Personal Rant

This is something that I have wanted to get off of my proverbial chest for quite some time so please bear with me.  Since my walk with Christ I have noticed a disturbing attitude among some of the people who identify themselves as Christians.  It is an attitude of spiritual superiority, pretending to know the very mind of God, deciding which sins are worse than others on God's behalf, and judging who has been restored by grace and who has not.  One day Jesus was teaching in the temple and the Pharisees brought a woman in who had been caught in the act of adultery for they were wanting to trap Jesus (John 8).  By the law this adulterous woman, along with her lover who is conspicuously absent from this scene, should have been stoned to death.  Jesus' response caught them off-guard when He said that if there were any without sin they should cast the first stone.  Those that were ready to condemn the woman to death wisely dropped their stones and walked away.  The problem today is that wisdom is lacking.  Some within the church are ready to stone anybody and everybody even though they themselves have sin in their hearts.  Too often Christians rail against the sin that personally offends them, abortion, homosexual acts, pornography, adultery, etc.  All you have to do is watch "Christian television" to find out what the sin of the day is.  Yet, this same person has lust in their heart making them an adulterer, never passes up a buffet line resulting in gluttony, gossiping about others, coveting what belongs to another person, and on and on and on. If a person claims to be without sin they are deceiving themselves and are a liar (1John 1:8).     

Often it is claimed that Sodom was judged for homosexuality, therefore, we should judge homosexuals.  Before we start casting stones in this direction we should read Ezekiel 16:46-52.  This is the word of the LORD to Israel and can easily be applied to some in the church today, including pastors and preachers.  The sin of Sodom was that they were arrogant, overfed, and unconcerned, not helping the poor and needy and they did detestable things before the LORD.  These are the people who are often the first ones to pick-up a stone and begin throwing them at the one caught in sin.  The arrogant, overfed, apathetic, who are not doing anything to relieve the burden of the poor are often the first and loudest to condemn another's sin.  Recently it has been very strong in my heart that people who live in glass houses should not be picking-up any stones. Sin is sin and all of our righteousness is nothing more than filthy menstrual rags.  Each and every one of us has sinned and fallen short of God's glory, so let's get over ourselves and begin restoring the fallen sinner for love covers over a multitude of sins instead of condemning the one who is caught.  One day all of our own personal sins will be exposed in the light of His glory so we should be humbled by our own sin, recognizing that regardless of our sin or anyone elses', we are loved.

I have come to the place in my life where I want to love the sinner and let the Holy Spirit take care of the sin.  That person's sin is between them and God and really is none of my business except if somehow I can help them overcome their failings.

Next I will write about the restoration.

Sharing in Sufferings & the Resurrection

One day I was having a pity party complaining to the Father about life and things that had been happening to me as I was being obedient to Him.  (I am sure this doesn't sound very spiritual nor like I have much faith but I seek to have an honest and open relationship to my heavenly Father.)   Anyhow, I was complaining about being publicly humiliated by church leadership, being jeered at by pastors, someone yelling at me at church, betrayal by a friend, lies being told about me, and in general just how hard life was at the time.  Worst of all of these things happened because I had been obedient after fasting and prayer, being impressed by the Holy Spirit to do and say certain things.  As I am complaining I thought about how bumper sticker theology says that being in the center of God's will is the safest place to be, not in human terms!  Being obedient has led to more than one person's torture, humiliation, and death.  At the height of my selfish rant I heard this small voice say, "I wanted you to know just a sliver of my Son's suffering."  I fell to the floor weeping, repenting for selfishness and complaining.  My present troubles were nothing compared to what Jesus went through for me.  In my mind all of these things were terrible and not fair.  In the mind of Christ these things were for my benefit causing me to understand the benefit of suffering for His sake in this life. 

The Apostle Paul, who knew something about suffering, wrote these precious, encouraging words, "I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead." NIV
Easter weekend we remember the Passion of Christ for us.  As we reflect on the One without sin being made sin for our sake let us rejoice in our own sufferings since we will share in His resurrection.  You and I will never suffer to the extent Jesus did carrying the burdens of humanity to the Cross but we will suffer as we serve Him.  Our current troubles are but for a moment but the resurrection is for eternity.  There is joy in knowing that Jesus has overcome sin, disease, death, and finally the grave as we await His return, or even the possibility of our own stepping into glory at our last heart beat.

Once I was with an elderly saint who served the LORD as a pastor's wife, mother, and servant to others as she was living her last few days in a worn out body.  She kept repeating the same words over and over again and her daughter-in-law asked me if I could understand what she was saying.  Leaning over the bed rail, getting as close to her as I could I heard as she was reciting Psalm 150, "Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.  Praise ye the LORD!."  Let us praise the LORD as we share in His sufferings and resurrection. 

Have a blessed and wonderful resurrection Sunday.


  

What Do People See In You?

One of my favorite images in the Bible is in Isaiah 6:3 where the seraphim  are calling holy, holy, holy, to one another as they worship around the throne of God.  The word holy means different.  Since the beginning of time the seraphim have been crying different, different, different to one another as they look upon the character, personality,and glory of God since eternity.  I have often visualized God as this exquisitely cut diamond, where as the light hits it you are seeing something you have never seen before, a different facet of this precious gem as you look intently upon it.   This is what the seraphim experience each moment of each day. We as mere humans who have yet to view the Father in all of His glory.  Our view and image of God is obstructed by our carnality thus obscuring the different facets of a holy God.  In this life we have yet to see all of God's character, depth of His personality, or the fullness of His glory.  This is a humbling realization yet we know aspects of God's character from the scripture.  For example, we know that He is a jealous God, a just judge, a compassionate shepherd, and a God of love. 

 Paul wrote in 2Corinthians 3:18 that we reflect the glory of the LORD to the world.  We are created in His image and we share a part of His personality and character.  There are times I wonder what aspect of God's personality and character do we reflect?  Based on my experience and my own sinful nature I am concerned how the world sees God through the church.  Do they see the God of compassion or apathy?  Do they see the God of love or hate?  Do they see the God of mercy or a vengeful God?  Do they see a God of grace or a God of judgement?  You get the idea, how are we reflecting God's character? 

As those that claim to be followers of Jesus we have to be on guard how we represent Him to the world.  There was a time in my life that I walked away from the church because grace and love were not exhibited.  While in college I would watch Christian television for a laugh because it was entertaining.  Walking around campus the only "Christians" I saw were Bible thumpers spewing hate and condemnation.  Going through a crisis moment in my life when life wasn't worth living anymore and searching for answers I found pastors more concerned about the law than grace and love.  Being in church I have found pettiness, selfishness, sin upon sin, betrayal, liars, thieves, you name it I have experienced it and so have you.  In fact, we probably have a name and a face we can match to this list. 

If our view of God were only though the lens of some in the church we would never want to have anything to do with Him or His church.  Yet, that is not the complete picture of God.  There are many who are reflecting the character and personality of God in how they serve Him and others.  When I see people being served and prayed with I am seeing God.  When I see individuals and families sacrificing to serve others I see Him.  When I am in a service and the congregation is engaged in worshipping in spirit and truth I see Him.  I have been blessed more by watching God's personality being revealed by those that are truly following Jesus than I can possibly put into words.  These followers will never receive fame or fortune, they will not have a TV ministry, nor will they write a best seller but one day Jesus will call out their name before the Father and proclaim this is my servant and I am well pleased.  (I might be able to preach that one).  So the question is this, which aspect of God's personality and character are you reflecting? 

Getting Along

There waa a gentleman who would ask me on occassion why couldn't Christians just get along?  What a great question. There must be some days that Jesus shakes His head and sighs and says what were they thinking?  He told us to love one another as He loved us.  Yet, there is strife in the church in most places that you look making us look bad before the world.  This strife is nothing new.  Paul and Barnabas had a falling out over Mark.  Two dear saints could not get along with one another and Paul encouraged others to work for their reconcilliation.  Some would fall away from the ministry and walk away from the apostles. 

Today the church is divided over style of worship, style of dress, style of ministry, Bible version, women in the pastorate, ad nauseum.  Why cannot we just get along?  The LORD's table is big enough for variety, diversity, and differing opinions.  Do we really believe that our opinion is infallible and everyone  else is wrong?  Does it always have to be our way?  Are we the only one's that have all the answers?  The answer must be yes because of the way we act towards one another. It's either my way or the highway.  (This might explain some of the church hopping going on today.)

Jesus gave us the answer to strife-love one another as He loves us.  What does that mean for the church today?  First, recognize that love is always a choice.  Second, we are to serve one another.  Third, we are to break bread together.  Finally, ask the LORD to show you what you have been forgiven of thus far and your view of others in the Body of Christ will change.  In this moment of spiritual clairty humility rises up because you have come face to face with the depravity of your own heart.  With this new sense of humitlity it is easier to love others, serve them, and fellowship with them.

The Journey

Ever since I had an encounter with the Father's love my life has not been the same.  It has been a life of change, trials, joy, and adventure.  I feel incredibly blessed for the times that individuals have followed the leading of the Holy Spirit.and have spoken into my life.  February 12th, 2002 was one of those times that a person was obedient to God and their obedience changed my life.  One of our staff members,Sharon, came into my office and told me that the Holy Spirit had told her that she needed to give me that day's devotional from a Max Lucado devotional she was reading.  Sharon gave me the following quote, "There is a rawness and a wonder to life.  Pursue it.  Hunt for it.  Sell out to get it.  Don't listen to the whines of those who have settled for a second-rate life and want you to do the same so they won't feel guilty.  Your goal is not to live long it's to live.  Jesus says the options are clear.  On one side there is the voice of safety.  You can build a fire in the hearth, stay inside, and stay warm and dry and safe.  Or you can hear the voice of adventure-God's adventure.  Instead of building a fire in your hearth, build a fire in your heart.  Follow God's impulses.  Adopt the child.  Move overseas. Teach the class.  Change careers.  Run for office.  Make a difference.  Sure it isn't safe, but what is."  "Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it."  (Luke 17:33 NIV)  I thanked Sharon, closed my door and prayed for forty-five minutes.  When I got off my knees I knew I would resign from my job leaving a job I had worked hard to get to become a full-time pastor of a small struggling church.  I was not  leaving a good job, a good salary, security, I was following a God.

For the next eight and a half years the God adventure was being a full-time pastor.  Then my wife Lisa spoke into my life and one more time God was building a fire in my heart for a greater adventure.  I did  not realize until the week after I announced my resignation that Lisa had told me that I would resign to do ministry in a different way four years to the day I decided to resign.  I was a year late leaving because of my fear of thinking I had failed God because the church did not grow and do all that I had prayed for.  I realize today I did not fail but was obedient to what God had assigned me.  In that time at FHO I learned a great deal and today I look upon that time as a time of training for even greater things.  One more time God would stir my heart for leaving the safe and secure for the unpredictable and unknown.

Today I am have a part-time job with a wonderful ministry using all of my non-profit, managerial, and pastoral experiences.  I have met several people who do not just talk about doing church but are the church.  They are touching the least of these and are making a difference for the kingdom.  Every day I am doing ministry just as my wife told me, by just being myself.  This is an exciting and challenging adventure and I am pumped about the possibilities. I don't know where it will lead or how long it will last but I like the adventure.

God never calls you to a boring adventure but one filled with the unknown with limitless possibilities.  Can you hear His voice?  How are you going to respond?  Will you build a fire in your heart or one in the hearth staying nice and warm and dry?  Will you follow after Jesus as He calls you?  I don't know about you but I want something more than the 'average' Christian Life I want to experience all that He has for my life.         

A Troubling Dream

Two years ago I had one of those dreams that bothered me in my spirit.  In this particular dream I was walking through the church parking lot with a friend and there were people all around the property and in the buildings talking, laughing, sharing life together.  As I looked up I saw four tornadoes to the north and I looked back to the south I saw the biggest blackest tornado I had ever seen.  I told my friend to save as many as he could (he has the call of an evangelist on his life).  I told the group walking behind us to hurry and run for shelter, they just kept walking at their slow, leisurely pace.  I ran to a group in one of the buildings and said they needed to run for shelter and their response was that there was a soccer game to get the kids to, laundry needed to be done, yard work was waiting, etc,.  A third group, who I pleaded with, responded that it was just Carl and just to ignore him.  Finally, there was a small group who heeded my warning and sought shelter.  After the tornado had blown over we left the church basement and nothing was left except this small group of people.  Destruction was all around us.  I awoke from the dream deeply troubled and sought understanding from the Holy Spirit.

After a few weeks of prayer and sharing this dream with those I trust I shared the dream with the congregation from the pulpit with my understanding of the interpretation which follows.  There is a group within the church that is satisfied and complacent. This group does not understand the urgency of the time.  They are content with their walk and have no desire to go any deeper any time soon.  The second group are those that have idols in their heart. As I have thought about this, activity is an idol in our culture.   Everything else is more important than the Father.  The third group are those that do not honor the prophet and are not hearing what the Holy Spirit is saying through the prophetic voice.  Finally, the fourth group is the remnant that God has graciously placed within the Church.  

This prophetic word, I believe, is for the whole Body of Christ.  If we are honest, each of these four groups are in our churches.  The numbers may vary from church to church but these four groups are normally present in the local assembly.  This may be discouraging to some but I am encouraged that there is, at least, a remnant within the Body.  Let us pray for that remnant to begin coming forth and taking it's place in the church and that it would become the majority.  Let us pray that the first two groups fall in love with Jesus all over again and their hearts burn with passion for Him.  That they would repent of their complacency and for the idols of their hearts.  For those not listening to the voice of the prophets let us pray that their ears would be open to what God is speaking through His prophets.

Not only should we pray for each of these groups but we should take time and allow the Holy Spirit to show us which group we belong in.  Honest self-examination is an important part of our walk and should be done on a regular basis.   

I always appreciate feedback but I would especially like your views on this dream  The prophets are to test the prophets.   

So What?

One of my concerns for the Church is about the generation that is being raised-up today and the generations that will follow them.  I wonder if in our selfishness that we are really looking out for the best interest of those that will follow us.  Are we willing to learn their language, the forms of communication they use, the style of teaching that works best, etc.  Or, is our attitude that of, if it was good enough for me and my parents then it is good enough for them.  Once, I was in a setting with pastors and future church leaders and I heard a conversation taking place between two older women.  The conversation went something like this, 'Can you believe that churches are allowed to have dance in their services?  Why doesn't someone in authority put an end to such worldly practices.  I know, and what about those churches that are doing this contemporary music instead of using the old hymns just to attract these younger people.  They let them come in with tattoos, piercings, not dressed right for church, and long hair.  Somebody needs to do something about these pastors who aren't following the old ways.'  As I was listening to this conversation a righteous indignation began to rise up in me and I could not remain silent.  As I began to address these two women in love and grace the room got very quiet.  I addressed all of their complaints about pastors like me.  We are trying to touch this younger generation for Jesus.  As for me I did not care how they came dressed for church I just wanted them there so they could hear the Word of God.  It was not my job to get the outward appearance right my job was to wash them with the Word, to love them, lead them to Christ and disciple them.  If that meant dance could be used as a form of worship so be it, David danced.  If that meant that we used more contemporary songs great,  I was for all that.  As long as we never compromised the Gospel we should do whatever it takes to reach these young people.  I will admit I could not resist one last zing, a lot of the songs that are in the old hymn books are not scripturally correct and many of them are not glorifying to God but about what we got, that many of the more contemporary songs are using scripture in their chorus.     

The other thing that concerns me for future generations is, are we leaving them a biblical model to follow when it comes to loving the Father, and following Jesus?  We have not shared the full counsel of God.  So often times we only teach on aspect of the truth of God's Word.  What we teach often times is more about what makes us feel good about ourselves rather than where we fall short and how do we, through the Holy Spirit, go to the next level.  Are we teaching them that we are truly a priesthood of believers serving both God and others?  Or are we more concerned about how God and others can serve us meeting our needs?  Are we concerned about the consequences of our actions on future generations?

One of the most selfish examples statements in the Bible belongs to a good king, Hezekiah.  In Isaiah 39 Hezekiah shows the Babylonian envoys all of his riches and armament. Isaiah goes to him and declares to him that all of these treasures will be carried to Babylon along with his sons who will be made eunuchs in the king of Babylon's palace.  His response is very telling, "At least there will be peace and truth in my days."  In other words, so what.  No repentance, no sorrow, no contrition just, so what, I have had mine.  I am afraid that is the attitude of some in the church towards younger generations, I have had mine and I am not concerned for their future.  Paul said there were many teachers but few fathers, let the fathers and mothers of this generation rise up and declare that we are concerned for future generations and we will do what is necessary to see the kingdom of God expand through prayers and ministry.