Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Put the Past Behind, But Don't Forget It

Pumba: "You've gotta put your behind in the past."
Timon: "No, no Pumba, its: You've gotta put your past behind ya!"

As I concluded my devotions this morning I read from My Utmost For His Highest. What Chambers said really resonated with me:
"At the end of the year we turn with eagerness to all that God has for the future, and yet anxiety is apt to arise from remembering the yesterdays. Our present enjoyment of God's grace is apt to be checked by the memory of yesterday's sins and blunders. But God is the God of our yesterdays, and He allows the memory of them in order to turn the past into a ministry of spiritual culture for the future. God reminds us of the past lest we get into a shallow security in the present."

As believers who are justified by the blood of Christ, we are forgiven. Past, present, and future sins are lifted from our account and placed on Jesus at the cross 2000 years ago. At the same time, His righteousness is now a credit to our account. When the end comes and the work of salvation has reached completion, God will look on us and see Christ's perfection rather than our mishaps. All is forgiven. From the tone I took with my mother a few weeks ago to the worst of atrocities committed by the man on death row who has found new life in Christ, all these things fall on Jesus' shoulders at Calvary.

Yet we continue to remember the past. Sometimes it haunts our thoughts and seems to point a condemning finger. Sometimes it keeps us awake at night wondering what could have been. Sometimes we yearn for another chance to go back and take the road less traveled. As a forgiven people, the past is behind, but it still has its place. Paul wrote to the Corinthian church these words: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." (II Corinthians 1:3-4)

Christ forgives us, but does not wipe our memory. Think back to your darkest moment, the point you most wish you could forget. Was there not someone there that brought you through? Was there not a portion of Scripture that you ran to in order to find comfort from God? Was not some form of comfort sent to give you peace? I think back to dark periods of my life and find that the comfort I received often came through someone who had gone through the same or a similar ordeal.

I have suffered, but been comforted with comfort sent by God so that one day I may be that comfort sent by God to one who is suffering. This is why we can never fully forget the pain of our sin. We can never fully forget the anguish of sin and the throbbing of the heart at its remembrance. If sin, whether yours or that of another, has caused you to suffer, you now have a responsibility and a ministry to others.
This is the way God works the good for believers when sin and its consequences cause suffering.

Chambers continues:
"Our yesterdays present irreparable things to us; it is true that we have lost opportunities which will never return... Let the past sleep, but let it sleep on the bosom of Christ. Leave the irreparable past in His hands, and step out into the irresistible future with Him."

A Shallow Post For AnneMarie... *wink*

I'm not hyper-spiritual. I'm not overly pious. And, I'm definitely not the holier-than-thou type. The truth is, I'm a normal guy. At least, according to some definitions of normal. But the point is this: I'm a mess, the chief of sinners. I'm just your typical guy with one very distinct difference: I love Jesus.

I'm a normal guy. And, I'm a pastor. I don't have a church yet, but I'm a pastor. Have you ever put your pastor on a pedestal and just brushed him aside as the "spiritual" guy? Have you ever thought that your pastor was definitely NOT normal? Well, that's not me. I sometimes wonder if I'm too goofy and quirky for a church to throw into their pulpit every Sunday. But the truth of the matter is that Christians are in the world to love the world. I'm a stranger in this world, but that can't keep me from relating to the world. Let me share a piece of my normal, down-to-earth life with you.

So I work third shift. I'm basically a glorified janitor driving around all night with a street sweeper cleaning shopping centers. On one particular December night, the weather was unseasonably warm, warm enough for me to not be alone. It had been nearly a month since we had last met, but they were back. I couldn't believe my very eyes; they had returned. It was 2 a.m. and my arch-nemeses stood, or waddled, before me. I had thought this pack of geese had moved south with the cold, but yet here they were staring me down.

The leader of the pack gave me "the look." You know exactly what look I'm talking about. He stared me straight in the eyes from across the parking lot with that come-and-try-to-get-a-piece-of-this-so-I-can-rough-up-your-feathers look. He meant business, but I was ready for him. I revved up my engine and shot off across the asphalt with one thing in mind: survival of the fittest.

I went straight into the middle of them with geese scattering everywhere in a cloud of feathers, ruffled feathers that is. That's right, they were defeated, but I had to crush their spirits. As the geese lifted off they formed a giant V, fleeing towards safety and the night stars. I slammed the breaks, jumping out of the truck with a "YEEHAW!" that would have woken the dead. You know, it didn't, of course, because the dead are already awake at 2 a.m. I mean, everybody knows that. I took off running after the V, "That's right!!! That's right!!! Fly away, fly away, and don't y'all come back ya hear!!!"

That kinda gives me away, I suppose. I am a country boy. That may disqualify me from being normal, but I will still insist that I'm just a typical guy, though a little goofy. I have a good feeling that its the same for your pastor. He's probably just a typical country bumpkin who loves Jesus. So next Sunday, when you're sitting in church, just think of geese, country boys, and big street sweepers, and for heaven's sake, listen to the sermon!

Fine print: No undead (zombies, vampires, werewolves, etc) were harmed in the making of this blog, except the one but he will remain nameless due to legalities and the impending lawsuit. Also, this blog is dolphin safe...

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Trust Me, You Need To Hear This

Clear, blue skies marked his afternoon walk through the garden. As he weaved through the trees, the warm sun and gentle breeze met to form yet another perfect day. Blue skies ran endlessly toward the horizon and the coming starry night. The grass was soft and moist against his bare feet. Walking through a sea of well-groomed trees, he was reminded of the work he had done that morning.

But, perhaps work is the wrong word. Work as we know it is hard and toilsome. The upkeep of this garden paradise was pleasant and fulfilling. He didn't go about his responsibilities begrudgingly, but with a gracious heart. This was part of his purpose, part of the reason for his making. The garden was his; it was given to him to keep in order. He never worked long, but always completed his duties before the cool morning mist subsided and the afternoon sun took dominance over the day.


Walking the garden alone today, he enjoyed the symphony that rushed over him in a river of serenity. Rustling leaves set the tempo as they danced to the whistling wind. Cicadas kept the rhythm with their continuous calls. Brightly-colored birds darted to and fro through the tree branches as they sang their various melodies. These songs would rise in a glorious crescendo before slowly fading to harmony. As he walked, the sound of running water grew louder as it became the prevailing theme of the movement. At the peak of this nature sonata, another sound commanded his attention,

"Adam."

His name was spoken by a commanding voice that immediately arrested his full attention. The sound carried a kingly power and majesty greater than the mightiest lion.
It was deep and strong, yet perfectly balanced by unmatchable love and grace. The voice was familiar; it was one he knew well. This voice belonged to the closest of friends.

As Adam engaged him in conversation, he was filled once again with wonder. Talking with this friend, Adam's heart was excited with a sense of purpose and a passion for life that seemed to come alive within him. The time these two spent together impacted Adam at the very depths of his soul. The friend took great interest in Adam, in his life, his thoughts, and his dreams. Adam was his most precious creation, bearing His very image. The two spent the rest of the afternoon walking together through the garden.

Besides this Creator, Adam also enjoyed a wonderfully close relationship with his wife, Eve. They had been nearly inseparable since the day Adam awoke to find her walking his garden. She was everything that he lacked and completed him in a way no other creature could. He loved her and had promised his Creator to honor, protect, and cherish her. The two daily shared life together; they walked and talked, laughing as they explored every inch of Eden hand-in-hand.

The couple shared purpose in life as well. God had created them to love Him and walk with Him in close fellowship. Furthermore, they had been given the task of filling the earth and caring for the garden. Everything they would ever need was found in God, the object of their worship. All He required was their obedience.

Unfortunately, this story does not end in "happily ever after", at least not yet. Rebellion led to man's downfall. One single act of disobedience resulted in physical and spiritual death for not only Adam, but all to follow after him. "Sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way, death came to all men because all have sinned." (Rom 5:12) Since Adam's error, all of history has been building toward the salvation that would appear to all men. God began by making covenants with Abraham, Moses, and David as He paved the way for the fulfillment of His master plan.


During these years, the blood of lambs was used to cover man's wrongdoing. Sacrifice was now required to remove the guilt and shame of disobedience. The sacrificial system brought peace, albeit tentative, between man and God. Yet a chasm still remained. An eternal bridge to the Father was not yet in place. Holiness was impossible for man to attain, and without it, he could not yet enter the presence of God. A permanent solution was needed. Soon, it would come in the flesh to dwell among men.

Jesus Christ changed everything. Being born in the flesh, He carried the very nature and form of God, yet He walked with humility, not counting equality with God something to be grasped. He made Himself nothing, taking on the role of a servant. As a man, He became obedient to death, death on a cross. The perfect sacrifice for the sins of men, God highly exalted Him and gave Him the name above all names. At the sound of His very name, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord. Jesus is Kurios. He is Yahweh. (Phil 2:5-11)

The grace of God has come, the salvation that has appeared to all men. (Titus 2:11) Jesus called this eternal life: "that they know the only true God and Jesus whom He has sent." (John 17:3) Eternal life is found in knowing, loving, and obeying the God of the universe. Paul tells this to the Romans: "Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead and you will be saved." (Romans 10:9) Adam took part in perfect relationship with God as he walked his garden. Now, we too can walk with God through the salvation found in His Son, Jesus Christ.
One day, we will walk with the Creator amongst the trees of a new Eden.

I would be remiss to leave this most important message off of my blog. This is the story of the greatest thing to happen in my life. The tomb is empty, He is waiting...


Saturday, December 6, 2008

Why North Africa? (A Life-Long Calling)


Spring break, 2008. Casa, North Africa. A new beginning...

As twilight approached, my senses were eased by the cool, ocean breeze. With the hot African day fading to memory, the city lights would soon signal the evening meal. I crossed over what seemed to be an endless field of solid marble slabs. Only in visions of the pearly gates would I have conceived of such an elegant court. And yet, this was just the beginning. As I walked, the looming wonder consumed my horizon. Filled with awe at the sight of this beautiful work of architecture, my gaze remained fixed as I approached my destination.

Gripped by the type of wonder that men wait lifetimes to experience, I passed through mammoth sized, key-shaped arches that would make any man feel small and insignificant. Entering a large, open-air auditorium, a set of larger-than-life double doors beckoned to curious onlookers from the bottom of the steps. These doors opened to a vast sanctuary into which one such as myself could only peer from the outside. At the center of this wonder stood the third largest minaret in the world stretching out towards the emerging night sky.

I wandered as far as was permitted and stood by the doors to further observe the various sights surrounding me. My heart warmed to see families enjoying their time together, little children walking hand in hand with mothers, and small, scattered groups of youths enjoying the final rays of the sun as it passed into the Atlantic. A small boy darted by me with an older companion quickly gaining on him. The little one made a quick juke to head up the stairs before being tagged by the older child, who immediately ran in the opposite direction. I mused at memories of my own childhood and warm summer days of exerting endless energy on the universal game of tag. Pleased with my experience, I continued alone back through the arches out to the railing that overlooked the ocean. The relaxing scene seemed to invade even to the depths of my soul.

An abrupt call to prayer quickly brought an end to the innocence into which I had delved. Mothers began leading their children toward the ominous chanting. People who had seemingly come out to enjoy fellowship after a hard day's work now migrated by droves into the mosque. As I stood in the empty court, the reality of what had originally felt like a dream was now a nightmare in my mind. I had been deceived. This was a nation deceived.

Spiritual warfare is a tricky thing that has a variety of manifestations. In my travels, one place in particular stands out as a powerful source of spiritual warfare. A few years ago I walked through one of the largest Hindu temples in the world, located in Calcutta, India. Passing through this dark place, the oppression of evil was something for which I could have never prepared. Feelings of claustrophobia, fear, loneliness, and even physical sickness assaulted me with ineffable force. After this experience, I thought I knew spiritual warfare.

But this, this was different. The truth that this great structure was actually an islamic mosque had not set in with me. I had shared in the joy of happy families. I had laughed with small children and their games. I had admired the life, culture, and values of these everyday people. But everything I observed boiled down to one thing: Muhammed as the servant of Allah. The lie of islam that had enslaved these people had taken a momentary hold on me.

Islam is everything in North Africa. Islam is the center of life and culture, from the first sights of a young child to the last breath of an old man. Children grow up knowing nothing else. They are not permitted the freedom to seek any other way. As I pondered this truth, I could not evade the question: "who else will tell them?" At that moment, the Lord laid on my heart a life-long calling. In this corner of the world, darkness reigns through a very intricate, yet covert, conspiracy of lies. A gospel witness is desperately needed. My part is to be that witness. If no one else comes with me, this remains my calling. This is my mission and I choose to accept it.

"How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!'"
Romans 10:14-15

Faith My Eyes Introduction


"So keep'em coming, these lines on the road,
And keep me responsible be it a light or heavy load,
Keep me guessing with these blessings in disguise,
And I'll walk with grace my feet and faith my eyes."
-Caedmon's Call, Faith My Eyes


In the gospel of John, Jesus says, "I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly." Abundant life. Life to the full. An adventurous journey. This is what I have stumbled upon, or to be more accurate, this is what He has called me to. The intent of this blog is simply to share my journey with you. I want to share my adventure whether it's backpacking in the Himalayan mountains, teaching English in North Africa, attending classes at Southeastern Seminary, or just sitting around at home reading Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" and D'Souza's "What's So Great About Christianity" over Christmas break.

I am a Christian, yes, but I am not you're typical ignorant pew sitter. You see, this life we live has a purpose that many of us don't recognize. Man's purpose rests in a passionate pursuit of the Creator through the Savior with the power of the Spirit. This passionate pursuit is manifested in a number of areas of life; in mine, there are three main areas into which I desire to pour my entire heart for His glory:

  1. Paul wrote to the Corinthian church: "I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified." Peter describes our salvation as something "into which angels long to look." Growing in the knowledge and understanding of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is my life's primary pursuit. According to chapter 6 of Paul's Romans treatise, being free from sin, I am enslaved to God to serve Him with my full life.
  2. Family comes next. My greatest ministry on this earth will be to my wife and children. Paul, in writing to Ephesian husbands, compares marriage with Christ's relationship to the church. Jesus loved and gave himself up for the church. This will be my second greatest pursuit in life: loving, giving myself up for, and being sanctified with a woman whose primary pursuit is the Lord. As for children, I desire to raise my children with the purpose of seeing them raise godly children (this is the method of discipleship that Paul teaches in II Timothy 2:2). As a single guy, I have to keep in mind Paul's concession, in I Corinthians 7, to "secure [my] undivided devotion to the Lord." This has serious implications for who or even if I marry.
  3. My life's ministry is an area into which I desire to pour my heart and passion, though it will never come before my family or my own relationship with the Lord. My heart is in Africa. I do not yet know where I will ultimately serve, but I desire to live my life working with muslims who have never had an opportunity to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. My dreams include, but are not limited to, connecting national Christians, translating Scripture, planting churches, and one day, underground or not, starting a seminary for the purpose of training pastors and missionaries.
So, with this introduction, strap in and join me for the adventure of my lifetime!