Redeeming Hope

Church on Mosel in the Eifel Region of Germany

As I have walked this journey of tumors and cancer, there is an eternal truth which many need to hear in their roughest times; it is this: God is on the side of the one who suffers.
For proof, I offer none other than Jesus Christ Himself.

In our time, looking to Europe, part of that continent is secular and nearly Godless; certainly parts of it are no where near the bastion of Protestant Reforms of a past era.
Yet, in other parts of Europe, religious divides have been one of the root causes of war during my lifetime and even before. 
But even there, God is open for sufferer and is seen through the works of His people.

Looking to Jesus, His response to the hated Samaritans, to the sexually and morally corrupt woman at the well, or even to the Gentile Roman Centurion whose servant was dying- in each case it was marked by compassion and sympathy.
Jesus chose to hurt with those in need, not just to respond and fix their perceived need in the moment. 
And if Jesus wasn't sympathetic and filled with the pain they were experiencing in the tragedies of life, He would not have sought them out.

In each of those scenarios, we can easily see that God did not prevent their pain and suffering; He chose to suffer with us.
God knows how fallen and messed up this world is; He knows we hurt, He knows we're in pain, but God does not choose to prevent that pain.
Rather, God chooses to come alongside us, suffer with us, endure with us and bring us through on the other side stronger than we ever have been before.

God Himself shared in our suffering through Jesus; and it wasn't just His suffering on the Cross but the suffering of being confined to a body, being limited by the world and ultimately, being killed as any man might.
And because God chose to suffer with us, we now have a model as to how God redeems that pain and suffering to make it rise from the ashes into something new and better.
We must always remember, because of who Jesus is, there is always the offer of hope to

restore that which at first seems irredeemably bad.

If you and I were standing at the foot of the Cross outside of Jerusalem on the day Christ died, we may have thought God the Father was powerless because He did not stop the execution.
Even Jesus felt abandoned and forsaken.

If you have ever ministered for any length of time with any person brave enough to let their guard down, then you know and have heard people share similar feelings of confusion, betrayal and helplessness.
And all of these emotions are summed up in one question: 'Does God even care?"
Like you, with the naked eye, I too cannot see the victory in the death on Calvary's Cross; yet, with the eye of faith, I can see beyond the death of Jesus and straight into an Empty Tomb.

The truth of the matter is that God in the person of Jesus, He is in His heavenly home interceding for His people.
As He went away and ascended, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to embody and empower His church.
Maybe you have never thought of this, but God has chosen to indwell in you and take up residence in your heart so that He might make you worthy of His presence and that you might make His presence known on Earth.
Certainly we should continually ask whether or not we have faithfully done anything each day to be worthy of God's presence within us.

Therefore, when a person asks 'Does God care?' or 'Where is God?' when they are hurting; the simple answer is that we need to look inside of ourselves and allow God to come to them through us so that He can minister to them.
You see, time does not heal all wounds; nor does God.

But God does redeem them - and while that may take a while, the Body of Christ has work to do in the present.
You and I are to use our gifts and commit to the long haul of being God's presence in the world for those who are hurting and suffering.

Surely, if the Body of Christ was doing its job in the lives of others when they were hurting, nobody would have to ask where God was because they would be able to see Him through each person that calls Him Lord.

Unlike some televised colleagues of mine in the ministry, I have no idea what the future state will look like; all I know is that He is preparing a new home for His children.
The reason is because the future state is beyond human comprehension.
I do know that in the presence, it is God alone who offers hope in times of suffering and pain.

The German pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer was executed 23 days before Germany's surrender to the Allies in World War II.
He wrote many things, but one of my favorite things he ever said was that death is a 'supreme festival on the road to freedom.'

If he's wrong, all is lost.
If he's right, all has just began to be redeemed in hope.

Until next time, win one for the good guys.

Audience of One II

New River Gorge Bridge

When I started this journey, I believed the most destabilizing words a person could hear was 'you have cancer.' But these words' close second is the time frame given as to how long you are to live.
Yet, I have found another set of words that can be just as unsettling - 'we don't know.'
When spoken in reference to tumors and lymphatic organs, the uncertainty can be just as shattering as certainty of other things.

Many times when people go through sicknesses, disease, suffering or death, they naturally want God to show up and prove to them why things are happening the way they are. 
But it has been my experience that these earth-shattering encounters with God are not the norm.
And sometimes, when a person does have an experience with God - they do not see it for what it is and ignore the direction that He is giving to their lives.

Bridge Day

In the area where I'm from sets the New River Gorge Bridge, once known as the longest arch bridge in the world. It spans above the small mouth bass haven of the New River, which is one of the few rivers in the world that flows South to North.
Each year, thousands upon thousands of people flock to that Bridge on Bridge Day, the third Saturday in October. 
I remember when the bridge was built, I remember the old road which we had to take to get across the river; and I was present at the very first Bridge Day.
Therefore, that near mile long bridge has lost its impressiveness for me while others hold it in wonder.

Spiritually, I have been amazed at the fact that when people are converted and have a dramatic experience, how quickly things settle back to 'normal.'
At times, the faith found so joyfully may even disappear due to neglect or even disappointment.
Some do fall into the trap of neglecting their spiritual life, while others find that the 'pie-in-the-sky' promises by the "name it & claim it" gang aren't true.
Either way - faith may soon be lost on account of both of these.

The problem is in fact that new Christians and older, more mature Christians alike are not aware of God's constant presence nor do we often seek it.
Charles Spurgeon claimed that in his waking moments, he never experienced a quarter hour to pass without a distinct consciousness of the Lord.
George Mueller often stated his goal was to 'have my soul happy in the Lord.'

No doubt, it is for this reason that these men are considered saints of the faith.
Many wish they could have the same experience and the same heart-felt desires but this is certainly not the norm.
Great power encounters with God - times when we see someone definitely healed, times when an actual explanation is given for a screwed up situation, or a powerful, spiritual presence where we know, not just feel but know, God has answered and is present - these things are rare.
In fact, while real, a person may only experience one or two in a life span.

Knowing this, in the back of my mind I know that I have already seen God do much in and about my life.
He has even healed me once - He may again, but I know these power encounters are as rare as they are real and practically speaking, the odds are dropping.
But I digress.

You see, when it come to spirituality, spiritual maturity does not progress like physical maturity; we know we are adults by our driver's license and the number of hairs that turn gray or fall out.
Spiritually, it doesn't work that way, it isn't achieved in steps; I do not rank above my deacons because I have been empowered to walk on water while they can only heal the sick.

Not only does it not work that way, it actually works the opposite way.
The Prophet Isaiah has this to say to us:
Isaiah 40:31
31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

The faithful begin by soaring like eagles but they reverse themselves by God's power in a way we do not expect; they fly, then run and finally, they walk.
Amazing - it is the total opposite of what our culture teaches us and expects of us.
Which begs the question, 'Who wants to be slowed to a walk?'
The answer is that it is only those who ultimately triumph in a test of faith.

In the Christian faith, God must be and remain the central reality.
Unfortunately, most people need visual and spiritual aids to assist them in remembering God is Lord of their life and of the universe.
God, and not the task at hand, must be in our view at all times. 
Truthfully, with some effort, even cleaning a toilet can be an act of worship.For whatever you do, do as unto the Lord.

This can be done if you and I assume, as is true, that God is all around us at all times; though undetectable.
By my human senses, I cannot see nor hear God, but I know that He is here with me; whether with cancer or without cancer - and I know whatever happens will be for the glory of the Lord through me.
Therefore, as for now, I must strive to conduct my daily life in a way appropriate for God's presence, because each of us must be aware that He is our Audience of One.

Until next time, win one for the good guys.

Audience of One

Over the years, I have heard many compare life itself to various things.
To me, life and the lives of others is sort of like an orchestra.
Like the orchestra, there are many parts to the whole; the whole is the meaningful state which God places on human life itself.
As we live, each life individually plays an intricate part in the symphony which God is orchestrating through our lives and will end in the glorification of Christ.

Looking throughout the Cleveland Clinic, I realize thousands upon thousands of people go through the Clinic's corridors each year.
All of them are trying to hang on to life or the life of someone they love.

Hundreds of doctors, nurses and other medical types believe whole-heartedly that man is little more than an advanced animal.
We are at the top of the food chain only because we have evolved as such.
Yet, I cannot help think that if they totally believed that we are nothing more than animals then they would see their sickness and illnesses as just part of nature.
Instead - everybody is hoping to get better and go home.

If we are just animals, we have no accountability to any type of a Higher Power; therefore, why not live for pleasure?
Yet, most do not - most people regardless of what they say they believe, adhere to some type of moral code and belief system.
We are not animals, as evidenced by the fact that we look beyond ourselves, above ourselves for direction and ordering of our lives.
This is God's world and a Christian should see it differently.

All people are made in the image of God; yet, the image is marred.
We find this true in every person that we meet.
Over time Christians have gotten the reputation of being anti-pleasure; but the truth is that God did not create desires within us only to expect us to renounce them.
God wants us to have the most satisfying life possible; He gives good gifts but we must then decide whether or not they will remain good and fulfilling in our life.

In our high-tech, modern world tends to divide the sacred & secular; as such, it is difficult to see how one event or work connects to any other event or anything else. 
This makes it even more difficult to learn the spiritual lessons God is trying to teach us each day.
And what's worse is that many people get up in the morning, commute to work, work most of the day, return home, eat, and go to bed; the next day they do the same thing again.
This leaves very little time for actually living; and in our living, Godly learning.

I study and preach about God; yet, I realize that it is very difficult to see God in every mundane task of life.
Sometimes it is even difficult to see Him in huge events; such as tragic events like sickness and death.
To see Him in everyday life, it requires a trained eye.
All the details of life MUST serve an overall purpose in life; even the mundane tasks for nothing is without purpose in this universe.
To a trained eye looking for God's work, it can recognize lasting value in the mundane.

Sometimes it helps to remember what Jesus said to His disciples, "You did not choose Me, but I chose you..."

Those words are applied to the 12, but they can also be applied to me and you.
You and I are to live for God, not for other people because He has chosen  us and redeemed us by the atoning sacrifice of His Son.

If you and I lived life in a manner which demonstrated that we were playing to an audience of One, how much different would your life be?
Would your cranky boss or immoral co-worker really have any meaning to your life?
Or what about the nosy neighbor or the persnickety Sunday School teacher?
Would these people who seem to have such an effect on our lives now, continue to have the same effect if we were more concerned about living primarily for Christ and His glory?

Nah...they would not  hold much meaning at all because all meaning would be wrapped up in God.
The standard of success would drastically change if we began to live life truthfully; and the truth of life is that we are indeed living it out before God.
Due to the fact that God really does exist, everything in our lives has significance.

And we should act accordingly for our Audience of One.

Until next time, win one for the good guys.

Attitude Shift

Continue to Pray for the Families at Fort Hood, TX.
- Chaplain Jack

It may surprise you to discover that about 200 years ago, in this nation, the average life span was roughly 35 years.
It might also surprise, if not horrify you, to find out that one-half of all children born during that same period of time, died before the age of five years.
With both of these God did not intervene; He allowed the young to die in what we would call the prime of life and children, who could barely speak, to grapple with the cold, iron clutches of death. 

During that same period of time, God did not intervene when the European Powers of the day carved up the New World so that it could be exploited by the old regimes of that continent.
Native died, the land was raped, resources were stolen; yet, God allowed it to happen and in some places - it continues to happen.

Years later, God watched the Nazi Reich attempt to eliminate whom He calls His 'Chosen People.'
And as He watched; He waited.

While God did not intervene in any of these cases directly, let me explain what did happen.
Two-hundred years ago, largely led by Christians, humans developed better nutrition and finally, a doctor had the good sense to require people to wash their hands before dealing with patients.
The result was the life expectancy of children and adults climbed and it continues to climb today.

And yes, Europe's Old World Order dissected the New World; but they didn't know what to do with it.
While I cannot speak for other parts of the hemisphere, I do know that the 13 English Colonies got a little tired of the human and Biblical violations taking place at the hands of the Crown.
Therefore, when Thomas Jefferson and the boys wrote the Declaration of Independence, they cited 27 Human Violations as dictated in God's Word.
As further proof of a new direction - the very first act of Congress was to commission the printing of 50,000 Bibles for the evangelization of the American Indians.

As for the Third Reich and Nazi Germany, out of the horror that did indeed happen to the Jewish people would come a liberation of the Allies.
Seeing for themselves and General Eisenhower ordering the documenting of the Holocaust through written accounts, testimonials and film; the Jews would gain the political state of Israel as we know it today.

While I cannot explain it, I do know that for whatever reason God allows history to take its course and then expects His followers to be used in the middle of the mess to 'do something about it.'
The truth is that millions of people call out to God every day; some for healing, some for a spouse, some for truth, others for a child - but whatever His people call out for, all of them expect God to do something about the situation at hand.
Haven't you done that in your life?

But God simply does not intervene in every instance of evil and suffering; although we dearly wish He did.
Even as I type these words, I watch the updates on television concerning the shooting at Fort Hood, Texas.
While at this time we know nothing of the shooter or even if there is but one; we do know there are people injured, families hurting and four people have entered eternity.
And each of the families connected to those who are in pain and suffering over this event, they want answers as to 'Why God did not stop this tragedy?'
Wouldn't you?

Of course. 
Every person who isn't a total imbecile would want God to intervene and stop the seemingly needless bloodshed.
We would also want God to stop every tragedy; but how far do we take it?
If we could have God stop everything we deemed wrong with the world - while there would be no more drunk drivers, fatalities in planes, acts of terror and the like; there would also be no stubbed toes on steps which keep you from falling down the steps.

No...God stopping every act of evil, while a popular thought, is just not practical - as hard as that statement is to swallow.
If God stopped every pain, every tragedy, every instance of suffering - there would be no need for a Christian to be faced daily with the challenge to 'live out our faith.'

Christians are commissioned by God and are expected to be His agents within the brokenness of this world.
We are the ones who are to intervene on His behalf; in compassion and grace.
The fact is that as a Christian, I am not a robot; nor are you.
Together, our commission is to act with our own volition for His glory.

Amid suffering, pain, tragedy and evil in this fallen world; those words and those actions are a lot easier spoken than performed.

I don't know if you've ever noticed this, but the Bible tends to evade the 'why' questions when it comes to causes of suffering or pain.
Could it be that knowing 'why' will take the focus off the person and to the cause?

Even now, the talking heads of the 24-hour cable news shows are trying to find a 'cause' for yet another shooter at Fort Hood.
Why does the reason matter at this point other than for future protection and warning?
There are still people wounded, children scared, soldiers locked down and at least four people dead.

Often during visitation, especially in a hospital or a rehabilitation/nursing home, people will tell me of the 'why' of what happened; not so much about their own hurting. This is true in spiritually counseling an individual or couple.
Others can concentrate on the cause and 'why' questions; they have that luxury. 
Christians do not.
Our duty is to focus on the person in compassion and grace; not the reason why they hurt.

Once, when confronted with a man who had been blind from birth, the disciples asked Jesus, 'Who sinned? This man or his parents?'
That seems so logical, especially in light of the Old Testament; but it also seems like something the friends of Job would ask.

Either option Jesus chose would have not produced compassion.
Instead, the disciples could have claimed a moral superiority because obviously they were more righteous, since none of them were blind.
Yet, when Jesus addresses the issue, suffering as a punishment seems to go by the wayside as an unimportant idea.

You see, the immediate victims of suffering or pain or tragedy - they are little served by answering 'why' questions.
What parent was comforted at Sandy Hook when we learned their children died at the hands of a mad-man?

Or was the students who had Christa McAuliffe in class comforted when they learned faulty O-Rings were to blame for the Challenger Explosion.
And will any military member be satisfied with the explanation tomorrow for what is happening in Fort Hood today?

In the New Testament, when it deals with pain and suffering, nearly every passage deflects from the cause of it, to our response.

C. S. Lewis once called pain 'God's Megaphone.'
Maybe so.
I can attest to the fact that pain does act as a hearing aid.
When we suffer, we listen better; and sometimes, we hear things we much rather ignore.

And what we're hearing now is that our society is hurting and falling to pieces before our eyes.

Therefore, you and I have our work cut out for us; but it is a work that can only be done under the power of the Holy Spirit, in the compassion and grace of Jesus Christ.

Remember - whether they know it or not - the world needs us more now than ever.
Until next time, win one for the good guys.