Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Last Post for a Season

     dear readers, I want to thank you for your encouragement over the last few years, with a special thank you for those who have commented. I am especially grateful for the many international readers from countries all over the planet who have logged in. I trust God that some of what I have written has blessed and encouraged you. In this season of my life I believe that God has instructed me to close down the blog for a time. I don't know how long it will be, or whether He will guide me to ever start again.
    Genuinely appreciate your prayers during this time. I am not physically ill but have a strong sense that I need to hear from God. As Jesus said, "the sheep follow him, for they know his voice." (John 10:4 NKJV)
    in Christ, rick

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Walking the Tightrope

     God is faithful in my current role as an under shepherd (Jesus is the Chief Shepherd Hebrews 13:20). He is helping me to walk in the admonition of 2 Timothy 2:24-25a). "And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness..." (ESV) I need continual guidance from the Holy Spirit on when to speak and when not to, how far to pursue something and when to let it go for a time, and when to intervene in a situation and when not to. The exterior issue is usually not the most important one. Most of us have deep wounds going back to our childhoods that only God can ultimately heal. As we become adults those wounds are usually still there, lightly bandaged but affecting much of what we say and do. One example of an exterior issue being affected by internal realities is the ongoing gender role debate. Is it truly possible to be equal in worth and value but different in role? I admit that it is male sin that fueled the feminist movement. I also believe that the devil has seized upon a legitimate desire for respect and godly treatment and used it towards his goal of destroying the family, and thus the surrounding society. Biblical truth gets lost in the emotions and the resultant controversy.
     Can there be any greater worth and value given to anyone than God the Father giving what is most precious to Him, His only Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, as an atoning sacrifice for our sins? (1 John 4:9-10) If we are not receiving the revelation of the Word of God through the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:12-13) then it probably means little to us. If we are receiving this, then we begin to recognize that our worth and value in God's eyes is incalculable.
* Fun with Words-  The Portuguese pronunciation of the name of the prophet Habakkuk sounds very similar to the English phrase "have a cookie."

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Casual Rebellion

     After having waited for several days to make certain that I should write this, I still believe that I should even though I am shocked by the revelation that I believe the Holy Spirit has shown me. I now believe that virtually all North American Christians, including myself, are in a state of casual rebellion against God. Not the cursing, fist in the air kind of rebellion that we see in the world around us but a casual, unthinking, rebellion. A good friend, and reader of this blog, commented to me recently that he no longer called himself a Bible believing Christian because there were too many things in the Bible that he did not practice. I may have to say the same. The biggest factor is the culture all around us, that we are not to be conformed too (Romans 12:2 but which we are usually too Biblically illiterate to know the difference. I am confronted with situations in the church that I am in, that we can't practice what the Bible says because it goes against the culture. The reasons or explanations that I hear about why we can't follow the Bible distress me. "I don't like that. It's cultural. I don't understand why." Does the God who created the universe (Genesis 1:1), and whose ways and thoughts are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9) have to explain Himself to us? Does our ungodly, pagan culture which has produced the largest mass murder (abortion 55 million+) in history have any possible claim to superiority over any other? Or is this just a way to evade New Testament commands? Are we the judges of the eternal Word of God or is it to judge us? "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12NKJV) Should we call Jesus Lord if we are not going to do what He says? (Luke 6:46) 1 Timothy 3:12 states that "all those who live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." Is the reason that we don't experience persecution in North America because we are not living godly in Christ Jesus?

Monday, September 10, 2012

The Importance of Context

     For a number of years the Bible was like a language that I really didn't know. I could pick out words and an occasional phrase but really didn't know what was going on. Sadly, many Christians that I meet are in the same situation that I was in. They may say very confidently that "to the pure all things are pure," using that as a justification for whatever it is that they wish to do. But maybe one in a hundred could inform you of where the phrase is located. ( Titus 1:15) or the context, a strong rebuke of false teachers. This example emphasizes the importance of context, the surrounding verses to the one we are using.
     This morning I was with two brothers with whom I get together most Monday mornings and one of them named Sandy spoke about the context of a popular verse that I had never considered. We have probably all heard, "This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it," (Psalm 118:24) and applied it to the day at hand. As the Lord has made every day, this is quite appropriate yet this is not the actual context of the verse. It actually begins in verse 22. "The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. (23) This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes." and then on to verse 24. In context the day that we are to rejoice in is the one in which the chief cornerstone is rejected. Isaiah 53:3 supplies the clue. "He (Jesus) is despised and  rejected by men..."  Psalm 118:22 is the principal OT verse supporting Peter's preaching to the Sanhedrin in Acts 4.  Acts 4:10 says that the name of Jesus heals the man at the temple gate called Beautiful, verse 11 quotes the verse in Psalm 118, and verse 12 is the powerful conclusion. "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. "
   Jesus also speaks about the chief cornerstone verse in His parable about the vineyard in Matthew 21:33-44, and Luke 20: 9-18.

Friday, September 7, 2012

Thoughts about Disciplemaking

     Jesus commands us to make disciples. (Matthew 28:19) Most people that I know have not had the experience of anyone discipling them. We have had to learn to be a disciple the hard way, and then to disciple others by the same long process. Thankfully God is patient and persevering. Currently I have the privilege and joy of working  with six brothers. What is involved in this process? Availability is the first necessity. If a person is unwilling to prioritize getting together on a regular (weekly or biweekly) basis, then they are not ready for discipleship. The second thing is a willingness to learn. The Greek word for disciple is "mathetes," which means a learner. Learning requires a recognition that we don't know everything, an expression of humility. But this is a two way street. I have more Scriptural knowledge than the people whom I mentor yet I need to be humble and allow God to teach me things through them. Third is care and concern for one another. Discipleship is not simply a transfer of knowledge but of one's lives to each other. Fourth is an individual tailoring of the discipleship experience for each person. Although I want to get into the Bible, pray, and counsel together with each brother, this doesn't take the exact same form with each one. Fifth is acting upon or practicing what we are learning. This should, in part, take the form of imparting to someone else. We want to build this into the spiritual DNA of the people whom we are mentoring. Perhaps most important to this whole process is the understanding that they are not my disciples but the disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is a mistake that has often been made in the past. We want people to "look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith." (Hebrews 12:2) Typically I don't even say anything like "I am going to disciple you," I just do it. One way to find out how serious someone may be is to ask them to memorize the books of the New Testament, and then the Old Testament, in order. Most Christians that I have ever met don't know them. Finally, you don't want people to become dependent upon you. If anything should happen to us, we want the disciples to continue with Christ.

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Brazilian Retreat

     This is the second year that God has given me the opportunity to participate in a retreat with Brazilians. They came from Canada, Virginia, the Boston are and Porto Alegre, a large city in the south of Brazil near the Spanish speaking countries of Uruguay and Argentina, hence their nickname of "gauchos." Samir brought his family, soon to grow again, and three young people who work with him in ministry. One, a man named Calebe, roomed with me. He is an English teacher, played semi-pro rugby, and initially learned English playing video games as a young person. Now he is a disciple of Jesus Christ. Following the usage in the Gospels and Acts, Brazilians often refer to fellow believers as disciples. I wish we did the same in the US.
     Samir spoke several times, the first evening memorably on grace. In the most powerful illustration he asked his little daughter Julia (age 4) to bring him a pencil. She did. Then he asked her to hug him, which she did with a big smile. Samir said, "Bringing me the pencil was an act of obedience, hugging me an act of love. God desires both but which one does He rejoice in? The same thing that I do as a father." He has also recorded a music CD "Decido Por Ti." (Decide or decided for you i.e. God)
     Early one afternoon about a dozen of us did an exercise together. We went into a vacant parking lot, were blindfolded, and then given a thin rope to hold. We could speak with one another but could not let go of the rope. The goal was to make a perfect square. An additional challenge was that we were working in two languages as several other Americans were present. We were allotted thirty minutes. Half the people were talking at the same time. After about twenty minutes of confusion we stopped to pray. Then the Lord gave Calebe an idea and he directed us. When our blindfolds came off we discovered that we were within a couple of feet of the perfect square. (I'm still not sure how Calebe did it.)
     As with most retreats you don't get a lot of sleep. For example, on Sunday night we were theoretically to begin at 7:30, actually began an hour later. We had a time of worship, then I shared a little on the importance of reading the whole Bible, then Marcelo spoke, and finally Samir shared again, along with times of prayer. We finished at midnight but many people stayed up until 3AM.

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Rei Davi

     Rei Davi ( King David) is a Portuguese language (no English subtitles) Brazilian Christian TV mini-series consisting of thirty approximately 45 minute episodes shown earlier this year. Using the Biblical account (primarily 1 & 2 Samuel) as an outline, it recreates the story of David. However at least eighty percent is pure fabrication. Many characters, subplots and relationships between characters are complete invention. While this may make for good TV, it is one of the primary reasons why I would not recommend this series. For example, Paltiel, mentioned once in the Bible  as a subsequent husband for Michal after David has fled from the presence of King Saul,  becomes a major character appearing in almost every episode. Abigail, the heroine of  1 Samuel 25 (and 2nd wife of David) is reduced to a brief appearance as a midwife to Bathsheba. This list could go on and on.
    The acting is somewhat problematic. Gracindo Jr., playing King Saul steals the show in the first half of series, dominating his scenes whereas David comes across as tentative and diffident. The actual story takes place over at least five decades, and a number of characters appear in many of those. Some attempt is made to age the male characters usually with their beards- short and trim in their youth, full in maturity, sprinkled with gray, and finally white in old age. Little commensurate effort is made with the women, who, apparently, do not age over decades. The prime example is the actress playing Michal, the archvillainess of the piece, who looks exactly the same whether she is a young maiden at the court of King Saul, or a seductress of Absalom (totally unbiblical) at least thirty years later.
    The highlight of the entire series is the reception of Jonathan's crippled son Mephibosheth, who has lived as a beggar, by King David, and his subsequent invitation to live in the palace. Jonathan and his wife Selima (no Biblical mention) are the only healthy marital relationship portrayed, and she dies in childbirth. (Again, totally made up). We rarely see portrayal of David's relationship with God, which is why he is called a man after God's own heart. (Acts 13:22)
    The series was recommended to me by a friend as a way to help me understand Portuguese.

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Climbing the Ladder


Recently I believe the Lord gave me an analogy using the rungs of a ladder that illustrates the
difference between Biblical theory and practice. The first rung of the ladder represents those Christians (real or alleged) who neither care nor know what the Bible says about any given theme or question. I will never forget the honest man who said, “I don't care what the Bible says as long as God loves me.” The second rung represents those who have some idea of what the Bible may say about something but for whom it makes no difference because there are other criteria (feelings, past experience, secular psychology, corporate business practice to name a few that I have run into)that determine their decisions. The third rung is for those who may be influenced by what the Bible says but have never studied for themselves to know what it teaches. After decades of interaction with Christians I believe that most fall into one of these three categories. The fourth rung is for those few who do care, know what the Bible says, and do their best to practice it on a personal level. The fifth rung are those who care, know, practice, and by the grace of God attempt to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) to others. Sadly those who stand for the truth are likely to be persecuted by those who don't. May we, by the power of the Holy Spirit, climb the ladder.

Monday, August 27, 2012

God's Ultimate Purpose

    An old song, taken from a British movie, says "What's it all about, Alfie?" Why are we here? What is my purpose? Usually it's all about us. Babies are cute and cuddly but also incredibly selfish. Do they care about your needs? No, they cry when they are wet or hungry or waking up. As we get a little older do we receive the concept of sharing the first time we hear it? No way. Some of us never get it. How about common courtesy like "please," or "thank you." As we get into the teen years, "Does anyone like me? I want friends, or a boyfriend or girlfriend. As young adults we want to get into college, the right college, or a job or a career or a spouse. It is still all about us. Sadly, as Christians, oftentimes this doesn't really change. We want God to change our situation- treating Him like a celestial vending machine- rather than learning what He wants us to do. We say, "God, give me a job." Several months later, we say, "Give me a different job." We ask for a spouse, and, after awhile, too many complain about the one He gave us.
    It is a sign of Christian maturity when we receive the reality that God may not choose to change our situation because He wants us to glorify (honor, exalt, praise) Him in our situation. Isaiah 43:7 says that we are created for His glory. Philippians 2:9-11 says that every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Why? Verse 11 says "To the glory of God the Father. 1 Corinthians 10:31 tells us that  whatever we do is to be done for the glory of God. If you are willing to look, you will find this theme saturating the Bible, especially in the New Testament. Some examples are Philippians 4:20, 1 Peter 4:11, and 5:11, 2 Peter 3:18, Romans 16:27 and Ephesians 1:12.
   May we follow the divine example. In John 17:4 Jesus says that He has glorified the Father. In verse 5 he prays that the Father will glorify Him. In John 16:13-14 Jesus is explaining to the disciples the ministry of the Holy Spirit whom He will send to them. He says that the Spirit will glorify Him. This theme is so central and important that we see the Persons of the Triune God glorifying One another.

Saturday, August 18, 2012

God gave them up

     In the last day or two have had occasion to speak with several brothers about the future of America. Using the analogy of an ocean liner, I believe that if the current President is re-elected he will intentionally steer us into an iceberg; if the other candidate is elected, he will miss the iceberg but be unable to turn the ship around so as to get out of the danger zone.  The year 1963, when the Supreme Court outlawed school prayer, serves as a marker of the beginning of the end. Followed up by the Roe v. Wade decision in 1972 to sanction the slaughter of unborn children- well over fifty million to date- the nation has trekked steadily away from God ever since. The Name of Jesus is routinely used as a curse. Marriage and the family, God's ideas, not ours, are devastated. Parents have no authority over their children because the state, under the guise of child protection, has eviscerated it.
   Romans 1:18ff, what i refer to as the "indictment," warns of the wrath to come. Three times, in verses 24,26,and 28 it refers to God giving people over to their own lusts and passions. When this occurs the end is near. The Old Testament is replete with accounts of people groups and empires who fall and are destroyed by their own wickedness.
    Where does that leave the faithful remnant? We are still to love the Lord our God, to preach the same gospel that the apostles preached and to make disciples. I have also had occasion to speak recently to several brothers recently who have pursued New Testament pattern house church life for ten, fifteen or twenty years. They exhibit a disillusionment and weariness. Perhaps we have gotten the cart before the horse. Instead of making disciples first, and then coalescing into churches, we have sought those who agreed or would fit into our new approach to church life without considering whether we, or they, were actually disciples of Christ.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

1 John 2:7-8

    A brother and I are studying 1 John together. Today we looked at the first half of chapter 2. He asked me about an apparent contradiction in verses 7 & 8. The NKJV text reads as follows: "Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning. (8) Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining." So how can the author say in verse 7 that he writes no new commandment, and in verse 8 say that he does? The following represents a possible answer. When John speaks of a new commandment I am drawn to his gospel, which chapter 13, verse 34 reads, "A new commandment I give to you that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another." If the new commandment is to love one another, then what might the old commandment be "which you have had from the beginning?" Leviticus 19:18 comes to mind, the last part of which reads "you shall love your neighbor as yourself..." Jesus draws this from the relative obscurity of the Old Testament in response to the question "What is the greatest commandment in the law?", (Matt22:36ff) He responds "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' So the new commandment is the same as the old commandment.
    It may help to remember that the NT writers are communicating to a mixed audience of Jews, who would have familiarity with the Old Testament, and Gentiles, who probably wouldn't. To Jewish believers there is no need to speak of a new commandment because they knew the old one. To Gentile believers who had been taught that they need not follow the law of Moses in order to be saved, a new commandment is necessary.

Monday, August 13, 2012

Study to show yourself approved

     One of the ongoing things that God places on my heart as I work with and attempt to encourage other Christians is the importance of memorizing the books of the Bible in order. The reason is simple, that people can find things in the Bible and actually follow along when involved in a Bible study or listening to a teaching. It seems so basic but very few can actually do it. I grant that the Old Testament is more difficult, with more books and some unusual names; I have seen six year olds do the New Testament. I have encouraged many people to do this over the years. Only today have I learned of a person, other than my daughter, who has done this because of my encouragement. Galatians 6:6 states that "One who is taught must share all good things with the one who teaches." (ESV) Some interpret this financially; I suspect that it means we should try to encourage someone who teaches us with what we have learned.
     In 2 Timothy 2:15 Paul writes, "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth." (ESV) For many years I dabbled in the Bible, a little here and a little there.  When I finally responded to the Holy Spirit, he used a brother named Jim to inspire me to read the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation for the first time. Since then I have read it many more times. God impressed upon me very clearly that I must "make it my business" to know His Word. Like Paul, I trust that I have "not been disobedient to the heavenly vision." (Acts 26:19)
    "May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, our rock and our redeemer." (Ps. 19:14 ESV)

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

True Fellowship

     Probably the most joyous and fulfilling thing that God allows me to do is to sit down with a brother (in my case) and dig into the Word of God together. Sadly the experience is not as often as I would like, but I am very thankful whenever it occurs. This morning J & I spent an hour in 1 John 1. We prayed that the Holy Spirit would teach and guide us. ( John 14:26, 16:13) The Father answered our prayer showing us many things. Among the highlights were John's eyewitness account of Jesus- "which we have seen" 3 times, John's declaration of what he had seen so that we might have fellowship with the Father and the Son, (v.3) the purpose of the declaration, that we might have full joy (What does that imply about God? He is joyful and wants us to experience that also), contrast between light and darkness, the identification of Jesus as truth cf. John 14:6, Ephesians 4:21 et. al., the crucial importance of the cleansing blood of Jesus to allow us, made of the dust of the earth, to have fellowship with an infinitely holy God, the deception of thinking that we have no sin, the part we must play in confession of sins, the righteous, fair and forgiving judge, God the Father, and the reality that it is through the lense of Christ, as the Head of the Body, that God can look upon us. (Habakkuk 1:13-14) We looked at a number of cross-references. While I would not make a law insisting that true fellowship with Christ and one another must involve the Word, it would surprise me to think that the Holy Spirit working through the Word (e.g. Acts 1:16, Hebrews 3:7) would not occur in some way.
*Fun with Portuguese. I learned a new phrase, which I don't know how to spell. The literal translation is "foot of a boy." This is a sweet, popular in Brazil, consisting of peanuts encrusted with a butterscotch colored sugary glaze, flat and about the size of a medium pancake.

Saturday, August 4, 2012

41 Years

     As a life long history "nut", I have had occasion to read both volumes of an autobiography of Frederick S. Roberts, who, towards the end of the Nineteenth Century was a household name, but since has drifted into obscurity. This British general and war hero wrote "Forty-one Years in India" about his exploits in the sub-continent. Well i haven't spent forty-one seconds in India but was led to the beginning of a relationship with Jesus Christ forty-one years ago today. At the time i was a teenage hippie, utterly lost in every sense of the word, with no vision, plan or goals.
     As I look back over my adult life walking with Christ I am struck most by His patience and perseverance in my life. I have been a painfully slow learner yet He has never given up on me, has never forsaken me. (Hebrews 13:5) This morning I reflected a little on the vicissitudes of my life- the pain and suffering, often self-inflicted, the hard work, the knowledge and revelation provided by the Holy Spirit. A portion of Psalm 61 came to mind.
     "Hear my cry, O God; attend to my prayer, from the end of the earth I will cry out to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock (Christ) that is higher than I. For you have been a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy, I will abide in your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of your wings."
(Psalm 61:1-4 NKJV) May we cling to the rock that is higher than we are.

Friday, August 3, 2012

The 3 A's Revisited

     Somewhere in the distant past, i have posted on the theme of the 3 A's (Attention, Approval & Affection), but I assume that most people don't read old entries, and I believe the Lord has placed it on my heart again. I think God has created us with the need for the 3 A's in such a way that only He can ultimately meet the need. He may use other people to help in the process but I believe that much  human unhappiness results from our trying to cajole or coerce other people into meeting needs that only He can meet. I suspect that much marital failure stems from unrealistic expectations of one's spouse in this area. Some of the controlling that many people do with other people comes from a desperate desire for these basic needs. We want people to notice us, like us and express love to us. We try money, power, physical appearance, drugs etc. but only God can meet the need that He has created. Thankfully, through trust in Christ that comes from the Father drawing us, our responding in surrender, repentance, and dependence, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit we can experience the filling of our hole. "Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us." (Romans 5:5 NKJV)
     On a different note, I pray that God will show me and the people with whom I am walking whether to attempt cross cultural blending in our ekklesia, and if so, how He wants us to proceed. "To God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen. (Romans 16:27 NKJV)

Monday, July 30, 2012

K

    One of the new people in our church is a brother whom I'll call K. He is up from Brazil on a six month visa before returning home. He doesn't speak English. As with most church cultures, what he is familiar with is pastor centric. His mother, also a non English speaker is up visiting. K introduced me to her as "Pastor." After our gathering I went over to him with a bi-lingual Bible that another brother gave me last year. My Portuguese is halting as I don't know the verb changes, and my accent is atrocious but by the grace of God I have made it my business to know His Word. So i showed K Matthew 23:8, and Romans 8:29, two of many verses that show the importance of our brotherhood in Christ. K read them aloud in Portuguese. Then I managed to say that offices or gifts like elder or pastor (using the Portuguese words) are important but what is more important is our brotherhood because that is eternal. The Holy Spirit helped me remember the way in which a Portuguese speaker expresses that concept, (literally "for always"). I saw the gleam of revelation in K's eyes as he looked to me and said, "irmao" (brother-I don't know how to reproduce the accent mark) and then to himself as well. As Paul the apostle said in a different context, "The Word of God is not bound!" (2 Timothy 2:9b ESV)
     Another encouragement from yesterday was a young brother A whom God is moving in powerfully. At the very end as I was getting into my car to return home he came up and asked for a book which I had offered to the church (Basic Bible Doctrine by Wayne Grudem). A expressed a desire to find 4 people who would pray consistently for the neighborhood in which we are ministering, and finally asked me to pray for him personally. I asked whether he had any specific need. He said no, just to bless him. What a basic, wonderful request and yet how often do we ever do this? Happy to comply. Thank you, Jesus

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Salt Bay Reflections

     Friday I had the opportunity to act upon an invitation by a brother named Chuck to spend part of a weekend with him and some Canadian saints seeking the Lord Jesus in a cottage on a bay of the Atlantic in Maine. Long drive with the last twenty-five miles harder than the previous 225. By 4PM I had pulled into the driveway to spend the next hour and a half watching the tide roll in. Nearly imperceptible at first, it gradually changed until the waves were actually curling and crashing down on the outcrops of stone. After a lifetime of usually stress filled work, I am thankful to have time to reflect on the God's creation.
    Chuck, Mike, and his wife Anne pulled in about ten. We spoke quite awhile until I finally called it quits about midnight. They are seasoned saints, people who have walked with Christ for decades, experienced the vicissitudes of triumph and failure, and kept on following Jesus. We prayed and spoke, reminisced and encouraged. Saturday morning took one of the most pleasant walks I have ever had.
     One of the more memorable discussions that Chuck & I had centered around the need to have Christ's compassion for those who are perishing without Him. I had prayed for this years earlier when He showed me that I didn't have that compassion. I thank God for using Chuck to remind me to keep praying for His heart for the lost. Saturday evening Chuck patched in a sister named Val on a conference call, and we spoke about what we were all sensing on the horizon- a collapse and resultant devastation of the US & world economic and political systems. I believe God is saying to "prepare," not so much physically or materially but spiritually in joyful welcome of those who will be desperate in that scenario.
     Got up at 4:44 Sunday morning, and drove South to participate in our monthly Celebration outreach, which begins with at least an hour of prayer. JR, Mary, Adele & Jose helped facilitate worship, and we had visitors from Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine and Brazil. Met a brother named Trent, whom I had heard much good about, and his family. His appearance and exuberance brought back memories of the Jesus People days. Our brother Matt preached the love of God powerfully with translation into Portuguese by JR and Belle.
     Coming home I received a call from a veteran of the Cross named Doug. We find great joy in God's painstaking work in us over many years to bring us to a place of humility where we can finally give from what God has revealed to us.

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Opining

     Opine- to hold or express an opinion. I have haunted libraries for generations and have always understood that they were quiet places designed for reading or study. My current local library is consistently the noisiest one that I have ever encountered.
    I try not to follow the major news stories but they are impossible to avoid. The fraud, selective reporting, and bias of the media is blatant. Take the Trayvon Martin shooting. The cover of a major weekly news mag has what is probably his kindergarten picture on the cover. Have you ever seen a picture of what he looked like at the time of the shooting? He is six-two, muscular and covered with tattoos and allegedly in trouble with both school authorities and police who had almost arrested him several days prior. He was also a reputed drug dealer. Have you heard that on the news?The media lynch mob has long ago convicted George Zimmerman. If he should not be convicted I predict riots as in the Rodney King affair some years ago.
    The most recent Colorado massacre (apparently the more people that are killed, the more publicity) is the most recent example of an ongoing phenomenon that goes back at least as far as the Old Testament. (Try 1 or 2 Kings) Pagan societies require a steady supply of victims. Ours are paraded on the nightly news, radio, the Internet etc. around the clock. Most "news" consist of people murdered or otherwise victimized.
    Is it a generational thing that I think the current trend towards receiving government benefits is shameful? I know any number of younger Christians who don't want to work, and don't have too because of "transfer payments" or who may work but still are on some government subsidy. As one brother explained to me, he makes more money by not working. Is 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 no longer in our Bibles? "That you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly towards those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing." (NKJV)

Sunday, July 22, 2012

7/22 Update

     Awhile back I had a couple of posts in which I included something called "Fun with Words." Some expressions don't translate well into other languages. For example, in English one of the terms of endearment that a person can employ is "honey." In Portuguese one says "melados," which means molasses. The idea is the same but I don't think an English speaker would consider someone calling them "molasses" favorably. Another is the expression in Portuguese "oito y oitenta," which means 8 to 80. This doesn't mean anything in English but in Portuguese denotes someone who is unstable, who has wild emotional swings.
    On a more spiritual note, enjoyed fellowship with the support/accountability brother's group on Thursday, and began a Bible study with three more brothers on Friday, with focus on the inspiration, inerrancy, and authority of the Word of God. Saturday morning had a long overdo breakfast with Nathaniel. We realized we had known one another for a dozen years. Saturday evening fellowshipped with the Phinney Hill group, always a pleasure, and Sunday trekked back to Boston to my "home" house church. Today we experimented in meeting in a partitioned room in a building due to our recent increase in numbers. While I wasn't thrilled with the logistics, it did serve as an entry point for several visitors.
    Shared a little on the theme of persecution, which seems to be promised in 2 Timothy 3:12. Also looked at John 15:18ff, and 1 Peter 4:12ff. Persecution fills the pages of the New Testament, and is experienced by many around our planet. There is no reason to expect that we will continue to have immunity. Already a strong prejudice exists in the US, especially in media and elite circles. May we prove faithful if our turn should come.

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Dilemma of Growth

     One of the best blessings of gathering in homes is the opportunity to welcome people into that part of God's family. Because numbers are limited and celebrating the Lord's Supper as a full meal allows for longer times together, one can make deep relationships. People feel less inhibited in participating in that environment, and the need for structure and organization is minimal. Those who wish to disciple others in the faith are not tied up in endless meetings. House churches don't have the expense of buildings and professional staff so financial resources can go to the New Testament priorities of ministering to the poor and aiding itinerant ministers. And one can follow the apostolic patterns found in Acts & the Epistles.
     But what happens when we grow out of the apartments or homes that are gathering in? People wish to preserve the relationships that have grown out of the house church environment so they look for a facility to rent. Now we begin to lose what God has used to bring us to that point. We have ongoing expenses- making a landlord's mortgage rather than giving to the poor or itinerants. With more people we lose the intimacy of the house and begin to require more structure and organization. Only a few can share publicly.
     Unfortunately the pages of the New Testament do not instruct us in what to do when groups grow out of the homes. We only know from history that the early church did not move into larger buildings until the 4th century. This implies that the existing home groups must have multiplied into other homes. Hardly any American home groups with whom I am familiar have done this in a healthy way. Most have never grown to a size where they had to think about it. However, most regular churches started in someone's living room.
    Are we willing to experiment with multiplication, which is admittedly harder, for the sake of welcoming in people as we were once welcomed, or is the larger building model inevitable? As I am learning the hard way, if one believes that God would be pleased by multiplication, then that must be placed into the spiritual DNA of a group from Day One, and reinforced at regular intervals. Otherwise the inevitable will occur.

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Knowing Him

     Jesus prays (John 17:3) "Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." Paul affirms in Philippians 3:10 that he wants to know Christ. This is not an intellectual knowledge but a deep, relational knowledge. How can we come to know God? One way is through prayer, talking to and listening to God. Our prayers tend to focus on our needs or situations (supplication) or praying for the needs or situations of others (intercession). Both are necessary. Praying for our needs demonstrates our dependence upon God rather than ourselves. Praying for others is one of the major ways that we can fulfill the command to love one another. Yet a good, healthy relationship does not consist in asking for things, however necessary or beneficial. Consider how we get to know another person. We spend time together (hanging out). We discover what other people think or say about the person. We also listen to and reflect upon what the person says about himself.
    In the Bible, God says many thing about Himself. In the New Testament, Jesus does the same. One example is His "I AM" statements. this refers back to the passage of the burning bush in Exodus. When Moses asks who shall I say sent me, God responds with the Name, "I AM." Jesus repeats this numerous times. His listeners understand that by using this phrase He is claiming to be God. For example in John 4:25-26 he responds to the Samaritan woman's question about the Messiah by saying, "I AM He." He also says "I AM the bread of life (John 6:35,48,51), "I AM the light of the world (John 9:5), "I AM the good shepherd (John 10:11,14 etc.).
     One way to enter into deeper relationship with God is to acknowledge or confess who He says that He is. As we do this, it finds a confirmation in our own hearts, and facilitates the revelatory ministry of the Holy Spirit.

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Multiplication

Multiplication? You mean 3X4=12? (Do kids learn the multiplication tables anymore?) No, I refer to multiplication in the Kingdom of God. In the past twelve years of working with house based churches in New England, I haven't seen  a single healthy multiplication, in which a viable home church grew to the point where it gave birth to another home church and both thrived afterwards. Yet it seems that this must have happened in the New Testament era. Historically we know that from the siege of Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple in 70AD that the Christians worshipped in homes for at least two hundred years, and that a group which numbered 120 persons in the upper room (Acts 1:15) grew to many thousands in the days following, and eventually spread throughout the Roman Empire. Yet we have no Biblical information on the process. We see plurality of eldership mentioned at least eighteen times in the NT including Acts 14:23, and Titus 1:5. (In contrast the word "pastor" is used only once in Ephesians 4:11, and is probably an itinerant ministry like the others in that verse.) We also see three clear examples of consensus in Acts 1,6,& even 15. (Note the approval of the whole church in verse 22) We also see the authority of the church in Matthew 18:15ff where no mention is made of pastors, elders or leaders. Thus a case can be made for elder guided consensus in church direction including multiplication.
     God has blessed us in our group to come a point of growth where we need to pray, contemplate and counsel together about whether to do as so many have done before- to take the easy route of becoming a building oriented church, or to experiment with multiplying into two, with the hope that this is not the last multiplication but the first. Jesus told us to make disciples and disciples will be required to multiply successfully. Only whole hearted followers of Christ who have truly put Him first, who are willing to love and forgive one another and depend on Jesus can make this happen.

Monday, July 9, 2012

Riding the Wave

    Have only surfed once in my life but that seems like the best analogy for what God is doing in our midst. The men in our church often gather on a Saturday morning (the women meet separately). This past Saturday we gathered and spent at least two-thirds of our two hours together in prayer, one of the most powerful times that I have experienced in recent years. When the foundation of prayer, and thus relationship with God is laid, we are unleashed to respond to the power of the Holy Spirit.
    Yesterday nineteen adults, seven teens and seven younger children gathered, a doubling in size of the gathering from only a few weeks ago.  Interaction between the saints was genuine and refreshing, as if we had found an oasis in the desert. For many years I have believed that it is the responsibility of those already in a church to welcome and integrate new people into the fellowship rather than expecting people to do that on their own. Now I see that happening.
"Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters..." (Isaiah 55:1) "Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God." (Romans 15:7) "The Spirit and the Bride say come. And let the one who hears say come. And let the one who is thirsty say come; let the one who desires the take the water of life without price." (Rev. 22:17  All references are ESV) God has given us the joy and privilege of providing a place for people to be planted in His Body.

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Crossroads

     We began almost like a band of fleeing refugees. This was about four and a half years ago. Over time we solidified, harmonized, and grew in our relationship with God and one another. Some people came and went but the Holy Spirit developed a core group. We worked for a long time on the question of how we were to make decisions, and a year and a half later came up with elder guided consensus. We experienced a lot of "drama" and came close to foundering. Through it all God proved Himself faithful again and again. At the end of 2011 we felt that we needed to give what God had given to us; that the blessings He had bestowed were not just for us, and that we needed to make more impact on the world around us.
     We tried two experiments. One was developing relationship with a small Brazilian church nearby. The second was partnering with them in a monthly evangelistic outreach at a low income housing project. We also began to pray for the opportunity to welcome people into this little part of the family of God.
     In the last month God has brought a number of people into our home gatherings with more expressing interest. We are thrilled. Yet this has rapidly brought us to a crossroads. We are a relatively poor group. No one owns a house. We meet mostly in small, one bathroom apartments. Twenty people max us out. We expect thirty this Sunday. What do we do now? We never want to intimate in the slightest way that we don't want people to come. There seem to be two major options. One is the traditional route. Almost all North American churches begin in someone's living room. If enough people come then they rent a space, and if more come they try to buy a building. By the grace of God we have access to a building both rent & utility free. (Some readers are probably saying, "Are you kidding me? This is a no-brainer.)
     The other option is to multiply into two groups so that we can continue to meet in homes. What does this require? Each group would need adequate leadership, ideally a worship facilitator, people willing to open their homes to host the group, and a potential willingness to not meet on Sundays with all of those with whom they have forged relationship over the last few years. We would continue our once a month gatherings, and could have prayer, brothers and or sisters' meetings together.
    The most important question in all of this is what does God want? May we seek Him diligently.

Monday, July 2, 2012

Quebec Report


July 2, 2012


QUEBEC REPORT

Have just returned from my third ministry visit to Canada this year. Thank you, God for opening this door. Left early Wednesday morning, going Mass Turnpike West, New York Thruway to Syracuse, and then due north to Ottawa. As always the Berkshires were spectacular; I hope to spend some time there this summer. Passed signs for Guilderland, NY, near Albany. Oddly some of my best high school friends were from that town although I went to school about forty-five minutes away. Farmland begins just past Albany and stretches to the end of Nebraska as one drives west on I-90. You can also see something that may be the Erie Canal on your right. As I had very little Canadian currency, I tried to purchase some at American banks near the border. Unlike my successful experience in Maine, I went to four different banks and ended up with only $50.
Crossing into Canada has always been pleasant. Just before I reached the border I went over an extremely high, narrow bridge but am uncertain of the name of the water below. Although I studied French in junior high, high school, college & grad school I never became even conversational in the language although I did learn to read it. About twenty years ago read the New Testament in French three times and about twenty other books but hadn't used it since. In Quebec most signs are in French and the Brazilian friends with whom I stayed lived in French speaking areas.
Reuel, Erika and Mateus, their toddler, greeted me warmly when I arrived about 4:30. I met them originally in Brazil, several times in the U.S. & in Canada on a previous visit. We watched “Courageous” a movie by the film making church in Georgia that has also produced “Facing the Giants” and “Flywheel” among others. Each one seems better than the last. The theme centered on the responsibilities of fathers towards their children wrapped around a police thriller.
The next day we went to a beach along the river with our friend Adolpho & his daughters. Very pleasant, and I didn't burn. Adolpho gave me a tour of downtown Ottawa before picking up his wife Flavielli. (As always, I have not seen these names written down and am guessing at the spellings.) Thursday we returned to the beach (a Brazilian pastime) but it was very windy. Erika made the classic beans, rice, salad mix that I like. That evening we gathered together and had a time of worship, testimonies and prayer. I shared some Scriptures and related thoughts on the theme of persecution referenced in the previous post.
Friday we relaxed and then after dinner I drove to Montreal, about an two and a half hour journey. There Wellington, my host, greeted me. We talked and prayed together. In the morning we ate breakfast, took a walk with May, his Jack Russell terrier, and then went to lunch at a place called “The Cage aux Sports.” The wait staff spoke French, which Wellington knew but I did not. (I am limited to about 4 or 5 sentences and a few stray words.) So I explained in French that I was an American, and did not speak French. She replied (in French) that she would do her best to understand me. I caught the word “comprend” (to understand). While we ate I heard rap style music in English and heard our waitress singing along. I asked Wellington to mention this to her. She launched into an explanation (in French), which Wellington repeated in Portuguese. (Brazilians love to joke) Now my Portuguese is not much better than my French although I have about 80% reading comprehension. The gist was that she watched English language TV, sang English songs, understood English but was too timid to speak it.
That evening several Brazilian Christian families came over. I shared on the theme of glorifying God and Wellington spoke on His eternal purpose. He diagrammed on a big sheet of paper. I think I understood about half of his spoken communication. Brazilians love to talk and eat, which we did afterwards. On Sunday we hung out, I took a walk, prayed and went to dinner in the city of Montreal, located on an island in the St. Lawrence river. Andre and Camilla were our hosts, along with Davi, their toddler. We ate something resembling meatloaf, and Andre told me the fascinating story of how he and his wife had met. Left early this morning and drove about 340 miles home.

Friday, June 29, 2012

Persecution

Recently in a gathering of twenty missionally minded believers I was asked what I thought was next for the church in North America. Without hesitation I answered, "persecution." Two examples are illustrative. I am informed that a major Christian college located in Canada will be forced to shut down operations because it refuses to hire homosexual professors and surrender to a unScriptural agenda. This violates "hate speech" laws. Yesterday the Supreme Court of the U.S. ruled that the Federal government can force citizens to purchase a good or product (health insurance), an unprecedented expansion of government power. This expansion is accelerating on all levels- local, regional and national. Romans 13:1-7 grants governments the power to coerce, by force if necessary. It is the responsibility of Christians to obey the law of the land. However, Acts 5 (specifically verses 40-42) indicates that in certain cases genuine believers have a higher authority. The apostles are forbidden by the Sanhedrin, the ruling body of Israel at the time, to speak in the Name of Jesus. They are flogged and released. But they continue to teach and preach in the Name of Jesus. The corollary is that they are willing to suffer.
     In some countries with ongoing persecution, Christians form a tiny minority oppressed by far more numerous adherents of a different religion. Governments are not involved. But in some countries government authorities actively persecute those who believe in Christ. 2 Timothy 3:12 states clearly that all those who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. Jesus says that even as the world has hated Him that they will hate us also. (John 15:18ff) Persecution is coming. But be of good cheer, Jesus says, I have overcome the world. (John 16:33) "The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen." (2 Timothy 4:18 ESV)

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

New Brunswick Report


June 25. 2012


NEW BRUNSWICK REPORT

God began it all with a phone call out of the blue. It was a Tuesday, and I was in Boston but intending to return home two hours away.
“Hi, this is Bill. I'm down from Canada and interested in connecting with house church Christians. Would you be interested in getting together?” Bill had called two other people, whose contact he had discovered on the Internet, who didn't have time or interest. He told me later he figured I would have the same response. What he didn't know then was that I live for this. I firmly believe that God has given me availability for the precise reason of promoting the unity of the Body of Christ, and encouraging its members.
We had dinner together with his colleague Patti. Psychology professors, they had come to the Boston area to talk to companies about employee wellness programs. We discovered a lot of common ground, and that God was moving us in similar directions. Bill has a strong desire to connect with other parts of the Body of Christ as do I.
We met again a few weeks ago when they returned to Boston on another business trip. In the interim Bill had invited me to come to his home province of New Brunswick, and also connected me with their networking website 247network.ca. On Tuesday of last week I got up at 5AM to begin my 500 mile (800 kilometer) journey to Fredericton. I went Mass Turnpike to 495, and then up 95 through New Hampshire and into Maine. Stopped in Bangor to get gas, purchase Canadian currency & lunch. Prior to Bangor there was a lot of traffic and continual road construction. The last 200 miles (320K) to Fredericton, the capital of New Brunswick, were peaceful.
Pulled into the city about 4:30 and found Bill's office. His colleague Karl had hoped to meet me but thought I was coming in later. Catherine, their pleasant, efficient secretary, greeted me and gave me directions to the motel where I was to lodge. Karl came to the hotel later. He had been a regular church pastor for decades who had recently been led out of the traditional church structure into home gatherings. Bill is the visionary. Karl is the humble, quietly competent brother who makes things work. I found him to be a good listener and wish we could have spent more time one on one.
Wednesday morning a brother named Chuck came by and we went to a little gathering across the St. John's River, which separates the city of Fredericton into two parts. Chuck was a former hippie, a recently retired psychology professor, and had spent much time ministering in Africa. We gathered at Mike's memorial business with his wife Anne, Karl, and a brother named Matt. Mike and Anne are charismatics and fervent believers. One of the potential blessings of meeting in homes is the blending of evangelicals and charismatics sharing their gifts and strengths with one another. Matt was also a former pastor, who like so many Canadians that I met had either spent time or actually lived in the U.S.
Karl and I went to the office where he videotaped me sharing a little of my personal testimony, and also about the current arena of ministry that God has granted me. Karl also videoed Chuck and Matt in a bit of a round robin style.
We went to lunch downtown in a cafe. Then Matt took me first on a walking tour, and then on a driving tour of the city. His love for, and knowledge of Fredericton impressed me deeply. One of the major problems with house churches is that typically we are traveling long distances to gather with like hearted people. As a result our impact on those around us (our neighbors) is often minimal. Matt and his family moved to Fredericton ten years ago and over time have developed many relationships in the community- with believers and unbelievers, local business people, the Mayor- developing genuine impact.
Wednesday evening Bill hosted a gathering of people with a burden for unity and networking. About twenty people came and each one shared a little about who they were and what God was doing with them. One couple, Ron and Joanne, particularly impressed me. They run something called The Victory Center, an outreach for recovering drug addicts. Joanne gave a moving testimony about persevering in marriage, and Ron expressed the theme that maturity in Christ depended upon spiritual hunger. He strikes me as a deep thinker, one who reflects on the things of God. His thought about spiritual hunger continues to resonate with me.
Bill asked me to share a little of my testimony and ministry, which I did before launching into a four part appeal. The first part was on the central importance of Jesus, that we not allow anything else, like house church, to supersede Him. Part two focused on the balance of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. The third part, which I acknowledged as probably the most difficult, was to not throw out the truth of leadership in the Body of Christ but rather to seek the Lord about how he would have us lead, i.e. in humility. Finally, as most of the participants were seasoned saints, I appealed for them to be spiritual fathers and mothers to those younger in the faith.
Thursday morning had breakfast with Mike, Anne, Karl and Bill. Bill wanted Karl to videotape me reprising my appeal from the night before. After we did this I took a walk along the river to the library. Then Chuck and I had lunch together. God used Chuck to remind me yet again of the central importance of prayer to the advance of the Kingdom. We returned to his office for a wonderful time of prayer. God is at work in New Brunswick.
That evening Mike & Anne had invited me over for dinner. Anne was born in England, still has a delicious accent, and spent her early childhood in India. I encouraged them that whatever the status of the church, God had determined to make her a bride without spot or blemish. We drove to another part of town to the home of Larry and Jen where we met Chuck and his wife Marti, who had grown up in Boston, and also a nice young couple whom I had met previously on my tour with Matt. Felt strongly led of the Spirit to pray for Larry and Jen.
Am very thankful for the hospitality and generosity of the saints and for Bill following the vision that the Lord has given him. There are a few people whom God uses in a catalytic role to get things moving and Bill is one that He has gifted in that way. One final humorous note is that the smallest paper currency in Canada is the five dollar bill. They have one and two dollar coins, which are known colloquially as “loonies” and “toonies.” I found this hysterical.

Some Observations

     Wednesday evening I was in a free flowing meeting with about twenty other Christians. Someone mentioned the need for God's wisdom, which reminded me of the verse about wisdom being like a deep well, but a man of wisdom drawing it out. I thought it was Proverbs 20:13 but when I looked it up that was not the correct reference so I asked the group if anyone knew where it was located. A man to my right said he and his wife had been reading Proverbs chapter 20 that morning & thought it was in there so I looked again and found it in verse five. Now this may seem unremarkable but it is the first time I remember this happening in forty plus years of walking with Christ, that someone asked where something was located in the Bible, and someone else knew because they happened to have it read it recently. If every Christian is reading the Bible daily, it seems like this should be a common occurrence.
     In the gospel of Mark (10:29ff) Jesus speaks about those who have left "house or brothers or sisters etc. "for my sake and the gospel's" will receive a hundredfold in this life "houses and brothers and sisters..." I have never owned property but I have the keys to three people's homes, and entree to many more.
     Saturday morning i was gathered with about ten believers. We were discussing (after a time of prayer) ideas about our monthly outreach to the poor. One thought was to serve more healthy food for our common meal. The person who mentioned this had just viewed something detailing the (alleged) problems with a meat/dairy heavy diet. My question with this or any other idea is what does God think about it? Has He spoken about it in His Word? Do we care what He thinks? Generally speaking it seems that Christians really don't ask and reflect on these questions but form our values/decisions/opinions on other criteria.
     Finally a possibly apocryphal story that I heard many years ago. A Christian was witnessing to a lawyer about Jesus Christ. In the course of his presentation the Christian said, "The Bible says..." The lawyer asked,"Where does the Bible say that?" The Christian had no idea. The lawyer said," Do you see all these law books in my office? If you ask me about a court case or decision I can show you which book it is in and where it's located. When you know your Bible as well as I know my law books, then come back and talk to me."

Monday, June 18, 2012

Testimonies

     One of the uses of the word "testimonies" in Christian parlance is the idea of telling others something that God has done in one's life. I'd like to share three today, one from my own and two from others' lives. A brother named Anselmo with a wife and four children was facing the loss of his living situation. He thought he had something else lined up but it fell through. The deadline was a couple of days away. Then he got a call from a brother that he knew to have lunch together. This man, who is in the real estate business, offered to set Anselmo up in a place to live big enough for his family, and also offered a position as a sales manager in the company to train sales reps. The joy on the faces of Anselmo and his wife were wonderful to behold.
     Another brother whom I've known for at least a decade was estranged from his daughter during much of that time. Today I had the privilege of reading an e-mail of her desire to see him, how much she cared for him, things for which much prayer had gone up before the throne of God.
     In our little home gathering of twelve adults and four young children, we have been praying that God would give us the opportunity to welcome in other people. Yesterday the Lord gave us nine adults and five children as visitors. Many of them shared testimonies and I believe all said they would like to return. God is responding to the prayers of His saints.

Saturday, June 16, 2012

It's Cultural

In a recent conversation a brother whom I know indicated that Christians might be affected a little by the culture around them. After many years of contemplating that theme, I believe that we are dominated by the culture around us- the values, thought patterns, beliefs and practices of the society that we live in. Over time I have heard any number of people who have walked with Christ for long periods refer to one or another thing in the Bible as "cultural," with the sense that it is no longer relevant modern day, and that we don't have to do it. Granted that everything in the Bible was written at a specific time, to a specific group of original recipients. If we accept the principle of inspiration of the Bible, i.e. dual authorship of the Holy Spirit and the human author, (2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:20-21 et. al.) then the choice of when and to whom things were written is a matter of God's sovereignity. If we accept the eternal nature of the Bible, then it is written to everyone. (Mark 13:31, Isaiah 40:8)
     What are we saying then, if we state that something is cultural? First, I think we are making a value judgment that our culture is better than the ones in which the Bible was written. Our technology may be better, but are we more enlightened in the eyes of God or just as sinful as any other generation that has walked the face of the earth? I also notice that things designated as cultural are usually things with which the designator disagrees or doesn't understand. Is this a basis to disobey Scriptural commands? Is there any consistent basis on which we could determine whether any given item is "cultural?" One author maintains that physical actions with symbolic meaning, such as foot washings or greeting one another with a holy kiss, are cultural. In that case, what about baptism or the Lord's Supper? Are we not setting ourselves up as the arbiters of Christianity by our picking and choosing?
     Let us beware justifying disobedience to NT commands by resorting to the cultural argument.

Friday, June 15, 2012

Maritimes Part 1

God willing, (James 4:13-15) I'll be driving up to New Brunswick, CA on Tuesday of next week, an exploratory jaunt to see what God is doing there. Bill, my host, and I have met twice previously in the Boston area, and enjoyed good fellowship together. Like me, he is vitally interested in encouraging and promoting relational unity, as Jesus prayed for in John 17. (verses 20ff) Am also looking forward to meeting Karl, with whom I have traded numerous e-mails, and the rest of the brethren in the area. Unlike the saints in Montreal and Ottawa, whom I will visit later in the summer, these are not Brazilian churches. Who knows, perhaps I will get to trot out my dozen words of French.
     Continuing to read in a Portuguese language New Testament, (3rd time) but otherwise no longer attempting to study the language. Today I worked through John chapters five and six.
     Visited a group south of Boston on Sunday. As with our group, and there are major similarities demographically, they are experimenting with a different venue, and are attracting people who never came to their house gatherings. May God have His way among His people.

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

June 13, 2012

     Am recovering from a rather vicious illness characterized by fever, harsh cough and fatigue. Still hawking up phlegm and tired. Thank God that those who put their trust in Christ can eventually discard these bodies and get brand new ones. ( 1 Corinthians 15:50-54)
     The family with whom I live recently purchased nine little chicks. Astonishing how quickly they grow, with measurable progress day by day. They have already outgrown their original quarters and are in one three times as large. What a contrast to the slowness of human development. Perhaps one reason for this is the need for humans to learn how to parent their children. Another is how much more a human needs to know than a chick.
     Another man whom I knew decades ago has passed away. I spoke to Cliff several years ago, and like Paul in Romans 15, he was on his way to Spain. We had a lot of fun in the old days, when he (temporarily) served as my chauffeur. May the Lord Jesus receive him into His heavenly kingdom. ( 2 Timothy 4:18) Cliff was only a year or two older than I am. As the old adage says, "Only what is done for Christ will last."

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Whales

     Recently I was hanging out at a friend's house. He and his son were watching a program about people who were trying to halt whaling in the Antarctic. Individuals portrayed had raised their own funding to go there. They were intense and passionate about saving the whales. One young man declared that he would give his life to save a whale. This led them to commit lawless acts. The footage was visceral, emotionally charged and designed to evoke sympathy (and donations) for the cause. One famous celebrity had donated enough funds to purchase a large vessel.
     My reactions to this were several fold. What might God accomplish through these people were they on fire for Christ? I thought of Paul's persecution of Christians prior to his conversion, how he was advancing in Judaism beyond his contemporaries.
     Romans 1:25 came to mind. "They exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen."
Also Genesis 1:26 "Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." (all citations are ESV)
Before I  converted to Christ I was a vegetarian because I believed that I did not have the right to participate in the killing of animals. I wore no leather for the same reason. After conversion and becoming conversant with verses like Gen. 1:26 I concluded that while in and off myself I had no right to slay, yet God as the Creator had given me the right because the animals and the whole earth were created to serve and bless man

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Lone Rangers Keep Riding?

     Men of my era were reared on a media diet of John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, et. al., the strong, silent types who could handle any crisis all by their lonesome. Unfortunately the cultural conditioning produced by these icons does not reflect Biblical truth. One of the central premises of our faith is that we cannot do it on our own. For example, Peter refers to the attempt to have the new Gentile believers obey the law in Acts 15 as "placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear." (Acts 15:10b ESV) Jesus says clearly that "apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5b ESV) Romans 12:3b refers to "the measure of faith that God has assigned." (ESV) Paul says "When I am weak, then am I strong. (thru the grace of God) (2 Corinthians 12:10b.
     Why do we keep trying to do things on our own? Is it pride, lack of trust, fear? The circles that i usually travel in, little groups of Christian pioneers meeting in homes, need all the help they can get. The average size of the twenty odd groups with whom I have relationship is nine adults. This is barely enough to implement the Matthew 18 reconciliation process should it need to go to the final stage of church involvement. Typically it means one person functioning as an elder rather than the plurality that one finds in the NT. It certainly does not offer the variety of gifts that we read about in Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12 or Ephesians 4. It seems like a no-brainer to attempt to develop trust and relationship with other mature brethren or groups that could aid us in time of need, which will inevitably happen. You will experience disappointment in the process and it will take time but I believe this is crucial for those who are called to venture outside of the traditional church structure. May we not be lone rangers.

Monday, May 28, 2012

Exploring

About six months ago our little church decided that we needed to explore some things. We had come to a place of trust and relationship but had little impact on the world around us. Thru the leading of the Holy Spirit we approached a small inner city church about working together in a subsidized housing community. They agreed, and we began meeting one Sunday a month in this larger setting. As the months have passed we see increasing participation from people in the community and from the Body of Christ as other brethren from different groups participate. Even with the holiday weekend over a hundred came yesterday. I was personally thankful to be joined in prayer beforehand by two young brothers. Half a dozen musicians blended their talents to facilitate worship.We set up tables outside, and brothers and sisters served. Our brother Matt preached on the kingdom of God. We trust that God was glorified. One brother who first met us in this setting has since visited in our home gatherings. Another young couple will visit this Sunday. We also hope to host two brothers from Canada. As I reflect, it took faith to venture out of our comfort zone, but so worth it to witness the spontaneous service of the saints and the receptivity of the community. Thank you, Jesus.

Friday, May 25, 2012

Car Analogy

Although I'm not sure why, perhaps because my parents didn't, I've never had a bumper sticker on my cars. (Or as my fellow Bostonians say, "Bumpah Stickah.) However, I do read them. My all time favorite, which I only saw once, was "Eschew Obfuscation." I laughed hysterically about that one. Anyway, a more common sticker for Christians is "God is my Co-Pilot." While I appreciate that this is meant to acknowledge dependence on Him, I suspect it would be more appropriate if it said, "God is the Pilot."
     New England seems to produce a steady crop of  Christian males who spend a lot of time in the Word, reading, studying, developing rock hard convictions about theology and doctrine. Now I believe that all believers need to read and study the Bible, heeding the admonition of 2 Timothy 2:15 (among others.) "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." Continuing the car analogy, intake of the Scripture is like gasoline. Without a steady supply we stall spiritually and come to a stop in our walk. However, our lives, like a car, need other things besides gasoline such as oil. The love of God, received by us, is the oil that lubricates the engines of our lives. "WE love because He first loved us." ( 1 John 4:19) Love prevents us from indulging in endless arguments of "I'm right, and you're wrong." May we "speak the truth in love," (Ephesians 4:15 all citations are NKJV) and remember that "love covers a multitude of sins." (James 5:20)

Thursday, May 24, 2012

May 24th

     Met a very nice young German couple yesterday who expressed interest in our home gatherings. "After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying 'Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne and to the Lamb." (Revelation 7:9-10 NKJV) Thank God that He gives us a little preview of that diversity in worship here on earth.
     Looking forward to our monthly Celebration gathering this Sunday. May God be glorified! "To God alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen." (Romans 16:27 NKJV)
     Twelve years ago I left the traditional church structure to explore a home based alternative. While I believe that small, intimate, home based gatherings are conducive to the individual growth of believers, thus far they don't seem to bear much new Kingdom fruit (salvations/baptisms). I look forward to working with regular church folks relationally. May the Holy Spirit lead us in this new exploration.

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Cities

Have just returned from a trip to both southern and northern CA. Enjoyed my visit with my daughter and son-in-law. It is tough to live three thousand miles apart. I look forward to the day when we will see Jesus face to face. "Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is." (1 John 3:2NKJV)
     Spent the second half of my trip in the city of San Francisco, taking walks each day. The first day I hiked around Golden Gate Park, the second to the SFSU campus, the third to the Pacific Ocean, and finally to Buena Vista Park. Large American cities have people from all over the planet. You can buy any kind of food and go to any type of shop. One hears many languages. Paul the apostle went to the cities of the Roman Empire-Syrian Antioch, Ephesus, Corinth, Jerusalem and Rome among others. While staying at Dale and Laurie's place I read most of a book by a brother named John Dawson about taking our cities for Christ. While  I have never been a city guy, i am feeling a distinct urging of the Holy Spirit to concentrate on Boston. I've lived in its suburbs for decades. I believe God is saying to find others whom He has called to the city, develop trust and relationship with them, so we can work together. May we do the works that God has prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10)

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Conforming to the World

     Currently I am visiting, and experiencing astonishingly wonderful hospitality from friends in the Bay Area. (U.S.) Last night, a young man appeared, describing himself as a community organizer. His cause seemed to be opposition to the use of styrofoam. He urged signing a petition, and giving funds to defeat this evil. He was quite passionate and energetic for this cause. Now I anticipate that people of the kingdom of the world will support causes of one kind or another. What about the citizens of the kingdom of heaven? ( Philippians 3:20)
     Romans 12:2a, an often quoted verse, says "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."(NKJV) How might we be conformed? One way in which we could discern is by our priorities. To what do we give our time, money and energy? What do we talk about? "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks." ( Luke 6:45 NKJV)
     One thing that a growing number of Christians in America talk about and give their time, money and energy to is what they eat. Now I am not opposed to health; I try to live a healthy lifestyle. Yet no matter how much or wisely I exercise or what I eat or don't eat, my current body will perish. (Hebrews 9:27) The reality is that most of our brothers and sisters around the world do not have the food choices that we have. Many are thankful to have enough food to sustain life. Some do not. It seems like major self-indulgence to put inordinate focus on every item we place in our mouths. If we were as concerned about our sin- a topic the Bible addresses repeatedly- as we are about what we eat, we would be much better off.
     While I am admittedly ignorant about the alleged evils of styrofoam. I would rather, as Paul did, be "determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified." (1 Cor. 2:2)

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Barrett

     My maternal grandfather, who disliked his original first name so much that he switched it with his middle name, used the name Barrett for the rest of his life. As a young man he served with the Signal Corps in France during the First World War. Much later when I was three, I ran into a pond with all my clothes on. My mother, occupied with my baby brother, saw my hat floating, and called my grandfather. He ran in with all his clothes on to rescue me from drowning. I remember him as a genial fellow in his older years. Now his name has resurrected with his great grandson. Thank you, Jesus.
     Enjoyed my brief visit to southern CA. Saw my friend Bill for lunch yesterday. Wish we lived closer. Took several walks in the hot sun. Enjoyed Mother's Day with my son-in law's parents, Chuck & Cynthia, and Chris' younger brother Casey, and then again Monday evening when we learned that my daughter would bear a grandson rather than a granddaughter. "Blessed is the first born son who opens the womb." (Luke 2:23 cf. Ex. 12) Now off to the Bay Area. God is faithful.

Friday, May 11, 2012

A Little More History

     While I understand that most people find history boring, every once in awhile I want to indulge myself. Today I was reading in the book of Acts and found a detail that many might find inconsequential. Still it contributes to the historical veracity of the Bible. In chapter 16, verse 12, Luke relates a visit to the city of Philippi, adding the detail that it was a Roman colony. The word "colony" has historical significance because it refers to the custom of Roman rulers (emperors) establishing designated areas to settle discharged legionary veterans. When a young man was recruited for the legions or the auxiliaries, he enlisted for twenty to twenty-five years. Part of the incentive to do so was the promise of free land once they completed their service. Philippi is a known "colony" where ex-Roman soldiers received land. So even a seemingly minor detail has importance.
     Another more prominent example is the prophecy of Jesus in Matthew 24 that "not one stone would be left upon another" of the Temple, a structured which took at least 46 years to build. This prediction, given in the early 30's AD, was literally fulfilled at the conclusion of the Roman siege of Jerusalem. ( AD 70) The fires burned so hot in the temple that the gold liquified. After the battle, when it cooled, the Romans had their slaves take every stone in the temple apart so they could scrape off the valuable metal. Again, history supports the Biblical account.

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

The Celestial Drama

   Last night I received an analogy that i think of as "The Celestial Drama." God the Father creates the stage and the theatre. (Gen. 1:1) He is also the playwright. The script is the Word of God, the Bible. The Holy Spirit directs the play and Jesus is the star. Genuine believers play the supporting roles, and the audience is composed of principalities and powers in the heavenly places. "To the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God  might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Ephesians 3:10-11 NKJV)
     How amazing that we, made of the dust of the earth (Genesis 2:7,3:19 et. al.,) are permitted to have a role in God's play. The Creator of the Universe not only allows but desires us to participate with Him- to sing in the chorus, to say our lines, to worship Jesus the King. Yet we often complain about the role we have been given rather than rejoice that we were given a part. Brothers and sisters, let us learn our lines (the Bible), receive direction from the Holy Spirit, and play our part with the measure of faith, (Romans 12:3) and the grace and truth (John 1:17) that we have received.

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Cat & the Toaster

The following is a review of "The Cat and the Toaster," written by Douglas A. Hall & two co-authors. Despite its title, this is not a children's book but rather a treatise on ministry from an urban perspective. I was predisposed to receive from this work, first because it was given to me by someone whom I like and respect, and secondly because the author has lived and ministered in the city of Boston, where our church operates, for almost fifty years. I also believe in the principle of "gleaning", that it is not necessary to agree with one hundred percent of what someone says or writes in order to receive something. So it is with sadness that I report that the book has very problematic issues.
     The first is a tendency that plagues many theorists- the need to create or utilize thickets of terminology and jungles of jargon. Why not use Biblical concepts and examples? This should be the common language for Christians. I don't recall a Scripture reference in the first hundred pages of the 350 written. The second problem is taking ideas from other places and then looking for Scriptural support rather than searching the Bible and developing our thinking from that foundation. "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind." (Rom. 12:2 ESV)
     Accusing people of heresy because they don't agree with one's subjective interpretations is wrong. Telling people to repent from "inadequate mental models" rather than sin falls in the same category.
     Making technology a cornerstone of one's argument with no Scriptural corroboration, and then saying that God slaying animals for the skins to clothe Adam and Eve is an example of technology is also meaningless.
     Perhaps I am too dull to understand the intricacy and loftiness of the material but I had certainly hoped for something more useful. A person's theories, no matter how elaborate, seldom survive real life.

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Practicing to be a Grandpa

While on a short road trip, God is blessing me with the chance to practice being a grandpa. J is energetic, engaging, expressive, twenty-one months old, and strong willed. The second he saw me, he smiled. A moment later we were throwing balls back and forth, with him squealing with delighted laughter. He spontaneously took my hand when we walked down a steep flight of stairs, and is engaged in rapid language acquisition. Although not yet able to make sentences, he repeats almost any word that you say, and evidences understanding of a number of them.
     Yet all like young children he is inherently selfish, working incessantly to gets what he wants from his parents and anyone else around him. Today we were coloring. He has about a hundred crayons but the only one he wanted was the one i was using, usually within two or three seconds of me picking it up. J knows the word "please," so after the tenth grab of the crayon i was using i asked him to use it, not giving up the crayon. He clearly understood what i wanted him to do but would not say please. When i did not give him the crayon he clouded up although he did not cry. Eventually he took a different crayon and "traded" me for the one i had, which i allowed although were i to stay longer i would keep working on the please.
     A major part of our maturing as Christians is to recognize that the universe revolves around God instead of us. We are saved into His Kingdom to do His will, not our own. We help children exponentially if we shape their wills to obey their parents so they find it much easier to obey God if they enter into relationship with Him.
"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother, this is the first commandment with a promise, that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land." (Ephesians 6:1-3 ESV)

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Celebration

     In December of last year our little group of 12 adults and 4 children, who have been meeting in homes for over four years together, felt led to get out of our comfort zones, and  attempt to give away some of the blessings that God has given to us. One couple had been ministering in a low income housing project for about six years. The Lord led us to build on that faithful sowing. For each of  the past five months we have dedicated one Sunday to these celebrations. The reasons for this are many. One is to provide a physical illustration of the unity of the Body that Jesus prayed for in John 17. God has provided relationship with a small Brazilian church, students from a nearby Christian college, people who live in the area, and brethren from all around the region. Now we all are partnering together. The people in our group have taken on more responsibility in preparation and also in ministry. God has provided a place for people who are part of his family but temporarily out of regular fellowship. He has also allowed for public gifts from different parts of His body to function.
     Yesterday we had at least 125 people present, which is about ten times the size of our group. Our brother Matt preached, there was translation into Portuguese, our brother Bill, aka "The Grillmaster," & his family cooked up the burgers and hot dogs, with a few vegan burgers thrown in, and the saints encouraged one another. "And let us consider One Another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some but exhorting (encouraging) ONE ANOTHER, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." ( Hebrews 10:24-25 NKJV)

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Hair

"For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ." ( 1 Cor. 12:12) The Holy Spirit goes on to write through Paul about different parts of the human body like feet, ears, eyes. One readily sees the importance of kidneys, lungs or the heart. But why did God create us with hair? What purpose does it serve? Beards may keep us warm in the winter but few people work outside any longer in cold climates and we can wear hats to cover our heads.
     Is it possible that we are given hair to illustrate the reality of being created male and female? In Genesis 1:26 God says, "Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness..." Verse 27 goes on to say "so God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him, male and female He created them." (NKJV) These are the first Scriptural truths said about humanity.  Unlike angels, animals or any other part of the creation, we are made in the image of God. And both sexes are necessary to reflect His image rightly. Neither is sufficient on its own.
     1 Corinthians 11 uses hair to illustrate this. "Does not nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him? But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her, for her hair is given to her for a covering." (! Cor. 11:14-15 NKJV) There is no practical reason for a woman to have long hair. It is more difficult to take care of, and as I have heard so many women explain, there is a problem with split ends. ( Of course, no one can see them but you.) Yet God describes it as a "glory." The Song of Solomon says, "Your hair is like a flock of goats going down from Mt. Gilead (4:1, 6:5) - quite a vivid portrayal of the movement of long hair in the wind- and that "a king is held captive by your tresses." ( Song 7:5 NKJV)
     Is it possible that God is pleased when we reflect His image by embracing the masculinity or femininity with which He created us?

Monday, April 23, 2012

Experimenting

     God has graciously allowed me to enter into what I could call an experiment. Can a group of men whom God has taken out of a traditional church structure, and given shepherding responsibilities in a number of different home based churches, develop deep relational unity founded on their individual relationships with Christ so that they can work together in a practical way to advance the Kingdom of God? These brothers have varied backgrounds and many different theological perspectives and understandings. Most do not know each other very well. Some are older and some younger. Most have very strong convictions.
     Everything is voluntary and anyone could potentially withdraw from the "experiment"at any time. No one is receiving any remuneration to participate. Most of us don't live in close proximity to one another. While two of us are "facilitating," there is no authority figure and no one is obligated to submit to anyone else. Whatever we do is because we are persuaded by the Holy Spirit.
     This may not bear lasting fruit. I hope I am wrong. I am thankful to take part in the experiment and appreciate readers' prayers that the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ will lead and sustain us. I believe that this is what He desires.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Fire

Recently I had the pleasure of attending a two church BBQ. One church was Brazilian. BBQ is their specialty so if you ever receive an invitation to one, take it. In addition, our host took me on a canoe ride where we saw a beaver dam. After dark he built a little fire and several of us gathered around it. Not satisfied with its size, he dumped a lot of wood on top. We had been sitting maybe four or five feet away. As the fire grew hotter, we kept backing up, doing this three or four times. This reminded me of the story in Daniel 3 where Daniel's three friends are thrown into the midst of the fiery furnace. Verse 22 says that the fire was so hot that the men of Nebuchadnezzar that threw in the Israelites were themselves consumed by the flames.
Fire is a common motif found in Scripture. Psalm 104.4 says that God "makes his messengers winds, his ministers a flaming fire." (ESV) Exodus relates the story of the burning bush that is not consumed, and the pillar of fire that guided the Israelites by night on their journey. Jeremiah compares the Word of God to fire in 23:29. John the Baptist says that One will come after him who will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. ( Matt. 3:11)
Finally Jesus refers to "hell, the unquenchable fire." (Mark 9:43 ESV) "And if anyone's name was not found in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire." (Revelation 20:15 ESV) This is what we, in the church, no longer talk about. "For our God is a consuming fire." (Hebrews 12:29 ESV)

Friday, April 13, 2012

The God of History

Many years ago, a brother who was preaching described history as His Story. As one of that strange group of people that actually enjoys reading history, aka a history "nut", I find it fascinating and instructive to understand that all the vicissitudes of kings and kingdoms are controlled by the King of Kings. Consider the language used by the Holy Spirit through Paul the apostle as he addressed the Athenians in Acts 17:26. "And he (God) made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place." God determines the rise and fall of nations.
The OT book of Daniel illustrates this. In chapter 2:20ff Daniel says, "Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings." Daniel says of Nebuchadnezzar, one of the most powerful rulers of the ancient Middle East, that "You, O king, the king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given the kingdom, the power, and the might, and the glory, and into whose hand he has given, wherever they dwell, the children of man...making you rule over them all..." ( Dan. 2:37ff ESV)
Nebuchadnezzar is told that "The sentence is by the decree of the watchers, the decision by the word of the holy ones, to the end that the living may know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whomever he will and sets over it the lowliest of men." ( Dan. 4:17 ESV) Nebuchadnezzar is a pagan king, yet God allows him to rule for a season. May we remember that the same God who set up and took down kings in the OT still does this today with government leaders.

Monday, April 9, 2012

Monday, April 9

Received a call this morning from an old friend named Doug, who provided hospitality for me in North Carolina during my travels. The timing was providential as i was discouraged over the state of the house churches with whom i have relationship in New England. Doug knew nothing of this but his admonition to walk by faith and not by sight, and to persevere hit home. As he spoke God showed me that i had much to thank Him for. Thanks, Bro.
Yesterday I was asked by the fifth different person in the last month about my understanding of predestination & Reformed theology in general. Prior to that I don't think anyone had asked me in the last five years. For my first twenty-five years in the Lord I was in a "free will" environment, and was unfamiliar with any other view. Through reading Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology, questions that my daughter posed, and some other books became familiarized with the general concepts. At one point I did try to resolve the question for myself but did not come to any final conclusion. For years I have danced around the subject, and, in contrast to many other topics, haven't taught on it. The debate seemed to center around our understanding of the process of salvation, rather than people actually getting saved. Now I am convicted that i need to study and ask God for revelation so that i can respond from a Scriptural standpoint rather than offer my opinion. May God help me in this endeavor.

Friday, April 6, 2012

Tom

TOM


Romans 12:10b (ESV) says to “Outdo one another in showing honor.” The following is a tribute to a brother named Tom, whom I have had the privilege to know for the past fifteen years. Tom is about fourteen years older than I, grew up in rural Pennsylvania ( U.S.), and graduated from the West Point military college in time to go to Vietnam. He trained as a Army Ranger, learned to fly helicopters, and served two combat tours. He was severely wounded, came out on a stretcher twice, and attained the rank of major in thirteen years of service prior to going to Dallas Seminary. After graduation he and his wife Carolyn served as missionaries for decades, with the Navigators ministry. They worked primarily with Chinese people in Taiwan and Hong Kong, but also went into Russia when it opened up in the 90's.
When I met Tom, he had returned to the States, working with international students. We had the opportunity to go on several retreats together, and met up periodically at other times. Although in deteriorating health due to heart and kidney issues, Tom continued to minister to whomever was willing. He is probably the best equipped disciplemaker that I have ever known. Certainly he was patient with my foibles and eruptions. As he approached his seventies, one of his greatest sorrows was that neither of his sons had given him a grandchild. Recently his older son's wife gave birth to a daughter. As a result Tom & Carolyn have decided to move out west to live near them. I don't know if I will see Tom again in this life but have assurance that we will meet up again in the next. Tom, you may never read this, but it has been an honor to know you, and to witness your life for Christ.