Make a Difference...

32 years ago, a phrase entered my vocabulary from two teachers I had in junior high school (Belair Jr. High, Pine Bluff, Arkansas) - my first band director, Mr. E.M. Carlton, and my 8th Grade English teacher Mrs. Sandra Boone. While the phrase wasn't one I remember either of these people using, these two dedicated teachers more clearly demonstrated the concept more clearly than any other teacher I had in school. It wasn't that they blew their own horns (Mr. Carlton was a very good trombone player), but that they simply cared enough to "make a difference". They invested in their students, and neither shied away from giving out tough love!

Little did I know that years later, this phrase would become my own life goal. First, as a teacher and band director myself, my desire was - through the medium of music - to make a difference in the lives of my students. The difference might not so much to be measured by awards, accomplishments, or accolades, but by changes in attitudes, desires, and aims in life.  I remember one specific and very small example came when a former student from my humble 7th Grade music appreciation class who had no desire to be introduced to the music we studied, who several years later made a bee-line to find me to share with me that she had been able to see a musical we had studied in class - and how much she was grateful I had introduced her class to that whole genera of music.  While not necessarily an eternal impact, it was a great honor to be able to help some students not only gain an appreciation for music in their lives beyond what was "popular", but for some to actually grow to love music.

Then the Lord called me to ministry, and no surprise - that same phrase for life equally applies! The big difference now being it could be of eternal value!  The life of a minister of the Gospel, preacher, and pastor is called in scripture is one of doing everything in the mission of "making a difference". Isaiah put it like this in Isaiah 52:7:

How beautiful upon the mountains

are the feet of him who brings good news,

who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness,

who publishes salvation,

who says to Zion, "Your God reigns."

I like to believe that what I am charged with is to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to this lost and dying world, to proclaim the truth that there is but One Way - The Way, The Truth and The Life. I am charged with being a "Watchman on the Wall" - crying out warnings of judgment. I am called to love those that God places in my life as sheep in a flock. Jesus calls His ministers to "feed my sheep".  With this charge also comes the serious reminder found in Romans 14:12 that I "will give an account"  before the Lord. 

As a pastor, I have seen some beautiful things, have witnessed some incredible change in lives, and have been blessed to indeed "make a difference". But sometimes those attempts to make a difference are derailed - sometimes by those who would seek to disrupt anything that glorifies God or helps lead people to saving faith in Jesus Christ. Satan would like nothing better than to derail the Gospel. But when the Devil loses one, he then goes to work to try to quell the Spirit, to prevent any real, life-long change. He sets his sights on being that bushel basket Jesus warns believers to not cover our light with. And sometimes it is the pastor who allows his light to be covered.

When my heart is broken to reach out to someone in need, only to be bashed or abused - it leads to discouragement that, when left unchecked, casts a shadow over the light of Christ in my life.

When I proclaim the need to forgive, yet hold on to unforgiveness in my heart - my light grows dimmer.

When I allow the inconsistencies I witness in others lead to inconsistencies in my own life - 

When the harsh treatment I may receive turns into my own harshness towards others, especially my family - 

What kind of "difference" am I making?

As surely as a consistent, Christ-centered, Bible-following life can make an eternal difference in someone's life, so too can harsh words, poor decisions, or even missteps!

How many souls have been pushed away from church by the words or actions by a pastor or other minister (or me)?

How many lives have been shattered by abuses from the pulpit?

How many people I have come into contact with, within or outside the church, have I failed to "make a difference" (at least a positive difference) because of my own pity-party?  How often have I, because of allowing myself to become jaded by what I have witnessed and experienced - and completely fail when compared to the words of my Savior in Matthew 25:34-46 - having not helped the poor, fed the hungry, visited those imprisoned, etc.?

I don't "work for accolades and fame". Any glory that might comes is due only to God. But my heart breaks when it seems that I am not making a difference at all.

When a preacher proclaims the Word and doesn't see any apparent impact - he gets discouraged, with the question "did it make any difference?"

When pews or chairs stay empty on Sunday morning, discouragement grows like a cancer.

And discouragement, like a snowball rolling down a hillside, grows and become much more difficult to stop (much less reverse), further feeding the feeling of failure in the aim of making a difference.

And to be totally honest - I am personally struggling in ways I never have before. I am not wavering in my faith. I am not shaken in my absolute conviction that the Lord has called me to be a pastor. And I most certainly still desire, possibly more than anything else, to genuinely make a difference! I do not feel (I really hate feelings - a tough spot for someone who is a fairly emotional person) these days like I am making much of a real difference. I feel inadequate for all the Lord has placed before me - from my ministry, to being a husband and a father. I know and fully believe that the Lord equips and empowers those He calls. I just wish He would grant me an extra measure of His Grace.  I long for an answer to the prayer like the one in 2 Kings 6:17 - where Elisha prayed "O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see." In that case, the LORD did open the yes of the young man - allowing Him to see that the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

Oh LORD - please open MY eyes to your presence, your power, and your perfect plan, because LORD - feel like I am just wandering in the wilderness. Lord - help me with more than just proclaiming your Word - I want to make a real difference.  Lord - I need to see the plans you have for me - I need encouragement, I need wisdom.  LORD - I need you. Help me to be the spiritual leader in my home, the husband I need to be, the father my girls need. LORD - guide my words and actions as I try to lead the people you have called me to care for. Help me to not be discouraged by people, but instead to recognize that the battle is not with people, but with the rulers, authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." Lord, help me to really "take up the whole armor of God", that I might "withstand in the evil day, having done all, to stand firm" (Ephesians 6:12-13). Lord - help the church you have entrusted to my care to also grasp the vision of making a difference, led by your Spirit.

Hard-Learned Advice for the Prospective Young Pastor*

When I went through the Teacher Education program at the University of Central Arkansas (Instrumental Music Education), I was convinced that - upon graduation, I was fully equipped and "ready" to take on the world. After all, I had a mind filled with knowledge, advice from those who had "been there", and a whole semester of pretend teaching (aka - Student Teaching). I had passed the Test (newly renamed the Praxis Testing). I was A Teacher!

Then I entered the real world, where all the knowledge I thought I had garnered was only a tiny bit of what I needed to know. I entered blindsided, beaten, and bruised. It took about 5 years in the band room to finally begin to even pretend reasonably that I had a clue.

So it should not have been a surprise to find that, upon the irresistible (and boy did I try!) call of God to enter pastoral ministry, I would again find myself in the familiar, unfamiliar world of eye-opening misadventure and bruising. While many lessons learned in 14 years of public school band directing has been a great toolbox to draw from, I find myself still in awe of how totally unqualified I often feel, and how broken my heart often is. I was given very little guidance as to the "real world" life of pastoral ministry, even in my otherwise hugely beneficial Seminary work. As a relatively short-term "veteran" of the pastoral ministry pulpit, I offer up the following words of wisdom/advice to the budding "young" (either in age, or to the call itself) pastor.

1. If you can do ANYTHING else other than pastoral ministry - then do THAT! I Heard this sage advice at some point after I began my first pastorate. Too late to benefit me and my own ministry, but not too late for many others who may follow. The long-and-short: If the Lord will allow you peace with the decision to pursue a secular career, avoiding pastoral ministry altogether, then you might rightfully guess that you are not called to pastoral ministry. Pastoral ministry WILL beat you up. Pastoral ministry WILL break your heart. There is a very solid reason that the "job" among the most honorable among all (according to the Bible), is high on the ranks of those jobs filled by men with depression. So - if you are able to walk away from the perceived "call", then do. If you are genuinely called to this avenue - God will not let you have rest.

2. Do NOT try to be a friend to the church members in your care. This is not as sad as it sounds. You should indeed love the sheep as Jesus loves them. But just as I learned early-on in the public school classroom, if you are their "friend", it grows much harder to speak to accountability and discipline. Further, these kinds of friendships rarely turn out well (I can count on one hand the number that I have experienced myself, or have heard other pastors reflect on, that have been long-term positives). Love them. Care for them, but do not befriend them unless you are prepared to be hurt in ways you never thought possible.

3. Don't try this at home. Or better - do everything you can to isolate your pastoral ministry from your family. Protect your family. The unfortunate reality is - pastor's wives (and even children) are often saddled with not only unreasonable expectations, but undo and unfair scrutiny and pressures. As a pastor, you will be called on to advise adults to leave their work AT WORK, so that it does not become a divisive stumbling block in their family - listen to that advice yourself!  Love your wife and children. Be the spiritual head of your household. But do not allow the pressures of pastoral ministry attack your family. Leave them at the church office/behind the pulpit. Love your family, protect your family.

4. NEVER skimp on your time with the Lord. The book of Acts (chapter 6) begins with the calling out of 7 deacons to help take care of the issues, fires, and service needed in that early church - why?  So the pastors/elders could devote themselves to prayer and the "ministry of the Word". As a pastor, you must constantly be filling yourself with the Word of God - both for your own protection, edification, and preparation - just as we try to communicate to our church members, but also (and vitally important to the man trying to serve as an "undershepherd") to being a faithful "Minister of the Word". And when you reflect back on some of the other points of advice prior to this entry, and those following, prayer and the Word of God will help sustain you when you encounter the many tribulations, trials, and temptations that will most certainly come.

5. Find a brother in the ministry, not of your own congregation, who is willing to serve to hold you accountable and for moral support. We can easily forget that the one person in a local church who has no pastor, is the pastor! Yet we are human. We need someone to help us to stay accountable, to lift us up when we are beaten, and to hold our spiritual hand in prayer as we struggle. Remember the truth of the saying "no man is an island".

6. Watch for knives! Its a shame that those called to ministry are not given the miraculous gift of x-ray vision. Be prepared, keep your eyes open, for there will be those who will pat you on the back, give you a great big hug, then plunge a huge knife into your back as soon as you let your guard down. The most likely to do this are not the anti-church people who are openly rebelling against God outside the church, but by those who have been entrusted to your care. The knives will sometimes begin as odd comments, or maybe secretive "behind-closed-doors" meetings that you won't know about until after (if ever). Some people just do not like to hear stuff like Hebrews 13:17 that says to "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you."

Any time there is someone in authority, there will be those (even some with good intentions) who will despite chastisement, who will not appreciate sincere efforts to lead, and who will want it "their way". It is the reality of ministry. 

7. Preach discipline, but don't expect the church to exercise it willingly. Church discipline as outlined by Jesus, and detailed by the Apostle Paul is really pretty easy to preach and teach on, but is one of the most rejected/ignored concepts in most churches. There is always an excuse. There is always an extenuating circumstance. Someone will not want to hurt a friend or family member's feelings. The Lord wouldn't include clear instructions on the matter, if it were not important! But go in with your eyes open, knowing that there will be huge resistance to discipline.

8. If you are called by a church or denominational work to lead a congregation (especially a very small one) that has been through incredible turmoil and upheaval - think long, and pray harder. How often have we heard the story of a young lady marrying a fellow with the grand and almost altruistic goal of "I thought I could change him"? Very rare is the church that goes through massive turmoil or trouble that the blow up and/or split came out of the blue and was based on nothing. There are reasons that build up to such trouble. Splits rarely actually address the issue. Further, any pastor entering behind such a painful event in a church's history (particularly a young and/or inexperienced pastor) will be put in a nearly no-win situation (nothing is impossible with Christ, don't get me wrong). But starting out in such a position is a significant opportunity to derail and discourage a ministry before it even gets fully launched. It takes a truly gifted person, with a very specific and specialized set of gifts to be able to successfully minister in such situations.

9. Don't "major in the minors". While one can rightly say that 100% of God's Word is important, it gets really easy to be bogged down personally with matters of doctrine, theology, and Christian faith that ultimately detract us from the Gospel and from the genuine "Majors" of the faith. It is easy to get tangled in everything from eschatology (theology of the end times) to the temperature the thermostats are set on. Don't allow the relatively "little" things overcome the most important aspects of doing ministry. Save the hair=splitting details for discussion in spiritually mature contexts. Always speak the truth. Never compromise. But don't get bogged down to the point where you lose the whole focus of the Word of God. 

10. Know that there will be "tares" among the wheat. (Matthew 13:24-30). The sad truth is - there will be unredeemed people who are "members" of any church. It is inevitable. They will sometimes be evident by a lack of any measurable spiritual growth, while at other times their presence will be made keenly obvious by their defiance, disobedience to God's Word, selective acceptance of scripture, an through their own offense at the Word being proclaimed. These will often be chief among troublemakers and is a reminder of why Church Discipline is important - and why we must regularly, boldly, and faithfully:

11. Proclaim the Gospel! Charles Spurgeon once said (paraphrased) that with any Biblical text he would preach, he would start at the text and preach to the cross. All of Scripture, in some way, points to Christ. All of scripture fits into the great Gospel plan of redemption God laid out before the foundation of the world. The Gospel message is timeless, powerful, and the center of all the rest of our purpose, goals, and mission as a local church.

12. There is no "perfect church" - Churches are made up of human beings, with all the failings, issues, troubles, and concerns that come with this sinful flesh. The hope and prayer is that most will be born-again, and in the process of becoming more Christ-like. But in the meantime, remember - if there were a "perfect church", none of us would be qualified to lead it, myself least qualified of all!

Know that - when you are betrayed (not if), that Jesus was betrayed. Know that, when your heart is broken, Jesus wept over Jerusalem... Know that you will be tempted and tried (Remember Jesus). But also cling to the truth that, if Jesus has called you to pastoral ministry, He is there with you. Just be faithful, grow some thick skin, and be true to the Word.

* Garnered from years of service, church membership, and friendships with fellow laborers. No specific individuals where in-mind while writing this, though certainly were I to dwell on it, I could "name-names". But that serves no positive, God-glorifying purpose. I have chosen to forgive and to learn. And honestly, more than likely, even with this advice, you will (as I have time and again) fail to heed it - you will love the people you serve, and will make friends. You will be discouraged, you will be hurt and battered, but the Lord is faithful - and He will sustain you and carry you through. Stay true, run the race, and be faithful.

Defeated

Noun	1.	defeated - people who are defeated; "the Romans had no pity for the defeated"
Adj.	1.	defeated - beaten or overcome; not victorious; "the defeated enemy"
	2.	defeated - disappointingly unsuccessful; "disappointed expectations and thwarted ambitions"

It doesn't take much listening to preachers of today to hear said time and again we are to live "victorious" lives. The bit of truth to that concept is that we, through Christ, are given the victory over bondage to sin and to death. And we are to live lives that reflect that victory (another illustration of the light we are not to cover with a bushel basket).

But sadly, life is filled with defeats - As the definition above from Farlex's Free Dictionary reminds us - the term "defeated" can be both a noun and an adjective. It can also be an emotion.

I can honestly say that I have very rarely doubted, and never seriously doubted, my call to ministry. I can say without fear of contradiction that I have longed for another calling.  Why? mostly because of the emotion (and sometimes literal) defeat I have felt. Some is the result of what I can label as nothing less than pride, while at other times, the defeated feelings have come when, despite my best effort, most sincere prayers, and best of intentions, I have failed (at least in my own eyes).

How many people have I shared, or tried to share, the Gospel of Jesus Christ with, who have continued on without any sign of trusting the message? While I realize it is not Michael they are rejecting, but Jesus Christ - it is hard to hold on to that when the experience is so regular.

Or when I feel defeated because I find that I have not been dealt with honestly.

Or when I realize that I have genuinely failed - as a pastor, husband, or father (even if in but a relatively small way).

I feel defeated when I allow doubts to creep in.

I feel defeated when I allow emotions to overrule faith and what I know to be true.

I feel defeated when I believe I have "done it right, but see no results".

Is it unreasonable to feel defeated as a pastor, when you see little or no growth in the ministry? Is it unfair to characterize myself as having failed when the church I am serving in finds itself approaching the uncomfortable position of not being able to pay my salary?

Have I not defeated myself when I have led my family to rely upon a certain income level, to not be set up for family defeat with the prospects of a major salary cut and the need to find secular employment (I have absolutely nothing against bi-vocational ministry, but I also recognize the costs and special challenges involved - the subject of a whole other discussion to soon follow).

Is it wrong to feel defeated when it seems you are spinning your proverbial wheels, but getting little traction?

Is it improper to feel defeated when members your own flock are afraid or unwilling to share their issues with you, preferring to remain silent and allowing interpersonal troubles with others to fester and grow?

Is it out of line to feel defeat when you pour your heart and soul into trying to help, guide, and direct people to make better decisions - God-glorifying decisions, only to see them repeatedly reject or throw away those efforts?

Satan loves for the followers of Christ to feel defeated. In part because he knows that we are not ultimately and eternally defeated - so his only means of discouraging us, of derailing our ministry (whether vocational ministry or layman ministry) is by pushing us to live defeated lives.

The sad truth is - it is easy in the building up of my own little pity-party of defeat, that the joy of salvation grows dim. Its at times like this that I just have to cling to such passages as what King David wrote in Psalm 51:9-12

Hide your face from my sins,

and blot out all my iniquities.

Create in me a clean heart, O God,

and renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from your presence,

and take not your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation,

and uphold me with a willing spirit...

Or - as set to music by Mac Powell:

To my readers - I ask for your prayers as my family must address the realities set before us and seek God's plan and provision. I pray for peace and for the restoration of my heart and soul. I pray for genuine progress in ministry. I pray for clarity, vision, and strength. 

The Injustice of Selective Outrage

Anyone with open eyes or ears today is well aware of at least one, and likely two very high-profile cases. The first, and most dramatic, being that of Michael Brown, who was shot and killed by Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson on August 9, 2014. An event that almost immediately led to a series of actions, violence, rioting, looting, and other criminal acts in the name of "outrage". Even the President of the United States, Barack Obama, and his head of the Justice Department, Eric Holder jumped quickly on the bandwagon to label the incident as a racially-motivated crime against an unarmed, surrendering black male (6'5" tall, and bumping 300lbs, though immediately called a "gentile giant"). Thousands of people stormed the streets of Ferguson, Missouri, overturning cars, breaking windows, setting structures and vehicles ablaze in immediate outrage.

Celebrities joined the fray with accusations, and most of the mainstream media continued to add fuel to the fire. Capping the events were the typical suspects of race-hustlers, including the "Reverend" Al Sharpton. Yet even as the outrage swelled, and gestures of hands in the air became almost a symbol of pop culture, evidence began emerging that the version of the events as told by Officer Wilsion told was the most accurate. Indeed, we have since found out that Officer Wilson had lived a life far from one that reflected someone with racial bias. Death threats quickly emerged. As the hearing before a Grand Jury grew closer, organizers began planning out specific targets (oddly enough, with very specific racial lines stated).

Then comes the Grand Jury's decision to not insight Officer Wilson, as the evidence did not support pursing criminal charges (having the effect of identifying the shooting as justifiable). Within an hour, riots and looting again breaking out. Sadly, video emerged of parents taking along very young children in their looting exploits.

Soon after the Grand Jury decision in the Ferguson case, the media began focusing attention on another case, this one in New York involving City Police who in a videotaped incident, used a chokehold on Eric Garner, leading ultimately to his death. Again, a Grand Jury decided to not insight officers. In this case, there were large-scale protests, but not the violence seen in the wake of the Ferguson case.

Inflammatory statements have been put out - such as "police (implied as white officers) have declared open season on black males", with many from the Congressional Black Caucus, to several pundits in the media (and even a handful of players on the St. Louis Rams football team) joining in the "show".

A viral hashtag #BlackLivesMatter has emerged as a top trending hit on Twitter...

And the more I see, the more frustrated, and even offended I am becoming. The question begs - do not not all lives matter? My Bible does not differentiate by race. In fact, in the Old Testament, the Law required the blood of those who murdered others. In my lifetime, I have witnessed many changes in race relations. I have watched race relations improve, and in the last 6 years take a serious turn for the worse.  I was raised to look first at a person's character, and to treat everyone as a person.  Yet one of the greatest factors in perpetuating and more recently inflaming race issue has been, oddly enough, the dwelling on race. In particular, as we see in the recent high-profile cases (and the previous very public case of George Zimmerman and the young man he shot and killed, Trayvon Martin), the knee-jerk outrage, based apparently, not so much on the event itself, but the race (or perceived race) of the perpetrator and victim.

Do #BlackLivesMatter? Of course. But I again say, the Bible says ALL life matters. Injustice is injustice. If we want racism to die (or at least substantially disappear), the first key is going to be to quit picking and choosing which lives we identify as valuable. When anyone is killed (or brutalized) by law enforcement - we should raise the same questions, and if indeed it is unjust, be outraged, regardless of the race of the officer(s) or the victim. Just as we should be outraged when mobs of teens rampage through the streets playing the so-called "knock-out game" (with the near exclusive perpetrators being young African-Americans, and victims being any other race). Al Sharpton should start showing up when any serious human injustice emerges (and only when the evidence is clear it is, indeed an injustice).

We as a society must open our eyes to the fact that the sins of hate (Jesus literally stated that if we "hate", we commit murder in our hearts!), pride, selfishness, and jealousy are wrong, regardless of who they are targeted towards.

As many dwell on the past in our own nation (with slavery being a reemerging topic, thanks to the likes of Representative Charles Rangel), slavery and human trafficking is actually growing in our world -with no single race being targeted. How about joining together to fight it wherever it happens TODAY?

And the one true puzzle to me when it comes to selective outrage - one that is possibly more offensive than the previously-discussed episodes - is that horrors and injustice that our own culture, in the United States, where our nation was launched with the Declaration of Independence, that opens its preamble with We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are LIFE... has chosen collectively to legitimize the deprivation of this first delineated right to over 56 million unborn babies in the last 40+ years. If this truth isn't worth of outrage, then how about the statistic that black babies in New York are statistically more likely to be aborted than to be born! Or how about the selective outrage over the supposed open hunting season on black males by law enforcement (never mind that statistically, black men are shot by black officers at the same rate as by white officers), while the number one cause of death of young black males, is murder by other black males.

Michael Brown committed a crime involving some "low-level" violence against a convenience store owner (who, by the way, was victimized again by the latest round of looting and riots in Ferguson), and apparently did struggle physically with the much smaller Officer Wilson. Did Brown "deserve to die" for his strong-arm robbery of the convenience store? No. Did he "deserve to die" in the street, riddled with bullets? i won't even say he deserved that. But he did make a series of bad decisions that began long before that fateful August day that led to what ultimately became his last decision. But even then - it grieves me that he lost his life as a result.

Eric Garner was breaking the law (selling untaxed cigarettes on a street corner), and he was somewhat less than cooperative with police (who were made up of multiple races). Did he deserve to die for that "crime"?  No.  Am I saddened by his death? Yes.

But I am also grieved for the officers who have been murdered by perpetrators of many races. I am outraged when a person can get drunk get behind the wheel of a vehicle and kill someone else through their intoxicated driving, and essentially get a slap on the wrist.

I am outraged when a driver chooses to ignore the flashing lights and the swing-out stop sign on a school bus, going around the stopped bus, striking and killing the child who just stepped off the bus (regardless of the race of that child or the driver).

I am outraged when there are people who have a vested, financial incentive to perpetuate racism, who constantly drum up race, even when it has nothing to do with a situation.

I too am outraged when it does seem that sometimes our legal system does not wear the blindfold "Lady Justice" is usually depicted wearing.

I am outraged and saddened when Islamic terrorists round up professed Christians, and violently execute them for their faith.

And we should all be outraged by the same. Treat injustice as injustice. Be consistent. To be selectively outraged is to destroy any credibility one has.

The answer is quite simple - lets do what Jesus said to do when He was quizzed on the "greatest commandment:

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

#LifeMatters
#NoMoreSelectiveOutrage
#InjusticeIsInjustice

How to Discourage Your Pastor (Or Even Kill Your Church)

Jesus promised that the "gates of Hell" won't prevail against His church, but someone once opined "Satan couldn't beat the church, so he joined it". While this might be a bit melodramatic  it does sadly portray what has become of "church" in so many ways - whether it be the world coming in and turning the church into nothing but another display of the flesh, or if it is the more subtle, and I believe unintentional acts and words of otherwise well-intentioned people. One aspect of that is the harm done, both to pastors and leaders, and often to an entire church body by its own members. The bits below have been gleaned from personal experiences, adventures others have shared with me, and a handful of articles that have touched on the subject. 

A disclaimer - this post is not intended to point out any one individual, group, or church body, but to hopefully - by drawing attention to what many don't think about - edify local churches and ultimately to glorify God.

I. Don't Show Up! That's right - if you wan to to kill a church (or at least muffle the Spirit) and discourage the pastor, then just don't show up. This technique is one of the most used, and least recognized weapons against the church. There is a reasoning to the writer of Hebrews' words in Hebrews 10:25.  When we neglect the meeting together of the local body, we hurt ourselves and our fellow believers. Jesus created the church for many purposes, with the "Great Commission" being the most important and outward of those purposes, He also knew (knows) that believers need each other. They need the fellowship with other believers. We need the teaching, we need to proclamation of the Word, and we need each other. If we look at the First Century church as illustrated in the book of Acts, we see believers (remember - thousands of believers had been "added to the church") meeting together "daily" - in many ways and forms to help each other, to lift each other up, to walk through life together. They needed each other!  How arrogant for professed believers today to claim through their actions, if not words, that they don't need fellow believers!

II. Careless Words - This could come in the form of comparing your current pastor to previous pastors or to other preachers. This could come in the form of literal backbiting and rumor-spreading.  This could be demonstrated in emotional outbursts. We really cannot control how people take what we say, but we most certainly can think about what we say and how we say it. And let us not forget how the Bible (James) describes our tongues...
Interestingly enough, Jesus and the Apostles were well-known for speaking openly. Even John the Baptist used the phrase "brood of vipers" when talking to the Pharisees. Yet our words must always convey the grace of God. If your conversation immediately goes silent when someone else walks in the room, theres a good possibility the discussion was not edifying or God-glorifying. Which leads to:

III. Radio Silence - I have witnessed this both within and outside the local church. Some who have been open and willing to talk, who regularly have an encouraging word or cheerful conversation suddenly become uncharacteristically silent. Even those who may not be regular conversationalists will for whatever reason go silent. Often, this is the product of hurt feelings. Maybe it is due to #2 above (Careless words) they have received. Or maybe it is due to incorrect perceptions. Or just maybe there is a genuine issue that they are recoiling from. Regardless, I can find nowhere in scripture that would indicate that the right way to handle any of the above is through silence. Indeed, the New Testament is rich in instructions in dealing with brothers who have been hurt and/or wronged by another. Every step involves speaking to the offender to seek reconciliation and restoration. Radio Silence leaves hurts unhealed, raises further questions, often leads to innuendo and damaging assumptions, and never leads to God-glorifying restoration.

It is unfortunate that Radio Silence is often accompanied by a sudden commitment to #1 above. Church members, for whatever reason, chose to just go quiet and walk away from the local church. Never an explanation (or at least an open and honest disclosure), and often further complicating words and actions that discourage, divide, and destroy.

IV. Raw Emotions - Why is it that some of the most ungodly and ugly behavior I have ever witnessed has been carried out by "church members"? Emotions. We as the church are called together in a special, close, and very personal relationship. In the course of carrying out our duty to each other, we have to lay our hearts out on the line. That opens us up to a lot of "targets". More than once, a pastor has preached the God-given message, only to find a church  member so upset and even enraged that said preacher "picked them out to pick on". That member blows up, causes a scene, and divides congregations - all because of an out-of-control (and generally illogical) emotional reaction.

Or similarly, a brother or sister speaks a careless word or is perceived to have somehow wronged a brother. The reaction - a blow up of epic proportions, all as a knee-jerk, emotion-fueled outburst that again, divides and destroys.

V. Unreasonable Expectations - How many perfect people have ever walked the face of this earth? Other than our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the answer is ZERO. We all have shortcomings, weaknesses, flaws, and "issues" to deal with. We all are sinners who desperately need the Savior! As we mature in Christ, many of these shortcomings should become less prominent. But as long as we are flesh and blood beings, we will struggle. We will fail from time-to-time.

Among these human beings are pastors, teachers, and other leaders. Certainly the Bible holds these people to a high standard - with the Pastor answering directly to God Almighty for every word and action! But often these people are held to unreasonable expectations. We forget that pastors are humans too. We forget that he has a family, bills to pay, and his own Christian walk/race to run. Pastors are not angels, able to flit from home, to the church building, to hospitals, to parts unknown around the world to magically minister personally, and with all the right words, in each and every situation. Teachers have their own lives and situations to deal with, in addition to preparing to teach those in their charge - and again, with the most important curriculum in the world - the Word of God.

We as church members sometimes let other down. Yes, within the local body of believers, there should be an expectation that we will do our very best to fulfill our commitments and be people of our word. But again, we are human and will sometimes fall short.

I once hear told of a church that wanted to call a bi-vocational pastor. Among their expectations listed in the job description:
     - Seeking a bi-vocational pastor
     -A man with an Seminary Degree who spends several hours daily in study and preparation of the Word.
     - Has a wife who plays piano
     - Well behaved children
     - Will regularly visit the extensive list of shut-ins, invalids, those in nursing homes, and in the hospital.
     - Will keep the church building clean, and the grass mowed, flower beds clean and attractive.
     - Will teach Sunday School
     - Organize the Choir
     - Attend associational meetings
     - lead regular canvassing of neighborhoods
     - organize Vacation Bible School
     - keep his home (or church parsonage) up so church members can drop in at any time.
     - keep regular office hours
     - preach two services on Sunday, and one on Wednesday
     - Pay is $100 per week

And all of this does not include the unwritten and unstated (but just as expected) abilities and actions!

While the above may sound improbable, such has been the expectation of many a pastor! But what really hurts is that many of the expectations are not stated at all, yet church members engage in many of the numbers above when said pastor (or other church member) fails to meet those expectations.

VI. Complain - in contrast to those who go "radio silent", shutting others out, others are what one of my seminary professors referred to as "Joy Suckers". A Joy Sucker is the person who has a knack for finding the negative in every situation. In all things, they seek and actively highlight everything bad (even if it is only in their perception). 

Some find every possible flaw to whine about with the pastor: he preaches too long, he preaches to loud (or quiet), he is more of a teacher - not a preacher, he sweats too much, his suit isn't pressed, his wife didn't talk to me, his children are too loud, he didn't come see me when I stubbed my toe...  My personal favorite: "why didn't you go visit _________ in the hospital?" (all while having never been informed that _______ was even IN the hospital or even was sick!).

But it isn't just the pastor who is the target of those who are Joy Suckers - Sunday School teachers receive a lot of the same condemnation.  The sanctuary or classroom is always too hot or too cold. A bit of painting needs done or carpet laid, and the color is never right. Too much (or too little) emphasis is placed on kids or youth. The music is too loud (or simply "I don't like that music"). Joy suckers find every way possible to quite literally suck the joy out of each and every aspect of life, and sadly - most don't even realize what they are doing!

Remember, if there is something genuinely wrong, there is a biblical course of action to take.

VII. Turn a Blind Eye - in contrast to those who live life as a malcontent Joy Sucker, is the church member or even church body that turns a blind eye. The Apostle Paul wrote repeatedly of sin within the church that was going unaddressed. Adultery, selfishness, pride, sexual sin/fornication, and even incest had reared their ugly heads. Add to this the false doctrines and theologies that were coming in, and we see a recipe for disaster.

Scripture indicates that judgment must begin within the church. The church is called out to show the world there is a better way, a way which is pleasing to God. A way of genuine joy, changed lives, and righteousness that satisfies much better than the world can. When those within the church look more like that outside the church than they look like Jesus, we have a problem. But remember, accountability does not mean we are suppose to condemn. Accountability is about love. About desiring better, God-pleasing lives for our brethren. But that also means we have to speak the truth (in love).

VIII. Lie - few things will destroy, discourage, and divide like lies will. This is an awfully old problem. Satan is described as the father of lies (John 8:44). When we say we do not sin, we too are liars (1 John 1:5-10). How do people within the church lie?

One of the most common way is by not sharing their burdens. A brother or sisters asks if they are ok, if there is anything they can help them with or pray about - and the answer is "no - we are doing fine". It is a rare thing for a Christian to have it "all together". We all face daily struggles. Most of us deal with far larger trials and obstacles that should lead us to welcome any prayers we can get! Further, often our burdens could be made lighter were we to simply allow others to help us with them.

Still other lies are far more nefarious - like when a church member says one thing to the pastor, and a completely different story/version to other church members. Or when a church member deals dishonestly with another (business transaction, loan of money or materials, or making commitments there was no real intention to keep).

Many churches, especially those of Baptist lineage, hold to a "Church Covenant" much like this:

Or as some churches have chosen, a "Membership Agreement", which fulfills the same basic purpose as a Covenant - to give a point of commitment by members to the local church and to each other for accountability, service, spiritual growth, and provision for the church. Yet how many members don't every take said covenant or agreement seriously? Is it a lie when a church member doesn't make an effort to uphold what they have said they would do? Is it a lie if they act contrary to said commitment?

If you want to damage a church, then choose to ignore your commitment to each other and the Lord. Deal dishonesty with your brothers and sisters in Christ. Refuse to allow others to share your burdens. Tell everyone you are "doing fine" when you really do need some encouragement, help, or prayers. Pat your pastor on the back and tell him how great the sermon was, while complaining to other how awful your pastor is.

IX. Bickering - One of the big discouraging activities sometimes found in churches is bickering, usually connected to personality conflicts. This is amazing, considering how the New Testament portrays what a right-relationship within the local church looks like. Unfortunately, bickering is often the product of selfishness and pride. Personal preferences/comfort (connected to THIS post) trump what is best for the body. It is a crying shame when brother turns against brother, usually over the smallest, most insignificant blip on the radar of life. And it brings down everyone around them.

X. Just Go Away - One of the most undermining of all way s to kill a church and discourage you pastor is to just disappear. One Sunday, you are there, participating - the next, where did brother ___________ go?  When asked, be sure to tell different people different reasons, so that none have the whole picture. Particularly helpful in dividing and discouraging the church is when you say you will return, but never do. If there was a real reason for your withdrawal, and that situation is rectified in a God-glorifying way, then why remain withdrawn from fellowship?

Yes, indeed - Satan is always on the prowl. As the author of lies and deception, he inserts himself even within the walls of churches, seeking how he can use our weakness to derail the work of God. When Christians are constantly seeking the Lord, humbling themselves to serve one-another, love each other in such a way that personal preferences take a back seat to the will of God, and when the Glory of God is most important, then Satan has a hard time gaining a foothold. 

In contrast, when our "self" rises in importance, we give Satan just the crack he needs to come in and begin his pattern of destruction and discouragement. Once he is allowed a foothold, it rapidly grows more difficult to kick him out.

The question then becomes - are we willing to put all aside for the glory of God and the furtherance of the Gospel? Or are we content just plugging along, ignoring problems until the damage is done?

Will we let our own actions become stumbling blocks to others? Will we ignore the reality that when we do any of the above 10 actions, we do damage not only to the church, but to the leadership God places before us, and to our own walk with the Lord. 

Reformation Day, and a Call For a NEW Reformation!

For many, October 31 is known as "Halloween", but for others, it represents something far more important to church history - Reformation Day.

Just what IS "Reformation Day"? It is an official holiday in some areas of Europe (particularly heavily-Lutheran Germany) and in Chile, and observed by some protestants that celebrates the "95 Theses" of Martin Luther, who famously nailed his objections to practices of the Catholic Church, on the door of the church in Wittenberg. This event was one of the sparks that lit the "protestant reformation".

While many Baptists do not directly claim lineage from the Reformation (rejecting the "protestant" label - a whole other historical discussion), the spirit of the Reformation is important to remember, in that it was a case where someone within the formal church was willing to speak up for what scripture said vs. what the church "authority" was proclaiming. Among Luther's objections was the practice of selling indulgences - essentially "get out of Purgatory free" cards.

While Bible-believers of today don't necessarily feel a strong connection to the Reformation that came about so many centuries ago, it is my personal opinion it is time for a NEW REFORMATION! With so many individual churches and even entire denominations blatantly rejecting the Bible's clear teachings on many issues, with even the current Pope seemingly mocking those who believe in the biblical account of creation, and with morality being thrown under the bus of "feelings", it is time for those who still believe God's Word is what IT says It is - the truth - to take a stand, to "nail our theses" to the doors of churches across this nation and around the world. Stand up for what the Bible says. Stand up for right, while standing against evil.

It is time for those who call themselves preachers and pastors to speak the truth - the horrendous and eternal consequences of sin and the failure to repent and trust the redeeming "paid-in-full" price He paid. It is time to proclaim what the Bible says is right and wrong. It is time to caution against continuing in sin (Romans 6:1-2).  We are living in a time when church pews have a disturbing number of people that passages like Hebrews 6 are warning against - those who have seen the truth, who have "experienced" it (or as 2 Peter 2:20-22 puts it - who have escaped the defilement of this world through "knowledge" of the Lord - but who are not indeed redeemed - who will face an end far worse than had they experienced the Lord in the first place).

We see Christianity losing influence - because "Christianity" has come to mean little with people professing the "religion", but demonstrating through their lives something far different.

IT is time for the true believers to stand up for the Truth - it's time for a "New Reformation".  It's time to quit "majoring in the minors" and get the foundation right - that is, the Word of God!

Soft, Gushy, Dead Faith and the Modern Church

There is a disease in this nation (spreading around the globe) that is far worse than Ebola. This disease doesn't typically ravage you physical health quite as directly as Ebola or other viral diseases, yet it most certainly leads to death.

This disease is Dead Faith.

This is the disease that James wrote of in James 2 that is a faith without works. Now, let me be clear on something, I in absolutely NO way believe, follow, or endorse ANY form of works-based salvation.  Scripture is clear that Salvation is by Grace, through Faith ALONE (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Jesus Himself said that a tree is known by its fruits (Matthew 7:16, Luke 6:44).  It is the life we live in this world that demonstrates if we are "in the faith". In fact, one way of "test your faith" (2 Corinthians 13:5) is by examining our works, our behavior, our lives. Whether it be our stewardship of all that God entrusts us with (finances, life, time, faith), or how we treat others we encounter in our walk (James 2:1-8). Do we genuinely hate sin? Are we grieved when we commit sin? Are we anxious to repent when we sin? Does this sin exercised in the world around us also cause us to grieve? If the answer to any of these is no - then there is no genuine fruit produced by the Spirit in you, as the Spirit of repentance is one of the first and biggest of fruits produced when we genuinely belong to the Lord.

So where am I going with this?  Today's world, and particularly in this nation, we see many so-called "churches" proclaiming what is, in essence and practical application, a centuries (millennia even) old heresy known from several centuries back as Antinomianism (From the Greek words anti meaning "against", and nomos, which means "law" or "against the law". This is the theology/doctrine that if you have "been saved" (by calling on the name of Jesus), then you are no longer bound to, or beholden in any way to "The Law". Quite literally, it is a belief (expressed in several forms), that you have a free pass to do whatever you want, that all is "ok" once you have "asked Jesus into your heart". Some might call this explanation seriously over-simplified, but the end result is the same. Sin-filled lives that show no sign of repentance (or grieving of your spirit by sin).

This is the type of people that Jude 4 mentions within the local church that have "crept in" (have become members of that local church - fully enjoying the "privilege", without any chastisement or discipline from said local church for their unrepentant sin.

This is much like the condemnation Paul had for the Corinthian church who was turning a blind eye to the sin that was so vile, even the pagans didn't practice it (1 Corinthians 5) (for those that may not be aware - it was an incestuous relationship). By turning a blind eye, they were endorsing the sin behavior.

It is through this blind-eye, soft-sell Gospel (ask Jesus into your heart, but you do not have to submit to Him as your Lord or do as He says in His Word) that has led to ineffective witness in the world. It is why Christians and Christianity is no longer the "salt" - preserving and influencing the World with the Truth.

Jesus said, so very clearly - if you love me, KEEP MY COMMANDS!  (John 14:15) In the next chapter (John 15:10), He said that if we keep His commands, we will abide in His love.

This does not imply that we must "work" to keep our salvation or to continue receiving Christ's love. It quite simply means that if our lives reflect His commands, if we are living according to His Word, it is a sign - a "fruit" that demonstrates we are of His vine. Saving faith is a permanent faith that always produces fruit. Why else did Jesus use the illustration of the vinedresser who cuts away the unproductive branches?

And ultimately, James' words that strike the point home - faith without works is a dead, worthless, useless faith... (James 2:14-20).

What kind of "fruit" is being produced when so many "churches" (including mainline denominations) turn a blind eye to a veritable laundry-list of popular sins?
 - Homosexuality
 - Rampant Divorce
 - Adultery
 - Pornography
 - Idolatry
 - Abortion
 - Alcoholism and Drug Abuse
 - and so very much more!

What kind of "faith" do you have? What kind of church do you choose to associate with? Would Jesus even recognize either?

Anxiety, Depression, and the Joy of Salvation

I would like to preface this post with a disclaimer - I am fully aware that there is a diagnosable, treatable condition called "depression". I am in no-way dismissing the real condition, though I do propose genuine depression is far more rare than diagnosed, and is almost always complicated by spiritual matters.

David wrote, in Psalm 51 some touching words - I would like to focus a bit on verse 12:

"Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit..."

What was King David writing about? The context is rather telling - as David had just been confronted by Nathan the prophet over David's adultery with Bathsheba. You see, had we the power to travel back in time to observe what was going on, we would find David in a funk that most today would call "depression". But we must also realize, David was already on this path long before the adulterous affair. he was neglecting his duties as King and had, for all practical purposes, become distant and disconnected. David's spiritual slide reached a peak with the Bathsheba incident.

How many of us experience a spiritual "slide", with or without a "Bathsheba incident"? And what is the result?  Lost joy.

The symptoms are often much like David's - disconnect, depression, anxiety, fear, and sometimes much more. For the born-again believer in Jesus Christ, it sometimes leads to withdrawing from the local church, intentionally seeking flaws and faults and exploiting them for what can only be described as dividing. Sometimes the symptom for the church member is a refocus not on the Gospel, but on self - personal preferences, "my way", or a militant resistance to anything new. Fellowship with fellow believers suffers, but more troubling - this person's relationship with the Lord suffers.

What happened? Sometimes it is a simple matter of having given in to the lie that not all sins are a "big deal". We forget that scripture tells us "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). The language here doesn't differentiate between "little sins" and "big sins", "bad lies" and "good lies", and so forth. All sin, but its very nature is worthy of death.

And this leads us to the vaccine for depression and loss of Joy in salvation - and that is to remind ourselves that we all are, by our nature, worthy of eternal death and separation, yet the Lord in His infinite mercy and grace chose us, draws us, and redeems us by the blood of Christ. It is that redemption that seals up another promise of the Lord - to never leave us or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5).

The sad truth is, whenever we feel that the Lord is distant, that we experience depression or undue anxiety, it is nearly always the product of our own distancing ourselves. Whether from the aforementioned sin, or by allowing people to take up residence in our minds and hearts through grudges and an unwillingness to forgive. When we allow others and their attacks to bring us down to their level. When we allow the situations and issues of the day draw our eyes off our Savior and the great salvation He provided us - then we are inevitably going to loose grip on the joy of the Lord's salvation.

Let us remember - this all boils down to a very real spiritual battle going on. It is the very kind of battle that the apostle Paul wrote of in Ephesians 6:10-12 of those we are REALLY doing battle with. It isn't against people (as bad as they can behave).  We are at war with the forces of darkness led by Satan. Sometimes among his pawns we find the Atheist and Agnostic, the Pagan, the Satanist, and sometimes we find the professed Christian! Indeed, it is my experience that Satan's favorite pawns are those who claim to belong to Christ, as these are the very people we should see as examples, as the very people we can count on to bear our burdens, to lift us up, and to help us forward. This is why it hurts so much (as compared to the attacks from outside) when those we see as brothers and sisters in Christ become our antagonists.

But again - perspective is absolutely necessary - the battle is the Lord's. We are simply to stand fast (Ephesians 6) in the power, not of our own, but of the Lord. We need to dwell on those things that are pure, good, holy, and righteous. We must take on the full armor of God. We must trust the Word of God. We must fully trust in the completed work of Christ. And we must put into practice the very life He has called us to.  Is Jesus really your "all in all"? Is He really Who you are trusting?

Miss the Joy of Salvation? Feel helpless and distant from God? Then call out to Him, take on the Whole Armor of God, trust completely in Him, remember what He died to save you from. Draw near to Him.

False Teachers, Prosperity, and Satan

I will make a startling admission to my readers.  You might want to sit down for this massive, earth-shattering confession!

I have never, ever trusted, believed, or liked Joel Osteen or his Satan-led, Serpent-pleasing, sugar-coated, snake oil message. There has never, ever been a doubt in my mind regarding his true allegiance.

I have taken grief from many for my views.  I have been called judgmental.  I have been told I have no right to question that "fine man of God".  I have been told to check for a log in my own eye.

But ladies and gentlemen - Joel Osteen (and his wife Victoria) have repeatedly given every evidence, from a biblical perspective, for genuine believers to witness that the couple have far more than a splinter in their eye - they have a dozen tractor-trailer loads of garbage hanging out of their eyes (and mouths)! Jesus said if we acknowledge (confess) Him before men, He will confess us before our Heavenly Father, but if we do NOT acknowledge Him...  You get the point.

Time any again, Osteen has had a very public stage to profess, acknowledge, and show forth that Jesus Christ is Lord.  That Jesus is THE Way, THE Truth, and THE Light..  That NO man can come to the father, but by Jesus alone.  This comes directly from the very Word of God that Osteen professes to preach... despite such a drought of even a complete verse from scripture gracing his lips as he spews his prosperity-gospel bile. Time and again, Osteen has even stated that he cannot say for sure that Jesus is the only way!

But recently, news has been made (and the truth about the Osteens been very publicly spotlighted) by what his wife Victory has stated.

“I just want to encourage every one of us to realize that, when we obey God—we’re not doing it for God, I mean that’s one way to look at it—we’re doing it for ourselves, because God takes pleasure when we’re happy. That’s the thing that gives him the greatest joy this morning. So I want you to know this morning, just do good for your own self. Do good because God wants you to be happy. When you come to church and when you worship him, you’re not doing it for God, really; you’re doing it for yourself, because that’s what makes God happy.”

What did she say? She tried to temper her statement, but there really is no hiding the self-serving, self-centered mission - both personal and organizationally of the Osteen circus.

But lets be brutally honest - tens of thousands (some numbers as high as 30,000) "worship" at the Osteen Temple on a weekly basis.  Countless millions outside that building, across this nation, and around the world, hang on every word that drips from Joel and Victoria's mouths.  Undoubtably, there are many of the "faithful masses" of Osteen disciples who have professed Jesus Christ as Lord. Sadly, one has to wonder how a supposedly born-again Christian can swallow the anti-Christian bile that the Osteens hurl.  But one only has to open scripture to see a resounding and clear explanation that would be wise for us all to ponder on, pray on, and remind others of:

"For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths."

2 Timothy 4:3

The Other Side of the Ark

Few Bible stories are as familiar or beloved as that of "Noah's Ark". Countless children's events, cartoons, booklets, illustrations, and so forth have been produced around this story.

Children can tell you the exciting details... A big, funny-looking boat, two of each kind of animal (except....), Noah and his family, rain, flood, crow/raven, waiting, mountain, rainbow, and happily ever after...

But sadly, many people never get beyond the superficial illustrated story.

That story, and the one we need to get a firm grip on is this- God's Wrath and judgment and His Grace.

The world had become absolutely corrupt with sin. God, in His perfection had to act. He determined to wipe humanity from the earth. Had God destroyed 100% of mankind from the Earth, it would have been perfectly righteous and justified.

Yet God's plan also included deliverance for all who were righteous (by faith). Noah and his family were not perfect or sinless. But they followed the Lord, whom provided one, single means to deliverance- the ark.

And here we are thousands if years later... And God has provided the single way to perfect deliverance- the perfect Ark in Christ Jesus, literally God in the flesh, who is the door, who took on my sins, who gave His precious blood for all who would believe.

You see- the cross has little meaning to those who do not see or who refuse to acknowledge that they are heading to an eternity that is a forever destruction- an eternal death in Hell and the Lake of Fire. Just as the vast majority of humanity who walked the Earth in Noah's day- humanity walks in their prideful blindness, filled with blissful and willful ignorance and rebellion. And while God has provided an "Ark", mist never get beyond the novelty. Many even assent to "God". Many " go to church". Some even profess Christ, having "said a prayer", but until they have truly trusted Christ as Noah trusted the Ark - trusting everything to God's plan and provision, they will find themselves outside the narrow gate, and facing God's righteous and perfect justice.

posted from Bloggeroid

Sad Reflections

I found myself a bit overwhelmed this evening when I stopped a moment and considered something...

While Christians around the world, and especially in Iraq, Syria, and several other areas are having their heads cut off, being crucified, seeing family members (including young children) murdered before their eyes, and otherwise being so heavily and violently persecuted for the "crime" of professing Jesus... We here in the US struggle to demonstrate a tiny hint of faithfulness. We won't live out the faith we profess due to the tiniest hint of "offense". American " Christians" so often get consumed with "me centered" flesh-driven lives.

We just have to have the most beautiful building, state of the art equipment, professionally produced worship service, comfy seats, pleasant church staff, etc... All while our persecuted brothers and sisters still meet in homes, without the creature comforts, all while wondering when their lives will be required of them...

Some even go so far as to marginalize many of those persecuted Christians as something less than genuine Christians... Yet they are far more willing to profess Christ before men than we are. With a gun to their head, or a knife to their throat (or that of their child), they refuse to recant their faith in Jesus Christ.

What did Jesus say on the matter? (Matthew 10:32-33)

"So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven."

Or as the Apostle Paul said: "I am not ashamed of the gospel..."

How do we deny Jesus? How do we demonstrate that we are "ashamed of the gospel"? When we do not consider Christ first. When we make excuses for our sins instead of repenting of them. When we are more concerned in with our preferences and comfort. When our churches are wrapped up in buildings and programs over meaningful (and even sacrificial) steps to reach the lost. When meeting together with the local church is an inconvenience, and when it grows easy to make excuses... We deny Christ.

We live in a land where there is a "church on every street corner", many of which cater to creature comforts over the life-changing Word of God. Where marginal Christians jump from church to church for comfort or to escape an " uncomfortable " situation (or conviction)... We find it difficult to just be faithful...

Which is more like the Church that Jesus planted? Maybe its time to look in the mirror.

posted from Bloggeroid

Thoughts on the "Border Crisis"

There is no doubt that there is a humanitarian nightmare unfolding along the Southern border of the United States. Regardless of one's political views, particularly revolving around immigration, one thing is abundantly clear - we have a problem.  This post will not even begin to attempt to address the larger issues regarding immigration (legal & illegal).  Instead, this entry will focus on the particular humanitarian issues relating to the tens of thousands of unaccompanied juveniles flooding across the border, being housed in pretty horrible conditions, then being bussed to various locations around the country.

Let us first look at what is going on.  Beginning several months ago, young people primarily from Central American countries as well as Mexico began coming across the border.  While there has long been a flow of children and young adults, usually with their family entering the nation "illegally", this latest flood is a whole new situation - many of these children are unaccompanied.  The story that has been laid out by the media and the current administration is that these children are just "innocent kids fleeing violence, gangs, oppression, disease, and looking for a better life. There is little doubt that conditions in those countries are often quite bad. On the other hand, while the public story has been that these children were simply fleeing conditions at home, the evidence points to a much more sinister event.  Months ago, the US Government solicited bids to house and transport tens of thousands of immigrants, primarily children.  This was before the current situation grew anywhere near its current scale. There is mounting evidence that this situation was engineered for political reasons, using children as pawns in that political game.  But that brings us to how we, as Christians, should view the situation - and respond.

Returning to the opening paragraph - regardless of your views on the general issues of immigration, a major portion of the current flood across the border is made up of unaccompanied children - as young as toddlers.  Many of those children traveled thousands of miles. Imagine a 3 or 4 year old child somehow wandering all the way across Mexico to enter the US.  They were somehow helped (often by "Coyotes" - paid mercenaries who's "job" is to transport illegal immigrants to the US).  Children.  And they came with promises made - made of a better life.

But along with these children is another disturbing group - the young, extremely violent gang members - mostly affiliated with the infamous MS-13.  They are coming across for opportunities - but none have to do with a better life, being law-abiding citizens, or even helping their "poor family at home" - but about furthering gang powers and drug distribution networks.

Yet another component of this massive inflow is the baggage of diseases long considered eradicated in this nation.

Our job, as professing Christians, is to see this first for the fundamental issue it is - a humanitarian disaster.  Tens of thousands of children are being used as pawns and being put through some pretty awful conditions in the process.  Regardless of their "legal status" (we can discuss that once we deal with the immediate issues), children need to see the love of Christ displayed.

The Old Testament contains the commands from God to His people to not abuse or take advantage of the "sojourner" while they are in the land.  In fact it also says to leave provision for them (the remains of your harvest are to be left in the fields/vineyards for the widows, orphans, and sojourners).

Glenn Beck, the controversial media personality and political pundit has taken a great deal of grief for loading up semi trucks full of food, toys, and hope to help as many of these children that are still in detention as possible. The vitriol focuses on the need to "take care of our own first".  While I would hesitate to lump Beck in with the term "Christian" (he practices Mormonism), he is indeed demonstrating the right attitude towards these children.  Beck has said that these children should be returned to their families, but while they are here (the definition of "sojourner is someone who is somewhere for a time - but will be moving on or returning home), we need to treat them well, and love them.

And let us be really honest - again despite one's views on immigration - these are human beings that God created in His image.  Mistreating them would be directly against what the Lord would have us do.  We should "do good", we should share Christ with them, not only through our words, but through the actions of our hands. After we have made a concerted effort to care for these children, we should then take an honest look at how we got in this mess - And in the name of justice - we should seek to answer and call out those responsible for using (abusing) these children for political gain.

It is true that we have some huge issues to address in this nation regarding immigration.  But we must first see these children as the human beings they are - and care for them.

Salvation Lost or Just Lost?

I recently heard of a young woman who had grown up "in church" who had made a profession of faith at a relatively young age, was baptized, and had "lived as a Christian" into her adult life. She had recently "decided" that she was now an Atheist.  She insists she no longer believes in God or has any "need" for all that church "stuff".

Obviously, this has caused her family some serious pain.  The question came up - "how can this be?"  After all, we believe that Jesus meant what He said when he said in his exchange with some Jewish leaders:

At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one.” John 10:22-30

The reality is - we are faced with some real challenges. Some say that they are not too concerned about her and her eternity, after all - she "was saved and baptized" years ago. On the other side of the coin, scripture clearly says that we are known by our works/fruits. And of course, we must go back to the above passage from John 10. Jesus did clearly state that NO ONE can pluck His sheep from His hand!

The Bible does picture the possibility of Christians "backsliding", as it were - engaging in sin, even returning in part to their "former selves" - but only for a short time.  The indwelling of the Holy Spirit  is given, in part, for the purpose of steering, guiding, and convicting us.  A truly born-again Christian cannot live in unrepentant sin, and there are few sins like renouncing your faith - and directly denying the existence of God!

Is the above case possibly the result of a profession of faith based on emotion, or because of pressures from family or friends?  Could she have gone through the motions, yet not truly believed?

Another complicating issue revolves around her husband, an avowed Atheist who has never made a profession of faith in anything but himself.  Could the situation be the result of ignoring the cautions of 2 Corinthians 6:14 to not be unequally yoked with unbelievers?  Indeed, the Lord's admonition to avoid such entanglements (with a picture of marriage in sight) is a caution because unregenerate spouses can very much lead believing spouses down a backsliding path.

But the bigger picture goes back to the question: Can a born-again believer truly renounce their faith and truly believe there is no God? (see Psalm 14:1)  Would that not be a demonstration of a person being "plucked" from God's hand?

I submit that one cannot renounce a genuine, born-again faith in Jesus Christ.  You cannot renounce or lose what you never possessed.  Sadly, the last century and a half have seen evangelistic efforts so guided and driven by emotion, and what has become "easy believism" (a soft, often ineffective version of the Gospel that essentially says to "come as you are" and leaves out repentance and the Lordship of Christ in our lives.  It is a message that there is no expectation of real change, no expatiation of outward signs of faith that Christ and the Apostle Paul so clearly spoke of.  It is a gospel that leaves out the Sovereignty of God, any degree of sanctification, and does not demand any change in the one making a profession.  It is a dead gospel, leading to not only a dead faith, but a deceptive, faith that will lead many on that day to hear the saddest words of all  "And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness." Matthew 7:23

So - what spiritual advice can be given in the above case?  I would suggest gentle persistence on the part of family and friends.  Living the genuine gospel before her, praying for her, and watching.  If her youthful profession of faith was real, the Lord will not give her peace in her latest actions.  She will be unable to remain in that condition.  On the other hand, if she is able to live out her life in her new, chosen "faith", then the answer is clear.  She needs Jesus.  

Again - you cannot lose what you never had.