"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."
John 3:16-17
On Friday evening, Clarke and I decided to check out First Friday, a monthly event in the downtown Phoenix arts district where hundreds of businesses - restaurants, galleries, bars, and other retailers - stay open throughout the evening to attract people who might otherwise never visit them. In addition, there are numerous food trucks, street entertainers, and a myriad of vendors (we bought some local raw honey). And then there were the street "evangelists".
Ah yes, the street evangelists. They were everywhere, trying to capitalize on the throngs of people meandering their way up and down the streets and through the various venues. Bullhorns and karaoke boxes abounded, and almost without exception, the messages being screamed at the crowds were unsettling, even for those of us who follow Jesus.
Maybe unsettling isn't the right word. More like embarrassing. These supposedly well-meaning souls were turning the gospel of Christ into a circus. But not the fun kind, like the ones we used to look forward to attending when we were kids. This was the kind of circus that has the scary clowns that give you nightmares. Seriously, over and over we heard variations of a message that sounded something like this:
"You're all sinners. Unless you repent, you're going to hell. If you don't have a relationship with Jesus, you're not okay. You're lost and doomed. The wages of sin is death. The end is near."
Not once did we hear about the love of God, who sent Jesus to redeem us and give us eternal life. There was nothing attractive about these shrill messages. They were full of fear and condemnation. Apparently these folks seem to have missed the part of the Nicodemus discourse (John 3) where we're told that Jesus didn't come into the world to condemn us.
I understand that there is a brand of "evangelism" that supports what these street preachers were doing, but it has never been proven effective. Sure, some people may fall under conviction out of fear or guilt, but they usually walk away from the faith just as quickly because they were drawn to it for all the wrong reasons.
Not once in the gospels or the rest of the New Testament do we find any examples of people being bullied and berated into following Jesus. The message of Christ has always been one of attraction, not fear and compulsion. Jesus and his disciples loved people into the kingdom by building personal relationships with them, not screaming at them on the street corners.
In the Old Testament, the standard practice of the prophets was to stand on the street corners and shout out their warnings to the people. With the exception of Jonah, this never proved effective. The people ignored these preachers and scoffed at them. Most of them were viewed as crazy or fanatics, and most of them were martyred as a result. You would think Christians thousands of years later would get a clue and see that this was not an effective way to spread God's message to the lost.
It has been demonstrated over and over that the best way to reach people for Christ is to meet them where they are, understand where they are on their spiritual journey (and everyone is on some spiritual journey, whether they know it or not), and then gently show them that life with Jesus is desirable. Salvation was never meant to be fire insurance, but rather the access point to a life of grace, peace and joy, where we can have full fellowship with our Creator.
The gospel (literally "good news") has always been about invitation. If you are going to throw a party, you wouldn't think of standing outside the nearest 7-11 and yell at everyone who passes by "Hey you, ugly person! Come to my party or else bad things will happen to you!" I imagine people would think you've lost your mind. You might provide some entertainment with your antics, but I'm pretty sure you won't have to worry about running out of chips and dip at your party.
Why would anyone think that inviting people to Christ in such a manner would be well-received? Jesus told us to not be stumbling blocks for those who are trying to find their way into the kingdom (Matthew 18:6-7). I fear that most of these preachers were being stumbling blocks to the people that heard them screaming these messages of fear and condemnation. I could see the looks on the faces of people as they walked by, snickering or rolling their eyes. Clarke and I cringed every time we heard one of them, knowing the damage they were doing to the gospel message.
I suppose that if Jesus was to show up at the next First Friday event, He would shout something more like this:
"Hey, beautiful person. I love you and want to fill your life with wonderful blessings. If you are willing to be my friend, great things will happen to you and you will have an amazing spiritual journey. Come along, there's always room for one more in my Father's family."
Have a blessed week!
Pastor David
Sunday, March 6, 2016
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
Advent 2015 - Love
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16
The fourth Sunday of Advent is all about love. It is fitting that the Advent season culminates in love as we head into the final stretch before Christmas day. The incarnation of Jesus is all about love. Love was the motivating factor for God to send Jesus to earth to become the savior of all who would believe in Him.
If all we get out of Advent are the Hope, Peace and Joy from the first three Sundays, and miss out on Love, we've missed the point of this annual observance. Hope, Peace and Joy are for our benefit. Love is for the benefit of others. Without Love, we become self-absorbed and insular, content with our spiritual goodies, but not necessarily willing to share them with others. Love compels us to spread the goodness that we have received through our relationship with the Christ child to all those around us.
One of the Christmas traditions that has taken on a life of its own is that of gift giving. Originally, token gifts were distributed at Christmas as an acknowledgment of the gift that God gave humanity in the form of the baby Jesus (and, to a lesser extent, following the example of the magi who presented gifts to Jesus). Sadly, as time went on, this tradition became commercialized to the point now where most people no longer even know why they are giving or receiving gifts. This activity has become an entitlement rather than an expression of thanksgiving for what God has sacrificed for each one of us. Love has been replaced with obligation.
I am fairly confident that Jesus finds no pleasure in most of the hustle and bustle that characterizes the season during which we are supposed to be observing the miracle of His incarnation. I also find it rather comical, if not downright hypocritical, how so many Christians wage a crusade against this commercialism by crying out "Keep Christ in Christmas" while simultaneously engaging in the same frenetic behaviors that they claim to disdain. I have no hard data to back this up, but I imagine that if every Christian family in America gave all the money that they spend on Christmas to the causes of homelessness and hunger, these would be eradicated in no time. That would truly be "keeping Christ in Christmas".
Love compels us to do selfless things for those around us. Not out of obligation or guilt, but because we mirror the love that God has for each one of us. Christmas tends to bring out the best and worst in people; while many get caught up in the frenzy of shopping, decorating, and entertaining, many people also become more philanthropic during this magical time of the year. Unfortunately, that spirit of giving doesn't seem to last much beyond December 25. As Christians, we should be exemplars of love throughout the year, not just between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Jesus told His disciples that the hallmark of those who follow Him is love (John 13:35).
My prayer for each one of us is that our lives will be beacons of love, not just at Christmas time, but throughout the year. That is the best gift we can give Jesus.
Have a blessed week and a wonderful Christmas!
Pastor David
John 3:16
The fourth Sunday of Advent is all about love. It is fitting that the Advent season culminates in love as we head into the final stretch before Christmas day. The incarnation of Jesus is all about love. Love was the motivating factor for God to send Jesus to earth to become the savior of all who would believe in Him.
If all we get out of Advent are the Hope, Peace and Joy from the first three Sundays, and miss out on Love, we've missed the point of this annual observance. Hope, Peace and Joy are for our benefit. Love is for the benefit of others. Without Love, we become self-absorbed and insular, content with our spiritual goodies, but not necessarily willing to share them with others. Love compels us to spread the goodness that we have received through our relationship with the Christ child to all those around us.
One of the Christmas traditions that has taken on a life of its own is that of gift giving. Originally, token gifts were distributed at Christmas as an acknowledgment of the gift that God gave humanity in the form of the baby Jesus (and, to a lesser extent, following the example of the magi who presented gifts to Jesus). Sadly, as time went on, this tradition became commercialized to the point now where most people no longer even know why they are giving or receiving gifts. This activity has become an entitlement rather than an expression of thanksgiving for what God has sacrificed for each one of us. Love has been replaced with obligation.
I am fairly confident that Jesus finds no pleasure in most of the hustle and bustle that characterizes the season during which we are supposed to be observing the miracle of His incarnation. I also find it rather comical, if not downright hypocritical, how so many Christians wage a crusade against this commercialism by crying out "Keep Christ in Christmas" while simultaneously engaging in the same frenetic behaviors that they claim to disdain. I have no hard data to back this up, but I imagine that if every Christian family in America gave all the money that they spend on Christmas to the causes of homelessness and hunger, these would be eradicated in no time. That would truly be "keeping Christ in Christmas".
Love compels us to do selfless things for those around us. Not out of obligation or guilt, but because we mirror the love that God has for each one of us. Christmas tends to bring out the best and worst in people; while many get caught up in the frenzy of shopping, decorating, and entertaining, many people also become more philanthropic during this magical time of the year. Unfortunately, that spirit of giving doesn't seem to last much beyond December 25. As Christians, we should be exemplars of love throughout the year, not just between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Jesus told His disciples that the hallmark of those who follow Him is love (John 13:35).
My prayer for each one of us is that our lives will be beacons of love, not just at Christmas time, but throughout the year. That is the best gift we can give Jesus.
Have a blessed week and a wonderful Christmas!
Pastor David
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
Advent 2015 - Joy
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
Luke 2:8-12
The third Sunday of Advent focuses on Joy. Joy is a central theme of the birth narrative recorded in the book of Luke. The angel's proclamation to the shepherds was one of profound joy - "great joy for all the people". The song Mary sings upon arriving at her cousin Elizabeth's home is filled with joy. What was it about the birth of Jesus that elicited such joy?
Place yourself in the story, if you will. The Jews in first century Palestine had a difficult time under the oppressive Roman occupation. For centuries, they had been awaiting the promised Messiah, the One who would finally deliver them from all of their enemies - political and religious. Their ancestors had endured waive after waive of invading Gentile armies - Assyrians, Babylonians, Greeks, and now the Romans. While the Romans allowed the Jews to maintain their religious practices, they detested the bloody temple sacrifices and looked down upon the locals as backwater hicks. The Romans lacked any compassion toward these strange foreigners, and didn't pull their punches in order to keep the Jews in line. Abusing their positions of power was seen as a badge of honor.
The Jews longed to be free from this oppression and endless taxation. They held on to the hope that one day the Messiah would finally come on the scene and set things right. I imagine they envisioned a return to the golden age of Israel as it might have been under the reign of King Solomon. Surely the Promised One of Israel would restore the "good old days".
And then the seemingly impossible happened. A young woman in a small village received a visit from a celestial messenger telling her, "You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end." (Luke 1:31-33) Mary may not have been educated like the good Jewish boys, but surely she knew enough of her nation's history and the Scriptures to recognize that this was the beginning of the fulfillment of the Messianic prophesies. I imagine she was quite giddy by the time she reached Elizabeth's home, in spite of the scandal she represented.
It's also interesting to note that joy bookends the story of Jesus' life here on earth. Not only was it a major theme of His birth, but also of His resurrection. Matthew speaks of the joy the women experienced upon finding the empty tomb (28:8), and Luke records the joy the disciples displayed at the time of His ascension back into heaven (24:52). In between, the crowds were filled with joy as Jesus entered Jerusalem prior to His arrest, trial and execution (Luke 19:37). In Jesus' final discourse with His disciples the night He was betrayed, He spoke repeatedly about joy (John 16).
If joy was such a central part of the life and ministry of Jesus, it only stands to reason that it should also be central in the life of His followers. Sadly, we regularly encounter "Christians" in the media who seem to be totally devoid of joy. There seems to be no end to the fear-mongering and misguided hatred coming from people who should be exemplifying joy. If you have placed your faith in Jesus, and truly believe the things He taught, there should be no reason for not having joy in your life.
Joy is more than just a feeling. Joy is not dependent on external circumstances. Happiness depends on such things, and can be fleeting. True joy wells up from deep within a person's spirit. It comes from knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that Jesus is the Savior and that He has entrusted us with the gift of His Holy Spirit to guide and comfort us while we walk along our spiritual journey. Nothing can take our joy away from us - but we can freely give it up when we choose to focus on the temporal things of this world - pain, sorrow, anger, betrayal - that gladly fill the vacuum when we release our joy.
True joy also cannot be kept to oneself. Joy naturally spills out and blesses those around us. No one wants to be around someone who is sullen and grumpy all the time. It has been said that Christians should be the happiest people on the planet, but that is not always the case.
The trappings and traditions of Christmas tend to reignite the joy that we sometimes allow to flounder in our spirits. Unfortunately, for some people, that joy seems to go back in the closet along with the decorations after the tree has been put out on the curb. My prayer for each one of us is that we can experience and exude the joy of Christ(mas) all year long.
Have a blessed (and joyous) week!
Pastor David
Luke 2:8-12
The third Sunday of Advent focuses on Joy. Joy is a central theme of the birth narrative recorded in the book of Luke. The angel's proclamation to the shepherds was one of profound joy - "great joy for all the people". The song Mary sings upon arriving at her cousin Elizabeth's home is filled with joy. What was it about the birth of Jesus that elicited such joy?
Place yourself in the story, if you will. The Jews in first century Palestine had a difficult time under the oppressive Roman occupation. For centuries, they had been awaiting the promised Messiah, the One who would finally deliver them from all of their enemies - political and religious. Their ancestors had endured waive after waive of invading Gentile armies - Assyrians, Babylonians, Greeks, and now the Romans. While the Romans allowed the Jews to maintain their religious practices, they detested the bloody temple sacrifices and looked down upon the locals as backwater hicks. The Romans lacked any compassion toward these strange foreigners, and didn't pull their punches in order to keep the Jews in line. Abusing their positions of power was seen as a badge of honor.
The Jews longed to be free from this oppression and endless taxation. They held on to the hope that one day the Messiah would finally come on the scene and set things right. I imagine they envisioned a return to the golden age of Israel as it might have been under the reign of King Solomon. Surely the Promised One of Israel would restore the "good old days".
And then the seemingly impossible happened. A young woman in a small village received a visit from a celestial messenger telling her, "You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end." (Luke 1:31-33) Mary may not have been educated like the good Jewish boys, but surely she knew enough of her nation's history and the Scriptures to recognize that this was the beginning of the fulfillment of the Messianic prophesies. I imagine she was quite giddy by the time she reached Elizabeth's home, in spite of the scandal she represented.
It's also interesting to note that joy bookends the story of Jesus' life here on earth. Not only was it a major theme of His birth, but also of His resurrection. Matthew speaks of the joy the women experienced upon finding the empty tomb (28:8), and Luke records the joy the disciples displayed at the time of His ascension back into heaven (24:52). In between, the crowds were filled with joy as Jesus entered Jerusalem prior to His arrest, trial and execution (Luke 19:37). In Jesus' final discourse with His disciples the night He was betrayed, He spoke repeatedly about joy (John 16).
If joy was such a central part of the life and ministry of Jesus, it only stands to reason that it should also be central in the life of His followers. Sadly, we regularly encounter "Christians" in the media who seem to be totally devoid of joy. There seems to be no end to the fear-mongering and misguided hatred coming from people who should be exemplifying joy. If you have placed your faith in Jesus, and truly believe the things He taught, there should be no reason for not having joy in your life.
Joy is more than just a feeling. Joy is not dependent on external circumstances. Happiness depends on such things, and can be fleeting. True joy wells up from deep within a person's spirit. It comes from knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that Jesus is the Savior and that He has entrusted us with the gift of His Holy Spirit to guide and comfort us while we walk along our spiritual journey. Nothing can take our joy away from us - but we can freely give it up when we choose to focus on the temporal things of this world - pain, sorrow, anger, betrayal - that gladly fill the vacuum when we release our joy.
True joy also cannot be kept to oneself. Joy naturally spills out and blesses those around us. No one wants to be around someone who is sullen and grumpy all the time. It has been said that Christians should be the happiest people on the planet, but that is not always the case.
The trappings and traditions of Christmas tend to reignite the joy that we sometimes allow to flounder in our spirits. Unfortunately, for some people, that joy seems to go back in the closet along with the decorations after the tree has been put out on the curb. My prayer for each one of us is that we can experience and exude the joy of Christ(mas) all year long.
Have a blessed (and joyous) week!
Pastor David
Saturday, December 12, 2015
Advent 2015 - Peace
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
The focus of the second Sunday in Advent is Peace. Last week we looked at the concept of Hope, and how that helps us look beyond the immediate and keep the future in our sights. Peace is Hope's companion. Peace is not the absence of conflict and strife, but rather the calm assurance in the midst of such turmoil that, in the long run, everything will be okay.
Coupled together, Hope and Peace help us to keep things in perspective. One of my favorite mantras for when things are especially rough is, "This is just temporary". No matter what is going on, and what emotions I'm experiencing, it's only a temporary situation. Even in the face of great loss, how I respond and what I feel is tempered by knowing that this is not the end of the story.
One of the great benefits of Jesus walking in the flesh and sharing our human condition is that He was well-acquainted with the daily struggles that we all face. He also knew that, just because He came as a ransom for humanity, these struggles would not suddenly cease to exist. He bluntly reminded His disciples that troubles are part of the deal. As long as we draw breath on this earth, we will face troubles. But He also gave us an antidote - the peace of knowing that He has overcome the world and all its troubles.
What does it mean for us when Jesus makes this claim of overcoming the world? For me, it means that, in spite of appearances, everything really will be okay. He has the ultimate victory over everything that is broken in this world. While I may not be able to see that victory right now, I know that it is an irrefutable spiritual truth, and therefore I can have peace in this confident assurance.
True inner peace that comes from Jesus isn't just some warm and fuzzy feeling or the result of positive thinking. It is something that wells up in our spirit and reassures us that no matter what we may be going through, He's got it covered. I can sleep at night knowing that nothing is going to happen that He doesn't already know about and has worked out the resolution according to His perfect will.
It is no coincidence that the greeting of the angels on the night of Jesus' birth included the blessing of peace:
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:14)
Jesus imparted peace to His disciples, and continues to impart it to those of us who believe in Him. May your Christmas season and all the coming days be filled with this amazing peace.
Have a blessed week!
Pastor David
John 16:33
The focus of the second Sunday in Advent is Peace. Last week we looked at the concept of Hope, and how that helps us look beyond the immediate and keep the future in our sights. Peace is Hope's companion. Peace is not the absence of conflict and strife, but rather the calm assurance in the midst of such turmoil that, in the long run, everything will be okay.
Coupled together, Hope and Peace help us to keep things in perspective. One of my favorite mantras for when things are especially rough is, "This is just temporary". No matter what is going on, and what emotions I'm experiencing, it's only a temporary situation. Even in the face of great loss, how I respond and what I feel is tempered by knowing that this is not the end of the story.
One of the great benefits of Jesus walking in the flesh and sharing our human condition is that He was well-acquainted with the daily struggles that we all face. He also knew that, just because He came as a ransom for humanity, these struggles would not suddenly cease to exist. He bluntly reminded His disciples that troubles are part of the deal. As long as we draw breath on this earth, we will face troubles. But He also gave us an antidote - the peace of knowing that He has overcome the world and all its troubles.
What does it mean for us when Jesus makes this claim of overcoming the world? For me, it means that, in spite of appearances, everything really will be okay. He has the ultimate victory over everything that is broken in this world. While I may not be able to see that victory right now, I know that it is an irrefutable spiritual truth, and therefore I can have peace in this confident assurance.
True inner peace that comes from Jesus isn't just some warm and fuzzy feeling or the result of positive thinking. It is something that wells up in our spirit and reassures us that no matter what we may be going through, He's got it covered. I can sleep at night knowing that nothing is going to happen that He doesn't already know about and has worked out the resolution according to His perfect will.
It is no coincidence that the greeting of the angels on the night of Jesus' birth included the blessing of peace:
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:14)
Jesus imparted peace to His disciples, and continues to impart it to those of us who believe in Him. May your Christmas season and all the coming days be filled with this amazing peace.
Have a blessed week!
Pastor David
Sunday, November 29, 2015
Advent 2015 - Hope
Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. (Romans 8:23-25)
As we enter the Advent season this year, I find a strange paradox in place: while this is supposed to be a season of celebration of all that is good, we are faced with the reality that our world is a mess. The news is filled with stories of terrorist attacks, the ongoing Syrian refugee crisis, wars on multiple fronts, political candidates stirring up hatred and fear among their supporters, and so much more. We are daily reminded that a large part of this world in which we live is in turmoil, and that people are in desperate need of hope.
Hope is a funny thing. Proverbs 13:12 tells us:
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.
Yet, hope is also what can sustain us in times of despair and disappointment. When we cling to the hope of something better, yet see no evidence of its fulfillment, our faith can easily waiver. This was the case during the days of the early Church, and is still the case today. In the months and years following the ascension of Christ, the Church held on to the expectation of His imminent return. Yet, as time passed, people began to doubt whether Jesus really was coming back, and many abandoned the faith as their hope faded.
Here we are, 2,000 years later, and we're still waiting for Jesus to return and fulfill His promise. That promise holds out the hope that, one day, we will have a life free from pain, disease, heartache and death. Poverty, turmoil, conflict and oppression will fade into history, and a golden era of peace and prosperity will be ushered in. At least, that's what we've been told. And we desperately want to believe it because, face it, life is pretty hard right now. Granted, we Americans have it better than most of the people in the world, but our personal struggles are no less real. Human suffering knows no nationality, no political affiliation, no economic status. We all experience pain, sickness, broken relationships, death. Spend five minutes browsing a news site and this is more than confirmed. Life here is fragile and fleeting, and we need something better to pin our hopes to.
Those of us who claim the name of Christian have that hope, but it sometimes seems elusive and tardy. How many of us have said to ourselves or others, "Today would be a good day for Jesus to come back"? We try to find the good in the people and things around us, but sometimes the suffering that we see and experience can become overwhelming, overshadowing the good. And that's why we mark the seasons with celebrations, as a reminder that the best is yet to come.
The first Sunday in Advent reminds us to hope. Hope in the goodness of God and His ability to fulfill the promises He has made to us. That first Christmas was the beginning of that fulfillment, when the Creator of the universe took the form of human flesh, so that He could give is the hope of redemption from this life of woe. After the birth of Jesus, when He was presented at the temple, his appearance was seen by the saints as the fulfillment of their hopes. All that they had longed for throughout their lives was right there, wrapped up in a little bundle of squirming flesh. They didn't live to see the final outcome of the ministry and sacrificial death of Jesus, but they left this earth knowing that all would be well.
What is it you hope for this Christmas season? Better health? Financial security? A devoted spouse? Inner peace? Whatever it is that you long for, be assured that God already knows your needs and desires, and wants to bless you as His beloved child. Never lose hope in a better tomorrow, whether in this life or the next. In spite of all that is going on in the world, know that none of this escapes God's attention. He has not abandoned us, nor forgotten the promises He made so long ago. Hold on to your hope and be patient. It really does get better.
Have a blessed week!
Pastor David
As we enter the Advent season this year, I find a strange paradox in place: while this is supposed to be a season of celebration of all that is good, we are faced with the reality that our world is a mess. The news is filled with stories of terrorist attacks, the ongoing Syrian refugee crisis, wars on multiple fronts, political candidates stirring up hatred and fear among their supporters, and so much more. We are daily reminded that a large part of this world in which we live is in turmoil, and that people are in desperate need of hope.
Hope is a funny thing. Proverbs 13:12 tells us:
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.
Yet, hope is also what can sustain us in times of despair and disappointment. When we cling to the hope of something better, yet see no evidence of its fulfillment, our faith can easily waiver. This was the case during the days of the early Church, and is still the case today. In the months and years following the ascension of Christ, the Church held on to the expectation of His imminent return. Yet, as time passed, people began to doubt whether Jesus really was coming back, and many abandoned the faith as their hope faded.
Here we are, 2,000 years later, and we're still waiting for Jesus to return and fulfill His promise. That promise holds out the hope that, one day, we will have a life free from pain, disease, heartache and death. Poverty, turmoil, conflict and oppression will fade into history, and a golden era of peace and prosperity will be ushered in. At least, that's what we've been told. And we desperately want to believe it because, face it, life is pretty hard right now. Granted, we Americans have it better than most of the people in the world, but our personal struggles are no less real. Human suffering knows no nationality, no political affiliation, no economic status. We all experience pain, sickness, broken relationships, death. Spend five minutes browsing a news site and this is more than confirmed. Life here is fragile and fleeting, and we need something better to pin our hopes to.
Those of us who claim the name of Christian have that hope, but it sometimes seems elusive and tardy. How many of us have said to ourselves or others, "Today would be a good day for Jesus to come back"? We try to find the good in the people and things around us, but sometimes the suffering that we see and experience can become overwhelming, overshadowing the good. And that's why we mark the seasons with celebrations, as a reminder that the best is yet to come.
The first Sunday in Advent reminds us to hope. Hope in the goodness of God and His ability to fulfill the promises He has made to us. That first Christmas was the beginning of that fulfillment, when the Creator of the universe took the form of human flesh, so that He could give is the hope of redemption from this life of woe. After the birth of Jesus, when He was presented at the temple, his appearance was seen by the saints as the fulfillment of their hopes. All that they had longed for throughout their lives was right there, wrapped up in a little bundle of squirming flesh. They didn't live to see the final outcome of the ministry and sacrificial death of Jesus, but they left this earth knowing that all would be well.
What is it you hope for this Christmas season? Better health? Financial security? A devoted spouse? Inner peace? Whatever it is that you long for, be assured that God already knows your needs and desires, and wants to bless you as His beloved child. Never lose hope in a better tomorrow, whether in this life or the next. In spite of all that is going on in the world, know that none of this escapes God's attention. He has not abandoned us, nor forgotten the promises He made so long ago. Hold on to your hope and be patient. It really does get better.
Have a blessed week!
Pastor David
Sunday, August 2, 2015
Lions, Poachers and Protesters, Oh My!
Then the King will say to those on his right, "Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For
I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you
gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me."
Matthew 25:34-36
The news and social media have been filled with stories and commentaries this past week regarding the hunting and slaughter of Cecil the lion in Zimbabwe. The man who killed Cecil is an American dentist who claims to have thought he was within the bounds of the law to hunt and kill this lion. The outrage that ensued around the globe has been somewhat overwhelming. This dentist has received death threats, had to close down his practice, and has gone into hiding. Rallies have occurred around the world protesting this senseless act of savagery. Or so the hyperbole goes.
I do not support the sport of trophy hunting in any manner, and I think it is rather barbaric to lure a beautiful stately creature like Cecil to an unprotected area where he could be wounded with an arrow, and then tracked down for a day before finally being put out of his misery. I'm all for conservation and protecting animals that are dangerously close to becoming endangered species. But I find the public reaction to this situation to be somewhat puzzling.
How many people would have cared about this poaching if the target hadn't been Cecil, practically a national mascot in Zimbabwe? Would they have had the same response if the lion was just another nameless big cat shot down for his head and skin? After all, these types of things happen all the time without warranting so much as a headline, let alone an international scandal.
As much as Cecil's demise is most regrettable, I wonder how outraged the masses would be if they bothered to learn about all the other senseless deaths that occur every day around the world. Deaths that do not make headlines, and do not result in rallies and protests.
I'm not talking about animals being poached. I'm talking about children. Millions of children. Here are a few statistics that no one is talking about:
I wonder how many more children in the world would be given the opportunity to grow up and live healthy, productive lives if the same amount of energy and resources being spent over the death of one lion was used to benefit organizations such as FMSC.
Jesus taught us that we will be commended for feeding the hungry. He never mentioned anything about lions. I'll take my chances and strive for the former. How about you?
Have a blessed week!
Pastor David
Matthew 25:34-36
The news and social media have been filled with stories and commentaries this past week regarding the hunting and slaughter of Cecil the lion in Zimbabwe. The man who killed Cecil is an American dentist who claims to have thought he was within the bounds of the law to hunt and kill this lion. The outrage that ensued around the globe has been somewhat overwhelming. This dentist has received death threats, had to close down his practice, and has gone into hiding. Rallies have occurred around the world protesting this senseless act of savagery. Or so the hyperbole goes.
I do not support the sport of trophy hunting in any manner, and I think it is rather barbaric to lure a beautiful stately creature like Cecil to an unprotected area where he could be wounded with an arrow, and then tracked down for a day before finally being put out of his misery. I'm all for conservation and protecting animals that are dangerously close to becoming endangered species. But I find the public reaction to this situation to be somewhat puzzling.
How many people would have cared about this poaching if the target hadn't been Cecil, practically a national mascot in Zimbabwe? Would they have had the same response if the lion was just another nameless big cat shot down for his head and skin? After all, these types of things happen all the time without warranting so much as a headline, let alone an international scandal.
As much as Cecil's demise is most regrettable, I wonder how outraged the masses would be if they bothered to learn about all the other senseless deaths that occur every day around the world. Deaths that do not make headlines, and do not result in rallies and protests.
I'm not talking about animals being poached. I'm talking about children. Millions of children. Here are a few statistics that no one is talking about:
- More than 70 percent of the world's 146 million underweight
children under age five years live in just 10 countries, with more than
50 per cent located in South Asia alone;
(Source: Progress for Children: A Report Card on Nutrition, UNICEF, 2006) - 10.9 million children under five die in developing countries
each year. Malnutrition and hunger-related diseases cause 60 percent of
the deaths;
(Source: The State of the World's Children, UNICEF, 2007) - The cost of undernutrition to national economic development is estimated at US$20-30 billion per annum; (Source: Progress for Children: A Report Card on Nutrition, UNICEF, 2006)
- One out of four children - roughly 146 million - in developing countries are underweight;
(Source: The State of the World's Children, UNICEF, 2007) - Undernutrition contributes to 53 percent of the 9.7 million deaths of children under five each year in developing countries. (Source: Under five deaths by cause, UNICEF, 2006)
I wonder how many more children in the world would be given the opportunity to grow up and live healthy, productive lives if the same amount of energy and resources being spent over the death of one lion was used to benefit organizations such as FMSC.
Jesus taught us that we will be commended for feeding the hungry. He never mentioned anything about lions. I'll take my chances and strive for the former. How about you?
Have a blessed week!
Pastor David
Sunday, July 26, 2015
God In A Box
"Jesus did many other things as well.
If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole
world would not have room for the books that would be written."
John 21:25
Having spent the better part of my life as a fundamentalist, I am all too familiar with the rigidity of the doctrinal orthodoxy related to this particular brand of Christianity. Somewhere along the way, we concluded that everything we need to know about God (and life) was conveniently contained between the pages of Genesis 1 and Revelation 22. If it wasn't in the Bible, it wasn't true or worth discussing.
This line of thinking places God in a very small box. Not only does it confine Him to a specific collection of ancient texts, but it ignores the fact that those texts are merely snapshots of the intersection of divinity and humanity. Furthermore, they are only concerned with God's interactions with a very small subset of humanity, and only those interactions which the authors felt were worth recording.
I find it rather audacious to think that everything we can know about God - His character, His power, His infinite wisdom and love - can be contained within the pages of 66 books. Even John admitted in his gospel that there was no way to record everything that Jesus did in his short time on this earth. How much more so all the vast works of God throughout the ages?
When we limit God to what we know about him as recorded in the Bible, we strip Him of the ability to do amazing new things in our lives and in the lives of those around us. We tend to think that God's story ended with Revelation 22, and there was nothing left to say about who God is and how He wants to relate to His creation. Nothing could be further from the truth. God's story is still being written every day in the hearts and minds of His followers. The official canon of scripture may have been closed centuries ago, but God continues to reveal Himself to us in new and astounding ways, if we allow Him.
We must be careful to never think that God can't do this or that, simply because there is no precedent for it in Scripture. God is unlimited in His creativity and imagination. If he could create all of the plants and animals and minerals and stars and planets and galaxies, and things we don't yet even know about, who is to say that He doesn't have new ways of healing and restoring and blessing His people?
It's time we let God out of the tiny little box that we've created for Him called "the Holy Bible". I have come to a place in my spiritual journey where I am no longer content to think that everything I need to know about who God is and what He can do is contained within these pages. My God is bigger than that, and I marvel every time He reveals some new aspect of Himself to me.
Jesus told His disciples that we can only truly enter into the kingdom of God if we approach it as little children. Children have an innate ability to see the world around them with awe and fascination, free from the jaded cynicism that comes with adulthood. I want to foster that "gee whiz" mindset in my life, always waiting to see what new and amazing thing God wants to do in me and through me.
How about you? Is your God stuck in a box, or free to work wonderful new things in your life?
Have a blessed week!
Pastor David
John 21:25
Having spent the better part of my life as a fundamentalist, I am all too familiar with the rigidity of the doctrinal orthodoxy related to this particular brand of Christianity. Somewhere along the way, we concluded that everything we need to know about God (and life) was conveniently contained between the pages of Genesis 1 and Revelation 22. If it wasn't in the Bible, it wasn't true or worth discussing.
This line of thinking places God in a very small box. Not only does it confine Him to a specific collection of ancient texts, but it ignores the fact that those texts are merely snapshots of the intersection of divinity and humanity. Furthermore, they are only concerned with God's interactions with a very small subset of humanity, and only those interactions which the authors felt were worth recording.
I find it rather audacious to think that everything we can know about God - His character, His power, His infinite wisdom and love - can be contained within the pages of 66 books. Even John admitted in his gospel that there was no way to record everything that Jesus did in his short time on this earth. How much more so all the vast works of God throughout the ages?
When we limit God to what we know about him as recorded in the Bible, we strip Him of the ability to do amazing new things in our lives and in the lives of those around us. We tend to think that God's story ended with Revelation 22, and there was nothing left to say about who God is and how He wants to relate to His creation. Nothing could be further from the truth. God's story is still being written every day in the hearts and minds of His followers. The official canon of scripture may have been closed centuries ago, but God continues to reveal Himself to us in new and astounding ways, if we allow Him.
We must be careful to never think that God can't do this or that, simply because there is no precedent for it in Scripture. God is unlimited in His creativity and imagination. If he could create all of the plants and animals and minerals and stars and planets and galaxies, and things we don't yet even know about, who is to say that He doesn't have new ways of healing and restoring and blessing His people?
It's time we let God out of the tiny little box that we've created for Him called "the Holy Bible". I have come to a place in my spiritual journey where I am no longer content to think that everything I need to know about who God is and what He can do is contained within these pages. My God is bigger than that, and I marvel every time He reveals some new aspect of Himself to me.
Jesus told His disciples that we can only truly enter into the kingdom of God if we approach it as little children. Children have an innate ability to see the world around them with awe and fascination, free from the jaded cynicism that comes with adulthood. I want to foster that "gee whiz" mindset in my life, always waiting to see what new and amazing thing God wants to do in me and through me.
How about you? Is your God stuck in a box, or free to work wonderful new things in your life?
Have a blessed week!
Pastor David
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)