Friday, March 29, 2013

The Last Words of Jesus Revisited

Months ago, I had a discussion with a friend about the topic of Jesus last words on the cross and he brought up some interesting points.  However I can't remember who I was talking with, so if you read this post and say, "Hey that was me!", please let me know so that I can give you credit where credit is due.

Tonight I'm not going to tell any exciting stories from camp or go into detail about how a major furniture retailer could be a model for the modern church.  Tonight, on this Good Friday, I'd like you to consider something about Jesus' last words that He said while on the cross.  When I read His words, "It is finished" I always thought that it meant that forgiveness was finally here.  

But does it?

What was finished?  He wasn't dead (or He wouldn't have been talking).  So His life wasn't quite finished.  Were we forgiven already?  Then why did he have to die and rise again?  No, that can't be it.

I'd like to put forth the idea that Jesus was referring to the Father turning his back on Him.  The process would seem to have begun when Jesus cries out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me!" and that the process ends when he says, "It is finished."

This is important, because as the Father turns his face away, Jesus feels the pain of living without the Father.  He understands the mortal condition in a new way.  Growing up, my mother always described Hell as not so much the fire and brimstone (though that too), but as a place with the absence of God.  Jesus experienced Hell on that cross when His Father looked away.  He experienced that Hell so that we don't have to experience that Hell for eternity.

Think about this as we head into this Easter weekend.  Be blessed by Jesus' sacrifice.  Glorify the Father for his boundless forgiveness.  And pray that the Holy Spirit will fill you with Joy to the point of overflowing.

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

More On Confession

This is PART II of my discussion on confession.  For the PART I, click here.

I sometimes feel like the modern protestant church has abandoned confession almost all together because they feel the Catholics took it to an 
extreme.  But let me tell you, whether you are Catholic, Protestant, Baptist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Pentecostal  or any other denomination, you can take this principle to heart and it will improve the relationships in your life. How do I know that confession is good for us regardless of where we are or who we affiliate ourselves with on any given Sunday?


The bible says so.


Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
James 5:16 (NIV) 

When we confess our sin, we do a few things:

1. We heal relationships and break down walls between each other.
2. We remind each other (and ourselves) that we all have our own faults.
3. We create real bonds through our transparency.
4. We can pray for each other better when we really know each other.

Let me tell you though, the best thing about confessing is the freedom that it creates. When you are in a relationship with someone and you can admit imperfections (and I mean specific imperfections) it allows them to see who you really are. When someone knows your faults and weaknesses they can also help you with them. The thing is you have to stick with it. Be open and honest with each other. If you hurt someone, fess up, even if they didn't realize it was you who hurt them.

My wife and I are reading through author Gary Chapman's book, The Five Languages of Apology. First off, I highly recommend the book. And while not dealing directly with the idea of confession, it really makes the aftermath of confession make more sense. Let's face it, if you have been living in a marriage or friendship that hasn't been built on honesty, at first, living more openly will be pretty challenging. Feelings might get hurt, battles might ensue, and white flags might need to be raised. But gaining a deeper understanding of how to apologize and why people need a real apology can only help you.

The picture on the right hand side is the sort of attitude that allows real transparency and genuine confession in a relationship. When you love unconditionally it allows for open expression.  I've seen the first part of the saying many times on the internet, but it really is the second sentence that sums it up for me. "I'll stand by you."
It is simple and yet, beautiful.

So I encourage you, give confession a chance. Let someone that you trust in on your weaknesses and they can help build you up in Christ. You'll be amazed at what can happen. Who knows your willingness to open up might allow the other person to receive the gift of going second.

Friday, March 22, 2013

Let's Start This One With A Riddle!

What looks like blueberry yogurt, gets spread with a paint brush, and tastes nothing like blueberry yogurt?


Of course! It's HydraFlex™ Waterproofing Crack Isolation Membrane!  Why didn't I think of that!  I should have known right away seeing as I was using this stuff at Shiloh today!

So anyway, this stuff, it really does look just like blueberry yogurt.  It has the same color and the same unnerving semi-gelatinous consistency.  Here's the deal though, if I were to give you a yogurt cup filled with this stuff you wouldn't know until it was too late.  Supposedly this stuff shouldn't kill you if you eat it, but I wouldn't recommend it anyway. And if you are looking to improve your digestive system this just isn't the way to do it.

Lesson #1: Just because something looks the same, doesn't mean that it is.

When my container of HydraFlex ran out, I had to open a new container from some other brand. Much to my surprise, it wasn't purple!  It was green! I really wondered if I had the right thing here. In the world of construction, different colors often indicate different quality, function, or usage. I didn't want to mess this up and quickly called our head engineer to make sure we had the right product. After walking me through the process of reading the labels to him on the phone, he proved to me (without actually saying or implying anything of the sort) that I am an idiot.  Both packages said, "Waterproofing Crack-Isolation Membrane". I probably could have checked that without calling him and bothering him.

Alas, I was foiled by looks once again.

Lesson #2: Just because something looks different, doesn't mean that it is.

God looks at the world so differently than I do. And I'd love to see things from his perspective a little more often.
But God told Samuel, “Looks aren’t everything. Don’t be impressed with his looks and stature. I’ve already eliminated him. God judges persons differently than humans do. Men and women look at the face; God looks into the heart.”
One of the other guys who was working at the camp told me a story today that fit this whole idea so perfectly that I'd call it a gift from God.

When he first started attending a bible study it was in the winter. Naturally it was quite cold out and he, like most folks, wore long sleeves each week. He really got to know the people in the group and connected well with them. When spring came, he ended up wearing a t-shirt to the bible study one week. His friend's jaws hit the floor. His arms are covered in tattoos. He doesn't look like your stereotypical biker, so no one expected this. But he loves his ink and there was far more to him than met the eye.

We need to be careful to look at others the way that God looks at them. My question to you is, how do you think we can look at the hearts of others rather than taking them at face value?

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Two Weeks Notice

On Monday, March 18th or the year 2013, I tendered my letter of resignation (with the courtesy two weeks notice) at the Sears Hardware that I have been working at for about three years. During my time there God has taught me some incredible things, given me some great opportunities, and allowed me to develop some amazing relationships. But it is time to move on now.

Starting in April I will be working at Shiloh Bible Camp full time! I will be spending four days each week at the camp and one day each week raising support. Currently most of my time at the camp will be spent working on the construction of the gym (We are about 85% done!), but come the summer I'll be teaching archery, running kids through challenge courses, and giving camp fire talks.  I can hardly wait!

It has been a really long journey getting to this point. Quite frankly, sometimes it felt like it would never happen, and other times I thought I was so close, only to have the rug pulled out from under me. What is important though, is that I continued. I really couldn't have done it without my wife. My wife, Amanda, one of the wisest people I know, was by my side the entire time. On days when I would come home discouraged by another day in retail (if you've ever worked in retail you know exactly what I mean) she would tell me that she loved me and that she was proud of me for doing my part to support us as a family.

So, while one chapter of my life is ending, it really feels like the adventure is just beginning! And I hope that you, my faithful readers will continue to join me along the way

Saturday, March 16, 2013

God Loves Dirty, Horrible Sinners.

God loves dirty, horrible sinners.  Yep.  How do I know?  I'm one of them.

The other day I did something stupid.  I, thinking I was being really funny, made a rude and sarcastic comment on a picture someone else put up on Facebook.  It only took a few words to cause harm but those few words were careless.



The Bible tells us that our tongue - the words we use - it's like fire.  One little spark used the wrong way can set an entire forest into a blaze!

Unfortunately I often forget the power of my words.


 All I wanted was to get a laugh... 



... unfortunately at the expense of another person.



It wasn't worth it.


After I realized what I had said, I deleted the comment and sent a private message to the person I had offended offering my sincerest apology.  I never received a response.
This doesn't even begin to touch on the idea that those words are out there somewhere on the vast internet forever.  Somewhere there is still record of what I said.  This brings me to my main point.  Even if I had deleted the post before anyone saw it, someone would have known what I did (and I don't mean that the original poster would receive and e-mail).


God sees all of our worst moments.  He sees us at our lowest.  He looks at us when we are filthy.

And yet...

... that is when he first loved us.

God still loves me when I am most depraved.  When I am most corrupt.  When I deserve it least.  He looks on me with love when I am so ashamed I can barely crawl to Him to ask beg for my forgiveness.

It is when I look at all of the horrible and most sinful things that I have ever done (or even thought... I mean really thought about doing) that I am most thankful for God's unbounded love and miraculous forgiveness.

In the grand scheme of things, is a hurtful word the worst thing I've done in my life?  Nah.  But, 
I know that I need to be more careful with what I say.

I'm going to write another post on this topic soon - this idea of confession.  But for now, what I want to know is if you have ever said something you regretted on Facebook (or in real life)?  Also, how did you go about trying to fix it?

Thursday, March 14, 2013

A Spiritual Sucker Punch

I kinda feel like this guy looks...
Sucker Punch - Noun - A punch that takes you by surprise, possibly knocking you out or otherwise incapacitating you. Could be an unexpected blow to the stomach or a strike from behind that you, the victim, did not see coming.

A few weekends ago I was the victim of what I'll call a "Holy Sucker Punch".  One of my long time teachers/mentors preached a sermon that went something along the lines of "God should be the author of our life, because he knows what is best for you" but I took it as something along the lines of "Write down all of the hopes, dreams and goals that you have for your life and then tear up that piece of paper because God's plan isn't your plan."

My jaw still aches.

Seriously though, he's right.  And I knew he was right before he said it.  But there is a difference between knowing and believing.


I didn't want to believe it.

I really liked my plans.  I thought they were pretty good.  I even thought my plans were Godly.  But God has been showing me a lot lately, that his plans are far more different from my own than I previously thought.

So I had to ask myself, "How can I get myself back into God's plan?"

Whenever I get off track and can't seem to find my the "Spiritual North" on my life-compass, I break things back down to basics.  For those of you who like me can't remember the definitions of words like like hermeneutics, exegesis, or propitiation, I'm going to break this down real simple like.

God's will is awesome.
There are two parts of God's will.
Those two parts are "specific" and "general".

Specific Will is when God says, "I want you to go to Africa and speak to that tribe with the name you haven't learned how to pronounce yet, because they have no idea who I am."

General Will covers things like, "Don't lie", "Love your neighbor", and "Don't lie about loving your neighbor".

God's general will is our "Spiritual North".  If you feel lost, start by getting your bearings.  Once you know where north is and you start heading in the correct general direction it is much easier to hear God calling out specific instructions to you.

I can also assure you of this.  When you are walking toward's God you can be sure that he's got your back.  He says He will never leave us nor forsake us, but when we leave Him, try to tell Him what to do, and/or tell Him not to be involved in our life He is a gentleman and will not push His way in.  Stay on His path and the number of sucker punches that you will have to deal with will be significantly lessened.

Have you ever had a sermon, a youth group talk, or maybe just a friend give you a talking to that felt like a spiritual sucker punch?  What was it that caught you by surprise?

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

The Big Lie Many Not-So-Big Churches Tell


!!!WARNING: SERIOUS POST AHEAD!!!

EDIT: I think it should be stated that I attend (and have attended) a small church my entire life.  This post is in no way intended to "bash" or "put down" small churches.  I point this issue out in hopes of bringing about healthy dialogue and creating positive change.



Don't lie...



Love your neighbor...



Don't lie about loving your neighbor...


People often discredit large churches because they are cliquey.  But I'd argue that small churches are just as cliquey.  The difference?  They are so small they only have one or two cliques.

On one hand, cliques are part of american culture (arguably even a part of human nature), on the other hand, they can very quickly become destructive.

I would make the argument that many small churches stay small (and even have decreasing numbers), because they are unwelcoming to newcomers.  Most of the time I don't think this is intentional, but I do believe that the opposite is also true.  They aren't intentionally trying to be welcoming to people who are different either.

The church touts loving their neighbor, but often they don't even know their neighbors!  Sure, the pastor might know the neighbors, but the pastor is only a small part of the church.  How many people of the congregation know the churches neighbors?  How many times have the parishioners spoken to their unsaved neighbors just to say "Hi, how are you today"?

Notice I'm not asking the church members to say, "I'd like to talk to you about our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ."

I am certainly guilty of ignoring the new guy.  The difference?  I see the problem and want to change.

I see too many Christians who sit comfortably in their pews without any spiritual growth in their life.  It's time for them to grow up or get out of the way.  Christianity isn't about comfort.  Jesus didn't live a life of comfort.  He lived a life loving His neighbors for real.  None of this, I love my neighbor because I give to the food pantry a few times a year.  His life was more like feeding the homeless guy on the train a hot meal even though he was a little bit crazy.

Preacher Andy Stanley gives us a great place to start.  "Do for one what you wish you could do for everyone."  So I'll say it again...

Don't lie...

Love your neighbor...

Don't lie about loving your neighbor...

What do you think?  How can you start loving your neighbor better?  How can your church love their neighbors better?  Let us all know in the comment section!

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Creative Places for Prayer

People often complain that they don't have time to pray.  I say PISH-TOSH!!!  Everyone has time to pray.  People who say that they don't are lazy...

     ...and I'm often one of them.

So I've been trying to come up with some other creative times to make it a habit to pray.  While creating this list I found that there were a few criteria that needed to be met.

1. It must be a place or situation where I am alone (or not actively engaged with other people around me).
2. It must be somewhere that isn't considered inherently religious (I already pray at church even when it isn't time to pray... "Lord please let there be more chili at the pot-luck!")
3. It must be at a time and place where I can be focused on God not on what I'm doing.

Of course we can pray anywhere at any time, but if we can make a habit out of just ONE of these ideas, your prayer life could be enhanced a great deal.

So, without further ado, "10 Creative Times to Pray that You May or May Not Have Thought of"!

10.  While you walk the dog:  I'll admit this isn't my idea; I don't even have a dog.  However, I LOVE the idea.  Your prayer partner is your dog.  And on top of it dog is God spelled backwards!

9.  Stop lights:  You have a real opportunity here.  When you are heading down Rt 23 in North Jersey and you hit one red light, you likely have hit them all.  Instead of getting mad, think about how much time you are going to get to spend with the creator of the universe!

8.  Commercial breaks:  This one is awesome.  Commercials are so irritating anyway.  A lot of people even mute their T.V.'s because they get so tired of them.  Though, if you are like me and use Netflix there are no commercials.  But, you could still use the time between episodes of Psych or Parenthood to speak to the Lord.

7.  Elevator rides:  Seriously, what else is there to do on an elevator.  A lot of people will even wait to finish a conversation with a friend in an elevator because their might be a stranger on the elevator (though I don't know why that matters).  As an added bonus if you start praying aloud, you could seriously freak out that stuffy guy in the suit who always seems to get on the elevator at the same time you do.

6.  Waiting in line:  If you are shopping by yourself this one works... if you have three screaming kids with you, or a chatty spouse, not so much.  Seriously though, in stead of checking out the candy bars or the tabloids just talk to God.  Thank him that you aren't being photographed in a bikini and being gawked at by tons of people on grocery lines and pray that he gives you strength to lay off those darned Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.

5.  While doing chores.  Doing dishes is one of my least favorite things to do.  However, doing the dishes is one of my wife's favorite things for me to do (then she doesn't have to do them).  So while I'm doing dishes I crank up my worship music to 11 and sing worship and pray to my heavenly father.  It's sometimes a little awkward if someone walks in, but maybe, just maybe, they will pretend they didn't see you dancing around with your eyes closed using that giant mixing spoonula as an air guitar.

4.  When you are exercising:  This is not to be confused with exorcising during which you better darn be praying!  But really, what better time to worship the Holy God, than when you are doing a little maintenance on his temple?  Again I'll say it, put on some worship music, and lose yourself in his presence.  Just keep your eyes on your footing... I won't be blamed for anyone falling off of a treadmill during a holy high.

3.  In the shower:  You're all alone for anywhere between 5 and 45 minutes depending on your cleaning regimen.  Instead of arguing with your self about whether shampoo or conditioner is better, use this time to thank God for things like hot water or running water and pray for those who have neither.

2.  While brushing your teeth:   Now you might be saying another bathroom idea, really?  Really though, think about it, what else can you do while brushing your teeth?  You can't have a conversation.  You can't very well be typing on a computer.  You can't cook your breakfast or pack up your lunch for the next day. You are effectively left to the use of your non-dominant hand (I don't brush with my non-dominant hand for fear of injuring myself) which means that you are pretty much useless for anything except praying.  So do it!

1.  On the toilet:  Yep... I went there!  Some people spend more time that others on the can.  But if you are like my one roommate in college, you'd be spending at least 30-40 minutes with God each time!

Take a moment to answer the poll.  Can you think of any other unique places or times to pray?  If so, leave a comment, I'd love to hear about them!

Which is your favorite creative place to pray?
  
pollcode.com free polls 

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Spackle (and Love) Cover a Multitude of Sins...

Sheetrock.  It is a wonderful, lightweight, easy to use construction material.  At Shiloh we are in the "sheetrock and spackle" stage of construction.  The problem with sheetrock is that it is somewhat fragile.  It is the rigidity of the wall studs and ceiling joists that give it structural integrity.  But if you were to, say, punch a wall because you are angry at your older brother (as I did when I was in jr. high) and hit a spot in between studs, it pretty much crumbles under the pressure.  In fact, when you screw or nail sheetrock to the studs, you have to be careful not to damage the sheetrock as well.

But wait... there is really good news!  Spackle!

Spackle is fantastic.  There is so much it can do.  It covers unsightly seams between pieces of sheetrock, it fills nail holes, it doctors damage from angry fists.  But, it isn't that the damage isn't there.  The damage still exists.  If you punch through a wall and patch it, there are still scars underneath the spackle.  The beauty of it, though, is that the damage is negated, covered...

...forgiven.

1 Peter 4:8 tells us that, "Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins."  People often confuse what this means.  In their mind they twist it so that if you have sinned, you can love to cover it up and fix it.  This verse is not talking about penance.  You can't earn forgiveness (in fact, the very nature of forgiveness is that you don't deserve it).  In reality this verse means that when you love someone you are willing to forgive them for a lot.  They may sin against you, but your love covers it.  I can tell you personally that this love/spackle thing is one of the MOST important aspects of marriage (or any important relationship).

In your relationships spackling the seams is like ignoring inherent flaws in a persons personality.  Filling in the the nail or screw holes with spackle is like covering up or forgiving those hurts that sometimes define a person (they sometimes double as the things that hold that person together).  Using spackle to repair a damaged wall is like repairing damage via forgiveness in your relationships.

Are you willing to go through the messy process of spackling to learn how to repair and forgive?