At Present: Contemplative

Jessi and I try to make a point of reading through books of the bible together at night. We don't do it every night (which is weird...why don't we?) but we try to do it at least once a week. So, last night we decided to start Titus.
Titus was written by Paul as a message of encouragement to Titus, a fellow servant and follower of Christ. Titus was experiencing ongoing opposition from the ungodly and legalistic people within his congregations;  so Paul sent him some words of instruction, primarily relating to elders, qualifications of church overseers (deacons) and for the "older women" to live as examples for younger women to emulate.

The way we read through books of the bible is simple: 

• I read Ch.1...Jessi reads Ch.2...and we alternate until the book is over (which can take longer than one night...don't get all spiritual and try finish Isaiah in one night).
• After I read Ch.1, we discuss it. After Jessi reads Ch.2, we discuss it. Does it get awkward at times? yes. Is that ok? yes. You do not have to give a complete exegesis on how the original greek influenced the authors intent in regards to the message of the Gospel. What is the author saying? Where are you convicted? Where do the scriptures call you out? What challenged you? What are we doing well?, etc. This is a time to connect with each other. 
• Side note...not married? Do this with friends, roommates, your kids, your uncle (not the crazy one), your landlord, your brother/sister.

So...back to Titus:

I read this in Ch.1 V.7-9

"For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant, or quick tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it."

Jessi read this in Ch.2 V.3-5

"Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind and submissive to their husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled."

Here were our thoughts after discussing these two passages:

"What if we took this serious? What if for the first time EVER we took the bibles commands and instruction serious? What if I strived to be this kind of guy, and what if Jessi strived to be this kind of women?"

We thought about it more and came to the conclusion that we are not striving to be these people. We go to church, I preach, I teach, Jessi prays, we love Jesus and know that his blood has covered our sins...but we are not taking steps to be what the SCRIPTURES have called us to be. I do not want to strive towards what "christian culture" says men and women are to be...I want to strive towards what the SCRIPTURES say we are to be. 

So, at present we are contemplative. Soaking in this charge from scripture. Getting our minds filled with the Word and not with the world (Rom. 12:2). Being contemplative is a good place to be...it means that change is likely on the horizon...not change for the sake of change...but change for the sake of God and his glory. 

His Glory our joy

His Word our guide

His Grace our hope  

Fight On

Christianity in the Mud

Christianity in the mud is defined as: being busy, being active, making movement, but going nowhere.

While we know that this is not how Christianity is to be lived, or the Christianity we want to live...it is sadly the Christianity that we do live. It is the Christianity that leaves it's followers frustrated, and it is the Christianity that a lost world looks at and says, "yeah...thanks for the offer, I mean...I can see that it is working for you (sarcasm), but I am going to have to pass". Now, I am not saying that what you do or don't do is going to determine someones eternal destination (you are not powerful enough to control that), but I am saying that what you do or don't do, in regards to your Christian walk, is going to determine your joy. The Scriptures say that in His presence there is "fullness of joy" (Psalm 16:11). It does not say, being busy, being active or making movement brings joy. Joy alone is found in his presence.

John Piper touches on this in his book Desiring God, when he says "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him". So, how do we get there? Here is one way to maximize Gods glory (The Cake) and your joy (the icing).

Be in Gods will. Be where God wants you to be and no where else. When we are outside of his plan, it is we who miss out. God's plan is ultimately for His glory, but through him getting his glory, we get our joy. The fullness of joy that God offers is only found when you are found where he desires us to be. How do we do this?

"Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4

I used to think that this verse meant that if I gave God some lip service, did some duties for him, sang a few songs and helped a few old ladies across the street that he would give me what I desired. I quickly found out I was retarted and wrong. Here is what it means: When God is our hearts true desire and nothing else is sitting on the seat of "god" in our heart (money, toys, phones, popularity, friends, fun, good times, kids, safety, rebellion, pride, false humility, hatred, fear) then He wll begin to put desires on your heart. When we (personally) are satisfied in him, he is glorified in us...because he is getting out of our lives what he desired. He is getting his will done in your life...and that brings him glory and us joy. But please remember that his glory is ultimate...it is the cake...our joy is secondary...the icing...it just makes it that much better. We do not serve a God who is completely selfish, demanding from us and giving nothing in return. Rather, he is completely good. Who do you know that can get glory for themselves and joy for you in the same action? The answer to this question will be left blank unless God is your answer.

Francis Chan wrote a book titled Forgotten God "Reversing Our Tragic Neglect Of The Holy Spirit". I would have to agree with the subtitle. I know that I definitely grew up with a lacking understanding of the Holy Spirit; all I knew was that he lived in my heart. I have lived most of my life under the illusion of the "Little Engine that Could". I always thought that I could do it. When the going got tough...I would try harder. I would muster up the strength and give it my best shot...it sounds good and noble...but it wasn't. I always believed "I could do it!"...but doesn't the heart of the gospel say "nope...quit trying...you can't do it"? Now, I am not saying don't try...but I am saying, don't try alone.

"I am sending the promise of my father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with the power on high." Luke 24:49
"Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, the Helper will not come to you. But, if I go, I will send him to you." John 16:7

So, all you "Christians in the mud"...it is time to get out. For the sake of your joy, get out and get into His plan. Delight yourself in Him, give Him glory and thus get your Joy. You have "power from on high" and a "helper"...don't let your pride keep you from calling out.


Fight On

Remember Lot

  I heard a sermon yesterday by Austin Stone's Halim Suh. The essence of the sermon was that we can be like Lot, a lot. You see, Lot was a believer (2 Peter 2), but he loved the world too. He had not fully given into the whole "Christianity" thing. He was saved by grace, atoned for and free, but he was still slave to the world. He still found the world to be fulfilling, and had yet to take his walk serious...sounds familiar huh? Lot knew that God was hot with fury towards Sodom, but he "lingered" when told to leave. He could not give up the world in order to follow God.This story is found in Genesis 19.
  In his sermon Halim referenced an article by J.C. Ryle in which Ryle focused on Genesis 19:16, where it says Lot "Lingered" or "Hesitated". I found the article Halim referenced and was met with a feeling of great encouragement as well as great conviction once I finished reading it.
  On a side note: I really love how old pastors talk and write. Ryle died in 1900 and you can see how words back then were used in beautiful ways. There seemed to never be a wasted word, or an out of place sentence. Writing was so much purer back then and people seemed to be more in touch with themselves as well as the Holy Spirit. I have a hard time seeing the Luther's, Spurgeon's and Ryle's of history spending their time on much else than studying, preaching, loving their families and living out what the scriptures demanded of them. It appears that they had a much different focus than I do on life.
  Basically, I think we have a lot we to learn from them. They were committed to nothing else but the cause of Christ and were not caught up in the fleeting pleasures of the world.

Below are some excerpts from the article that hit me hard:

"I say that there are many Christian men and Christian women in this day very like Lot. They believe in heaven, and yet seem faintly to long for it;—and in hell, and yet seem little to fear it. They love the Lord Jesus; but the work they do for Him is small. They hate the devil; but they often appear to tempt him to come to them. They know the time is short; but they live as if it were long, They know they have a battle to fight; yet a man might think they were at peace. They know they have a race to run; yet they often look like people sitting still. They know the Judge is at the door, and there is wrath to come; and yet they appear half asleep. Astonishing they should be what they are, and yet be nothing more!"

"There are many real children of God who appear to know far more than they live up to, and see far more than they practise, and yet continue in this state for many years. Wonderful that they go as far as they do, and yet go no further! They hold the Head, even Christ, and love the truth. They like sound preaching, and assent to every article of Gospel doctrine, when they hear it. But still there is an indescribable something which is not satisfactory about them. They are constantly doing things which disappoint the expectations of their ministers, and of more advanced Christian friends. Marvellous that they should think as they do, and yet stand still!"

 "They spend their lives in trying to make the gate more wide, and the cross more light. But they never succeed."

"These are they who are always trying to keep in with the world. They are ingenious in discovering reasons for not separating decidedly, and in framing plausible excuses for attending questionable amusements, and keeping up questionable friendships. One day you are told of their attending a Bible reading: the next day perhaps you hear of their going to a ball. They are constantly labouring to persuade themselves that to mix a little with worldly people on their own ground does good. Yet in their case it is very clear they do no good, and only get harm."

"Ah, reader, if you are a lingering soul, you are not happy! You know you are not. It would be strange indeed if you were so. Lingering is the sure destruction of a happy Christianity. A lingerer’s conscience forbids him to enjoy inward peace."

Fight On

My Phone Story

I found this picture the other day and thought it was sadly, all to real. 

It all started when Jessi and I were at a Texas Stars Hockey game last season and we decided to go to the concession stand to get some dinner. Being the suave, whimsical, extravagant man that I am, I told Jessi to pick out something nice from the concession stand, seeing how we were on a date and all. She remarked with a sarcastic "WOW, this sure is a romantic date...I can pick out anything?" I replied with a yes and we proceeded to order and then make our way back to our seats. 3 minutes into our return I had my iPhone out, checking some "VITALLY IMPORTANT, LIFE THREATENING, NOW OR NEVER INFORMATION" on Facebook, when Jessi leaned over and said in her "sweet but I am not joking voice", "I thought we were on a date?". I was caught. I was found out. I had tried to pull a quick "keep the phone by your thigh look", but to no success. I said something dumb like, "whoops" or "almost done"...I was unaware that the proper response was to put that bad boy up and NOT take it our for the rest of the night. 

Jessi is an amazing wife. She knows me and is all too aware of my addictive personality. So, she never said anything about it for the rest of the night. Because, after all, this was not the first time I had been on my phone when I shouldn't have been. 

• Driving
• At lunch with friends
• Eating dinner at home
• In the bathroom (that is just gross, but true)
• Talking to my boss
• Talking to my mother-in-law
• Hanging out with kids I work with
• At the red light
• At the green light
• At the yellow light
• Training at work as a presenter is talking
• Church as the pastor is talking
• Church as the worship band is playing
• Church as announcements are going on
• At a funeral (yes, true)
• At a wedding (not as offensive as a funeral)

I did a lot of thinking that night after we got back from the hockey game. I told Jessi that I was sorry and that I really had no good reason to be on my phone. She asked me what was so intriguing about being on my phone and honestly I could not say anything better than "it is something to do". Which when told to someone you are hanging out with comes across "you are boring and my phone is more interesting that you cause you, my sir or madam, are LAME".

I told Jessi that when I woke up in the morning I was going to sell my iPhone on craigslist and get a regular "call & text" phone...and to my shock and hers, I actually did it. 

This is not necessary a "spiritual" post, just something to chew on and think about. 

Don't be lame like me and have an affair with your phone.

Fight On

Theology 101: What is Man?

After God created the plants and animals on the earth, he had one more thing to create, the pinnacle of his creation:

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” Genesis 1:27-28

God did not create us because he was lacking or needing anything. He wasn’t lonely, nor did he need someone or something to bring him praise or to give him glory. Rather, he chose to create us, which was for his glory. In Isaiah 43:7, God says, “Everyone who is called by my name…I created for my glory.”

This fact is supposed to give our lives significance and meaning, but if it is misunderstood it seems empty and meaningless. To give God glory means to give him great honor and praise, which can do that in various ways.

Created for Gods Glory

Jesus said in John 10:10, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

An abundant life is a life that gives God glory. Because we were created for God’s glory, our ultimate goal in life should be to live for his glory. Giving God glory with our lives will give our lives purpose and meaning; it will give us the joy in our life that we all long for.

Nothing will satisfy the soul like living for the praise of God. Money is fleeting, fame ends, recognition cease’s, popularity stops, jobs come to a close, cars rust, homes fall apart, technology becomes obsolete, fashion’s come and go, but God is everlasting. His promises are true. Living for his glory never comes to a close, becomes obsolete or falls apart. It is what every person is longing to do.

Jesus says in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

“In his presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11).

Living in God’s presence, for his glory, is the only way to have fullness of joy, rest and life in all of its abundance. The ultimate life is lived for God.

Created in God’s Image

If all the bible told us about ourselves is that we were created for God’s glory it wouldn’t really distinguish us much from the rest of creation. Part of our uniqueness, however, comes from the fact that we are the only part of God’s creation made “in the image of God.” Genesis 1:27

But, because of sin, God’s image in us is distorted. His image is not seen as clearly as it once was. Sin distorts our moral judgment, clouds our thinking, and hinders our fellowship with others. Although the bible is clear that man is still “made in the likeness of God” (James 3:9), that likeness, defiled by sin, doesn’t look like it is supposed to.

The Good News

God’s image is being restored! God redeems (rescues) his children through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus so that we can be “conformed to the image of his son” (Romans 8:29), who is the “image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15).

God became a man, the man Jesus, who came on a rescue mission to save his lost sons and daughters. The sinful man can now be the restored man! Jesus bore mans sins on the cross. He substituted himself in mans place. Mans sin deserved a punishment. Jesus took mans punishment. Jesus took your place.

Our response is to put our faith in Jesus, and to live for his glory.

The Son of God became a man, so that man could become the son’s of God.

The perfect man, Jesus, became sin, so that the sinful man could become perfect.

Jesus took mans place, so that man could take Jesus’ place.

Jesus entered earth, so man could enter heaven.

Responsibilities as Creatures in God’s Image

Christians are to be God’s representatives on the earth. Much like a king places images (through statues and pictures) of himself around his kingdom, so God, through us, has placed images of himself across his world.

As God’s image bearers we have the awesome responsibility to help restore his people to the way they were meant to be. We get to walk alongside the king who is “making all things new” (Revelation 21:5).

Therefore, we have great hope and respect for all people, regardless of their state. They have the potential to return to the beauty of Jesus Christ, the “image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15), by turning away from their sin and turning to their Creator.

As we joyfully work towards this goal, we give God the glory we were created to bring him.

Bad News

Although many churches are worried about offending people by sharing the gospel, less than 1% of the population complained that Christians are too aggressive in their evangelistic efforts. (Barna Group www.barna.org)

“All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20

The Great commission is surrounded by two great truths. 1.) All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. 2.) I am with you always. Jesus (in my opinion) has set this thing up extremely well. He has the authority needed to change hearts and he is with you. Let me say it again, HE IS WITH YOU. The God who spoke the world into being is with you. The scriptures say “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” And we usually stop there with Hebrews 13:5, but in Hebrews 13:6 we read this, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”  It appears that nothing should stop us in sharing the gospel. Jesus has all the authority, he is with us, he is not going to leave us and he is our helper. But, we still do not share.

Maybe you are afraid of sharing, "Do not be afraid...for the Lord will be your confidence" (Prov. 3:25-26). 

Maybe you are afraid to speak up, "do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour" (Matt. 10:19)

Maybe you have forgotten what the gospel did for you, "You have forgotten the love you had at first" (Rev. 2:4). 

Maybe the consequences are too much, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain" (Phil. 1:21).

We are told to GO and to MAKE DISCIPLES, not to save. God is the one who saves, "it is the Spirit who gives life, the flesh is no help at all" (John 6:63).

The Barna quote mentioned at the beginning of this post needs to change. The best news in the world is not too aggressive? Crappy news about Snooki and Brett Favre  is spreading like wild fire, but the God who came on a rescue mission for the lost and dying is being kept a secret? Following Jesus is personal, but not private. Salvation and Discipleship happen with others in the public square. Get to stepping and get to talking. God is all around this thing, even our fears.

Fight On