"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'" (Matt. 25:31-40 ESV)
The weather was cold, but the smiles were warm. The worship was sincere and God honoring. Even a broken guitar string could not stop the voices and hearts of these people who had gathered for the purpose of glorifying God and serving their neighbor. This is not an area of Fort Worth that I had ever frequented. In fact, this is the kind of neighborhood that many folks would avoid or make sure their car doors were locked as they quickly drove through this area close to downtown. When we pulled up we saw people sleeping on the sidewalk and many others milling about with everything they owned strapped to their backs or shoved into carts. These people were homeless, cold and hungry. It doesn't really matter what circumstances brought them to this place in life, for a lecture about getting off drugs or drink and getting a job will not fill their bellies tonight. They need food and they need Jesus.
Looking into the faces of the people who were taking their plates of pizza, salad, cookies and soft drinks, I saw myself. These people are made in the image of God just like me. They have dreams and desires for their lives and their families as I have. I know what it is to have your dreams smashed by the toils of this world and because of my sinful choices. I understand addiction, for it almost destroyed me. Still there are many differences between us. I have never gone hungry, unless I was on a diet. I have always had a roof over my head and a bed on which to lay down at night. I have two cars that I can drive and discretionary funds with which I can buy things that I want and not just what I need. The greatest need we all share is to know the liberating grace of God found in the gospel of Jesus Christ. The cross is the great equalizer, for it the only hope that humanity has for escaping the wrath of God upon sin. These people don't need pity, they need compassion directed to both their physical and spiritual needs. That is why we came here.
As satisfying as it was to be here in person serving, it was an absolute joy to have my wife, daughter and two of our grandchildren here as well. Both Christian and Destiny took part in passing out food and plates to the area's residents. When a family arrived late, and the pizza was already gone, they gave their extra slices to them on their own initiative. As we left, Christian saw some of the people bedding down for the night and was concerned for how cold they were going to be throughout the night. Here in the words of an eight year old boy was the concern and compassion that should resonate in the hearts of all those who claim to be followers of Jesus. Our Lord said, when we have served the "least of these" we have done it unto Him, which means that Jesus was sleeping in the park last night in the cold. What will you do?
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Life Interruptions
I wonder if Abram liked living in Ur? Was he happy there and did he have a life in that land he enjoyed? Surely he was established in the community. He probably had friends and others that he spent time with and enjoyed eating and laughing on many a starry evening. Did he think that God was being unreasonable when He asked ol' Abe to pack up his wife and extended family and start on a journey to an unknown land among unknown people? The Bible doesn't tell us how he felt, just that he got up and went. Likewise we are not told how Abraham felt when God told him to take Isaac the child of promise and sacrifice him to Yahweh. And what about Moses minding his sheep in the backside of the desert for forty years, then God interrupts his life at the age of eighty to begin a new phase of life?
In the past few months the Lord has interrupted our life and informed us that we have to leave our place of comfort and stability and venture to a new place to do a new work. After much debate with the Sovereign of the universe (Hint: It didn't work any better for me than it did for Moses), we are readying for a move to the DFW area (Grand Prairie) to begin a Bible Study in the home of our daughter and son-in-law. We don't know what we are doing only that we are following where God is leading. So at the age of fifty-three I am about to learn a new lesson in faith. I don't know how everything is going to work out, only that if we are in God's will then it is the best place to be.
Monday, May 13, 2013
Cinematic Nehushtan
"There is nothing so abominable in the eyes of God as idolatry, it renders to the creature the honor that is due to the Creator." (Blaise Pascal)
I never set out to be an idolater. I doubt many Christians consider themselves idolaters, although most of us are. We love Jesus, or think that we do, all the while we also love something else more than Him. It could be a job, or it could be a sports team, or it could even be a spouse. If there is anything that takes precedence over the worship and glory of Christ, it has become an idol. These have become as Tim Keller calls them, "counterfeit gods." Over the course of my life I discovered that there have been many idols in my life. Some were very visible to me and easy to acknowledge. For many years it was very easy to see that I had made the love of food an idol in my life. The extra 150-200 lbs were a clear indication that food was of primary importance to me, especially considering that while I couldn't make time to spend with God in prayer and study of the Word, I could sure find time to feed my face with sugary poison!
Other idols, which may appear clearly visible to others have not been so easy for me to acknowledge. Recently, I had to come to grips with and acknowledge that one of my favorite pastimes was an idol in my life. From the time I was a wee one, I have had a fascination with the cinema. Thomas Edison's invention has given me countless hours of voyeuristic pleasure over the years. This is not a diatribe against movies. I am a staunch advocate and supporter of all things artistic. The ability to create works of beauty is a hallmark of being image bearers of God. And yet, when the pursuit of the artistic becomes more important than your pursuit of the "holiness without which no one shall see the Lord." (Heb. 12:14) then that which is a good gift has become an idol.
A biblical example of this is seen in 2 Kings 18:4 during the reign of King Hezekiah. The young king was instituting radical reforms in the kingdom of Judah in an attempt to turn the nation back to the worship of Yahweh. During this time of worship renewal it had come to the king's attention that the people had taken to worshiping the bronze serpent that had been used during the exodus to cure those who had been bitten by the poisonous serpents sent by the Lord to punish them for their grumbling and complaining. Now centuries later, that which was used for a good and holy purpose had now been cheapened by the misplaced adoration of the people, so that when Hezekiah destroyed it, he said it was Nehushtan, which means "thing of brass."
I can look back over the course of my life and see how this principle has been a working example of my sinful nature. Starting in my preteen years, I discovered that if there was a movie that piqued my interest, that I would go to almost any length to see it. I have lied in order to see films. I have spent money that should have been spent on needful things to go to films or to purchase DVDs. I would set my schedule around the next big movie premiere. There have been occasions when I would more quickly argue for the merits of a certain favorite film, before I would argue for the merits of Christ. In short, the world of cinema had become "nehushtan" in my life. This was a sobering realization to say the least. I was worshiping celluloid, instead of the eternal, self-existent One, Creator of heaven and earth! Something had to be done and right now!
As with the discovery of all sin, the beginning point is to repent and acknowledge the sin to the One offended. After repentance comes surrender to the Holy Spirit's power to break the chains that this idol has in your life. Only then will you be able to take the next step, which is to get rid of the idol. Its power in your life needs to be destroyed. There is to be only one Sovereign in the life of the Christian. When that is restored a proper balance for the good gifts of life will be in evidence. That which has become an idol can be redeemed from being "nehushtan" by putting it in its rightful place.
What this has meant for me is that since late January, I have not attended a feature film, or viewed one on DVD (they are all boxed up and put in storage). I don't know how long this will last, but I know I am not there yet. As the summer movie season is approaching, I feel an idolatrous voice in my head urging me to compromise and make excuses so that I can go and enjoy the films that I have been eagerly anticipating for the last year or two. One day I may have the freedom to enjoy this expression of the arts when it has been subdued to the Lordship of Christ. For in the end, what really matters is not how much pleasure my flesh is afforded in this life, but how much "Christ is honored in my body, whether by life or by death." (Phil 1:20)
I never set out to be an idolater. I doubt many Christians consider themselves idolaters, although most of us are. We love Jesus, or think that we do, all the while we also love something else more than Him. It could be a job, or it could be a sports team, or it could even be a spouse. If there is anything that takes precedence over the worship and glory of Christ, it has become an idol. These have become as Tim Keller calls them, "counterfeit gods." Over the course of my life I discovered that there have been many idols in my life. Some were very visible to me and easy to acknowledge. For many years it was very easy to see that I had made the love of food an idol in my life. The extra 150-200 lbs were a clear indication that food was of primary importance to me, especially considering that while I couldn't make time to spend with God in prayer and study of the Word, I could sure find time to feed my face with sugary poison!
Other idols, which may appear clearly visible to others have not been so easy for me to acknowledge. Recently, I had to come to grips with and acknowledge that one of my favorite pastimes was an idol in my life. From the time I was a wee one, I have had a fascination with the cinema. Thomas Edison's invention has given me countless hours of voyeuristic pleasure over the years. This is not a diatribe against movies. I am a staunch advocate and supporter of all things artistic. The ability to create works of beauty is a hallmark of being image bearers of God. And yet, when the pursuit of the artistic becomes more important than your pursuit of the "holiness without which no one shall see the Lord." (Heb. 12:14) then that which is a good gift has become an idol.
A biblical example of this is seen in 2 Kings 18:4 during the reign of King Hezekiah. The young king was instituting radical reforms in the kingdom of Judah in an attempt to turn the nation back to the worship of Yahweh. During this time of worship renewal it had come to the king's attention that the people had taken to worshiping the bronze serpent that had been used during the exodus to cure those who had been bitten by the poisonous serpents sent by the Lord to punish them for their grumbling and complaining. Now centuries later, that which was used for a good and holy purpose had now been cheapened by the misplaced adoration of the people, so that when Hezekiah destroyed it, he said it was Nehushtan, which means "thing of brass."
I can look back over the course of my life and see how this principle has been a working example of my sinful nature. Starting in my preteen years, I discovered that if there was a movie that piqued my interest, that I would go to almost any length to see it. I have lied in order to see films. I have spent money that should have been spent on needful things to go to films or to purchase DVDs. I would set my schedule around the next big movie premiere. There have been occasions when I would more quickly argue for the merits of a certain favorite film, before I would argue for the merits of Christ. In short, the world of cinema had become "nehushtan" in my life. This was a sobering realization to say the least. I was worshiping celluloid, instead of the eternal, self-existent One, Creator of heaven and earth! Something had to be done and right now!
As with the discovery of all sin, the beginning point is to repent and acknowledge the sin to the One offended. After repentance comes surrender to the Holy Spirit's power to break the chains that this idol has in your life. Only then will you be able to take the next step, which is to get rid of the idol. Its power in your life needs to be destroyed. There is to be only one Sovereign in the life of the Christian. When that is restored a proper balance for the good gifts of life will be in evidence. That which has become an idol can be redeemed from being "nehushtan" by putting it in its rightful place.
What this has meant for me is that since late January, I have not attended a feature film, or viewed one on DVD (they are all boxed up and put in storage). I don't know how long this will last, but I know I am not there yet. As the summer movie season is approaching, I feel an idolatrous voice in my head urging me to compromise and make excuses so that I can go and enjoy the films that I have been eagerly anticipating for the last year or two. One day I may have the freedom to enjoy this expression of the arts when it has been subdued to the Lordship of Christ. For in the end, what really matters is not how much pleasure my flesh is afforded in this life, but how much "Christ is honored in my body, whether by life or by death." (Phil 1:20)
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Conspiracy, Schmiracy
For the LORD spoke thus to me with his strong hand upon me, and warned me not to walk in the way of this people, saying: "Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread. But the LORD of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. And he will become a sanctuary and a stone of offense and a rock of stumbling to both houses of Israel, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And many shall stumble on it. They shall fall and be broken; they shall be snared and taken." (Isaiah 8:11-15)
People tend to love a conspiracy. The conspiracy theme sells books, movies and newspapers. There are many conspiracy theorists on both the right and left sides of the political spectrum. Whether you think the Council on Foreign Relations, The Illuminati, The Tea Party, Freemasonry or President Obama's "secret Muslim agenda" is really what is working behind the scenes to bring down this nation, you are allowing fear to control your thinking.
Much of what is put forth as journalism and news gathering today would only have been fit to be in the pages of the National Enquirer or the Weekly World News thirty years ago. We allow the biased reporting of our favorite news outlet whether it be ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox News, CNN, MSNBC, etc. to tell us how to think and what to feel about the issues. Whether its the rantings of Chris Matthews or Glenn Beck we told to be drawn to one side or the other.
God tells the prophet Isaiah not to call conspiracy what the world calls conspiracy. The nation of Judah was driven by rumors and fear-mongering much like the church in America is today. It doesn't matter what the government may or may not do. God has not given his children a "spirit of fear, but of power, love and self control." (2 Tim. 1:7) The Lord is the one whom we should fear. "Our God is a consuming fire" (Heb. 12:29) and He is worthy of proper worship and dread. Jesus told His followers not to fear the one who could destroy the body, but to fear him who could destroy both body and soul in hell (Matt. 10:28).
The great conspiracy is not a conspiracy at all, but Good News! God's rescue plan is in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But this Gospel is a rock of offense and a stumbling block to the world. The message of the cross is foolishness and offensive to the unregenerate for they are dead in their trespasses and sins. And without the aid of the Holy Spirit opening their blind eyes and unstopping their deaf ears, they will continue in their stubborn rebellion against the Holy One of Israel and the wrath of God remains upon them (John 3:36)
People tend to love a conspiracy. The conspiracy theme sells books, movies and newspapers. There are many conspiracy theorists on both the right and left sides of the political spectrum. Whether you think the Council on Foreign Relations, The Illuminati, The Tea Party, Freemasonry or President Obama's "secret Muslim agenda" is really what is working behind the scenes to bring down this nation, you are allowing fear to control your thinking.
Much of what is put forth as journalism and news gathering today would only have been fit to be in the pages of the National Enquirer or the Weekly World News thirty years ago. We allow the biased reporting of our favorite news outlet whether it be ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox News, CNN, MSNBC, etc. to tell us how to think and what to feel about the issues. Whether its the rantings of Chris Matthews or Glenn Beck we told to be drawn to one side or the other.
God tells the prophet Isaiah not to call conspiracy what the world calls conspiracy. The nation of Judah was driven by rumors and fear-mongering much like the church in America is today. It doesn't matter what the government may or may not do. God has not given his children a "spirit of fear, but of power, love and self control." (2 Tim. 1:7) The Lord is the one whom we should fear. "Our God is a consuming fire" (Heb. 12:29) and He is worthy of proper worship and dread. Jesus told His followers not to fear the one who could destroy the body, but to fear him who could destroy both body and soul in hell (Matt. 10:28).
The great conspiracy is not a conspiracy at all, but Good News! God's rescue plan is in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But this Gospel is a rock of offense and a stumbling block to the world. The message of the cross is foolishness and offensive to the unregenerate for they are dead in their trespasses and sins. And without the aid of the Holy Spirit opening their blind eyes and unstopping their deaf ears, they will continue in their stubborn rebellion against the Holy One of Israel and the wrath of God remains upon them (John 3:36)
Saturday, May 4, 2013
Woe is Us!
The following is inspired by the seven woes given by Jesus in Matthew 23. The scary thing is that the Pharisees believed that they were approved by God, because they were doing all the "right things" or so they thought. I wonder if today we aren't straining at gnats while swallowing camels?
Woe to us Scribes, Pharisees, Hypocrites!
We cry about the need for more missionaries; yet we won't cross the street to share the Gospel with our neighbor!
Woe to us Scribes, Pharisees, Hypocrites!
We spend millions to build giant monuments to our own egos; yet refuse to give money to the homeless guy we meet on the street!
Woe to us Scribes, Pharisees, Hypocrites!
We decry the lack of civility in politics; while we forward racist e-mails and facebook statuses about our President along with our Jesus Saves signature line!
Woe to us Scribes, Pharisees, Hypocrites!
We wrap ourselves in the American Flag while confessing allegiance to Christ; and then we sell our soul to a political system and refuse to pick up our cross and follow Him!
Woe to us Scribes, Pharisees, Hypocrites!
We strive and fight for correct theology; yet we often find that our first love has been "Left Behind"!
Woe to us Scribes, Pharisees, Hypocrites!
We say that we want revival and will gladly list the sins of our nation while refusing to humble ourselves and repent of our own sins!
Woe to us Scribes, Pharisees, Hypocrites!
We say that we love our neighbor as long as he/she fits within our ethnic, racial, socio-economic, religious and sexual orientation demographic! Who are we to pick and choose who hears the Gospel?
On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.' (Matt. 7:22-23)
Woe to us Scribes, Pharisees, Hypocrites!
We cry about the need for more missionaries; yet we won't cross the street to share the Gospel with our neighbor!
Woe to us Scribes, Pharisees, Hypocrites!
We spend millions to build giant monuments to our own egos; yet refuse to give money to the homeless guy we meet on the street!
Woe to us Scribes, Pharisees, Hypocrites!
We decry the lack of civility in politics; while we forward racist e-mails and facebook statuses about our President along with our Jesus Saves signature line!
Woe to us Scribes, Pharisees, Hypocrites!
We wrap ourselves in the American Flag while confessing allegiance to Christ; and then we sell our soul to a political system and refuse to pick up our cross and follow Him!
Woe to us Scribes, Pharisees, Hypocrites!
We strive and fight for correct theology; yet we often find that our first love has been "Left Behind"!
Woe to us Scribes, Pharisees, Hypocrites!
We say that we want revival and will gladly list the sins of our nation while refusing to humble ourselves and repent of our own sins!
Woe to us Scribes, Pharisees, Hypocrites!
We say that we love our neighbor as long as he/she fits within our ethnic, racial, socio-economic, religious and sexual orientation demographic! Who are we to pick and choose who hears the Gospel?
On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.' (Matt. 7:22-23)
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