Category: Religion

  • This Vapor We Call Life

    Today, I attended the memorial service of a guy I graduated high-school with. While we were never all that close in school or after it, I still felt compelled to pay my respects. It was not that the man was unlikable that I was never close to him, but that we ran in different circles in high school. Such is the reality of public high school society; you identify people with their cliques and not with their attributes. After school, I didn’t keep contact with many. It saddens me a bit to realize I’ve failed to stay in touch with any of the people I went to school with.

    Since his death, I’ve been reflecting a lot on my life; something that the death of those around me seems to always bring on. As when Jack died last year, I felt almost a sense of shame at the memorial. Both men have left a large impact on a great many people, and a great many people came to remember both. I fear that the same would not be said of me if I were to die today. Who could say the world lost anything in my passing? What mark would I leave? I’m afraid either list would be short.

    For a brief moment; I felt as though such thoughts were selfish, but soon I realized God is using this shame to spur me on and take me out of this malaise I’ve been mired in for too long. Satan would be thrilled if I hold on to that feeling of selfishness and avert from doing anything of worth. I must be on guard, however, to not venture too far the other direction. It is possible to become prideful and boastful in one’s good works. No, any good works I do must be properly attributed to God’s work in me and through me. For I well know that it is only by his providence, guidance, and power that I am even where I am today.

    I feel stirred to try and get into flight school again and finish what I started so many years ago. I should have finished five years ago, and be well on my way into my career. I could be doing something with my life, and doing something I love and enjoy. Mike is unable to finish his dream, so I feel I should finish mine in his honor.

    I also feel shame that while his faith was growing, mine was waning. He was gaining strength from the Lord, and I was seeking strength in myself. I need to seek after the Lord again. I need to take hold of Him again. God used Mike in these short few months of his remaining life and it’s inspiring. It was clear at the memorial that he has already inspired several people. I pray that the testimony of his life reaches others yet.

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  • Being the Body of Christ

    I was sitting at a red light downtown last night when I was struck with a thought. It was sparked by seeing a homeless woman holding a sign that read, “Anything helps”. As I sat there, I tried to avoid eye contact as I felt pity on her and knew I had no cash on me to offer — other than $35 in Canadian currency, which is of little use in Spokane. Driving away, the thought struck me; never in the Gospels is there mention of Jesus handing out money to the homeless. While it doesn’t expressly imply that he never assisted those in need with financial assistance, I believe it gives a stronger implication about how best to help those in need, one that is starting to take root.

    Jesus came into contact with many who were homeless beggars throughout his earthly ministry, but his actions were markedly different from what his followers do today. It is easy and simple to hand out financial assistance, but it really doesn’t alleviate their condition. Yet it is exactly this method we, as Christians, often take. “Here’s five bucks. It’s all I can spare, but I hope it helps.” Five dollars can get you a few meals if you have means to cook. I can buy several cans of Campbell’s Soup on five dollars, but then I’m back to wondering how I’ll afford to buy more when the money runs out. Have you really addressed their need?

    When Jesus came into contact with the man born lame, he did not just drop a few coins at his feet and say, “Here. Get something to eat.” Jesus addressed his real need, both physical and spiritual. He first says, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven,” (Matt. 9:2) then he addresses his physical need and commands him to get up and walk.

    The people we encounter in our own daily lives may not be born lame, but their needs are no less requiring a long-term fix. The homeless are not in need of a simple hand out. They are in need of sustainable income. Granted, there are those that are homeless by choice and have made panhandling a vocation (and scripture addresses this as well); the majority do not want to be in their current circumstance. Are we willing to take the time to truly address their need. Are we willing to develop meaningful relationships with those in need? Are we willing to support and encourage these individuals until they are able to “stand on their own two feet” or do we leave them lying in their situation? If in the same circumstance, what would you be longing for most? A temporary handout or someone who helped you find long-term employment and a way off the street? Perhaps we should follow in Jesus’ footsteps and reach them, get to know them. Then, we can truly be the Body of Christ and let Jesus continue to heal the lost and broken.

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  • God’s Plan

    Tonight at College Life, Brad Williams spoke on the life of Nehemiah as it pertains to us. Nehemiah was grieved by the news from Jerusalem during the exile, and over time came to a position to do something about it. God laid a desire in his heart and then presented the opportunity to speak with King Ataraxeses, who bewilderingly granted him the ability to rebuild his homeland.

    Brad challenged us to look at the things that tug at our hearts when we see or hear them and they make us say, “Something needs to be done!” I’ve had those moments and they always involved women in crisis — be it spousal abuse, sex slavery, deep depression, or victims of sexual crimes — yet I have always written it of heretofore. I know there might be a calling in it, but I’ve made my list of excuses.

    I tell myself it’s something better suited to other women to handle or that being a guy I just wouldn’t have anything they could identify with. While there might be some truth to it, I also realize that many of these women have lost trust in men due to the men who violated them; having at least one godly man in their lives might help them heal that wound.

    How does one enter into that sort of calling though? Who do I approach and talk with about it? For that matter, is it really a God-calling or just a strong reaction to a terrible injustice? As Brad said tonight, Nehemiah’s calling took a while from the initial desire to the point he was given the opportunity. I guess I just need to wait for that opportunity to present itself if it really is God’s desire.

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  • The Ghosts and the Spirits

    Over the weekend, I read C. S. Lewis’ The Great Divorce. An interesting read, it forced me to examine my life in only the matter of a few hours. The subject matter of the book and the concepts evoked in the story further stirred things up in me that have been stirring in recent months. God is at work in it, though I do not pretend to know what the end results will be. As of now, I feel that I am one of the Ghosts rather than the Spirits. It is the latter I wish to be, rather than the retched creature of the former.

    The Ghosts of Hell are marked predominately with a self-righteousness that clouds them from all reason and keeps them in a miserable prison of their own making. At first, I felt sorry for them in their state, then soon came to see that they were in their state by their own choice. They couldn’t see past themselves to see what lay beyond. It was soon that I realized I fell in with their company. My dreams, desires, and ambitions combined with the failure of all of them have left me rather cynical and starting down a path toward bitterness. I shudder at the though of what I will become if I follow it to it’s end. Now I see that I must back-track until I find the true path that God has created for me, a path that leads to Joy and to Him. Or else, I shall surely imprison myself in a cell of my own building.

    However, I’m unsure where to even start. How does one let go of intangible things? While frail as pottery, I only wish they were as easily thrown out. I seem content to hold onto the shards and seek to somehow piece them back together, but I have only cut my hands on them. Tossing out physical pottery would be far easier. Perhaps it is because these figurative pots once contained happiness that I cling to their shards so. A vain hope that they can be made to hold happiness again. I struggle to let God be my joy, but I rebel far too often, again turning to my precious pottery. The desires are strong and surely of God, but as mentioned in The Great Divorce, they’ve been perverted from their real forms.

    Taking the advice of Chuck Swindoll in Intamacy with the Almighty, I believe the first step is simplicity. I need to clean my home, change my priorities, reevaluate how I spend my time, how I spend my money, and come to a point I fear nothing more than God and love nothing more than God. Nothing less, or else I will surely perish with the Ghosts.

    Yet, still, I’m haunted by the dream I had years ago. I wish I knew of an interpreter of dreams, but the interpretation in my own heart is that it tells of a future fall from grace. Whether or not it is prophetic or cautionary, I wish I knew. I hope it is only a warning of where I could be headed and not of where I’m headed.

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  • Thanksgiving

    As I listened to Paster Joe’s sermon last night, I found myself a little struck — “soul punched” as Josh Schiel would say. Lately, I’ve been so frazzled and feeling worn down by events happening around me beyond my control, that I haven’t taken the time to thank God for all He’s given me. It’s easy to get wrapped up, and focused on what’s going wrong and forget everything that’s going right.

    It also doesn’t help that I’ve been putting God on the back burner more and more. I have no excuse for it. I have plenty of time to give God, but seem to spend it on myself. Seems to always be the way, especially when I’m stressed. I tend to retreat into my video games. They seem to allow me vent out my frustrations, or give me a task to focus on and let me cool down. The trouble is that, when I turn them off, I’m back to thinking about everything that frustrates me and I’m no better off than when I started.

    Pastor Joe had us do an exercise last night that I may try to do on a weekly basis — take a moment to sit and write down all the things I thank God for. There were quite a few. Despite being in the shop right now, I even thank God for my car. The exercise reminded me of something G.K. Chesterson said, “When we were children we were grateful to those who filled our stockings at Christmas time. Why are we not grateful to God for filling our stockings with legs?

    Gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.

    You say grace before meals. All right. But I say grace before the concert and the opera, and grace before the play and pantomime, and grace before I open a book, and grace before sketching, painting, swimming, fencing, boxing, walking, playing, dancing and grace before I dip the pen in the ink.”

    How differrent my life would be if I were to live that way. I imagine in the least, it would go a long way towards delaying a heart attack from chronic high blood pressure.

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  • An Imperfect Analogy

    I actually sat thinking about a a pair of phrases that have long bothered me. They bother me because I feel they both are poor theology, or at least do not reflect my experience or the experience of anyone I know. “God is my co-pilot” and “If God is your co-pilot, change seats”, neither phrase sits well with me. Both phrases were likely coined by non-pilots who have an idealized and, frankly, misunderstanding of how aviation works. However, the latter phrase I feel is fallacious.

    As a human with free will, I am the pilot. That is something that God never takes away from anyone. Even as follower of Christ, I still make choices daily and could choose to turn away at any time if I so wished. No where in scripture have I read that God will take over your body and mind and do everything for you. It is wishful thinking at best, though I do not know that I’d wish to follow such a God anyway. The concept of becoming a spiritual zombie not in control of my own body and mind rather disturbs me. All of scripture calls on you to make the decisions, you pick up your cross daily, you deny yourself daily. God does not make your decisions, God does not pick up your cross daily, God does not deny yourself daily. Only you can do that, that is the way God intended it. It takes faith to follow Him daily and active submission out of love. For God to be the pilot, it would require no faith or love toward Him on your behalf. For God to become the pilot would require no faith, you would sit back as an outside observer as God does it all for you.

    The former phrase is also poor as a co-pilot’s job is relegated to doing minor tasks (or really any task the pilot cannot safely devote time to without distracting himself from his other responsibilities) and being there should the pilot be unable to perform his duties. He is also under the pilot’s thumb, though it is his responsibility to take control should the pilot put the plane in jeopardy. This is not God. God is not under your control. You cannot order Him into action, you cannot tell Him what to do. He is not there for the completion of tasks you have no time for yourself. He will not take control of you should you put yourself in jeopardy. Oh, He may bring a miracle about to rescue you, but He will never take over your body and mind then force you to make an action against your own will.

    If you must use an aviation metaphor to describe the Christians relationship with God, then “God is my Air Traffic Controller” fits much better. When I am flying in low visibility (less than 3 miles), cruising at 106 knots (roughly 122 miles per hour), I am required to be in constant contact with air traffic control, and for good reason. They can see what I cannot. They — like God — know where I am at right now and where I need to go. After all, they have a strip of paper that tells them my origin, destination, planned route of flight and altitude, as well as my aircraft and equipment on board. They also have their radar, which is telling them my altitude and position at all times. In these situations, when I cannot see anything around me, these voices in my ear are the ones I put my faith in to safely get me where I need to be. They tell me to turn, I turn. They tell me to climb, I climb. I let them know my intentions. They let me know if it’s possible or not. Choosing to ignore them and go my own way, flying blind, I likely will find myself slammed into a mountain somewhere. I’d be extremely lucky to do everything right on my own and make it to my destination, but more than likely, I’d end up at the wrong airport. Either way, I’d have to answer to the FAA for my willful disobedience to ATC guidance.

    How much like our God is this relationship. It’s not a perfect metaphor, but it is the closer of the two. I do not plan my route. God has already chosen my plan. He guides and directs me. He leads and I follow. He tells me to do this or that, go here or there, and I obey. I put my faith in Him that I will end up where I belong. I hope you do to. If you haven’t already, take that step into faith. Much like flying in the clouds, it’s a thrilling adventure waiting to be experienced.

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  • A new movie has claimed the title of “John’s All-Time Favorite Romance”

    Yes, you read that right. I’m not ashamed to admit that I’m a hopeless romantic — some days I feel I lean more heavily on the hopeless than the romantic — and I watch romances on the rare occasion, Rare because I don’t like watching movies that stir up desires in my heart and leave me feeling discontent.

    My favorite used to be “The Princess Bride”, which I have learned is also the favorite of many other men, possibly because there is adventure tied in there with all the things a man long to do: be the hero, save the day, and win the heart of the damsel in distress. Much like Christ did for his Bride, the Church. He put his life on the line to win her heart, and like wise, so we men were patterned the same.

    “The Princess Bride” is nigh over twenty years now and I suppose it was high time that a new romantic adventure movie came out that is of the same caliber. It still holds a place in my heart, but a movie that was released this fall that I hadn’t even heard any hype about despite a few of the high profile cast in it. Robert De Niro , Michelle Pfeiffer, Ian McKellen (Gandolf the Grey from “Lord of the Rings”), and Claire Danes. All give good performances. This movie is called “Stardust”.

    I suppose, for me, what most makes it take the crown from “The Princess Bride” is that the protagonist is an anti-hero. In “Princess Bride”, Westley (Cary Elwes) starts out knowing he loves Buttercup (Robin Wright Penn), and that Buttercup loves him, and his goal is to get her back. Other than the scene showing him as a farm hand, the rest of the movie assumes he’s going to rise to the challenge as he’s already made a name for himself as the Dread Pirate Roberts. In “Stardust”, Tristan Thorn (Charlie Cox) is trying to win the heart of a local girl, Victoria (Sienna Miller), in his mid-19th Century town in England, known as Wall for it is situated on the edge of a wall which is fabled to guard against another realm beyond the gap in it. However, Tristan’s love is unrequited. Victoria looks forward to being betrothed to the more popular Humphrey who — as rumors fly — is preparing to journey all the way to Ipswich for an engagement ring. The same night she tells Tristan this, they see a star fall beyond the wall and Tristan asks if she would marry him if he could fetch the star. So, he sets out on the journey beyond the wall and into the magical realm of Stormhold without a clue of what lies beyond.

    I find Tristan to be more endearing a character than Westley. While Westley is daring, brave, and dashing; Tristan is shy, bungling, and naive. Tristan is me, the anti-hero. I would go further, but I don’t want to spoil the movie any more than I already have, so you will just have to watch it yourselves and see what it’s like.

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  • When God Moves, It’s Amazing

    For those of you who don’t know, I evangelize every other Tuesday. We wander about the STA Bus Plaza downtown and share the gospel with all who are willing to hear. In warmer months, we sometimes head to River Front Park. And as our team grows, we may have groups at both places as well as branching out into other parts of Downtown.

    We also do prayer and healing for those who want prayer and or healing. I’ve seen some strange things down there that just make you say, “Yea God!”, from the drunk man who instantly sobered the moment we laid hands on him as we spoke the Gospel Message, to the man who broke down crying when we told him what Jesus had done for him.

    Yesterday was my first time I actually took to speaking more than a few sentences, which put me out of my comfort zone, but I soon got comfortable. We talked with a few people.
    One told us that he was dating a Christian girl and went to church with her, but he didn’t really believe in it. He has a few hang ups which I tried to answer, but I don’t know if he accepted the words I had to say. He eventually had to catch his bus, but I hope that my words will have some effect.

    We never know what part we may play in someone’s decision to come to Christ. I know there were several in my journey, each delivering a piece of the puzzle, until I finally came to see enough of it to want to seek the last piece, and that was Jesus. From Pastor Wymer, to a youth pastor named Nate, select friends, family, a mormon girl (strangely enough), and finally Pastor Joe Wittwer of Life Center. All have had a hand in my journey, and I have no doubt that God tossed them in my path to reach me. That’s a blessing in itself and a testament to God’s love. If it was me, I make maybe one or two tries to get someone’s attention then give up and move on. Aren’t you glad God’s not like me? That He’ll keep trying until it’s clear that there is absolutely nothing further He can do to persuade you?

    This is why I am driven to go evangelize, so that God can use me as His instrument and advance his Kingdom. I’d do it more often if I had the opportunity, but I’d need at least another person to go with me.

    Yesterday I also talked with a man by the name of Leshai (I’m guessing on the spelling, sounds like leh-SHY). He’s a man on fire for God and is a teacher at his church, though I can’t even remember the name of it. He has an interesting testimony, and had a near-death experience quite a few years ago. I might have to check out his church sometime just to see what it’s like. It sounds impressive, but I do know Life Center is where I need to be.

    If you guys ever want to come join us, feel free to contact me and ask. We’re always accepting more to our group. The more people we have down their, the more people God can touch through us.

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  • Perhaps Afghanistan Will, For Once, See a True Martyr

    I don’t know how many of you have been following it, but there is a man in Afghanistan who is on trial for his faith. He converted to Christ 16 years ago. Abdul Rahman is on trial in Afghanistan for rejecting Islam, a crime that carries a death sentence by their law. He was told that if he denounced Christ and returned to Islam, the charges would be dropped and he refused. Now they are seeking to show him as mentally ill so as not to be required to execute him. All the while, Muslim clerics demand his death for what they see as a grievous attack on Islam by Satan.

    I personally admire the man’s faith. I hope to be as courageous in the face of persecution as he. If executed, he will be a true martyr. Webster’s definition of a martyr is:
    a person who voluntarily suffers death as the penalty of witnessing to and refusing to renounce a religion.

    In fact, it originates from the Greek word μάρτυς (martys) and means “witness, testimony”. It also came to refer to a man killed for his testimony. Now it seems to be used for anyone who dies for a cause. To me a true martyr is the former, person who is killed for what he believes. A man who straps bombs to himself to kill many innocents while taking himself with them is not a martyr.

    There are those that I’ve talked with who don’t understand why he doesn’t just deny Christ and go back to Islam to save his live. Some of these people profess to be Christians and this greatly disturbs me as it shows a lack of knowledge of what it is to be Christian.

    When we all became born-again, we accepted Christ as our Lord and Savior. To denounce Him is essentially to lose our salvation. For further evidence of this, refer to Matthew 10:32-33:

    “‘32 Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.’” – Matthew 10:32-33 NIV

    This same passage has been floating around various chain messages in MySpace and Yahoo — although not reposting it, and spamming your friends with it, is not to disown him in my understanding of scripture. But that is another discussion for another time. — This passage explains why the Christian cannot simply deny his faith to save his skin.

    Some may argue, “Well I’d commit this sin then ask forgiveness later.” Yet another attitude I’ve seen in more self-professing Christians around me these days. There is also a fallacy in this. While it is true that Jesus does forgive us, that is no excuse to intentionally sin. The Apostle Paul, in my opinion, put it the best in Romans chapter 6. In fact, this theme is all through Romans.

    “1What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?” – Romans 6:1-2 NIV

    We are also told that we are “not promised tomorrow” numerous times in the Bible. We are told to keep short accounts for this reason.

    This also leads to another problem; loving the world. The only reason to deny Christ to save your skin would be live another day in this world. Heaven awaits me, a place far more beautiful and better than this world if I should be killed anyway.

    It is also taking things in your own hands and especially telling God that you don’t trust him. If God wants him to live, I guarantee that Abdul Rahman will live. God will do something here if He wants to save him, rest assured. It may not be some obvious miracle such as breaking the cell open like He did for Paul and Silas; it may be as simple as touching a heart or two to sway them into releasing him.

    No matter what the outcome, live or die, this man will be able to stand before Jesus on Judgment Day and be able to say, “I stood up for you, Jesus!” All we can do for him at this point is pray for him. And remember in your lives what GK Chesterson once said, “Jesus promised his disciples three things. They would be absurdly happy, absolutely fearless, and in constant trouble.”

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  • “Yeah God!” Moments

    As a few of you know, I do street witnessing and evangelism every other week at the STA Bus Plaza downtown. Tonight I saw the full gambit. From those that were accepting, to those that waved us off (not always with all 5 fingers), to those that felt it fitting to mock us. All in all it was a good night however. I saw plenty of what Pastor Joe would call “Yeah God!” moments. Ever watch a man who is skeptical suddenly break down into tears after praying for them and crossing the line of faith? There’s a “Yeah God!” moment. Ever watch demons cast off of a person? Seeing the light return to their eyes, the smiles returning to their faces, their posture straightening, their inner glow returning? There’s a “Yeah God!” moment. We prayed with a man that wanted to pray but couldn’t due to the demons that bound him. We talk with a skeptic who had many questions needing answers and, tonight, God was made real to him. Someday I hope each an everyone of you gets to witness a “Yeah God!” moment. The impact it has on your life, let alone the life of the person it happens to, is immense.

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