Come Make a Place in Me

What will we pray this Christmas?

Sam Harris, my favorite neo-atheist says confidently, "minds cease to exist when bodies cease to function." He says this as if it were an irrefutable fact of science.  However, the scientific community really has no language to describe consciousness, or mind.  Harris' assertion, while giving comfort to college age rebels who are "losing their religion," must remain an assertion.

I believe, by faith, that our hearts are God's home. I believe that our souls are immortal, and that we are in danger of leaving ourselves under God's eternal judgment on sin if we "live and let live" in our relationship with God. There's a nice Christmas present.

Of course there are many responses to the notion that sin leads to judgment. In much of theistic Judaism, finding a way to keep Torah, a way to be faithful to God's law, is a key to overcoming the gulf between God's holiness and our weaknesses. In Islam, God is focused on our striving for obedience to the commandments revealed to the Prophet.  If one is obedient enough, then God may be merciful to a person on judgment day.  Doesn't that sound hopeful?  In other religions, heartfelt sacrifice and worship, along with proper offerings, will appease whatever deities there are in one's sphere of life.  One other answer is that sin isn't our immediate concern, but we ought to focus on the alleviation of suffering in the here and now.  

It is abundantly clear that scripture says we are much more than our material selves. While avoiding simple dualism, the Bible tells us that we our bodies are the temple of the holy spirit (I Cor. 6:19). We are told that we have early tents, in which we groan (2 Cor. 5).  We long to have a house in the heavens, made not with hands, but by God. God teaches us that there are two aspects of humankind, body and soul.  In fact, we are lights that have been lit by God Himself (Prov. 20:27)!  So we should realize that all of us, the whole person, belong to God (I Cor. 6:20).

Somehow or another, Augustine and Pascal (those often quoted) said that there was a place within ourselves made for God.  The ideal state of a person is that God dwells within, for the redemption of the person and for the glorification of God who gives us life.  One favorite phrase is, "Our souls are restless until they find rest in thee." 

I firmly believe the Christian answers to life better fit the evidence that human history provides for us.

So at Christmas time, may we all say to God, "come make a place in me."  One of our Christmas songs at church this year says, "as you did in the manger, come do it all again.  Show us your grace, come make a place in me."  Finally, the song declares, "there is room in my heart for you."

My hope is that you'll join with me in praying through Christmas with those words of faith in your soul.

True Torture and Hypocricy on Display

Ahem,

THIS is Torture:

Now, try hard not to make fun of it.

NPR's News Quiz makes fun of Church Outreach

People involved give an opinion of Torture Report

NPR's news quiz often has guests who appear to be stuck in puberty.  So does the Senate.  And is it not ironic how a secular materialist outlook on life enables both false outrage (Torture Report) and nervous mocking of important religious figures and activities (NPR's News Quiz)? 

And how both help the cause of evil?

And then there's this:

Jesus said, "Therefore I say unto you, Every sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men; but the blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven. And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him; but whosoever shall speak against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, nor in that which is to come. Either make the tree good, and its fruit good; or make the tree corrupt, and its fruit corrupt:for the tree is known by its fruit. Ye offspring of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. The good man out of his good treasure bringeth forth good things:and the evil man out of his evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. And I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned."  Matthew 12:31 ff.

For those with questions, let me 'splain it to you.  Jesus died for you, to save you from your sins.

Consider supporting me through prayer and financial gifts as I minister in Jamaica in January 2015.  Small donations are welcome, and we still need called people to join us on the trip!



Thank you for your prayers and support!

Muslim Prayer at National Cathedral?

A few days ago a special Muslim prayer event (invitation only) was held at the so-called National Cathedral in Washington D.C.  This service was condemned by Franklin Graham and a host of other leading Christian personalities.  During the service, there was even a dramatic protest by a lady who has a humble ministry to Muslims, and who is concerned deeply about the "Islamisation" of America.  Read the details of her story here:

The Woman who Spoke up at Muslim National Cathedral

Organizers of the event say the special Muslim prayer event was to promote ecumenical dialogue between Muslims and Christians.  I'm sure soon there will be a special Christian worship service at a grand mosque down the street from the so-called National Cathedral.

I'd be irresponsible if I didn't point out two things:

First, there is no National Cathedral in the sense you probably think.  I fear people are assuming that the National Cathedral is somehow the "official church representing all Christians in this officially Christian (and no other religion) nation." Wrong. The building in question is actually not a church.  It is, in fact, a hyper-eccumenical "spiritual center" that is open to all faiths, perspectives, and etc. ad infinitum.  It only LOOKS LIKE a church (of the most oppressive kind).  

Second, there is a Christian congregation that meets there called "Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul in the City and Diocese of Washington."  They also run the place and offer Christian-like spiritual services. This congregation is of the Anglican (Church of England) kind.  For you church history buffs, the Anglicans are the ones that many of our spiritual forefathers were attempting to escape.  The church of England crowd now goes by the name of Episcopalian. It is well-known that Episcopalian tradition has long ago embraced certain theological ambiguities that could easily accept the truth claims of Islam (ignoring the lack of ambiguity therein).

From these two points I hope you see that no one should be surprised or outraged that a Muslim prayer event was held at the so-called National Cathedral.  Remember also that we do not have any national or state religion that is established by any government.  Further, I hope we all believe in equal protection under the law for all people, regardless of their religious affiliation.

Finally, outrage is no substitute for repentance.

Hillsong on CBS

So Charlie Rose says, "Are these entertainers who preach or preachers who entertain?"

Then she says, "They are bringing in thousands of people and that's all that matters."

For the report, click this link:   Hillsong on CBS News

Yes, that's Justin.

Blessed by PBA Annual Meeting

Last night's Piedmont Baptist Association meeting was a great experience.  I really enjoyed seeing several people that I hadn't seen in a while, some in ten years!  What's not to like about being among people who truly are "friends in the business" of Christian ministry and outreach?  Especially when they come up to you, remember your name from years ago, and genuinely express interest and best wishes for your work!  Not to mention the encouragement of knowing others who are not only plodding along in pastoral ministry, but also who are active and intentional in support ministries that reach our church members outside of the walls, encouraging them during the week.  The (sort of selfish) take away from all this is that I'm almost certain to reduce the feelings of isolation that have dogged me during ministry.  If I will plug in firmly to this family of Christians to which I obviously belong, God will use them to help me stay encouraged.  Unhealthy isolation is no good in any context; and it is abundantly clear to me that in pastoral ministry it leaves one wide-open to big time discouragement.  And we all know where discouragement leads.  Will you help hold me accountable to this PBA family?  Will you consider taking an active part in locally cooperative activities along with me?

Also, this meeting was historic in that it was the first time the annual meeting has been hosted in a predominantly black church. This enabled us to have a likely unique worship experience with the St. Paul's Youth Choir.  One concern that was expressed openly was that many on the 2015 leadership team are sporting bald heads (on purpose mostly). What does this mean? 2 Kings 2:23 says "Go on up, you bald-head! Go on up you bald-head!" but in this case let's hope for much different results as a truly cooperative PBA impacts the Triad in every way, in every nation, every neighborhood, and every neighbor.

Luther Heggs: Faith Based on God's Power

This is what I mentioned during the introduction in last Sunday's message, "Does Your Faith Rest on the Power of God?"  The idea is that our faith cannot be based on some vicarious external sources that we are offered regularly in Christendom (translation=Madison Avenue & Hollywood for Christians).  Our faith must rest on God's power alone, because God will not give His Glory to another.  Paul was careful to tell those in Corinth that he was no super-apostle or professional orator attempting to win a competition.  He was indeed a triumphed-over servant of the true and living God, and was speaking the truth. Are you careful about your faith?  Is it genuine enough to carry you through great difficulties and persecutions?  Or is your faith based on your favorite music, your favorite TV preacher, your favorite missions work, or your most cherished theological assumptions?  Faith must rest on the power of God who gives it.

Must Read: The Government wants to Control What We Preach

Here we go folks, you can see what's coming! This is no joke, even if it doesn't last in this case. Never say, "This won't happen here."

Houston Seeks Review of Pastors’ Sermons After Lawsuit Filed Over ‘Bathroom Bill’ Initiative

And another from Chronicle: http://m.chron.com/news/politics/houston/article/City-subpoenas-pastors-sermons-in-equal-rights-5822403.php

Article: ISIS Persecution Forces Iraqi Christians to Choose

I Peter in action- please pray!



ISIS Persecution Forces Iraqi Christians to Choose

Peace or Payback?

If you take some time to sort through 1 Peter 3, you'll see that believers are to be a source of blessing.  Exactly what blessing means includes truth, btw.  

Blessing is here contrasted with common behavior: retribution.  This is the big word for "payback" (yes, we all know "payback is H#77", so don't even think about saying that out loud).  Blessing is clearly contrasted, and is in fact opposed by or even defeated by payback.  

If Christians simply give insult for insult, evil for evil, we are defeating the purpose for which we are called by God.  We are going to inherit blessings of the heavenly kind, the unimaginable kind, and so we are to be the source from which others are blessed. Verse 13 reminds us that we have no need to fear harm if we are staying in the right.  

This is just not our regular instinct.  I want to be the sheriff, the judge, jury and, well...you know.  But this ain't my calling, is it?  Jesus didn't save us so we could get even.

SO- you gotta love the application of Psalm 34:11ff in verses 10-12.  Who thinks of "people who want to live, love, and be happy" as a Biblical idea?  The behavior will follow the calling of God to salvation.  Any retribution belongs to the One who calls.

What is for us is to be harmonious, which I hope means cooperative, sympathetic, which helps us pray like crazy, brotherly, including acceptance in the big family of God, kindhearted, including to cruel people we find unattractive, and humble in spirit, that is, satisfied with God and His work in us.  

The next time someone steps on your cornflakes, will you choose peace or payback? If you were ever attacked for being a Christian, would you be able to explain why you're giving a blessing?

"Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it."

 

CT Learning to Count to One

Consider this timeless article from a few years back: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2011/februaryweb-only/learningcountone.html

Moses & Me

Moses is inextricably linked to the New Testament, and to our experience of Jesus.  We think of his miraculous rescue from persecution as an infant, the result of Pharaoh's daughter and Miriam cooperating. We learn from Stephen about how Moses was rejected by his true people, the Hebrews, as their leader, way before the burning bush.  Moses' ministry was a miraculous epic of contrasts between God and the ancient Hebrews, mediated by the life-giving law and intervention of Moses.  Yet Moses didn't enter the land of Promise, but was buried by God outside of its bounds.  

So how are we linked to this ministry?  Why is it important that Moses is mentioned about 85 times in the NT? We are his spiritual descendants, in that Moses said there would be a prophet like him raised up from the descendants of Israel.  Jesus was that great prophet, that second Moses, who fulfilled the life-giving law of Sinai.  Jesus is the great redeemer to which Moses pointed.   

We are like babies in baskets, set in the weeds at the edge of the river.  But we don't have to stay that way.  God can draw us out of the waters, can get us out of the weeds.  

We are like those who see the smoke on the mountain but want the Golden Calf.  But we don't need to be.  The true and living God is speaking in the hearts of people today, echoing the Song of Moses through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth.  The mission is the same: to make it plain that God rules, and so salvation has come to the people.  

John 1:16-17 "And of his fullness we have all recieved, and grace upon grace. For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ."

The Faulty Default

Jesus cannot be properly known apart from the saving work of God in the Passion (suffering, crucifixion, death, resurrection).  Why is this important?  Does anyone actually assume to know Jesus while simultaneously ignoring the passion?  I believe this is much more common than you'd think; I believe it is not only the easy thing to do, it is the "default" view of Jesus.

In Matthew 16:13-23 the main point is that Jesus "began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day." This point is common to the synoptics.  We may read this and *yawn* because everyone knows this, silly. 

Yet Peter became Satan over this.  Some early versions of Christianity tried hard to explain this away.  The Epistle of Barnabas denies the whole scenario for Islam's sake.  People have claimed Jesus' goodness, virtue, and divinity while jettisoning the miraculous from the NT texts.  Many great & good call Jesus the good man who said great things we all should follow.  Even Sam Harris points to the Jesus "as revealed in the Sermon on the Mount" and urges all to follow him. 

But Jesus is clear in Matthew 16:21, and He understood this was God's agenda (23) that would not be popular for his disciples.  So we may agree with Peterson on the point, "Jesus is not a god of our own making and He is certainly not a god designed to win popularity contests."

Do we embrace Jesus' suffering, crucifixion, death, and resurrection as the saving work of God?  Or do we agree with Peter who said, "God forbid it"?  May we pause, consider, and believe that Jesus' life was as he said, that his sacrificial work was the work of God, and so realize that to truly know Jesus we must know his sufferings on behalf of the world.  And that is the beginning.

New International Mission Board President David Platt

News of Pastor Platt's Election today

Another reason to stick to the basics

I missed this article earlier in the year, but I did read the how-to guide.  Are you comfortable with this sort of "method" in your church services?  Is this different than what is used at the mass crusades when the counselors come forward first when the alter call is given?

RNS Article about not-so spontaneous "Spontaneous Baptisms"

Is your worship a mirror of heaven?

We looked into Revelation 5 this past week.  One of the striking things is the way in which the worship in heaven of the Lamb and the One who sits on the throne is mirrored on earth. "And every created thing which is in the heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and in the sea, and all things that are in them heard I saying, Unto him that sitteth on the throne, and unto the Lamb, be the blessing, and the honor, and the glory, and the dominion, for ever and ever." (v.13)  This is right after a similar declaration in heaven by others in verses 11-12.  I believe we can have heavenly worship right where we live today.  In our homes, wherever we are, and in our churches.  This worship can mirror what heaven must be like. We can be on guard that we go "in order to" worship (verb) and never just "to observe" worship (noun).  When worship is only a noun we degenerate into spectators who expect entertainment.  Remember, God is the observer in our worship (verb).  Too often we unconsciously expect to observe others' efforts at spiritual entertainment.  We can do this at the movies or concerts, but not in a Christian worship service.  There we are, in community, "on the spot" before the Lord as it were.  And remember (please) worship is not a means to an end, it IS the end.

Did Jesus Google the Passion?

"Is it reasonable to think that Jesus could have predicted the details of his passion only if he read about them somewhere?  This is not to question the applicability of some of the OT allusions to him; it is rather to question the historical reductionism of some Gospel research."

- D. A. Carson, "Matthew" in The Expositor's Bible Commentary, p. 376, 1984

...so I did!

I received one of those "e-vites" and clicked the RSVP.  The event was to be in a church building, and I arrived on time to a virtually empty parking lot.  I thought the event would be well-attended, so I was pretty surprised.  I decided to walk up to the building anyway.  The doors were locked, and there was no sign directing me, and no one around anywhere.  I found a doorbell and gave it a ring.  Waited...no sign of anyone.  I peered into the window again, wondering what to do next.  As I looked to the right I could clearly see, back inside somewhere, part of a message..."Go Ye Therefore..." so I did.

Dissipation makes no sense to anyone.

I see a relationship between Romans 3:12's cryptic (!) quote of Psalm 14 & 53 and Ephesians 5:18.  That word in Ephesians 5:18b (that is used to describe the cosmic/moral state of drunkenness) has fascinated me.  I've translated it as "unsavedness" because of the quality of warning that gives to the command of 5:18a. But recent meditation in Romans 3 caused the über-harsh word "useless" to hang out there loose also.  Why would God call people "useless?" Now I think the two are theological twins, especially in light of the debauchery of 1st century Ephesus and the presence of the word for the "moral status" or corrupt-ness in Genesis 6 that motivated the Great Flood Judgment there.  If you compare what early Christians must have thought of the religious climate in Ephesus with what ancient Judaism must have thought of antediluvian morals, you can see a conclusion to which to jump.  Some of these passages, like Romans 3, can seem so harsh and judgmental, and VERY many people would have a problem with linking spirituality to Ephesians 5:18a--BUT the problem is there is 5:18b "because that is unsavedness."  Paul is encouraging the Ephesians not to be drawn into any of the habits surrounding their persecuted circle of wagons.  In Romans, Paul is making the case for the saving action of God in Christ, clearly demonstrating the parallel between salvation from the Great Flood and salvation from the apocalyptic Last Judgment.  He sees the same God warning good people everywhere to ESCAPE by faith in God through Christ.  (Peter does also I Peter 4.4, and notice the pun!) So, the Psalms echo the sentiments in the Pentateuch, and Paul echos the Psalms in light of Jesus' mission.  So the selection of this word for Ephesians 5:18 rings like a plea from God not to be fooled by the sauce into thinking it is some escape.  In fact, too much sauce can actually HINDER the most important escape of all!  Then Paul gives the better alternative in the verses that follow in Ephesians 5.

Don't wait until Sunday

"If I wait until Sunday to confess my sin, I may have given it time to overtake me" -Cindy in the Upper Room

Peace of God in Philippians 4:7

What we are after is "the peace of God that is far beyond/above the known."  How do you like that translation? I mean unknown to us.  It is "far beyond all comprehension" or "knowledge" or "logic."  So see then we can experience it, but we will not ever understand it.  I venture then it is supernatural, or mystical (!).  And such an experience over time has a predictable result.  "...will protect your hearts and your minds IN Christ Jesus."  We can think of this as "keeping us within the sphere of Christ Jesus' power" or more simply "Christ Jesus will be the means of soul-protection via the peace of God."  So without a doubt what we are after is spiritual.  On this day when the perpetual adolescents in our media are showing video of children being run over by trains (uninjured though they were), we need "soul protection" more than ever.  My prayer is that I would be always pursuing that peace of God through the commands of Philippians 4:4-6!

National Guard and VBS

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2014/07/25/military-bars-troops-from-attending-vacation-bible-school/

Salad