Quite Witness

Here's a unique idea for many Christians: 
Maybe the best way to convey our values to the culture at large is NOT to talk about our values and it is certainly NOT to try and legislate our values.
Instead, maybe we ought to live our values and see what happens.

Isn't that the entire purpose of the Beatitudes? 
And personally, I'd rather have a person living the Beatitudes instead of trying to legislate the Ten Commandments.

                             Gospel of  Matthew 5:3-10

"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure of heart,
for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."


I mean seriously, anybody who would live these principles wouldn't need to legislate anything. 
They wouldn't even need to say too much; people would be able to see the grace of the Lord through them.

Christians have long been criticized for trying to force their way and their values onto the larger, secular society.
And there is some truth in this...much to our own misfortune.

In recent years, prior to the evangelical crusade into the Republican Party, evangelical Christians were viewed in a very positive light.
During the 1980's, this changed as Christians became associated with 'Anti-Everything...' and certainly not the people on earth who sought to help the hurting and extend a helping hand to the less fortunate.

But in yesteryear, Christians didn't always do so well with secular society either; this isn't a modern phenomenon.

Yet, there was always a glimmer of hope; a remnant of the faithful who tried to reach the culture right where they lived.
They did it without judgment, without guilt and without hurting anyone; all the while giving a glorious witness to Christ through their God-given talents.

Maybe, just maybe, modern Christians could learn something from those who quietly witnessed to the world in past ages.
Many of them, are still witnessing to the world today and few realize it.

Personally, my favorite composer is Ludwig Van Beethoven; he was gifted beyond what we can imagine. 

As a Pastor Jack side note - Beethoven's 9th Symphony was written by the musician while being completely deaf. He never heard a note of what he wrote, except in his head and heart; but that was enough to bless the world with the Masterpiece we know today.
But I digress.

Beethoven went through a very religious devotion later in life; he wrote the music for the hymn we know as 'Ode to Joy' or 'Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee.'
But Beethoven wrote only two full-length masses for the use of the Church; but he believed one, Missa Solemnis, was the greatest work he ever produced.

Most do not realize it, but the creeds and statements of faith which were produced by the ancient orthodox councils of the Body of Christ are now repeated in the works of the classical masters.
Beethoven, Mozart and Haydn, brought the beauty of God's gift to them to the Body of Christ.
And today, their works, symphonies and sonatas can be heard each night, being preformed by modern artists, in every major city in the world.

This would include closed countries where the Gospel preacher would NEVER have a chance of reaching anyone for Jesus Christ.
And yet, the Classical Masters still minister to the hearts of millions, everyday.

Simply put, they used their gifts and the Gospel still sounds forth today in places where a typical minister would be executed.
In short, God has given us, through them, Sacred Music.

And what of other artists?
Raphael, Michelangelo, or Leonardo da Vinci (at right)?
What of their greatest works?

Well, their greatest works hang in the Louvre in Paris and other museums around the globe; these works are typically of Biblical scenes or the Gospel story.
Their works still minister to us today; the brush stroke of the past still touches the heart of man in this age.

If this were not true of both the musicians and artists, then why is it that the Taliban or ISIS will enter an area and destroy all images and forbid all music?
Well, it's because through the medium of the creative arts, God has been able to transform hearts and lives to Himself.

Sadly, many Christians are only one-sided animals.

I bet you know the side - the verbal witnessing, the hell-fire threat, the scolding because of the life somebody didn't live or a mistake somebody committed; the judgmental attitude.
Yeah, you know it - probably because you have endured it like many of us have. We are a sacred club...those damaged by the Church; those hurt by the very Body which is to bring healing to the wounded.
Instead, we tend to shoot our own and then boast of our purity.

But again, instead of imposing our values and beliefs - what's wrong with living them and ministering in alternative ways, like music.
In the past, Southern Gospel tried this...in copying old-style country music; but it just wasn't believable and many performers became know on the singing circuit for their immoral lifestyles.

Today, Contemporary Christian music is popular, and has, in some cases, taken the approach of putting the ancient creeds to music - but again, the vast majority fail at winning an audience outside Christian circles.
The reason is because unlike the Classical Masters, modern artists want to sell albums, so they do interviews. 
The problem with this is that it is soon revealed that they know very little of the meaning behind the theology they claim to hold and sing about.
Again, in many cases, it just isn't believable.

Other than these examples, Christians, especially those with a strong theology, have abandoned the creative and liberal arts because, quite frankly, those who 'create' are often the same people who are 'liberal.'

At one time, I was in the creative arts while pursuing a degree in the liberal arts; yet, my faith nor solid foundation never wavered because it was built on the Rock of Ages.
It seems to be an unrealistic fear of many Christians; associate with those different than yourself and you will become corrupted - that's only true if your faith is NOT well founded.

Sadly, as the culture tilts away from the faith of our fathers, so too does the Christian from using their personal gifts as a quiet, yet lasting, witness.
But we should know, from history, as the Masters still impact society - some of them 500 years later, we can employ our gifts and effect those hundreds of years from now.

The problem with this idea is the fact that Christians don't really like 'artsy' types; although many would NEVER admit it.
You see, artsy types are many times, hippie types.
But I would argue, 'so what?'

Yes, it is true that those in the creative and liberal arts look different, act different and sometimes, they even smell different.
But that doesn't mean it is better or worse; it just means that they are different than what we are right now.

May I remind the reader that the American church lost an entire generation in the 1960's because the Church would not pursue the 'different' counter-culture taking place at the height of the Vietnam War.

May I also remind you that I am a product of the next generation who followed the love-fest of the Flower Children? 
And as a member of Generation X, the Church lost millions of us as well because once they realized their mistake with those who once shouted 'Flower Power'; they paid little attention to the latch-key kids of the 1980's.

And do you know where they are now?
Neither do I, but most of them aren't in Church, and neither are their children who are the Millennials. 

What those of the past needed, and what my generation needs today...what every generation needs most - it is grace.
Very few will ever hear me preach; fewer will ever read the words I have written.
But millions upon millions will know we are different because of what we do with the gifts we have been given - in the arts, in music, and through the grace we are to give the world.

And if you don't know where to start, begin by dispensing the grace you've received from God to others.
If you don't know how to do that - then begin by trying to live the Beatitudes of Jesus Christ.

Your actions will not be forgotten.

Until next time, win one for the good guys.

The Right Perspective

'The World is a tragedy to those who feel, but a comedy to those who think.'

                                                                                             ~ Horace Walpole

With this being a Presidential election year, which may turn out to be the most bloody, mud-slinging election in my lifetime, there are some things which need to be mentioned.

First, God is on His throne.
This will be true regardless of who becomes the next President of the United States.

Secondly, for the Christian, we serve a Risen King; His name is Jesus.
We owe only to Caesar what is his; but to Christ, we owe our very lives and eternity.

Having said that, let's put a few things in perspective; most importantly is the role of the Christian and our belief in the world today and how we should act.

You know, I doubt any liberal in the 1960's would have pulled Martin Luther King, Jr. aside and said, 'Dr. King, the South has a different culture and way about it; you have no right to impose your values or Northern customs on them. You need to leave them alone.'

Now, I'm sure thousands of people said something similar, but I doubt any liberal from that era would have uttered those words.
The truth of the matter is that within us, we know from birth there is a 'right' and a 'wrong.'
Yet, one of our troubling features is that sometimes we are too weak to stand for that which we know is right; at other times, we become more concerned with politics, with our own comfort or with peer pressure than we are on doing that which is 'right.'

Few would disagree that slavery is wrong; child abuse is wrong; as is pedophilia, to prey on the poor or to violently discriminate against those of a different color or sexual orientation.
But how do we know these things are wrong?

One might think it is instinct; perhaps, but then where does that 'instinct' originate?

Interestingly enough, the slave trade ended among Western nations because of Christian activism.
Child abandonment and infanticide has nearly disappeared mostly due to orphanages in the past era (before government & Masonic homes) because Christians knew there was a need and they acted on it as they were moved to do so. As I type these words, there are literally millions of children being protected, fed, educated and cared for by Christians in orphanages all around the globe.

The poor were taken care of by the Church as well, and this continues today through soup kitchens, expected work responsibilities and temporary places to live.
And who led the way in the Civil Rights movement of the 1960's? 
It was Christians who could no longer abide with the fierce hatred of racism.

Today, some believe that the Judeo-Christian Ethic should no longer influence society; an archaic ethic from a by-gone era.
Right and wrong should therefore be based on how an individual feels.

Really? 
Sounds good, but read the above paragraph concerning a liberal and Dr. King.

You see, if human beings were only products of our genetic makeup and our environments, there would be no absolute morality.
Nothing would be or even could be determined as right or wrong because the decision would be reliant upon the subjectivity of the individual.

By caring for the sick, the elderly, the poor, the weak → in compassion a human being has decided to forgo the idea of eliminating them from society, thereby strengthening humanity's gene pool.
Therefore, if the disciples of Darwin are correct and we are descendants of evolution, we are damaging our own species survival because we have had compassion and empathy for another member of the species.

Yet, instead of being prompted for species survival, we are moved in compassion to help.
If we are products of nature, where did that compassion originate?

One called this, 'Darwin's Dilemma' because it makes no sense in a practical, evolutionary theory kind of way.
Darwinists often argue that humans have a 'selfish gene,' so that everything we do is done out of pure selfishness.

But then the question would be, 'If that is true, why then do humans so often choose to behave unselfishly?'

In our time, feminists and now our legal system in America defends the act of abortion.
Historically, society dealt with unwanted children through abandonment in the streets or forests, which basically led to infanticide (which is why Christians began to build and staff orphanages).
But today, if a teen abandons a newborn in a trash can, as we have heard in news stories, we are appalled and demand prosecution.

But why?
What right to we have to expect punishment for something that has historically taken place?
What is the difference between then and now?

We become indignant at the mistreatment of the elderly, or when we hear a toddler was pushed out an apartment window, or if we learn that a child was kidnapped and sodomized.
Twenty years ago, many of us sat horrified in front of our televisions as we learned of a woman named Susan Smith who drown her own children.

But, on what grounds are we indignant and appalled?

If we are products of nature alone, if morality and truth are self-determined or a by-product of the evolutionary scheme - why does any of it matter?

In other words, what made Nazi Germany evil and the American invasion right?

What is it within us that tells us these things are wrong?
What is it that allows us to become emotionally repelled by these acts?
If it was only a by-product of nature, then every person's idea of wrong would be different; yet, we know there are standards built within us from birth - rape, murder, theft - we know these are wrong.
But how and why?

As yet another political year begins to ramp up in full force, the United States has many, many issues; but at the root of them all is the issue of what right and wrong actually means.
Truthfully, the American society is sinking over the issue of right and wrong; which has to be the most basic issue of any society of any era.

Honestly, this is nothing less than a moral crisis.

In the past, it was the Church, the Christian body in the United States, who gave the nation its national conscience.
Quite possibly, the nation could be faltering on this one, most basic issue because we as the Church have stumbled ourselves and failed in actually living what we believe. 
When the Body of Christ lacks moral clarity, we also lack moral authority; without both, the Church has no right to guide the conscience of others for ours is conflicted.

In the old days of the Church, back before there were mega-church conferences, electronic ministries, comparing numbers in the pews or distributing funds based on 'investment return' rather than prayerful determination - in those days, Christians were known for the 'Good News'.

As you began this reading, it may have surprised you to learn that it was Christians, who not by fighting a bloody revolution or through violence, ended slavery among Western nations. 
Men such as William Wilberforce in Britain was just one who gave his life in a dedication to ending that horrid practice.
It may have intrigued you to learn of the orphanages, or the outreach to the poor with shelter and food and clothes; and there is even more that the Body of Christ did for those rejected or forgotten by society - think of homosexuals, prisoners and widows.

Have you ever wondered why so many people see Christians as barriers instead of the people who share to others the 'Good News' of God?
There was a time when people had a favorable view of Christians; not so much today, if George Barna's statistics are to be believed.

There may be many, but I know one reason is because we as Christians have gotten into the habit of ignoring important issues of the people and of faith, while focusing on things that will never matter in eternity.
Like politics.  Like the size of my congregation. Like who is doing what next door. 
And the list could go on and on and on...

Unfortunately, this has led to Christians being labeled as anti-EVERYTHING, intolerant and against the world, instead of being viewed as people who can bring God's grace to the world.

Just think, imagine how differently the world would view Christians if we had and would now focus on our own failings.

You know, ministers DO NOT have everything figured out.
We struggle with the same temptations and desires as everybody else.
Like all Christians, if we would speak of our own failings and our own need of forgiveness, mercy and grace instead of society's - I truly believe a time of true revival would break forth.

When Jesus was on Earth, He gave little attention to the faults and failures of the surrounding culture; and it abounded.
In the first century, there were vicious Gladiator Games, common infanticide, the sanctity of marriage was a joke and government approval of pedophilia and slavery from Rome was the norm.

Interestingly enough, Jesus said nothing of these things.
Later, when the Apostles lived in the same society and was charged with bringing forth the message of God, they did not say much concerning the culture either.
When the Corinthian Church was reported to have accepted an incestuous relationship within their midst, the Apostle Paul went berserk; yet, he made it clear that the Christian was not to judge society by the standards given to us by Christ.

You see, as Christians, if you truly want to reform society - then focus on the log in your own eye. 
Our energy for keeping standards of morality is to be kept in house; we are to correct ourselves and give to one another the grace which God has given to us through His Son.
And it is that grace which will win the world.

Today, there are huge debates raging over homosexuality, transgender issues, sex-change operations being thrust to the forefront by Bruce Jenner and company, and a host of other issues revolving around once-taboo subjects within human sexuality.
Among Christians and society as a whole, these issues are hard to navigate.

Please don't misunderstand, I know what Scripture says concerning these issues; without question, Scripture is a 'Lamp unto my feet and a Light unto my Path,' which I trust on every issue as the inerrant, infallible Word of God.
But what I don't understand is how these issues of sexuality have become 'the sin' Christians seek to focus upon and condemn with the greatest fervency.

I'm not sure how it has happened, but I do know that focusing on these issues of sexuality, which are complicated and difficult and easily misunderstood, have allowed many Christians to ignore their own need for grace.
And trust me, I know a lot of Christians; every one of them needs God's grace every day of their lives - including myself at the forefront. 

Another thing I have learned about human sexuality and Christians is this, high-toned pronouncements against same-sex lovers may help fundraising, but it truly undermines the Gospel of Grace and destroys the very nature of the love by which Jesus said His people would be known by others in the world.

No Christian should ever be thought of as 'self-righteous;' for, we are the exact opposite.

Yet, not one person falls below God's high standard so far as to be totally beyond His reach; the reason is because we are caught with His safety net of grace.

Until next time, win one for the good guys.

When Do We Reconcile?

"Doing nothing for others is the undoing of ourselves."

                                             ~ Horace Mann

As some will remember, the Serbian/Yugo/Bosnia wars is recognized as ending in 1995; but bloodshed and genocide continued among the ethnic populations in that part of Europe for several years and truly ended in 1999.

Emerging from the Peace Accords of then-President Bill Clinton, seven nations stood in Europe amid the destruction, hate and ethnic attacks.

Arch Duke Ferdinand

Amazingly, not quite a hundred years before, a war began in Bosnia-Herzegovina with the assassination of Arch Duke Franz Ferdinand of Austria. 
That war was to be the 'War to End All Wars' but all it really ended was the rule of Kings and Emperors; laying a foundation for an even greater war 20 years later.
The war which was to 'make the world safe for democracy,' only laid the seed-bed from which fascists and dictators would grow.

Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia-Herzegovina, even after a century of on-again, off-again bloodshed, remains the place where Eastern and Western Traditions meet.
Near the capital, the Islamic Campaign into Europe was stopped long ago in the Middle Ages; not to be confused with Charles Martel's defeat of the Muslim invading Armies at the Battle of Tours (732).

It seems Europe, eastern Europe in particular has an issue with war, ethnic cleansing and religious battles.
Once the invading Islamic armies were stopped, Europe was to be 'safe' from such heathen hordes; Christianity was to reign with Christ as the King.

But the Church blew that opportunity in so many ways - gathering wealth, ignoring the poor, gaining lands, setting up their own kingdoms within secular kingdoms.
Ever wonder why Catholic priests aren't allowed to marry anymore? 
It's because of passing these 'church lands' off to their children, creating political divisions within secular realms.

As for the wars from Europe, the ethnic/religious cleansing from all parties involved and all religions claimed → Nobody has forgotten.
There is a deep-seeded hatred among the populous in that part of Europe with one another which goes back centuries.

Truthfully, it is worrisome that a great influx of Muslims have freely entered Europe once again; suspicion does not begin to describe what some history/religious minded thinkers believe might happen...again.
Yet, I digress.

The matter at hand is Reconciliation.
When do we reconcile?
Whether nations or people; to reconcile after a hurt, injury or betrayal?

With Judas, betrayal was accepted and an offer of grace was still on the table, even up to Judas' own death.
With Peter, forgiveness of His denial was immediate; reconciliation seems to have been immediately available as well, although it was not possible until after the resurrection.

But that was Jesus; you and I aren't Jesus, and we will never even come close.
And what makes it worse is the face that often, those most in need of grace and forgiveness are the most resistant.

After a hurt or betrayal, when are we ready to forgive and reconcile the relationship, if ever?
I'm not so sure that I can answer that question.

Recently, I ran into a person I once called my friend; truthfully, I loved him as a brother and trusted him fully.
At one time, there was absolutely nothing that I would not have done for this person.
But times have changed.

When I saw this person, I felt nothing.
And that is so sad.

You see, when the winds of change shifted on me; my 'friend' betrayed me. 
There was no warning; in fact, his trust and support toward me was affirmed by his own words just a few days earlier.
For whatever reason, he chose another path.

At the time, of all the things that were happening, this one instance was the most hurtful; to know that there were plans and plots and secret meetings which could have been stopped, but he did nothing, and certainly did not inform me.
That hurt; at times it still does because betrayal is more damaging than murder.
But again, I digress into the weeds.

The point is that after the betrayal, he send me a message as if we were still friends; over time, I made it clear through a series of letters and messages that we are not, nor did I believe we could ever be thought of as such again.

As for reconciliation; I have a personal understanding now of what the European thoughts are on the matter and in my situation, nobody got killed.

We ran into one another, even spoke once; I felt nothing.
I did not feel pity, or disappointment, or anger, or anything - just, nothing.
Honestly, I don't really want to feel anything; to feel an emotion, you must care or love or hate. I have none of these things.
I had been hurt so badly and the damage was so complete, a callous had formed over my heart with regards to this one person.

Now, let's be clear on something.
I believe in grace and in forgiveness and in mercy; the infinite form of each of these, coming from God Himself.
Being a proponent, I now find myself in a quandary concerning reconciliation.

Is reconciliation possible after such things; whether personal betrayal or a national ethnic division?
Without question or equivocation, most certainly, yes.

We've seen it in our lifetime with Nelson Mandela being released from a South African prison and to right injustices among the people the Truth & Reconciliation Commission was

established.

The idea was not to exact revenge, but to bring the people of South Africa together after the days of apartheid had ended.
The efforts seemed to have worked.

But will reconciliation happen in every case?
Most assuredly, no.

And the answer may very well be found in the same answer Jesus gave the Pharisees concerning divorce.
He was being questioned about the nature and reasons for divorce.
Jesus answered by stating why it was allowed in the Law; He simply said it was allowed because of 'man's hardness of heart...'

In a similar manner, our own hardness of heart will prevent reconciliation among those whom we feel have wronged us, injured us or severely damaged us in some way.
This is especially true when we feel that the hurt was decidedly intentional.

One of the last things I wrote to my former friend simply stated that unless there was a conversation that began with an apology, there was no need to contact me any further for any reason.
Though he tried to reestablish some type of relationship, I would not have it.
Interestingly, he is the only person in that particular group that has even tried to reconcile; it tells us that he has a better heart than the others.

So, when do we reconcile?
How does it happen?

Reconciliation among people can only take place when a person is ready in their heart; whether it is a man or nations involved.
My stipulation for any attempt of restoration or reconciliation was an admittance of wrongdoing; which I know will never happen. 
Therefore, if the only way I can begin to have a prepared heart to even remotely see the relationship restored, knowing it is not going to happen, then reconciliation will never happen because neither party's heart is right to achieve the necessary goal.

I don't know where to go from here.
This is why marriages fail, friendships die and nations are lost; we won't allow our hearts to become unguarded again. We refuse to trust those who have once-trampled on our love for them. 

And while reconciliation may not be possible for your situation, remember that being un-Christlike towards another is not the answer either. 
While we may not feel or do anything that will ever affect the people with whom we have cut out of our lives due to personal injury, we still have a lost world needing Christ.

Remember, the lost may not understand the reason nor the ramifications as to why we were personally hurt and injured; they probably don't even care.
But they can read ungodliness in an un-Christlike Spirit we have towards one another; we should NEVER leave the lost with that impression, even when restoration is impossible.

Until next time, win one for the good guys.

The Living Water of Easter

Jesus answered and said to her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, 'Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you Living Water." 

John 4:10 

To me, this is the greatest time of year...it is the Easter Season.

Tomorrow is Good Friday; it is the day which commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth; the Lamb of God dying for the sin of the world.

Due to that one, final act of God Himself in the atonement for sin, Christians often say that God has provided a way, 'to set you free...'
The implication is 'free from sin, free from guilt, free from being enslaved by the pleasures of

natural things that have overtaken our senses in this life.'
And all of this is indeed true.

Yet the problem is that most Christians struggle with living what they believe; therefore, saying 'God can set you free,' often sounds more like an advertising slogan than a theological and spiritual truth.

If Jesus Christ is the most important person who has ever lived, and I would argue that He is because of the follow facts:
- More music has been written of Jesus than of any other subject in the history of the world.
- More literature has been written on the subject of the Christ and Christianity than on any other subject ever known.
- More art has donned the walls and hall of palaces, humble homes and museums concerning the Bible and the Christ than of any other person or thing in the world.
- More students have studied Him and His Work, more followers have pursued Him and more martyrs of willingly died in His name than of any other Work, pursuit or name on planet earth.
- Jesus on Nazareth has influenced more people in politics, education, science and, of course, religion than all other people combined. 
- He has contributed, through His teachings and followers, to more of the poverty stricken being fed, clothed and housed; more orphans cared for and adopted; and more recovery centers for drug-addicted, alcoholics and unwed mothers than that of any other person or teaching that has ever existed.

I might also add that there is no more controversial or debated subject in the last two-thousand years than Jesus of Nazareth. 

Given these statements, I submit there has never been a more important person who has ever lived in the history of the World.
And this being true, the day of His death should be considered the most important day that has transpired since the Creation of the Universe by the very hands of God Himself.
A day, which, was later validated in its work through Christ's own Resurrection; for without the Christ dying for the sin of mankind, there is no need for a Resurrection to life.

Having said this, there is still the problem of our faith being more of a slogan than a reality in life. 
You see, for most people outside the Church, it does not matter what people SAY they believe; it matters what their life demonstrates in their belief.

The non-believing world sees exactly what we can see in society from Christians and non-Christians alike.
Unfortunately, for both, the divorce rates are very similar.
The cases of sexual, physical and mental abuse among those claiming to be Christians and those claiming no faith at all are strikingly close.
As for charitable giving, do Christians even still tithe?
And for the strong pro-life Catholic faith, the rates of abortion for those claiming to be Catholic are higher than any other religious group and higher than the national average.

These are just a handful of facts, but it is evident as to why our modern hypocrisy tends to drive people away even when our faith and theology is correct.
There are no words we can speak if our actions according to our professed faith repel people.

For the Christian, especially at this time of year, it should all be about showing God's love in a practical way.
In other words, demonstrating the 'Living Water' we are supposed to be in the world.

One man rightly said:
"The Church is the only cooperative society in the world that exists for the benefit of its non-members."
                                                                                          ~ Wm. Temple

Yet, sometimes we forget that we aren't in church for ourselves, but to worship God in His Glory.
We don't give to support a minister or a Church, we tithe to worship God.
We aren't supposed to do anything that reflects upon us but rather shows the reflection of God through us.
We are to give grace as we have been given; to those in need, whether it is a helping hand or a loving heart.

The Church, therefore, does not exist for itself, but for those who need to be touched by the grace of God which was made available to us through Christ's work, which took place in six hours, long ago, on the first Good Friday.

Those outside the Church, if we are blessed enough, may very well at times accept the Christian at face value concerning the 'transformed life' we say we have.
This is especially true if our lives have evolved into that 'Living Water' Jesus spoke of so long ago to the Samaritan Woman.

Some may even admire our 'conversational' prayers with God known among Evangelicals or those with a deep Spiritual life.

The individual Christian's friendliness, optimism, joy...these things often surprise people who have a stereotypical view of what it means to be and act like a Christian.
Many only have what they have heard of Christians to go on; when they finally do meet this animal called an 'Evangelical' or a 'Christian,' our words and actions either validate what they have suspected or it is so different that they thirst for more.

That's what Jesus meant when He spoke of 'Living Water.'

Yet, the one problem we do have as Christians, a problem that we can NEVER shake, nor should we desire to shake, is the fact of our theology.
Christian theology is unlike any theology of any other religious faith; it is now, and will always remain a barrier...and here's why:

- The Doctrine of the Holy Trinity is baffling; to some it is utter nonsense because even a kindergarten-aged child can tell  you 1+1+1 does not equal ONE. But in God's economy, it does.

- The Doctrine of the Atonement is confusing. 
The Atonement is the substitutionary death of Jesus Christ for the sin of mankind so that the wrath of God would be appeased; this reconciled man to God and God to man.
That means that the Christian MUST believe that Jesus of Nazareth died for every sin that has ever been committed by every person who has ever lived or will ever live.
To some, this is not only confusing, but also down right insanity.

And, by the way, most Christians cannot articulate clearly for themselves or anyone else how one man so long ago can satisfy God's Wrath during a six-hour period in Jerusalem during the first century.
This too, adds to our difficulty.

- The Doctrine of the Virgin Birth, again, another cornerstone teaching of the faith.
Yet, this teaching is so controversial and so unscientific that many Christians have abandoned belief in the virgin birth of Jesus Christ.
Believe it or not, statistically, there are more followers of Islam who believe in the Virgin Birth than Christians.

- The Doctrine of Grace and Forgiveness; this teaching is the one most people cannot accept.
While the others have their difficulties, if a person is seeking and inclined to believe in 'a' god, usually they will come to these and be open to acceptance.
Yet, when it comes to grace and forgiveness, this becomes a road block because nobody gets something for nothing in our world.

The teaching is that mankind could not save himself, so God did it for us and extends to us grace and forgiveness if we believe on Him and the work of Jesus Christ.
It's that simple; there's no reward-based good work program to get into Heaven. 
There is nothing we can do to earn heaven or forgiveness.
Grace is by faith, which is the only way to please God in the first place.

You see, if we could earn forgiveness or if we deserved forgiveness, then it wouldn't be grace.

Grace is something that you need but don't deserve; this is what makes Christianity different than any other religious faith on earth.

These things I have mentioned, while seemingly simple to a Christian, are very difficult for a non-believer to overcome.
These will remain a barrier because, Biblically speaking, they cannot yet see.
The non-believer does not have spiritual eyes of faith or an unlocked heart by love.

Due to our belief and our theology, Christians are, by the very definition of our name, a subculture within any society where we are found.

Now, there are some who will make sweeping promises to non-believers, teaching that everything is going to be better and even make you wealthy if you believe.
Somehow, in their minds, greater faith is to propel people into a privileged class.
But honestly, this only works for a little while; eventually, the show leaves town and the people who were hurting before they arrived hurt long after they are gone.

The truth is that the Christian faces the same struggles as everybody else.
Jesus isn't a pill that remedies all our ills; the faith should not be treated as such.
As Christians, we aren't guides; only God can guide us to Himself, but He does use His people to reflect His nature in the world.

A person once told me, concerning people coming to the Lord, 'you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink...'
They were right, but my job isn't to force Living Water down any person's throat; my job is to help make them thirsty.

You see, true followers of God have no claim on any type of moral superiority; any person that truly comes to God comes to Him out of need, nothing else.
The Christian moves forward and grows in God's Truth, not by making all the right decisions; instead, it is more about responding appropriately to all the wrong choices we and others have made.

Above all else, the individual Christian and our churches, should be known as people and the places through whom God dispenses His grace.

The truth is that most people draw conclusions about God and His Church and His Faith by observing other Christians.
You see, the vast majority of people will never read Christian Theology; yet, they will know true belief of a Christian by watching them.

All the more reason to seek to become Living Water.

Sometimes Christians get in a rut and we whine about the help we need to God; yet, we must never forget that we are the ones that God uses to help others.
Again, Living Water.

Those who remain skeptical through the magic of Christmas and the wonder of Easter are such because they cannot see beyond our human fallibility.
In short, they have seen Christians like Jacob, men who live in a ethical netherworld; or like David, who was a moral failure; or like Peter, someone who denies even the Lord. 

In other words, they have seen churches speak of missions but know that the particular church cannot think beyond its own parking lot. 
Living Water must flow beyond the borders of our normal thinking.

Often, Christians are accused of being judgmental.
Well, when I'm tempted to judge another, even after all I have been through in my life with cancer and with churches, I remember that I, the individual Christian, I am the one who embodies God's presence on the Earth today.

And the same is true for you.
You and me, with our failures, our sins, our shortcomings. 
Each person is different in how we have fallen short of the glory of God; yet, we've all fallen short for we falter in various ways.

Although this is true, I'll give you another truth: God chose us to embody His presence on earth because we are now, what people need to become - recipients of grace.
And while we may have failed at the faith in the past, those failures are never final because God redeems all things unto Himself and restores them.


As He does with our life, so He can do with the lives of others; our destiny, regardless of what has happened, is eternity with Him...in His perfection, forever.


Until next time, win one for the good guys as Living Water.

Prayer & Results

I am going to ask a question that millions upon millions of people wonder about each day of their lives:

"What is the deal with prayer?"

Every religion has 'prayer' or 'time of meditation' as a facet of belief and practice; yet, we do not fully understand what we are doing or what is happening except to say that we are communicating with God Himself.

Let me say this before I miscommunicate truth; there is only ONE faith which leads to God - the Christian Faith.
There is only ONE Savior of humanity: Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ.
And the believer's destiny is simple: To glorify God and enjoy Him forever.

As far as prayer goes, it is simple; while remaining complex.
A child understands it; yet, the greatest theological mind cannot decipher prayers' depths.
Personally, I've always wondered was Jesus actually talking to Himself when He prayed, since He boldly stated the fact, 'I and My Father are One.'

Then there is the issue of 'how long are we to pray?'
Some can spend hours upon hours in prayer, gaining callouses on their knees and fervency in their spirit.
Others pray quietly, simply, even directly...so much so that it may seem they hardly pray at all in what might be described as the normal or usual 'format.'
Then there are those who are like me → I rarely spend hours in prayer, but rarely does an hour go by without communicating with God in prayer.

Prayer is not so simple after all.

Without question, without hesitation, without reservation, I KNOW I was healed by God, largely due to the power of the prayers of the faithful.
But I also know that there are millions of people who have even more people praying for them in their life-threatening situations; yet, they won't be healed or delivered.
Knowing this, it begs a question concerning the 'answering' of prayers and how prayer works.

Does prayer influence God's decision?
If I pray enough to I gain favor?
Since faith the size of a mustard seed can move a mountain, does that mean I have little faith in prayer because I've never moved a mountain?

The truth is that anybody who has been a Christian very long knows what it is like to have a prayer that goes unanswered.
Yet, the Christian will rarely back down when confronted with a prayer not being answered; we tend to be very faithful and loyal to believing in the power of prayer.
Interestingly, though we believe in prayer, most Christians don't engage in it regularly and certainly, none of us do the same way.

Though Christians do have their issues and disagreements concerning prayer, I do wonder if any of us understand what is actually taking place.

In reading a recent book, I came across some great thoughts and images concerning prayer:

George Muller, the great compassionate man who cared for more than 10,000 of Britain's orphans began each day passionately pleading with God to meet the astronomical needs of the orphanage he oversaw.

Bishop Lancelot Andrews (Church of England) would spend 5 hours every day in prayer.

Charles Simeon, we are told, rose each day at 0400 to begin a 4-hour regimen in prayer. 
At this, most modern Christians would joke, 'Do you know what the '0' stands for in '0400?' 
'O' my God it's early!'

The Sleepless Ones, is a unique name for a group of nuns in a particular order who pray in shifts so that every minute of every 24-hour period so that there is constant prayer taking place.

The legendary Susanna Wesley had a brood of children giving her little peace or quiet. So, she did what any good mother would do, throwing her apron over her head, gaining privacy, and began to pray for them all.

The great Martin Luther would pray between 2 and 3 hours daily.
Luther truly believed that Christians ought to be able to pray as naturally as a cobbler makes a shoe.

Truly, these are some of the bulwarks of the faith, but what of the average man or woman sitting in the church pew? How often do they pray?

Well, the truth of the matter is that it matters little whether you are behind the pulpit or in the pew with the congregation, the average for Christians in prayer is about 10 minutes a day.
And while this is better than not praying at all, it hardly seems right that an average person will spend more time in the bathroom on a daily basis than they do talking with God.

In fact, most Christians tend to look at prayer as more of a burden than they do a joy or a privilege.

And how people pray publicly is another story altogether.

Among Baptists and other evangelicals like Pentecostals, when I hear their prayers to the Lord, sometimes it sounds more like them telling what God ought to do or how others in the congregation ought to behave and believe.
In more moderate to liberal churches, I've heard prayers become more like a call to action against society.
Neither of these are Biblically accurate.

Technology and Science has added to the confusion and doubt concerning prayer.
Truly, technological advancements and scientific discovers has tainted those with a weaker faith in the fact that some could not reconcile the two within their own brains; one must give way and rarely does one ignore scientific achievement because it is evident and can be touched in a way that God cannot.

In the old days, man would bare his heart before God if there was an issue or concern in his life.
Today, we have rehab centers and support groups to encourage us and show us sympathy; all taking the place of where the church once was the only reality of help.

But the actual question of prayer is this: Does it do any good?
And the follow-up is much like it: If God does really care and prayer works, is He listening and when is He going to act?

All of these things are very confusing and try our sensibilities when what we have asked for of God is not the reality on earth.

Bottom Line: If Prayer is anything at all, it is the place where man and God meet.

Philip Yancey pointed out that there are two things that trouble Christians when it comes to prayer:
- Why God doesn't act the way we want Him to act.
- Why we don't act the way God wants us to act.

Friend, prayer is the place where these two issues meet.

You see, in prayer God is not conformed to our will; but our will is conformed to God's will. 
Therefore, we begin to understand why God doesn't do the things we always desire of Him; more likely than not, we soon begin to understand our failure in serving God on earth the way He desires, becoming more like His Son in the process through the conviction of the Holy Spirit and the repentance of the heart.

When these things happen on a personal level, on a spiritual level something else begins to happen: We begin to see HOW God answers the prayers we have offered to Him.
It is in that moment of repentance and confession that spiritual growth takes place.
As spiritual growth takes place, our blinders and clouded vision of the world is removed.

Then, and only then, do we begin to see as God sees - with the eye of faith.

Yes, prayer is confusing and Christians do not fully understand what is taking place.
Yes, prayer is the place where we meet God in a spiritual communion; a communion where we begin to change to become more like Christ.
And yes, prayers are answered every day; we just can't always see them because the eye of faith sometimes gets cloudy...they only way to remove that cloud is through prayer.

Friend, if you ever doubt that, just go back to the very first blog I ever wrote; you'll see the reason why this blog is called, 'Cancer with Christ' and hear the story of a man whose life was saved by the healing power of God as thousands of people around the world began to unite their hearts one to another in the mystical and spiritual act of prayer.

Until next time, win one for the good guys.