, I was truly happy. I was glad to have been in Arabi, Georgia with an incredibly fun group of people. I was glad that their was joy and love in our midst. I was touched by the sweet memory of a group of people that surrounded me and prayed for me as I would go and preach to another sister congregation. It all communicated to me-we are together and it is good.

The Prayers of Charles Spurgeon's Mother

2009-10-13T16:31:00.001-04:00

"Now, Lord, if my children go on in their sins, it will not be from ignorance that they perish, and my soul must bear a swift witness against them at the day of judgment if they lay not hold of Christ." -Eliza Jarvis Spurgeon

My mother said to me, one day, "Ah, Charles! I often prayed the Lord to make you a Christian, but I never asked that you might become a Baptist." I could not resist the temptation to reply, "Ah, mother ! the Lord has answered your prayer with His usual bounty, and given you exceeding abundantly above what you asked or thought."

Lay Renewal Training, Glen Sheppard and the Discipline of Evangelism

2009-09-01T16:16:00.001-04:00

Hello everyone! Hope you are having a great Tuesday.

I am quite thankful to everyone that participated in our Preparation Group Training this past Sunday. Leaders, you should be getting a card in the mail encouraging you to take the following two steps: 1)Reviewing and Assessing what your team will need to accomplish and 2) planning your first meeting with your team. Just a reminder, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our General Chairperson(s), Tracy & Kathryn Walls or myself.

Our Preparation Group Leaders are: Prayer Group - Pam Dollar & Kathy Bradford, Communication Group - Connie Still & W.L. Farmer, Publicity Group - Pat Story & Jacqueline Evans, Coffee Group - Lonnie & Melissa Nelms, Food Group - Gary & Dennette McDaniel & Cheris Gardner

Please don't forget this Wednesday Night Activities.
6:30 Supper for Youth and Children
7:00 Adult Prayer and Praise, Youth Group, Mission Kids

I would implore everyone to make to Wednesday Night Prayer a priority as we prepare for for our upcoming Lay Renewal!

Glenn Sheppard of International Prayer ministries has been in Revival services this week at Ebenezer Baptist Church. I heard him last night and yesterday morning. He said something to a group of pastors that really got my attention.

"Evangelism is done first in the closet of intercession with brokennesss over the lost condition of people."

Recently, I have been reading a book by Patrick Morley on Spiritual Disciplines. He shares how he has shared Christ with many people, especially men over the past several years. He tells how many have told him that he must have the "gift" of evangelism. He states,

"I don't. It's true that I do a lot of evangelism, but I do it as an act of discipline. Evangelism is not my natural interest, nor my spiritual gifting. I do it because of the following declaration by Jesus, our Master: 'You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; an you will be my witnesses...(Acts 1:7-8).

"Clearly from this verse, part of what it means to be a disciple is to be a witness--either by gifting or by discipline. So I look at this verse and say to myself, 'I am willing to substitute discipline for a lack of natural interest." I do this for Jesus. I also do it for the men [to which I minister]." (emphasis added)

Hope everyone has a great evening. Look forward to seeing you Wednesday Night.

Rodney

Listening for the Glory of God

2009-08-24T12:09:00.004-04:00

Sunday Morning, Katie Schrader did a wonderful interpretive sign that led us to think on the freedom that we have in Christ. As I watched Katie sign, I was struck by the wonderful movement and sound of the music and the power of the song's message. After the song was complete, I was ready to continue worshipping in my role of preaching and teaching as I hope that those who heard were ready to worship God through listening to His word read and exposed.

I off-handedly remarked that as we have a “Summer Reading Festival” (with the purpose of reading books to help us love Jesus more), perhaps we should begin a music or listening festival (with the purpose of listening to music hat helps us love Jesus more)!

In Seminary, I came to really appreciate the ministry of Professor Chip Stam. He was both a great teacher and worship leader. I had the good blessing to attend Clifton Baptist Church where he lead our congregation in, what he called, the singing of worship. His teaching helped me to gain a bigger understanding of the practice of worship. In congregational worship, worship is more than the singing. We worship when we read and listen to the reading of Scripture. We worship as lead and listen to prayer. We worship as we give our financial resources. We worship as we spend some moments in quiet meditation. We worship as we greet those around us in love. We worship as we leave the congregational meeting to go out and live faithfully for Christ.

Chip Stam taught me that worship is more than just the singing part of the congregational gathering and we should see each element as such.

Professor Stam also taught me to be thoughtful as I listened to and sang the music during worship. What are the words teaching me about Christ? What biblical texts are the words moving toward for further reflection? Am I experiencing the love or correction or faithfulness or holiness or greatness or etc. or etc. of God as I sing? Is the music helping me to love Christ more?

All the music we listen to causes us to think about something. Jimmy Buffet enjoys leading us to think of drinking a lot. Toby Keith leads us to think about “me, I , #1” or how America is going to kick the tails of terrorists. Snoop Dog leads us to think about illegal activities. Why is this? Songs have a message.

I believe that is why we should consistently listen to music that helps us think biblically about Jesus and encourages us to love him more and live more faithfully.

Here’s a few albums that have helped me do just that recently.

Bob Kauflin, Upward: The Bob Kauflin Hymns Project and Worship God Live

(available at www.sovereigngracemusic.com/albums ) Bob is Worship Leader at Covenant Life Church in Gaithersburg, MD. He was involved in the early Contemporary Christian Music scene with the group Glad. He has a great worship blog, which you can read at http://www.worshipmatter.com/ The hymns album is older songs with new arrangements and the Live album gives you a feel for worship a Covenant Life Church.

Keith Green, Greatest Hits

Keith sang in the late 70’s, early 80’s. His songs still sound fresh after all these years. His songs are both worshipful and challenging. He has the most interesting voice and is a great piano player. He died in a plane crash in 1982 at the age of 28. My kids love his music!

dcTalk, Jesus Freak

dcTalk was one of the first Christian rap groups. However, this album took the group in a more decidedly “rock” direction. In 2006, a 10th anniversary addition of the album was released.

Sara Groves, Tell Me What You Know

This is one of the most thoughtful albums I have every heard. “When the Saints” and “Song for my Sons” are two of the most powerful songs I have ever heard. She has a real acoustic, folksy sound.

Caedmon’s Call, Overdressed

Again, thoughtful music in a very acoustic/pop sound. There songs never fail to help me worship and think about the Lord.

You can hear examples of these songs on the Internet by either checking them out at the artist websites or at other places.

Just wanted to remind everyone that on this Wednesday, the adults will be participating in GO Outreach. Looking to write a few cards, make some phone calls, but mostly looking for folks willing to GO out and deliver cupcakes to some folks and invite them to church or Sunday School. Look forward to seeing you on Wednesday!

Guide: Hearing the Voice of God

2009-08-19T14:13:00.004-04:00

This past Sunday evening during Adult Discipleship, we truly benefitted from hearing John Ortberg—Teaching Pastor, Menlo Park Presbyterian—teach on God being our guide. It is always good to hear faithful pastors give us biblical direction, particularly when it comes to obeying the voice of God.

How many of us have gone through a circumstance when were seeking and listening for God’s voice of direction for a decision that we needed to make? How many of us have had an impression or thought that might have went something like this…

“Hey, you need to call _________ (fill in the blank with the name that came to your mind) and encourage them!”

“You need to send _________ a card to encourage them through this difficult time they are facing.”

“Pay attention…go an talk to _________, they are heading in an unhealthy direction and I want you to warn them!”

“Go and make your relationship with _________ right, you were wrong and need to seek forgiveness.”

“BE QUIET! BE! QUIET! DON’T SAY A! THING!! NO!! DO!! NOT!! SAY!! A!! THING!!!!”

“Tell them that God loves them!”

John’s teaching was so helpful because it reminded us that if these promptings are consitent with Scripture, consistent with the character of God, in line with Christian living and honor Christ…then the main point is for us to obey.

If you did not have an opportunity to see the DVD but would like to or would like to see it again, please let me know and I will be glad to let you borrow it. This coming Sunday, we will be viewing another pastor from the Menlo Park Team, Scott Scruggs, teach on “Fear of the Future.” Be with us this Sunday eveing at 6:00 p.m.

I also want to follow up with a Discipleship announcement I made a few weeks ago in both Discipleship Time and our last Congregational Meeting. On September 20, we will launch a special 7 week time of Discipleship designed specifically for “…just men” and “…just women”. These time will allow us to have time together as a group of men and a group of women. There are seasons that call for us to grow together specifically for the benefit of our individual lives and for the benefit of our congregation.

Several months ago, I sensed that our men, in particular, needed some specific time which would allow our more mature men to help our younger men grow. This is been something I have spoken with our deacons about over the past months and they agree. In fact, a conversation I had with a man this past Sunday reminded me of how important it is for us to have intentional times for our men to grow together in their love for Christ! I know that this process will benefit our ladies as well.

On September 20, our men will be going through a study based on Coach Tony Dungee’s book UnCommon. “Dare to Be UnCommon” will challenge our men to grow closer to christ in various areas of our lives.

Our ladies will be taking on a study entitiled, “Me, Myself and Lies.” The focus of this study is to guide ladies in redesigning their “thought closet.” In other words, having a thought life based on God’s Word as you face life.

I believe God will use these times in a special way, in particularly, as we come closer to our time together as a church during our Lay Renewal on November 13 – 15.

If you have any questions, let me know. Have a blessed week and look forward to seeing you on Wendesday Night.
Much grace to you all,
Rodney, Psalm 32:8

4 Questions?

2009-04-30T14:38:00.004-04:00

"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work." II Timothy 3:16-17

It is a good thing for us, as Jesus followers, to delight in God's Word (Psalm 1:1-2). It is for our benefit that our Father has given us revelation of himself. Paul reminded Timothy of this fact. It should go without saying that the Word must be central to our walk with Jesus.

Over the years, I have found it helpful to ask questions of the texts that I am reading. Questions help me get at what God is saing to me (and to his people). Questions help me truly meditate and think and ponder and apply and pray what I have read.

Recently, I gave a group of our men a couple of questions to help them think and meditate on the texts we are reading in the book of Colossians. I believe these questions could be helpful to anyone and can be used with most passages. They are as follows...

1. What is the author (God) saying in this passage?

Instead of jumping down and reading the notes in your study Bible, why not give a few moments to ponder, for yourself, what you read. Study Bibles, commentaries, devotional journals are great tools that should be consulted, in my estimation, only after you have spent some personal moments meditating and ruminating on the Scripture.

It is always helpful to make sure that you understand what is truly being said. Occasionally, there may be words within in text that you are unfamiliar. A good Webster's dictionary or bible word dictionary can be helpful in making clear words that you feel fuzzy.

As you read, there may be something that really stands out to you. Right it down in your journal - a helpful Bible study tool for righting down your thoughts. Stop. Think over it. Give a few minutes of meditation and think on it.

It was humbling (and challenging) to recently hear a brother in Christ share that he had often just did "Bible reading" for the sake of saying he had read his Bible rather than truly thinking about what he was reading. Wow! That certainly got my attention. Isn't it amazing how we truly have to work hard to slow down long enough to really do some thinking.

2. Why would God want for you to know this?

We can count on the fact that when God inspired the human authors to write His word, He did so in order that we might know something about His character and how we might know Him and walk in fellowship with Him. When we read from the word, "do everything without arguing and compaining...", we can count on the fact that God is revealing something to us, fundamental in living for His glory. Our Father does not share with us with no purpose in mine.

3. Is there some way you need to live this passage? (In the way you think? act?
do? -- in other words, what do you need to do about it?)

The Word is given to us in order that we might know God and live His truth. The word corrects our wrong ideas about God and others and ourselves. The word rebukes us when we have held on to sin. The word prepares us for the work in which God has called us. The word trains us for being a godly spouse or parent or child or student or worker or servant or teacher or...whatever. Our calling is to eat and digest and be nourished and changed by the Bible. What we read is to be lived.

4. How do you need to pray about what you have learned?

If I have studied a passage that calls me to not argue and complain and I tend to be a complainer, then, (I hope) obviously, I must ask my Father in Heaven to transform me by His Spirit into a man that embraces His call to not be argumentative. The Word is the driving force of what we pray and ask from God.

On the past few sunday evenings, we have been studying Paul's prayers. Since Paul prayed for several of the churches to have wisdom and understanding (see Ephesians 1:15-17, Colossians 1:9), it only makes sense that we would pray the same thing when the Holy Spirit helps us to discover this truth.

A few good questions can help us as we spend time with our Father in His Word and prayer.

Bible Meditation and Watching Butterflies

2009-04-08T12:58:00.003-04:00

"Blessed is the man...[whose] delight is in the law of the Lord,and on his law he meditates day and night." Psalm 1:1-2

I recently travelled with my family to Calloway Gardens in Pine Mountain, GA. Calloway is an incredible place to experience the glory of creation in many ways. Since it was a rainy day when we visited, our family ended up spending a great deal of time in the butterfly observatory.

Upon entering the observatory proper, we were amazed to be in a room with incredibly high humidity and warmer temperatures than was outside on a particularly cool and dreary day. I quickly walked around the glass enclosed round room and took note of the various plants and flowers and fountains. I noticed a small "pond" with some large Japanese coi. Elijah immediately asked for a quarter so he could buy food to feed the fish. He did not notice that the in one area of the pond that there was food floating where the fish had, obviously, been overfed. All of this just served to distract us from the real purpose of the observatory--watching butterflies.

We, again, began to move around quickly and then it dawned on me. I had not seen but one or two butterflies. I drifted over toward an area near these incredible red flowers where I noticed a sign. The sign instructed observers to stand or sit quietly and to not engage in any sudden movements. The sign promised that if one followed these simple instructions that the buttefly observing would be more profitable and enjoyable.

I sat down on a bench and got quiet. I could hear my kids off in other parts of the observatory (it has been said they are loud!). Then quietly. Mysteriously. Suddenly. Joyfully one appeared right in front of my eyes. Now he had been there all along but I only "saw" him when I got quiet and really looked. On a tree to my left about four feet away was a beautfiul brown and gold butterfly whose markings made him appear to be part of the tree. In moving around quickly, I missed him. When I sat to "meditate" on butterflies, he appeared in such a wonderful way.

A few moments leater, a gorgeous gold and orange butterfly lighted down on top of a stand prepared with cut bananas and oranges. There I saw this gentle creature feeding on the banana. It was simply miraculous observing his life and movement. Soon, thereafter, he was joined by two others coming to feed.

Then I say an amazing sight. The most splending blue I had ever seen. A buttefly glided peacefully onto a leaf. When she closed her wings, the blue disappeared and she revealed golden brown, black and ivory. I really wanted to see the blue again, which was only visible when the butterfly took flight. After several minutes of no movement at all, she lifted off displaying the sapphire blaze on the inside of her wings. She circled around my head several times and then off to some other part of the observatory. Upon sitting in another part of the observatory for some time, I was able to experience here beauty again. What a glorious creature God had created.

I almost missed it all. I had been in too much of a hurry. How unfortunate if I had missed it.

It was only in stopping and receiving the instructions on the sign that led to those moments being transformed to glory.

That experience with the butterflies has taught me much about spending time with the Lord in His Word.

Good Reward, Lifting Up, Keeping Warm, Not Quickly Broken

2009-03-24T11:08:00.005-04:00

Ecclesiastes 4

(v. 9) "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil."

In your life, you are going to work. Not just your job or vocation--where ever it may be. (I see my precious bride homeschooling our children an managing our home and see the great work she has and does.) Your life is going to be toil. The burdens of the life you live will get heavy. You will get tired. Your mind is going to be, at times, overwhelmed with the pressure you are facing. The sad fact is, you are going to be tempted to keep that burden to yourself. You will be tempted to go off doing what you do by yourself.

How joyful it is to walk through life with someone else who helps you in your "work." When I sit in the presence of other brothers in Christ that love me and care for my well-being, I bask in the good reward of being with others who make "the work" lighter and bring a greater reward.

You were made for friendship. You were made to be in the care of other men and women who love Jesus and who will love you.

(v. 10) "For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!"

The truth of this life is not "if" you fall, it is "when" you fall. Life is designed and our enemy is working with purpose to kick the snot out of us. It is a sad thing to fall down and be all alone with no help.

How glorious to have a brother beside you that kneels down to the place where you have fallen and grabs you around the waist and gloriously lifts you up. Who dusts you off. Who looks you in the eye and mercifully says, "It is going to be alright. I am right here beside you. I will not leave you."

I praise God for those brothers who have lifted me up. I praise God for Christ who sticks closer than a brother.

(v. 11) "Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone?"

I have noticed that even though I live in South Georgia--which is not nearly as cold as Louisville or Indianapolis--I can get "cold." The winds of trouble and difficulty and persecution can blow and swirl around my life and chill my mind and my soul. I look for comfort. I look for warmth. It can not be found when I am by myself.

Praise God for the warm embrace of friendship that surrounds me in brothers that help protect my life and mind against the elements. Their encouragement is like a thick blanket on the coldest nights of the soul. Yes, it is cold. No, I will not lose heart because my brothers are here with me.

(v. 12) "And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken."

Prais the Lord for brothers that have my back! Alone, I feel as though I might break under to pressure upon my life. Yes, I suppose that I can summon up the will power--let everybody think that I am not weak or a quitter. Yes, I suppose that I can get my clock cleaned by being prideful and say, "No, I am fine. Just fine. No problems at all." Yes, I can walk in sin.

Or. Yes...or. I can hold out my hands and take off the mask and feel the strength that comes from a brother helping to bear my burden. What is this glorious feeling? It is the feeling of not being broken in-two. It is the feeling of protection. It is a fort around my life that God has provided. It has come in the form of a compassionate brother being near to me. I live to fight again.

I have discovered that the Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 life is not optional. It is essential.

Perspective and Questions

2009-03-09T14:26:00.005-04:00

On Sunday, March 8, around 11:35 a.m., I stood to preach. My sermon text was Matthew 28:16-20. My sermon title was "The Agenda of Jesus." I had prayerfully chosen this text to both remind our church of our Great Commission calling as well as celebrating the three missionaries that would be leaving our church for Moldova on March 10. My first point was that Great Commission attitudes are formed by worship or by doubt. There, as Jesus proclaimed his final words to his disciples, were disciples filled with awe and wonder at their risen Lord and those filled with doubt. At the end of our worship, our church family joyfully gathered around three folks, whom we deeply love, in order to place our hands upon them and send them out in the name of the Lord. Afterwards, we all headed off to different places for lunch.

Not long after our worship service ended, a Maryville, Illinois pastor stood to preach as he had done many times over the past twenty two years. After the beginning of the sermon, a hooded gunman entered into the First Baptist Church--a Southern Baptist Congregation--and shot the pastor. Dr. Fred Winter had led the congregation for twenty-two years. He had two daughters.

As our congregation celebrates the calling of three members to Great Commission ministry, our sister congregation mourns the death of their pastor that was shot before their eyes.

On Sunday evening, March 8, at 6:00 p.m. our adults enjoyed watching a movie on the life of Martin Luther during discipleship time. As we ate popcorn and Hershey chocolate bars, the courageous life of the Reformer was depicted before our eyes. We admired his willingness to stand up against the abuses of the Catholic church and be used of God to spawn a movement with ramifications that we feel today.

At some point during our time of eating popcorn and worshipping together later that night, the grandson of one of our regular attenders was found dead. His life was lost to a drug overdose. A loving grandmother will travel to Florida this week to mourn her thirty-three year old grandson. He leaves behind three children.

This world is filled with a dizzying array of opposites. As my children play outside on their swingset, children on the opposit side of the world run from rebel forces that have invaded their village. As my children throw away the crusts of the pizza that they "don't want" to eat, a child in South America digs around in a trash can looking for supper. As my children receive antibiotics for the sinus infections they have suffered from the past few days, a child in Africa dies of a disease easily preventabile in the US. As my child reads from his favorite book before bedtime, a child on the other side of the county can barely read at all.

The evil and injustice of this world can be overwhelming.

"The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, wheter good or evil." Ecclesiastes 11:13-14

The joys and trimphs of this world can be overwhelming.

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." James 1:17

"Then his wife said to him, 'Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die.' But he said to her, 'You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?' In all this Job did not sin with his lips." Job 2:9-10

Getting Ready for Easter (Ash Wednesday)

2009-02-25T14:48:00.002-05:00

Today is Ash Wednesday and it is celebrated by Christians all over the world. It comes at different times each year due to the date of Easter. Ash Wednesday, which is marked as a day of repentance is also the first day of Lent—the forty days before Easter excluding Sundays. Traditionally, believers “fast” during Lent which leads them to think more on Christ and his suffering. I have heard of folks fasting from chocolate, television, complaining and the like.

It was while living in Louisville that I first became acquainted with Ash Wednesday and Lent. My Catholic friends shared with me the observances are important in the life of the church. I learned that Catholics fast from meat on Fridays. Lent was always a favorite time of mine in Louisville, not because I participated, but because all the Catholic churches would have fish fries. Eating fish during Lent at a Catholic church—priceless.

Growing up Baptist certainly did not give me the opportunity to learn and participate in what is traditional observance in Catholic, Presbyterian, Episcopal and some Methodist churches. Our early Baptist forefathers shunned everything that gave the appearance of “popery.” However, I do find it quite helpful to see the importance of the greater Christian calendar. Over the last few years, Arabi Baptist has regularly practiced Advent—the season that prepares us for the coming of Christmas and the incarnation of Christ. This year, I am preparing an Easter Scripture Reading for our church based around the themes of Holiness, Atonement, Forgiveness and Life. There will be daily Bible readings the four weeks preceding Easter (beginning March 16). I will make sure to post the Easter Scripture Reading.

Another helpful practice, as we enter the Easter season, is to read good theologically sound Christian books that cause us to think about the importance of the death and resurrection of Christ. This year, I am reading John Stott’s The Cross of Christ. Stott is a long time Anglican pastor who has faithfully preached the Scriptures for many, many years. A few more that I would recommend are:

The Passion of Jesus Christ by John Piper

Experiencing the Cross by Henry Blackaby

Six Hours One Friday by Max Lucado

Living the Resurrection by Eugene Peterson

The Truth of the Cross by R.C. Sproul

Churchless Christianity

2009-02-18T14:53:00.006-05:00

My wife enjoys reading Real Simple magazine. Truth is, I enjoy perusing its' pages as well. However, it is a periodical aimed at women with the purpose of helping them, well, simply their lives. One of the popular features is "Real Life" which gives folks the opportunity to meet a "real Real Simple reader." The page is done in a question/answer style much like those American Express magazine adds where celebrities fill in the blanks to questions. In the October 2007 issue, readers met a mom and wife from Tampa, Florida that answered the following:

"The big decision I'm currently wrestling with is...My husband and I
would like our daughters to have a strong sense of spirituality, but we prefer not to raise them with the traditional church background that we both had. How do we teach them to have a strong faith in God without a special congregation or place of worship that would guide them with formal religious customs?"

What our Real Simple reader, who is a mother of three girls, appears to desire is the following:
1. daughters that have a strong faith in God
2. daughters that are spiritual
3. daughters that do not participate in a local church

I have certainly read of this phenomena happening more frequently in America. People desire and seek after spirituality that is outside the bounds of what Christians understand to be central to "following Christ" and being his church. As a pastor, I regularly see this belief in practice often.

For instance, I was recently perusing membership statistics of the churches in my congregations's local Baptist association. Our Associational Missionary was telling a group of pastors that our member churches have a total of around 8,500 members. In our understanding of church membership, this would mean individuals who professed faith in Christ at some point in time, were baptized and then received into the membership of a local congregation. Our missionary stated that only about 2,000-2,500 of those 8,500 are present in worship on any given Sunday. One pastor friend stated the figure of 2,000 was probably generous!

What is one to make of such a disparity?

This disparity has been demonstrated to me as I have visited in the homes of "church members" that have either never attended during my pastoral tenure or only occasionally such as holidays. (I heard a pastor call these peopl CEO's--Christmas, Easter and Other special occasions.) In speaking with CEO's, I usually seek to hear them give testimony of their conversion experience. If you simply ask people if they are a Christian, you tend to get an affirmative from every one in most of the South.

Just as an aside, I found this question to be helpful when I lived in Louisville because people were usually very forthright with either, "Yes, I am a Christian" or "No, I am not a Christian." In South Georgia, most of the people I have encountered have had some type of church experience. A few months ago, I was speaking to a neighbor that does not appear to be a Christian tell me of regular participation in a youth group during the teen years. Another pastor told me over lunch that he had a "member" who joined the church as a nine-year old boy during a Vacation Bible School. After that occasion, he only attended later Bible Schools and has, since becoming an adult, only been to church for a couple of funerals and weddings. The man is now 59.

It is commendable that our Real Simple reader desires to raise daughters that have "a strong faith in God." However, any attempt to do so outside a local congregation misses something very central to what it means to be a Christian! In his book Sharing Your Faith with Friends and Family, Oxford professor Michael Green says, "Christianity is corporate, and it is generous. If a person's attitude is--I can be a Christian without going to church--[then they] have missed the genuine article."

What appears to be missing in the thinking of the Real Simple reader, my pastor friend's 59 year old member that never attends and other CEO's that make up membership lists of various churches all over the nation is that though following Jesus is a personal decision, that decision does not lead one to live in isolation. Christianity must be understood in the context that being Christian is to be a part of Christ's church. Being Christian is doing life with other believers for the glory of God. Thinking that leads people to believe they are Christian with no level of active and ongoing participation with a congregation misses the clear teaching of the Bible.

Consider these examples:

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:23-25

Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2

By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
John 13:35

Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Romans 12:10
Live in harmony with one another. Romans 12:16

May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. Romans 15:5-7

Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. II Corinthians 13:11-12

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32

Over the last few years, I have appreciated my friendship with a couple of Presbyterian pastors. Though we have our spots of disagreement over certain theological issues, I find myself admiring their denominations intentional action in caring for and disciplining churh membes that fall away from regular fellowship. When a member does not participate in the church for one year, that member is contacted. The hope is that restoration will come and the member will, again, begin to participate in the life of the church. However, if that member continues in a lifestyle of not participating in the life of the church, they are removed from membership. The belief takes seriously that a congregation is responsible for one another. This is especially true of the pastor(s) that will be judged for his teaching and care of his flock. My Presbyterian brothers have taken the position that if a person does not desire to be accountable to the congregation in giving and receiving care, then before God, the church disciplines that member by removing them from fellowship.

In a day where church membership has been so demeaned and cheapened (especially in Southern Baptist Churches), it seems to me that churches must:

1. Help each member to understand the Bible's call of congregational life--both theologically and
and practically speaking. Membership SHOULD mean something! The church is the bride

of Christ and our calling is to bring glory to Him!

2. Seek to lovingly and patiently restore those members that have fallen from regular

fellowship. Again, this will call for biblical instruction. This task is made difficult because

these members are not in regular corporate worship.

3. With care, begin to discipline those members that continue to disregard clear biblical teaching

on congregational life.

Our prayer should be that our congregations reflect what the Bible teaches and not the desire of an average mom that is hoping to teach her daughters Churchless Christianity.

Doing Crazy Things for God or The Nature of Saving Faith

2009-02-04T11:31:00.003-05:00

My good friend, Brent Martin, is serving the Friendship Baptist Church in Fredericksburg, Virginia as pastor. In May of 2007, Brent preached at Arabi Baptist on the life of Joshua. He is one of those men in my life that I am glad to know because God uses him to drive me to be a more faithful teacher of the Bible. When Brent preaches, his aim is clear--to make plain the truth of God's message and what that means for our living.

I just finished listening to a sermon that Brent preached in his church on January 18--The Nature of Saving Faith (Hebrews 11). I would certainly commend this message to you because it is so very clear on what it means to have "saving faith" in God. In a time where people speak often in their various beliefs about God, Brent's exposition on Hebrews 11 makes clear what it means, biblically, to be in relationship with God. You can access the sermon in the "for your soul..." section of my blog under "Brent Martin's Preaching" that takes you directly to the Sermon page of the Friendship Baptist Church.

In that sermon, Brent makes four observations about saving faith that I found challenging:

1. Faith pledges allegiance to One

(Faith does not pledge allegiance to all equally.)

2. Faith perseveres in God's promises

(Faith believes in what God says--though, at times, it appears unreasonable.)

3. Faith obeys, loves and trusts God

(Faith is to be in love with Jesus Christ--this is saving faith.)

4. Faith trusts God and is willing to do what seems humanly ridiculous

(Faith calls us to obey the commands of God which must trump commonsense.)

The observations he makes about the nature of faith comes from the writer's use of various men and women from the Old Testament to reveal the nature of true faith in God. Brent then points out how the writer also reveals that saving faith is also displayed in the lives of those that follow Christ up to the present time of the original readers.

If you don't listen to the sermon, I would certainly encourage you to read Hebrews 11 again to see the reality of faith and God and think about its implications for your life.

Impact

2009-01-29T15:47:00.004-05:00

In doing some reading this week from the book Comeback Churches by Ed Stetzer, I had three phrases that came to my mind. I am not sure the phrases are world-changing, but they have caused me to do some pondering the last few days. I want to offer the three phrases to you and perhaps they might cause you to do some thinking about the life, nature and ministry of a local church. (Of course, I am thinking specifically about Arabi Baptist Church in Arabi, Georgia.)

> Christ impacts people

-the nature of God is that He purposely relates to his creation in a intentional/relational way

-God covenants with Abraham to make him the father of a great nation of people and

through this nation of people (Israel), God promises to bless the world

-from Abraham's people, God sends the Messiah and Savior Jesus

-In Christ, through his atoning sacrifice on the cross, a new covenant is established that goes

beyond Israel to the Gentiles

-people enter into this new covenant relationship through faith

-Christ grants those who respond to the Gospel with access to God and the forgiveness of sin

-God extends the scope of His call to people who become the Church

> Followers of Christ impact each other

-the people of God, the Church, have a unique and accountable relationship with one another

-in this context, Christians exist to help one another grow in odedience to obeying what

Christ commands

-Christians love one another and create communities where faith is nourished

-Christians extend care for one another

-the unique love that the Church expresses is a witness to the world that they are indeed

followers of Christ

> The church impacts the world

-the Church carries out the mission of God, empowered by His Holy Spirit

-the Church testifies to the reality of the Gospel

-the Church is the hands and feet of Jesus to call people to become followers of Christ

-the Church impacts all parts of communities where it exists

-the Church displays the glory of God as it faithfully participates in His Great Commission

Again, these are some initial thoughts. However, because of these biblical truths, a local church must faithfully display the call of Christ in community with one another and within the community it is placed. It looks like something. How does it look?

Church Softball and Church Membership, Part II: What Jesus Thinks About the Church

2009-01-14T13:51:00.004-05:00

When we talk about the nature of the Church and what it means to be a member of it, any real discussion must be done under the BIG umbrella of what Jesus thinks about the church. In seeking to talk about the nature of marriage, Paul spoke of the intimate relationship that Christ has with his church. Being that Christians are a Christ/Word-centered people (meaning our theology and thoughts about how to become and live as Christians is driven by what the Bible teaches us), any understanding of church membership must be completely informed by Jesus' view of the church from the Word.

In Ephesians 5, Paul states:

"25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ LOVED the church and GAVE HIMSELF UP for her, 26 that he might SANCTIFY her, having CLEANSED her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might PRESENT the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. 28 In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but NOURISHES and CHERISHES it, just as Christ does the church, 30 because we are members of his body. 31 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. 33 However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband." (Emphasis added)

In this passages, Paul tells of both the obvious attitude that Jesus displays about the church and what he does on behalf of the church. I have added emphasis by capitilizing some key words to point it out.

-Christ LOVES the church.
Jesus has a profound compassion for the collection of believers that make up his bride. An earthly husband seeks a one-flesh relationship with his bride as Christ has sought this ultimate oneness with his own bride.

-Christ GAVE HIMSELF UP for the church.

The divine love of Christ is revealed in his sacrifice of himself for his bride. This is necessary because he is holy and she is sinful. Her sin deserves wrath and punishment. In his love and mercy, he takes punishment upon himself in order that there might be forgiveness and oneness (i.e. relationship). This is the expression of Jesus' "agape" (Greek for "self-sacrificing love) love for his bride.

-Christ SANCTIFIES the church.
-Christ CLEANSED the church.
He washes his bride in the power of his word in order that he might bring her into relationship with himself. He continues to mold and change and make her into the image that pleases himself and brings great honor to their relationship.

-Christ PRESENTS the church-holy and without blemish-to himself in splendor.
It is because of Christ's sacrifice that the church is able to be made holy. One day, this relationship will come to complete and perfect consummation as the savior husband shall return to judge the wolrd and receive his bride to himself for all eternity. There shall be perfect oneness and unity in the future.

-Christ NOURISHES the church.
Christ works on behalf of his bride to give her exactly what she needs. His presence. His counsel. His correction. His encouragement. His intercession before the Father. His nourishing feeds his bride to help her to walk more earnestly in holiness. His nourishing helps the bride love him more.

-Christ CHERISHES the church.
Jesus prizes and protects his bride. He defends her in the face of her enemies. She is precious to him. He has given much to have her.

These realities should have a profound effect on how followers of Christ think and live in light of the special relationship we have with Jesus and with one another. Something should be deeply stirred in our spirit's when we think of all the Christ has done for his bride. We should feel the honor and privilege of being loved by Jesus. We should be moved to treat the bride of Christ--the Church--with supreme honor and admiration. Our membership as part of Christ's bride should be seen as a profound privilege.

We are to love Christ. We are to love the church because Christ loves the Church. We should give ourselves to the church fully as Christ our Savior and leader has done. We should seek, as led and empowered by the Spirit, to nourish and cherish the church in our roles as part of the body. We are to participate in our relationship with our savior and with one another as members of the church. We watch what we say about the church and how we say things, just as we would carefully watch what we say about any man's wife. We want to care for the church just as Christ.

For the Christian, the first and most precious relationship is with Christ. However, the relationship with Christ's bride is not secondary. It is very much a vital and essential part of the primary relationship. Just as we love Christ, we love the church.

A revival in loving the bride of Christ (we do not worship the church but love it!) is essential to the local church recovering what is primary to being a member of the body. It is essential in order for us to rightly participate in the life and ministry of the church.

So here's the question: how does the local church teach its members to rightly know the biblical nature of the church? How does the church teach right congregational participation in light of Christ's attitude about his bride, the church?

Church Softball and Church Membership, Part 1

2009-01-05T15:54:00.003-05:00

Softball was big in churches when I was growing up. In fact, I can recall it be an all encompassing activity that took up a great deal of time with practice and the playing of games. There are some very fond memories I have of playing church softball as a teenager and young adult. However, my church softball career ended rather infamously sometime before I graduated from high school when our team was ejected from the league due to a fight between several of our players and players on another team. This is and was a rather sad story of church-life gone mad!

One thing I distinctly remember about church softball was that many churches had an attendance requirment for playing. Our church had a rule that players must attend worship twice a month in order to play. Being that we were Baptists, that meant attending church two times of the possible 12 times we worshipped each month (i.e. twice on Sundays and once on Wednesdays). In a mere numbers sense, all you had to do was "worship" 17% of the time our church got together and you were fine. (I recall this being a "struggle" for some people though I remember no one ever being kept from playing.)

I recognize that churches did this because they did not want softball to be, merely, a social thing. Perhaps some older members or pastors understood that churches had obligations to direct all people toward the Gospel and spiritual things. As I got older, I used to think, "is our church so bad that we actually have to require people to come in order to get them there!"

Strangely enough, I read an article about a church league in Texas that required each church team to have half its roster made up by unchurched players. Each church member was called to invite an unchurched friend or coworker to be on the team. The mission was to give unchurched players an opportunity to meet Christians and allow them to be a witness. If any of you saw the way most church teams played, I guarantee you that any opporutnity for witness was probably lost!

Why all this talk about church softball? Well, back in the day, there was a level of expectation and requirement placed on players. They understood, if you want to play, then you need to show up at worship X number of times.

What about church members in general? Does Scripture place any type of expectations on those that compose a local congregation? Are church members simply left to themselves with no sense of accountability to the other members? Does it matter if people that constitute the "membership" of a church be expected to participate in the life of the church in a meaningful way?

Consider this passage from Hebrews 3:12-14 --

"Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called 'today,' that none of you may be hardedned by the deceitfulness of sin. For we share in christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end."

and this from Hebrews 10:24-25 --

"...let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Frome these two passages are some action words/phrases to which Christians are to pay heed:

>"Take care, brothers"...in the sense of guarding one's self and others from an evil, unbelieving
heart

>"exhort one another"...in the sense of strongly encouraging one another not to be hardened

by sin

>"stir up one another"...in the sense of how to cause other believers to love and be engaged in

God's good work and regularly worshipping together

The writer of Hebrews is stating that some were already in the habit of neglecting corporate worship. The motivation for Christians to do these things is the reality of "fall[ing] away from the living God" and "the Day (i.e. judgment Day) drawing near."

So here's the question: What does a local congregation do when a "member" habitually neglects corporately worshipping with other believers and being involved in the life of the congregation?

Guranteed to Give You Vim, Vigor and Vitality! - Part 2

2008-10-02T11:21:00.003-04:00

In my last post, I made an assumption about Christians that I have encountered in different congregations. It was this: most Jesus-followers desire to have a spiriutally vital relationship with their Lord. However, the reason that I believe that many of these Christians do not experience consitent growth and vitality is because they have not sought the right environment for it.

If a flower in your home is not properly nourished and watered and given the right amount of light, it will shrivel up and die. The flower's ability to flourish is directly related to the environment of growth that is created for it. The flower will either have an environment of growth and life and vitality or hunger and shriveling and dying in the pot.

Now I recognize that we all have various seasons of our life. However, we must be careful to look after the environment of our potential spiritual growth. So let me ask you: what is the current state of your devotional environment?

When you read in II Kings 22, the spiritual environment of Israel was rather closed off to spiritual growth. King Josiah's father and grandfather were evil kings set on displeasing God during their reigns. Scripture tells us that they did what was evil in thei sight of the Lord. That was the environment given to Josiah. However, something profound happened in Josiah's life. This "something" was directly related to his relationship to God's Word. It gives us a very good direction for how we need to look at God's Word.

It is these three things:
1 - We need to READ the Word.
2 - We need to RESPOND to the Word.
3 - We need to RENOVATE according to the Word.

I would challenge you to read in II Kings 22 - 23. See how Josiah's reading of God's Word (the law) leads to a particular response after hearing/reading the Word of God and the kind of renovation that occurs according to the Word. You should read these two chapters and be overwhelmed with the reality that the Word made a profound difference in Josiah and Israel. The Word of God transformed the spiritual environment. It all begins with the Word.

As you eat your Subway or Burger King or Peanut Butter and Jelly today, I would encourage you to do a little feasting on the Word in II Kings 22 - 23. Follow Josiah's example.

Guaranteed to Give You Vim, Vigor and Vitality! - Part One

2008-09-10T14:46:00.004-04:00

I have come to make an assumption about many of the Christians I have met in churches where I have served and preached and worshipped. It is this: most Jesus-followers desire to have a spiriutally vital relationship with their Lord. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines the word vital as full of life and vigor, animated, and invigorating. We want our walk with Christ to be full of life...animated...invigorating and the like. For believers to walk in this type of relationship with Jesus, there must be a process of spiritual transformation. The good news is that Jesus is fully committed to bringing about this process in our lives (Philippians 1:6, Colossians 1:28).

My friend, Derek Vreeland, is in the process of publishing his first book, Shape Shifters. In the book, he deals with the topic of spritual formation and I was glad to have the privilege of reading an early draft. In reading, I was particularly struck by two things he said. First, Derek gives an outstanding definition of spiritual formation. He defines it as "...the work of the Holy Spirit to transform [Christians] into the image of Jesus for the joy of God the Father in the context of Christian community as we all walk along spiritual pathways." Derek helpfully reminded me that our lives with Jesus and becoming more like him is a process. (For those of us who "want it now," this can be utterly frustrating!)

Consider this thought, "It is much easier to envision the end result of our transformation than to consider the change that gets us there...The journey of change is a winding, meandering road filled with potholes, unexpected twists and turns, and frustrating setbacks. It takes Jesus one sentence to describe the pathway into the kingdom of God, but it takes a lifetime to walk its path." What is that one sententce:

"I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like a little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."

Matthew 18:3 (NIV)

As a pastor that desires both transformation in my own life and in the lives of those I serve, a few things have captured my attention on this subject. One, Christians that desire change too often focus on change as a one-time event. Let me illustrate. In the Baptist tradition there is a focus on a time of public invitation in the gathered worship services. These time serves as both an opportunity for non-Christians to respond to the Gospel and for Christians to pray and reflect on issues concerning their walk with God. I have often heard members refer to this time as "getting things right with God."

I have counseled Christians who have prayed about issues in their lives during a public invitation. They come, hopeful, that as they commit an area of their life over to God that the struggle they have experienced may no longer be realized any longer. The desire is for the struggle to simply go away as they commit to walk more closely with God.

Over the years, I have heard testimonies of men and women wonderfully delievered in times of public invitation and in living rooms. As well, I have talked with people who have humbly prayed for change and then walked away only to face later frustration over the continued struggle in life over a particular issue. Questions follow. Did I not pray sincerely during the invitation? Did I not have enough faith? What's wrong with me? The questions begin to create both an unhealthy and unsustainable life. This focus on a one-time event can lead to Christians thinking...if I just read that book, if I only attend that conference, if I could just pray with that Christian leader...and on and on it goes.

It seems to me that Christians must remember that a prayer of commitment in an area of life needs to be seen as the first step in what will be a life-long process rather than a one-time fix up. Look at Scripture. Abraham. Jacob. Moses. Sampson. David. Peter. Paul. These were all works in progress. God works to create the environment for us to change. Yes, one-time events are intergral to the process but they are not the end.

This leads to an important second thought. Christians often fail to work, on their part, to create an environment where healthy spritiual formation can take place. Several years ago I read Leaders of the Future edited by Peter Drucker. In it, one author stated that every organization is designed to get the results it is getting right now. The application of this phrase has been helpful to me as I look at individual lives, both my own and others. There is the reality that it is God that changes the character of people through his power and grace. However, the Bible is chocked full of verses that remind us of our own participation in creating an environment for spirituality. Consider these:

"Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from flow the springs of life."

Proverb 4:23

"...this is the commandment, the statutes and the rules that the Lord your God commanded me to teach you, that you may do them in the land...all the days of your life...be careful to do them that it may go well with you...You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might...You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in our house, and when you walk by the way, and why you lie dow, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand...You shall write them on the doorposts of your house..."

Deuteronomy 6:1-3, 5, 7-9

"Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith..."

Colossians 2:6-7

The teaching of Scripture is so clear: when it comes to our spirituality and walk with Christ, we are not to be passive. We are to participate.

Let me ask you these questions.

-Is your life designed to create an environment for spiritual formation?

-Do you have time in your schedule to regularly read Scripture?

-After hearing the teaching of the Bible on Sunday, do you ever spend some moments on Sunday afternoon or during the week thinking about what you were taught and how you might apply the teaching?

-Do you ever read the passage the pastor or teacher spoke about for yourself and meditate on it?

-Do you ever meet with another trusted Christian friend to talk over what is going on in your relationship with God?

-Do you ever read any helpful Christian books?

-Do you listen to biblically-sound Christian music?

-Do you drive out to a park on the weekend for a quiet walk?

-Do you ever bake a cake and take it to neighbor just because?

These questions are not for guilt but rather to help you think through how you might work on creating a better environment for spirituality in your life. My concern is not that people are failing to attend church. It is that I am often uncertain about what is happening in both individual lives and corporately among all the people that is of spiritual consequence. I fear that people are only counting on the one hour (+ or -) of corporate worship for all of their spiritual nourishment.

Let me suggest that Proverbs 4:23, Deuteronomy 6 and Colossians 2:6-7 assume that in order for these things to be lived, something has got be happening on Monday through Saturday.

What is Worship for anyway?

2008-08-20T15:39:00.005-04:00

"Tim is a good friend, and someone who thinks carefully about what biblical worship is and should be. Although our church situations are different, we share the conviction that our job as worship leaders is to help people exalt Jesus Christ in their minds, hearts, and wills."

(-Bob Kauflin, from a August 7 post on his blog Worship Matters. Bob is commenting on an interview he gave to Tim Smith, worship leader of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, WA. Bob is worship leader of Covenant Life Church in Gathersburg, MD and leader of Sovereign Grace Ministries worship resources - http://www.worshipmatters.com/ )

I first heard Bob Kauflin speak at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky during my last year as a student. Before hearing, I knew very little about him but must say that he has been quite important and helpful in guiding me to think about biblical worship. His blog is a fantastic resource for those who want to think biblically and practically about worship. In fact, his first book, Worship Matters just came out and is written to help churches consider both theological and practical matters of worship.

As I read this quote from Kauflin, I could not help but wonder; is this thought going through the mind of most congregational worship leaders (both paid and volunteer) as they prepare to lead God's people in worship? Heck, is it on my mind as a pastor?

My fear is that most people give way too much focus on secondary issues pertaining to worship. Style, while not unimportant, tends to get a tremendous amount of focus. Some people like older hymns and Bill Gaither anthems from the 70's, while others prefer more modern arrangements of both hymns and the newest praise song from Chris Tomlin. Some count on a dramatic solo or duet or choir anthem to "get them ready" for the preaching. Some believe that all congregational singing is the way to go and that solo performances simply allow too much ego into the worship of God's people. Again, these issue are not umimportant, but they seem to get the cart before the horse.

Other secondary issues--not unimportant--that have a great influence on a congregation's worship are unprepared singers and musicians, bad sound equipment, bad use of sound equipment, lack of someone to show up and use the sound equipment, etc.

Kauflin's comment reveals to us that there must be something more fundamental driving our worship. In other words, what values and principles are going to guide both our preparation for and participation in worship. As a weekly worship leader and helper to countless churches through instruction and song wriring, Bob Kauflin simply states his job is to help people exalt Jesus...this is where the preparation and participation begins. We gather to adore and love Jesus Christ.

I have known of circumstances where a particular singer wants to sing during church because family members are going to be present. It is good that family members get to hear someone they love singing. However, this can not be the primary motivation for the offering of talent within worship. The worship leader and anyone taking leadership within the time of worship must ask themselves: will this help people to exalt Jesus Christ? This obviously calls for some personal introspection on motive. This certainly can be a tenuous process. However, we do well when we pause and reflect of this calling to help people exalt Christ. We have to remind ourselves and pray, "God help the words I speak, the songs I choose and the preparation I give all be done to help your people lift you up because you are worthy of all praise."

Kauflin states the exaltation of Jesus needs to take place in three areas: mind, heart and will. I believe he is calling us to consider the following:

Mind - Worship leaders are called to lead the church to think rightly about Jesus Christ. This means our song selections and the words we speak in worship must be biblically informed. Just because it is in the hymn book does not mean it is biblically accurate. Just because it is new does not mean its teaching is correct. This principle guards us in being too hasty to use certain music. In fact, it serves as a grid to help us wisely choose. (Question for thought: Is Carrie Underwood's Jesus Take the Wheel appropriate for congregational worship? Why or Why not?)

Heart - Worship leaders are called to lead the church to love Jesus more. It is amazing to think that music is a tool that can help people experience greater affection for Christ. Yes, it is good when a worship leader leads us in a well executed arrangement of a song, but that is not the only goal. The music, used well and faithfully, helps us to sing and think to ourselves, "Jesus I want to love you more! I want to become more knowledgeable of and intimate with you!" This is where worship bleeds into Kauflin's last area...

Will - Thoughtful and biblically centered worship music can help cause us to believe, think and live differently. The point is not just an experience. It is an encounter with the living Christ in community worship that drives us to live differently with one another and privately.

Bob Kauflin arranged some of the songs on one of my favortie albums from college. Glad's Acappella Project begins with a stirring rendition of A Mighty Fortress is Our God by Martin Luther. The story goes that Luther originally took the tune, a popular bar song, and added these lyrics. The arrangement sung by Glad did much for me as a young Christian. It influencesd greatly how I came to think of the work of God through Christ on behalf of the church.

Yes, in the beginning, I thought it was powerful singing that was quite emotional. However, because the words are so Christ-honoring and biblically saturated, it helped me think rightly about Jesus. That song, along with a host of others on that album, helped me to exalt Christ in my mind, heart and will. To this day, I am thankful for the minsitry of Glad and that album. (Yes, I originally bought it on cassette but downloaded it from itunes two years ago!)

Kauflin's call gives the worship leader much to think on in leading God's people to worship. It should also cause those who participate in worship to think about how they are being formed and changed by what they sing.

(I would encourage you to listen to some of the talks Kauflin has given at Institue of Christian Worship at Southern Seminary, you can check it out at: http://www.sbts.edu/Academics/Schools/Church_Music_and_Worship/Institute_for_Christian_Worship/Past_Lectures.aspx

Monks Got Rhythm!

2008-08-11T14:01:00.004-04:00

A recent visit to the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers, Georgia ( http://www.trappist.net/ ) for a few days of prayer and reflection reminded me of an important fact. The Benedictine monks gathered in community there have a real rhythm to their life that is centered on prayer and meditation. I do not anticipate a leap for myself from being a Southern Baptist to Roman Catholic! Plus, I am married and like that arrangement very much. However, I was taken by how the monks have arranged their lives in order to have time for the important issues of life. In a world where we often complain of great busyness and lack of time, there is something important to be learned from the monks.

At the monastery, the monks arise in the morning at 3:45 a.m. Shortly afterward, at 4:00 a.m., they gather for morning prayers. This takes place in their church, where the monks engage in chanting a variety of Psalms--developed by St. Benedict in the six century--Scripture readings and the singing of songs. During this period are three thirty minute quiet meditations interspersed with the Psalms, Scripture reading and songs.

The monks gather again at 7:00 a.m. for Mass. I noticed that along with retreatants--those on spiritual retreats at the monastery guest house--there are several people from the community that attend the mass. After mass, it is time for breakfast.

Breakfast is quite simple. They feed the retreatants just as they do the monks. The meal consists of simple cereals, fruit and perhaps a boiled egg.

After breakfast, the monks engage in a time of Scripture study along with their morning work. In Conyers, the monks do a variety of jobs from raising beef cows to working with stained glass to baking to jewelry making to working in the book store to raising bonsai trees. The monks work together and even the Abbot--leader of the monastery--work alongside the others.

Before lunch, there is midday prayers at 12:00 p.m. A short time of reading Psalms along with a short period of reflection. Then it is off to the "big" mean of the day. A meat or soup is served along with vegetables and bread.

The afternoon is a time for a brief scripture lesson or perhaps time for "lectio divina" which is latin for holy reading. Then off to work again.

At 5:20 p.m., there is Vespers or "evening prayer." This is in the church again with prayers of Psalms, Scripture reading and songs. After this twenty to twenty-five minute event, it is supper time.

Supper at the monastery is quite light. Soup and salad. After supper, there is time for relaxing and talking. A great deal of the monks time is spent in silence.

At 7:30 p.m., it is time for Compline or "night time prayer." I must admit, this is the most beautiful sounding of the times of prayer. The chanting and singing, though soft and quiet, is quite bright sounding to the ear. I understand that most monks are in bed from 8:00 - 8:30 p.m.

It is quite tempting to believe that the monks have time for all this because they are, well, monks. However, I like to believe that they spend their days the way they do is because Benedict in his Rule understood the importance for doing all the important things of life with a certain rhythm. Praying. Singing. Reading Scripture. Eating. Studying. Working. Relaxing. Resting. Could it be that we are so busy--feeling as if we are running around with our heads cut off--because we have not chosen to have a healthier rhythm for our lives.

Lord, teach us to use our time wisely and not feel so dominated by it. Lead us into a rhythm of life that allows us to cultivate time with you and your word. Help us eat to live and not live to eat. Teach us to work well and wisely and with passion, yet not be defined by it. Help us pause in the middle of the day and realize that all good blessings are from you. Teach us of the importance of stopping a few moments to meditate on you and your words of live. Help us see that it is important to develop stronger bonds of love with those we care about--our families and the body of Christ. Lord, help us go to bed at a decent hour, not mindlessly wasting time with television in order that we might truly be rested for the next days obligations. Lord, let the last moments of being awake be filled with thoughts of you and the privilege of being in your presence. This we pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

The Astounding Loudness of Silence

2008-07-22T10:32:00.003-04:00

"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!" Psalm 46:10

Challenging indeed. You are never sure what my wife will come up with when she returns from a women's conference. However, after attending an event in Atlanta with some ladies from our church that featured Kay Arthur, Beth Moore and Priscilla Shirer, it was evident the depth of God's moving among those ladies and my wife. Kathy and I sat up late that Saturday evening upon her return. She was particularly challenged by the teaching of Kay Arthur. How could she not be. Kay Arthur has spent several decades teaching people to study God's word through Precept Ministries ( http://www.precept.org/ ). I was introduced to her inductive study method in the early 90's while serving as a youth pastor in Cherryville, NC. I will always be grateful to Linda Goode for it!

It is clear that Kay Arthur--a lady now in her 70's and wisened by the Word--impressed on those women the reality of our spiritual landscape. That teaching led my bride to ask if I would be willing to engage in a "noise" fast in our home. A full seven days of no television, radio, or computer. "Don't think Rodney, just answer," I said to myself. "Yes. Let's do that." Instead of feasting on the "noise," the intention was to feast on the Bible during those times.

It was fun and exciting to explain this concept to our four children that love their doses of Scooby Doo and Sesame Street and whatever it is that Emma--becoming a young lady--is interested in watching. (She wanted to watch "Pride and Prejudice" a few weeks ago!) Did they like it? Not at first. Later? Well, let's just say that Kathy and I saw the immeasurable benefit to ourselves and to our children.

As a man who is fortunate and blessed to serve as a pastor and able to engage in a great time of studying Scripture, I was amazed to find out how little of the Bible I actually read. During the week of our "Noise" fast, I spent a great deal of time reading Scripture before breakfast. I focused my reading in the minor prophets. As I was on the road, driving here and there, instead of listening to the "noise," time was available for truly reflecting and meditating on what I read during the morning and lunch times. It is truly amazing how relevant the prophet's words are for this day! It took turning off the noise in order to discover it again.

The evening time was filled with reading a biography about Martyred missionary Chet Bitterman in a book called Called to Die by Steve Estes. Bitterman served in Colombia with Wycliffe Bible translators ( http://www.wycliffe.org/ ). He was killed in 1981 by a rebel group that was demanding that Wycliffe stop all their work with the indigenous tribes in the country. The book reminded me that there is often a high price to be paid for getting the Gospel to people who are without it. I was challenged by the simple faith of an ordinary man. I was convicted of how little a sacrifice I must pay. I never went to bed feeling as if I would have been better off watching David Letterman.

Granted. It was a little disconcerting during the first day or two of our "noise" fast. How addicted we become to needing to know what the weather is going to do or checking our email. A car ride to Atlanta can seem very long in the silence. However, a different sound began to take place. It was a blessing to hear Kathy reading Scripture with the kids in the morning. She reminds them that as we open the Bible and read it, we do so attentively with "our eyes, our ears and our heart." A good thing to be remembered as you read the Word.

I can also say that I felt more in tune with the Holy Spirit. Perhaps, even more discerning and more sensitive to what was really going on around me.

We have always regularly read Scripture with our kids at night before bedtime. Yet I tell you, God met with us in a profound way as we read about the life of David. It is a holy thing when you talk over God looking at a man's heart and not his appearance (1 Samuel 16:7), sending a tormenting spirit on a rebellious king (1 Samuel 16:14) and a man after God's own heart arranging for the death of a man so he can have his wife (2 Samuel 11:14-17). Teaching and training our children in the holiness of God took on a different meaning when we shut out the "noise" of everything else.

Also, instead of desiring to fill their time with television, we heard the joyful "noise" of our kids creatively playing together in a way I am not sure they had before. By day three, not even Evan was asking if he could watch t.v.!

Christians throughout the centuries have fasted in order to come closer to God. The "noise" can rob us of what we truly desire and want. It was in the silence that I was reminded again that our true freedom is in Christ (Romans 8). I believe that when our family declared independence from the "noise" during the forth of July week of 2008, we rediscovered what simple freedom is all over again.

A Splash of Water in the Face

2008-06-24T13:35:00.008-04:00

“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Psalm 118:24

Meaning (adj.) - "having significance"

I have never heard Psalm 118:24 quoted on Monday!

The phone call began innocently enough. We engaged in a few moments of small talk and discussed some of the events of our day. I told the caller that this Monday had been rather full and busy. It was off in the van to pick up kids and take them to Summer Christian Camp. It was off to get more ice for the camp since there was, in fact, a larger number of kids (1st - 3rd grades) than anyone expected. It was talking to those in charge of cooking tomorrow evening’s meal and asking them to prepare for many, many more than they had originally prepared. It was going out to visit with a young girl who desired to learn more about becoming a follower of Christ—she wasn’t home. It was going to see a young couple that has been coming to worship at our church for the last few weeks. Yes, it was “busy” I told the caller.

Why were we talking? To make plans for the upcoming soccer camp he is planning to begin a junior varsity girls soccer team at one of the local schools. He asked me to come and do some instructing for a couple days.

Busy was how I defined my day.

He said, “Well. It sounds like you had a very meaningful day.”

Talk about changing my vision of my Monday. His simple phrase helped me to see that my day had been pregnant with opportunities for impact and difference making. My getting up sleepy eyed had turned into a day of kingdom difference. Making pancakes for my kids this morning was not just habit or necessity. It was a privilege to serve and love on my family. The conversation around the table served to make memories and bring laughter and created a beautiful start for the day.

The apparent inconvenience of having to change ice and meal plans were made in light of the fact that I have the opportunity to serve those who will teach kids about Christ this week. I needed to remember it was important. My son will be there among those wild and wooly campers. The young girl and her family were not home but I sure enjoyed laughing with my wife as we rode together. I remembered again why I like being married to her so much. The time with the young couple was precious. How good to help connect people with God’s people, the church.

I fail to see the meaning in most of my days. Do you?

The caller's comment was like a splash of water to the face. It got my attention. Thank you, Father for using a phone call from a soccer loving dad to reframe my thinking about Monday. This was your day. The moments were simple but profound. My attention was redirected and I was glad in it.

Reading for the Glory of God (...and a P.S. for Pat Story (P.S.)

2008-06-03T14:55:00.002-04:00

ARABI BAPTIST CHURCH SUMMER READING FESTIVAL

Read. Think. Live.

June Selection: THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE HOLY by A.W. Tozer

I certainly spend some of my summer reading some "fluffy" literature. In fact, I have been quite engaged in Margaret Truman's (daughter of President Harry S. Truman) 1990 novel, Death in the National Cathedral. However, after completing this well-written, directly clever and entertaining book, it will do little for my thoughts about God. Correction: it will challenge me to make sure to make time for reading that will elevate my opinion about God.

This is how the idea of the Summer Reading Festival was born. It was predicated on the belief that most of us spend time reading something during the summer. Why not spend some time reading Chrsitian books that will cause us to think on the things of God and challenge us in our daily living. Yes, this is a good thing!

Many in our church have taken a copy of A.W. Tozer's classic, The Knowledge of the Holy. This twentieth-century classic is written in a devotional style, yet each short chapter is power packed in speaking on the different attributes of God. I'll be honest with you, when I read Tozer, I always have my highlighter and pen ready to mark and write comments. Often, I find myself pausing to give thought to what this classic author writes about God. I have yet to complete a chapter where I have not been challenged to think more highly of God and his work through his Son.

Consider this gem from a chapter on The Holy Trinity:

"Secularism, materialism, and the intrusive presence of things have put out the light in our souls and turned us into a generation of zombies. We cover our deep ignorance with words, but we are ashamed to wonder, we are afraid to whisper 'mystery.'" (p. 18)

I encourage us all to read more to the glory of God this summer. If you don't attend Arabi, you can easily pick up this book at your local book store or order a copy online. Good reading!

P.S.

We are studying the book of 1 John in our Adult Discipleship Class. The purpose of this study is so that each person can learn Bible Study Methods to help them get more from their own personal study of the Bible. We learn to study the Bible by studying it! A question came up on Sunday about 1 John 5:18. Pat, I thought you might appreciate this--though it will be a few more weeks until we get to this verse. However, remember context, context, context!

1 John 5:18 in 9 different translations:

We know that everyone who has been born of God does not sin, but the One Jesus Christ who is born of God keeps him, Or the one who is born of God keeps himself and the evil one does not touch him.
(Holman Christian Standard Bible - translation we are using for our study)

We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him. (English Standard Version - version I preach from)

We know that God's children do not make a practice of sinning, for God's Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot touch them. (New Living Translation)

We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him. (New American Standard)

We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him. (The Message)

We are sure that God's children do not keep on sinning. God's own Son protects them, and the devil cannot harm them. (Contemporary English Version)

We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him. (New International Version)

We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. (King James Version)

Vér vitum, að hver sem af Guði er fæddur syndgar ekki, sá sem af Guði er fæddur varðveitir hann og hinn vondi snertir hann ekki. (Icelandic Bible)

Check out a variety of Biblical Translations at:
http://www.biblegateway.com/

Vacation: Singin' Your Guts Out!

2008-05-17T22:26:00.003-04:00

Day 2 of the Bradford vacation was a mild mannered day as Kathy and I are trying to conserve our energy for tomorrow's race. We had lunch at a great Italian place for a little carb loading. It was then off to the Fredericksburg Expo center to pick up our race numbers and timing chips. We spent some time browsing around the vendors and getting some free stuff (i.e. pens, hats, key chains, etc.) and purchasing some necessary stuff (a new pair of sun glasses for Kathy and BodyGlide for both of us--one must avoid chaffing!). The afternoon was for naps.

This evening went down to the historic Old Town Fredericksbug for supper at a really good deli. We then took a leisurely stroll down the street and enjoyed some of the sites. We stopped in this new book store that was celebrating their grand opening. For my kids, a book store is like heaven on earth. However, at this place, called The Griffin, a pair of guys were singing an eclectic mix of acoustic folk and country songs. None of which I had ever heard before. The singer would tell short interludes revealing scenes from his life when he lived in Asheville, NC and regularly performed with this group called The Biscuit Burners that we touring in Fredericksburg at the end of June. The funny part of all this was that besides me and Elijah, there were onlyh about six people really listening. Nonetheless, this guy sang his guts out every tune as if he were Bob Dillon and the room was full of a thousand. Though somewhat funny, there is much to be said for passion.

If some guy can sing tunes with such a passion for six, surely I can live with passion for the audience of ONE!

Vacation: Do Cookies and Portable DVD Players Provide Happiness?

2008-05-16T22:41:00.005-04:00

We made it! Our family completed the nearly 600 miles from Arabi, Georgia to Fredericksburg, Virginia. After a nice dip in the pool, we had supper at a place I dined as a summer missionary nearly twenty years ago. Talk about reflecting on change and enjoying a new season of life!

Our trip today revealed a few things.

One, James is right: "you have not because you ask not." In this passage on prayer James is speaking of asking God for what we need and then making sure that we are doing it with right motives. Today, we stopped at a rest area just outside Greensboro. There we workers restocking the vending machines. As me, Elijah and Evan were off taking a walk, Kate engaged the three people working in conversation--as she is so prone to do. Such talks usuall begin with "What you doing?!?" That's all Kate needs to draw them in because somehow, she knows that people love to talk about themselves. In the midst of that talk, she simply and kindly asked them for some of their cookies. If that was all that they would have done!

Cookies...Reese's Cups...Pretzels came to be in possession of my precious girls hands. And not spending those things on her own passion, she gladly shared with all of us what she had been given because she simply asked.

Oh that my prayer life with the Father would be so simple and faithful.

Two, portable DVD players do not bring more contentment. In fact, they bring new opportunities for arguments unknown by former generations. Argue over which movie to watch. Argue over who will hold the player or where it should be directed. Argue over the volume. Argue over someone touching the button. Argue over hitting your brother in the eye because you are tired of him talking to loudly over the movie.

What is missed? The trees. The river. The dead beaver. The different tags of cars traveling. Etc. Etc. Etc. Paul told the Philippians that he had learn to be content no matter the circumstance. Have you ever really considered the context of Philippians 4:13. It might not be what you think.

Thank you Lord for precious lessons through the lives of my kids and this wonderful trip you have granted to us.

7 Things I Learned Training to Run 13.1 Miles

2008-05-14T00:39:00.004-04:00

As Kathy and I complete nearly six months of training for the Marine Corps Historic Half-Marathon in Fredericksburng, Virginia, which culminates in the race on Sunday May 18, I have been reflecting on a few lessons gained during this enjoyable, challenging, arduous, elevating, frustrating and wonderful process.

1. Pick a race – Way back in September I saw this race advertised in Runner’s World magazine. I had served as a Summer missionary after my sophomore year in college in Fredericksburg and had always desired to return for a visit. Being that I also wanted to do a half-marathon, the combination was perfect.

2. Have a realistic training plan – After declaring my intentions to run this race, my bride purchased for me Jeff Galloway's book, Half-Marathon: You Can Do It. In it, I found a fantastic plan for me, a first time half-marathoner. Since he had trained thousands of runners to do this distance and was himself an Olympian, I figured his advice could be trusted. With Galloway's plan, I could run three days a week and get ready for the distance I desired to cover.

3. Make time to work the plan – It is nice to have the wonderful “idea” of running a race, but if it is going to happen, the training must happen and you must plan for it. Other things and people will attempt to nudge out the training plan. Over the past few months, my times for running have had to become non-negotiable and on the calendar.

4. Some days are hard – During the week, I take two thirty minute run/walks. I do a system of running three minutes and walking one minute. For whatever reason, there are days that are very hard. The shoes don’t feel right. The weather is rainy. The kids are mad. The wind is in my face. However, it has become the hard runs that I have come to appreciate. When you have been forced to struggle through, you are stronger and better for having done it.

5. Some days are easy – Over the past months, there have been days that were an absolute breeze. My shoes fit perfectly. The wind was at my back. The time seemed to fly. These days are no less appreciated. In fact, after a run that was relatively easy, I am glad for such blessings.

6. Be flexible – Because of life, some training runs need to be shifted. I generally run on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Because of my schedule, there were times that a run needed to happen on Monday. Occasionally, I only got in one of my two weekly training runs. I have even discovered the need for flexibility during a run. In fact, just today as I was completing a one minute walk and beginning to run again, I saw a strange dog. Not knowing how he would react, I continued to walk for about another ninety seconds to get past him. Then the run continued. During the Cherry Blossom Festival 15K last month, Kathy and I were told there were five water stops. How many? There was really only four. In the end, these past months have taught me to just relax, breathe and run.

7. A training partner and a support team are wonderful – I thoroughly enjoyed running twelve miles with my bride last Saturday. Her presence encouraged me and her advice has proved helpful knowing that she is s two-time half-marathoner herself. When I may feel like stopping, she has given the words of encouragement over the months that proved to be exactly what I needed. Also, as we ran last Saturday, Jane White graciously agreed to watch our kids for us. She and many others have made it possible for us to complete this task. Truly, no man is an island.

The best thing about these lessons learned, is that I believe that they are also helpful principles for studying God’s Word. In a few weeks, we will begin a new Adult Discipleship Study on I John. The Bible is essential in helping us know God and walk closely with Him and function as His church. So give some thought about how the seven principles I learned from training for a half-marathon might be helpful in thinking about your approach to the study and meditation of Scripture.

What is a God Pleasing Life?

2008-04-24T23:03:00.001-04:00

“Therefore, whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to be pleasing to Him.”
II Corinthians 5:9

“Legalism is seeking to achieve forgiveness from God and justification before God through obedience to God. A legalist is anyone who behaves as if they can earn God’s forgiveness through personal performance.”
C. J. Mahaney
Living the Cross Centered Life

When we think about living lives that please God, there can be a big temptation to draw definitions of what that means that, quite frankly, are not biblical. Because of the incorrect ideas that people carry of what it means to be in relationship with God, their motivations and foundations for a God pleasing life are faulty. Two issues must be kept in mind when we begin to consider a God pleasing standard for living.

The first of these is remembering how one is brought into relationship with God. C. J. Mahaney, former pastor of Covenant Life Church in Gaithersburg, Maryland, reminds us rightly that it is not our performance that makes us right with God. However, if we think our ability can somehow make us right with God—bring forgiveness of sin and earn God’s favor—then we believe “in essence that the death of Jesus on the cross was either unnecessary or insufficient. [Legalism] says to God, in effect, ‘Your plan didn’t work. The cross wasn’t enough and I need to add my good works to it to be saved.’” (Mahaney, The Cross Centered Life, 113)

Some people come to believe that their rule keeping is good and should be praiseworthy of others as they show, through their effort, that they are surely right with God. Many of the Pharisees that we wee in the Gospels come to mind. Jesus was constantly railing against these folks and their false beliefs that their efforts made them right with God. If anyone looked religious in Jesus’ day, it was the Pharisees. Yet when speaking of their scribes, Jesus said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, who devour widows’ and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.” (Luke 20:46-47)

This focus on self-effort to be made right with God and its faulty basis is clearly pointed out by Jesus in the parable he tells in Luke 18:9-14. The basis of his teaching is to warn those “who trusted in themselves that they were righteous.” (v. 9) He tells the story of two men who go up to the temple to pray. The first, a Pharisee, begins to thank God that he is not like other men as he tells God all the fabulous things he does: fasting twice a week and giving tithes on all that he gets. He is especially glad he is not like the tax collector! On the other hand, the tax collector can not even look up to God and begs him to be merciful to a sinner like himself. Jesus is clear in stating that the Pharisee was not made right with God even in light of all the religious stuff he was doing. Why? “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” (v. 14)

It seems that we must always remember that not all people counting on their good work to be made right with God appear so prideful or audacious. They are “good” people that consistently do good-looking and church things. However, their belief system is focused on God accepting them because they are good. They might even believe that God will take the entirety of their lives at the end and hope the good either outweighs the bad or that the good things they did merit extra points. In reality, they might be the hardest worker in the church—this is particularly true if they believe their work gains God’s favor—but they misunderstand the reality of the human condition. As Paul states in Romans 3:10, “None is righteous, no, not one…”

One is Christian not because of what he does but because of what has been done for him. Remember Paul’s powerful words in II Corinthians 5.

“For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this:
that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all,
that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him
who for their sake died and was raised.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has
passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who
through Christ reconciled us to himself…that is, in Christ God
was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their
Trespasses against them…
(vv. 14-15, 17-19)

This leads us to our second consideration. Living a life that is pleasing to God flows out of the reality of thankfulness and praise because God has done what was necessary to place us in right relationship with himself. It is not a life to earn God’s favor, but is a life lived in response to having received God’s favor through the Gospel. This is where Paul’s statement in
II Corinthians 5:15 is helpful: “…and [Jesus] died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.” Living a God pleasing life is centered on the one who has rescued us from our sin. Our desire then becomes to make him look glorious in our living—again, not to earn his favor but because we have received it.

So what are some qualities of a God-pleasing life? Let’s consider a few passages of Scripture in order that we might think rightly about what it means to please God.

“Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal bodies, to make you obey their passions. Do not present your members to sin as the instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness.” Romans 6:12-13

Here we are directed in the area of our passions. When a person becomes a Christian, it certainly does not mean that he will never sin again. (See I John 1:9) However, being in relationship with Christ leads us to look at sin differently. We understand that it is the enemy of our life and does not honor Christ. Therefore, daily we submit ourselves to Christ and pray and ask him to fill us with hate for the things that dishonor him. Consider these examples.

-We know that gossip can have destructive consequences for our life and on others. If I have a tendency toward it, I must pray that God replace destructive gossip for a God-pleasing desire of promoting peace and speaking the truth in love.

-If I am tempted to be sexually gratified by lust or adultery, I must pray that God cause me to love his good standard for sex and to enjoy it wonderfully in the marriage relationship. Sexual sin that fills the mind with unhelpful images or expresses itself in premarital or extramarital affairs does not please God. Enjoying God’s gift as he intended brings him honor and therefore, pleases him.

-Worry can drive a person crazy. Worry can lead you to thinking wrongly about circumstances. We tend to worry when we feel out of control or do not know how a circumstance is going to turn out. Worry is an affront to God because he is control of all things—even your life! If I am tempted to worry over things of which I have no control, I must bring that before God’s throne of grace and I ask him to replace my worry with confidence in his control. Worrying less leads me to please God more.

One way we please God is by seeing sin as the life-wrecking, joy-stealing, fellowship-killing and God-dishonoring force that it is and pursue the complete opposite by God’s strength and grace.

“Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the Gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents.” Philippians 1:27-28a

Living a life worthy of the gospel would certainly be a way to please God. And in this passage, Paul defines living a worthy life, especially for a group of Christians that make up a local church, as living together in unity, striving in being an on mission gospel sharing people and not being afraid of your church’s enemies. So a Christian desiring to please God with their life must be about praying and asking God to make them a person that works for and promotes unity in the church, is committed to sharing the gospel with those apart from God and receiving confidence to fear God and not people. As a follower of Jesus, we please God when we walk more faithfully in doing the things that Paul speaks of to the Philippians. It is worth noting that in this passage Paul obviously has the corporate idea of many followers of Jesus working together to do these things. It is not about being a Lone Ranger to please God, but together praying and living to bring God joy through our living. This is especially encouraging news for two reasons. One, in our American I-can-do-anything culture, corporate living for the honor of God stands as an attractive counter cultural witness just as God intends. Two, it is encouraging when we know that all Christians are in this together.

“Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them.” Psalm 119:129

Though this “aiming to please God qualities” I have given are not exhaustive, there is one quality that makes it possible for us to even know that God wants to be pleased and how we are to go about doing it—the Bible. The psalmist proclaims that God’s word is wonderful and because it is, he loves to do what it says. Ultimately, if you want to please God you must pray for and develop a greater love and delight for God’s word. The more you know of God from his word (by reading it yourself*, hearing it taught, reading the teachings of others about it) the more you will love and worship him and the more you will desire to obey him. When a follower does what the master has commanded, he is pleased. The joy of following Christ is that we need not be a begrudging follower. As we see the sweetness of God’s word, understanding that it is in keeping the word that we find our greatest joy that the Father is brought much delight.

*The Bible is written in order that it might be understood.

Pray First, Eat Cake Second

2008-04-16T22:39:00.004-04:00

“First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions,
and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for Kings and all
those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil
and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good, and
it pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved
and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

For there is one God and one mediator between God and man,
a man, Christ Jesus, who gave himself—a ransom for all,
a testimony at the proper time.

For this I was appointed a herald, an apostle
(I am telling the truth; I am not lying),
and a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.”

I Timothy 2:1-7

When it came to Paul giving Timothy instructions in how to lead the Ephesian church, he is quite clear on the role of prayer for the body of believers. After telling Timothy to stand against false teaching (1:3-11), giving his testimony (1:12-17) and reminding him to “strongly engage in battle” that is keeping with a faithful ministry (1:18-20), the very next instructions given are in regards to prayer. Our modern day is not unlike Timothy’s day—false teaching abounds and there is desperate need for Christian ministers to stand firm and faithful. Since the work we do in making disciples is empowered by God, Paul is clearly reminding Timothy to always, with the entire congregation, be tapping into the source of power. In 1:3-11, the command is specific to Timothy’s role as a pastor, but the “first of all” for the whole church in 2:1-7 is prayer.

Churches are always tempted to be doing a lot of “firsts” that are not necessarily what the Bible tells us is first. We might say a prayer at the beginning of the meeting first in order that we might get to what we consider the real business. We pray first to get on to what we consider of first importance—that which is usually not prayer. Do not get me wrong. Thinking and discussing and planning and delegating are important. However, our posture in all of life must be prayer because we depend on God who is the source of our life and the reason for all that we do. This go and make disciples thing was his idea and we must live in great awareness that such is the case for us as his church.

Paul urges us to pray first!

For whom are we to pray? “Everyone, kings and all those in authority” is the object of our prayer. The reason for doing so is “that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.” Practically, this is fleshed out by praying for everyone we might encounter in any given day. It is good to pray that they might embrace the Gospel and love Jesus. If they have the same value system as us, it makes things smoother when we are living quietly, godly and dignified. I would suggest that your prayer particularly needs to be consistent especially when your neighbor does not share your value system or allegiance to Jesus. It is always tempting to get caught up in his schemes and gossip and drama. God’s desire is that we point our neighbor to Christ and not for our neighbor to point us to whatever it is he loves more than God.

Praying for those in authority is urged as well by Paul. Having a Christian boss or teacher is certainly a joy. Your hope is to benefit from their walk with Christ in being a fair and honest leader. Praying for them when they are not a Christian is very important because having an unethical boss is certainly a challenge to your godliness. However, the good news for Christians is that our righteous God is mightier than an unrighteous boss. We Christians want to pray that those in authority use their power well. The prayer of an American Christian petitioning God on behalf of a president is, I am sure, quite different from a believer that lives in a nation where the leader is oppressive and opposed to God. Nonetheless, the hope for our prayer for authorities is that our godliness might be embraced and lived out faithfully. Whether the authority is Christian or not, we want them to see our good works and glorify our father in heaven.

Remember, when we are praying for everyone and kings and authorities, God is pleased! He wants for these people, the ones we are praying for, to be saved. The inference is so clear—God is working in and around us through the prayers we bring before the throne of grace. The God of all there is and the one who has made us his own works in a powerful and miraculous way when we are praying for everyone and kings and authorities. Somehow, the prayer life of a Christian doing the first work is a part of the scheme of bringing people to faith. Our prayer to a God who wants to save people who has sent the mediator to make it possible is wonderfully related.

When I think of prayer as that it certainly looks more like a privilege rather than boring ritual. Engaging in something else as the first work is to miss out on the beauty and grace that God is working on behalf of those around us. It is a grace to us that we as Jesus’ followers are allowed to get in on the action. Our wonderful communication with our Father is doing something, perhaps, bigger than we can even imagine. Prayer is of first importance since we are called to love God first with all our heart, soul and mind. Yes, as believers that make up the church, we do other important things but we must never loose sight of that thing of first importance and that is walking with God in our love relationship and being in a continued state of communication with him.

On Monday evening I was incredibly blessed to do this thing of first importance with Carolyn, Pam, Chad, Pat, Jane, Emma, Kathy, W.L., Cindy, Jacqueline and Jonathan. It is an honor to gather together with these brothers and sisters in Christ before our Father’s throne of grace. It is overwhelming hearing believers pouring out their hearts to God on behalf of those that they love and know are far from God. It is challenging to hear one pray, “Evangelism has been a ‘have to’ in my life Lord, make it a ‘want to.’” (Yes, Lord, do that in me!) I was struck by the genuine love that filled the room as we prayed. There was a sense of the holy and pleasure of God as ordinary people gathered to meet with our extraordinary God.
The incredible chocolate cake served by Cindy was simply the “icing” on the top of an incredible evening together. I anticipate with joy our next Harvest Home Prayer Meeting at Mike and Jane White’s next Monday.

Why brownies make prayer better...

2008-04-07T21:54:00.002-04:00

I am still basking in the afterglow of our first Harvest Home Prayer Meeting at Pat Story's house this evening. Here is what I learned...

1. I am continually amazed with how some good food and excellent hospitality draw God's people closer together. After our time of prayer tonight, we enjoyed some excellent brownies that Pat had prepared along with ice cream and a fantastic array of toppings (caramel, chocolate fudge, nuts, etc.). It did not take long for laughter to begin pouring like a refreshing rain and I begin thinking how blessed I was to know Pat, Pam, Carolyn, W.L., Cindy and Chad. Pat's willingness to open her home provided the wonderful environment for blessing to be received and given. I am sure that Christians do not practice this enough.

2. The early church prayed for boldness in the face of persecution. Instead of packing up and going home, the church (see Acts 3-4) asked God to fill them with boldness in proclaiming the good news of Jesus. God's response...the place where they prayed was shaken and they were filled with the Holy Spirit.

3. The "fears" we tend to have that keep us from sharing the Gospel are internal and not from external threats. The early church along with many Christians all over the world face real threat form sharing the Gospel with others. We gathered in freedom tonight. It was Pam that declared that Christians in places like Moldova and the Congo would flock to a home for prayer even though the cost might be great. Our gathering was "quaint" in size but mighty in spirit. I pray our desire as a congregation to pray and fellowship and gather will go beyond the usual "appointed" times. How interesting to see that Scripture and church history teach us that boldness in witness often grows in times of persecution and not comfort.

4. What a blessing to pray with men and women that are deeply concerned over the spiritual lives of their family and coworkers. It is blessing and humility to be in the presence of Jesus followers shedding tears over people they love being far from God. May I shed more tears over those that are far from God and outside His grace.

5. Thank you, thank you, thank you for men that will pray. In a day when we have a real "manhood" problem, it is such a blessing to walk with men unashamed to pray...to confess their fears in being a witness for Christ...who humbly ask God to give them courage to witness for their savior...who ask God to change the hearts of people they care about that are not Christians. Wow! What a privilege to be with such men that make me stronger and serve as wonderful examples to my sons.

6. Thank you, thank you, thank you for women that will pray. In a day when women put more confidence in Oprah than in Christ, it is a privilege to hear woman boldly go before the throne of grace and ask Him to change their hearts and the hearts of those they love. I thank God that my wife and my daughters have women such as these to be around.

7. Finally, I learned that it was awesome to be at Pat's house tongight and I can not wait to be at W.L. and Cindy's next Monday evening for our second Harvest Home Prayer Meeting.

Being Fools and Looking Out For People's Future

2008-04-01T13:58:00.003-04:00

"For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectable to the world, to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake...To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things."

I Corinthians 4:9-11

When you read through the book of Acts, you can not help but be amazed by all that Paul went through in being a missionary for Jesus Christ. As he said to the Philippians, he constantly demonstrated that he was willing to count all things as loss. When he wrote to the Corinthian church, he was facing a congregation with people that deeply questioned Paul and his authority. The circumstance was quite a challenge because Paul had gone to Corinth to preach the Gospel and planted the church there. His relationship with these Christians was challenging to say the least. Not only that, the Corinthians were constantly parading their bad behavior and Paul's letters to the church were necessary for bringing correction.

In I Corinthians 4, Paul is dealing with a group that has become quite puffed up in their own eyes and he is attempting to deal with them. In assessing his ministry and that of the other Apostles, he stated that he had become a "spectacle." Not only that, Paul was dealing with a whole host of ministry problems: hunger, thirst, poor dress, oppostions from all sides, homelessness, revulsion, persecution and slander. It is enough to make one wonder why Paul would be willing to endure such continuous circumstances. "We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things."

Why? Maybe these words help us get to the heart of what Paul was thinking.

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing."

II Timothy 4:7-8

Paul had no sense of "pie in the sky" about the harsh realities of his life. He had literally suffered much because of his deep and abiding commitment to Christ and the duty of carrying the Gospel to those that were without the hope of Jesus. However, he knew that the pay off for faithfulness and to the grace he had been given by Jesus was all worth it. So he pressed on to the end.

These are some challeging thoughts to me as I consider a Sunday conversation I had with several adults in our church this past Sunday. We all admitted that being faithful in carrying the Gospel is often challenging. When asked what keeps us from sharing the Gospel and we stated:

...we are not comfortable sharing it.

...we are afraid of being rejected.

...we are too busy.

...we are lazy.

...we are afraid of being offensive.

...we don't know how to bring up the topic to people.

...we don't know enough about the Bible.

...we are afraid of letting God down.

After giving our excuses, we all became aware that most of these have to do with us and our own discomfort. Let's face it, none of us really relishes the idea of potentially being in a situation where we will be uncomfortable. In fact, this fear of discomfort appears to become a tool we give the enemy that immobilizes us from trying at all. It seems that we--perhaps, unintentionally--have elevated our fears and excuses to a level that is greater than God. We pray for God to heal our loved ones because we believe he can do so. We pray for God to provide for us financially because we believe that he owns the cattle on a thousand hills. We pray for God to comfort the fears of our children when the "monster under the bed" rears his ugly head because we know that God is bigger than the "boogey-man." But do we really pray for God to help us overcome the fear of rejection or lack of knowledge or discomfort or potentially offending someone in order that we might share the best news ever given to us?

One incredible idea that came out of our discussion was that perhaps we have some wrong thinking about evangelism. (Duh!?!) What if our sharing the Gospel could be a natural expression of our lives with other people that we truly care about. It was Rusty that stated to us that our thoughts about evangelism might change if it was not so much about us and our fears but rather God and "caring about people's future." Boys and girls, that statement alone was worth the price of admission!

We were challenged to begin praying for two people in our lives that we know are far from God. Do you know two people that are not in relationship with God? What will the outcome for their lives be if they are to leave this planet without Jesus? Surely, all of us can begin to pray that God will change these two people that we know. Ask Him to reveal His great grace to them and that the Gospel will be utterly clear to them.

This Sunday at Arabi, we will begin a new Sermon and Discipleship Series: Just Walk Across the Room. The hope and prayer is that we come to understand that sharing the Gospel can be just as natural as a walk across a room and that it can be one of the most joyful enterprises in life. Be at church on Sunday at 10:50 a.m. and be at Adult Discipleship at 6:00 p.m. for the small group time.

Also, don't forget on Mondays in April, we will have Harvest Home Prayer Meetings. These are prayer times in various homes where we gather to pray for God to make us bold witnesses and to pray for those that we know that do not walk with God. Plan to arrive between 7:00 - 7:10 p.m., as we begin to pray promptly at 7:15. Light snacks will be served. The locations are as follows:

April 7 - Pat Story's

April 14 - W.L. and Cindy Farmer's

April 21 - Jane White's

April 28 - TBA

May God take us all on a faith adventure as we seek to take a walk across the room!

The Lord's Indulgence!

2008-03-25T14:40:00.004-04:00

I have been reading a great book. Basic Christianity by John Stott. He gives a great quote from an early church father, Cyprian, who served as Bishop of Carthage in the Third Century.

"How great is the Lord's indulgence! How great are his condescension and plenteousness of goodness towards us, seeing that he has wished us to pray in the sight of God in such a way as to call God Father, and to call ourselves sons of God, even as Christ is the Son of God--a name which none of us would dare to venture on in prayer, unless he himself had allowed us thus to pray."

This privilege is staggering when you consider how the Bible describes our condition before we come to faith in Christ.

"...you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience--among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind." (Ephesians 2:1-3)

"And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds..." (Colossians 1:21)

"...both Jews and Greeks, are under the power of sin, as it is written, 'None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one." (Romans 3:9-12)

One of the hardest concepts for many people to accept is that God does not measure our sin in degrees. Many people figure that since they are not an axe murderer or genocidal dictator, that such passages as those spoken of in Ephesians, Colossians and Romans must be speaking of someone else rather than them. However, it is clear from the context of these verses that when written, they were directed to the entire congregation! There are no "mulligans" given to anyone within the audience. In other words, Paul is not saying, "O.K, I am really talking about you folks who are adulterers and child abductors in considering this sin issue. Those of you who have only told some 'white lies' and took some grapes from the produce section without paying and only 'fudged' on your taxes a little--you're fine. Keep reading to the good parts you like."

No. That is not the case at all. Basically, because of the reality of Romans 3:23, we learn that ALL of us, i.e. anyone born on the planet after Adam, are the ones who are hostile in mind, dead in our tresspasses and not seeking God. We all need the cross and resurrection in order to be in relationship with God. Believing that you are basically a good person and that God will surely take your good attempts and intentions into consideration is to make a mockery of the Son's sacrifice.

I do not want to overstate this fact. However, when you consider the following passages, you begin to see the great cost necessary to bring sinful people into relationship with a holy God.

"But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved--and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus."
(Ephesians 2:4-7)

"...he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him..."
(Colossians 1:22)

"...God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life."
(Romans 5:8-10)

God is incredibly kind and merciful and loving toward us. Paul states that we were deserving of God's wrath. However, God extends to us what we do not deserve in order that we might be his children. When Jesus calls us to pray, "Our Father, who art in heaven..." he really means it! God and you (i.e. those who have trusted by faith in Christ for relationship with God John 14:6) are not enemies but family. Following on the heels of verses that describe the totality of our sinful reality are verses that reveal the profound love and mercy that God extends to us to make us his own.

Remember this today as you pray. God has made it possible for you to be accepted. He has set his love upon you. He wants to hear from you. He has set his affection on you. He gave the very best--his Son--in order that you can have the very best--himself!

Here are a few questions for thought and reflection (Yes, I know that thinking can be dangerous?!?):

-How should the truth of Ephesians 2:4-7, Colossians 1:22, and Romans 5:8-10 cause you to think about God?

-Do you have a biblical idea of God being your Father? (Father can, unfortunately, carry negative ideas for many people that have had abusive, absent or passive dads. However, these are not the biblical pictures painted of God.) What "thought" adjustments might you need to make in regards to God being your Father?

-Do you see prayer as a "plenteousness of goodness" from the Lord, in the words of Cyprian, or as a duty and drudgery? What has influenced your thoughts about prayer?

-What would you like to have happen in regards to your prayer life?

New Outfits and Easter Morning

2008-03-22T09:26:00.002-04:00

I am 39 years old and up until seven years ago, my grandmother bought me a new outfit every Easter. As a child, I can remember my mom taking me and my sister to McAlister Square—South Carolina’s first mall in my hometown of Greenville—for lunch at Morrison’s Cafeteria and then to several stores to pick out a new outfit and shoes to be worn on the special. This terrific outing would usually take place one to two weeks before Easter Sunday.

On Easter Sunday, we would all gather at my grandmother’s house after church for a tremendous lunch and an afternoon of egg hunting. There was always ham—that is freedom in Christ from the Law my brothers and sisters!—fried chicken, fruit salad and peanut butter cake. When the meal was completed, my Uncle Troy would pick out the ugliest egg of the ones we had dyed and declare it the money egg. The one lucky enough to find it would become $5.00 richer! Troy and my Dad would hide the eggs and then the search would be on.

Of course, there was always the famous Easter picture of us grandkids in our new Easter outfits. My sister Kimberly, my cousins Brandon and Lisa and I would attempt to put on our best smiles. My father, being one of the slowest humans on the planet, would take forever in getting the picture taken. One of us would always lose patience and somebody always got a spanking for not standing still and smiling. My favorite picture is the one in which I was wearing a powder blue leisure suit. In the shot, I am wiping my face with my forearm. It was a particularly hot day and I remember sweat running down my cheek. My father snapped the picture at the very moment of the wipe. The moment lives in our family posterity and afterward, I received a firm swat to my posterior end!

When Emma turned two and Kathy was pregnant with Elijah, my grand mother had a stroke which rendered her legs useless and her speech severely impaired. There were no more shopping trips for new Easter clothes. In a small way, every Easter since reminds me of my grandmother’s frail condition and the joy of a new outfit lost.

Such memory may seem silly. In fact, I am quite sure that most people that grew up in the church have some interesting memories associated with the most important event in history. As an adult, I am not sure that all the activities and goings on which surround most “Easter” celebrations are helpful in leading believers to rightly reflect on its significance. Can a child rightly be led to focus on Jesus and his victory over sin in light of solid chocolate bunnies and money eggs? As a father of four, that is a question with which I struggle.

However, of this I am sure. Events in my life have taken some turns that, by God’s grace, make me more aware of the grace of Christ. Memories of Easter as a child are clouded as an adult when I consider not only that my grandmother has been debilitated for eight years, but my sister has been gone for nearly seven. My parents have been divorced for many years. The past sweetness if often tinged with the bitter of today. Yes, life is often quite frail.

Easter reminds us that the world and its inhabitants are profoundly debilitated by sin. It affects all aspects of life. Yet on the day we remember Resurrection Morning, we are assured that the ultimate sting of death and sin were conquered and that we live with the hope that Jesus walks with us in our frailty. The Spirit works to sanctify and make us more like Jesus in order that He might be more glorified. That ultimate sacrifice enables us to know the Father now and live in the hope that one day all frailty and remnants of sin will be cast away when the Savior comes again riding on a white horse! On that day—we would all do well to look up that phrase and see how it is used in Scripture—our imperfect Easter celebrations will be exchanged for being face to face with the one who made it all possible. And praise the Lord, powder blue leisure suits will be banished forever.

This Easter, get out your Bible and start reading at John 12 and keep going until the end of the Gospel. It will do your soul well. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!

Please pray for Lynette Cox, she was admitted back into the hospital in Gainesville. They believe she may have had another small stroke.

Pray for these and think about this...

2008-03-13T15:52:00.003-04:00

It is a joy for us to be able to pray for one another as a congregation.

Pray for Jayn Almand whose sister in Bainbridge passed away. Her sister had had a long battle with sickness. Pray for Jayn's safety and for God's comfort.

Pray for Dorothy Morgan's daughter, Dianne Thompson. She was diagnosed with Stage Rectal cancer on Monday. The doctors will be doing 4 - 6 aggressive and immediate treatments of chemotherapy with hopes of doing surgery.

Pray (and celebrate) with Pat and Wendell Story. They are new grandparents of a grandson that was born yesterday in Alabama.

Pray for sister church, Pitts Baptist Church. They will be in Revival Services next week. Clint Sullens is the pastor and Rev. James Bryant will be preaching. Ask God's special blessing on this congregation that they will live with passion for His glory.

I continue to be amazed at what God did through the Women's Retreat this past weekend at the Houston Baptist Camp. How good to see 85 women come and fellowship together and sit under powerful Bible teaching. One thing my bride told me she heard from women at the retreat was this...

Women that stated they believed if churches in our area were going to make real impact there must be a resurgence and revival in leadership of men stepping up and taking seriously the things of God.

This was profoundly challenging to me as I heard to report of godly women that desire to see this happen in our congregations. Let us pray for this end. Let us join together and ask that God be greatly glorified through the lives of men that desire Him and seek to live lives that please Him.

The Enemy of Delighting in God, Part II

2008-03-10T23:52:00.003-04:00

"1 Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong;
2 for like grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon
die."

"7 ...do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out
their wicked schemes."
Psalm 37

The truth is, we tend to get incredibly disheartened when we see people that appear to care less about God and His truth getting what they want the way they want it! It is sad to see a brother in Christ suffer with a fatal disease that will end his life, leaving behind a wife and grandchildren, while at the same time observing a dishonest person looking like they are "getting ahead." How angering to know of faithful followers of Christ suffering for the Gospel through imprisonment and beatings while others criticize Christians as biggoted and work hard for better treatment of animals while real people are treated like "dogs." It is hard to do without while doing good especially as those who do bad are rewarded for their bad behavior.

God knew this would be the case. He knew that we can be tempted to be envious of those that do not love him "getting ahead." He knows that if we become too envious of these evil people getting riches and advantages in this world, we may very well lose heart and desire a life of earthly pursuits rather than in delighting and taking joy in Him. If all there was was getting the most "toys" in this life, then it may very well be advantageous to live for yourself and fulfill your own desires at any cost. However, God uses the Psalmist to tell us...

(v. 1) -Do not "worry yourself" over men that do not follow God who are getting ahead by doing wrong.

The Christian student that desires to honor God by respecting their authorities (parents, principals, teachers, coaches), being a good steward of their time by studying well (remembering that they are not really working for teachers bust God) and keeping themselves sexually pure for their future spouse is not to "worry themselves" or become "envious" of those living for lesser purpose.

The Christian adult that desires to honor God by doing their business honestly, refraining from gossip and other peace-destroying behaviors and being a good steward of their time, talent and possessions is not to "worry themselves" or become envious of those living for dishonesty and reveling in pleasing themselves alone.

(v. 2) Why? Their "care less about God" life leads to "withering" and "dying." People who live for themselves alone are compared to plants in this life. There is nothing more temporary than plants. Even the longest living trees on the planet come to an end. Either by natural death because of age, by disease, or at the hand of a Poulan! (Feel free to fill in this blank with your favorite brand of chainsaw.)

(v. 7) Again, another reminder and call not to fret even if they "succeed in their ways." Success is usually measured by a certain level of prosperity and power. For those that live their lives apart from a relationship with God through Jesus Christ and do so for themselves, anything that they accomplish in this life is the very best that they can expect. Apart from Christ, it truly will never get any better than what they accomplish with the time they are given on this earth. How do we know this?

"...evil men will be cut off...A little while, and the wicked will be no more;
though you look for them, they will not be found."
Psalm 37:9, 10

Just as a plant ceases to exist, so will those living for themselves and apart from Jesus. They will be "cut off"--meaning that they will not enjoy the privilege of permanence and joy and relationship granted to those that are God's people. It is a supreme honor to belong to God. If God is your God and you are His child, that reality alone should fill you with overwhelming joy. Even if you never receive anything that the world defines as good, you already have the very best thing and nothing in this world--evil men, evil schemems, suffering--can cut you off from the absolute permanence of that relationship.

Do not worry yourself over the apparent "success" of evil men that do not care about God. Unless they repent and turn to Jesus--and please, pray that they do and that God might grant you the opportunity to bear witness of His grace to them--they will meet a sure end from all that brought them temporary joy in this life!

Evil is temporary. God is forever! Evil men are for a little while. God's people are His possession and will enjoy his relationship forever! Take delight in that fact.

Running with Perseverance

2008-02-19T09:19:00.003-05:00

Runner's World magazine comes to our home every month. In fact, the occasion of its arrival is usually greeted with guarded delight. Who is on the cover? I always turn to the last page to an article entitled, "I am a Runner." This page features different "celebrities" who run. One month featured Michael Chertoff, the Secretary of Homeland Security. Another month is was Jo Dee Messina, the country music singer. My favortie feature was Ruper Gee several months back. He is the own of "Hello Deli" in New York that has been made famous by David Letterman on "The Late Show."

I also like Runner's World when they feature their tests on the new line of runnig shoes for the season. I expertly peruse the pages thinking to myself, "Yes. Yes. That is the pair for me." Then images of me running (and winning!) the Boston Marathon flash through my mind!

I say this with some level of trepidation. I am a runner. In May, my beautiful bride Kathy and I are training to participate in the Marine Corps Historic Half Marathon on May 18 in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Now granted, it is very unlikely my photo will ever grace the cover of a running magazine. However, because I see Runner's World and the super atheletes along with the "normal" people who run, I am given the courage to shuffle out the door.

In this month's Runner's World, there is a wonderful article about British runner Paula Radcliffe. During the 2004 Athens Olympics, she was the HUGE favorite to win the womens marathon. However, under extreme conditions, Radcliffe actually sat down at the twenty-two mile mark and withdrew from the race. It sent shock waves through the running world since she had won the previous three marathons in which she competed.

"Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easitly entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2) Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scoring its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3) Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."
Hebrews 12:1-3 (Holman Christian Standard)

In your walk with Christ, do you ever see other believers and wish and want and desire to be as "godly" as them? It is quite easy to compare ourselves to others and somehow feel less than adequate. This is especially true when our "race marked out for us" has become hard and challenging. It is frustrating when we feel like that we are not making any progress in our race with Jesus.

Running has taught me one thing. I can not compare myself and my running with an Olympic athlete or for that matter, my wife. Kathy has already completed a couple of half marthons, severl 10ks, 5ks and a triathlon. I must train and run my race. I can not bemoan what I have not done compared to other runners. However, the benefit of the running community envelopes me and other runners encourage me as I train to accomplish my goals.

Other Christians are not there for the purpose of us comparing ourselves. "Hey, I am not as godly as John but compared to Betty, I'm an apostle!" No. As the church, we walk together in order that we might encourage one another but many times, the specific path that we must run can be rather different. (I am particularly thinking about a precious brother and sister in Christ serving on mission in Eastern Europe as I remain serving in Georgia.)

The writer of Hebrews is writing to a group of Christians that are suffering and going through a difficult time because of their faith in Jesus Christ. The persecution is so hard that they may very well be close to giving up. The writer is wanting to encourage them that sometimes the road gets so hard that we want to stop running. I would say that sometimes our run becomes a walk and even occasionally, we need to sit down and rest. However, the point is that we do not give up because our Savior endured the road marked out for him. His race was death on the cross! As difficult and hard as it was, he pressed on with joy because he knew the prize to be wom by completing his race--his father's will being accomplished, people being redeemed and sitting down at the right hand of his father. Jesus was tempted to give up but he submitted himself to his race and much glory was found!

The writer of Hebrews is letting these Christians know that because Jesus did it, you can do it! In fact, verse one reminded them that many men and women of God completed their races with God and now sit in the enjoyment of being with him. "Come on Hebrew Christians! Jesus has done it! You CAN do it! Jesus has given the helper, his Holy Spirit, and will run the race through you! Go! Go! Go!"

The British press has a reputation for being extremely critical. That is exactly what happened to Paula Radcliffe when she returned home from Athens. How difficult to be considered a quitter. Yet in light of all that criticism and dashed hope, Paula got up and won the next marathone she entered and the next one and the next one and the New York marathon this past November!

So catch your breath. Sometimes I slow down during my run and walk a bit. In fact, for every three minutes I run, I walk one minute. I keep looking forward to crossing that finish line in Fredericksburg. YOU CAN PRESS ON! Yes, there are obstacles. Get rid of them! Yes, there is sin that tries to trap you. Confess. Repent. Receive forgiveness. Watch your blind spots. Get a "running" partner to encourage you. Drink some Gatorade. Get some nourishment...from the Word, from talking with the Father, from fellowshipping with other believers, worshipping Him...but get up off your tail and start running again. Follow the example of your savior. He knows how hard it is. He is running right there with you! He will be waiting at the finish line!

Two resources that might enourage you in your "race" with God is A Long Obedience in the Same Direction or Run with the Horses both by Eugene Peterson. Peterson is best known for his modern paraprhase of the Scriptures, The Message.

The Enemy of Delighting in God, Part I

2008-02-05T14:15:00.002-05:00

In what do you delight? Do you sometimes find yourself "delighting" in things that are less than satisfying? Some delight in antiques. Some delight in food. Some delight in money. Some delight in the past. Some delight in bitterness. (Being a Southerner, I have observed some rather monumental grudges that people have held onto for decades!) However, most of these things can begin to take distorted places in our lives and actually rob us of the delight we for which we hope.
I have come to believe that many Jesus followers want to grow in their love relationship with God and having that kind of desire is good since that is exactly what Psalm 37:4 states,

"Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart."

In the book of Job, one of Job's friends gives some helpful insight as to what it means to delight in God.

"Agree with God and be at peace...receive instruction from his mouth and lay up his words in your heart...if you remove injustice far from your tents...if you lay gold in the dust...then th Almighty will be your gold and precious silves. For then you will delight yourself in the Almighty and lift up your face to God.
Job 22:21-26

Now granted, Eliphaz and Job's other companions bring much assumption that Job must have somehow sinned against God and that is the reason for him ending up in such calamity. However, we know that God declared Job a faithful servant (Job 1:8). Nonetheless, there is value in Eliphaz's words in guiding us toward delighting in God.

First, he remind us to "agree with God...receive instruction from his mouth and lay up his words in your heart". It is a good thing when we walk in agreement with someone. It makes a relationship go much smoother and there can be much productiveness. As followers, our primary responsibility is to come to see things as God see them. When he declares something as right and true, we are called to embrace that word. Jesus said in John 15:10,14, "...if you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love....You are my friends if you do what I command you." Delighting in God takes root when we first and foremost take to heart what God says. We make time in our life to cultivate a love for God's word in order that we might know it, meditate on it and live it.

Second, Eliphaz states the need to "remove injustice far from your tents." This statement is related to us living out what we are learning from God. It reveals a heart that is committed to wanting the things that God desires. We are called to reject untruthful systems and ways of this world (things opposed to God) and embrace a character of integrity and honesty (things that please God). Often, God would decry the injustice of his people Israel through the words of the prophets. He would cry out against their commitment to dishonest gain and cheating others (see Malachi 3:5). Unjust living is the result of not caring about what God desires and commands. The problem with the Israelites was not just the sin but the attitude of disregard for God's word and the embracing of unjust living. Our call is to remove such attitudes and actions from our life. This can be a fight and that is the benefit for us when we belong to the church since we can join with one another in the fight!

Third, Job's friend makes an appeal to "lay gold in the dust." Nothing can be a greater enemy to delighting yourself in God than a wrong desire in having material possessions. The bible constantly states that an unhealthy focus on what you have can not so subtly take your focus off of God. Jesus said you can not love God and money (Matthew 6:24). In Luke's gospel, Jesus stated that our life is not to be measured by the things we acquire (Luke 12:15). He knew that a life focused primarily on acquiring cash may very well cause one to compromise the truth of God in order to have it. This is not just a problem for the wealthy that have much but for the poor that have an unhealthy and unbiblical focus on the acquiring and use of money. (Lest you be tempted to think you are not rich, I recently hear Pastor David Rosales of Calvary Chapel Chino Valley state that 85% of the world's population makes it on less than $2 a day!) The bible's teaching on money might be simply understood as work hard for what you need but recognize that your Father provides and since it is from him, love him and not money.

Loving God's word. Removing injustice from your life. Don't love money. These are some simple but profound reminders to what can lead us to "delight ourselves in God."

A book that I would reccomend to you in your pursuit to delight yourself in God is The Dangerous Duty of Delight by John Piper. However, spending some time meditating on the Psalm 37 would also be hightly encouraged!