References:
• John 11:25-26 NAS
• Luke 24:1-12 NAS
• Open Doors: Pakistan
• FoxNews Article on the terrorist attack in Pakistan
It is Easter Sunday evening for me. My family and I spent Easter at church this morning and then we had lunch with my parents. All of us are Christians and wanted to spend time together celebrating our faith. Celebrating the fact that God not only entered into our world to teach us, but to take our sins upon Himself and died a criminal’s death so that we might be dead to sin. But, not just that, but that Jesus rose from the dead so that all who have been called to believe in His death and resurrection would have eternal life. It was a very pleasant time together.
Unfortunately, though, church, had some real low points this morning. Most of the service was very good and focused on the finished work of Jesus Christ. Many families had visitors, which was a real blessing! But, thing things hit a very sour note. Though the service did end on a positive note, I could not help but walk away from the service angry because of some things that had been brought up. Some issues that we as a local congregation have been wrestling with for some time. Instead of our focus on the New Life that we have in Christ, certain issues gained the spotlight.
After the service, I felt led to talk with our pastor about some things. As some of you might know, I have a strong interest the persecuted Church throughout the world. I have done a few sermons and Bible studies on the topic over the last few years, especially around All Saints Day, which is the first November first, and celebrated on the first Sunday in November. On that day, we are encouraged to take time to reflect on those who have died (were martyred) for the Gospel of Christ. Reading some of their stories helps to put my issues into perspective. Living in a country like America where we are allowed to be Disciples of Christ with little fear had dulled us to what the cost of Discipleship can be.
Throughout the day, my wife and I had briefly talked about the terrorist attack at the Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park in Lahore, Pakistan. We were saddened by it, due to the fact that so many people had been killed or injured. But, it wasn’t until our drive home that reality slapped my very hard in the face.
During our drive home, my wife was reading some updated articles about the terrorist attack, like the one that I linked above. After a little time of silent reflection, she asked, “Doesn’t your friend from seminary live in Lahore, Pakistan?” That was a real slap of reality for me. That made it very personal to me, realizing that someone I know, is a dear brother in Christ, and a good friend, was very likely directly impacted by that attack.
I met my friend, Majid, in 1996 when we both attended Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. He was there to finish studying for a Doctorate in Ministry, while I was there to get a Masters of Divinity (MDiv). He, several Christians for Africa, and other Christians from America became close friends. After he graduated with his Doctorate and returned to Pakistan, we still kept in touch occasionally via E-mail. After Facebook came around, we connected on that. Around Christmas of last year, I found out that he had been elected as moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Pakistan. I was extremely happy to hear that and eager to hear of the things that God would do through him in such an awesome position.
Majid and I share the same hope in Christ. That hope is that Christ Jesus died for our sins and was raised from the dead for our justification and that we might have a New Life in Him. Over the years, I have experienced prejudice for my conservative Christian beliefs in various forms. But, I have never been threatened with imprisonment and/or death for trust Christ as my Lord and Savior. I am sure that all of what I have experienced pales in comparison to what Majid and the other Christians in Pakistan experience on a daily basis. Really puts things into perspective.
My wife read that Christians make up approximately 2% of the population of Pakistan (OpenDoorUSA.org lists 199 million overall population and approximately 4 million Christians). And, since Majid holds a senior position within the Presbyterian Church of Pakistan, it is very likely that he has friends and/or family members that were directly affected by this attack. I can only imagine how all of this has affected him, his family, his congregation, let alone the Presbyterian Church of Pakistan and other Christians in that country.
On Easter, we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection so that we can have a New Life in Him. We celebrate this hope while still living in this broken world where suffering and death are still a real threat. But yet, those of us who are Christians in such countries as the United States, Canada, various countries throughout Europe, etc., live a very protected life. The challenges that we face on a daily basis grossly pale to what other Brothers and Sisters in Christ experience regularly, even daily. Let us take time remember those who are now experiencing eternal life in Christ in the fullest sense. Whether they died of natural causes, were a victim of crime, are were martyred for their faith, they are now experiencing what we are currently hoping for. That Jesus’ words, “I am the Resurrection and the Life…” (John 11:25) We walk by faith, their faith has been made a reality. Let us pray that those who are persecuted maintain their courage and faith. May we also pray that we do not take our peaceful lives (compared to what they endure) for granted. May we have the same courage to follow Christ like they do. With courage, zeal, compassion, and hope.
Sunday, March 27, 2016
Monday, March 21, 2016
Do You Really Know Him?
References:
• RC Sproul “In the Presence of God” for the week of March 14, 2016
• Genesis 3:6-10 NAS
• Matthew 25:31-46 NAS
• Arminian Theology
• Calvinism Theology
Every week, I receive an E-mail devotional from RC Sproul called, “In the Presence of God.” It is written from a conservative theologian writing from a very strong Reformed perspective. Having grown up Presbyterian, it is like a drink from a cool, clear stream for me spiritually. Several of the devotionals that RC Sproul has written have touched me. But, this one did so in a way that was a bit different.
I have had numerous discussions over the years about the fallen nature of mankind and whether or not we, as a fallen being, can seek to know God or not. I must confess, this is something that I have really wrestled with over the years. My wife grew up in the United Methodist Church (UMC) and has a strong Arminian background. Needless to say, this makes for some interest discussions!
This short paper will in no way thoroughly look at this issue. Numerous theologians, not just Arminius and John Calvin, have greatly wrestled with this concept. Many, many books have been written on this theological concept alone. Books written by people a lot more intelligent than myself, and a lot more time to thoroughly research. And both sides use numerous Scripture passages to support ‘their side.’
The thing is, according to Scripture, God is the one who is at work in our lives, doing things and guiding us. As Followers of Christ, we have to choose each day, on a minute-by-minute basis, really, with whether we will be obedient to Christ or not. But, what about non-Christians? Do they have such a choice? Sometimes I really wonder… Almost like the question, “Which came first, the chicken or the egg?”
No matter how one sorts all of this out in their mind, there is something that we have to take ahold of. Our relationship with God. Whether our understand is that God called us onto Salvation (Calvinism) or that we felt a longing and chose to follow Him (Arminianism), the core issue is, “Do you really know God?” Not just know ‘of God’ with purely an intellectual understanding of Him. But to truly know Him in a personal way. Confused? Allow me to try and help you understand.
If I simply have ‘head knowledge’ of someone, it means that I know of him or her. A good example is studying a large amount of information on the subject of incarceration and its impact on a person who has committed a crime. I can read all of the books and study all sorts of statistics, and come to some very education conclusions. But, it is all ‘head knowledge’ of the subject, all academic, nothing practical or personal.
Now, lets say I take a job as Custody Staff in a state prison or as a jailer in a county jail. Over the many months and years, through personal observation, listening to stories, and my own interactions, I learn first hand how prison life can impact a person. Since everyone is different, how prison impacts a person will vary greatly from person to person. However, if I pay attention to things around me, I will be able to draw education conclusion as to how prison life at that particular prison impacts the people incarcerated there.
With that in mind, let’s go back to our spiritual lives. How well do we know God? As finite beings, we cannot fully understand an infinite God. But, we can know Him to some degree. But, is it all purely academic? That is, are all we know about God are theological concepts and various Scripture verses that one might have memorized? How is this different from ‘heart knowledge?’ A lot, really… If I have ‘heart knowledge’ of a person, then I knew what he or she likes, what they dislike, how they act in certain situations, that kind of environments help them relax, or what kind of situations stress them out. Most importantly, what I say and do has a direct impact on them and what they say and do have a direct impact on me.
That is to say, when someone that I have ‘heart knowledge of’ is having a difficult time with something, it directly impacts how I feel. For example, if someone that I care about is having a very difficult day and struggling with their emotions, it will have a direct effect on my thoughts and feelings. Now, there are times where things that I am wrestling with may blunt the impact of their struggles to me. But, this is only a situational situation where their struggles might not impact me as much as another time. But, typically, how things are going with me will affect them, and visa versa.
Back in the Garden of Eden, God created us to have a personal and intimate relationship with Him. It was a deeply personal one where God, Adam, and Eve walked together and talked with each other. But, due to Adam and Eve’s disobedience, that unique and awesome relationship was destroyed. Since then, we are limited to how well we know God. And, like any kind of relationship, it is an on-going one that takes time and energy to enable it to grow.
What is the depth of your relationship with God? Have you even thought about it? How you live your life and the choices that you make can give others indicators as to what kind of relationship you might have with God. But, in reality, only God truly knows. We can wrestle with where our relationship with God is, but due to our finite and sinful nature, our understanding is limited. However, God is gracious and He will help us know. How He expresses His love to us will vary from person to person. How God helps me to know that He is in my heart and life will be a bit different with someone else. But, if you are a Follower of Christ, He will make His presence known in your life. Are we willing to listen? Are we willing to be obedient?
• RC Sproul “In the Presence of God” for the week of March 14, 2016
• Genesis 3:6-10 NAS
• Matthew 25:31-46 NAS
• Arminian Theology
• Calvinism Theology
Every week, I receive an E-mail devotional from RC Sproul called, “In the Presence of God.” It is written from a conservative theologian writing from a very strong Reformed perspective. Having grown up Presbyterian, it is like a drink from a cool, clear stream for me spiritually. Several of the devotionals that RC Sproul has written have touched me. But, this one did so in a way that was a bit different.
I have had numerous discussions over the years about the fallen nature of mankind and whether or not we, as a fallen being, can seek to know God or not. I must confess, this is something that I have really wrestled with over the years. My wife grew up in the United Methodist Church (UMC) and has a strong Arminian background. Needless to say, this makes for some interest discussions!
This short paper will in no way thoroughly look at this issue. Numerous theologians, not just Arminius and John Calvin, have greatly wrestled with this concept. Many, many books have been written on this theological concept alone. Books written by people a lot more intelligent than myself, and a lot more time to thoroughly research. And both sides use numerous Scripture passages to support ‘their side.’
The thing is, according to Scripture, God is the one who is at work in our lives, doing things and guiding us. As Followers of Christ, we have to choose each day, on a minute-by-minute basis, really, with whether we will be obedient to Christ or not. But, what about non-Christians? Do they have such a choice? Sometimes I really wonder… Almost like the question, “Which came first, the chicken or the egg?”
No matter how one sorts all of this out in their mind, there is something that we have to take ahold of. Our relationship with God. Whether our understand is that God called us onto Salvation (Calvinism) or that we felt a longing and chose to follow Him (Arminianism), the core issue is, “Do you really know God?” Not just know ‘of God’ with purely an intellectual understanding of Him. But to truly know Him in a personal way. Confused? Allow me to try and help you understand.
If I simply have ‘head knowledge’ of someone, it means that I know of him or her. A good example is studying a large amount of information on the subject of incarceration and its impact on a person who has committed a crime. I can read all of the books and study all sorts of statistics, and come to some very education conclusions. But, it is all ‘head knowledge’ of the subject, all academic, nothing practical or personal.
Now, lets say I take a job as Custody Staff in a state prison or as a jailer in a county jail. Over the many months and years, through personal observation, listening to stories, and my own interactions, I learn first hand how prison life can impact a person. Since everyone is different, how prison impacts a person will vary greatly from person to person. However, if I pay attention to things around me, I will be able to draw education conclusion as to how prison life at that particular prison impacts the people incarcerated there.
With that in mind, let’s go back to our spiritual lives. How well do we know God? As finite beings, we cannot fully understand an infinite God. But, we can know Him to some degree. But, is it all purely academic? That is, are all we know about God are theological concepts and various Scripture verses that one might have memorized? How is this different from ‘heart knowledge?’ A lot, really… If I have ‘heart knowledge’ of a person, then I knew what he or she likes, what they dislike, how they act in certain situations, that kind of environments help them relax, or what kind of situations stress them out. Most importantly, what I say and do has a direct impact on them and what they say and do have a direct impact on me.
That is to say, when someone that I have ‘heart knowledge of’ is having a difficult time with something, it directly impacts how I feel. For example, if someone that I care about is having a very difficult day and struggling with their emotions, it will have a direct effect on my thoughts and feelings. Now, there are times where things that I am wrestling with may blunt the impact of their struggles to me. But, this is only a situational situation where their struggles might not impact me as much as another time. But, typically, how things are going with me will affect them, and visa versa.
Back in the Garden of Eden, God created us to have a personal and intimate relationship with Him. It was a deeply personal one where God, Adam, and Eve walked together and talked with each other. But, due to Adam and Eve’s disobedience, that unique and awesome relationship was destroyed. Since then, we are limited to how well we know God. And, like any kind of relationship, it is an on-going one that takes time and energy to enable it to grow.
What is the depth of your relationship with God? Have you even thought about it? How you live your life and the choices that you make can give others indicators as to what kind of relationship you might have with God. But, in reality, only God truly knows. We can wrestle with where our relationship with God is, but due to our finite and sinful nature, our understanding is limited. However, God is gracious and He will help us know. How He expresses His love to us will vary from person to person. How God helps me to know that He is in my heart and life will be a bit different with someone else. But, if you are a Follower of Christ, He will make His presence known in your life. Are we willing to listen? Are we willing to be obedient?
Sunday, March 20, 2016
Asking The Right Questions
This morning after church, we had a congregational meeting to discuss some important future plans. Two years ago last January, our church burned down. There was, praise God, no loss of life. Just the loss of the church. Almost from the start, some people were already talking about how soon we could start rebuilding.
At this time, some plans have been drawn up and a lot of money has been set aside for building the new church. It isnot fully funded yet. But we have some moeny set aside already. We have a good start; but, I am concerned that our focus is not where it should be. My greatest concern is that there is too much of a focus on the physical building, a physical church, but not much thought on being the church to our community.
What do I mean by "being the church?" Much, actually. Being a Christian is more than just making verbal confessions, carrying a Bible, with you all of the time, more than just memorizing Scripture, and attending worship worship at a church. It is much more than that. It is, first and foremost, a personal relationship with God throughthe life, death, and resurrection of Christ Jesus. But, it doesn't end there. Not by a long shot.
Being a Christian means being a Follower of Christ. It means living a life of obedience to not just how God wants us to live morally, but also with how He wants us to serve Him and others. I think that my current life is an excellent example.
As many of you might already know, I work at a State prison here in Nebraska as Custody Staff. It is not a job that I actively sought out. In fact, when I have been job hunting, I have sought out a ministry position. Working in a church or a Christian organization is my heart's desire. I attended seminary ad got a Master's of Divinity (2000 at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary) because that is where I felt God was calling me. But yet, I am working someplace totally different.
Not just that, but personality wise I am in a very challenging place. As an INFJ, I excell in theological study, teaching, and ministering to people. But yet, God is choosing to use me in a place very much outside of what come to me naturally. The last few weeks have been even more vividly so. Over the last year, as I have learned more about the personality that God has given me, I have begun to better understand why I have always been sensitive to my emotional surroundings. Keeping that in mind, it might come to a shock to you that God has been keeping meposted in visiting. My job in visiting, as Custody Staff, is to enforce rules with Inmates and the visitors. On top of all that, during the visiting periods are a huge, volital mix of emotions. Just a few of them are anger over bad d3cisions, grief over damaged and destroyed relationships, grief over shattered dreams, anger over not being in contol of one's life, etc. The more people who are together, the greater the intensity of these feelings. Yesterday, I had three big groups to deal with, with one being an almost to compacity of the large room. By the end of the day, I felt like I was a 110 volt motor that had been plugged into a 220 volt outlet. Being "very exhausted"was a gross understatement. One might logically ask, why would a loving God put someone like me in an environment that was so draining?! I wrestle with that a lot.
God has given me a few glimpses here and there. Over the 7+ years that I havemworked at this particular prison, God hasnused me to greatimpact many lives there. Both staff and inmates. It doesn't always appear like I do. But, I doget glimpses at times. For example, as I was getting ready do do my searches on a group of Inmates before their visiting session, they were already grumbling about how long it would take. Then one Inmate said, "Hey, I know Underwood... He's cool..." That is all he said. Might not seem like much, but I felt a large amount of the building anger and frustration drop. They all chose to cooperate and, when another staff member arrived to help, things ran very smoothly.
Why did I share this story? Over the last 7+ years, I have had to live in utter dependence to God for strength and with guidance for doing my job. A lot that I do as Custody Staff does not come naturally as an INFJ. It has been a huge struggle on many ocassions. But, from time-to-time, God gives me glimpses of how He has touched lives through me. But, tnis is only because I prayerfylly choose to be God's instrument.
For us as a church, I see us at a crossroads. Will we focus on our physical needs of having our own church building now,; or, will we prayerfully seek to learn how to be The Church to our community? One is a road of easy decisions. One is a road of very difficult introspection and decisions. And, the worst th8ng of all, living uncomforably.
I do not know why God has me where I am at. Working at the prison has been a growing experience, but also a painful one. It is definitely not what I want and would have chose on my own. But, my desire to be obedient to God has beenthe reason why I have stayed so far. And, I believe that we, as a local church, is facing a similar kind of decision. We greatly need God's help in making the right decisions for doing His will. It is a great strugglento be obedient as an individual. The more people who gather to seek His Will, the more conflict and confusion can arise. Especially if each is seeking what makes them, as an individual, feel safe. But, since when has God called us to do things that make us feel safe? I think that Abraham, Moses, Dietrich Bohnhoffer, Frederich Douglas, Maartin Luther, Martin Luther King, Jr., etc., would argue that our comfort is not God's greatest concern.it is our obedience. Let us prayerfully contemplate that.
At this time, some plans have been drawn up and a lot of money has been set aside for building the new church. It isnot fully funded yet. But we have some moeny set aside already. We have a good start; but, I am concerned that our focus is not where it should be. My greatest concern is that there is too much of a focus on the physical building, a physical church, but not much thought on being the church to our community.
What do I mean by "being the church?" Much, actually. Being a Christian is more than just making verbal confessions, carrying a Bible, with you all of the time, more than just memorizing Scripture, and attending worship worship at a church. It is much more than that. It is, first and foremost, a personal relationship with God throughthe life, death, and resurrection of Christ Jesus. But, it doesn't end there. Not by a long shot.
Being a Christian means being a Follower of Christ. It means living a life of obedience to not just how God wants us to live morally, but also with how He wants us to serve Him and others. I think that my current life is an excellent example.
As many of you might already know, I work at a State prison here in Nebraska as Custody Staff. It is not a job that I actively sought out. In fact, when I have been job hunting, I have sought out a ministry position. Working in a church or a Christian organization is my heart's desire. I attended seminary ad got a Master's of Divinity (2000 at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary) because that is where I felt God was calling me. But yet, I am working someplace totally different.
Not just that, but personality wise I am in a very challenging place. As an INFJ, I excell in theological study, teaching, and ministering to people. But yet, God is choosing to use me in a place very much outside of what come to me naturally. The last few weeks have been even more vividly so. Over the last year, as I have learned more about the personality that God has given me, I have begun to better understand why I have always been sensitive to my emotional surroundings. Keeping that in mind, it might come to a shock to you that God has been keeping meposted in visiting. My job in visiting, as Custody Staff, is to enforce rules with Inmates and the visitors. On top of all that, during the visiting periods are a huge, volital mix of emotions. Just a few of them are anger over bad d3cisions, grief over damaged and destroyed relationships, grief over shattered dreams, anger over not being in contol of one's life, etc. The more people who are together, the greater the intensity of these feelings. Yesterday, I had three big groups to deal with, with one being an almost to compacity of the large room. By the end of the day, I felt like I was a 110 volt motor that had been plugged into a 220 volt outlet. Being "very exhausted"was a gross understatement. One might logically ask, why would a loving God put someone like me in an environment that was so draining?! I wrestle with that a lot.
God has given me a few glimpses here and there. Over the 7+ years that I havemworked at this particular prison, God hasnused me to greatimpact many lives there. Both staff and inmates. It doesn't always appear like I do. But, I doget glimpses at times. For example, as I was getting ready do do my searches on a group of Inmates before their visiting session, they were already grumbling about how long it would take. Then one Inmate said, "Hey, I know Underwood... He's cool..." That is all he said. Might not seem like much, but I felt a large amount of the building anger and frustration drop. They all chose to cooperate and, when another staff member arrived to help, things ran very smoothly.
Why did I share this story? Over the last 7+ years, I have had to live in utter dependence to God for strength and with guidance for doing my job. A lot that I do as Custody Staff does not come naturally as an INFJ. It has been a huge struggle on many ocassions. But, from time-to-time, God gives me glimpses of how He has touched lives through me. But, tnis is only because I prayerfylly choose to be God's instrument.
For us as a church, I see us at a crossroads. Will we focus on our physical needs of having our own church building now,; or, will we prayerfully seek to learn how to be The Church to our community? One is a road of easy decisions. One is a road of very difficult introspection and decisions. And, the worst th8ng of all, living uncomforably.
I do not know why God has me where I am at. Working at the prison has been a growing experience, but also a painful one. It is definitely not what I want and would have chose on my own. But, my desire to be obedient to God has beenthe reason why I have stayed so far. And, I believe that we, as a local church, is facing a similar kind of decision. We greatly need God's help in making the right decisions for doing His will. It is a great strugglento be obedient as an individual. The more people who gather to seek His Will, the more conflict and confusion can arise. Especially if each is seeking what makes them, as an individual, feel safe. But, since when has God called us to do things that make us feel safe? I think that Abraham, Moses, Dietrich Bohnhoffer, Frederich Douglas, Maartin Luther, Martin Luther King, Jr., etc., would argue that our comfort is not God's greatest concern.it is our obedience. Let us prayerfully contemplate that.
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