The Gift of Life
Who doesn’t love a good gift? I know I do. In fact, the best time to get a gift isn’t at Christmas or even your birthday…it is when you get a gift and it is a surprise. Birthday and Christmas gifts can be quite predictable. People usually ask, “What do you want for your birthday (or Christmas)” and then they try to provide for that want. Gift-giving at Christmas usually is the result of understanding that Aunt Mae will be getting me a gift, so I better get one for her as well. Birthdays can be the same way–we may think, “My sister gave me that really nice gadget last year, therefore I better get her something just as good-if not better-for her birthday this year.” The surprise gift, however, is different. It is unexpected, usually well-thought out, and quite meaningful. The beauty of the surprise gift truly is its expression of love, thought, and action, is it not?
So it is with life. Life is a precious, precious gift. It has been given to us. None of us asked to have life–we were just born. None of us got to select our families–they came with life. Life is a surprise gift and there is no returning it. However, that doesn’t stop us from trying. You see, life is the result of a loving and thoughtful God who sought to have relationship with others. God, being Triune in nature (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) enjoyed relationship so much that, he created life in their own image and extended the gift of life and relationship to that image bearer. Human life is dependent upon this Creator God, the Triune God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), for all its needs. We must trust our God to lead and guide us. But as we know, our proclivities are not to trust the word of our Creator–we doubted him. The result of that doubt is trying to exchange the wonderful and beautiful gift of life for something of our own making. We sought a different way…a way we thought was better than the one that was given us.
And so it was. God gave us what we wanted. What we wanted was independence from him. But we did not realize that independence from God is really bondage to sin. Scripture refers to this bondage of sin in various ways, but the most powerful way it demonstrates our bondage to sin is by showing us that our sinful bondage is actually death. I am reminded of how in today’s society, we all have the opportunity to give the gift of life by becoming organ donors. We can check the box on our driver’s license and talk with our families about this decision and in the event of our “untimely” demise, we can donate organs to someone who is near death, but has a chance at life. Scripture doesn’t provide us with a description like this–Scripture goes further. It says we have died. Now, I am no doctor, but I do not think that once someone dies, an organ transplant will bring them back. But, Scripture tells us that while we were dead, Christ Jesus, the Son of God, the second person of the Trinity, died in order to give us the gift of eternal life. His death enables and empowers us to live. But see, it doesn’t stop there. Christ, even though he died (therefore, making us alive), wasn’t finished. He returned to life…he was resurrected, thus defeating the powers of death and sin for all mankind. What a powerful testimony of the Triune God!
What is the point of all this? Well, the point is this–when someone stops breathing or has no heartbeat, they are dead. They can do nothing for themselves. They are at the mercy of those around them. Efforts are made at resuscitation and if they are successful, the person who was once dead is now alive. That first breath is one of desperation, breathing in the newness of life and we can only thank the person who performed CPR for their work. This is the truth of the Gospel. The Triune God makes it possible for us to live–the only thing we can do is breathe in the newness of the life that he provides. I have never seen anyone who has been resuscitated from a heart attack or drowning be complimented on taking that breath. Attention is always given to the one who did the saving. They are the real hero, the one worthy of praise.
To all my Christian brothers and sisters, can we stop making such a big fuss about us taking in that first breath after Christ revived us from death? Can we begin THIS day to give him all glory, honor, and praise for the precious gift of life and eternal life? May we go forth and live in worship of the Triune God who gives life to the dead and dying. To HIM be the glory, forever and ever.
Amen.
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Proof That It Was 7:07 am Today
In his upcoming book, Second Thoughts for Skeptics, Doug Webster describes that the bodily resurrection of Christ from the grave is the proof of God’s “intervention in creation through salvation history” (64). This is acceptable to those who know Christ as Lord and Savior. But what of those who do not accept this as true?
The definition of proof is the evidence or argument that compels the mind to accept an assertion as true. It is any evidence that establishes or helps to establish the truth, validity, or quality of something. Do we not accept proofs as infallible? In math, science, philosophy, etc, do we not operate under a system of proofs and absolutes that found our pursuit for knowledge, problem solving, or answers? Proofs, and correct me if I am wrong, are things we can trust in and believe. They are givens—assertions that guide us into further discussion into deeper issues.
One insignificant illustration for me would be this: if grass is green, then it is alive. Thus, when we see green grass, then we assume that it is alive. Now, I know that at some level this can be refuted and will fall apart, but we operate under a system of proof to identify grass that is alive. We also do the same thing when we pick bananas to eat. If it a banana is green, it might not be ready to eat. The proof of the eatable banana is the color yellow. And again, I know, I know, analogies fall apart—please forgive me.
So what happens when we begin questioning the proof of God’s interaction with creation by doubting the resurrection of Christ? This proof cannot be replicated in multiple scientific studies, but neither can other. Time is an example of this. At the current moment, it is 7:03 am on Thursday morning, June 17, 2010. This minute has passed and will never come back again. In fact, as I write this, minutes continue to pass by and we will never have them again. But is it wise to believe that just because 7:03 am on June 17, 2010 cannot be replicated that it never existed? No it is not. Ultimately, we have experience that proves that the minutes that pass were real. So it is with the resurrection of Christ. Scripture tells us that Christ died once for all, was raised once for all, and will return again. This is the proof that God gives us for our own resurrection from the dead. He did it once—he will do it again. But, we do have an opportunity to demonstrate to an unbelieving world this fundamental proof of Christianity. Many have a difficult time accepting the Gospel of Christ because there is so many Christians are not living the resurrected life in the power of Christ Jesus today.
May we be challenged to live a life worthy of the gospel. May it be to the glory of God. May it be genuine and filled with the truth of Christ.
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One thing that can be said about all of us is we long for something more. Our pursuits and obsessions reflect upon the state of our inner being. This is evident in our desire to be in relationship with one another. We are impacted on a daily basis by the effects of living according to standards that are unattainable. Just look around at the wealthy. Is it not true that just having a million dollars does not satisfy some people? I would like to think that I myself would be able to find happiness in being a millionaire. Yet, we see so many millionaires who are not satisfied with a million—they seek a million more. Do we not see great loneliness in the lives of those who have an abundance of relationships? Do we not see great loss in the lives of those who achieve much? We indeed long for more—even when we have everything we need.
John Calvin wrote in Book 1, Chapter 11 of The Institutes of the Christian Religion:
“The human mind, stuffed as it is with presumptuous rashness, dares to imagine a god suited to its own capacity; as it labors under dullness, nay, is sunk in the grossest ignorance, it substitutes vanity and an empty phantom in the place of God. To these evils another is added. The god whom man has thus conceived inwardly he attempts to embody outwardly. The mind, in this way, conceives the idol, and the hand gives it birth. That idolatry has its origin in the idea which men have, that God is not present with them unless his presence is carnally exhibited, appears from the example of the Israelites: “Up,” said they, “make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wet not what is become of him,” (Exod. 22:1). They knew, indeed, that there was a God whose mighty power they had experienced in so many miracles, but they had no confidence of his being near to them, if they did not with their eyes behold a corporeal symbol of his presence, as an attestation to his actual government. They desired, therefore, to be assured by the image, which went before them that they were journeying under Divine guidance. And daily experience shows, that the flesh is always restless until it has obtained some figment like itself, with which it may vainly solace itself as a representation of God. In consequence of this blind passion men have, almost in all ages since the world began, set up signs on which they imagined that God was visibly depicted to their eyes.”
This, combined with the song title by the band Underoath, “Some Seek Forgiveness, Others Escape”, we are confronted with the reality that we all construct idols in order to find some kind of meaning in life. Some seek escape by pursuing education, family, sexuality, friendship, music, technology, etc. When we focus too heavily on seeking escape instead of dealing with the deep reality that we are in need of a great forgiveness and empowerment of God. When we place other things above this need in every human heart, we become idol factories who are in danger of being destroyed. From this perspective, we must be ministers of reconciliation and extend to the world the hope we have in Jesus Christ. There is forgiveness and purpose in the grace of Christ Jesus. May we live in it and introduce others to it each and every day.
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Don’t Climb the Mountain
Several of my most recent conversations with nonbelievers ended up with us speaking about their inability to accept the exclusive claims of Christ. From what I have been able to discern and understand from these discussions with nonbelievers, the most difficult thing for them to believe is that there is only one way to God. Very quickly, the discussion will turn to discussing the many other religions in our world and how it is not feasible that only one religion provides a true path to God. This will then lead to the assertion that all religions are basically the same and ultimately lead to the same place.
For me, I have found it helpful to guide discussions with these types of people into the distinctions between the various religions and the truth claims of Christ Jesus. Up until about a month ago, I had a difficult time describing these difficulties with much success. But in my recent reading of David Platt’s book Radical, this conversation has been made a bit easier—at least for me to articulate a clear description of the major difference of Christianity and the other religions. David Platt recounts an experience when he was overseas and spoke with several religious leaders from other faiths. He tells the story of sitting there listening to each of these religious leaders describe how all religions are the same just with different ways to reach the same place—peace with self and peace with God. These leaders then looked to Platt and asked him what his thoughts were. He recounts how he reframed the discussion by describing how he understood their perspective:
“It sounds as though you both picture God (or whatever you call god) at the top of a mountain. It seems as if you believe that we are all at the bottom of the mountain, and I may take one route up the mountain, you may take another, and in the end, we will all end up in the same place.” They smiled as I spoke. Happily they replied, “Exactly! You understand!”
“Then I leaned in and said, “Now let me ask you a question. What would you think if I told you that the God at the top of the mountain actually came down to where we are? What would you think if I told you that God doesn’t wait for people to find their way to him, but he comes to us?” They thought for a moment and then responded, “That would be great!”
I replied, “Let me introduce you to Jesus.” (Radical, 33)
This has been a powerful reflection for me over the last few weeks as I think about future discussions with friends and people I meet who have such viewpoints about religion.
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What I Learned in 3rd Grade
The assignment was to discuss moral pain. These are two words that I have not heard often linked together but I do believe it is a reality that many face each day. As a pastor, I encounter many people on a day-to-day basis who are afflicted with moral pain. These encounters ultimately reveal in the quiet moments of my life the truth that I indeed still have moral pain from past failures and mistakes.
It is helpful to define moral pain (or at least try to define the term). For me, moral pain means the painful emotions that we all experience as a result of a moral failure. We have an innate sense of right and wrong and whenever we do not stand up for what is right, the guilt and regret that accompanies future reflections upon those situations is what I would call moral pain. Allow me to illustrate with a moral pain in my own life.
When I was in third grade, there was a young man from the Middle East who suffered from an ailment that caused other children to tease him. The teasing and bullying reached a point where this boy’s parents notified the school and sought action to remedy this situation. I remember being called into a room with my teacher, the principal, and the school counselor and asked the question, “Have you seen other kids teasing/bullying your classmate?” I had witnessed these bullies harshly making fun of this little boy. I had seen the pain and suffering that he endured at their hands. Yet, I was frightened of these bullies and what they could do to me if they found out that I had ratted them out. So my response to my teacher, principal, and counselor was, “No.” I was a coward. I weaseled out. I did not do what was right. And for that, I have moral pain from that experience.
Looking back at this situation, I can say that my experience of moral pain inspires and guides me in how I live life. I see this failure to do what was right and in some regards, use it to not make that same mistake again. It is a personal “thorn-in-my-flesh” (to use a term from the Apostle Paul). I will never forget my cowardice in the third grade. But, I will always remember God’s promise, “My grace is sufficient for you.” It is my prayer that I live in that grace everyday and be empowered to do the right thing.
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Spill Me, Refill Me
My Back is so full of scrapes
With the miles I’ve walked of waste
Fade and fall away against
And numb my hunger to taste
What’s the basis for change?
Excuses to feed my ego’s rage?
I cling to my comfort to quench because
I’m content with my sadistic wretch
Find every reason not to kill the halfway beast
that steals my only peace
Don’t expect it to rest Until its home is a naturalistic nest
But there is no coincidence But there is no compromiseRise.
Close my grip on the floodgates
and lean on the back of the covenant sealed in dreams
Anticipate the backlash
Uncountable grins fade to screams
Doubt’s an ocean away on a sea that my last mistake drowned unwillingly
I don’t have the trust to float inside the waves that seek to spill me.Rise.
Unrealistic ideals Promises I can’t keep I don’t have those luxuries
I don’t have the time you do to sleep
So now it starts And now it begins I’ve waited too long for this
For your fear to interfere again So now my vision’s secured.“Spill Me” by Project 86
There are times when I just cannot stand myself. This is not a bad thing, I believe…it is the very thing that the Holy Spirit uses to drive me and challenge me to not get too comfortable with the status quo of my life. I cannot stand myself because I still have leftover remnants of the sin that ruled my life before Christ saved me from that sin. Scripture tells us about how we are new creations in Christ. It also tells us about the dangers of dragging around the dead man of our former self. I cannot stand myself because sometimes, the dead man rises up and overcomes the new creation that Christ has made me. I cannot stand myself because when that dead man arises, his work leads only to grief, heartache, separation, guilt.
I cannot stand myself, yet it is this self that brings so much disdain to me that introduces me each day to the saving mercy and grace of Jesus Christ. If it were not for that dead man that sometimes becomes a killer zombie only interested in feeding its own hunger, I would be unable to celebrate the freedom that has been bought by the blood of Christ.
This day, it is my prayer that I would be refilled with the peace, grace, mercy, kindness, love, patience, and forgiveness that comes from the Holy Spirit. It is my prayer that this Spirit that lives in me would empower me to live out the life that brings glory and honor to His holy name…the Triune God…Father, Son, Holy Spirit…
Lord Jesus, have mercy on my soul…spill me of all that corrupts…refill me with your mercy, your grace, your praise, your mind…
Grace and Peace,
Derek
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Without a doubt, mewithoutYou is one of my favorite bands. Their song writing challenges me with its simplicity and honesty. They express feelings that I have, but just cannot quite express myself. On the other hand, their energy is contagious. I get fired up when I listen to their music…so much so that I wish they would come to town and play a show so I can hear them live and loud.
The song “A Glass Can Only Spill What it Contains” appears on their 2007 release “Brother, Sister.” I have been convicted by this song over the last several years, as I don’t know how to understand it (Well, I think I do understand it–it’s just a truism that haunts me.) Is it positive to assert this statement? Or is it negative? However I view it, I am convinced that this is true. A glass can only spill what it contains. I believe this. Whatever I fill my life with, it will spill out of me. To spill something usually means that we have accidentally done something…something we should clean up. Whatever I am filled with, when I am spilled out, that will flow out of me. The same thing works when I am poured out. However I look at it, whatever is in me will be spilled out. Which brings me to the question…what am I filled with?
How have I been spilled out? Or how have I been poured out? This week, I missed out on an opportunity to pray for a brother in Christ who requested prayer…I heard his request and just kept on walking toward my destination. I have lost my patience, I have allowed envy to creep into my heart, my quiet time this week has been unfocused…this week, I have not been prepared for the spills…
My prayer is that this next week will be better…I hope to be filled with Jesus and everything that comes with him…I pray that you can help me stay accountable to these things: prayer, scripture, fellowship with Christ, giving, and humility.
I am reminded of one of the words of one of my seminary professors. She reminded us all that the Christian life is filled with many choices. The major choice is the choice between Good and Evil. Many people make the decision to follow the Good Lord Jesus, therefore passing the big test. However, the path doesn’t end with that decision. Satan wants to rob God of glory…no matter how much…he just wants to rob God of glory. The challenge to us was to remember that we can settle on what is good or what is better, but doing so will rob God of his full glory. Let us not settle on good or better, but strive for the best and bring God his full glory…
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Learn the lesson of John Mayer. You cannot expect the world to change unless you are going to be a positive example of change yourself.
And John…listen…I know life has been really, REALLY good to you. I get it. You travel the world and receive the adoration of millions…but never, NEVER trust a pornographer nor his publication. Thank you for apologizing, but don’t just stop there…repent…get your heart and mind in the right place. There are more things wrong with that interview you did than you uttering THAT word…
You say you have a “passion for porn?” You only know women to be anatomical parts? You speak publicly about your most intimate relations with your girlfriends? Dude, you are not being “raw.” You are being incredibly stupid. You are showing your true colors…from the overflow of your heart, your mouth speaks and your body acts. It isn’t any reporters fault that this story got out–it is your’s alone.
And never, EVER use THAT word. Really, John, its 2010…there is nothing about THAT word that has any intellectual value to be salvaged…there is no positive that comes from THAT word.
This is just my advice…repent and receive the grace of Christ. Leave your old life behind and walk in a way worthy of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. You can still play your guitar, sing your songs, even collect your checks…BUT, at least, for the love of God, be the change you are waiting on…
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Who can forget this line in the movie Spiderman? Peter Parker and his uncle sitting outside a library talking about life and how we all have certain strengths and talents…and Peter’s uncle looks to him and tells him, “With great power, comes great responsibility.”
And it is true, is it not? If you are a Christian, you believe that God has created and purposed all of mankind for something. Ultimately, our purpose is to glorify and worship God in all we do, say, and think. This means that all of our lives should be filled with the knowledge and power that “it is no longer us who live, but Christ who lives in us.” With this great power comes great responsibility.
This discussion can lead us again to the question of advertising during the Super Bowl. Many people felt that Focus on the Family was irresponsible in their use of the financial resources to air an ad that would introduce a story about hope, faith, and life. Many said, “Focus on the Family should care for the poor, not produce a TV spot about a woman who chose to give birth to her son.” While I understand the plight of the poor and homeless, I do believe Focus on the Family was responsible to their purposes as an organization…just as all the other companies who spent big money to advertise their latest products during the Super Bowl.
I believe that all the companies who advertised last night during the Super Bowl indeed have an imperative to sell a product and make money. That is why they are in existence. If you enjoy a cold Bud Light from time to time, then you prove the effectiveness of their advertisements and again show that the money was well spent by the company to sell their product. If you purchase a domain name today from godaddy.com, you prove that every penny of their advertising was well spent during the big game. So it is, therefore, that if one woman who was thinking of having an abortion and ending the life of an unborn baby, watched the game last night, saw the FoF commercial, went to their website, and saw the story of Tim Tebow’s mother…and decided against having an abortion, then Focus on the Family’s ad was well worth the money they spent. It is true. Is not one life worth everything we have? If not, let’s try to explain to that young child whose life was saved why it would have been better that FoF had not spent that money to share the message that ultimately saved their life. I’ll go with you, but you can do all the talking.
Again, I am reminded of the Gospel stories of when Jesus, our good shepherd, leaves the 99 sheep to save the 1 lost sheep. Was Jesus crazy? What if, when he left the 99 to find the one, 3 or 4 or 23 of the other sheep wandered off and got lost? When Jesus returns with the 1 and finds that he doesn’t have 99 but 87 sheep remaining, does he venture off to find those who wandered from him? Further, what about Luke 15 and the story of the prodigal son. The father who has lost a son celebrates when his lost son returns, but in the midst of the celebration, his other son walks away from him. This father doesn’t give up on this son–he goes out to where he is to bring him back home…just as he did his younger son.
Perhaps this is the meaning of the statement, “the poor you will always have among you.” Jesus always reminds us that the work he has for us is never finished. If Jesus, when he leaves to find the 1 lost sheep returns to find that 3 others have wandered off, I know that he would go back out and bring the lost 3 back. There is always work to be done. Last night, Focus on the Family ventured out to save the 1 little lamb whose life was threatened. The lesson for us–do the same. Risk it all seeking what is lost, threatened, ill, and injured. If you were offended by how FoF spent money to spread their message, hear the words of Jesus, “the poor will be with you always.” Take time this day to reconsider how you have spent your money. Take time to sit back and think about the last time in which you risked it all to bring peace and grace for the 1 lost sheep. What is your purpose this day? Have you risked it all for the sake of Christ?
With great power…and for us, this power is given us by the Triune God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit…comes great responsibility. And don’t forget to text ‘Haiti’ to 90999 to donate $10 to the Red Cross in their relief efforts.
Grace,
Derek
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Recent Entries
- The Gift of Life
- Proof That It Was 7:07 am Today
- Some Seek Forgiveness, Others Escape
- Don’t Climb the Mountain
- What I Learned in 3rd Grade
- Spill Me, Refill Me
- An Open Letter to Humanity
- A Glass Can Only Spill What it Contains
- Waiting on the World to Change. Really?
- With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility
- Slippery Slopes of Advertising and Faith
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- Reflections (8)
An Open Letter to Humanity
I write this letter today to ask you to do one simple thing. This one simple thing might be a bit too much for some of you, but I ask it nevertheless. In the current wake of celebrities and athletes who have found themselves in sexual scandal, I would like to urge you, good man or good woman, to please think before your do something extremely stupid. Before becoming the senior pastor at Homewood CP Church I served as student pastor at Rocky Ridge CP Church. It became clear to me that during my time as student pastor that one battle we must face is the fight to get students to think before they act. I am not sure if we have ever seen such impulsive, wreckless living than we have in this generation. Teenagers take risks today that I never imagined doing when I was a teenager (and I am only 32). For whatever reason, we live in a society that says, “if it feels good, it must be good.” Many of us might be quick to respond by blaming the devil for such madness, and I would agree, but that does not solve the problems that face us. Everyday, there is a pervading apathy that men and women live with. It seems like people know that they are misbehaving and they just don’t care. This state of humanity troubles me. Deeply.
We have endured the media barrage of Tiger Woods news. We have had to endure years of Catholic sexual abuse scandals. Now it is time to hunker down and weather the Ben Roethlisberger storm. Instead of reliving the rancid details in each of these situations, let’s entertain lessons that we must learn from these men and their struggles. First, whenever you take a vow…when you give your word…in marriage, in celibacy, in public trust…take that vow seriously. Second, just as we learned from Peter Parker’s uncle, “with great power comes great responsibility.” Catholic priests and bishops–you guys have broken a trust with these various scandals–and your actions in Connecticut are not helping. You guys are to be a voice for the voiceless…not a tormentor and destroyer of youth. Tiger and Ben-you guys have both been given great platforms to make a difference. You guys have both publicly stated that you understand you are role models. Where was that understanding when you were engaging in conduct unbecoming a decent man? Thirdly, we cannot hide behind the “grace” card in these situations. Many times, we can be so loose with grace that it actually becomes a license to sin…and we must not cheapen the grace that was so costly to the Father.
And to the young ladies involved in these scandalous situations–stop giving yourselves away so easily. God created you and purposed you for a better life. And you putting yourself in situations where you are giving it up in the single-stall bathroom in a grungy bar does not speak well to your character.
If you find yourself today in the position of one of these public figures who have recently become top stories on TMZ, know that you don’t have to settle and forever be enslaved to the passions of the flesh. There is hope. There is freedom. There is forgiveness. Know that there is one who does love unconditionally. Know that there is an opportunity for you today to start anew…to leave the life of sin behind…and pursue the purpose of your life–to testify to the grace and mercy of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
In Christ, there is salvation.
Grace,
Derek
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