We watch a lot of PBS cartoons in our house. One of my kid's favorite shows is the Kratz brothers--Two guys that now have an animation to help kids learn all about animals. In a recent episode, the brothers talked about worms and the important role they play on earth. They then showed them talking to real kids as they showed worms coming to the surface after a big rain. They showed 100's of worms stranded on the sidewalk in the sun. The brothers said,"Somebody has got to save these worms. Hurry...rescue the worms by picking them up and setting them on the grass so they can dig back into the ground before they dry out and die." I thought to myself, "My kids are afraid of worms. They would just let the poor things die." However, a few weeks later, we were outside after a rain. Sure enough the worms worked their way to the surface and many were stranded on the sidewalk. I remembered the show and jokingly shouted, "Somebody save the worms!" To my surprise, my kids overcome their fears through compassion and started rescuing the worms. "Come on, Daddy," they shouted. The next thing I knew I was saving worms too.
I suppose there is a lot of fear and prejudice when it comes to human trafficking. I have heard some say they just don't believe that it is a problem in Ohio even though government and independent studies all agree that 1800 American-born and immigrant children are enslaved in Ohio each year. I have heard some say that prostitutes make a choice for this lifestyle so they have to live what they choose. Of course, I doubt that most people know that the average entry age to prostitution in the US is age 13. In light of that, how many prostitutes really had a choice in the matter? I have heard Christians say, "Why are we talking about this? It is not like we can change it?" This is most bothersome, considering Jesus taught us to pray, "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Others say I do not want to get involved so I can protect my kids. Even though we know that it is our suburban kids who are in as much danger for this modern day slavery as anyone and to do nothing puts our kids in more danger, not less.
I have had thoughts such as those run through my mind in the years leading up to this series. But Jesus has come to exchange my/your/our fears and prejudices for compassion.
Romans 5:8 says, "God demonstrated his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners (might we say, worms?), Christ died for us." He was not afraid of being dirtied or offended by our sin. He took it on. He let it pierce him because he knew "by his wounds we would be healed". He did not hold our choice to sin over us. He came to forgive us and to set us free. He came down from heaven, picked me up, even a worm like me and Jesus saved me. Jesus is saving me!
The writer of the hymn, Amazing Grace, was a former Slave Ship Captain before he was found by God. He then became a preacher. At the end of his life, he began to loose his memory, but he would say, "One thing I always remember: I am a great sinner, but Christ is a greater Savior."
Living Hope Church...let fear and prejudice be turned to compassion not for worms on a sidewalk, but for boys and girls, men and women---27 million of them-- who are dying in modern day slavery today. Register today for the Human Trafficking Awareness Event on August 27 at www.elivinghope.com. Tell some body else about the event. And the next thing you know, you will look around and see people every where saving something of much greater value than worms.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
"No Fear"
My kids are often confused about what to and not to fear. For instance, both of my kids use to be terrified of flies. I would tell them, "A fly will not hurt you. It may bug the heck out of you, but it cannot devour you." But still they were afraid. On the other hand, they are not afraid of cars in a parking lot. In the past, both of them have taken their turn darting off with no fear of being hit by a car. They now stay close by, but I am convinced they do not really think there is anything to fear in the parking lot.
The truth is we adults also struggle with fearing the wrong things and not fearing the right things. For example, evil is very good at deceiving us into fearing the truth. Why are we so afraid of the truth? Its true...people are terrified of the truth.
This week I was told that "there are people in our church" who are uncomfortable with having me, their pastor, openly talk about my past sin of pornography. Of course, I do not know who "these people in our church" are or I would be happy to address this with them. But I do not get address this directly because these folks (for all I know it may only be one person) are afraid of the truth. Being afraid to speak the truth is being afraid of the truth.
Guess what? Hell wants us to be afraid of the truth. Because if we are afraid to hear and speak the truth to one another then we will not be real before God and others. And if Hell can keep us afraid of being real before God and each other then Hell knows it will keep us enslaved. The number one way Hell keeps us imprisoned in past hurts, present addictions, pet sins, destructive habits, lies about ourselves, God and the world is by convincing us to fear the truth.
However, God tells us the truth about truth and that is you never have to be afraid of the truth. The truth may not always be fun or easy, but it never need be feared. Here are just a few truths about truth from God's Word:
"Confess your sins one to another and you will be healed" James 5:16. I openly share my past sin of pornography and present issues God reveals to me about myself because confession leads to healing and it invites others to have permission to confess their sins so they can be free.
"Jesus said,'If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free." John 8:31-32. This is why we need not fear truth...the truth always sets us free...where we receive and speak truth we discover freedom!
"Your truth always protects me." Psalm 40:11. We think we are protecting ourselves and others when we lie. Jesus says Satan is the Father of Lies. So when we lie we are working with Satan. And Jesus said Satan's self-imposed purpose in this world is to "Steal, kill and destroy." Therefore, when we use a lie to protect ourselves or others we are actually joining with Satan to kill, steal and destroy. The truth is what protects us, not lies.
I encourage you Living Hope Church family never be afraid of the truth because the Bible says where there is truth there is healing, freedom and protection! After all, it was Jesus who said, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life."
The truth is we adults also struggle with fearing the wrong things and not fearing the right things. For example, evil is very good at deceiving us into fearing the truth. Why are we so afraid of the truth? Its true...people are terrified of the truth.
This week I was told that "there are people in our church" who are uncomfortable with having me, their pastor, openly talk about my past sin of pornography. Of course, I do not know who "these people in our church" are or I would be happy to address this with them. But I do not get address this directly because these folks (for all I know it may only be one person) are afraid of the truth. Being afraid to speak the truth is being afraid of the truth.
Guess what? Hell wants us to be afraid of the truth. Because if we are afraid to hear and speak the truth to one another then we will not be real before God and others. And if Hell can keep us afraid of being real before God and each other then Hell knows it will keep us enslaved. The number one way Hell keeps us imprisoned in past hurts, present addictions, pet sins, destructive habits, lies about ourselves, God and the world is by convincing us to fear the truth.
However, God tells us the truth about truth and that is you never have to be afraid of the truth. The truth may not always be fun or easy, but it never need be feared. Here are just a few truths about truth from God's Word:
"Confess your sins one to another and you will be healed" James 5:16. I openly share my past sin of pornography and present issues God reveals to me about myself because confession leads to healing and it invites others to have permission to confess their sins so they can be free.
"Jesus said,'If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free." John 8:31-32. This is why we need not fear truth...the truth always sets us free...where we receive and speak truth we discover freedom!
"Your truth always protects me." Psalm 40:11. We think we are protecting ourselves and others when we lie. Jesus says Satan is the Father of Lies. So when we lie we are working with Satan. And Jesus said Satan's self-imposed purpose in this world is to "Steal, kill and destroy." Therefore, when we use a lie to protect ourselves or others we are actually joining with Satan to kill, steal and destroy. The truth is what protects us, not lies.
I encourage you Living Hope Church family never be afraid of the truth because the Bible says where there is truth there is healing, freedom and protection! After all, it was Jesus who said, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life."
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
"The Race"
My wife Kimberly is one among many here who are are training for races in the fall. I will admit that I do not understand the appeal of running. I take a brisk walk every evening and greatly enjoy it, but I tell our kids the only way I run is if something is chasing me that could kill me. As Whether you value running or not, the Bible uses the race as a metaphor for our faith in Christ.
At the end of his life, as he sit imprisoned awaiting his martyrdom, the Apostle Paul wrote, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award me on that day--and not only me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing" (2 Timothy 4:7-8).
Whenever I am feeling weary in my faith, when I am tempted to run off to my own ways and whims, when I feel like I would rather just indulge in what the world says isimportant rather than what God says is important, this passage of Scripture comes to mind. I actually think of the words of one of my seminary professors, Dr. Weigelt. He was genius of a man who some time in mid-life had a major mental breakdown. He openly shared his past mental collapse and his ongoing recovery. The man I knew was far from unstable. In fact, he was an example of one who had come to find complete peace with himself and his God. Perhaps it was his example in this way that made his words stand out all the more. One day in class he said, "The reward of our faith is not for those who start the race. Many start running this race, but somewhere along the way become weary or distracted. They sit down. They give up. They walk off in a different direction. The reward of faith is not for those who start the race, but for those who finish the race. The reward is not for those who run the fastest or for those who run and never stumble. The reward of our faith is for those how finish the race--be it fast or slow. The reward of our faith is for those who finish the race no matter how many the obstacle nor how many times they stumble and must get back up to their feet again. The reward of our faith is what makes the race worth it. But that reward is only for those who finish the race."
Probably the hardest things for me as Follower of Christ is to watch brothers and sisters in Christ who had once started the race, to quit running. Its funny...as much as we all like to say going to church does not make us a Christian (which is very true), but we forget that staying in our faith has very much to do with being the church and you can't be the church alone on the couch at home. I've yet to see a follower of Christ start missing coming together with the Body for worship and transformation to ever finish the race alone. Most likely, the folks to whom I am referring will never read this post. If by chance you are reading, please know that your church family is not here to kick you while you are down, but to help you on your feet again so you can finish the race.
There is a much greater chance that someone is reading today and you feel like giving up...temptation is pounding on your door or the mountains seem too big for you to overcome...I know...I've been there...it feels like it would be easier to give up than to finish the race. The truth is, it would be easier. It is always easier to give up. But before you give up, I urge you to remember that it is better to run while it is hard now and get the reward forever, than to give up because it is easier now and miss the reward forever. I urge you, I beg you, brothers and sisters...finish the race!
At the end of his life, as he sit imprisoned awaiting his martyrdom, the Apostle Paul wrote, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award me on that day--and not only me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing" (2 Timothy 4:7-8).
Whenever I am feeling weary in my faith, when I am tempted to run off to my own ways and whims, when I feel like I would rather just indulge in what the world says isimportant rather than what God says is important, this passage of Scripture comes to mind. I actually think of the words of one of my seminary professors, Dr. Weigelt. He was genius of a man who some time in mid-life had a major mental breakdown. He openly shared his past mental collapse and his ongoing recovery. The man I knew was far from unstable. In fact, he was an example of one who had come to find complete peace with himself and his God. Perhaps it was his example in this way that made his words stand out all the more. One day in class he said, "The reward of our faith is not for those who start the race. Many start running this race, but somewhere along the way become weary or distracted. They sit down. They give up. They walk off in a different direction. The reward of faith is not for those who start the race, but for those who finish the race. The reward is not for those who run the fastest or for those who run and never stumble. The reward of our faith is for those how finish the race--be it fast or slow. The reward of our faith is for those who finish the race no matter how many the obstacle nor how many times they stumble and must get back up to their feet again. The reward of our faith is what makes the race worth it. But that reward is only for those who finish the race."
Probably the hardest things for me as Follower of Christ is to watch brothers and sisters in Christ who had once started the race, to quit running. Its funny...as much as we all like to say going to church does not make us a Christian (which is very true), but we forget that staying in our faith has very much to do with being the church and you can't be the church alone on the couch at home. I've yet to see a follower of Christ start missing coming together with the Body for worship and transformation to ever finish the race alone. Most likely, the folks to whom I am referring will never read this post. If by chance you are reading, please know that your church family is not here to kick you while you are down, but to help you on your feet again so you can finish the race.
There is a much greater chance that someone is reading today and you feel like giving up...temptation is pounding on your door or the mountains seem too big for you to overcome...I know...I've been there...it feels like it would be easier to give up than to finish the race. The truth is, it would be easier. It is always easier to give up. But before you give up, I urge you to remember that it is better to run while it is hard now and get the reward forever, than to give up because it is easier now and miss the reward forever. I urge you, I beg you, brothers and sisters...finish the race!
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