It's Up To You

A couple days ago, after surviving a grueling 60 minute work out known as "Core Class,"  Candi and I were talking about the fact that we wouldn't get as much out of the class if we were doing the class alone.  Knowing that Candi is around, plus the occassional "LET'S GO!" or "THIRTY MORE SECONDS... THIS IS WHERE YOU MAKE YOUR MONEY!" motivated me to not give up and to push just a little bit harder than my mind and body wants to.  Without my highly motivational wife and friends I would probably not even go to the class.  Anyone else with me?  In reality, we were really reflecting on the strength and determination that comes from knowing that we're not alone - the encouragement to push on despite the struggle and weariness - the vibrance which is almost gleaned from others as we drive toward a common goal.

And then I was immediately drawn to the parallel in our relationship with God and our mission between now and eternity.  I thought about how I would quit so soon or not even enter the gym without a partner, an encourager.  I thought about how desparately the individual members of the body of Christ need one another. 

So may this be of some encouragement to you.  Don't try to do something alone that God didn't intend for you to do alone.  I know the pain and frustration that people can cause within the church of God, but I also know that I cannot do anything about the past.  My choice is to draw closer to God in daily prayer, pouring those hurts out to Him, and to wait for God to act.  And while I wait I know that He has commanded me to push on in obedience (to everything else that He has already commanded me to do). 

If you've been walking as a lone wolf, seek the pack.  If you're keeping your distance because of anger or hurt, don't leave it at that!  Do you believe that extending forgiveness is far greater than bitterness or anger?  If today were the last day of your life, would you want to carry the weight of unforgiveness and condemning others to your grave?

Or if you think that being with the church is unnecessary and you can have a relationship with God without it, consider the following:

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another.  As I have loved you, that you also love one another.  By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."  John 13:34, 35.       It's tough to fulfill this command from Jesus by yourself.

"Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God.  But exort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin."  Hebrews 3:12, 13  Two for one deal - warning and an encouragement!  Nice.

"And [the new church] continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in prayers."  Acts 2:42

"so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another."  Romans 12:5  Without you, the body is missing some vital part; a solitary hand or foot laying around is just freakish.  It might have worked in the Adams family, but not in God's family.

"But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, ²⁵ that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. ²⁶ And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it."  1 Corinthians 12:24-26 And may this passage be an encouragement to those of us faithfully fellowshipping - show no favoritism; judge no one by their appearance; build no cliques; seek out those in the body of Christ with whom you feel you have no connection, because in truth you have more of a connection with them than any unsaved person.  The time you take to make the connection and the love that you show is just what others (and you!) are seeking.

I Would Quit Too

I read this story today and am pretty frustrated by it.  This is the latest in a continuing stream of ridiculous claims made by some Democrats.  In the athletic realm this stuff is called poor sportmanship.  From where I stand it looks like they lost a big game and are just hurling insults in desparation.  Hopefully the nation doesn't listen to or believe this junk.

Francis Chan – Crazy Love

For a couple of reasons, I normally shy away from books that seem to be all the rage in the Christian church scene.  Really it's probably just my old fashioned-ness avoiding new fangled contraptions and ideas.  One of the books that I veered away from was Crazy Love by Francis Chan - big mistake.  I ended up buying it for Candice a few months ago and she really enjoyed it.  It was challenging, she said.  After hearing some of the difficult topics that he addressed I was very interested.

I have to say this was one of the most refreshing books I’ve read in a while.  I took it in small bites and every day finished with a healthy dose of reality.  I’ve jotted down a few of the quotes that stood out to me the most.  I don't think there's much point to commenting on them much; he did an amazing job of being frank and poignant.

“This book is for those who want more of Jesus.  It is for those that are bored with what American Christianity offers.”  Pg 21 

“It is important that we not measure our spiritual health by the people around us, who are pretty much like us.” Pg. 22 

“We forget that God never had an identity crisis.  He knows that He’s great…” Pg. 22

The fact that we’re the only ones in the universe doesn’t show that the universe is an awfully big waste of space.  The purpose of such a big universe is to demonstrate an unfathomably great God.

“Isn’t it a comfort to worship a God we cannot exaggerate?” Pg. 31

“… we keep on questioning Him: “Why did You make me with this body, instead of that one?” “Why are so many people dying of starvation?” “Why are there so many planets with nothing living on them?” “Why is my family so messed up?”  “Why don’t You make Yourself more obvious to the people who need You?”
                “The answer to each of these questions is simply this: because He’s God. He has more of a right to ask us why so many people are starving.” Pg. 33

“I can pretty much guarantee you that your funeral will be nice.  They all are.  The fact is, at that point, you won’t care.  … When we face the holy God, “nice” isn’t what we will be concerned with, and it definitely isn’t what He will be thinking about.” Pg. 50

“The truth is [a lukewarm Christian’s life] wouldn’t look much different if they suddenly stopped believe in God.” Pg. 78

“When you read [the letter to the Laodicians in the book of Revelations], do you naturally conclude that to be “spit” out of Jesus’ mouth means you’re a part of His kingdom? When you read the words “wretched, pitiful, poor blind, and naked,” do you think that He’s describing saints?” Pg. 84

Francis uses several pages to provide a type of spiritual litmus test.  You might want to buckle up when you get to this part. 

“If one hundred people represented the world’s population, fifty-three of those would live on less than $2 a day.  Do you realize that if you make $4000 a month, you automatically make one hundred times more than the average person on this planet?... Which is more messed up – that we have so much compared to everyone else, or that we don’t think we’re rich? … The reality is that whether we acknowledge our wealth or not, being rich is a serious disadvantage spiritually.  As William Wilberforce once said, “Prosperity hardens the heart.”  Pg. 89-90. 

Ouch, Francis; that hurt.  I think your getting a little too personal there…

“Why do so few people genuinely find joy and pleasure in their relationship with God?  Why do most people feel they have to either pay God back for all He’s done (buy His love) or somehow keep making up for all their inadequacies and failures (prove their love)?”  102

“What are you doing right now that requires faith?”  Pg. 124  Uuuuhhhh.

“He calls us to trust Him so completely that we are unafraid to put ourselves in situations where we will be in trouble if He doesn’t come through.” Pg. 124

 “A person who is obsessed with Jesus is more concerned with his or her character than comfort.”  Pg. 146

At one point he references an amazing quote by Oswald Chambers: ‘Never make a principle out of your experience; let God be as original with other people as He is with you.’”

“We go to church to hear a well-developed sermon and a convicting thought.  We’ve trained ourselves to believe that if we’re convicted, our job is done.  If you’re just hearing the Word and not actually doing something with it, you’re deceiving yourself.”  Pg. 184

So far I’ve spoken with two others that have read this book and they’ve both had the same reaction: wow.  If you (dare to) pick it up I pray you have the same experience.

I'm Following This One

Being in the military I get to meet a lot of amazing people.  Of course, we only get a limited amount of time together, but, hey, I get a lot of friends on Facebook that way. 

Seriously, though.  Once Candi and I got (somewhat) used to the pain of moving away from our friends and family (or them moving from us first), we came to treasure the cornucopia of experiences and backgrounds that we're blessed to interact with and learn from. 

Some have come through the joy and stress of adopting a child (or multiple children).  Some have dealt with life threatening illnesses and diseases.  We've become close with people who are just starting out in their marriage and we have been able to be an encouragement to them about the realities of a biblical marriage.  We've met others who have lived a full life of sacrifice and love in their marriage and we've been encouraged by them. Some have been forced out of jobs because of their faith in Jesus Christ.  Others have been threatened with the same and after standing on their convictions, God was able to demonstrate that He's not a myth or delusion - but rather faithful and good - and that He cares for His children.

Each and every experience and person is so different yet they are all strung together by one cord - their faith in God through Jesus Christ.  And our faith has been strengthened all the while.  Truly the words of Hebrew 10:24-25 have been proven true to me: "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as is the matter of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the day approaching."

One of the most recent blessings to our lives is the McNeals.  You can read more about their experiences here.  I'm definitely following that site and I'm glad to be able to share their lives for two months or so.

I Think He Jams

This is a clip from one of my favorite artists, Ben Harper, performing on the Davis Letterman show.