Remembering Grace on Palm Sunday

"Good and Evil...do not reside in things but always in persons."

                                                                                                      ~ Paul Tounier


This week I attended the visitation of a friend's wife who passed away suddenly.
I knew her, but briefly; that is to say, I had met her once or twice and knew her name.
Yet, in the pictures displayed and the testimonies of those with whom I spoke who knew her well; two things became increasingly evident.
First - she had an infectious smile with the spirit to match it toward all people.
Secondly, like Christ, she will rise again.

This has brought to mind one question about our lives lived out before God and man.
What can we count on from God?

You and I are not guaranteed our ministries - they can disappear when a clique with power wants you gone; you're suddenly replaced with worldly thinking motives.
We're not guaranteed our homes - they can burn or be flooded in an instant.
We are not guaranteed our own safety - thousands are harmed each day without consent.
And we're not guaranteed even our own lives - no one knows the day or hour we will breathe our last, except God Himself.

So, what can we count on from God?

Friend, you can expect three things in this world, with the third coming from and being supplied by God.
Here it is: The World is good. The World is fallen. The World can be redeemed.
And this is applies to the universe and every person in it.

Much of the Gospel centers around people who are fallen, but essentially good people, but are faced with the choice of needed redemption.

One of my favorite instances in Scripture where this plays out dramatically is found in the

Gospel of John, chapter 4; it is Jesus' encounter with the woman at the well in Samaria.

As Jesus broke the social boundaries of the day, He revealed that she had previously had five husbands and was currently 'shacking up' with a man who was not her husband.
She revealed that she was a true seeker by asking about the coming of the Messiah and questions of worship.
And it is obvious that this woman wants to do the right thing, she just needs a nudge in the right directions; as Jesus instructs her and reveals for the first time that He is the long-awaited Messiah, this unnamed woman becomes the first person to go out and actually bring others (including the city elders) to meet Christ.

She was good, fallen and in need of redemption all at the same time. 
And what I have found in life, most people are in the exact same situation on a daily basis.

Now, maybe you don't think so.
I challenge you to remember the Christ-mandated mission of the Great Commission; this all-important mission was led by a traitor. 
His name was Simon Bar-Jonah, better know to us as the Apostle Peter.

You see, many of Jesus' choices underscore His redemption and the human's regeneration by the Holy Spirit.

Bill Wilson was the found of Alcoholics Anonymous. He once stated that pain is the price and touchstone of spiritual rebirth.
And it's true.

To have our spirits honed into the purpose of Christ, many times it has to endure a season on pain and suffering.
In those times of trial and tragedy, often like Job, we do not understand what God is doing. If you are in that situation in life right now, remember we do not live life according to explanations, we live according to faith.

The grace of God in our lives isn't a magic formula as some would have us believe; instead, grace is a balm activated by a daily dependence on God.

There are some, even mature Christians, who envision God as Zeus-like.

He is a powerful man with lightening bolts aimed at wretched humans who anger him in the heavens.
But God works from below; through His people, by His Spirit.
He works through and in spite of our weaknesses; opening up to our hearts the possibility of redemption for everything I despise about my own sins in my heart.

In the end, looking at the Body of Christ as God's people; we can see even those we value as precious have their failings.
And this teaches me that God values our character more than our comfort and more than those times when we stupidly stumble before Him.

Our continuing maturing in Christ may cause us some difficulties and at times, some harsh roads to walk in life - but on the other side of those trials, we know things about ourselves, our character and about God that we would not have otherwise known had we not walked through those dark valleys.
In the end, I am inclined to believe that tough times are tough...with the purpose of realizing how great our God truly is and what He truly means in our lives.

The great King of Israel, David, proves to us that our personal relationship, maturity and walk with God can survive even the most horrid and appalling acts of disobedience.
King David was at first described as a 'man after God's own heart;' in later years, he committed adultery with Bathsheba, murdered her husband and lied to the nation. And still today, it is David who is revered among all other kings.
The reason is because of his repentant heart.

For all sins where we really blow it - David is the prime example; but let me compare him to some infamous men from modern times.

President Nixon has a lot of admirable intellectual achievements; both while in office and out of office in the remaining years of his life.
Yet, the downfall of Richard Nixon was secret taped recordings within the White House of the Watergate Affair.

In the same manner, President Clinton had some admirable accomplishments; but few remember anything about those accomplishments. 
Instead, we tend to remember the infamous 'stained dress.'

Yet, of both President Nixon and Clinton, there was never a confession of wrong doing.

Presidents Richard M. Nixon and Wm. J. Clinton

Nixon tended to live in what I call an 'ethical netherworld;' and was never really a likable person in the public eye.
Clinton lived in his own world; yet, I've met President Clinton and I can testify that he is truly a likable person.
But neither of these men  ever confessed their wrong doing; Nixon - not on his lying about the Watergate break-in and Clinton never confessed his sexual promiscuity.

King David confessed before God and man.

When Nixon was interviewed and had a chance to explain what had happened, he would simply repeat, 'mistakes were made,' of the Watergate affair.
President Clinton would only, and even today, admit what had already been revealed on the news and broadcast nationwide. 

King David went into a deep repentant state by admitting that he had, 'sinned against the Lord.'

President Nixon today is regarded still as 'Tricky Dick,' a man who was shady and manipulative. 
President Clinton is remembered as a sexual predator; a man who would tell half-truths resulting in whole lies; one who cannot be trusted.

Years after David confessed before the Lord, and still today; Israel did not remember him for his lust and sin. Instead, Israel's chroniclers remembered David as the standard of faithfulness to achieve in life.
Today, King David is remember for His devotion and willingness to admit and repent his wrong-doings.

This tells me that the world's way of doing things still isn't right after 6,000 years of recorded history. Instead, if you and I want to be great in the Kingdom, we must humble ourselves in repentance with open hands so that we might be filled with His Spirit resulting in grace and mercy.

And there are others in Scripture who teach similar things.

Elijah ran from Ahab and Jezebel after standing boldly against their prophets of Baal in the famous 'Rain Contest' on Mount Carmel.
Elijah was coaxed back by God; not from being scolded, but by being whispered to in the Spirit and fed by ravens.

Peter had returned to fishing; but at his lowest point, Jesus restored Him in a private conversation on a beach in Galilee.

As the world is good, fallen and in need of redemption; as humans, we are righteous, sinners

and in need of repentance - every day.
If you have stumbled, just remember, God is undeterred by our betrayal and failings; His grace and mercy makes all things new.
And that includes your heart and spirit - day by day.

And this, my friends, the empowerment of the Spirit of God into our hearts each day, that is a Triumphal Entry to be celebrated every day of our lives.
And the best way to celebrate His grace and spiritual empowerment every day is to lose our lives in Him and into one another in our service to God.

Until next time, win one for the good guys.

Loopholes in Grace

"Truly it is an evil to be full of faults, but it is a still greater evil to be full of them, and be unwilling to recognize them."

                                                                                                     ~ Blaise Pascal




Often I check the 'tracker' for this blog; it tells me where in the world people are located when they read these words.
The majority are from the United States; yet, it is truly humbling to know that there are believers in the Ukraine who read the words God gives me faithfully.
Knowing the political and military struggle that is taking place in Europe, it brings a blessing to my heart.

This began as one man struggling with what was believed to be the last stages of life. 
At that time, I was diagnosed with stage four lung/adrenal cancer; I had the support of my family and several from my church. 
The readership was high and while it has went down a little, it has grown overseas; to the point where I can no longer joke that tragedy and death bring ratings.

Today, the blog remains and has evolved into a review of some of the most crucial questions of a person's individual faith.
This too is suffering, albeit a different kind.

It has been my experience spiritual and emotional suffering is just as traumatic to a human being as physical suffering, even suffering with death on the horizon.
This is especially true when one has been hurt by a church family or another believer once held dear to the heart.

Therefore tonight, I pose a simple question with a simple answer.
Question: Is it ever OK to write someone out of your life?
Is there a time when a Christian can and even should walk away from another person, including other Christians?

Friends, the answer is unequivocally 'yes,' although it may be painful to do so.

It's easy to say that one can write an abuser out of their life, or a rapist or a child molester. But we're not talking about the worst of the worst; we're talking about another Christian; one who appears to be serving the Lord, but brings you personal anguish.
Is it OK to write that person out of your life until repentance and restoration occurs by the hand of God?

If another person, including believers, have injured you in the past and you have forgiven them; yet, they continue to bring you anguish to the point where your walk and witness may be compromised - then yes, as a Christian you should walk away.
And if you do, it will be sad for you have lost touch with a sibling in Christ; yet, there will also be a load lifted because you will be allowed to heal without further injury or salt in your spiritual wounds.

But, let me say this - if you ever do walk away from another believer in a manner just described; you had better leave room for restoration and grace.

You see, grace has no limits; which means it can penetrate the most hardened or hurt heart; but it also means there is a scent of scandal about grace because it sounds just too good to be true.

As a Christian who, like millions of others, have suffered physically and then been injured by a Christian fellowship, I know 'grace abuse' is very real.
People who do things they know could hurt others, but also know God will for forgive them; these are abusers of grace and they generally hurt other believers and don't even realize it.

Sometimes they do realize it and do it intentionally and the question for their soul is not can God forgive, He can.
The real question is after they have injured other believers knowingly, will they want to ask for forgiveness and be restored?
And that's a question that can only be answered by judging the fruit of the tree. 

The great Church Father Augustine stated: 'God give where He finds empty hands.'
The truth is that if a person's hands are full, then they can't receive a gift; including a gift from God Himself.

A Christian who accepts no responsibility or will admit no guilt cannot accept forgiveness; their hands are too full.

Scripture teaches that there are guilty people who acknowledge their sin and others who don't (Jn. 8); but it doesn't really matter if one acknowledges it or not - all remain guilty in some manner.

Most Christian deny far more than we confess fault; yet, unless the Holy Spirit awakens the pain of sin and guilt within our aching soul; it cannot be healed.

When a Christian becomes an abuser of grace at your expense, then yes; you can walk away until the Lord provides reconciliation.

Scripturally, Jude warns of the possibility of good Christians to, 'change the grace of our God into a license for immorality."
Sadly, some have done just that under the banner of freedom.

For a Christian to sin to get what they want or to go along with the popular voice, thinking they can repent later - THAT is the sin of which Jude speaks.
Unfortunately, anyone who has been around a church for very long, has seen this happen; and if you have ever been hurt by a church, you've seen considerably more of it than your fair share.

Yet, most will rationalize and not see the need for repentance.

For example, thousands of Lutheran pastors preached grace while their government in the form of the Nazi Party pursued societal endorsed racism and later, genocide.
Until the war machine came for them, they never saw the need for repentance.

Sin has a definite stench of death about it; why would a true Christian choose it?
Well, we are products of our fallen world and some begin to think like the world from time to time, thinking God ends will be achieved by man's means.
In short, like hogs on the farm, we tend to enjoy a good wallow in the mud.

Yet, if a person truly understands what God has done for him, the Christian ought not abuse the gift of grace nor injure other believers; instead, the Christian will strive to live worthy of His Love, Grace and Mercy.

Until next time, when one for the good guys.

Resembling Grace

"Compassion is the basis of morality."

                                                                              ~ Arthur Schopenhauer 

Sometimes we see pure and clear evidences of God in the world; at other times they come into our lives when we least expect them.

But when they do arrive, the image of the Christian and of God as portrayed by the world, is decimated.

Let me explain...

Last week, I witnessed a church actively feed and engage the homeless in a city park.
They were given as much as they wanted to eat, stayed as long as they desired and even were given 'take home' meals for the weekend if the individual felt they needed it.
No questions asked, just come and partake; I have never seen so many people with so little look as if they were so blessed.

And the wonderful thing about this entire activity was that every person who were a part of the church involved in this ministry was actively engaged with the homeless, showing them compassion and love.

How many of the Church members had tattoos? Or were divorced? Or had used drugs in the past? Or had been delivered from any number of sins not considered 'respectable' by society?

It didn't matter because Jesus had redeemed them all through His blood and by His grace and was now using those same people to touch others greatly in need of His love.

The Church itself was not there because it was just a 'church ministry,' or something they felt they were obligated to do.
No...ministry, true ministry in Christ's name will not work in such a manner.
The people of the Church were there because they wanted those who were less fortunate and hurting to be touched by the hand of Christ.

They succeeded.

At the same Church, I saw adult men and women with mental disabilities welcomed into worship on a beautiful Sunday morning.
In the past, I have seen people with Down's Syndrome, Autism or some other disability become spectacles or treated as 'second class' citizens.
No church would ever admit as much, but many Christians have been shamed by their own hidden feelings in this area; the church I attended last Sunday opened these children of God with open arms - knowing each had a story in their past and a hope with Christ in the future.

In one instance, within the last week, I took part in a prayer that was given with our hands joined in the middle of his business with his family for God's blessing on the day.
At another time, I was able to be spiritually fed in the home Bible study of a person whom I had just recently met.

God was allowed to live through His followers and touch others in the world with His compassion and grace.

In all these things, Jesus was present, active and dispensing grace.

The truth is that God is often present, if we choose to see His work through the eye of faith. Maybe we just need the Lord to touch our eyes anew.

Like the disciples after the resurrection, if you are looking with faithful eyes, we never know where Jesus will turn up in our lives.
And when He does, there is a familiar pleasantness about it.

When Jesus was physically on the earth, our world was a much better place; if only for a short time in one particular region.
But when Jesus ascended into heaven, the disciples were left looking around, not really knowing what to do; they were wanting some clue or direction as to how they should carry forward.
Most people have been in the same predicament in life - their world suddenly changes and they no longer know what to do because normalcy has radically changed.

From Jesus' perspective, it could be compared to a soldier or Airman returning home from war; there would be a pleasant familiarity about entering the heavenly corridors.

Yet, by leaving earth, Jesus risked being forgotten; He left no earthly reminder such as temples or books He'd written.
Instead, Jesus left the world the most unpredictable thing He could have left - people entrusted to carry forward His message of hope and grace.

The modern question, whenever we face trials, temptations, tragedies, sicknesses, diseases and death is the same - 'Where is God?'
Nobody asked that question when they saw Jesus on the earth because they knew God had stepped out of eternity and was among them; nor did they ask if God cared about them.
Yet, it is a valid question for a generation of people who desire the hole in their heart to be filled.

Modern man has picked up on current philosophy with his answer, thinking that the landlord has left the building permanently.
And at times, many Christians are tempted to believe it because we have short memories concerning the blessings of God and long grudges when it comes to the hurtfulness and pain we suffer at the hands of others.

But God has not abandoned us; yes, Jesus has ascended and we are awaiting His return, but until then, God has chosen to take on less obvious forms.
While we may say He has disguised Himself, Scripture shows us where we can find God...in the 'least of these.'

Matt 25:40-46 (RSV)

40 And the King will answer them, `Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.' 41 Then he will say to those at his left hand, `Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; 42 for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' 44 Then they also will answer, `Lord, when did we see thee hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to thee?' 45 Then he will answer them, `Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.' 46 And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

I am sorry to say that I know  Christians who consider themselves 'righteous' or 'Godly' and yet, those same people abhor the 'least of these.'
Those that are the 'least of these' are the avenue by which we may entertain angels unaware; it is also connected in some spiritual way to the evidence of salvation in our hearts.

To put it bluntly, if a Christian cannot detect God's presence in this world through their normal activities in life, then their activities need to change because you are looking in all the wrong places for God's hand to be moving.

Sadly, many Christians miss the whole point of being Christ's body in the world; we are to touch others as He would touch them - in love, compassion and grace.

We often hear people say things like, 'Why does God allow these homeless/poor/mentally disabled/beggars...fill in the blank....?"
But we never hear someone turn the question around and ask the critic, 'Well, if you want something done to help, why don't you do it?'

In the words of another, 'Where is God when it hurts?'
The better question is, 'Where is the Church when it hurts,' because we, the church, were entrusted to be His hands and heart in this hurting world.

And this brings me to the point I've been driving to since the beginning.
Why is it that we don't look more like the Church Jesus described?

Why do protesters carry signs against churches and church organizations instead of thousands coming to our support?

Why can't we be of 'one mind, one faith and one baptism?'

The answer is that we are all fallen human beings; we are all part of the problem.
Whether it be during the Crusades or the Inquisition or Christians involved in the Slave Trade or even a deacon in a local church pursuing a personal lust for power, we are all part of the problem because every Christian has the old nature we are desperately fighting in our souls.

Yet, the better question is, 'Why do I so poorly resemble Jesus?'
And it is a question each of us should ask ourselves, for the problem of the Body of Christ is no greater than one solitary Christian.

Thus...is the need for the grace, mercy, love and compassion of our Lord.

We need to stop putting the good works of God off on somebody else, some other church,
some other time - we need to start being God's hands of grace in this fallen world and touch the hurting, homeless and hungry.

Until next time, win one for the good guys.

Visible Grace

"Under His wings, you will find refuge..."

                        ~ Ps. 91:4

When Christians are hurt by other Christians or even their own church family, the pain and residue from the wound is severe and it remains for longer than we would like to admit.

Many leave the Church, never to return; others find new church homes among new believers.
In either case, Christians, once hurt, retreat.

Personally, I adhere to the military view on such things; I never retreat, sometimes I do, however, advance in the opposite direction.


Christians retreat away from pain; sometimes finding their way back into the church - laying low, waiting to see if they will be hurt again.
And this is unfortunate because many times, the very last place you will find grace and forgiveness is within the walls of the Church.

As a result, many Christians are forced to look elsewhere for those images of God we should be able to find within the Body.

This isn't unknown; Jesus Himself found flashes of His Father among prostitutes, poverty stricken widows, seeking tax collectors, defiled lepers and a host of others society had written off.
He shunned those who declared themselves righteous and was drawn to those who called themselves sinners.
After 2,000 years we may think that things would have changed; still, we find images of grace, humility and the mercy of God in some of the most unlikely places.

As we view the world today, we see only brief glimpses of what once was in Paradise during humanity's time within the perfect fellowship our forerunners squandered with God.

Yet, those glimpses are there - in believers enjoying the sacrificial nature of feeding and caring for the homeless; in ministries offering an alternative to abortion for crisis pregnancies; in the genuine fellowship of the brokenness of the Cross...and a host of other avenues.

God is in these places and a thousand more you may have never dreamed of; to find Him, you must look for Him and I promise He will be there.
He is still present in His people and His creation;yet, your sight has been so marred by the fall of man that we must actively look for His fingerprints to find Him amid the flash and glitter of the world.

Many years ago, when the Spanish explorers first made the trans-Atlantic sail to the New World and found the headwaters of the Amazon, they thought the mighty river was an extension of the ocean.
As days passed, floating on one of the largest sources of freshwater on the planet, they never thought to drink it and some sailors died of dehydration and thirst atop that river.

In our age, the unchurched and many believers as well are simply dying.
Too many are spiritually starving to death while all around them is the bread of life and the manna from heaven is rotting.
Why?

Simply because the Christian who is in the pew - whether they be hurting or helping - are simply looking for God in something else than how He has revealed Himself in the simple things in their life.
It may be through a ministry in service or it might be through you being served; either way, God Himself shows up in our lives when compassion and grace is involved and extended.

There are ministries and churches who proclaim the God of Negativity and Hellfire.
While judgment is sure and certain, today remains a day of grace; and there is much to be thankful for in our lives in this age.

What do you see?

Just since I was a child, the God of Communism is dead, we have cleaner air and cleaner water than at any other time since I've been alive.
In America, we have a greater freedom than nearly every person on earth - freedom of travel, of ownership, even of thought. 

We can look and see what we want to see - the Grace of God in our lives OR God gearing up for the judgement.

I promise you, whatever you are looking for, you will find it in abundance.

Above all other people, within and among God's people, we ought to be able to see traces of God's image and His handiwork as He has repaired our lives.
The truth is that God is already present in our lives, we just need to make Him visible to the unbelieving world through grace, mercy and compassion.

Until next time, go win one for the good guys.