I can remember a time, when occasionally, Seth would come clomping out into the room wearing my size 13 shoes. He would say, "Look at me." We would say, "Be careful," as he struggled to stay vertical in shoes in which he could more easily swim than run.
Seth in my shoes is a good metaphor for our faith in Jesus Christ. Some where along the way American individualism turned faith in Christ into a private, personal pursuit. We read passages like Ephesians 6:10-20, which talks about putting on the armor of God and a lone soldier facing the elements and defending him/herself against the enemy comes to mind. However, such a mind-set is not just an incorrect interpretation of that passage of Scripture, it is just plain ole bad theology. To put it most bluntly, it is not even Christian or biblical thinking.
The truth is faith in Jesus Christ is too big for any individual Christian to wear alone. When we walk around thinking its just me and Jesus, spiritually speaking, we look as silly and clumsy as a three year old in size 13 shoes. Faith in Jesus is about putting on truth, justice, peace, faith, salvation and the word of God (see Eph. 6). Any one of those items are too big for us, but put them all together and there is no way we can stand let alone walk in a faith that is fitted for Jesus.
Therefore, Paul says in Ephesians 6 we must put this full armor of God on together so that "you" meaning "you all"; in other words, all of us toegtehr as the Body of Christ can take your stand against the devil's schemes. That is why Baptism is so important. Each person being baptized is putting on the full armor of God because baptism is what unites us with the Body of Christ. The armor of God is too big for any one of us, but is just the right fit for us together as Jesus' Body.
Furthermore, that is why it is so important that the local Body of Christ make baptism services a priority. This is not just about the one being baptized. This is about us showing the one that they are now being fitted to the entire Body. Our presence this Sunday along with our worship and cheers gives witness to the reality that each one being baptized will never again be going it alone. We make this journey to the summit together!
Please pray for those preparing to be baptized. The Enemy fights any step we take with Jesus, especially one that overcomes the lie of individualism and accepts the truth that I am a part of the Body. Thank you for those who plan to attend and support your brothers and sisters in Christ. Your part on Sunday is as important as those being baptized. Finally, for those of you who always choose not to come to baptism service, can I ask you a question? This time instead of relying on whatever reason you use to opt out of a baptism service, will you at least take the time to pray and ask God to search your heart on this? After all, faith in Jesus is too big for one, but just right for all and that is not just truth for some, but for us all.
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Our Refuge
In a week of treacherous tornadoes, the word refuge comes to mind. Our hearts break for those who could not find safe refuge from the storm and for those who found refuge during the storm, but now need a source of refuge as they pick up the pieces in the aftermath. Thank you for the way you have been lifting the victims up in prayer and for considering supporting Nazarene Compassionate Ministries disaster relief fund (see the link on my or Living Hope's face book page).
The word refuge is common place language in the book of Psalms in the Bible. The psalmists were the original advocates of what it means to be real in our faith. Their prayers are raw and uncensored not in arrogance, but in openness. They teach us that the more open we are with God, the more open we are to receive from God.
For instance, Psalm 31(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+31&version=NIV) is a tremendously real prayer (I hope you will take a moment to read it. You can copy and paste the link into your browser if that would be handy). In this prayer the Psalmist is praying about his enemies. We all have enemies in this life. Our enemy may be a tornado or a disease or our past or a person. Enemies come in all shapes and sizes in this life. What is the name of your present enemy?
If you can identify your enemy by name, then in Psalm 31, you will very likely find someone who understands what you are feeling as you deal with this enemy. Here are some of the phrases that jump out at me..."My strength fails...my eyes grow weak in sorrow...consumed by anguish...forgotten...I am like broken pottery..." Isn't that how our enemies leave us feeling? Don't you think tornado victims this week would find solidarity in such language?
Yes, the Psalmist is very open with God about how his enemy is impacting him personally. I wonder if the reason some of us sometimes feel like our prayers are not connecting is because we are not connecting with how we really feel. For example, I wonder if we pray about our enemies in the way we think God wants us to, rather than simply being honest about what is truly on our heart and mind. The Psalmist gives us permission to tell God what is really going on inside of us; after all, he already knows any how. The only way we can pray wrong is if we are not real and open before the Father. So, go ahead, take Psalm 31's cue and tell God what your enemy is really doing to you deep down where no one but the Father can see and understand.
But then, and this is vital, let your openness with God allow you to be open to God. As he lets God in on his inner most true thoughts and feelings about his enemy, the Psalmist discovers that God is willing to show up there. Yes! Isn't that awesome?! God wants us to open up so we can be open to him where we are hurting the most. And once God is allowed into those raw, sensitive wounds, he reveals himself as Refuge. Read Psalm 31 for yourself. His discovery of God as Refuge in the face of his enemy is powerful. It is so powerful that by end of his prayer, he shouts,
22"In my alarm I said,
“I am cut off from your sight!”
Yet you heard my cry for mercy
when I called to you for help.
The word refuge is common place language in the book of Psalms in the Bible. The psalmists were the original advocates of what it means to be real in our faith. Their prayers are raw and uncensored not in arrogance, but in openness. They teach us that the more open we are with God, the more open we are to receive from God.
For instance, Psalm 31(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+31&version=NIV) is a tremendously real prayer (I hope you will take a moment to read it. You can copy and paste the link into your browser if that would be handy). In this prayer the Psalmist is praying about his enemies. We all have enemies in this life. Our enemy may be a tornado or a disease or our past or a person. Enemies come in all shapes and sizes in this life. What is the name of your present enemy?
If you can identify your enemy by name, then in Psalm 31, you will very likely find someone who understands what you are feeling as you deal with this enemy. Here are some of the phrases that jump out at me..."My strength fails...my eyes grow weak in sorrow...consumed by anguish...forgotten...I am like broken pottery..." Isn't that how our enemies leave us feeling? Don't you think tornado victims this week would find solidarity in such language?
Yes, the Psalmist is very open with God about how his enemy is impacting him personally. I wonder if the reason some of us sometimes feel like our prayers are not connecting is because we are not connecting with how we really feel. For example, I wonder if we pray about our enemies in the way we think God wants us to, rather than simply being honest about what is truly on our heart and mind. The Psalmist gives us permission to tell God what is really going on inside of us; after all, he already knows any how. The only way we can pray wrong is if we are not real and open before the Father. So, go ahead, take Psalm 31's cue and tell God what your enemy is really doing to you deep down where no one but the Father can see and understand.
But then, and this is vital, let your openness with God allow you to be open to God. As he lets God in on his inner most true thoughts and feelings about his enemy, the Psalmist discovers that God is willing to show up there. Yes! Isn't that awesome?! God wants us to open up so we can be open to him where we are hurting the most. And once God is allowed into those raw, sensitive wounds, he reveals himself as Refuge. Read Psalm 31 for yourself. His discovery of God as Refuge in the face of his enemy is powerful. It is so powerful that by end of his prayer, he shouts,
22"In my alarm I said,
“I am cut off from your sight!”
Yet you heard my cry for mercy
when I called to you for help.
23 Love the Lord, all his faithful people!
The Lord preserves those who are true to him,
but the proud he pays back in full.
24 Be strong and take heart,
all you who hope in the Lord."
The Lord preserves those who are true to him,
but the proud he pays back in full.
24 Be strong and take heart,
all you who hope in the Lord."
Whether your enemy is a tornado or something or someone entirely different, God wants all of us to know that he wants to be our Refuge.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Growing
Monday was my Grandpa Clyde's Birthday. He has been dead since my Junior year of college. I still miss him. He was the first person I would call a true friend. I would work in his garden with him for hours. Then we'd come home and Grandma would have lunch ready with an ice cold Pepsi. He and I would sit at the table under the carport resting for the work in the garden and we'd talk. He talked to me just like
I was a little man. He made me feel valuable and loved by letting me be with him.
Certainly, he was the one that gave me a love for seeing things grow. I stand and stare at the trees and plants I have planted in our yard. I love to see green, full leaves. I cannot really put into words what it does inside of me to see something grow and bloom. I know it may sound strange, but the new life of spring really does send hope surging through my being. I believe that is from God and that God used my grandpa to help me see this reminder from creation.
This week I have seen evidence of growth that does not have leaves, but certainly is budding with new life.
On Saturday, I watched Mike Armstrong (Moyer) walk the aisle to receive his college degree. I still remember when he graduated from a local drug rehab center. Mike introduced me to two of his favorite professors. Each of them pulled me aside and said, "I just want you to know that in all my years of teaching I have never had a student work as hard as Mike to achieve his degree." Wow! Talk about growth! All of you were a part of Mike's story of success. You creating a church family where people can be real is what allowed Michael to not hide his addiction, but face it.
On Sunday, I listened as Marcus and Tammy Johnson shared their story of their daughter being raped. I fought back tears as I heard them share how God sent them hear for the Exodus series when we faced human trafficking head on. They said they cried every service but that was what God used to start their healing process. Wow! Talk about growth! And God used all of you to make that story happen. If not for your commitment to being poured out, they would have never experience transformation from tragedy.
On Monday I sat in our board meeting. I heard John Colegrove ask the board for prayer for our teens because they are now opening up and sharing their life struggles with the adult mentors. Wow! Talk about growth! And you are apart of that break through for our teens because you allowed us to stop trying to entertain teens and start showing them what it means to truly be real, transformed, connected and poured out.
Then today, I went to Centerville High School. I with others form Food 2 Go carried in Marion's pizza (Thank you to Marion's for the huge discount). We thanked the special needs students who prepare the bags of Food 2 Go food for over 160 children each week in Centerville Schools who would otherwise go hungry on the weekends. As I called the students names they cheered and blushed and gave each other high fives. "Good job!" they shouted for each other. And together we shout back at them, "Good job!" Wow! Talk about growth! You are a part of that story every food items you donate, every hour of service you give, every penny you give to our poured out fund, every Kroger card registered and GL Scrip shopping card purchased not only feeds children but allows some very special students know that they are invaluable to our community.
I am reminded of the words from Galatians, "Do not weary in doing good for you will reap a harvest." Don't weary, Living Hope Family...God is growing good things in you, among us and through you! Keep at the good and you and I will keep having the joy of seeing a harvest that no one other than Jesus himself could make possible. I thank God for you because...wow! Talk about growth!
I was a little man. He made me feel valuable and loved by letting me be with him.
Certainly, he was the one that gave me a love for seeing things grow. I stand and stare at the trees and plants I have planted in our yard. I love to see green, full leaves. I cannot really put into words what it does inside of me to see something grow and bloom. I know it may sound strange, but the new life of spring really does send hope surging through my being. I believe that is from God and that God used my grandpa to help me see this reminder from creation.
This week I have seen evidence of growth that does not have leaves, but certainly is budding with new life.
On Saturday, I watched Mike Armstrong (Moyer) walk the aisle to receive his college degree. I still remember when he graduated from a local drug rehab center. Mike introduced me to two of his favorite professors. Each of them pulled me aside and said, "I just want you to know that in all my years of teaching I have never had a student work as hard as Mike to achieve his degree." Wow! Talk about growth! All of you were a part of Mike's story of success. You creating a church family where people can be real is what allowed Michael to not hide his addiction, but face it.
On Sunday, I listened as Marcus and Tammy Johnson shared their story of their daughter being raped. I fought back tears as I heard them share how God sent them hear for the Exodus series when we faced human trafficking head on. They said they cried every service but that was what God used to start their healing process. Wow! Talk about growth! And God used all of you to make that story happen. If not for your commitment to being poured out, they would have never experience transformation from tragedy.
On Monday I sat in our board meeting. I heard John Colegrove ask the board for prayer for our teens because they are now opening up and sharing their life struggles with the adult mentors. Wow! Talk about growth! And you are apart of that break through for our teens because you allowed us to stop trying to entertain teens and start showing them what it means to truly be real, transformed, connected and poured out.
Then today, I went to Centerville High School. I with others form Food 2 Go carried in Marion's pizza (Thank you to Marion's for the huge discount). We thanked the special needs students who prepare the bags of Food 2 Go food for over 160 children each week in Centerville Schools who would otherwise go hungry on the weekends. As I called the students names they cheered and blushed and gave each other high fives. "Good job!" they shouted for each other. And together we shout back at them, "Good job!" Wow! Talk about growth! You are a part of that story every food items you donate, every hour of service you give, every penny you give to our poured out fund, every Kroger card registered and GL Scrip shopping card purchased not only feeds children but allows some very special students know that they are invaluable to our community.
I am reminded of the words from Galatians, "Do not weary in doing good for you will reap a harvest." Don't weary, Living Hope Family...God is growing good things in you, among us and through you! Keep at the good and you and I will keep having the joy of seeing a harvest that no one other than Jesus himself could make possible. I thank God for you because...wow! Talk about growth!
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
By Faith
This week I have been reading from the book of the Bible called Hebrews. We have no idea who wrote this book that so clearly shows how the Old and New Testaments of the Bible connect instead of contradict, but we do know why the book was written. Hebrews was written to a church enduring persecution. Because of their faith in Christ they had watched as loved ones were imprisoned, publicly humiliated, beaten, had their property confiscated and had been black ball listed so that people were afraid to do business with them. The letter of Hebrews came in the mail just as the church was seriously considering saying that the hope they had in Christ was not worth the struggle they were experiencing in life. In that way, the book of Hebrews is written to us all, isn't it?
I doubt that I am the only one who has ever felt like it would be easier to simply move into the stream of our culture; to just be swept away in greed, lust, gluttony, envy, pride, sloth or wrath. I doubt that I am the only one who has ever thought, "Why not do just be selfish? After all, it seems the selfish people get ahead why those who give a care about others are stepped on." I doubt that I am the only one who has ever thought, "The more I grow in Christ, the more resistance I seem to face--is it worth it?" I doubt that I am the only one who has ever thought, "Jesus may say the truth sets us free, but we do not seem to live in a world where even the church wants to hear the truth, so may be I should just tickle ears and make us all feel good." I doubt that I am the only one who has ever felt like giving up because you just get tired of fighting what the apostle Paul called the "good fight."
The truth is, Followers of Jesus have been feeling and thinking all of that and more since the days of the New Testament. And that is why, an unknown voice (Some scholars argue that the reason the writer is not stated is because it might have been a female author who if people knew of her gender might not have taken her seriously in a patriarchal society) shouts through the centuries to grab us by the collars and slap us in the face to bring us back to the reality that gets our eyes off of the short-term stats and to look up and see the long-term guaranteed win!
This week, I turned to Hebrews 11. I encourage you to turn there as well. It is the "Hall of Faith" chapter. It reminds us of person and after person who though they faced incredible odds and difficulties they kept their faith fixed on God and not their circumstances. But it was verse 6 that demanded me to pause: "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."
"Must believe he exists." That one I have in my pocket. Praise be to God that through his Word, through his Spirit, through His Body and through his revelation in my own life, I cannot deny that he exists. He is not just a God I believe in with my head, but one I experience in my life.
But it was the next phrase that brought encouraging conviction: "and [he must believe} that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Do I believe that? Do I believe God rewards those who earnestly seek him? Sometimes it does not feel like it. Sometimes it feels like, God stands back and watches while hell abuses. Sometimes it feels like, the more the pressure increases, the more His presence decreases. I believe he exists, but do I believe he rewards? The questions that verse raised in my mind, was the Holy Spirit's invitation. "It is OK, Chad, you can believe that? No, no one deserves it--How did he know that was what I was really thinking? :-)--but God does reward those who earnestly seek him." That applies to me and it applies to you! God rewards faith. The reward of faith is knowing he exists in a world that lives like he does not. The reward of faith is that whatever hell dishes out, heaven will make up for . The reward of faith is that the only way darkness wins is if we quit walking toward the light.
I thank the Father for this revelation of his truth. I pray for the person reading this today who feels just like I have felt at times and just like people clear back to the church called the Hebrews felt. We are in good company. Resistance is not a sign to give up, but to seek Him all the more earnestly because he does exist and his reward is worth it!
I doubt that I am the only one who has ever felt like it would be easier to simply move into the stream of our culture; to just be swept away in greed, lust, gluttony, envy, pride, sloth or wrath. I doubt that I am the only one who has ever thought, "Why not do just be selfish? After all, it seems the selfish people get ahead why those who give a care about others are stepped on." I doubt that I am the only one who has ever thought, "The more I grow in Christ, the more resistance I seem to face--is it worth it?" I doubt that I am the only one who has ever thought, "Jesus may say the truth sets us free, but we do not seem to live in a world where even the church wants to hear the truth, so may be I should just tickle ears and make us all feel good." I doubt that I am the only one who has ever felt like giving up because you just get tired of fighting what the apostle Paul called the "good fight."
The truth is, Followers of Jesus have been feeling and thinking all of that and more since the days of the New Testament. And that is why, an unknown voice (Some scholars argue that the reason the writer is not stated is because it might have been a female author who if people knew of her gender might not have taken her seriously in a patriarchal society) shouts through the centuries to grab us by the collars and slap us in the face to bring us back to the reality that gets our eyes off of the short-term stats and to look up and see the long-term guaranteed win!
This week, I turned to Hebrews 11. I encourage you to turn there as well. It is the "Hall of Faith" chapter. It reminds us of person and after person who though they faced incredible odds and difficulties they kept their faith fixed on God and not their circumstances. But it was verse 6 that demanded me to pause: "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."
"Must believe he exists." That one I have in my pocket. Praise be to God that through his Word, through his Spirit, through His Body and through his revelation in my own life, I cannot deny that he exists. He is not just a God I believe in with my head, but one I experience in my life.
But it was the next phrase that brought encouraging conviction: "and [he must believe} that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Do I believe that? Do I believe God rewards those who earnestly seek him? Sometimes it does not feel like it. Sometimes it feels like, God stands back and watches while hell abuses. Sometimes it feels like, the more the pressure increases, the more His presence decreases. I believe he exists, but do I believe he rewards? The questions that verse raised in my mind, was the Holy Spirit's invitation. "It is OK, Chad, you can believe that? No, no one deserves it--How did he know that was what I was really thinking? :-)--but God does reward those who earnestly seek him." That applies to me and it applies to you! God rewards faith. The reward of faith is knowing he exists in a world that lives like he does not. The reward of faith is that whatever hell dishes out, heaven will make up for . The reward of faith is that the only way darkness wins is if we quit walking toward the light.
I thank the Father for this revelation of his truth. I pray for the person reading this today who feels just like I have felt at times and just like people clear back to the church called the Hebrews felt. We are in good company. Resistance is not a sign to give up, but to seek Him all the more earnestly because he does exist and his reward is worth it!
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