Will Grice

An Ocean of Sin

2012-02-01T10:08:00.001-08:00

During the cold and sometimes rainy months of January and February, it is easy for people to feel down. We are content with cooler temperatures in the previous several months because they indicate that football, Thanksgiving, and Christmas are near. However, on January 1, we are left with frigid temperatures, overcast skies, and no major celebrations to make our discomfort seem worthwhile. Therefore, many people start dreaming about the warmth of May, June, July, and August when they will be outdoors frequently and able to more fully enjoy time with friends and family. Often, plans start to emerge for that all-important summer vacation. Anticipation builds toward experiencing a warmer climate with better scenery. When I was young, this meant a week in Panama City Beach with my family and several others. This was a tradition for us, and a highlight of the year.

As soon as we arrived, even before going to our room, we would walk directly to the beach, take off our shoes, and put our feet in the naturally heated Gulf of Mexico. During that entire week, we stayed there. We loved floating in the salt water and rolling with the waves as they neared shore. Because we were so focused on enjoying our time at the edge of the gulf, we rarely thought about how vast it is and how incredibly forceful it can be in when it shows its strength. Obviously, there are extreme examples of that power such as Hurricane Katrina in 2005. In a matter of hours, the sea thrust such destruction upon the land that 7 years later there are still homes in New Orleans that bear the scares of that night. However, that dominance can also be experience in more subtle ways. One year, several of us decided to float to a sand bar about 30 yards off shore. The water was calm, and once there we were able to stand easily with the water only reaching our knees. In a matter of minutes, the waves got higher and crashed onto us with more force. Before long, the waves overcame us. We would stand up only to be knocked down again. We clung to our plastic pool floats, hoping that somehow we would manage to escape the literal grip that the ocean had on us. We were helpless. Fortunately, an experienced local came to our rescue and muscled us back to the safety of the beach. The incident was a good reminder that beyond a certain point, it is easy to lose control and be trapped by a force that at first seemed so innocent.

James tells us that Satan operates in much the same way. He writes that “each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire” (James 1:14, ESV). We each have different things that tempt us. We each are enticed by things that we want personally. Satan lures us into situations in which it seems possible to have those things. Much like with the ocean, we believe that we can have a little fun at the edge without being trapped. Yet James further explains, “then desire, when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” It is a process. The process begins when we want things that we know we shouldn’t have. Then, we try to have as much of those things as we can while still remaining “safe.” However, the end result is that we go further than we wanted to go and become ensnared by sin and that eventually leads to our spiritual deaths.

It almost seems as if James is saying that there is a line between righteousness and sinfulness. Because we have sinful desires we try to get as close to the line as possible without actually crossing it. Satan though, being good at what he does, is able to drag us across the line before we even realize what has happened. He lures/leads us into a process that results in us being separated from God. That’s why the advice in James 4 is to run away from that line: “So submit to God. But resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7, NET). It is much easier to be dragged across a line when you are standing right next to it. If you stay far away, though, it will be much more difficult for you to be enticed.

In 1 John 1, the apostle seems to indicate that there are two types of believers. There are those who accept a sinful lifestyle and there are those who believe they are immune to sin or that their sin does not matter when compared to their good works. The truth is that all Christians must realize that they decide every day how far to venture into the ocean of sin. They must decide how far they are willing to go, risking their own destruction. All sin is serious. All sin can separate us from God. Through Jesus, though, we are given the power to overcome sin, and be transformed into righteous people. We must make the decision to flee from sin and draw near to God, not see what sin we can get away with hoping that it won’t carry us too far from the shore.

My Generation

2011-12-27T21:58:00.000-08:00

This past quarter I have been teaching an adult class on Sunday mornings about how churches can best minister to the Millennial generation (those born between 1980 and 2000). As a member of that generation myself, the subject is one that is very close to my heart as it concerns how my peers and I can effectively reach our friends with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We looked closely at research done by Thom and Jess Rainer in their book Millennials: Connecting to America’s Largest Generation, and by Dr. Kenda Dean who participated in the National Study of Youth and Religion and wrote the book Almost Christian: What the Faith of Our Teenagers is Telling the American Church. Some of the research confirmed what I already knew and some of it surprised me. Obviously, Millennials are in most cases more technologically savvy than their parents or grandparents. They value relationships and use technology to improve them. They are service oriented, wanting to change the world and believing that they can. However, they are also not religious. This my come as a surprise to those of us living in Alabama, the buckle of the Bible belt, but most Millennials do not care one way or the other about religion. They are not hostile toward it, yet it does not play much of any role in their lives.

The Rainers estimate that 15% of the Millennial generation are practicing Christians. A much higher percentage calls themselves Christians, in many cases just because that’s what their parents were; however, only about 15% actually practice Christianity in a way that impacts their daily lives. Granted, this is a very subjective estimate, relying mostly upon the Rainer’s own definition of what constitutes a true Christian. Still, there is reason to believe their assessment may have some validity to it. As we look around our own schools, cities, and churches, we see many people who claim to follow Jesus but only do so on Sundays and Wednesdays. We see many people of all ages who profess to have a relationship with Jesus, but who do not let that relationship change their hearts or behaviors. Apparently, this is how most people want their lives to be. They just don’t see religion as important enough to have it transform their lives. They don’t believe that it is relevant.

As teenagers, I am sure that you have many friends who fall into this category. You know people who think that “a little Jesus” is good, but who refuse to “go overboard” with it all. Perhaps the good news is that virtually all Millennials see service as both relevant and essential. Yes, they want to make money. Yes, they want to have good jobs. Yes, they want to live comfortably. But they also want to help others have better lives as well. They want to make more money so that they can use some of it to contribute to what they see as worthy charities. They want flexibility with work hours so that they can spend some of that time volunteering. They want to make a significant, positive contribution to society, and also believe that they can and will. To me, it seems odd that a generation which values service to such a high degree would see churches as so irrelevant. After, all churches are called to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and shelter the homeless.

As we seek ways to reach our friends and family members with the Gospel, perhaps this is the best news we could ask for. For us, bringing the other 85% of our generation into a saving relationship with Jesus may well depend upon inviting them to join us as we serve the world around us. In doing so, they will begin to see what churches do as important. Perhaps then they will be interested in hearing more about what motivates us to spend so much time, energy, and money rendering assistance to the less fortunate. In time, they will understand that true Christianity is not about sitting in large buildings where we are kept supremely comfortable, but rather is about getting our hands dirty by serving anyone and everyone. They are already doing that on their own. It seems like our job is to show them how to do that for Christ.

Against All Odds

2011-11-02T15:20:00.000-07:00

This is by far my favorite time of year. The leaves are changing colors, the temperatures are dropping and the boys of fall are hard at work. Football is an incredible game. It teaches hard work, discipline, courage, and teamwork. There is something quite special about a team running sprints and enduring drills together all week to prepare for one contest that lasts only a few hours. Within that short time frame, they are tested against others who have been doing the same things but only one group of athletes can walk off the battlefield possessing the pride that comes with victory. Some games are epic, and some are not. Some games seem to matter more than others. In the state of Alabama, the most important game of the regular season is played the week of Thanksgiving. The entire state stands still for this competition of rivals, and nothing else matters during those 4 quarters. Many memorable moments have occurred during Ironbowls, but the most famous ones come from years when one team was seen as the underdog and fought hard enough to win. That is what I love most about football: a team without great athletes can still find the power within themselves to win because they know what they are capable of and they “want it” more.

This is why nearly all movies about sports follow that narrative. The underdog finds strength within himself to overcome the odds and compete successfully. But first he has to overcome his own doubts and recognize (often with the help of an older mentor) what his true capabilities are. Then he can go on to win. The audience is cheering for him the whole time, begging quietly for him to use his abilities to their fullest, not stifling his own progress.

Paul tells the Romans that he is not ashamed of the Gospel because it is the “power of God for salvation” (Romans 1:16). This Gospel was given to Paul and the other disciples to carry to the ends of the earth. In carrying the Gospel, they were carrying the power of God. We too have been given the Gospel to carry, and we too are carrying the power of God. However, sometimes we behave like the athlete at the beginning of the movie who doesn’t use all the resources at his disposal and is therefore a failure at what he wants to do the most. As Christians, we must realize that we posses the power of God. We may be underdogs in a world with far more non-Christians than Christians. We may not feel like we can do what we have been called to do. Yet, Jesus said in Matthew 19:26 that what is not possible with men is possible with God. It may be true that we could never accomplish our mission by ourselves, but we are not told to do that. We are told to accomplish our mission by relying on God because that’s the only way it will get done. Do not forget the power that you possess. Unleash God’s power in your life and see how he uses you to turn the world upside down.

Legacy

2011-10-05T14:26:00.000-07:00

Earlier today, I received a call on my office phone that I did not expect and certainly did not want. One of my teachers, mentors, and friends passed away last night after complications from open-heart surgery. Ms. Pam Brown was a teacher at Walker High School who planned to retire this year. During her many years of service she counseled numerous students, offering lessons about English assignments, drama productions, and life in general. She was a cheerful woman who had a great sense of humor. She was tremendously devoted to her students as they were to her.

I personally learned a great deal from Ms. Brown. I remember as a young 10^th grade student, she sought me out to be on the media staff. It was a side project for her. We met during fist block each day without any real supervision. Ms. Brown was also the drama teacher and so she stayed in the auditorium to work with Centerstage on upcoming performances during that hour and a half. The media staff was responsible producing bi-weekly programs to be shown to the high school. Many of the videos were funny, some were mere attempts at being funny. Obviously, we were given a great deal of freedom to roam around the school however we saw fit, carrying our video camera and microphone, usually goofing off more than working. That first day, Ms. Brown explained to all of us that she was placing a great deal of trust in us. That she viewed us as her kids. That she would do anything she could to help us out. BUT that if we did something wrong that we had better be the ones to tell her. If she found out from the principal, she would not be happy and would not run interference for us. In other words, we were part of her family and as such she demanded that we show the same amount of loyalty to her that she was showing to us. She wanted honesty and respect, and as long as we did not deceive her, she would fight for us any way that she could. She always lived up to that promise.

In remembering PHB (as she would sign permission forms), I am very aware of the legacy that she has left behind. Her death was sudden, but her influence is still alive and well in her students. We are her legacy. We are what she has left behind.

Often, we think that a Christian’s aim is to get to heaven. Certainly, we all want that to be our final destination, but being a Christian is more about advancing the Kingdom of God. That means that, as Chris Seidman said, we are trying to bring heaven down to earth. We are trying to make this earth the dwelling place of our Lord. I hope that this month, you will reflect on the people who have spent time mentoring and teaching you. Think about how they have shaped your life. Then ask yourself if you are doing the same thing for others. Ask yourself what legacy you are leaving with your life. Perhaps the greatest legacy of all can be found in 1 John 3:16: “By this we know love that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.” Lay down your life in service to others. In doing so, you will leave a lasting legacy that brings glory to God and furthers his Kingdom.

Where Were You?

2011-09-13T17:14:00.000-07:00

This month marks the 10^th anniversary of the terrorist attacks in Washington, D.C. and New York City. Like so many others, I can vividly remember where I was when I heard the news and can revisit the varied emotions brought on by live images of burning then collapsing buildings. Although I was sitting in a classroom in Jasper, AL, the continuous broadcasts from cable and network news outlets with moment-by-moment commentary gave me and indeed the entire nation one shared experience of that day. In a sense we all lived through it as if we were in New York or Washington. We all saw the second plane hit, either live or shortly after via replay. We watched as hundreds of emergency workers rushed to the World Trade Center, desperate to save as many lives as possible. We all stood aghast when the massive buildings crumbled beneath their own weight, burying those emergency workers in with such force the debris cloud was visible from space. The most chilling moments for many came before the tragic collapse when bodies were raining from the sky as people chose to jump from the highest floors instead of being engulfed by the inferno. This, perhaps more than anything else, forced the nation to think about how fragile life is and how quickly it can be taken away.

The days after the attacks were ones of unity, patriotism, sacrifice, bravery, anger, and uncertainty. As our leaders sought to reassure a startled nation and enlighten the American people about what happened, individual citizens tried to understand what this new reality would mean for their lives. Some would go to far away lands and fight those responsible. Others would turn their attention to the families of victims and the ongoing needs of first responders. Regardless of the specific action taken, many dedicated themselves to serving something bigger. Seeing that life is so fragile and so easily taken, there was a renewed determination among the people to use their lives in the service of something that would outlast them. They wanted their lives to mean something, to make a positive difference in their world.

Unfortunately, it sometimes takes horrific events to remind us that life is short and should be used wisely. However, these ideas are not new. King Solomon, after a life full of every sort of experience and pleasure, said this:

“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:13-14.

The purpose of life is to find God. When we find him, we are completely awed by His power and presence. We stand reverently before Him, obeying His commands. That is our whole purpose. That is the only conclusion we can come to when we hear all that can be said about the matter. Fear God and keep His commandments.

From David Ramsey

2011-08-05T12:51:00.000-07:00

The apostle Paul writes in Philippians 1:20-26:
“I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but is is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.”

Paul had reached this point where he was ready to die so that he could go on to be with Christ, but there was one thing that was holding him back. That one thing was not to build a bigger tent, or win another championship, or take another vacation. The only thing holding him back was advancing the gospel that by “being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow.” I don't think that I can personally say the same of myself that Paul is saying of himself, but I am getting there.

“I do not claim to have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:12-14)

Paul was at this point where he'd just as willingly die and be with Christ as stay on Earth and even then stay only for the sake of spreading the gospel. He gives us hints as to how he got to that point. Speaking of those who oppose Christ he says, “Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,” (Philippians 3:19-20)

I don't know how eager you are for Jesus to return. I don't know how truly eager I am, but to become more eager Paul suggests we take our minds off earthly things, but rather, “whatever it true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8)

C.S. Lewis said, "If you read history, you will find that the Christians who did the most for present world were just those who thought most of the next."

If you want to get excited about your faith, about heaven, and about Christ's return spend time thinking about eternity.

I have enjoyed a wonderful summer with some of the best kids. You have really blessed me a lot these past two months and I will miss each of you, but I look forward to the day I get to see you again, if not in this life than in the next.
“I thank my God every time I remember you.” (Philippians 1:3)

God bless,
David Ramsey

Til The Storm Passes By

2011-05-11T07:25:00.001-07:00

April 2011 will be remembered as one of the saddest months in the history of Alabama. Numerous large, long-track tornadoes tore through the state leaving over 200 dead, hundreds missing, and millions of dollars in property damage. Nearly all counties in the northern two thirds of the state were said by the Emergency Management Agency to have sustained “heavy damage.” Still, God’s people emerged from the rubble, working through His power and bringing glory to His name. As often happens, God caused good to come from bad.

In going to assist in East Limestone, I noticed that many workers who had no friends or family in the damaged area wanted to especially focus on people who had moved to the north Alabama from elsewhere. These are the ones who did not have loved ones nearby to help them dig out and rebuild. The idea seemed to be that nobody should go through such trying times without at least a little help, even if it had to come from strangers. Therefore the strangers cranked their chainsaws and got to work. Perhaps these volunteers thought of themselves in the same situation and how difficult it must be not to have the people you care about the most nearby to lend a hand. Regardless of their thought process, the recipients of their kindness were very grateful

Strangely, there are many instances when Christians do not seem to have that attitude toward each other. When the spiritual storms are howling overhead, and damage is done to our temporary homes we sometimes prefer to keep people at a distance. We attempt to keep them away because if they come near, they will see the wreckage left behind from the storm. We want them to believe everything is normal when in fact the opposite is true. Unfortunately the other Christians can be all too happy to oblige. They see no reason to add another problem to their already busy and stressful lives. In short, Christians sometimes leave each other alone.

Obviously, this is not every Christian. In fact, there are many caring, empathetic Christians who are ministering to hurt souls every day on every continent. Many people reading this will fall into that category. However, we do need to be reminded at times that God calls us to be involved in the joys of each others’ lives and be present to clear debris when the storms of life do their worst. James writes clearly about what true Christian fellowship looks like:
“Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”- James 5:13-16)
The important lesson is that we share with each other, both good things and bad. We help each other out when need be and we pray with and for our brothers and sisters.

For the Sake of Hope

2011-05-10T19:44:00.001-07:00

During the last month, the world has witnessed many acts of heroism whether they be from citizens of north african countries demanding better government or workers in Japan risking their own safety by working in a damaged nuclear plant trying to prevent additional radiation from leaking out. This story is from Voice of America:
"A dog rescued from the sea atop the floating debris of a house has been re-united with her owner, three weeks after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami that devastated northeastern Japan.

Images on Japan's NHK TV showed the medium-sized brown dog, named "Ban," wagging her tail in the arms of her owner Monday at an animal shelter in the quake-battered region of Miyagi.

Ban was plucked off the wreckage of a house drifting almost two kilometers off the shore last week by a Japanese helicopter rescue crew.

The dog's owner, whose name was not made public, saw the rescue on television and rushed to claim her pet.

Thousands of people are still missing three weeks after the disaster, which left more than 12,000 dead and orphaned dozens of pets."

This traumatize animal captured the world's attention by surviving a situation in which so m any people perished. The tsunami washed on shore carrying entire buildings miles inland only to take them away as it retreated back into the sea. Apparently this canine's house was one of those structures.

With thousands of people dead and thousands more still missing, it could be considered peculiar that a mere dog would elicit such powerful emotions as the footage of his rescue spread around the globe. Certainly, there are many families in Japan that were hoping to see a similar rescue of their loved ones, praying that by some chance the people they cared about the most would find their ways home. Dogs are said to be "man's best friend" but those rescuers were not out searching for dogs lost at sea. Still, it was seen as a significant event that warmed so many hearts even in Japan where clean-up and recovery efforts are ongoing. Perhaps the reason for such a flood of positive feelings was what the pooch represents: hope through adversity. Maybe the feeling was that if a dog could survive for three weeks in a house floating offshore then the people of Japan could also find a way to persevere through what will be a long road to normalcy. The rescuers acted and the media reported for the sake of hope in difficult circumstances not necessarily because of the dog or his thankful owner.

As we conclude our discussion of sharing the Gospel, we should be mindful of why we share, why we act the way we do in our efforts to rescue those who are lost and in need of saving. In 1 Corinthians 9:23, Paul says that he does what he does for the sake of the Gospel. The Gospel is its own justification. It stands on its own. We need no other reason to share its blessings with others. Just as the Japanese rescuers saved that dog for the sake of hope, we share our knowledge of God’s fulfilled promise for the sake of that good news.

For the Sake of Hope

2011-05-10T19:44:00.000-07:00

"A dog rescued from the sea atop the floating debris of a house has been re-united with her owner, three weeks after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami that devastated northeastern Japan.

Images on Japan's NHK TV showed the medium-sized brown dog, named "Ban," wagging her tail in the arms of her owner Monday at an animal shelter in the quake-battered region of Miyagi.

Ban was plucked off the wreckage of a house drifting almost two kilometers off the shore last week by a Japanese helicopter rescue crew.

The dog's owner, whose name was not made public, saw the rescue on television and rushed to claim her pet.

Thousands of people are still missing three weeks after the disaster, which left more than 12,000 dead and orphaned dozens of pets."

This traumatize animal captured the world's attention by surviving a situation in which so m any people perished. The tsunami washed on shore carrying entire buildings miles inland only to take them away as it retreated back into the sea. Apparently this canine's house was one of those structures.

With thousands of people dead and thousands more still missing, it could be considered peculiar that a mere dog would elicit such powerful emotions as the footage of his rescue spread around the globe. Certainly, there are many families in Japan that were hoping to see a similar rescue of their loved ones, praying that by some chance the people they cared about the most would find their ways home. Dogs are said to be "man's best friend" but those rescuers were not out searching for dogs lost at sea. Still, it was seen as a significant event that warmed so many hearts even in Japan where clean-up and recovery efforts are ongoing. Perhaps the reason for such a flood of positive feelings was what the pooch represents: hope through adversity. Maybe the feeling was that if a dog could survive for three weeks in a house floating offshore then the people of Japan could also find a way to persevere through what will be a long road to normalcy. The rescuers acted and the media reported for the sake of hope in difficult circumstances not necessarily because of the dog or his thankful owner.

As we conclude our discussion of sharing the Gospel, we should be mindful of why we share, why we act the way we do in our efforts to rescue those who are lost and in need of saving. In 1 Corinthians 9:23, Paul says that he does what he does for the sake of the Gospel. The Gospel is its own justification. It stands on its own. We need no other reason to share its blessings with others. Just as the Japanese rescuers saved that dog for the sake of hope, we share our knowledge of God’s fulfilled promise for the sake of that good news.

Listen Up

2011-03-03T07:28:00.000-08:00

With such amazing technological advances, people are able to communicate in ways never thought possible. With the development of social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter, any person with internet access can tell the world every thought that crosses his or her mind. In recent weeks, revolutions have been successfully organized through these means. Of course, not every post is as relevant as “viva la revolucion.” Some simply want to convey the author’s annoyance with McDonalds servers or a particular brand of shampoo. In a world where we are enabled to share every thought that crosses our minds, it is worth considering how these advances have affected our abilities to listen. While we are aware of others’ comments, we may be tempted to read them while thinking of what our response will be. The goal, then is not truly hearing what others want to communicate, but crafting a more clever reply than theirs.

I am reminded of a much publicized radio transcript between an American navy ship and Canadian authorities off the coast of Newfoundland in 1995:
Americans: “Please divert your course 15 degrees to the North to avoid a collision.”
Canadians: “Recommend you divert YOUR course 15 degrees to the South to avoid a collision.”
Americans: “This is the Captain of a US Navy ship. I say again, divert YOUR course.”
Canadians: “No. I say again, you divert YOUR course.”
Americans: “THIS IS THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER USS LINCOLN, THE SECOND LARGEST SHIP IN THE UNITED STATES' ATLANTIC FLEET. WE ARE ACCOMPANIED BY THREE DESTROYERS, THREE CRUISERS AND NUMEROUS SUPPORT VESSELS. I DEMAND THAT YOU CHANGE YOUR COURSE 15 DEGREES NORTH, THAT'S ONE FIVE DEGREES NORTH, OR COUNTER-MEASURES WILL BE UNDERTAKEN TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THIS SHIP.”
Canadians: “This is a lighthouse. Your call.”
The U.S. captain was so adamant about getting his way and making his point that he completely missed a vital piece of information. He was more interested in being heard than in hearing someone else.

Some of the best advice I have ever been given comes in the form of a simple statement: seek first to understand and only then to be understood. The point is that a person should always understand what another person is saying before he formulates, much less communicates, his own opinion. This message also appears in the book of James. The author writes, “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires” (James 1:19-20). Quick to hear, slow to speak. Quick to hear, slow to speak. While this is immensely important in all life circumstances, it is especially important when it comes to sharing the Gospel with others.

We have a tendency to assume many things about other people. Most of this is due to how our brains work. We essentially create a filing system so that we can organize and retrieve information quickly. When a new person comes into our lives, our mind looks for a folder in which to place him or her. The Gospel of Christ is the power of God for salvation (Romans 1:16-17), and every person on earth needs salvation. However, every person on earth is different and perhaps they each need to be presented the Gospel in a somewhat different way. Over and over, we see Jesus meeting people where they were and on there terms. Paul wrote, “I have become all things to all people so that I may win some” (1 Cor. 9:22). To follow their example, we must become listeners who understand the people around us because we have heard what they actually said.

African Diary

2011-02-03T17:55:00.000-08:00

In 2002, a travel writer named Bill Bryson was invited by the humanitarian group CARE International to visit east Africa (mostly Kenya) to take a look at their operation and write a book about his experience. Profts from the book would go to CARE. The following is an excerpt from that Book (Bill Bryson’s African Diary) in which Bill describes his initial meeting with CARE officials who were explaining what the trip would entail:
“Some weeks later, I was summoned to CARE’s London offices for a meeting with Dan, his boss Will day and a rugged and amiable fellow named Nick Southern, CARE’s regional manager for Kenya, who happened to be in London at the time. We sat around a big table spread with maps of Kenya, while they outlined what they had in mind for me.
'Of course, you’ll have to fly to the refugee camp at Dadaad,’ Will observed thoughtfully at one point. He glanced at me. “To avoid bandits,’ he explained. Dan and Nick nodded gravely.
‘ I beg your pardon?’ I said, taking a sudden interest.
‘It’s bandit country all round there,’ Will said.
‘Where?’ I asked, peering at the map for the first time.
‘Oh, just there,’ Will said, waiving a hand vaguely across most of east Africa. ‘They only rarely shoot at planes,’ Nick explained. This wasn’t at all what I had had in mind, frankly. By way of homework, I had dutifully watched Out of Africa, from which I derived the impressions that this trip would mostly take place on a verandah somewhere while turbaned servants brought me lots of coffee. I knew that we would probably visit a clinic from time to time and that someone in the party might occasionally have to shoot a charging animal, but I hadn’t imagined anything shooting at me in return.
‘So how dangerous is Kenya then?’ I asked in a small controlled squeak.
‘Oh, not at all,’ they responded in unison.
‘Well, hardly,’ Will added.
‘It depends on what you mean by dangerous, of course,’ said Dan.
‘Like bleeding and not getting up again,’ I suggested. ‘Being shot and stabbed and so forth,’ I added. They assured me that that only very rarely happened and that is was nearly always one or the other. You had to be very unlucky to be shot and stabbed, they said.
‘It’s mostly disease you have to worry about,’ Nick went on.
‘Malaria, schistosomiasis, trypanosomiasis.’
‘Rift Valley fever, blackwater fever, yellow fever,’ said Dan.
‘Dengue fever, bilharzia—the usual tropical stuff,’ added Will. But they pointed out that you can be inoculated against many of those and for the rest most people manage a more or less complete recovery, given time and a considered programme of physiotherapy. Many even walk again.”
For someone such as myself who has been part of such a conversation before, I found great humor in Mr. Brysons account of this conversation. Certainly there are dangers anywhere a person goes, but when we aren’t accustomed to certain dangers, we tend to overreact.

This conversation reminds me, though, of a very serious statement Jesus made to his disciples. In Matthew 10, Jesus says, “I am sending you out like sheep surrounded by wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves” (Matt. 10:16). Unlike the CARE officials in London, our Lord seems very straightforward about how difficult this task of going into the world will be. Still, he sent them. Jesus commanded them to go, teach, and make disciples. That mission is still underway. We too must go, even as sheep among wolves, to teach whomever will listen about the salvation that comes through Jesus Christ. It may mean risking social awkwardness at best and our very lives at worst. Still, he is sending us.

A Christmas Story

2010-12-06T11:42:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving is now completed for another year and stores have brought their many Christmas decorations out of storage and into public view. Especially in a down economy, business owners are hoping that the Christmas spirit will catch on earlier than usual and therefore provide for an extended shopping season. Of course, in all economic times, Americans have shown their willingness to spend a great deal of money to buy gifts for their families and perhaps even themselves. If a family is unable to purchase gifts, churches and private charities step in to correct the bad situation and give (at least) the children good Christmas memories with special presents. The idea seems to be that everyone should have something to on Christmas Day.

Certainly Christmas is a special day for children. They have been mostly good all year, they have told Santa what they would like to receive, and for months they have been counting down the days until they will be able to get out of bed and unwrap that much-anticipated reward for their patience and behavior. When that moment finally arrives, there is such a rush of excitement that fills the room. All the waiting has paid off and now that doll or bicycle can be used till their hearts are content. The old toys from last December seem to have very antiquated purposes. They just do not seem as special as the new, pristine toys. The new toys represent new opportunities for fun. They introduce new tests. They are much better than their predecessors for a number of reasons.

From those early childhood memories of Christmas morning, people grow into adulthood with a sense that new is better. Something that is old and worn should be replaced with something that is young and intact. Cell phone companies understand this and therefore spend valuable resources marketing their latest models that everyone knows should replace their current mobile devices. All they must say is, “This phone is new” and people automatically understand “This phone is better.”

God has given His creation the opportunity to trade in the old for the new. Paul explains in his letter to the Romans:
“What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you now know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ have been baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin…So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus” (Romans 6:1-11 ESV, emphasis added)
Baptism is in some ways like Christmas morning. It is the moment at which we exchange our old, sinful selves for new creations which have been given to us by the grace of God. Sin no longer controls us, instead God’s love controls us. We have a new way of seeing the world. We have new challenges to meet and new opportunities that are presented to us. But unlike those gifts that are irrelevant by the time Christmas comes the next year, our new lives does not lose their meaning and significance. Like Jesus, we can claim that death no longer has control over us. He conquered death so that our new spiritual bodies will not fade or have their luster diminished.

At Least They Were Trying, Right?

2010-10-05T15:14:00.000-07:00

During the time of Jesus, Palestine was an interesting place. Several centuries earlier, Alexander the Great had conquered that land (and many other territories) spreading Greek culture from the eastern Mediterranean across the Middle East and eventually to India. Not only did this ensure that the Greek language was common to the majority of the world, but it also meant that the Greek culture began to replace existing cultures and influence existing religious systems. Alexander founded Greek-style cities complete with theaters, public baths, and gymnasiums. He encouraged the introduction of Greek customs and pushed his Greek soldiers to marry local women. Because the Jews did not resist him, Alexander allowed them a great deal of independence, even permitting continued worship at the temple in Jerusalem. Still, there was an enormous amount of Greek influence on the Jewish people and their society. After several subsequent leaders and a rebellion in which the Jews briefly gained independence, two main sects emerged. One supported the Greek influence and the change it brought. The other resisted the change and sought to preserve strict Jewish traditions. The former group eventually became the Sadducees and the latter became the Pharisees of Jesus’ time. (Mark Strauss, Four Portraits One Jesus).

In the New Testament, Pharisees are rarely shown in a positive light. Jesus is constantly challenging them for their hypocrisy and arrogance. Indeed they saw themselves as more pious than others and essentially worked to “build a fence” around the Law of Moses. In other words, they labored diligently to make sure that nobody came close to violating the Law by discussing and debating and prescribing everyday conduct. For example, knot-tying was unlawful on the Sabbath, however knots that could be untied with one hand were permissible. A person could tie a bucket over a well on the Sabbath, but only with a belt and not with a rope. Far from being ungodly, they sought to be the godliest people around by carefully considering God’s Law and making sure that there was not even a question as to whether or not it had been violated.

But despite the Pharisees diligence, despite their commitment to the God of Israel and His Law, they were not anywhere near the true heart of Yahweh. Jesus points out that they taught it was acceptable for a son to neglect his elderly parents if the money that would have gone to help them was given to the temple or synagogue instead. This teaching was contrary to the will of God, so Jesus says, “…for the sake of your tradition you have made void the word of God. You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said, ‘This people honors me with their lips but their heart is far from me…’” (Matthew 15:7-8). Later, Jesus calls a group of scribes and Pharisees “whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness.” (Matthew 23:27). We tend to focus on their inner rottenness but we need to understand the outward beauty of the Pharisees. Unlike today, most people in this time revered the group of pious Jews. However, Jesus pointed out over and over that they had missed the point. They had missed the heart of God.

Just like in the first century, it is possible for people who claim to follow God today to perform all the correct outward duties yet still possess a heart that is far from God. It is possible for people to “go to church”, read their Bibles, and even pray without actually being transformed into a new person whose heart beats to the rhythm of God’s. God wants our hearts, not our obligatory actions. To give our hearts away, though, is a scary thing even when the recipient is God. The reason is that God will change our hearts and perhaps cause us to do things that we would otherwise think to be crazy.

Scary Stuff

2010-09-01T13:08:00.000-07:00

Earnest Hemingway defined courage as “grace under pressure.” President John Kennedy referred to it as the “most admirable of human virtues.” Songwriter Keni Thomas claims that a hero is “a scared man that don’t walk away.” For some reason, mankind seems to admire those who take on uncommon risk to improve their own condition or the condition of others. From medals to awards to recognition by the highest leaders of government, courageous individuals are put on a pedestal for their bravery. However, as is evident from the above quotes, definitions of courage vary from person to person. What one considers brave another might consider foolish. What one considers foolish another might consider brave. In fact the line between valor and stupidity is often blurred beyond recognition. General Eisenhower seemed to appreciate this concept the evening before the Allied invasion of Europe. He had his resignation letter prepared just in case the offensive did not have a favorable outcome. While the stakes may not be as great, I believe we have much the same difficulty in deciphering what is courageous and what is irrational.

When we read the gospels, we hear our Savior calling for radical action on the part of his followers. Consider these words from the Gospel of Matthew:
“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household. Whoever loves father or mother more that me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (Matthew 10:34-39)
Does Jesus really expect us to go against our fathers and mothers and sons and daughters? Does he really expect that the people living in our own homes will become our enemies? If so, what does that mean for disciples? Where is the line between Christian living and shear callousness, between courage and foolishness? Of course, we will say that Jesus simply means that he must be more important than anyone or anything else in our lives. True enough.

But the question still lingers in my mind, “Why such strong language?” (or to borrow a phrase from the Joker, “Why so serious?”) Jesus could have just come out and said, “I have to be most important to you,” right? This hyperbolic language almost seems to be too much. Jesus is the Prince of Peace after all, but here he is talking about starting war.

A few verses earlier, Jesus speaks of persecution that will come to his disciples. He tells them to “be wise as serpents and innocent as doves” (v. 16). The then encourages them not to fear (v. 26) and reminds them of their value and God’s promise to sustain His children (v. 31). Perhaps the purpose of this seemingly erratic monologue is to let followers know that it will be worth it, but it will not be easy. That God is in control but that he does not always control every situation. That sometimes people reject God and therefore act violently toward His messengers. We have an idea of Christianity bringing only joys and blessings. Certainly there are those things. But if we want to truly know and understand Jesus, we must also recognize his teachings about sacrifice and suffering. According to Jesus, following him can be a frightening thing. Thankfully, we can overcome that fear because, as he points out, no matter what happens, we are on the winning side.

Radical Generosity

2010-08-05T15:17:00.000-07:00

In Mark 10, we find the story of a wealthy young man who comes to Jesus asking what he must do to inherit eternal life. The young man explains that he has kept the commandments from his youth, but Jesus knows there is one thing with which he needs to part. Jesus tells him, “sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come follow me” (v. 21). This seems like an incredibly difficult task in American society today. Certainly there are so many things (not bad things, just things) that we buy to enjoy and make ourselves more productive. Success is seen as gaining more things not losing them. That is way a BBC article this week caught my eye. Here’s an excerpt:
“Thirty-eight US billionaires have pledged at least 50% of their wealth to charity through a campaign started by investor Warren Buffet and Microsoft founder Bill Gates.
They include New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, CNN founder Ted Turner and entertainment executive Barry Diller.
The campaign was started in June to convince US billionaires to give away at least half of their fortunes either during their lifetimes or after their deaths.
‘We've really just started but already we've had a terrific response,’ Mr Buffett said in a statement.
He added: ‘The Giving Pledge is about asking wealthy families to have important conversations about their wealth and how it will be used.’
Those who pledge their money to "philanthropic causes and charitable organisations" must publicly state their intention through a letter of explanation.
Other billionaires who have pledged large sums of their money include film producer George Lucas, philanthropist David Rockefeller and oil investor T Boone Pickens.
‘I am dedicating the majority of my wealth to improving education. It is the key to the survival of the human race,’ Mr Lucas wrote in his Giving Pledge letter.
‘I've long stated that I enjoy making money, and I enjoy giving it away’
said T Boone Pickens, Oil investor.
The organisation says many of the donors have committed to donating sums far greater than the 50% minimum level.
‘While the Giving Pledge is specifically focused on billionaires, the idea takes its inspiration from efforts in the past and at present that encourage and recognize givers of all financial means and backgrounds,’ says Givingpledge.org.
Mr Buffet along with Mr Gates and his wife, Melinda, held numerous dinners with US billionaires in the past year to promote the campaign and urge America's financial elite to pledge.
‘I've long stated that I enjoy making money, and I enjoy giving it away. I like making money more, but giving it away is a close second,’ Mr Pickens wrote in a letter on Givingpledge.org.
Mr Buffet, the chief executive of the investment firm Berkshire Hathaway, pledged 99% of his money to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and family charities in 2006.
Forbes Magazine estimated Mr Buffet's wealth at $47bn (£29bn) in March.
Bill Gates, who Forbes rates as the world's second wealthiest person, has also given away more than $28bn to his foundation.
There are 403 billionaires living in the US, according to Forbes.”- British Broadcasting Company, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-10870361

While these billionaires (not all Christians, by the way) may not be giving away their entire fortunes, they are giving away more than most. Granted, they will still have more left over than many of us will ever posses, but the point is that they are taking a radical step to help others. Jesus calls for radical discipleship. He desires followers who will forsake everything (possessions, fame, fun, status) for Him. In light of the radical generosity of these wealthy families, I invite you to ask yourself, “What radical thing have I done lately?”

A Trip to the Capitol

2010-07-14T15:12:00.001-07:00

Montgomery is my second-favorite city in the entire state of Alabama. Gulf Shores is first only because it has a beach, albeit an oily one now. Montgomery, however, is incredibly historical. So many significant events have occurred there; as a result almost every city block has a story to tell. A person can go to the capitol steps and stand on a star marking the exact location where Jefferson Davis took the oath of office as president of the Confederate State of America. From there one might be able to throw a rock that would land at the door of the church where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. labored for equal rights. Just down Dexter Avenue, there is a well-known hot dog restaurant where Franklin Roosevelt once dined. Further down the street is the Alabama judicial building where Roy Moore displayed his monument featuring the 10 Commandments, daring a federal judge to remove it. Marchers from Selma walked down this road when they petitioned their government in 1965. Of course, there are many significant occurrences in the capital city in modern times. Just last year, Senator Charles Bishop feebly punch another aged Senator on the floor of that chamber. I have traveled to Montgomery on many occasion, usually for something having to do with state politics. I have worked in the state house, and been up to the Capital City Club overlooking the city. Last week, however, I visited parts of Montgomery that I barely knew existed.
Only a mile or so away from the capitol complex there are numerous government-run housing projects. The people there are in many ways just like those of us who attend Central, however there are some very real differences. Our first task was to conduct a reading camp in one of these communities. The children were very loud and difficult to control. It seemed that we simply could not get them quiet enough to begin reading. Later, we learned that for those children, quietness is a sign of danger. On a normal day, children are out playing, adults are sitting on porches, and there is no fear in the teens walking down the street. However, on a “quiet” day, everyone stays inside as much as possible because they sense some sort of risk on the other side of their front doors. Consequently, the children at the reading camp did not like silence. If there was silence, as is usually required for reading, they would attempt to break it.
Our second task was to go to another neighborhood and play outdoors with the children. We did this in the early afternoon because “a different crowd” comes out around 3:30pm. With footballs, soccer balls, Frisbees, and jump ropes, we arrived at Smiley Court. The children were very happy to see us. They met the van with great smiles and exclamations of excitement. Of course, their parents were sitting on the porch watching to make sure they stayed out of the road and did not get into trouble. This provided the adults an opportunity to study and pray with mothers and grandmothers who to my surprise valued a couple of guys coming with Bibles to their doorstep.
Later in the week, at a different housing community, the teens spread out, knocking on doors. Typically I do not see “door knocking” as productive because people are generally unreceptive. This place was different. Several people invited our teens in to pray and even share a verse or two. They were eager to hear encouraging scripture and have another person petition God on their behalf. As one of our teens remarked, “I’ve never been to the projects armed only with a Bible.” Certainly, this got all of us out of our comfort zones. Not only were we in a stranger neighborhood, but we were doing things that we normally do not do. We were asking complete strangers if they wanted prayer.
Through all of the interesting and perhaps exciting experiences, I found myself thinking of mission work overseas. While there are vast cultural differences, all people seem to have a craving for God’s healing power. The way we approach people, whether in Africa or Athens, need not be too dissimilar because the need is the same worldwide. The main difference I would point out is that unlike “middle America” there are families on this planet who desperately need salvation of one sort or another. They have no choice but to appeal to a higher power for their physical and spiritual sustenance. It is our job to take the Gospel to them, to show them the compassion of Christ in the 21st century. To do that, however, we may need to examine ourselves and learn what it really means to be completely dependent upon God

What's Your Story?

2010-06-08T15:45:00.000-07:00

The following comes from our summer intern, Chris Humphries:

What is your story? All of us have one, and they are all completely different. Every single day, our stories are being written, word-by-word, and chapter-by-chapter. Everything we do has an effect on how are story will be written for the moment we are in. The decisions we make and paths we choose to take are all factors into our stories, and factors into who we are and who we are making ourselves to be.
In his book A Million Miles in a Thousand Years, Donald Miller examines story. He is asked by a movie producer to turn a previous book, Blue Like Jazz, into a movie. In order to do this, Don has to “edit” his life for the big screen. Essentially, he has to eliminate the boring and mundane, and spice it up a bit, emphasizing on the good parts and making up better parts to compromise for the rest. He uses a story about a man going to buy a Volvo to illustrate the worthlessness of a boring story:
“The character’s ambition defines what the movie’s about, so if the character wants a Volvo the movie’s going to be about a guy who gets a Volvo or struggles to get a Volvo. And then if I watched a movie about a guy who got a Volvo I probably wouldn’t be very moved at the end of it. And so why should I expect if I’m going to spend the next five years saving up for a Volvo and get the Volvo that I would have any greater experience in my actual life?”
Miller uses the story to prove that in order for our lives to have meaning, we have to have desires, ambitions, and even conflict. True, there will be times when we want new cars; some of us may even want a Volvo. But, besides our material needs, our lives have to be going somewhere, and our stories have to be moving, instead of stuck in a writer’s block.
This is where our walk with Christ comes in. God let Jesus die so that our sins would be forgiven, and so that we would be in heaven with Him one day. He paid our debts because He loves us more than anyone ever could. There are a few ways we can let the story of our salvation in Jesus Christ affect our lives. We can choose to acknowledge that our sins have been forgiven, but not really let it affect how we live. It is so easy to forget the power of God and let that get lost in the process that being a Christian can become sometimes. Another way is that we can try to pay God back for His sacrifice, try to “leave a tip” for the tab He picked up for us. God does not need or want this from us. He wants us to live in the third way, which is to worship. He wants us to live our lives in devotion to Him, and live our lives in a way that doesn’t live to pay God back, but to simply worship and glorify him in every way.
We can find meaning in this story; it can give us something to live for. Cyprian Norwid, a Polish poet, once said, “You have to have something to live on, something to live for, and something to die for. Lack of one of these is drama, but lack of two is tragedy.” Without something to live for, we have nothing to die for. On Sunday, Bro. Perkins and Bro. Malone both asked us the question of what we would die for. What, for the sake of the body, is so big and so important that we would give it up, or lay down our lives? This is both the conflict and meaning in our stories. Christianity can be something that we use to fulfill ourselves, or it can be something that shakes us from our very core, and makes us question both the world and our lives so that we may be able to know the truth. In your story, what is your conflict, and what is your meaning? Are you living a story that is based around your desire to worship and obey God, or are you living a story that worships you and what you want to do? Jesus died for our sins so that His story may be our story and so that one day, we will understand the sacrifice and be with him, forever.

Just A Vapor

2010-04-07T22:11:00.000-07:00

When I was a student at the University of Alabama, I attended the Central Church of Christ in Tuscaloosa. I greatly enjoyed participating in the leadership of their campus ministry and worked closely with the ministers. The pulpit minister had a special place in his heart for the Tide for Christ Student Ministry and therefore made great efforts to interact with its members. However, that interaction often produced more than the college students expected. I clearly remember going into his office one day to ask a question about an upcoming devotional. Forty-five minutes later I left having listened to a survey of the book of Romans and having forgotten my original question. While I learned a great deal, I did not expect to spend my time that afternoon in such a way.

The truth is that I am very thankful for the times when I was able to walk away with more than I had planned. Life constantly presents opportunities to learn and teach, but we often miss them completely because we are so hurried. With an irony reserved for humans, our need to accomplish as much in one day as possible keeps us from experiencing the truly meaningful events that give our lives purpose. As a result of busy schedules we do not dwell when we should and we do not comprehend the reason why pausing is necessary. Our goal is to move on to the next thing on the list as quickly as possible. Of course, we do stop and appreciate the big events, such as funerals and weddings, but when the appropriate amount of time has passed we change demeanors to whatever the next situation requires. We are very human in that way, but if we can become more aware of our circumstance as mortals we might try to fill our hours with quality over quantity.

Mitch Album learned about our circumstance as mortals from his old college professor, Morrie Swartz. After graduation, Mitch lost touch with his favorite professor as his career led him to become a well-known sports writer. One night, he saw Morrie on television with Ted Koppel and learned from Nightline that his “coach” was suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease) and would die within a few months. He immediately made plans to meet with him on a Tuesday afternoon and continued meeting with him each week for thirteen weeks. Morrie was aware of his condition and wanted to teach others what he learned during his slow march to the grave. On their seventh Tuesday, Morrie explained aging by saying, “It’s very simple. As you grow, you learn more. If you stayed at twenty-two, you’d always be as ignorant as you were at twenty-two. Aging is not just decay, you know. It’s growth. It’s more than the negative that you’re going to die, it’s also the positive that you understand you’re doing to die, and that you live a better life because of it” (Tuesdays with Morrie, pg. 118). For Morrie death was a motivation to make the most of whatever time God had given him.

James also tried to explain that life is unpredictable and short. He writes, “You do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away” (James 4:14). The writer of Hebrews echoes this sentiment urging believers to “encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called ‘Today’” (Hebrews 3:13). All that we mortals have is the present. The past guides us. The future inspires us. The present is where we connect the two. That connection is crucial because what we do now gives the past meaning and determines the future. In other words, what we do now determines everything. Therefore use now to do what is most important.

We Are the Way

2010-03-07T14:34:00.000-08:00

When tragedy strikes anywhere around the globe, the international community is typically quick to respond with at least some sort of token support. After the Haiti earthquake, regular citizens donated money beyond what their governments had given and musicians came together for a special tribute. The following story was published in Time magazine:
“In recent years, that staple of mid 1980’s---the all-star benefit tune—has become a pop rarity. But now, 25 years after ‘We Are the World’ raised $63 million for African famine relief, a new generation of musicians has rerecorded the anthem, with proceeds going to victims of Haiti’s recent earthquake.
The idea of charity records began with the Beatles. Or, rather, with some Beatles. Following the breakup of the Fab Four, George Harrison helped organize 1971’s Concert for Bangladesh, the first star-studded event of its kind. Proceeds from the concert’s live triple album went to UNICEF. Paul McCartney followed suit with a 1979 collaboration, cheekily dubbed Rockestra, for victims of Pol Pot’s purges in Cambodia. The first certified charity smash didn’t arrive, however, until 1984, when Band Aid—a British and Irish supergroup that included Sting, Bono and George Michael—recorded ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’ to benefit African famine victims. The effort raised some $18 million and was soon copied across the pond by USA for Africa with “We Are the World,” which quickly became the best-selling song of the decade.
After the 1980’s, charity tunes hit mostly false notes (Anyone remember 2008’s ‘Just Stand Up’?) except for Elton John’s 1997 reworking of ‘Candle in the Wind,’ which benefitted Princess Diana’s foundation following her death. The song’s outsize success—it is the best-selling single ever—spawned a wave of imitators too lazy to even think up new lyrics. ‘Do They Know it’s Christmas’ was rerecorded and released in 2004 to benefit Darfur. And the new ‘We Are the World,’ featuring and Auto-Tuned Lil Wayne in place of Bob Dylan, may be raising money atop the iTunes charts, but it does so at the expense of botching a sentimental classic. At least its heart is in the right place.”- Dan Fletcher, Time
With the best of intentions, these artists sought to unify the world by reminding its inhabitants that they are all bound together. When adversity threatens one particular population, it endangers all of humanity.

As Christians, we should not be strangers to the idea of uniting behind common beliefs and purposes, of knowing that our destinies are tied together for better or worse. Just before his death, Jesus called out to the Father by saying, “…I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one” (John 17:11). Jesus’ prayer for his disciples was that they be a single cohesive family.

Of course, Christians do not always get along or treat each other as they should. However, that is the goal that Jesus puts forward. Much like the people involved with creating the song “We Are the World” to remind citizens of every nation that we have more in common than we often think, Christians are called to share a common faith which causes them to act in unison regardless of difficult situations which may arise. Remembering that gives us the power to overcome any differences and thereby fulfill one of Christ’s final wishes.

A Letter From Jail

2010-02-03T13:29:00.000-08:00

February was designated “Black History Month” in 1976 and since then the country has made special efforts to remember and celebrate contributions made by African Americans to our common history. However, as is often the case with holidays in the United States, the clichés and platitudes create an obstacle that prevents many people from attaining anything more than a superficial understanding of significant people and speeches. Obviously, Martin Luther King Jr. is one of the first names that comes to mind when discussing black history, but on television his entire life of service is condensed into four words: “I have a dream…” While this particular moment in a message given on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial was certainly historic, it does not show the breadth and depth of Dr. King’s guiding principles, which sustained him through difficult times.

The reverend was imprisoned in the city jail of Birmingham, AL after participating in civil rights demonstrations in 1963. On April 16, he penned an open letter addressed to “My Dear Fellow Clergymen “ in which he sought to answer criticism aimed at his actions as a civil rights leader who had come to Alabama from Georgia. After explaining that his work with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference brought him to the Magic City, he delved into a deeper discussion of injustice and how the Christian should respond to it:
“ Beyond this, I am in Birmingham because injustice is here. Just as the eighth-century prophets left their villages and carried their ‘thus saith the Lord’ far beyond the boundaries of their hometowns; and just as the Apostle Paul left his little village of Tarsus and carried the gospel of Jesus Christ to practically every hamlet and city of the Graeco-Roman world, I too am compelled to carry the gospel of freedom beyond my particular hometown. Like Paul, I must constantly respond to the Macedonian call for aid.
Moreover, I am cognizant of the interrelatedness of all communities and states. I cannot sit idly by in Atlanta and not be concerned about what happens in Birmingham. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly. Never again can we afford to live with the narrow, provincial ‘outside agitator’ idea. Anyone who lives in the United States can never be considered an outsider anywhere in this country.”
According to Martin Luther King Jr. the Christian is called to spread God’s message of reconciliation to all men wherever they live.

Of Course, Dr. King was writing at a time when injustice was commonplace and people in the United States (and indeed around the globe) were discriminated against because of their skin color. Still, his message speaks to a much more undeniable truth about God and His dealings with mankind. Paul explained this principle to the Corinthians by saying, “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them and he has committed to us the message of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18-19). To be reconciled is to be brought together. In his letter from jail, Dr. King touched on the most basic tenant of the Christian faith: we have been reconciled to God and are therefore His ministers of reconciliation. Anywhere there is division and hatred Christians have the responsibility to show God’s love in a way that will bring the warring factions together. This does not only apply to situations in which racism exists. This applies to sinners who need to be reunited with their Creator, to parents who need healing in the relationship with their children, and to enemies who need to rebuild the trust they once had as friends. Simply put, Christians every day are meant to be advocates who bring people together despite what may seem like insurmountable differences.

Oh, The Places You'll Go

2010-01-07T09:53:00.000-08:00

During my 25 years of life, I have had several opportunities to travel to distant lands and experience what to me were exotic cultures. From London to Bolgatanga and from Nairobi to Chennai, I have flown many miles across oceans and continents. While on these journeys I have often been in situations that I did not expect and many times did not desire. I once sat on a crocodile in northern Ghana. I was within reaching distance of a fully-grown lion in western Kenya. I stood anxiously at Heathrow airport hoping not to be pulled out of line for screening with their “high tech” machine that sees through clothing. I ate small fish that had been baked on a roof for three days in the slums of Kenya’s capital city. Still, nothing I have done struck me as being as absurd as what I did on the senior high ski retreat at Snowshoe, WV.

As our bus made its way into West Virginia, it was obvious that old man winter had set in for a long stay. The trees and fields were covered with several inches of snow and the flakes continued to float down from the sky as we drove along the interstate highway. Obviously, temperatures were below freezing, however the coldest weather awaited us at the top of the mountain. During the two days of skiing, the thermometer never rose above the single digits and the wind chill factor was well below zero. Of course, at night the temperature dropped off even more and as a group we decided to shed our heavy ski jackets and pants for swim trunks.

Snowshoe has two hot tubs and an indoor/outdoor pool within walking distance of our lodge. After a long day of skiing, a nice sit in warm bubbling water seemed just the cure for sore muscles. As we made our way out the door of the pool house and onto the pool deck, we became painfully aware that this experience would not be like anything we had done before. The “lifeguard” (who was wearing a thick full-length jacket with a ski mask, scarf, and gloves) was busy sprinkling salt to dissolve ice on the walkways around the pool. Running, of course, was against the rules since even the handrails were coated with ice and moving too quickly could result in a very nasty fall. Following a brutal walk in nothing but swimwear with the wind blowing and snow falling, we all felt great relief upon reaching the edge of the hot tub and hopping in quickly. Still, Mother Nature was not finished. As the steam rose and our hair got damp, it began to freeze and then turn white. Some of the guys enjoyed styling their hair in various ways only to submerse their heads and do it again. When he finished spreading the salt, the shivering lifeguard darted inside. I could not help but wonder what he was thinking. Many people who go to Snowshoe do exactly what we did; otherwise the pool would have been closed. Nevertheless, had I been in his position I would have thought anybody swimming in such weather was crazy. For the first 10 minutes or so, I simply sat and laughed at the absurdity of the situation. It was almost surreal and definitely nonsensical.

As a Christian, though, I suppose I should be accustomed to doing what many would consider irrational. There are so many skeptics in the world who have discrediting religion as their sole purpose in life and some make incredibly persuasive arguments. At times, it can be difficult to stand up to these criticisms, much less live a life that shows others a strong and vibrant faith. Paul reminds the church in Rome that “since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse” (Romans 1:20). The world may think it absurd for a group of people to worship a God who supposedly came to earth and lived as a poor man. The world may dismiss stories of giant slayers and floods as fairy-tales. However, the Christian knows that God has revealed Himself in such a way that those who do not believe have no defense because the evidence is clear. As absurd as it may sound, the God who created the universe has communicated His divine plan to us, and therefore we have a responsibility to study and understand not only the plan but also the ways in which God communicates it.

What's the Point of That?

2009-12-08T15:21:00.001-08:00

A man was walking down the street one day and suddenly fell into a deep pit. The walls of this pit were so tall and slick that he was unable to climb to the top. He could however, see people passing by on the sidewalk above him. He called out to a priest saying, “Father, please help me. I have fallen into a pit.” The priest said, “Bless you my son. May God be with you,” and continued walking. The man then saw a city councilman and again called out, “Your honor, please help me. I have fallen into a pit.” The councilman looked down and responded, “My heavens. This is indeed a severe problem. I shall make a motion at the next council meeting to appoint a committee to assess your situation and make recommendations on how to proceed with your rescue.” The councilman then continued handing out campaign buttons. Finally, a friend of this man walked by. A third time he called out, “My friend, please help me. I have fallen into a pit.” Without hesitation his friend jumped down into the pit. The man criticized his friend’s action shouting, “You fool! Now you and I are both in this pit!” to which his friend replied, “Yes, but I have been down here before and I know the way out.”

Many people have a tendency to say what they know they should, but do only what they want. The priest and the councilman gave lip service to this man who was in trouble. They said things that sounded good, but they did not back up those words with tangible action. James asks the question, “If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?” (James 2:15-16). This statement comes just after he essentially says that pure religion is to help those who cannot help themselves (James 1:27). James, here, is trying to get across the point that Christianity is just as much about doing as it is anything else. This brings us to the book of Galatians.

After explaining how we are to “walk by the Spirit”, Paul recommends that we “not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.” He continues “Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness…bear one another’s burdens…for if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself…so then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially those who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 5:25-6:10). The point here is simple: help each other out, but in doing so do not think that you are better than everyone else.

God has given us as Christians the responsibility to serve the world, especially those people who belong to Him. We cannot serve with arrogance, thinking that we are superior. Remember that the friend was only able to save the man from the pit because he had once been trapped in the pit himself. It is only when we realize that everyone can contribute to God’s family and that everyone is just as important as we are that God can truly use us to bring glory to Him and save a lost world. Let us pray that God develops within each member of Central’s youth ministry the humble heart of a servant.

No Help From a Fish

2009-11-04T20:31:00.000-08:00

If you want a definition of water, do not ask a fish. This odd sounding but often repeated adage is backed by a healthy dose of truth. A fish would be unable to comprehend something as simple as water because the water is its entire world. The water is all it knows. Despite being surrounded by water its whole life, it never is able to gain a proper perspective on the most essential component of its existence. At times, people are no better than fish at understanding even the most basic parts of our lives especially from the perspective of others. I was given the opportunity to come out of the water by previewing a film that will be released on January 22, 2010 entitled To Save a Life.

The movie follows the life a popular high school basketball player, Jake Taylor, who is faced with immense tragedy when his childhood friend commits suicide. He is approached by the youth pastor of a local church and eventually decides to attend a Sunday morning service. The next day at school Jake is talking with one of the girls who is a regular at the church and she proceeds to invite him to “youth group” on Tuesday night. Jake does not understand because he has already been to church. With a look of both confusion and astonishment, he simply asks, “You go to church two times a week?” For the audience of youth workers, this was a very humorous moment. The entire theater erupted with laughter and understandably so. We all have built our lives around going to church two times a week. For someone to be confused by such a simple concept, to us, is laughable. However, I imagine that when the film is released, there will be many people who witness this scene and are just as confused as Jake. They too will want an answer to the question he asked because they do not understand what to us is almost second nature.

More than anything, this film helps Christians see themselves through the eyes of a non-believer. Paul encourages the Christian “not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned” (Romans 12:3). At times, we struggle to do this because, like the fish, we are unable to remove ourselves from comfortable surroundings and ways of thinking. We cannot see our lives the way that others do. If we are not careful, God’s people can become so closed off that we miss opportunities to positively influence those around us because we just do not make the effort to see the world from their perspective.

There are many people hurting on this planet. They may feel isolated. They may be dealing with loss. They may be searching for answers. While we cannot explain everything that happens, we put our trust in the One who can. It is our responsibility to teach others to do the same. We will not be able to teach them until we understand them, and we will not understand them if we do not make a conscious effort to learn. Let us try every day to step outside of our comfort zones and reach out to people whom we might not notice otherwise. Let us fulfill Jesus’ call to go into a hurting world with the Gospel that God is good and able to make sense out of life’s many troubles.

A Strange Group of People

2009-09-02T20:31:00.000-07:00

From the time I was born, there has seldom been a Sunday during which my family and I did not attend at least one worship service at a local church whether we were at home or on vacation. I remember often singing about the wee little man named Zacchaeus during Sunday school and then sneaking back into the classroom to play with the funny looking flannel board characters which in all likelihood boar absolutely no resemblance to the people they were intended to represent. I sometimes would “play church” at home using Pop-tarts and Juicy-Juice as the communion meal. Every now and then I would “baptize” my little brother over and over again in the pool even though he had no desire to be immersed (probably because he never got more than three seconds to breath in between dunks). I am not sure when, but at some point I realized that Christians can be weird. We can decide to focus on odd things that have no real bearing on what it means to be a true follower or Jesus.

Matthew Paul Turner had a few similar experiences as a child. In his book, Churched: One Kid’s Journey Toward God Despite a Holy Mess, he recounts one encounter with an all too sure Bible class teacher:
“One Sunday, Mrs. Snover handed each of us a black-and-white picture of Jesus grinning from ear to ear and holding two fish and five loaves of bread. She had just finished telling us how Jesus performed a miracle and fed five thousand hungry male followers. I’d heard that story many times before, but when Mrs. Snover pulled out a loaf of Wonder Bread and a couple of cans of Bumble Bee tuna to help us visualize the miracle, it opened my eyes to a new facet of that biblical story. Sometimes Jesus smelled like cat food.

As soon as Mrs. Snover handed me the coloring picture, I immediately jumped up and ran to grab the Kelly-green and tangerine-orange crayons out of the coloring box. I began filling in Jesus’s robe with my favorite shade of green.

‘Matthew.’ Mrs. Snover darted around the table to where I was sitting, ‘What are you doing?’

‘I’m coloring Jesus.’

She didn’t say anything at first; she just stood, rooted, and stared over my shoulder like a very disappointed nun. ‘Uh, no, no, no. Jesus’s robe was not green Matthew; it was white…Jesus didn’t dress in those kinds of colors. He just wore a plain white robe.’

Since I was only a second grader, I wasn’t sure how she knew so much about the dress code of Jesus, but as I got older, I sometimes wondered whether or not she had been around him in one of her other lives, perhaps as one of the demons he cast out.” (pp. 90-91)

Even during his ministry on this earth, Jesus dealt with people who simply did not understand him or his purpose. In Matthew 12, Jesus and his disciples are walking through a grain field on the Sabbath day, and one of those disciples breaks off a piece of wheat because he is hungry. The Pharisees quickly take advantage of the situation, accusing Jesus and his followers of doing what is “unlawful.” Jesus responds by saying that these teachers of the law do not understand the intent of what they were teaching. He uses David and priests of the temple as examples of people who had done much worse things on the Sabbath and were still counted as sinless. Jesus concludes by saying to the Pharisees, “…if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless” (v. 7).

Today, we are bombarded with messages about who Jesus was and what he expects of us. The truth is that he simply wants us to follow him. He simply wants us to be disciples who go out and make other disciples. There is no need to overcomplicate things. Jesus wants disciples who love him, love those around them, and serve the world.

...And I'm An Alcoholic

2009-07-01T19:55:00.000-07:00

A guy in his mid-twenties walked out onto the stage wearing jeans and an un-tucked, button-up shirt. Like most of the people who walked onto that stage, he asked the only questions certain to get at least a mildly energetic response from the junior high crowd: “What’s up Impact?! Are you excited to be here tonight?!” Of course, there were many cheers that came pouring fourth from the 1,200 people in the audience, though not as many as when the song leader had asked the same question approximately 45 minutes before. He then stood center stage and introduced himself by saying, “My name is Trevor. I’m a former Lipscomb student. And I am an alcoholic.” The crowd erupted into the loudest chorus of approval it had exhibited all weekend.

I could not help but chuckle a bit inside because here these teenagers were giving a standing ovation to a man who had just confessed one of the more taboo sins in our culture (there is a reason it is called Alcoholic Anonymous ). Obviously, they were not applauding his addiction to hard liquor at a “church camp,” although the thought of that struck me as funny. Instead, they were showing their immense approval for this act of confession, an act which three days of lessons had convinced them was essential for any true disciple of Jesus.

Jeff Walling spoke about Adam and Eve and how they became ashamed after sinning in the garden. He said that the only way to rid oneself of that kind of guilt is to confess, or name it. Walling pointed out that the verb “confess” is similar to the one used when Adam named the animals. To confess something is to name it, and if you name something you assume control over it. Trevor gained control over his problem by calling it what it was, not just in the privacy of his apartment, but in the presence of trusted friends and family members.

God has given us a spiritual family in which we are free to name our shortcomings so that with the help of fellow Christians we can assert control over, as the Hebrews writer called it, the sin which so easily entangles us (Hebrews 12:1). James says to, “confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The intense prayer of the righteous is very powerful” (James 5:16). James seems to indicate that confession is only the beginning.

Naming your sin does no good if there is no prayer and intercession to follow. Often, disciples will get worked into an emotional frenzy, so much so that they let go of all the secrets they possess. As wonderful and liberating as that moment is, we must remember James’ admonition to pray, not just once or twice, but continually. The epistle concludes with these words:
“My brothers, if any among you strays from the truth, and someone turns him back he should know that whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his life from death and cover a multitude of sins.” (James 5:19-20)
Confession is the first step in a new direction, but to “turn” takes many more intentional choices that lead back to what James calls the “truth.”

Family Vacations

2009-05-06T15:46:00.001-07:00

There are certain times in life when you are forced, because of shear stupidity or embarrassment, to look at the people around you and ask yourself, “Am I really supposed to be with them?” Very often in my life, these times have occurred during family vacations. The Griswalds had flawless trips when compared to the Grices, especially as we loaded up with two other families every summer to spend one week in Panama City Beach, Florida. There were always mishaps (usually incredibly funny ones), but a particular summer had more than was normal because of a twist that Mother Nature spun our way.

My parents owned two condominiums at Regency Towers and over the course of several years, our family became well acquainted with the family who rented jet skis in front of our complex. They were nice enough to take us out one morning free of charge. The sky was the best shade of blue and the water was as calm as I had ever seen it. We fed dolphins. We jumped each other’s waves. We pestered fishermen. We did all of this before lunch and were very hungry upon our return to land. As we made our way into our third floor condo and began making ham sandwiches, we turned on the television. The regular “Beach TV” programming was not available. Instead, there was a man sitting behind a table talking about evacuations for the approaching hurricane. Only 30 minutes earlier, we had been in the Gulf of Mexico where a category 2 hurricane would later make landfall. After talking with some of the locals, we all agreed that it would be best to stay beachfront and ride out the storm.

With precious little time before the hurricane was forecast to make landfall, our group rushed to the only store that was still open: Seven-Eleven. There was no discussion of what supplies should be purchased or who should find what. No, instead 15 people from Jasper, AL began collecting items that we individually thought would help us during this potential natural disaster. Had Jeff Foxworthy seen what we brought to the checkout line, we would now be a well-known part of his stand-up act. Some of the items included a Snickers bar, a pack of Skittles, a 1 liter Mountain Dew, earphones, and swimming goggles. The cashier told my mother, “Y’all are so lucky because we have one pack of batteries left,” to which my mom replied, “Do you think we’ll need those?” (she purchased the batteries only to find out later that we had no flashlight).

In all seriousness, I love my family very much, but sometimes I cannot help laughing at the things we do. No family is perfect. No parents can always keep from embarrassing their children. No children can always keep from embarrassing their parents. No grandparents can always keep from spoiling their grandchildren. We push each other’s buttons so much at times that we just want to keep our distance. However, we are still family. We still love each other unconditionally. That is the way a family works.

In his gospel, John writes that Jesus “came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:11-13). All of us who have been born of God share the same lineage. We belong to the same family, God’s family. Like our biological families, the family of God is full of imperfect people whose actions often require us to extend a little extra grace. However, because we have not been born of blood, flesh or the will of man, we are counted as perfect beings who have been fully redeemed. The family of God is both imperfect and perfect at the same time. This extraordinary fellowship is possible only because of our Father in heaven who sets before us an example of the kind of love that we aught to give each other and who motivates us to share that love with the world.

Truly Awesome

2009-04-02T18:44:00.000-07:00

The thought of spending the day in a hospital sounds dreadful to most people. The thought of spending the day in a hospital that treats only children is even worse. Adding the awareness that almost all of the kids are battling cancer is just downright depressing. Nevertheless, this was one of the purposes for which I traveled to Memphis, TN as a sophomore at the University of Alabama. I had been put in charge of initiating an annual fundraiser for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and was attending a workshop to learn how to accomplish this goal. As we walked through the door of the hospital, we were engulfed by the colorful murals painted onto every wall, serenaded by the sound of squeaky tricycle wheels rolling down the corridors, and made to laugh at the purposefully humorous ways several of the kids had chosen to cover their bald heads. Depression was simply not allowed.

St. Jude is miraculous place. Patients, doctors, and researchers come from all over the world to either receive treatment or work in an hopeful and effective environment. Since 1962, their cure rate for Hodgkin lymphoma has gone from 50% to 90% and their cure rate for Non-Hodgkin lymphoma has gone from 7% to 80%. This means that St. Jude is close to realizing the dream of its founder, Danny Thomas, who said that, “no child should die in the dawn of life.” At St. Jude, patients are treated both physically and emotionally and their families are very well taken care of also.

What amazed me the most was not the cure rates or the eternal optimism of the staff, but rather the fact that absolutely no family ever sees a bill. It costs over $1million to simply open the doors of St. Jude each day and all of that money comes from private and corporate donors. Only through the generosity of concerned people is this charity hospital able to carry out its life saving mission, and fully comprehending just how generous those donors are fills one with awe. A generous spirit is apparently just as moving today as it was in the days following the death of Jesus.

In Acts 2, we read that “awe came upon every soul” when the early Christians were doing as the apostles instructed. Yes, there were “many wonders and signs” being done through the apostles, but other things were also happening such as fellowship, prayer, and giving. Apparently, these early disciples were “selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.” Part of what caused the people to be amazed was the generosity of the early church. They sold what they owned to ensure that no brother or sister was destitute.

In a similar spirit, our congregation has organized a massive yard sale to raise funds for our upcoming mission trip to Ghana. Just as these first century Christians did, we have brought belongings to sell so that our brothers and sisters overseas will not have to go without food, shelter, or clothing. Let us pray that we can rally together, taking our cue from first century Christians, so that our community might also feel a sense of awe.

African Widows

2009-03-05T08:54:00.000-08:00

There is an orphanage a few miles outside of Nairobi, Kenya that houses around 160 children ages 2 to 16. The facilities are adequate by African standards, but despite recent expansions every child sleeps at least two to a single bed, with some of the smaller children sleeping three to a bed. They each have one, perhaps two changes of clothes aside from their tattered school uniforms. The management has no permanent support from religious or non-governmental organizations and therefore relies completely upon the generosity of concerned missionaries and charity workers to feed and educate these precious young souls.

Don Pittman and I were part of a delegation from the Nairobi Church of Christ- Eastleigh that went to this orphanage last week to deliver maize, rice, beans, and sugar so that the nearly empty food pantry could be re-stocked for at least one more month. We, of course, played the part of typical Americans with our cameras out and smiles on our faces because even after traveling for 24 straight hours we were finally doing what we had come to do: take care of “the least of these” (Matthew 25:40). As residents of the United State, we know that we are blessed almost beyond measure and going to an orphanage such as this one serves as a reminder to us of our great fortune. Giving to these innocent, young victims of disease and violence helps alleviate the guilt that we sometimes feel during visits to third world countries because even though we will go home to king sized beds and more food than we can consume, we have in some small way made the lives of these orphans just a little more bearable.

During this visit, however, I was somewhat surprised to see that the Kenyans who accompanied us were just as excited about helping as we were. This surprised me because I have been to the homes of these Kenyans. They are my friends. I love them very much. However, I understand that they do not have a great many material possessions to claim as their own. They do not enjoy the luxuries that we do in North America. They may live better than the orphans at this children’s home, but by American standards they do not live well. They struggle to put food on the table, pay the rent, and simply survive. Still, they wanted to do their part in helping the “less fortunate.”

One day, Jesus sat opposite the collection point in the temple and observed those who were making their contributions. He saw many people deposit large sums of money, but was particularly impressed by one widow who gave roughly one penny. He contrasted this widow to the others saying, “they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on” (Mark 12:44). Jesus observed something in this woman that I observed in my Kenyan friends: the desire to give one’s all.

As we seek to know God, know each other, and serve the World, we must realize that the last step in our process is one that requires a large commitment but also is one that renders the greatest satisfaction. Whether we give from abundance (as Don and I did) or from poverty (as the Kenyans did) is not the issue. The issue is that giving to others brings about fulfillment in our lives. It gives us purpose. It helps demonstrate the greatest attribute of the God whom we serve. In continuing to discuss discipleship, let us remember that service is at the pinnacle of what we are trying to achieve.

The Vine and the Branches

2009-01-28T13:44:00.000-08:00

January has always seemed to be a somewhat trying time in my judgment. The excitement that accompanies the holiday season has diminished (all the gifts are open, many dishes have been cleaned, various relatives have gone home, and every sparkler has faded into the night) and we are forced to go back to our normal routines. Those who make resolutions keep them for a few weeks, and consequently end up with more stress than they would typically have. Slowly, though, February arrives and life normalizes as we get the first glimpses of what the new year might bring.

As I look ahead to 2009, I am so very excited about having two separate opportunities to make the long journey to Africa and visit friends, many of whom I have not seen in quite some time. It is impossible during those trips not to take account of the vast differences in culture and how those differences translate into the church. Some congregations are very similar to congregations in the United States, however some are not. The variations are nothing of profound doctrinal importance, but instead are a simple reflection of diverse societies. Whether the congregations have three songs then a prayer or take a more informal approach to their corporate gatherings is not the issue. While I notice those differences, my attention is drawn to something much more significant: how Christians live each day across the globe.

Jesus never wanted robots who ritualistically obey commandments without understanding or caring why those commandments were given in the first place. He described a much more vibrant, communal relationship between him and those who would call themselves disciples:
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit…Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing…By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.” (Matthew 15:1-8)
The purpose of a disciple of Jesus Christ is to bear fruit through their connection to him.

Each day, men and women awake in cities and villages around the world with this goal in mind. They have glorifying God as their sole purpose, regardless of what activities are planned for the day. They know that they can bear fruit in many ways and therefore put God first whether they are drawing water, attending a board meeting, or sitting in a worship service. That goal is what binds us to them. We are all connected as disciples through Jesus, the vine.

When I am in Kenya or Ghana, I am able to recognize the Christians by the fruit that they bear (see Luke 6:44). What if a disciple from one of those countries came to Athens, AL? Would he or she be able to recognize disciples here? Would he or she notice any fruit laying around? As this year moves forward, let us remember the simple call of discipleship and strive to connect to Jesus, through whom we are able to do all things and without whom we are able to do nothing!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

2008-12-02T12:43:00.001-08:00

Most people enjoy certain seasons more than they do others. For outdoors types, summer is a magical time when each day seems to be extended by several hours because the sun does not set until 9:00 pm and they are able to continue their leisure activities for longer than they are able to in winter. On the other hand, those who are fond of snow appreciate late winter, when the ski slopes are covered in powder and (at least in places geographically north of Athens, AL) yards and roofs become invisible. Personally, I love the few weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

Sure…I cannot remember ever seeing snow in Alabama during this time period and acknowledge that there never seem to be enough hours in the days to take care of shopping or school exams or cooking, but for those four to five weeks the entire world focuses on what could accurately be called the best in human nature. Adults spend much of their free time considering what gifts would make their loved ones happy and then battle crazy shoppers and disgruntled store clerks to pay amounts of money which took months to save all in the hope that their efforts will make someone else happy. Families who live thousands of miles apart load up in planes, trains, and automobiles to navigate through long lines and heavy traffic just so that they will be able to share a single meal together (an event which they know will not happen again until the same time next year unless there is a death). Most importantly, people of every nation turn their collective attention to the most pivotal event in history: the birth of a Savior sent from heaven to rescue mankind.

As humans, we are trapped by our finite minds and at times have trouble comprehending all that took place in that manger a couple thousand years ago. We struggle to understand how God can be fully divine and fully human. We wrestle with questions about the Holy Trinity and how a virgin-born man can function as the third participant in such an almighty entity. Even the idea of a virgin-born man brings up problems that neither science nor logic can solve. We read that the angel of the Lord explained the birth of Jesus to local shepherds by saying, “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord”(Luke 2:9-11). We read this verse and we accept this verse, but I often wonder if we understand this verse.

In his book The Shack, Wm. Paul Young explains the deity and role of this “Savior, who is Christ the Lord” in a way that would make C.S. Lewis appreciative. This explanation is offered during a conversation between a guy named Mack and the God of heaven who has in this instance taken the form of a large black woman cooking dinner:
“Jesus is fully human. Although he is fully God, he has never drawn upon his nature as God to do anything. He has only lived out of his relationship with me, living in the very same manner that I desire to be in a relationship with every human being. He is just the first to do it to the uttermost—the first to absolutely trust my life within him, the first to believe in my love and my goodness without regard for appearance or consequence.” (pp. 99-100)
In other words, Jesus truly emptied himself of his divine nature (Phil 2:7) and did everything, miracles and all, by depending on the Father just as the Father wants us to do. While, as God, Jesus could have done any number of things, he chose to limit his own abilities so that we might see perfectly what it means to be lost in the Father’s love and power.

When we reflect upon the birth of Jesus, especially during this time of year, let us truly understand his mission. Yes, Jesus came to “seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10), but he does so by exemplifying the kind of faith that he proved can move mountains (Matthew 17:20). That baby in swaddling cloth shows us how to become perfect. We become perfect by becoming like him, who did nothing except through the Father and for the purpose of bringing glory to Him. Jesus answered critics by saying, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, 'He is our God’. Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death” (John 8:50-51). In this upcoming year, let us try to do just that: keep his word by mimicking the relationship he had with the Father.

Hail to the Chief...and All Those in Authority

2008-11-06T23:12:00.000-08:00

After two years of campaigning and millions of dollars being spent, the United States of America has elected a new President, Barack Obama. The Senator from Illinois will move into the White House as many new members of Congress move to Washington, D.C. Certainly, they will all have difficult work ahead when they take office in January. Many Americans are anxious about the economy, the conflicts overseas, and the security of our nation. Our nation is looking to our newly elected leaders for direction. As Christians, we are called to have a special attitude toward our government and how it deals with world events.

In writing to his young apprentice, Paul instructed Timothy to do his part as it related to the government of his day:
“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior” (1 Timothy 2:1-3)
Christians are to make requests, prayers, and intercession for their government leaders, those who are in authority. This essentially covers every type of prayer. However, Paul goes a step further in saying that we should thank God for the men and women who have, in the case of the US, been elected to positions of power.

The way in which many Christians pray about government is somewhat peculiar in light of this passage. We go before the throne of heaven asking that God “lead our country to elect leaders who follow Him” and “help those leaders return America to the God-fearing nation it once was.” The Old Testament provides ample proof that God rules in the affairs of men and punishes nations that wonder away from Him. Thomas Jefferson even “trembled” for his country when he “reflected that God is just and that His justice cannot sleep forever.” Perhaps, our genuine but fervent desire to see America return to its Judeo-Christian roots causes us to misunderstand the roles that governments and Christians should play in making that change possible.

If we follow Paul’s instructions the end result should be “that we may live quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” We sometimes forget that “the authorities that exist have been established by God” (Romans 13:1). Each and every one of us should first thank God for our new leaders and also ask that He help them to make decisions, not based upon our own political philosophies, but based upon what will allow us as His children to live our lives quietly in His service. The answer to America’s, indeed the world’s, problems is not a Republican or a Democrat in the White House (depending on your party affiliation). The answer is Jesus Christ. The risen Savior of the world is the only One who can bring change that we can believe in. But to bring that change, He relies upon us to be His ambassadors. Instead of putting country first, we should put His cause first, reviving our nation in our neighborhoods and not necessarily in Washington. The government’s job is to give us safety and tranquility. Our job is to change the world. Government leaders come and go. As they do, God remains on His throne and therefore we always have reason to be optimistic and thankful regardless of who our leaders are and whether they be good or bad.

Expect More, Do More

2008-09-30T14:34:00.001-07:00

Fall has officially begun and transformation can be seen all around. Temperatures have cooled off nicely, giving us many pleasant afternoons with the promise of more to come. Airstream trailers have brought to town fiddlers from across several states indicating that the first major celebration of the season is about to take place. Within weeks the leaves will be changing colors, giving the Tennessee Valley an orange, red, and brown tint. Most importantly, however, snare drums can be heard in towns across the state meaning that it is once again time for what is in my opinion one of the south’s finest traditions: high school and college football.

I never cease to be amazed by the college football pundits who decide (whether it be on TV or in their polls) who the national champions will be even before the first play has been run. They base these predictions on last year’s results along with recruiting stats and somehow manage to rank teams even before seeing them on the field. We have already seen this year, as we usually do, how wrong pre-season polls can be. Number 1 USC recently fell to unranked Oregon State proving that no matter the expectations, anything can happen. Being expected to win and winning are two different things.

But before we write expectations off altogether we need to realize that they can decide the outcome of a game if the teams competing allow them to do so. Here, the University of Southern California provides a perfect example. They expected to win against Oregon State University. These expectations were based on the very realistic and logical assumptions that they had better players, a better coaching staff, and a better team dynamic. Perhaps someone should have explained this logic to the Oregon State players and coaches because they obviously did not assume that they were marching toward an unavoidable and humiliating defeat on national television. To the contrary, they expected to have a chance to win. So, when the whistle blew and the first kick sailed into the air, one team started playing to win and the other believed they already had.

There are two types of expectations: those other people have of you and those you have of yourself. The first category does not matter too much, but the second will determine what course your life eventually takes. As the USC-Oregon State game proves, people usually meet whatever expectations they set for themselves, whether those expectations are good or bad. If we set the bar high and always try to jump higher, we will be able to shake things up in the world around us. However, if we lower the bar and assume that we’ve already accomplished great things, we will fall short of our full potential.

In the church at Ephesus, members set the bar low for the young evangelist Timothy. They believed he was too young and therefore could not do much. But Paul tells him to have a higher standard for himself, saying, “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” In essence, Paul is telling Timothy to prove them wrong, to set an example which nobody could question. As Alex and Brett Harris point out in their book Do Hard Things, setting this kind of example is not easy. Their book challenges teenagers to do just as the title suggests and step out for God even when it hurts.

American society typically does not appreciate the potential that lies within the souls of so many young people. Because society expects less of teenagers, teenagers begin expecting less of themselves. The challenge is simple: expect more, do more. Do not let others set the bar lower for you. Instead, do the hard things necessary to raise the bar to the level God would have you attain.

I Want It All

2008-09-03T21:41:00.001-07:00

On September 18, 2007 Randy Pausch gave what would be his final lecture to his computer science students at Carnegie Mellon University. Randy was diagnosed with terminal cancer and died in July of this year, however his farewell address has been much publicized and even made into a bestselling book. In recalling one teaching job, Randy said that his students surprised him:

"I had been a professor for a decade at that point, and when I started BVW, I didn’t know what to expect. I gave the first two-week assignment, and ended up being overwhelmed by the results. I didn’t know what to do next. I was so at sea that I called my mentor, Andy can Dam.

‘Andy, I just gave my students a two-week assignment and they came back and did stuff that, had I given them an entire semester to complete it, I would have given them all A’s. What do I do?’

Andy thought for a minute and said: ‘OK. Here’s what you do. Go back into class tomorrow, look them in the eyes and say, ‘Guys, that was pretty good, but I know you can do better.’’

His answer left me stupefied. But I followed his advice and it turned out to be exactly right. He was telling me I obviously didn’t know how high the bar should be, and I’d only do them a disservice by putting it anywhere.” (The Last Lecture, p.122-123)

Randy learned a lesson that day about potential and how it can be stifled when individuals do not recognize it.

We all have the ability to do great things, but when the bar is set too low we often jump only high enough to clear those low expectations. Nowhere is this truer than in our relationships. In Genesis 2:18, God makes the observation that “it is not good for man to be alone.” While this statement specifically refers to Eve, it also tells us something about human nature. Both men and women were created for relationships, but for some reason we often seek only the minimum benefit from the people with whom God has surrounded us. Perhaps we are shy or scared. Maybe our culture prevents us from discussing things beyond pleasantries because certain subjects are not meant for “proper conversation.” It could be that we simply do not appreciate the blessings which God desires to pour out upon us through our friends and family.

The New Testament is full of admonitions about doing the things that promote healthy Christian relationships. The Hebrews writer asks how we can make our love and good deeds increase and then explains that we do so by spending time together (Heb. 10:24-25). James advises to confess our sins to one another, not because we need to get things off our chests, but so that we can pray for each other and be healed (James 5:16). Paul explains that differences can be healthy in a relationship when he says that members of the church are like parts of a body…all different, but all necessary. Where one person is weak another will be strong (1 Cor. 12). As we look at the relationships in our lives, romantic and platonic, let us strive to get everything out of them that God intended.

Back to School

2008-08-01T16:17:00.000-07:00

The beginning of a new school year brings both excitement and dread to students throughout the country. The eagerness to see friends with whom they have not spent much time over the past two months is only subdued by the dread of homework, tests, and lunchroom food (my apologies to those reading this who work in a school cafeteria-- you can only do so much with the food they send to you—it’s not your fault). The enthusiasm that goes along with extracurricular activities such as football, Beta Club, and band provides the only antidote to the boredom which seems to be endless in classes taught by teachers like Ben Stein from Ferris Bueler’s Day Off (in all fairness, texting helps get through those kinds of classes too). I often expressed the idea behind this paradox by saying, “High school is great, as long as you don’t let classes get in the way of the important stuff.”

Looking back, I am amazed at some of the things I considered to be “important stuff.” As you get older, your priorities have a tendency to change and you begin doing things that you never thought you would do. For instance, I have recently bought clip-on sunglasses for my prescription lenses and sometimes I will actually use my front shirt pocket to hold things I may need during the day. Just last month, I caught myself saying, “The last time I saw you, you were this big.” I can relate to a piece of flair on Facebook which said, “We’re adults. When did this happen and how do we make it stop?” Now in my early 20’s, I do things that would have utterly embarrassed me as a high school senior. I fear that this is only the beginning.

With a new school year comes new opportunities, and recognizing that those opportunities have an expiration date can give you a unique perspective on your activities as a high school or middle school student. In the not too distant future your life will change, becoming much different than it is now. Time will go by quickly. Goals will become clear. Purpose will overshadow form. Acknowledging that a transition will eventually take place empowers the young Christian to take full advantage of King Solomon’s advice: “Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, ‘I have no pleasure in them…’” (Ecclesiastes 12:1). The admonition is to be mindful of the tasks that can be done better when a person is young, so that once that person grows old he or she will have no regrets. I thank God daily for the passion which exists among the members of our youth ministry for bringing others to Jesus and becoming more like Him ourselves. Allow that passion to enable you to do something amazing with the special time you have before high school graduation. Stay focused on the “important stuff” and live in a way that will produce no regrets.

We Hold These Truths...

2008-06-30T20:04:00.001-07:00

July 4^th has long been a favorite holiday of mine. American flags ripple in the hot summer breeze. The smell of charcoal grills permeates virtually every neighborhood. Local townships invite their citizens to gather for illustrious (and sometimes not so illustrious) fireworks shows often timed perfectly to Lee Greenwood, Ray Charles, and marching bands of the various branches of our armed services. We salute our country and its founding by taking a day off from work and gathering with loved ones to enjoy the liberties which our forefathers declared to be ours in 1776. Fifty-six men risked their lives by signing their names to the document we now refer to as the Declaration of Independence. In doing so, they announced to a mostly unsympathetic world the principles which would guide this nation through its infancy and into adulthood. However many Americans, in the midst of their traditional celebrations, fail to fully appreciate what those principles are and how they relate to American citizens even in a time which is radically different from the one in which they were first expressed.

In The Second Treatise on Civil Government, John Locke proposes that in their natural state, all men are equal, none having the right to govern another. As evidence, he argues that Adam had no “natural right” to govern the world. Even if he had, we are all his descendants and therefore all have equal claim to inherit that right. Locke further explains this reasoning by invoking the name of God:
“The state of Nature has a law of Nature to govern it, which obliges everyone and reason, which is that law, teaches all mankind who will but consult it, that being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty or possessions; for men being all the workmanship of the one omnipotent and infinitely wise Maker; all the servants of one sovereign Master, sent into the world by His order and about His business; they are His property, whose workmanship they are made to last during His, not one another’s pleasure.”
John Locke claims that all men, having been created by God, are bound to serve him and not dominate each other.

Locke’s influence on Thomas Jefferson and the other designers of our republic is apparent in the first sentence of the Declaration of Independence which references the “Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God” as the justification for dissolving political ties with Great Britain. Examine the most widely memorized text of the Declaration in light of what Locke wrote:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
As followers of Jesus we must recognize that our American liberties originate from the same place as our Christian liberties: our divine Creator. It is God who gives us our rights, not the United States Government or any other man-made institution. Jefferson drove this point home in his Notes of the State of Virginia by asking, “Can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are the gift of God?” Far from being the Deist that many modern historians like to accuse him of being, Jefferson believed that God was alive, active, and ruling in the affairs of men. So much so, that he was afraid God would smite the United States for perpetuating slavery.

As the flags go up and the sparklers are lit, let us take a moment this Fourth of July to reflect not just upon our nation’s birthday but also upon the religious principles which, in the view of our founders, necessitated it.

"The Unclouded Day"

2008-05-18T19:10:00.000-07:00

Imagine a place where the sun always shines bright. There is no grass and about one tree per acre. Imagine a place where everything is covered in dust, thick blankets of dust, and the few trees which produce fruit are only able to produce food for a few people at a time. Those of you who have been out west would say this sounds like Arizona or Nevada. But unlike those southwestern states, the residents cannot afford insulated houses or air-conditioning. A middle class family may own one bicycle. An upper middle class family might have a dirt bike. And only the very rich can manage to operate an automobile made in the early 1990’s. Consequently, women walk one to two miles each day with five gallon buckets on their heads to bring home barely enough water to sustain their husband and children. The water is not filtered and, because of it was taken from a small stagnant pond, is likely filled with parasites. This describes the simple realities of life in northern Ghana.
As most of you know, I recently traveled to this desolate part of the world with two other people from the Central Church of Christ: Tommy Abernathy and Joan Watkins. As we were being driven to southern Ghana from a town in the north called Bolgatanga, I was listening to old southern gospel hymns on my ipod. Spending half of my youth at a small country church in Oakman, Alabama, I truly appreciate the words of these “classic” songs. Eventually, a song came on that caused me to pause and think about my surroundings. It was written in 1880 by a man named Josiah K. Alwood and was sung by Willie Nelson at Farm Aid in 1987. The Unclouded Day begins, “O they tell me of a home far beyond the skies, O they tell me of a home far away; O they tell me of a home where no storm clouds rise, O they tell me of an unclouded day.” This song is a favorite of mine because they played it over the public address system in Bryant-Denny Stadium after 80,000 people and I sat through a thunderstorm awaiting kickoff of an Alabama-Arkansas game. That day, like many in Alabama, we were all hoping for the storm to go away, leaving us unharmed and allowing us to continue with the events planned for that day. In Ghana, however, storm clouds are a glorious sight. It means that life-giving rain is about to pour down from heaven and give sustenance to plants, animals, and people alike. Simply put, it means that life can go on for a little while longer.
I imagine it is uncommon to hear The Unclouded Day being sung in church buildings in northern Ghana. The meaning of the song does not hold up as it is carried over into that culture. I experienced other such differences between Ghanaians and Americans (believe me, they were many). However, one thing remained constant: Christians there love God and each other just like Christians here. The more I travel around the world the more amazed I become at the gospel’s ability to hold its meaning regardless of the culture, country, or continent. People in every corner of the globe respond the same way when they hear the Good News that Jesus Christ has died to save them from their sins. They let that thankfulness motivate them to live as they know they should and, like Paul, to “learn to be content” regardless of the circumstances in which they find themselves (Philippians 4:11). Let us work every day to be a little more like Christ. Let us learn from our brothers and sisters overseas and refuse to let minor differences cause us to overlook our major commonality. Let us remember that we are Christians and allow that fact to influence every aspect of our life.

"What Use Is That?"

2008-04-02T12:12:00.000-07:00

A man was walking down the street one day and suddenly fell into a deep pit. The walls of this pit were so tall and slick that he was unable to climb to the top. He could however, see people passing by on the sidewalk above him. He called out to a priest saying, “Father, please help me. I have fallen into a pit.” The priest said, “Bless you my son. May God be with you,” and continued walking. The man then saw a city councilman and again called out, “Your honor, please help me. I have fallen into a pit.” The councilman looked down and responded, “My heavens. This is indeed a severe problem. I shall make a motion at the next council meeting to appoint a committee to assess your situation and make recommendations on how to proceed with your rescue.” The councilman then continued handing out campaign buttons. Finally, a friend of this man walked by. A third time he called out, “My friend, please help me. I have fallen into a pit.” Without hesitation his friend jumped down into the pit. The man criticized his friend’s action shouting, “You fool! Now you and I are both in this pit!” to which his friend replied, “Yes, but I have been down here before and I know the way out.”
Many people have a tendency to say what they know they should, but do only what they want. The priest and the councilman gave lip service to this man who was in trouble. They said things that sounded good, but they did not back up those words with tangible action. James asks the question, “If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?” (James 2:15-16). This statement comes just after he essentially says that pure religion is to help those who cannot help themselves (James 1:27). James, here, is trying to get across the point that Christianity is just as much about doing as it is anything else. This brings us to the book of Galatians.
After explaining how we are to “walk by the Spirit”, Paul recommends that we “not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.” He continues “Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness…bear one another’s burdens…for if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself…so then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially those who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 5:25-6:10). The point here is simple: help each other out, but in doing so do not think that you are better than everyone else.God has given us as Christians the responsibility to serve the world, especially those people who belong to Him. We cannot serve with arrogance, thinking that we are superior. Remember that the friend was only able to save the man from the pit because he had once been trapped in the pit himself. It is only when we realize that everyone can contribute to God’s family and that everyone is just as important as we are that God can truly use us to bring glory to Him and save a lost world. Let us pray that God develops within each member of Central’s youth ministry the humble heart of a servant.

Will

Rejoice in the Lord Always

2008-02-21T12:16:00.000-08:00

Hearing Jimmy Gilliam give a presentation about his trip to India brings back memories of long flights in crowded cabins, dilapidated roads with crazed drivers, and fervor for the Lord’s kingdom that is rarely seen in the United States. Sure, Americans get excited about church, but we do not depend on church. We do not depend on God and His people simply to survive. Our jobs typically pay the bills, our cars get us where we need to be, and we have food for dinner each night. The jobs may pay less than $100,000 each year, the cars may be unable to park themselves, and the meals may be hamburger steak instead of prime rib, however, we are easily fooled into believing that we are self-sufficient. Very few people in the developing world are under this illusion.
My first trip into Eastleigh, an area of Kenya’s capital city, was terrifying. The dirt roads had massive potholes, puddles, and crowds of people making our commute a very drawn out process and a quick getaway impossible. Being able to leave in a hurry would not have been a big deal if every other person on the street did not look like Osama Bin Laden and glare into our large bus which was full of Americans. Some streets were obstructed by piles of garbage which had grown taller than the tin shacks people called their homes. In Eastleigh, there was no garbage pickup, or sewage service for that matter. So, in addition to trash, human excrement contaminated the puddles where people were walking. I was beginning to understand what is meant by the phrase “God forsaken.”
After arriving and the church/school compound, we were escorted inside the main auditorium where there were two giant, hand woven tapestries, one with the words “Rejoice in the Lord always.” Rejoice? What did these people have to rejoice about? Compared to us, they had nothing! But then I realized what was really going on: they thought they had everything. They had found salvation in Jesus Christ and therefore considered themselves to be among the luckiest people in the world. They did not love Jesus despite their poverty; they loved Jesus partially because of their poverty. When a person has virtually no worldly possessions, the riches that come through a relationship with Jesus are much more meaningful. Much like the rich young ruler of Luke 18, most Americans are able to live comfortable lives without a relationship with their creator; we simply can get by without God. That’s why Jesus made the very key observation after the rich man had left, “How hard it is for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!” (Luke 18:24). May we always remember that despite our wealth, lifestyle, and possessions, we are still spiritually poor being in need of salvation, and just like people in the third world, we have but one hope.

Tis The Season

2007-11-19T15:06:00.000-08:00

Tis The Season
The last month of the year is typically a very hectic one. The tranquility of Thanksgiving passes and the Christmas shopping season descends upon us with overflowing parking lots, busy cash registers, and lines to see Santa that stretch from one end of the mall to the other. Teachers, in an effort to “get in” all the material that is listed in the curriculum, sometimes assign additional work just before school lets out and of course there are always the exams. Minivans full of kids and gifts (with DVD players keeping the kids attention away from the gifts) crowd the interstates as visits are made to every grandparent, aunt and uncle within a 100 mile radius. We hurry around town trying to find time to meet the extra demands which the holidays place upon us all the while striving to fulfill our usual commitments. Yet in the midst of all the rush, we find ourselves reflecting over the last 11 months and evaluating the impact of the year’s events. TIME magazine unveils its “Person of the Year” while television and radio stations promote their picks for the top songs, books, and events. Personally, we think about successes, failures, and the road ahead. The road ahead then becomes our focus and we set goals/make resolutions for the year to come.
This time of year reminds us of at least two things: the hectic nature of life and the importance of slowing down long enough to cultivate important relationships. The most important relationship, of course, is the one that is found through Christ Jesus. When asked which command was the greatest, Jesus responded simply, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” He added, “And the second is like it; you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” In these two basic statements, Jesus summed up 613 different laws. As humans, we have a tendency to complicate things. If you found the above description of the Christmas holiday season even vaguely familiar, then you apparently realize this as well. As we anticipate this new year, let us pledge to be simple Christians who recognize these two simple commands and look for simple ways to carry them out.

“For I Have No One Else”

2007-05-05T14:58:00.000-07:00

Paul loved the Philippian church, just as he did all the congregations with which he labored. He had planted the gospel seed there and wanted to ensure its growth even though he had moved on to other mission fields. He wrote these Christians a letter explaining that in his absence, he would send Timothy. Timothy would not only help with their work, but would also report back about their progress. Why Timothy? Paul explains that he chose this young man because, “I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare. For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:20-21). Among Paul’s fellow workers, there was a great deal of selfishness. He knew that only Timothy would be able to serve the Philippians in the proper manner.

The key word there is serve. Jesus told the Pharisees that “the greatest among you shall be your servant” (Matt. 23:11). Paul chose Timothy because, just like himself, Timothy possessed a servant’s heart. Perhaps Paul knew that the church at Philippi needed to see servant hood modeled for them. After all, there were two ladies in the congregation who were having trouble living “in harmony” (Phil. 4:2). The bottom line is that when Timothy arrived in Philippi, he was not interested in promoting himself, but was instead focused on glorifying God by strengthening the local church. Only God knows the wondrous extent of the work he was able to do there because, as Paul would put it, he did nothing from “selfishness or empty conceit,” but with humility of mind regarded others as more important than himself (Phil. 2:3).

God intended for Christians to help each other. He could have instructed us each to follow him individually, but He knew that we would not have much success on our own. Instead, he created an amazing institution by which we can share our joys, heart-aches, and struggles. He wanted us to walk the straight and narrow hand in hand so that it would not be easy to drift away to the broad way that leads to destruction. We have an obligation to serve one another in good times and bad, sometimes even forsaking our own interests.

The effect of this service is somewhat paradoxical. You may sacrifice in order to help your brother or sister, but you will ultimately be made better yourself. This principle is seen clearly in Christ’s words from John 15:13, “Greater love has no man than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” When we lay down our lives every day in service to our fellow Christians, we are exhibiting the highest level of what is described as the greatest of all spiritual gifts: love. Love equals service. Jesus loved us so much that he was willing to die one of the worst deaths that man has ever been able to conjure up. Simply put, sacrificial love is what God is all about. It has the power to transform our lives and the lives of others. This point is driven home in 1 John 4:12, “No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us.” What an amazing thought! By loving/ serving one another, we open the door for God’s love to be perfected in us, which ultimately means that our lives become more in tune with what God expects of us and that we are able to share a stronger faith with others.

The Battle Belongs to the Lord

2007-04-18T12:42:00.000-07:00

Temptations can be difficult to overcome. While some temptations come only once or twice in a lifetime, we face others on a continual basis. Despite what I had hoped during high school, temptations only increase with each passing year. Paul gives us a warning, “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man” (1 Cor. 10:12-13). This statement advises us not to think we are stronger than we are, but it also gives us hope. The temptations that we face are common to everyone.

That being said, everyone is tempted by different things. James tells us that it is not God who tempts us. Instead, “each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed” (James 1:14). Certain things are not very enticing. If I hand you a butcher knife and ask you to cut off a finger, the temptation would probably not be that great. However, when we look at things that are pleasurable, because of our own desires, we want them whether they are pleasing God or not. Each person has different (though it may be only slightly different in some cases) desires and therefore are tempted with different things.

The bottom line is that whatever our temptations are, whatever we are currently facing, it is important to get through these tests without compromising ourselves as God’s children and ambassadors. James is very clear in verse 15: “Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” Those are strong words. If we allow ourselves to be “enticed” and “dragged away” by our “desires,” the end result is spiritual death, eternal separation from God!

When we do face temptations (and make no mistake, they will come) we need to keep a few things in mind.

Don’t Rationalize or Toe the Line
Our minds are very tricky. With very little ease, we can delude ourselves into accepting sin. If there is something we want to do, we do it. Afterwards, we ask forgiveness and feel as though that prayer made everything better. We do it again, and ask forgiveness again. Sometimes we get to the point where we will commit sin knowing that it can all be corrected by a short prayer. While God is faithful to forgive us when we confess our sins (1 John 1:9), this mindset reflects a severe misunderstanding of grace. God’s grace is incredible. Nothing else can compare to it. However, grace is meant to motivate us to live Godly lives. If grace is not motivating us to resist temptations, then perhaps we actually do not possess or have fallen away from God’s grace. The truth of the matter is, we must recognize sin for what it is and what it will bring. Then we must get serious about removing it from our lives.

At other times we will tell ourselves, “I’m not going to cross the line. I’ll get close, but I won’t actually do anything sinful.” This can be dangerous. James says that we are “carried away” by our desires. It is a lot easier to carry someone over the line if they are standing right next to it. So instead of getting close to sin without the intention of actually sinning, we should probably follow the example of Joseph. When Joseph was tempted by Potiphar’s wife, he ran away. He did not stick around to see what would happen. He did not say, “Well maybe just one kiss.” He ran away; he got himself out of the situation.

Trust God
As I mentioned before, Paul tells us to keep a sharp eye open because temptations can sneak up on you. Before you know what has happened, you’ve fallen. But he also gives us a great reason to have courage. He says, “God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it” (1 Cor. 10:13). As Christians, we have the assurance that we will never face a temptation that cannot be overcome. That does not mean we will like the way we must overcome it or that we will want to take God’s escape route. Sometimes escaping temptation means doing things that are painful. Jesus drives this point home when he says “if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell” (Matt. 5:30). Whether it is relationships, habits, or circumstances, sometimes we must cut things out of our lives that are causing us to sin. This may not be easy to accept, but in some ways it is comforting. God has made sure that we have a way out, and we should always be thankful for that.

Lean on Your Brothers and Sisters
One of the great things about living the Christian life is that you do not do it alone. God has given us other people, fellow soldiers, to wage the war against our enemy. In Army Ranger school, they assign each person a “ranger buddy.” Each ranger is responsible for making sure his “ranger buddy” keeps up, performs well, and makes it back safely. This is a great principle, but the U.S. Army does not get credit for it. Paul told the Galatians to do the same thing: “Bear one another’s burdens and thereby fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). When the enemy presses in hard and hits us with various temptations, we need people on the battle field to fight with us. We need people who know us and will hold us accountable. We need brothers and sisters standing beside us to make sure that we do not fall during the battle. Friends who help you stay on the right path are truly one of God’s greatest blessings.

Know That the Battle Has Already Been Won
One thing that I believe Christians seem for forget sometimes is that we are already victors. Yes, we fight Satan every day, but for us, the final outcome has already been decided. Paul explains this concept very eloquently:

“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”

We now walk according to the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit sets us free to live the lives that God intended for us to live. Before we received the Spirit, we were trapped in sin, but through the Spirit we no have the ability to overcome the temptations that we face. It is incredibly empowering to know what the final result will be. We know that if we stay faithful we will prevail and receive a crown of life.