tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71033975325819292092024-02-06T21:32:57.042-08:00Action HeartsJared Kemphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04670812936230985001noreply@blogger.comBlogger118125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7103397532581929209.post-90383142377091392552019-12-03T10:00:00.000-08:002019-12-03T10:00:02.902-08:00Snow<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One night and morning, we got a bunch
of snow in front of our house. As pretty much every other house does, I went out when it had slowed
down to get it shoveled away so we could get our cars out and it would not
create an even bigger mess later on. About halfway down the driveway I saw it:
the dreaded plow truck. I watched in dismay as it shoved an extra layer of wet
snow onto the end of the drive and proceeded down the street. This is normal,
but I was hoping for a chance to get the first layer off before the second got
put on as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By the time I got to the heavy snow at the end I
was running out of steam. Even better, as I have an arrangement for parking my
car across the street in my older neighbor’s second drive, I had that one to do
as well. I began wondering if I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">really</i>
would need my car that day…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I was contemplating this decision, I heard a
sound: the lovely, wondrous sound of a small-cylinder engine. Looking up I saw
one of the teenage boys down the street bringing over his family’s snow blower.
He had seen me taking a break and had come to help. He plowed out the heavy
snow in my driveway, plowed the driveway across the street, and then plowed the
older couple’s main driveway while I helped our next door neighbor with a
second round of heavy snow brought by a second plow truck. The young man did
not ask for payment, thanks, or anything of the sort. He simply saw a need and
went to fill it without boasting or seeking praise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This reminds me of the attitude we are to have in
our own lives. Time and again Scripture tells us to help those in need. It does
not give qualification. It does not tell us to judge if they are worth helping.
Jesus says in Matthew 6:1, “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds
before men, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">to be seen by them</i>.
Otherwise you have no reward from your father in heaven.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Every person reading this has opportunity to
quietly do good for others. It is one way we show our faithfulness to Christ.
It is so easy to get caught up in our day to day activities that we start
thinking we do not “have time” for it, but that is simply not true. We have the
time. It is a matter of priority. The question is what will we choose?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is a time and place for big, grandiose aid,
but those tend to be few and far in-between. It is in the daily life of
watching for those who need help that we find the vast majority of our
opportunities to do so. It is my encouragement to you that you watch for and
take those opportunities whether big or small, so that Christ may be glorified
as you go about your daily life. If we were all to do this, and shine the light
of Christ in our actions and words, both big and small, there is no telling how
far those seeds we plant will go!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Jared Kemphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16404360257396154542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7103397532581929209.post-88852839356987181452019-11-26T10:00:00.000-08:002019-11-26T10:00:00.732-08:00I Will Bear<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Isaiah 46:4<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Even to your
old age I am He. And even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I
will bear; Even I will carry, and will deliver you.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is my favorite verse in the Bible. It has
been for the last nine years. I “happened” to come across it as a verse of the
day on a website and it immediately spoke to me where I was and exactly how I
needed. It took no effort to memorize. I basically saw it, knew it, and
remembered where it was. This never, ever happens to me. I am probably the
single worst memorizer I have ever known. But this stuck and has stuck with me
ever since. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In an age where we are told to carry ourselves,
fill our needs, and do what we want, this verse is important for us to
remember. If we forget the principles it speaks to, we will quickly find
ourselves walking away from God and the faith that saves us. It is, I believe,
a vital verse, and one that remains relevant, especially in our current age.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In this chapter of Isaiah, God is warning His
people Israel about the powerlessness of idols compared to His ability to save.
In fact God begins by saying “Bel bows down, Nebo stoop; their idols were on
the beasts and on the cattle. Your carriages were heavily loaded, a burden to
the weary beast. They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the
burden, but have themselves gone into captivity.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bel and Nebo were both ancient idols: false gods
people worshipped without any power to aid. God go on to state that despite
paying for an idol to be made, prostrating before them, and crying out, it
could not move, save, or even answer the one in trouble. It had not power to do
anything.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wonder how often we do this in our own lives. We
may not bow down to a statue, but often we look to everything except God to
save us. We turn to our family, or finances, or job, or doctors, or hobbies,
hoping they will take away the pain or give us what we think we need, when what
we really need is to turn our faces to the One who can truly save us from it all.
This is not to say that any of these things are bad – not at all! in fact God
gives them for our good and to help us through life! But as another preacher
once said, “when a good thing becomes a god thing it becomes a bad thing.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God reminds us that He is just as strong to save
today as He always has been. He will not leave us, forsake us, or fail us. He
can and will carry us to the end, and bear us to His side. He says “even I will
carry, and will deliver you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let us be those who use the blessings and helps
God has given us, and who also remember where those blessings and helps have
come from. Let us turn our faces toward Him knowing He cares for us. Let us be
those who remember the words of God through Isaiah: “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Even to your old age I am He. And even to gray hairs I will carry you!
I have made, and I will bear; Even I will carry, and will deliver you.</i>”</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Jared Kemphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16404360257396154542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7103397532581929209.post-69659770610150014342019-11-19T10:00:00.000-08:002019-11-19T10:00:16.775-08:00Experience<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Then Moses and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and
seventy of the elders of Israel went up, and they saw the God of Israel. There
was under His feet as it were a pavement of sapphire stone, like the very
heaven for clearness. And He did not lay His hand on the chief men of the
people of Israel; they beheld God, and ate and drank.” (Exodus 24:9-11)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“So all the people took off the rings of gold that
were in their ears and brought them to Aaron. And he received the gold from
their hand and fashioned it with a graving tool and made a golden calf. And
they said, ‘These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land
of Egypt!’ When Aaron saw this, he built an altar before it. And Aaron made a
proclamation and said “Tomorrow shall be a feast to the Lord.” (Exodus 32:3-5)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the great things about reading Scripture is
that you occasionally notice things you have not made the connection between
before. Having recently gone through Exodus, it clicked with me just how absurd
the passages above look when placed next to each other. In one you have the
only instance in Scripture where a group of people <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">see God</i>, and it specifically lays out that God did not destroy them
in the process. In the latter we see Israel, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">some of whom have seen and had a meal with God</i>, construct an idol
in the shape of a calf and say “These are your gods!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like I said. Absurd.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The men of Israel, Aaron included, have seen
something no other earthling has seen, and experienced something no other
earthling has experienced. Yet at maximum 40 days later, they have lost sight
of the amazing things and experiences God granted them. If this wasn’t enough,
in Leviticus 10 Nadab and Abihu, during what basically amounts to the opening
ceremonies of the Tabernacle, offer fire they were not authorized to offer and
are killed by God. Like Aaron and the elders of Israel, they too are listed as
participants in the feast on the mountain with God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How quickly experiences fade from memory. This is
not to say they are bad, only that we cannot rely on an incredible experience
to keep us faithful. If we build our faith and lives around an experience,
rather than the One who gives them to us, it becomes very easy for that faith
to fade quickly over time with the impact of the memory.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God granted those men what they needed (possibly
far more than they needed), to know Him and be faithful to Him. He does the
same for us as well. All we need in order to know Him and be faithful is
granted to us, whether that be His Word or and experience we need to have. But
while we can (and should!) rejoice in and make use of that experience, we must
also take care we do not build are faith on it, but on our Lord and Savior who
it all revolves around.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Take joy in what you are given by God! Whether it
be knowledge, wisdom, faith, experience, or something else to keep you
faithful, He has given it to you for His glory and your good. Rejoice in it,
and let it cause you to hold to Him ever more closely as you walk through life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Jared Kemphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16404360257396154542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7103397532581929209.post-44615406683049585412019-11-12T10:00:00.000-08:002019-11-12T10:00:05.245-08:00Knowing God<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is imperative for a Christian, above all else,
to know God. Not just about Him, or His laws, or His works, but to actually <i>know</i> God. We realize the difference in
our personal lives, how we may know <i>about</i>
someone without knowing the person themselves. We know about the President, celebrities,
coworkers, etc., but we understand that we do not know them personally. In the
same way a person can have knowledge of God without actually knowing Him; just
ask any atheist on the street.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How do we know someone? It starts with some base
level of knowledge about the person. These are usually based on shallow first
impressions which may or may not be accurate. As time goes on these impression
become modified and rewritten the more we spend time with the person.
Eventually we get to the point where we come to know the person – we understand
them, empathize with them, and can even predict some of their thoughts and
actions with a reasonable amount of accuracy. This is most common in close
friendships and strong marriage relationships. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One humorous thing I have noticed with certain
married couples (myself and Danielle included) and close friendships is that in
certain conversations one person speaks, and during a pause the other person
picks up mid-sentence to speak, then during another pause the first person once
more picks up the conversation mid-stream and continues as if they had been
speaking the entire time. This happens because they know each other and can
largely predict the other’s movements. It is something that only comes with
time, and springs from a natural, intimate knowledge about the other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I find it interesting that God speaks of His
people as His bride. I also find it interesting that Jesus calls His disciples
His friends. These terms speak to a relationship where each party is known by
the other in a deep, significant way. It goes beyond mere intellectual
knowledge <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">about</i> the other (as
important as that is), to actually knowing the other themselves. If God speaks
about us in these terms, then He must have an expectation that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">we</i> will know <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Him</i>, and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">He</i> will know <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">us</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also do not believe that this is only something
that will happen one day when we leave this earth to be with Him. God called
Abraham His friend while Abraham was still <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">alive!</i>
Jesus called the disciples His friends while they were <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">alive!</i> The church is called the bride of Christ <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">now!</i> Our knowing God will surely be
perfected when we are free from the corruption of this world, but that is
another stage of growth, just as we continually grow in other close
relationship. The fact is we are called into a relationship where we know God <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">now</i>, not just <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">someday</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Over the next several weeks we are going to be
talking about what it means to know God. I hope and pray you will take this
time to delve into His Word, go to Him in prayer, and seek to truly know Him
just as He knows you. The opportunity is given to us now. Why not take such an
offer? <span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Jared Kemphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16404360257396154542noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7103397532581929209.post-30092004263756861982019-10-29T11:12:00.004-07:002019-10-29T11:12:30.711-07:00Wanting the Reward<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="text-align: justify;">
Every once in a while I come across someone saying
something along the lines that we should love God so much that we would honor
and serve Him even if there were no reward involved and we got nothing out of
it. The basic argument essentially ends with the idea that if we <i>really</i> love God, we won’t care much
about the reward of Heaven He offers. That will simply be a bonus top of
everything else.</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
I have to say I don’t find this concept anywhere
in the Bible.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
In Hebrews 11 the writer states of the Old Testament
patriarchs,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">These all
died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off
were assured of them, embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and
pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they
seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which
they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they
desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. <u>Therefore God is not ashamed
to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.</u></i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
In John 14, Jesus, tells people to store up
treasures in Heaven rather than earth, then during the Last Supper promises the
Apostles mansions in His Father’s house. In Romans 8 Paul writes about the hope
we (and creation!) have in being free from corruption. Revelation is filled
with talking about the rewards God showers upon His people who remained
faithful to the end.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
I bring all this up to say this: if God Himself
does not expect us to give ourselves over to Him for nothing, who are we to
argue and disagree with that?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
God has given us every chance and opportunity to
be His special people. He sent Jesus His Son to die and be raised again so we
could know His love for us and be set free from the power of sin and death. He
makes all who put their faith in Christ and follow His path children of the
Most High King. And then He goes <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">another</i>
step and offers eternal rewards and treasures that far surpass anything we
could possibly hope for in this present life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
In I Corinthians Paul through the Holy Spirit
writes not to run for nothing, but to “run in such a way that you may obtain
the prize.” It is a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">good thing</i> to
desire and chase after the promises of God. Desiring the reward God offers does
not lessen our love for God, but shows that we want what God wants to give. It
is a recognition that God’s promises are far greater than anything we could
achieve in this life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
So let us, as God’s people, love our Father in
Heaven, and chase after what He wants us to want – eternal life in perfect
fellowship with Him, and all the good rewards He offers to His people.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Jared Kemphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16404360257396154542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7103397532581929209.post-24072729456068339682019-10-22T10:00:00.000-07:002019-10-29T11:14:17.325-07:00Preparation<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">When Pharaoh
let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines,
although that was near. For God said, “Lest the people change their minds when
they see war and return to Egypt.”</i> (Exodus 13:17).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
Reading through the story of the exodus, I came
across this verse some time ago, and thought it interesting that even though
Israel had just seen Egypt utterly decimated by the 10 Plagues, God recognized
that Israel still needed time to separate itself from Egypt in a peaceful way. Instead
of throwing them “from height to height,” God gave them rest a time of rest and
peace so they could be mentally and spiritually prepared for what was coming.
We know they were already physically prepared, since in verse 18 we read “And
the people of Israel went up out of the land of Egypt equipped for battle.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
Israel had the physical tools necessary to get the
job done; God had already seen to that. However they did not have the mental
and emotional (and likely – spiritual) tools that were needed. They had been
slaves for generations. They were no Spartans, trained for battle from
childhood. They were brick makers, bakers, and sheep herders.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
And so God took Israel the long way. He destroys
the Egyptian army in the Red Sea, He feeds them mana and quail from heaven, He
provides water for the nation from a large rock, He meets them on Mount Sinai
showing His power and giving His Law. He confirms His covenant and tells them
of the conquest of Canaan they are about to embark on. He gives the
instructions for building the Tabernacle and Ark of the Covenant. Then He fills
the Tabernacle with His glory and rests on the Ark.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
In all these things God takes the time necessary
to prepare His people. He shows them what it means to be His chosen people, and
does everything necessary to equip them to carry out His will. Rather than
throwing them in the deep end, He shows them how to swim, then says “Go.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
We see the same in the New Testament. The Apostles
live with and listen to Jesus for 3 years, day in and day out. The entirety of
Paul’s life appears as one big preparation before he meets Jesus on the road to
Damascus. The church is in near-constant prayer and encouragement together from
when Jesus ascends to the Day of Pentecost. We see God prepare His people, then
tell them to act.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
And act they do! Israel (after a bad miss), takes
over Canaan. The Apostles preach and teach no matter what persecution comes.
Paul goes across the known world teaching the Gospel. The church grows and
spreads.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
Things are the same for us. You may be in a time
of preparation, or a time of action. It takes a genuine look at things to see
which it is. If you are in a time of preparation, be prepared to take action
when the time comes. If you are in a time of action, use what God has prepared
you with to the best of your ability. But wherever we are, let us be faithful,
trusting that God will lead if we will follow.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Jared Kemphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16404360257396154542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7103397532581929209.post-67552285281897658742019-09-29T07:00:00.000-07:002019-10-29T11:15:49.960-07:00Anniversary<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="text-align: justify;">
Today is the 12<sup>th</sup> Anniversary of
Danielle and I getting married. In that time we have had 7 zip codes, 2 states,
10 homes, 2 children and 1 phone number (yay for cellphones!). We have twice
experienced the terror of being out of work for 6 months where we had to scrape
by on savings, tax returns, night-shift entry level jobs, and gifts. Then there
were the difficult births and pregnancies, the car engines exploding, the house
repairs that cost way more than we thought we could handle, and more.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
These are not the kinds of things you are dreaming
about while standing in front of your friends and family saying “I do.” Usually
you are dreaming of a life where late nights are nothing but laughter, children
act just as you expect and desire, and you never leave the upward curve of a
better and better life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But that is not
reality. And I am thankful for that fact.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
The reason I am thankful for this is the simple
fact that without challenge – without effort or difficulty – nothing happens.
Bonds are not strengthened, stories are not made, and life becomes very quickly
becomes a shallow, bland puddle.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
Consider any good movie or book. There is always
conflict, difficulty, and pain. There are good times as well, but if the entire
story was nothing but one soft, nice thing after another it would be boring and
bland. There would be no growth, no depth, and no truth to it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
Consider Scripture itself. In it we find both
terror and triumph. Pain and joy. Strength and weakness. From Adam & Eve to
Abraham to Sampson to David to Jesus to the Apostles, we find meaning and
strength not because everything went smoothly but because it did not. Because
it did not we can find truth and help in our time of need. In Hebrews 4:14-16
we read,<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Seeing then
that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the
Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest
who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we
are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that
we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
Understand, friend, that Jesus Himself was tested
and tried just as we are! In doing so He became able to sympathize with and
help us. I say this to say that in a different way, we too can help others from
the trials and tests that we have encountered in life. Our difficulties in life
are not to grind us to nothing, but to build us into those who can perform the
works God has prepared for us.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
At the beginning I listed many of the difficulties
we have faced as a couple. We have also had uncountable joys as well. The long
trips full of laughter, the movie nights, the traditions built as a family, the
games, the worship, the times everything looked wrong but turned out better
than dreamed of and so much more. All these things, good and bad, are what God
has used to mold us and grow us as a husband & wife and as a family.
Wherever you are in life, God can and will do the same, if you will let Him.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
My hope and prayer for both you and I, is that we
will always do so.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Jared Kemphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16404360257396154542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7103397532581929209.post-12970516789632319942019-02-21T11:43:00.001-08:002019-02-21T11:43:28.219-08:00"Christian Witches"<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWGILS7lfMksM_V4Rpz6NE44gYkU1yEmX0QU0I2lilqmmi-4aLO95srph5Np8m_YY8XV3cfGPpTJ2v5bCxrFnWBWuOYHPTgjgGm1FG-d8sdT6ShepUSpXtKv2Qz6St-b1_uKmhlHK0c3Y/s1600/Witch+Convention.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="700" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWGILS7lfMksM_V4Rpz6NE44gYkU1yEmX0QU0I2lilqmmi-4aLO95srph5Np8m_YY8XV3cfGPpTJ2v5bCxrFnWBWuOYHPTgjgGm1FG-d8sdT6ShepUSpXtKv2Qz6St-b1_uKmhlHK0c3Y/s400/Witch+Convention.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A real thing, coming this Easter.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some time back, I read <a href="https://www.cnsnews.com/blog/michael-w-chapman/number-witches-us-rise-may-outnumber-presbyterians" target="_blank">this article</a> about the rise of witchcraft. Two sets of numbers stuck out to me in it. The first is that the number of Wiccans has grown from about 8,000 to 340,000 in the U.S. from 1990-2008. The second is that it currently looks like there are about 1.5 million Americans "identify as Pagan or Wicca," a higher number that mainline Presbyterianism (1.4 million).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I read it, and thought it interesting, but didn't really connect the dots until I read <a href="https://www.christianpost.com/news/jesus-was-a-sorcerer-bible-a-book-of-magic-say-christian-witches-ahead-of-first-annual-convention.html" target="_blank">this article</a> about the first "Christian Witches Convention," set for April 2019 in Salem, MA.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let's just say this right now: there is no such thing as a "Christian Witch."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You might be a Christian who has fallen into witchcraft, or been lured into it by peers or culture, but if you stay there, you no longer be a follower of Christ. It is sin, and just as with all other sin there is a call to reject it and repent. Falling into sin doesn't condemn a follower of Christ automatically, but choosing to stay there and not fight against it will.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I could go through each and every Scripture that warns against it, but in the interest of space and time I will simply list several of them: Deut. 18:10-14; I Chr. 10:13; 2 Chr. 33:6; I Sam. 15:23; Acts 8:9-13; Acts 19:17-20; Gal. 5:19-20, and more.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Notice: the warnings appear in both the Old and New Testaments. It had no place with God's people in the past, and it has no place with God's people today. To live as a witch is to live in sin, Scripture leaves no room for it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To get on with the main point however, we need to deal with what these people are teaching, namely that Jesus was a sorcerer, the Bible is a grimoire, and the Christianity and Witchcraft are compatible. I hope that last statement has been adequately answered above.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First, to imply that Jesus was a sorcerer is, simply put, blasphemy. To be a sorcerer Jesus would have to break Old Testament law, which would be sin, which would mean He could not die a perfect sacrifice for sin. It is a straight line from one to the other. Furthermore, to claim Jesus as a sorcerer because of His miracles is a fallacy. They broke the laws of nature in order to prove He was the Son of God. The miracles Jesus performed went far beyond what any of the prophets and people God used in the Old Testament did, as a proof of who He was. If you are going to live in agreement with the statement "Jesus was a sorcerer," you are living in blasphemy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Second, to say the Bible is a grimoire is ludicrous on its face. The Bible is a book of history that shows the path God has taken in order to bring all peoples to Himself. It is the history of the world and the church, and it is the Word of God to bring salvation to all men. To relegate it to the place of a book of magic is to take it from the highest place to the lowest. It is to steal from it its position as God's Word to save all mankind and turn it into a trinket for our own personal aggrandizement, power, and glory.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you do happen to watch the video at the end of the article about the convention, I encourage you to notice the large number of red flags throughout it. The constant use of "oh my God," the theme of the witches ball (American Horror Story: Apocalypse), her desire to see someone attend dressed as Michael Langdon, literally the spawn of Satan in the show ("however, I like him" she says), or his "witchy mother," who was a "servant of Satan", as she states.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is something to watch out for in our churches today. Wicca is one of the fastest growing (if not the fastest growing) religion in the United States, and it is likely to only accelerate. It is a <a href="https://qz.com/821298/witchcraft-is-the-perfect-religion-for-liberal-millennials/" target="_blank">perfect match</a> for our postmodern culture, and we need to be prepared for it. Do not take this lightly. It is real and it is growing. Teach yourself and others to stand firm in Christ alone, so we do not fall into the mindset of saying something "isn't a big deal," or that it "won't affect me." Those are traps of the the most dangerous kind. We must know what it means to stand in Christ, or we will find ourselves standing in anything but Him.</span>Jared Kemphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16404360257396154542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7103397532581929209.post-85069074834592018212018-12-07T22:20:00.001-08:002018-12-07T22:29:35.248-08:0010<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0zZAWUV_yKbWGzXS1ZSAEQDCMFUeoUqc4tBbPW-4SyvzKPqGd3R54kXhlj5ihX1a8BQ_JQ9ilaFzaaCOBnfeVOy3AisaVtJqEbeSPOD16jy7YrPWG1KGtZA3qbvrI5MC5d_ijNLHrTa0/s1600/Haden+BW.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0zZAWUV_yKbWGzXS1ZSAEQDCMFUeoUqc4tBbPW-4SyvzKPqGd3R54kXhlj5ihX1a8BQ_JQ9ilaFzaaCOBnfeVOy3AisaVtJqEbeSPOD16jy7YrPWG1KGtZA3qbvrI5MC5d_ijNLHrTa0/s400/Haden+BW.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My oldest boy turned 10 just now,</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He's grown big! Can't you see?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It seems so short a while ago,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He sat here on my knee.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For reading books and playing games</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And nursery rhymes with glee.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My oldest boy turned 10 just now,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While sleeping silently.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He used to run and play and hide,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And still does to this day.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My oldest boy turned 10 just now,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In bed there where he lay.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Through Kindergarten, Sunday school,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And on throughout the grades,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My oldest boy turned 10 just now,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He's growing, so they say.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And on it goes, it never stops,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He's bigger every year.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One day soon he'll be the pops,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With his own children near.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My oldest boy turned 10 just now,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">From all these too fast years.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But now, for now, he's still my boy,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And ever will be here.</span></div>
Jared Kemphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16404360257396154542noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7103397532581929209.post-36630870132783328452018-05-01T08:37:00.001-07:002018-05-01T08:37:20.650-07:00Mastering Sin<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4UW7LPGRSt8EgBoJr-m37KOVOj6Qoy3sW5_ykY247rWusTxX-MrNdky87sWHi9ClDDyc01wOwuVTr2goGvhHcp8YrVygVhYiXm5StniQAedkhdUQiKebdYBrsBuZtyR_OMNCIknPjc34/s1600/cain-and-abel.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="688" data-original-width="1280" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4UW7LPGRSt8EgBoJr-m37KOVOj6Qoy3sW5_ykY247rWusTxX-MrNdky87sWHi9ClDDyc01wOwuVTr2goGvhHcp8YrVygVhYiXm5StniQAedkhdUQiKebdYBrsBuZtyR_OMNCIknPjc34/s400/cain-and-abel.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In Genesis 4:7 God tells Cain, “If you do well,
will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And
its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.” I feel that this
translation, while basically accurate, misses the bigger part of what God is
warning Cain about.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In fact, it would be better translated “And if you
do not do well, sin lies at the door. And <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">its
desire is to master you</i>, but you should rule over it.” That sounds a little
more urgent. It is more forceful and (at least to me), a little more
frightening.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wonder if we often fail to recognize that sin is
not a benign presence. Far too often we seem to treat sin as though it is
passive. We say we “fall” into sin, as though it were a hole in the ground that
we simply did not see and fell into. God never talks about sin like that. To
Him it is something active. It is a hunter who tracks down its prey, waits
until the opportune moment, then strikes out to tear it apart and consume it. Sin
itself is really spoken of in the same way that Satan is: an active force out
to destroy people and separate them from God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">James writes in 1:15 that “sin, when it is
full-grown, brings forth death.” I don’t know about you, but I have never heard
of a passive, benign object “bringing forth” anything. Only that which is
active and capable has the ability to “bring forth” something, let alone
something as enormous as death itself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is to our detriment if we fail to see sin for
what it is. It is an active, predatory force on the lives of people. If we are
not prepared to fight back against it, it will happily consume and destroy us.
How often the Scriptures warn us to be prepared and to resist sin! But
resistance is an action, and action will never be taken unless we believe it
needs to be. If our view of sin is one of passivity, we will not see the need
to mount a resistance until it is already upon us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is not something we can do on a whim with no
forethought. Paul tells us to run the race like we mean to win it. In Ephesians
we are told to put on the full armor of God. Both of these things take training
in order to do well. Without proper training you will never get very far in a
race. In a similar way without proper training it will be very difficult to
wear and move in armor and use shields and swords. In both of these cases the
one who refuses to train and prepare becomes a drain on those who do. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This brings us to the fact that fighting sin is
not something we do alone. A relay racer who refuses training will cost his
team dearly. A warrior who refuses to train could cost the lives of those next
to him. One who does train and improve himself, however, becomes a bigger and
bigger boon to those around him over time. In the case of sin, God has given us
the church to encourage, edify, strengthen, and hold one another accountable. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let us be a church who takes sin seriously, who
trains to fight back against it, and who strengthens each other to live as we
are called by the King Above All.</span></div>
Jared Kemphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16404360257396154542noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7103397532581929209.post-53281961496221445492017-09-19T09:12:00.002-07:002017-09-19T09:14:49.756-07:00Slowing Down<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCB5KTB_fUE-yHROaMPybUW_7YAhZIASbwA8FfO79nGx4OoyJYaIOBWMGur-Z2sbN7p_Vto6QZDD10OC-uWhreOx1V7nYvNMPOEK3BoNJ5JFMXlcT9LkBYHYiZXc61hNGySiTezwlnl7s/s1600/too-fast.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="573" data-original-width="879" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCB5KTB_fUE-yHROaMPybUW_7YAhZIASbwA8FfO79nGx4OoyJYaIOBWMGur-Z2sbN7p_Vto6QZDD10OC-uWhreOx1V7nYvNMPOEK3BoNJ5JFMXlcT9LkBYHYiZXc61hNGySiTezwlnl7s/s320/too-fast.jpg.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">It is fairly popular today to tell people to "slow down" in order to improve their life. In a world where marketers and culture is saying "Buy more! Do more! Get more! Have more! Be more!" it is only natural that some segment rises up to fight back against it. The "slow down" movement instead says to have less, do less, and that ultimately, "less is more."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now notice I only said it is popular to <i>tell</i> people to slow down in order to improve their life. I never said it was popular for people to <i>actually do it</i>. You see, it is far easier to talk about than follow through on, because if we follow through on it then we might get bored or miss out. FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) is a real thing, and it keeps people from slowing down even when they say they want to. This seems to be especially true in the realm of making decisions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When was the last time you took a significant amount of time in order to make a decision on something? Now I am not talking about analysis paralysis when choosing whether to buy Cereal A or Cereal B. Rather, when was the last time that you put a decision on hold in order to figure out what was should be done in a given situation?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Often there is a great deal of pressure upon us to make a decision "right now." The pressure says that if we do not decide <i>right now</i>, we will miss the opportunity and be stuck always having wondered what could have been, and we will never get another chance like this one. Its "now or never," and we've got to "strike while the iron is hot," less <i>this one and only chance</i> escapes our grasp forever.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now to be fair, there are occasional circumstances where we must make a decision quickly. There are moments where time is up and something has to happen. But more and more I am beginning to feel like that is the exception rather than the rule. Where the world around us (especially in marketing) tells us <i>you have to choose now</i>, in reality, we do not. How many times have you seen an email or commercial saying "Last Chance for 20% off!!! Today Only!!! Final Sale for Real this Time!!" only to see another one the following week saying very nearly the same thing? How often have you felt pressured to make a decision about something in life <i>right now</i> when waiting a day or two would make very little difference if any at all?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In those moments when pressure is being applied to decide <i>now</i>, I want to encourage you to take a step back, figure out if it really <i>must</i> be decided on right this instant and if not, take a breather and take some time to move through the process of making the decision.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the ancient world it looks like this is what people did. There were no cars or planes. There were no phones or emails. If you wanted to do something or get something chances were it would take at least a few days before it would even be possible to get there. Then you had to go through the process of the work without modern technology and get back. Life moved at a slower pace because the environment demanded it. There was no other option.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It is this slower pace of life that (I believe) encouraged and enabled people to take the time to make decisions on important matters. I also believe that this led to a less stressful life with a deeper sense of meaning about what was happening. When we rush through decision after decision based on whim or feeling or a random internet review we might "do" a lot but the decisions are often shallow. When we take our time to think through choices, see what they will cost us, and discover whether or not they are truly worthy of our time we may "do" less, but the decisions carry a good deal more weight and allow us to experience more deeply the things that we actually care about. Furthermore, it allows us to make better decisions and end up with better results.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The book of Acts if <i>full</i> of waiting and taking time to make decisions. In chapter 1 the disciples are praying, fellow-shipping, and waiting for the promised Helper. In chapter 6 they take time to seek out men worthy of the service of widows. In chapter 13 Barnabas and Paul are appointed to be missionaries only after spending time fasting and teaching with the church in Jerusalem, and the list goes on and on. We read it as one thing happening after another, but there are days, weeks, and months between many or most of these events and choices being made. Those down-times are often spent fasting, praying, and seeking God's will. They take time to figure things out and, more importantly, they take time bringing their needs and questions before the only One who can truly give them the answer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We need to ask ourselves, are we taking the time to do this? With everything going on and the pressure to "get more done," are we relying on the help of our Father and King, or are we relying on our own instincts and desires?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I want to encourage you to take the time needed to slow down and make decisions thoughtfully, slowly, and prayerfully. Let us as a people reject the frantic hamster wheel of decision-making the world desires to place on us, and be a people who seek God's will and take the time the listen for His answer before giving ourselves over to something.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Let us be a people of depth and weight, and allow our God to bring us into that depth and weight on His time, through His plans.</span>Jared Kemphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16404360257396154542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7103397532581929209.post-29835710906631915902017-08-30T14:03:00.003-07:002017-08-30T14:03:37.265-07:00Fashionable Heresy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fashionable: <i>observant of or conforming to the prevailing custom of style of dress, etiquette, socializing, etc.</i></span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Heresy: <i>any belief of theory that is strongly at variance with established beliefs, customs, etc.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fashionable Heresy: <i>a belief or theory conforming to prevailing popular thought that is strongly at variance with established belief</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wish I did not have to write on this topic. I wish I didn't because it frustrates me and I am not quite sure how exactly I should go about it. But it is something that has been bugging me for a while now and I cannot ignore it any longer. Y'all...this thing I have named Fashionable Heresy is tearing the Christian faith apart at the seams. We have <i>got</i> to get a handle on this. It has been around since The Way of Christ began, it is never, ever stops. Like the lovely image above, it has no brakes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Who is it that you follow when it comes to spiritual matters? I know there are some people that I do. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I like what they say, how they say it, and the conviction behind their words. There are times where I disagree on some relatively minor points, but that's not a problem. I know where they stand and I know where I stand, and if we met somewhere one day I would not be afraid of speaking and discussing both our similarities and differences. I am sure we would both walk away better for it and happy to have met another member of the family of Christ. We even have Biblical evidence for doing so. In I Corinthians 11:1 Paul writes "Imitate me, as I imitate Christ."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So the question that <i>must be asked</i>, the question that <i>must be answered</i>, is this: do you follow someone, or do you follow them <i>as they follow Christ</i>?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is very fashionable to hold certain positions in our society. Some of that is good, but some of that is bad. Furthermore, some is simply based on poor theology.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Take poverty for example. It is a real and pressing problem. A good position that is also fashionable is that we should take care of the poor around us. That is a Biblical, sound position to hold. No one who has the right idea of what Scripture says is going to argue against it (and they should be arguing for more of it).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A bad position that is also fashionable is that we must force everyone to take care of the poor by taking what they have and giving it to others. That is not a Biblical position to hold. Christians <i>are</i> told to take care of the poor and hurting, but we are not given leave to force others to against their will. Rather, it is our job to do what we can in following Christ the King as we walk through life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A position that is based on poor theology would be "we can eradicate poverty!" Unfortunately, though it sounds great and wonderful, it is not Biblical. Jesus says explicitly in Matthew 26:11 that "you will always have the poor among you." There will always be those who are marginalized, exploited, and poor, and we must do all we can to help and aid those in that position. It is not a popular idea, but it is a truthful and sound one.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The problem with Fashionable Heresy is that it takes what is Biblical and inserts ideas that are in tune with the times but not with God. In doing so we either get watered down truth, or the truth is drowned out by the lie. Take the above example and put it together:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"God says we should take care of the poor, so we need to create new government programs and raise new taxes so that we can eradicate poverty."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It <i>sounds</i> nice. It is even couched in Biblical language. But it is not a position based in Scripture. The Bible says nothing about government programs, and specifically states we will never eradicate poverty. If you think it is the government's job to help the poor, that is fine, but you can't make the case through Scripture (that is what philosophy, social commentary, and politics are for).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But do you see how easy it is to inject Fashionable Heresy into a topic? You can make it sound nice, and even holy. But if it does not stand to the test of Scripture we need to be able to see that and call it out. Here is another one (this time a real example):</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"If the fruit of doctrine regularly and consistently creates shame, self-harm, suicide & broken hearts, families, and churches, we should listen."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Again, we have Fashionable Heresy injected into a Biblical topic. It is laced with both truth and lie. It also makes an assumption by putting doctrine in the place of the failure of people. It is couched in Biblical language by talking about "the fruit of doctrine". It takes what Jesus says about being wary of false prophets by seeing their fruit in Matthew 7 and applies it to theology.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The problem, however, is that this statement places the blame on <i>doctrine</i> when it should be on <i>people</i>. The doctrine in this case (homosexuality is sin), is blamed as the cause of the bad fruit. But doctrine is nothing more than words on its own. People may use it poorly or produce bad fruit by it, but that does not mean the doctrine is wrong, it means the people are. I can take a hammer and use it to build a house for the homeless or kill someone with a quick whack to the head, but that is not the hammer's fault. I am at fault for how I used it, and no one else (not even the person who made the hammer).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And so we have lies mixed with truth that <i>sounds</i> great and wonderful and Biblical, but that cannot hold up to revealed Truth. The Bible states both implicitly and explicitly that homosexuality is sin, as is sex before marriage, cheating on your spouse, and any other type of sex outside of marriage between a man and a woman. It also states that <i>all </i>have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and <i>all</i> are invited to come to Jesus, repent of their sins, and be washed in His blood to live a new life, no matter who they were or what they have done. The <i>doctrine</i> is sound and in line with what God has said. It is <i>people</i> who have messed it up from time to time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now yes, there <i>is</i> bad doctrine. It exists in spades in the religious world, even among believing Christians. If there were not we would not have to be warned against it in Scripture so often. But there is also good doctrine used badly. The point is we must be able to tell the difference.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You see, every doctrine, every scrap of it, must be parsed through the lens of the Truth. There are doctrinal truths that all of Christianity, regardless of time, place, and denomination (or lack thereof) has agreed upon for the last 2,000 years up until about 50-60 years ago. That should probably warn us that if we are going to change something, we had better be really, really sure of what we are doing and that it is in line with what Jesus, the Word of God, has revealed. If it is not, we need to run, not walk, away from it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please. Do not fall for Fashionable Heresy, no matter what the topic is. It shows up in every way and on every subject. It is so, so easy to get caught up in it because someone writes well, or speaks well, or has passion, or is doing so many other great things. But even Fashionable Heresy is still heresy, and it is still dangerous to our life and faith.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So be strong, stay faithful, and keep informed. :-)</span></div>
Jared Kemphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16404360257396154542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7103397532581929209.post-31490001311012812292017-06-27T12:35:00.000-07:002017-06-27T12:35:03.111-07:00Of Mice and Men<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't know what made me think of it, but for some reason out of the blue I decided to watch the ending to <i>Of Mice and Men</i>. I would have read the the ending of it, but unfortunately I do not have a copy of the book. It was as sad as I remembered it being in high school.</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Of Mice and Men</i> has one of the saddest, worst, best endings of any book I have ever read. I would even consider saying of any book ever. It is a hard book in general that forces you to think through its controversial ending. It will not settle for being ignored.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In my senior English class we had to read the book, discussing each part of it during the weeks it was assigned. When we got to the end, there were several camps on if George did the right thing (I am not going into specifics here so as not to spoil it for future readers), and what he could have done differently. I still remember my position, though I continue to wonder if it was the right one or not.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What makes the issue in that book so unclear is the fact that it deals with the reality of man and the situation. Lennie has done a great wrong, people are rightly angry, and he is too simple to know what is going on. In that day and age there were no resources for people like him, so should he be doomed to a life of terror and fear or freed? The author gives no clear-cut answers, nor does he expound over whether George's choice is right or wrong. All we know is George loves his friend Lennie, and wants the best for him. Beyond that we are offered no answers in the book. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This post is not about whether George was right or not, but about how we as Christians need to take life and deal with it as it is, and not as we wish it were.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Far too often I hear fellow brothers and sisters in Christ speak about the world in terms that either whitewashes or sidelines uncomfortable truths. Some things I hear are:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Christianity is not in decline, revival is just around the corner!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"The kids are fine. Everyone has smartphones these days."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"We'll make it to church next time. Scouts/sports/school/etc. is so busy this time of year!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"What racism?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"What police brutality?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"What attacks on police?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"What war atrocities?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"What illegal immigrant problem?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"We both have to work if we're ever going to get ahead."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"If only politician/political part XYZ would win, things would be better."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"This generation is so narcissistic and weak."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"We can't associate with that church, they [fill in the blank]."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"LGBT issues are settled."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Why are you worried about LGBT stuff? It's never going to affect <i>you</i>."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And on and on the list goes...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now if I have done what was intended, you found at least one of those to be offensive or something you would rather not think about. I know I found at least a couple of them to be, b</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ut that is the point. If we never stop to really consider what is going on around us and what the issues are, we are not grappling with the world as it is in reality, but only as we wish it were. This will never get us anywhere, because unless we deal with reality we will never make any progress in dealing with the world around us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We as Christians do not get the luxury of ignoring what is going on around us. If we do that we will have no answer besides the standard cut-and-paste rhetoric of a Facebook post. For us to reach the world we have to be ready and willing to face it head-on as it is. That is how Jesus interacted with the world after all.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Consider the things Jesus dealt with without resorting to platitudes and standard, rehearsed lines: prostitution, adultery, disease, politics, poverty, hunger, inheritance, God, marriage, children, purpose, racism, Heaven, Hell, Jerusalem's destruction, death. I could go on for a while here but I think you get the point. Instead of pretending like they did not exist or moving them off to the side, Jesus looked at it straight-on, considered it in the context of God's Will and Plan, and dealt with it accordingly. There was no rhetoric when it came to how Jesus spoke. Each situation was dealt with as it was - an individual situation. There was no one-size-fits-all solution for every issue. He did the hard work of not only dealing with the issue, He also <i>went to those</i> who were involved in it. He empathized with them, then lead them to the truth of God in love.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As followers of Christ, we are called to do the same.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today's post is a call to put away the rhetoric, put away the self-reinforcing news feeds, put away the talking heads and pundits, and come before God Almighty for the real answers to the real issues in life. Today is a call to reject the wisdom of this world and all those who are not giving their lives over to God in favor of His Word and the wisdom of those who strive with all their hearts to follow Christ wherever He leads. Forget the politicians, the celebrities, the bloggers, the memes, the YouTube videos and the Facebook friends who tell you what the world wants you to hear instead of what God wants you to know.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Come to God. Pray for His Spirit to lead you in His Word. Look for His Will and His Truth to come from what He has provided for us. There is only One who we can look to in order to be refreshed by the water of life and nourished by truth.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let us face the hard issues straight-on with honesty, empathy, and open eyes. Let us face them as Jesus faced them. Let us face them in the truth and love of God.</span></div>
Jared Kemphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16404360257396154542noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7103397532581929209.post-73694162509755000202017-03-20T14:28:00.002-07:002017-03-20T14:28:43.334-07:00Beauties, Beasts, and Art<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Should I see it? Should I not? AAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I wasn't really planning on writing about this. It wasn't particularly on my radar, and I was pretty much prepared to ignore the Beauty & The Beast release and not worry too much about it. I don't get to go to the movies much, but if I could make it, great!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then director Condon came out with his big "gay moment" line and the news, Facebook, and everyone blew up and everyone had a meltdown. Many Christians said they wouldn't go, many LGBT activists were overjoyed, and many others kind of shrugged and said "whatevs".</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now this has never been a blog about saying "whatevs", nor has it ever focused on LGBT things (though we <a href="http://actionhearts.blogspot.com/2015/03/facing-storm-discussion-on.html" target="_blank">have</a> <a href="http://actionhearts.blogspot.com/2015/03/facing-storm-discussion-about.html" target="_blank">talked</a> <a href="http://actionhearts.blogspot.com/2015/04/facing-storm-discussion-on.html" target="_blank">about</a> <a href="http://actionhearts.blogspot.com/2015/04/facing-storm-discussion-on_16.html" target="_blank">it</a>). What we have done on this blog is try to deal with real issues and the real things behind them, without compromise or backing down. I realize I am not perfect at that, but hey, I'm trying. :-)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So to get back on topic, after the B&B Meltdown, it came to light that in fact the whole "exclusively gay moment" (director Condon's phrase), was very short and not easily noticeable. In fact it was so small that if you didn't know it was there, you would probably miss it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And so...many Christians who had bemoaned what the director said about the movie...went and saw the movie.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then...went on social media and gushed over how amazing the movie was.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then...chided <i>other</i> Christians who were choosing not to see the movie as making something small into a big deal.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then...started linking to every blog and Facebook post by other Christians who thought the same thing they did so that the people who chose to stand their ground and not see the movie would...just go see the movie already because its great and the story is awesome and the gay thing is no big deal and if the director hadn't said anything you wouldn't even know and besides why are you making such a big deal out of something that is so small and insignificant so just go see the movie already.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I kid you not, this has been my Facebook non-stop. I am not exaggerating. The movie has been out for 3 days, and I cannot log on without someone trying to convince me to go see it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This. Has. To. Stop.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We're going to take this in 2 parts, because there are 2 different issues here. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The first is this: why are some Christians trying to convince others to break their conscience to go see a movie?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The second is this: can we so easily rationalize away something which the <i>director of the movie himself </i>says was his goal? How do we square that circle?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I will try not to make this incredibly long. Hopefully I will succeed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The first issue should be a no-brainer. Remember what Paul wrote in Romans:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">14:15 - Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with you food the one for whom Christ died.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">14:21 - It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak.</span> </blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">15:1-2 - We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification.</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is really very clear. If you know other Christians are of tender conscience about this movie, <i>don't be telling them to go see it</i>. In fact, do not be <i>bragging about going to see it</i>. To do so is to do harm to your brother and sister in Christ and treat them in an unloving way. This is unacceptable behavior for the Christian to engage in, and we should take no part in it. If conscience allows someone to go see it, great! I cannot personally judge that, as my conscience is not theirs. However, I can say without any hesitation that to go bragging about it and telling everyone it is fine, or even worse that they should just go see it already (when they have doubts & reservations) is, in fact, a big deal, and should be avoided at all cost.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We can walk in love and encouragement toward our fellow travelers in Christ, or we can put stumbling blocks in the way.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The second issue is a little more murky and difficult to deal with. Has anyone really stopped to ask <i>why</i> some people are holding out on seeing the movie? All I have heard are people who <i>do </i>see it saying about those who refuse, "they're making a big deal out of nothing," when they weren't the ones who made the controversy in the first place.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Remember, it was not some random blogger or even an actor who said,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"He's confused about what he wants. It's somebody who's just realizing that he has these feelings. And Josh [Gad, who plays LeFou] makes something really subtle and delicious out of it. And that's what has its pay-off at the end, which I don't want to give away. But it is a nice, exclusively gay moment in a Disney movie."</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That was the director, Bill Condon. He's the guy who calls the shots and gets to decide what the movie is about. So the controversy does not fall on the shoulders of people who, for reason of conscience, choose not to see the movie. They did not ask for nor bring up the issue. The <i>man who made the movie did</i>. He, not those who see it, gets to decide what the movie and its moments are about. If he had said that when the Beast tosses Gaston off the roof that is represented the feral nature of man overcoming his self-righteous, deified self, that's what it would have been about. If he had said Belle's imprisonment and escape was about women rising up to overtake the patriarchy and bend it to her will, that's what it would have been about.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I still have a visceral reaction against this,<br />but at least I know what it is about.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Basically, whoever is the creator of something gets to decide what it is for and what it represents. So if the director is hyping up his "exclusively gay moment", then that is what it is. I can determine if I believe it is good or beautiful, but for me to say "that's not really what it is", is ludicrous. It would be like me viewing the art piece titled "Piss Christ" and claiming it is a strictly anti-Christian piece of propaganda. That's not what it is about, and it is ridiculous for me to say so when the artist himself states that </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif;">it alludes to a perceived commercializing or cheapening of Christian icons in contemporary culture. It is the creator, not the viewer or even the participant, who determines meaning.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is why Christians must be so careful in what they support and what they are involved in. It must be remembered that those with the microphones and those who create are the ones who get to decide what something represents. We don't get to be involved in something and say in our hearts "well, I'm really here for this other reason." It simply doesn't work that way. It is only the organizer, creator, or one with the megaphone, who gets to decide what something is for. Everyone else is simply along for the ride.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As a side-note, this is one reason why worship is so beautiful. Because even though I may mess up or have the wrong mind-set or struggle during that time, Christ, as the Author and Creator of faith, decides what worship is really about and brings me along for the ride. In doing so He makes sure that through Himself, my worship is made perfect despite my imperfections.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I get the feeling that this is the real reason why conscientious objectors to the movie are holding back. It is not whether the moment or scene is big or small, open or covert. Rather, it comes down to what the publicly stated goal of the director. In saying what he said he turned it into a referendum on if it would fly in a Disney movie. Considering it made $170 million in its opening weekend (the largest March opening of all time), I think it is safe to assume that the answer was "yes".</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The bottom line is there is a real reason why some people continue to object to the movie. If someone does not agree, that is fine. But please, please remember to always walk in love and to never put a stumbling block in front of our brothers and sisters. It is never OK to try and force someone in Christ to accept what is against their conscience toward God. It is also never OK to mock or treat as ridiculous the reason (any reason) someone chooses not to do something because they are trying to honor God. That is something that should always, without fail, be praised and admired in a person.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So always walk in love, always give in so others may be build up, and always, <i>always</i> choose the path that you believe will honor and glorify God in your life, whatever that choice may be. </span>Jared Kemphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16404360257396154542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7103397532581929209.post-31488076718176548612016-06-23T07:57:00.001-07:002016-06-23T08:04:58.198-07:00Leaders and Titles<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; line-height: 19.32px; margin-bottom: 6px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">***This is not mine. I did not write it or even originally come across it. A friend from preaching school shared this on Facebook, which was difficult to read. I shared it here and added some formatting to increase its clarity. This is a long article, but it is very important. I suggest reading it, especially if you are in leadership or considering installing leadership.***</span></div>
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<u><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Church Leaders and The Use of Honorific Titles</span></b></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">"But you, are you seeking great things for yourself? Do not seek them" (Jeremiah 45:5)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">by Darryl M. Erkel</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Lord Jesus, in His condemnation of the Pharisees recorded in Matthew 23, plainly forbids His followers from either giving or receiving honorific titles. Whereas the religious hypocrites love <i>"respectful greetings in the market places, and being called by men Rabbi"</i> (v.7), this is not to be the mark of Christ's disciples: <i>"But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ. But the greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted</i> (vv. 8-12).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Jesus is not denying functional differences and roles within the church; nor is He suggesting that it is wrong to term one's biological parent "father." Rather, He is prohibiting the use of self-exalting and honorific titles of distinction among those who have chosen to follow Christ. While conferring honorific titles upon prominent religious authorities may be the way of the world, it is not the path that Christ has called us to pursue.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yet, in spite of the clarity of Jesus' command, Christians have historically ignored His words. We continue, for example, to address our church shepherds as "Reverend," "Doctor," or "Minister" and, unfortunately, far too many of them are glad to receive such flattery and even love to have it so! Commenting on the words of our Lord in Matthew 23, the noted New Testament scholar, R.T. France, has perceptively written:</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 19.32px;"><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">These verses, while still commenting on the practice of the scribes and Pharisees, are addressed directly to Jesus' disciples, warning them against adopting this status-seeking attitude. "Rabbi" (v.8) and "Master" (v.10) probably act here as synonyms. They are titles appropriate only to the One Teacher (v.8), the Christ (v.10), in relation to whom all His followers stand on an equal footing as "brothers"... Over against that unique authority His disciples must avoid the use of honorific titles for one another ("Christian rabbinism," Bonnard)--an exhortation which today's church could profitably taken more seriously, not only in relation to formal ecclesiastical titles ("Most Rev.", "my Lord Bishop," etc.), but more significantly in its excessive deference to academic qualifications or to authoritative status in the churches (Tyndale New Testament Commentaries: Matthew [Leicester, England: Inter-Varsity Press, 1985] p.325).</span></i></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Christian magazines are filled with advertisements for books or products recommended by "Doctor" so-and-so; and churches continue to promote their ministries led by "Reverend" so-and-so. The Christian world, it seems, is consumed with exalted and honorific titles for those in positions of leadership or influence. Some pastors, in fact, are rather offended when their congregational members address them by their first name or simply as "brother." It is thought by many to be disrespectful or unbecoming to address a Christian theologian in any other way than "Doctor" or "Professor."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But we must ask, are such titles necessary for church leaders? Have evangelicals genuinely honored the words of Christ in Matthew 23:8-12 by prefacing the names of their leaders with such flattering titles as "Reverend" or "Senior Pastor"? Church history, according to J.C. Ryle, has all too clearly demonstrated that we have missed the true meaning of Jesus' words:</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Happy would it have been for the Church of Christ, if this passage had been more deeply pondered, and the spirit of it more implicitly obeyed. The Pharisees are not the only people who have imposed austerities on others, and affected a sanctity of apparel, and loved the praise of man. The annals of church history show that only too many Christians have walked closely in their steps (Ryle's Expository Thoughts on the Gospels, Vol. 1 [Grand Rapids: Baker Book House Reprint, 1977] p.299).</span></i></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Greg Ogden, a writer and church shepherd in Saratoga (CA), states:</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I mourn for the church because we seem to display so many of the characteristics that Jesus said, "Not so among you" (Mark 10:43). Shameful arrogance and haughtiness have reached epidemic proportions among church leaders... A direct implication of Jesus' servant stance was His obliteration of titles... We have refused to take Jesus' words at face value. Jesus' obvious intent was to remove any basis for "lording it over" others by dispensing with titles that give people an elevated place in the "pecking order." We all occupy the same level ground at the foot of the one Teacher, Jesus Christ. We are not "great ones" or "lords"... Finally, do not accept the designation "master" or "leader." No human can usurp the position of the head of the body, Christ. Our tendency seems always toward idolatry, to make someone larger than life. Never forget: Jesus alone is Lord (The New Reformation: Returning the Ministry to the People of God [Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1990] p.172,174).</span></i></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Son of God <i>"made Himself of no reputation"</i> (Philippians 2:7), yet His servants seem bent on following an opposite course. Christ bids us to learn of Him who was <i>"meek and lowly"</i> (Matthew 11:29), yet His representatives continue to exalt themselves with self-glorifying titles. But someone may ask, what real harm is there in such titles of prominence? Perhaps the following points will help to explain their danger and assist Christians in avoiding them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. The New Testament simply provides no warrant for giving congregational leaders priestly or honorific titles. Thus, any man who seeks or permits such titles to be given to him violates the express commands of Christ (Matthew 23:8-10) as well as apostolic practice. Alexander Strauch, a writer and shepherd in Littleton (CO), has stated:</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The modern array of ecclesiastical titles accompanying the names of Christian leaders--reverend, archbishop, cardinal, pope, primate, metropolitan, canon, curate--is completely missing from the New Testament and would have appalled the apostles and early believers. Although both the Greeks and Jews employed a wealth of titles for their political and religious leaders in order to express their power and authority, the early Christians avoided such titles. The early Christians used common and functional terms to describe themselves and their relationships. Some of these terms are "brother," "beloved," "fellow-worker," "laborer," "slave," "servant," "prisoner," "fellow-soldier," and "steward." Of course there were prophets, teachers, apostles, evangelists, leaders, elders, and deacons within the first churches, but these were not used as formal titles for individuals. All Christians are saints, but there was no "Saint John." All are priests, but there was no "Priest Philip." Some are elders, but there was no "Elder Paul." Some are overseers, but there was no "Overseer John." Some are pastors, but there was not "Pastor James." Some are deacons, but there was no "Deacon Peter." Some are apostles, but there was no "Apostle Andrew." Rather than gaining honor through titles and position, New Testament believers received honor primarily for their service and work (Acts 15:26: Romans 16:1,2,4,12; 1 Corinthians 16:15,16,18; 2 Corinthians 8:18; Philippians 2:29,30; Colossians 1:7; 4:12,13; 1 Thessalonians 5:12; 1 Timothy 3:1). The early Christians referred to each other by personal names (Timothy, Paul, Titus), the terms "brother" or "sister," or by describing an individual's spiritual character or work: "Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 6:5); "Barnabas, a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith" (Acts 11:24); "Philip the evangelist" (Acts 21:8); "Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus" (Romans 16:3); "Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you" (Romans 16:6) (Biblical Eldership [Littleton, CO: Lewis & Roth Publishers/Revised, 1995] pp. 302-303).</span></i></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Frank A. Viola has, likewise, written:</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In keeping with our Lord's command, biblical elders did not permit themselves to be addressed by honorific titles such as "Pastor Bill," "Elder Tom," "Bishop Jake," or "Reverend Sam" (Matthew 23:7-12). Such titles naturally elevate church leaders to a plane above the other brethren in the assembly. Thus, congregations and clergy alike are responsible for creating the current "Christian guruism" that is rampant in the church today wherein religious leaders are recast into spiritual celebrities and lauded with fan club status. By contrast, New Testament leaders were viewed as ordinary brethren and were just as approachable and accessible to the saints as any other believer in the church. For this reason, 1 Thessalonians 5:12,13 exhorts the saints to intimately know their leaders (a near impossible mandate to fulfill in most contemporary churches where the pastor is trained to keep his distance from the people lest he lose his authority). In this regard, the common image of church leaders as "sacred men of the cloth" is utterly foreign to the biblical concept (Rethinking the Wineskin [Brandon, FL: Present Testimony Ministry, 1997] p.63).</span></i></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. The apostles of Christ employed lowly and unofficial terms when describing themselves or others. Notice the expressions which Paul, Peter, and John repeatedly chose to use--which tends to argue against any notion of honorific titles:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.32px;">Acts 15:23, <i>"The apostles and elders, your brothers."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 Corinthians 4:1, <i>"Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2 Corinthians 12:11, <i>"I have become foolish; you yourselves compelled me. Actually I should have been commended by you, for in no respect was I inferior to the most eminent apostles, even though I am a nobody."</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ephesians 3:8, <i>"To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given..."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 Thessalonians 3:2, <i>"And we sent Timothy, our brother and God's fellow worker in the Gospel of Christ..."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 Timothy 1:15-16, <i>"It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. And yet for this reason I found mercy, in order that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience..."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 Peter 5:1, <i>"Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder..."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2 Peter 3:15, <i>"And regard the patience of our Lord to be salvation; just as our beloved brother Paul..."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Revelation 1:9, <i>"I, John, your brother and fellow partaker..."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In light of these clear passages, should we not, then, heed the practice of our Lord's apostles? <i>"Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us"</i> (Philippians 3:17).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Acts 15:23 (<i>"The apostles and elders, your brothers"</i>) is particularly interesting since, in an official decree that was to be sent to all the churches, the apostles and elders simply referred to themselves as "your brothers." It contained no honorific titles or hierarchical expressions; only the phrase, "your brothers." Thus, the apostles and elders are brethren writing to fellow brethren. The Lutheran Bible commentator, R.C.H. Lenski, writes: </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"'The apostles and the elders' write for themselves and for the entire church but as 'brethren.' Some texts have 'and the brethren,' referring to the congregation, but this reading lacks attestation. The apposition 'brethren' is highly significant in this communication. The apostles and the elders of Jerusalem speak to the Gentile Christians only as brethren and not as superiors... Brethren salute brethren. The communication is fraternal and asks to be accepted as such and as such alone" (The Interpretation of the Acts of the Apostles [Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Publishing House, 1961] p.621).</span></i></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Another significant passage is 1 Peter 5:1 (<i>"Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder"</i>). Here was Peter's great opportunity to use an exalted title for himself (e.g., "Senior Pastor," "Chief Elder," "Bishop of Rome"), but chooses not to. Instead, he simply refers to himself as "your fellow elder." Such terminology, as Peter H. Davids points out, is "consistent with the tendency among the early leaders to avoid the use of exalted titles such as were used about them in the second century" (The New International Commentary on the New Testament: The First Epistle of Peter [Grand Rapids: Wm.B. Eerdmans, 1990] p.176).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It is important to emphasize that such terms as "elder," "overseer," and "pastor" are functional terms, and were never intended to serve as formal titles. In other words, the terminology is descriptive of one's task; they help to picture a church leader's function or may even denote one's spiritual maturity as in the term "elder." Thus, it is just as foolish and unnecessary to speak of "Pastor Bob" as it is to speak of one who possesses the gift or function of hospitality as "Hospitality Harry"; or one who has the gift of mercy as "Mercy Mary"; or one who has the gift of giving as "Giving George."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3. Honorific titles feed the pride of men. It tends to inflate one's ego, thus provoking church leaders to think more highly of themselves than they should (Romans 12:3). Let's face it: we all struggle with sin and pride; but why compound that struggle by exalting oneself with special titles which have no basis in the New Testament? While seeing nothing inherently wrong with titles per se, even Craig L. Blomberg, associate professor of New Testament at Denver Seminary, is compelled to recognize its dangers:</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 19.32px;"><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But one wonders how often these titles are used without implying unbiblical ideas about a greater worth or value of the individuals to whom they are assigned. One similarly wonders for how long the recipients of such forms of address can resist an unbiblical pride from all the plaudits. It is probably best to abolish most uses of such titles and look for equalizing terms that show that we are all related as family to one Heavenly Father (God) and one teacher (Christ)... In American Christian circles perhaps the best goal is to strive for the intimacy that simply makes addressing one another on a first-name basis natural (The New American Commentary: Matthew, Vol. 22 [Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1992] p.343).</span></i></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4. Honorific titles, contrary to what many ecclesiastical authorities would assert, are a form of self-promotion. In fact, some men employ the title "Doctor" for the express purpose of making their opinions or books carry greater authority than they actually do. We tend to assume that the man with an earned doctorate is an "expert," whose words are beyond question. But no man's opinions should be accepted merely because he has a Th.D. or Ph.D. behind his name. Every doctrine or human opinion is to be tested by the rule of Scripture (Acts 17:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:21; Revelation 2:2), not one's educational achievements.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If we were to look at degrees only, we might also conclude that the apostles of our Lord were not particularly trustworthy, since none of them (except Paul) had any recognizable formal training: <i>"Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John, and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were marveling, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus"</i> (Acts 4:13). Moreover: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>"teachers amongst the Lord's people do not need titles granted by men as a sign of theological authority to teach; authority and ability to teach in spiritual things come from the Lord through the Holy Spirit, and not through the schools of men. Such titles, both then and now, distract from the preeminence of Christ over all those who are brethren in the family of God... We are all brethren and we are all servants (diakonos); this excludes self-exaltation. God reverses what man would esteem"</i> (J. Heading, Ritchie New Testament Commentaries: Matthew [Scotland: John Ritchie, LTD., 1984] pp. 307-308).</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Perhaps one reason why some pastors feel compelled to preface their names with a degree or honorific title, is because they have an inferiority complex or are ineffective in gaining respect in ways that are more servant-oriented. It's also important to note that many clergymen have pursued a career in pastoral ministry for reasons less than the glory of God. Far too many are seeking the honor and recognition of men, rather than the honor of Christ (John 5:44; Galatians 1:10). The use of self-glorifying titles only helps to attract such kind.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One common argument used to support honorific titles is that the man who has earned a doctorate in theology worked hard for it and, thus, is entitled to display his accomplishments. But so has the man who has earned a Master of Divinity degree or even a Bachelor of Arts! Should we, then, continually refer to such persons as "Master of Divinity Dave" or "Bachelor of Arts Bill"? If not, why should we continue to employ the title "Doctor" before one's name?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We remind the reader as well that Jesus clearly forbid such titles of distinction among His followers in Matthew 23:8-12. Any person, therefore, who seeks to justify the use of honorific titles must ultimately answer to Jesus Himself. It might also be interesting to note that "Rabbi," as used during the time of Jesus, was employed "much as 'Doctor' is today. In fact, the Latin equivalent of rabbi comes from docere, which means to teach and is the term from which the English word doctor is derived" (The MacArthur New Testament Commentary: Matthew 16-23 [Chicago: Moody Press, 1988] p.366).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Another argument used to justify honorific titles is that they are a means of expressing respect to church leaders. The early Christians, however, were still able to express their esteem toward each other without having to resort to special titles (Philippians 2:25-30; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13; 1 Timothy 5:17).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">5. Honorific titles draw unnecessary attention to oneself. The man who uses them is subtly telling others that he is someone important and worthy of their respect. Although he may never admit to it, the great day of judgment promises to disclose his true motivation and inner-secrets (Romans 2:16; 1 Corinthians 4:5).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">6. Honorific titles detract from the glory that rightfully belongs to Christ alone. Such titles of distinction as "Reverend" (meaning, "he who is to be revered") not only esteem persons higher than is humanly permissible, but it intrudes in a realm that is not rightfully theirs. We would be wise to listen to the counsel of J.C. Ryle:</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But still we must be very careful that we do not insensibly give to ministers a place and an honor which do not belong to them. We must never allow them to come between ourselves and Christ. The very best are not infallible. They are not priests who can atone for us. They are not mediators who can undertake to manage our soul's affairs with God. They are men of like passions with ourselves, needing the same cleansing blood, and the same renewing Spirit, set apart to a high and holy calling, but still after all only men. Let us never forget these things. Such cautions are always useful. Human nature would always rather lean on a visible minister, than an invisible Christ (Ryle's Expository Thoughts on the Gospels, Vol. 1, pp. 299-300).</span></i></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Many churches in our day refer to their most gifted or experienced leader as "Senior Pastor." However, the only "Senior Pastor" that the New Testament speaks of is Jesus Christ (1 Peter 5:3). He alone is "the great Shepherd of the sheep" (Hebrews 13:20; cf. John 10:11,14,16; Ephesians 5:23). Those who serve in a leadership function within the local church are undershepherds. They are called to be humble servants of the sheep (1 Corinthians 3:5; 4:1; 2 Corinthians 4:5), not lords who reign over their fiefdom (1 Peter 5:3). Thus, it is quite arrogant to take on the lofty title of "Senior Pastor" when Scripture reserves this for Christ alone! Even the apostle Peter merely referred to himself as a "fellow elder" (1 Peter 5:1). The Christian apologist, J.P. Moreland, has said it well:</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The local church in the New Testament contained a plurality of elders (see Acts 14:23, 20:28; Philippians 1:1; Hebrews 13:17). The New Testament knows nothing about a senior pastor. In my opinion, the emergence of the senior pastor in the local church is one of the factors that has most significantly undermined the development of healthy churches... Given these facts, the senior pastor model actually produces a co-dependence that often feeds the egos of senior pastors while allowing the parishioners to remain passive. None of this is intentional, but the effects are still real. The senior pastor model tends to create a situation in which we identify the church as "Pastor Smith's church" and parishioners come to support his ministry. If a visitor asks where the minister is, instead of pointing to the entire congregation (as the New Testament would indicate, since we are all ministers of the New Covenant), we actually point to Pastor Smith... The local church should be led and taught by a plurality of voices called elders, and these voices should be equal... No one person has enough gifts, perspective, and maturity to be given the opportunity disproportionately to shape the personality and texture of a local church. If Christ is actually the head of the church, our church structures ought to reflect that fact, and a group of under-shepherds, not a senior pastor, should collectively seek His guidance in leading the congregation (Love Your God With All Your Mind [Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress Publishing, 1997] pp. 190-191).</span></i></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">7. Honorific titles tend to attract carnal and power-seeking men to positions of church leadership. As pointed out earlier, if our churches continue to give to their leaders lofty and self-glorifying titles of distinction, we will continue to attract a large percentage of men seeking prestige, recognition, and power. This is not meant to suggest that every church leader who employs an honorific title is necessarily seeking to have his ego stroked or possesses less than genuine motives, but only that far too many fall into this category. Some are simply naive as to the dangers and implications of their lofty titles.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Let's face it: if you set up a religious clerical system that promotes power, prestige, and self-exaltation (as opposed to the humble servant-model of Jesus presented in Mark 10:35-45 and John 13:3-17), such a system will repeatedly attract men seeking such power and prestige. This is one of the major reasons why our churches have historically had the wrong kind of men in positions of leadership. But, we must ask, what kind of men would be attracted to church leadership if they were told they will be servants, not lords; not titled; probably not salaried (Acts 20:33-35); not the sole preacher/teacher (Acts 13:1; 1 Timothy 5:17); an equipper, not a shining superstar; and only one amongst a plurality of other leaders (Acts 14:23; Hebrews 13:17)? Only the most dedicated, humble, and self-sacrificing would be desirous of such a noble task! And, yet, these are the very kind of men that Christ wants to shepherd His sheep--and who are often most lacking in our churches. Greg Ogden writes:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We get the kind of leaders we deserve. It often seems that the world's view of greatness is the standard we use when we select our leaders. We have allowed arrogant, unaccountable, and self-professed channels of the Spirit to shoot off like loose cannon. We sometimes have a penchant in the Christian community for holding up the proud and arrogant as our ideal because "they get the job done." Using the world's view of power, we want leaders to exercise influence, work their way into positions of power, and throw their weight around. We therefore get what we ourselves honor--Christian leaders who act like potentates rather than self-sacrificing servants of Jesus Christ. Our actions show that we do not believe that real power is expressed through servanthood that leads to a cross. The Church Growth Movement has identified strong pastoral leadership as a key ingredient in the growth of a congregation. I will grant that leaders must lead. But what gets passed off as leadership often has no resemblance to servant leadership as modeled and taught by our Lord... Our natural tendency is to concentrate power at the top, but Jesus modeled and taught a different way of life (The New Reformation, pp. 172-173).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">8. Honorific titles tend to promote an elitist attitude and authoritarian forms of church leadership. Even the best of men can find self-glorifying titles intoxicating and begin to form lofty opinions of themselves. Within time, they begin to look upon their congregational members as mere "common folks"; an ignorant mass of "laity" who desperately need their wisdom and insight (John 7:49; 9:34).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Church leaders, however, must never give themselves the airs of stuffy, official, and fussy "ministers" as is common among many claiming to be pastors in our day. Instead, their behavior and attitude should conform to the words of Paul in Romans 12:16, <i>"Do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly"</i> and in Philippians 2:3-4, "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others." The 19th century Baptist preacher, C.H. Spurgeon, warned his pastoral students of the danger of ministerial pride:</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My brethren, be not priests yourselves. It is very possible to give yourselves the airs of hierarchs, even though you are avowedly nothing more than Nonconformist pastors. There is a style of dress--the affectation of it is not praiseworthy. There is a style of language--the imitation of it is not commendable. There is an assumption of superiority, looking down upon the common people as mere laity; this piece of pompousness is ridiculous. Avoid the way of certain clerics who seem intent on making their people feel that a minister is a dignified individual, and that the rest of the members of the church should hardly venture to differ from him. Say what we like about all believers in Christ being a generation of priests, we still find vain fellows among us who would be thought of as possessors of a mystic specialty. Our office, as pastors, deserves to be respected, and will be if properly carried out; but I have observed that some who are very anxious to magnify their office, really try to magnify themselves (An All-Round Ministry [Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1960] pp. 371-372).</span></i></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">9. Honorific titles help to perpetuate the "clergy-laity" division. While it is common for people to speak of church leaders as the "clergy" and the rest of God's people as the "laity," the New Testament never divides the body of Christ into two classes known as "clergy" and "laity."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The root meaning of kleros, from which we get our word "clergy," is "inheritance" or "lot" and refers to the believer's inheritance in Christ, not to a special class of ministers. The word laos, from which we get our word "laity," refers to all of a group; in some cases, it specifically denotes the people of God. Thus, all believers in Christ are part of the laos (or "laity"), including pastors! Every believer is a minister and priest before God with authority to do the work of ministry (1 Corinthians 14:26; Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Peter 2:5,9; Revelation 1:6). The New Testament never confines "ministry" to a select few.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Clericalism has done much to harm and weaken the body of Christ. It clearly divides the Christian brotherhood; it hinders the saints from behaving like the ministers they are; it obscures, if not annuls, the essential oneness of the people of God; and it exalts the pride of church leaders by conferring upon them special titles and privileges. Howard Snyder, a prolific author on the subject of church renewal, has stated:</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The New Testament simply does not speak of two classes of Christians--"minister" and "laymen"--as we do today. According to the Bible, the people (laos, "laity") of God comprise all Christians, and all Christians through the exercise of spiritual gifts have some "work of ministry." So if we wish to be biblical, we will have to say that all Christians are laymen (God's people) and all are ministers. The clergy-laity dichotomy is unbiblical and therefore invalid. It grew up as an accident of church history and actually marked a drift away from biblical faithfulness. A professional, distinct priesthood did exist in Old Testament days. But in the New Testament this priesthood is replaced by two truths: Jesus Christ is our great high priest, and the Church is a kingdom of priests (Hebrews 4:14; 8:1; 1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 1:6). The New Testament doctrine of ministry rests therefore not on the clergy-laity distinction but on the twin and complementary pillars of the priesthood of all believers and the gifts of the Spirit. Today, four centuries after the Reformation, the full implications of this Protestant affirmation have yet to be worked out. The clergy-laity dichotomy is a direct carry-over from pre-Reformation Roman Catholicism and a throwback to the Old Testament priesthood. It is one of the principle obstacles to the Church effectively being God's agent of the Kingdom today because it creates the false idea that only "holy men," namely, ordained ministers, are really qualified and responsible for leadership and significant ministry. In the New Testament there are functional distinctions between various kinds of ministries but no hierarchical division between clergy and laity (The Community of the King [Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 1977] pp. 94-95).</span></i></blockquote>
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<u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What Can Church Leaders Do to Help Correct This Problem?</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They must humble themselves and begin to view their ministry in terms of servanthood, not lordship (Mark 10:35-45; 1 Peter 5:3).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They must remove all clerical titles and gowns (Matthew 23:8-12). The saints must be taught to refer to their leader(s) as "brother" or by one's first name.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They must return ministry to the people of God, seeing them as full partners in the task of building up the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:4-14; 14:12,26; Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Peter 4:10-11).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We are in dire need of language reform. The terms that we use for ourselves ("layman") and those used to describe our leaders ("Reverend," "Minister") are very important since, not only do they convey our thinking on such fundamental issues as the nature of the church and how local church leadership should be structured, but the use of unbiblical or improper terms may help to stunt the growth of Christ's body. As Alexander Strauch has wisely stated:</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It is critically important for Christians today to understand that the language we use to describe our church leaders has the power to accurately reflect biblical thinking and practice or, conversely, to lead us far away from the true Church of Jesus Christ and into the false church... In the end, every local church is responsible to teach its people the meaning of the terms it uses to describe its spiritual leaders, whether it be elders, overseers, ministers, preachers, or pastors. Biblically sensitive church leaders will insist that the terminology they use represents, as accurately as possible, the original biblical terms and concepts of a New Testament eldership. False teachers have had their greatest triumphs when they redefine biblical words in a way that is contrary to the original meaning... Much of our church vocabulary is unscriptural and terribly misleading. Words such as clergyman, layman, reverend, minister, priest, bishop, ordained, and ministerial convey ideas contrary to what Jesus Christ and His apostles taught. Such terminology misrepresents the true nature of apostolic Christianity and makes it difficult, if not impossible, to recapture it. As a result, most of our churches are in desperate need of language reform (Biblical Eldership, pp. 32-34).</span></i></blockquote>
Jared Kemphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16404360257396154542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7103397532581929209.post-32121154229132791432016-05-12T12:20:00.000-07:002016-05-12T12:29:52.892-07:00The End of the World<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I believe that we as humans all too often forget just how little the <i>things</i> in this world really matter. Our finances and homes and entertainment, even our health and our clothes and our food, really mean nothing in comparison to what ultimately awaits us. This is because all that is in this world, even our own bodies, are mere shadows and vapors of what is truly real. Yet we get caught up in <i>this</i> world and <i>these</i> things because they are the things we can see and touch and taste and feel. It <i>seems</i> real, and so we begin to believe that it truly <i>is</i>. But it is not. It is a mist, a dim reflection of the real world and the real life that is waiting just on the other side of the mirror.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At the end of <i>The Chronicles of Narnia</i>, the character Lord Digory states,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Listen, Peter. When Aslan said you could never go back to Narnia, he meant the Narnia you were thinking of. But that was not the real Narnia. That had a beginning and an end. It was only a shadow or a copy of the real Narnia which has always been here and always will be here: just as our own world, England and all, is only a shadow or copy of something in Aslan's real world. You need not mourn over Narnia, Lucy. All of the old Narnia that mattered, all the dear creatures, have been drawn into the real Narnia through the Door. And of course it is different; as different as a real thing is from a shadow or as waking life is from a dream.</i></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is what we so often forget, and why we often hold so tightly to the things around us. Reconciling what our senses tell us is real and what God tells us is real is difficult. Our world and especially western culture tells us either verbally or implicitly that it is <i>this world</i> that is real and it is <i>this world</i> that matters. It is what much advertising and marketing is based on. It is what politics, our financial system and our entertainment is largely based on. In some cases, it is even what our religion is based on when we get things mixed up.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Believing this world matters most causes fear and doubt. It strips us of power and courage and leaves us husks of what what we can be and are called to be. When it is this world that we concern ourselves with, we will accomplish comparatively little in the way of helping it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The reason behind this is simple: we care about losing that which we love the most. As long as we leave our old attachments to this world intact, we will fear their loss or decay. When we fear their loss or decay, we concern ourselves with preserving them at all cost.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In Romans 6:4 Paul writes, </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.</i></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When a person dies, they do not hold on to their possessions. They are passed on to someone else. By law the deceased ceases to be the owner. They no longer hold sway over their money, their possessions, or even their own body. It all belongs to someone else to do with as they please. Should it not be the same when we die and are buried with Christ? Should not all that we have and all that we are become His property by default?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The reason we have so much trouble, I believe, is that we desire to hold onto our money, possessions and bodies even though we have died. We have been raised again, but it is as a new creature and a new man, not the old. In that sense, we struggle to hold on to possessions, bodies and minds that do not belong to us, but to God. Yet even as I write this I see this in my own life as an exceedingly difficult concept to grasp and live out. I <i>want</i> my life. I <i>want</i> my rights and my possessions. Even in those last two sentences as I write this I call them <i>mine</i>! How ridiculous is that?!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We need deep prayer and understanding to accept the reality of the situation. All this world is but a shadow. As God says we are but a mist, here one moment and gone the next. When we give ourselves to live for the next world, we will by necessity help and aid those in this one. We cannot help but do so. But as long as we keep our attachments to the things around us, we will not get very far.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The end of the world comes for us all. It may happen at our death or before then. At that moment we will realize truly that all the things, all the stuff, was nothing more than dust. If that is what we desired and held onto most dearly we will be left only with that dust slipping through our fingers never to be held again. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But if we grasp for the eternal things of the Father, we will be left with the Real Things that can never pass away or be destroyed. We will have acquired a True Reality at last. In that moment we will see the silliness of all those things in this world that we held onto dearly as being real. In that moment, when faced with the glory and magnitude of what has been given to us, we will know what Real Joy is because we will know and be present in the Real Love of the Father.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And once we taste the True Reality, we will never want anything less ever again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The End of the World comes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Let us let go of the dust and embrace it.</span>Jared Kemphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16404360257396154542noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7103397532581929209.post-15456520245306296802016-04-20T13:19:00.002-07:002016-04-20T13:19:25.186-07:00You Matter Because God Made You<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am currently re-reading a book I received a few years ago. In it the author explores how faith can agree with science and still show that God created the universe, the world and everything in it. In the intro to the third part of the book he says this:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>How we view where we came from affects how we view everything else about ourselves, such as whether we're loved or valued or intended for some special purpose in life. When people began to question whether God created us, they also started to doubt that He cared about us. They began to think that we're all just a cosmic accident, people with no real value or purpose in the grand scheme of things. This depressing outlook has dominated the way many people have been thinking about things for the past few hundred years.</i></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The author, in this statement, is unfortunately exactly right. Even more so, it is on display all around us. All we have to do is open our eyes with understanding in order to see it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Consider the latest movements in social justice. We are told that what you feel and what you want is more important than anything else. We are told this, I believe, because people do not have a sense of identity, and are desperate to have one and to find meaning and purpose in it. We have grown up being taught by science that the universe created itself by cosmic accident without reason, that our planet is a cosmic accident without purpose, and that we are a cosmic accident that just kind of showed up. At the same time, we are taught by our family and society that we are special, that there is a place just for us in the world and that what we want and desire should take precedence over all other considerations. When you put these two sets of teaching together it is easy to see the danger and confusion caused by it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When you are taught that you are nothing but a cosmic accident while being told you are special, you have to search for what it is that makes you special. Since there is no outside force or being that provides a reason, it must be something within you. I believe this is what has lead to the frantic search for identity and acceptance among those of us who are younger today.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is how we end up with people defining themselves by what they feel they are or want to be. It is why Nano, who lives in Norway, <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/12127067/woman-says-she-is-a-cat-trapped-in-the-wrong-body.html" target="_blank">chooses to live as a cat</a>. It is why many are fighting tooth and nail to allow transgender people into bathrooms not according to their biological sex, but what they feel they are inside. It is why these <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfO1veFs6Ho" target="_blank">college students</a> struggle to say that a 5'9" white man is not a 6'5" Chinese woman. I could go on, but you get the point.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The background behind it all is the belief that there is no God; no Creator that created us for a purpose. If that does not exist, then it is up to us to determine our purpose and specialness for ourselves, because otherwise everything is meaningless and hopeless. It is this search, this drive for personal clarity and worth in the face of a universe that is nothing more than an accident, that causes such chaos in how people view themselves.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Unfortunately much of Christendom has not entirely helped matters. Instead of allowing, for example, the <i>age</i> of the universe to be a matter of faith and opinion, many turn it into a litmus test for true Christianity. There is no lack of morality in keeping your mind open and following the evidence where it leads if you are being as honest with the evidence as you can. The is no moral high ground in saying the earth is 6,000 or 6,000,000,000 years old you are still putting your faith in the fact that God has created it all and did so for a purpose. We can certainly debate among ourselves about it, but to make it a test for determining whether someone is or can be a Christian is to erect a barrier to entry which Christ did not erect. The goal, rather than to convince those in the world about the <i>age</i> of the earth, should be to convince them of the <i>Creator</i> of the earth. Because it is only in the Creator that we find purpose, meaning, and our true identity.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The fact of the matter is this: you matter because God made you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If we are nothing more than a cosmic mistake, there is no purpose for our lives. We get a short time to do what we will, then vanish back into nothing. Chances are almost no one will know who the President of the United States is today within 100 years. What chance do I have that someone would remember me? </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If that is the case, then when I close my eyes for the last time and am buried in the ground, I will turn to dust and nothing I did will matter to anyone shortly after. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Personally, I have no desire to live under that great burden. It is too heavy and too dreary and too useless for me. I would fight tooth and nail for an identity that I felt gave me purpose too if I thought I were in that situation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But Christians know that is not the case, and I know I am not in that situation. I know that there is a God who is loving, who cares about me, and who is just in all He does. He is a God who is eternal, who exists outside of time, who is not bound by the restrictions that I am. He is also a God who desires my existence not to end with my body on this earth, but who says He will resurrect my dead body, change it into the likeness of Christ, and take me to His side to live in His glorious presence forever. He is a God who says that I am His child. Not because of what I have done or how great I am or because I am a human, but because He gave His Son to die for me so that the price could be payed and He could remain a just judge while at the same time absolving me of all my sins against Him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That is my identity.That is where I find my hope and purpose in life. Not in what I like or what I do or what I think, but in what <i>He</i> says I am. Regardless of any other factor, it is God alone who defines my identity, and in so doing I do not have to fear losing myself in a sea of nothingness in the gaping maw of space and time. I am accepted by God, made perfect in His sight, and given meaning from one infinitely greater and infinitely stronger than myself. Because He says I have meaning, because He has proven it by His actions, I know now and forever where my identity lies.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The question is, do you?</span>Jared Kemphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16404360257396154542noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7103397532581929209.post-11076024539681871412016-02-18T12:41:00.005-08:002016-02-18T12:41:51.705-08:00I Give You Back to God<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This week, a short clip, and a short encouragement. First, the clip:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is a fairly well known clip in many circles. If you have not seen it, I encourage you to take the 3 1/2 minutes of your day it will take to watch it. Then, I ask you to consider what I have to say.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The question to be answered is very simple: do we as Christians treat those who have wronged us in this way? I ask because it is the Biblical answer is very simple to come up with. In Luke 6:27-31 Jesus states:</span><br />
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<i><span class="red" style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,</span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"> </span><span class="red" style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.</span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"> </span><span class="red" style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them.</span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"> </span><span class="red" style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.</span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"> </span><span class="red" style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">Do to others as you would have them do to you."</span></i></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Is this how we live our faith? In giving and forgiveness so extreme that it changes those around us? Is this how we treat those with different ideas? Is this how we treat our enemies?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is to this extreme lifestyle that Christians are called. I once read in a commentary something along the lines that it is only common sense that what Jesus is speaking about here is an ideal and not an actual expectation. But there is nothing in the context that shows that, and much of what Jesus said defied and continues to defy the "common sense" of our world today.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So the second question is this: will we as Christians going forward live our lives with such a radical faith that it cannot help but change those who it comes into contact with? Valjean in the clip above was changed by an extreme act of both mercy and giving. How many more could be reached if we, in our actions and reactions to others, did the same? It is what we are called to.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So let us live it, and in so doing take those who we win and give them back to God.</span>Jared Kemphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16404360257396154542noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7103397532581929209.post-26913220849903127062016-02-11T08:56:00.000-08:002016-02-11T08:56:01.287-08:00Eustace the Dragon<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS2hGwZ1gkGYnpJI2nRE8IASMooBD6QlI7vDHJxLOkLPVB73HXDXIjTMN6HP8YGJyuaBvEJ35tAeaNBkGV5x5OqcS4BYcql_N05o-wXGPQewB2pCJ1RWR_ikeG0ZajunQLgA8ju56mMuU/s1600/Dragondawntreader.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS2hGwZ1gkGYnpJI2nRE8IASMooBD6QlI7vDHJxLOkLPVB73HXDXIjTMN6HP8YGJyuaBvEJ35tAeaNBkGV5x5OqcS4BYcql_N05o-wXGPQewB2pCJ1RWR_ikeG0ZajunQLgA8ju56mMuU/s400/Dragondawntreader.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eustace as seen in "Voyage of the Dawn Treader" movie.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have just started trying to finish the Narnia series of books by CS Lewis. I have really enjoyed the ones I have read, but for some reason I have never seemed to be able to complete the whole series. This time, however, I am trying to read them with the worldview that Lewis wrote them from to see the deeper meanings behind the stories that are told.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Right now I am in the middle of Voyage of the Dawn Treader. In it there is a horrible, nasty boy named Eustace who is close-minded, cynical, narcissistic and arrogant. It is only by accident that he ends up in Narnia, but it does not change him at first. Despite the magic, wonder and newness of everything around him, he continues to be a brat who believes he should be the first and most important consideration in any situation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Needless to say, I'm not really a fan of Eustace, </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">or at least I wasn't.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Trapped on an island after a hurricane leaves their ship in terrible shape, Eustace sneaks off by himself in a fit. He ends up lost, only to see a dragon die apparently from old age. Now the boy, being a close-minded realist, did not even know what a dragon was. He simply saw it as a frightening beast. Upon entering the dragon's lair, however, he discovers its horde of treasure. Being a selfish person, he put on a bracelet and stuffs his pockets full of jewels and treasure before falling asleep.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When he wakes up there is a great pain on his arm where the bracelet was, and he discovers to his horror that he has become a dragon himself. He ends up finding the crew of the ship, who discovers his true identity. This is where his change begins.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Before, Eustace had been a beast on the inside but a person on the outside. He had lied, cheated, tried to steal and been terrible to everyone he met. He hated everything. Now that who he was outside matched who he was inside, he saw the true horror of the situation. It was at this point that who he was inside began to change.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You see, his companions did not leave him, fight him or try to run him off. They did not say good riddance or ignore his plight. Instead they looked for how they might be able to help him. Having experienced that kind of love and care as a beast, inside he changed to become helpful, kind, humble. He lost his selfishness and became a beneficial member of the group.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But there was still the problem of <i>being a dragon</i>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">As the rest of the crew tries to figure out how to continue their journey with Eustace's new shape (Do they tow him? Can they make room on the boat?), the boy dragon wanders off, only to find Aslan. In this meeting Aslan leads Eustace to a well, where he tells the boy the water will ease his pain. All </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">he has to do is undress first.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Now, being a dragon, he had no clothes. But upon realizing that he is much like a snake, he begins to shed his skin. After doing this three times, each feeling better than the last, Aslan tells him that he needed to do it. Afraid, but desperate, Eustace lies down and allows the lion to do what must be done.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Eustace recalls the moment by saying, "The very first tear he made was so deep that I thought it had gone right into my heart. And when he began pulling the skin off, it hurt worse than anything I've ever felt. The only thing that made me able to bear it was just the pleasure of feeling the stuff peeled off."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Once it was done, however, Eustace was a boy again. The constricting and painful experience of being a dragon was gone, the arm ring could come off, and he could live again. He had been changed from a beast on both the inside and out to a person inside and out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">But it did not come without pain and submission. He could have fled from Aslan, could have gone off to try and fix it himself, but the problem would have remained. It was only when he allowed the Lion to do what had to be done that he could finally become his true self.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Often I feel that we are the same way. We want (or believe) that our way is best. That if we can only have the time to take care of it ourselves, we will find a way. But the truth is that we cannot. It takes Someone more, Someone greater than ourselves to tear us out of our beastliness and make us real. It requires acknowledging that we cannot do it ourselves, and submitting to the process that must take place. Often, it will take a great amount of pain as well as we are ripped and pulled away from the things which have attached themselves to us, and what we have attached ourselves to.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">So today is a call to submit and give in to the Lion. To allow Him to take His claw, and tear into you so that you can be free from the constriction and pain that sin has placed you in. It is not death or pain that He desires of you, but life and freedom and change. I will not lie and say it will be easy or simple or pain-free. As I have said above it is quite the opposite. But it is worth it. To be free from the penalty of sin, to be changed from a beast into a son of God, to be given a new lease by the only one who can give it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Regardless of what is going on in your life or how difficult and scary things may be, I encourage you to lie in submission to He who saves, and make you new again. To take your fears and anxieties and redeem them for His purposes. Not that there will never be pain or fear or anxiety in the future, but so that you can know He is working to take those things and redeem them for something better and greater and pure.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Doesn't that sound better than trying to do it all yourself?</span>Jared Kemphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16404360257396154542noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7103397532581929209.post-86833980071587878692016-02-01T08:56:00.002-08:002016-02-01T08:56:25.531-08:00Follow Me<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am convinced that "Follow Me" is one of the deepest, most meaningful songs put to paper in dealing with how a Christian relates to Christ. If you stop to consider the lyrics as written, it strips away every worry, every bit of pride, and every overreaction in relation to the beauty of what Christ has done for us. I would like to take this song verse by verse and consider what we can learn from it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Verse 1:</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I traveled down a lonely road, and no one seemed to care. The burden on my weary back had bowed me to despair. I oft complained to Jesus how folks were treating me, and then I heard Him say so tenderly, "My feet were also weary, upon the Calv'ry road. The cross became so heavy, I fell beneath the load. Be faithful weary pilgrim, the morning I can see. Just lift your cross and follow close to Me."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are times when, even surrounded by our brothers and sisters in Christ, we can feel like a lone ship being tossed about in the sea of life. There may or may not be a reason for it, but everyone has been there at some point. It is easy to come to Jesus worried and fearful that this will always be the case, but when we look to Jesus we see something different.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In Jesus we find a Savior who has already conquered. And not only who has already conquered, but who was at one point completely alone, with no one to rely on. He endured the beatings and torture with no one there to take it away, He carried the cross until there was no strength left, and another man was forced to help him. He was staked to the cross, and hung, during which He was truly alone in a way you and I never have to be.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As Jesus hung on the cross, the entire weight of the law and all its curses came crashing down on Him. In that moment, He was completely and utterly separated from all that He had known, even God Himself. He had to carry the weight of all sin, of all curses, upon Himself. Alone. But in doing so He conquered sin and its consequence of death and made a path to the Father for those that follow Him. So when the song says "the morning I can see," we know that it is more than just the next time the sun comes up. It is the morning of no more pain, no more sorrow, no more fear and no more loneliness. It is the morning of God, filled by His presence and overflowing with His love. It is the morning of wholeness in everything.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Verse 2:</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I work so hard for Jesus," I often boast and say. "I've sacrificed a lot of things to walk the narrow way. I gave up fame and fortune! I'm worth a lot to Thee." And then I hear Him gently say to me, "I left the throne of glory, and counted it but loss. My hands were nailed in anger upon a cruel cross. But now we'll make the journey with your hand safe in mine. So lift your cross and follow close to Me."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now I have never heard anyone literally say these things about themselves, but I have seen it played out in people's attitudes about their faith (including my own at times). It is so easy for people to look at what they do and what they've done and become very impressed in how "good" they are. But the truth is, it all comes from pride. There is nothing we can give of our own that can amount to anything before God. Isaiah says in 64:6, "But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are like filthy rags; we all fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." We have nothing to be prideful of before God. We can be joyous in what He has done, and we can take pride in the fact that <i>Christ</i> has made us perfect and perfects our gifts and worship, but in ourselves we simply have nothing to take pride in.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jesus, on the other hand, gave up the glories of Heaven itself. Surrounded by worship and praise and light, in the presence of perfection, He chose to come one of us in this world. He chose to come here, with sickness and death and war and suffering in order to make a way for us to come to God. And He invites us to take His hand, lift our cross, and journey with Him there.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Verse 3:</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">[I said] "Oh Jesus if I die upon a foreign field someday, 'twould be no more than love demands, no less could I repay. "No greater love hath mortal man than for a friend to die.'" [But then] these are the words He gently spoke to me: "If just a cup of water I place within your hand, then just a cup of water is all that I demand." [So I said] "But if by death to living they can they glory see, I'll take my cross and follow close to Thee."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is the verse that make the entire song for me. Having realized and understood how much Jesus has done for us, we can feel bad sometimes that we cannot or are not doing more. Unreasonable guilt or zeal (depending on the person) can take over, saying that we have to do more! We have to be great! We have to make sure that we go so far that we die for Him! Because really, what less could we do?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The problem with that train of thought is that Jesus calls us where we are. We are not called to compare ourselves to each other. We are not called to feel guilty because we cannot do as much as another person, nor are we called to feel better than someone else because we can do more.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are simply called to give what we can from where we are.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some people have been given amazing gifts and numerous opportunities to turn the world upside down for Christ, and that is wonderful! Others have nothing more than a cup of water to quietly give to someone in need. We need to understand that too, is wonderful! Remember the poor widow who had only two small copper coins to give. To those with vast sums it was nothing, but to Jesus watching her it was everything. Understand that it is OK...no...<i>it is a blessing</i> to be a cup of water person. Because of your "meager" gift and position there are people you will see and people you can help that no one else can, so don't be afraid to use your cup of water. The person dying of thirst in the desert does not care about speeches and programs and vast sums of wealth. They just want the water, and you are the blessing they need to see Jesus living today.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So no matter where you are, no matter who you are, know that Jesus loves you. He cares for you, and He sees the morning coming even in your darkness. You have no need of pride, but a simple joy in the fact that Jesus makes you perfect. Finally, if all you have is a cup of water, do not despair. Jesus gave you that cup so that you can accomplish exactly what He wants you to accomplish for His name. All it takes it to take up your cross and follow Him.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So let's take it up together.</span>Jared Kemphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16404360257396154542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7103397532581929209.post-65654296625229508142016-02-01T07:43:00.001-08:002016-02-01T07:43:28.790-08:00Untethered Joy<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This post originally appeared in the February 2016 issue of the North Park church of Christ newsletter, <i>The Encourager</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Over the years, it seems as though more and more
the world tells us that all happiness and all joy is and must be tethered to
the things in this world. Watch nearly any show or movie, read nearly any book,
and you will see this played out. We see it in culture, politics,
entertainment, discussion, everything. It is one of the driving factors in how
people relate to everyday life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is the basis for much of the Social Justice
Warrior’s dogma. If something out in the world offends me or makes me upset, it
robs me of my joy and happiness and therefore cannot be allowed at any cost. It
is the basis for much of Socialism. If everyone cannot have the same result,
that robs me of my joy and happiness and so everyone must be made the same at
any cost. It is even the basis for much of the Christian backlash against the
direction the country is headed. If the government says I cannot practice my
faith the way I see fit without penalty, that robs me of my joy and happiness
and must be brought into line at any cost.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Brothers and sisters, we cannot and we should not
base our joy in things of this world. When we do, it is a very small step to
start treating things in this world as though they have power over who we are
and what we do as people. It gives the enemy a foothold in our lives and places
us in territory filled with traps for us to fall into.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Advertisements, politicians and trend-setters use
this to an astonishing degree. Advertisements attack with “you need this to be
fulfilled!” They are banking on the idea that things in this world will bring
us joy. It is why Apple can sell someone a slightly upgraded iPhone 6 months
after the last one came out. It is why HGTV can convince newly married couples
that a $30,000 kitchen is a necessity for a new home. It all banks on the idea
that joy is found in the things of this world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Politicians give calls to “take our country back,”
and claim they will make stores say Merry Christmas again (without bothering to
say anything about <i>how</i> to make a
private entity say what the government tells them to). It all spins on the idea
that it is <i>this</i> world that is
important. It is about creating a sense of desire for things in this world so
that power can be accrued to themselves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Trend-setters do the same. It is the basis for
those claiming that all sexuality must be viewed as equal and moral. It is the
basis for those claiming guns should be allowed anywhere and everywhere no
matter what. The underlying concept is that joy is found in this world, and no
one should be able to do anything to disrupt it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But that is not Christian joy. Christian joy is
found in God the Father and what Jesus His Son has done for us through the
cross. It is found in the fact that those in Christ will be with Him forever,
and that everything in this world, though it may be painful or frightening, is
ultimately temporary. It is our destination that is eternal, and nothing in
this world can tear us away from it. Our joy is in knowing that, as Paul said,
“neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things
present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing,
shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our
Lord.” <i>That</i> is our joy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So let us do our best to live like it.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Jared Kemphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16404360257396154542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7103397532581929209.post-35404820692462758702016-01-27T13:42:00.000-08:002016-01-27T13:42:00.365-08:00A Need for Humility<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What would you say if I told you that starting tomorrow, all public displays of Christianity were to be outlawed?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What if I told you that the penalty for breaking the law was not death or jail, but confiscation of your savings and raising your taxes to 75%?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What if I told you that you would, for as long as you practiced Christianity or showed you were a Christian, live in abject poverty with nothing to show for it and die in obscurity?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Would you still hold fast to what you believed, attend worship and live a life that showed your faith?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now I use these unrealistic, extreme examples to make a point: how far would you go to truly live the faith you have been called to live?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To me, it is relatively easier to say I would die for my faith than to live for it. As Paul says, "to die is gain." I know that when I leave this plane of existence, I am in Paradise. No more suffering, no more sorrow, no more pain.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To <i>live</i> for my faith however, is something very different. Though I know that this life is "but a passing shadow" and a brief span in the grand scheme of things, it can <i>feel </i>like it takes forever. Now Paul also writes that "to live is Christ," but consider the kind of life that Christ lived. He was rejected, hated and crucified. Paul writes that he hope that he will be ashamed in nothing, but that Christ would be magnified in his body by either his life or death. He was willing to take whatever came in any form and live or die for his faith in Christ.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">This is why we need so desperately to live in a state of humility. To be humble. It is so easy to get so worked up over what we see as assaults on our freedom and liberty that we will turn to someone, <i>anyone</i>, who will claim to put us back on top. The human need to take back what we feel was stolen from us is strong, but that is not the way of Christ.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Now don't mistake what I am saying for complete and utter pacifism in the face of one who desires to bury us. I am not saying sit back and do nothing. I am saying that whatever we do, we must remain driven first by Christ and our desire to walk as He walked. Our integrity must remain in Him and no one else.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Don't misunderstand, if we desire to live this way, to walk in the steps Jesus walked in, it affects <i>everything</i> in our lives. It affects our work, our homes, our entertainment and our motivations. It changes what we say. It even changes how we vote.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">In August, Ann Coulter said of Donald Trump's immigration plan, </span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">"</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1c2022; font-family: Helvetica, Roboto, 'Segoe UI', Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22.4px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I don't care if </span><a class="PrettyLink profile customisable h-card" data-mentioned-user-id="25073877" data-scribe="element:mention" dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump" style="background-color: white; color: #2b7bb9; font-family: Helvetica, Roboto, 'Segoe UI', Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22.4px; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="PrettyLink-prefix">@</span><span class="PrettyLink-value">realDonaldTrump</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1c2022; font-family: Helvetica, Roboto, 'Segoe UI', Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22.4px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> wants to perform abortions in White House after this immigration policy paper." </span></blockquote>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c2022; font-family: Helvetica, Roboto, 'Segoe UI', Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22.4px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now she said that as hyperbole. Its what she does. She is a shock-jock of the highest order. But saying this so denigrates the reality of what abortion is and what it does, that it taints any statement or sentiment attached to it. It's up there with <a href="http://actionhearts.blogspot.com/2014/05/sarah-palin-patriotism-and-when.html" target="_blank">Sara Palin comparing waterboarding to baptizing terrorists</a>. It runs on the same sentiment where politics overtake faith.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c2022; font-family: Helvetica, Roboto, 'Segoe UI', Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22.4px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c2022; font-family: Helvetica, Roboto, 'Segoe UI', Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22.4px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Politics is not the only area to be careful in though. We as Christians must be the kind of people who will take <i>any</i> hit, pay <i>any</i> price to follow our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. When our culture lifts up sin as goodness and goodness as sin, the answer is not a letter-writing campaign or petitions or even boycotts. The answer is to go out and make more followers of Christ. That is where the real difference will be made.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c2022; font-family: Helvetica, Roboto, 'Segoe UI', Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22.4px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c2022; font-family: Helvetica, Roboto, 'Segoe UI', Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22.4px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Can you imagine what would happen, how upside-down this country would be turned, if the millions and millions of dollars spent fighting the "culture wars" was spent on bringing people to Christ? How many people could be reached and saved if the finances, overhead, time and energy spent fighting companies, celebrities and politicians was being quietly used to bring as many people as possible into the Christian faith?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c2022; font-family: Helvetica, Roboto, 'Segoe UI', Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22.4px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c2022; font-family: Helvetica, Roboto, 'Segoe UI', Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22.4px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I would wager than within 5 years people would not even recognize this country, and within 10 years Christians would make up such an enormous segment of the population that the culture would shift right along with it (because culture companies like movie studios, clothing companies, etc. love nothing so much as making money).</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c2022; font-family: Helvetica, Roboto, 'Segoe UI', Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22.4px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #1c2022; font-family: Helvetica, Roboto, Segoe UI, Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.4px; white-space: pre-wrap;">But in the likely event where that does not happen, we must be those who stand firm and faithful to what we are called. To be modest in dress and action, to be kind in word and deed, to be genuine in our dealings and generous with our resources. Above all, we must be the kind of people who submit ourselves to the will of Christ, who turn away from people we know are evil (even when they say the right things), and who are willing to give up those things which flail against our Savior at every given opportunity.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1c2022; font-family: Helvetica, Roboto, Segoe UI, Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.4px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #1c2022; font-family: Helvetica, Roboto, Segoe UI, Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.4px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Instead of screaming from the mountaintops, may we go into the valleys of hurt and reach the lost. Instead of flooding the coffers of political machines, may we fill the needs of those in poverty. Instead of desiring the world to look at us, may we become as nothing so that we may become all things to all men.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1c2022; font-family: Helvetica, Roboto, Segoe UI, Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.4px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #1c2022; font-family: Helvetica, Roboto, Segoe UI, Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.4px; white-space: pre-wrap;">May we let go of ourselves, and walk humbly with our Savior.</span></span></div>
Jared Kemphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16404360257396154542noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7103397532581929209.post-68579642135708372532016-01-20T12:02:00.002-08:002016-01-20T12:02:13.839-08:00Donald Trump and 2 Corinthians 3:17<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK6sf6mi6mtAdBIpj35uaktfoEFe7OGv5nicR_u36vUSmBxmziPEaTGm6dPr_wNJL9ONhnJNQXxCdjf0CXrF58hPXzY6u1brrYOX_YeIbLU8nQ3_iKh-6mhcqvMY8oE7bV0gAekvwbzvI/s1600/maxresdefault.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK6sf6mi6mtAdBIpj35uaktfoEFe7OGv5nicR_u36vUSmBxmziPEaTGm6dPr_wNJL9ONhnJNQXxCdjf0CXrF58hPXzY6u1brrYOX_YeIbLU8nQ3_iKh-6mhcqvMY8oE7bV0gAekvwbzvI/s320/maxresdefault.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trump speaks at Liberty University.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yesterday at Liberty College, Donald Trump said this:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"2 Corinthians </span><span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #444444; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3:17. That’s the whole ballgame. 'Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.' Here there is Liberty College. Liberty University but it is so true. Is that the one you like. I think it is. I love it. And it is so representative of what is taking place. But we are going to protect Christianity."</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #444444; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #444444; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now I am not going to launch into a tirade about Trump saying "Two Corinthians" instead of "Second Corinthians." Honestly, I believe that is just a red herring distracting from the real problem. In fact, I am not going to launch into a tirade against Trump at all. <a href="http://www.theblaze.com/contributions/dear-christians-if-you-vote-for-a-godless-man-you-are-asking-for-tyranny/" target="_blank">Matt Walsh</a> already did a pretty solid job at that, and I don't see the need to repeat it.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #444444; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #444444; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also do not plan to discuss the dangers of making politics your religion, because I have <a href="http://actionhearts.blogspot.com/2014/05/sarah-palin-patriotism-and-when.html" target="_blank">already written about that</a>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #444444; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #444444; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What I <i>do </i>want to discuss is the true meaning behind 2 Corinthians 3:17, because it is <i>so much more</i> than what Trump used it as. It is a beautiful, wonderful statement about the glory of the new covenant we have in Christ in comparison to the old law of Moses. It speaks of the freedom we have to come into the very presence of God because the veil separating sinful man from Him has been removed for those who are in Christ. It parallels Hebrews 4:16 and 10:19-22. You want liberty? 2 Corinthians 3:17 has your liberty. Just maybe not in the way you were expecting.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #444444; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; line-height: 24px;">Under the old covenant Israel in the wilderness was separated by 2 veils. The first was the outer veil of the tabernacle which separated the general population from the work of the priests in the temple, and the inner veil inside the temple that separated the priests from God's presence. The only time that veil was opened was once per year, and only by the High Priest with very specific instructions and for a very specific purpose: atonement for the nation.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; line-height: 24px;">This is not the same set of rules that those in Christ are under. As we are covered by Christ's blood, we are made holy and worthy to come into the very presence of God, in His throne room, to make our requests known. Paul, in 2 Corinthians tells us that because since the Lord is the Spirit, and we have the Spirit in us (Acts 2:38), then we have liberty in being free from the old law and its rules, regulations and separation from God. Instead, "we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord" (2 Cor. 3:18).</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; line-height: 24px;">Talk about freedom! Talk about liberty! True acceptance by God because of how the blood of Christ washes away our sins! This surpasses <i>by far</i> any twisting of these words to talk about freedom from government or government interference. We are talking about freedom from the penalty of sin. We are talking about freedom from the death sentence under law. We are talking about freedom in the truest, fullest sense that we could possibly talk about it in.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; line-height: 24px;">It is because of that freedom and that opportunity that any lesser use of these verses pales so much as to be useless. There is a great and glorious truth here, and we would do well to see the true beauty in it.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; line-height: 24px;">So know, dear Christian, that these words were not penned in order to set you free from something as insignificant as the ruling class in this world. They were penned to show you the freedom you have in Christ to belong to the Father. They were penned to show you the right you have to come before and behold the glory of God in the life He has saved.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; line-height: 24px;">And <i>that</i> is true liberty.</span></span></div>
Jared Kemphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16404360257396154542noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7103397532581929209.post-87942540311448021352015-11-19T13:12:00.000-08:002015-11-19T13:12:00.007-08:00Refugees, Politics and Faith<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Never trust a single picture by itself.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It takes more than one to get the full story.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I didn't really want to write about this. It is a subject with so many moving parts and such conflicting ideas both major and minor I feel as though almost no one who writes about it is going to get it all correct. On both sides of the debate on Facebook (admittedly not a bastion of deep thought), there have been loving people calling others they care about ignorant, foolish, overly idealistic and many other greater and lesser insults. I suppose my goal, what I want to do, is to look for what the biblical response in Christian action and reaction to it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All that being said I encourage you to read through the whole thing before deciding whether this is helpful or not. If it is, I am glad for it. If it is not, feel free to ignore it. I do not claim to be perfect. I am trying to figure it out just like everybody else.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you've been reading this blog for a while, you may remember <a href="http://actionhearts.blogspot.com/2014/05/sarah-palin-patriotism-and-when.html" target="_blank">this post</a> where I warn against politics overtaking faith. This is related to that in the sense that once again we have people polarizing on an issue on the basis of politics and emotion, and trying to use the Bible to back up what they are saying, rather than looking at what the Bible says and standing wherever it stands instead. The first pulls things out of context ("You know, at Christmas time there was a refugee family who couldn't find a room!") while the latter looks at God's position and says "I'll stand there." I hope we can all agree that whatever our feelings and concerns, whatever our politics, we want to stand where God stands and nowhere else. Now that all the introductory stuff is out of the way, we can start getting into the meat of our topic.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u><b>A few facts:</b></u></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have neither the time nor energy to be exhaustive here, so I will keep this to 3 fairly digestible parts.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Europe is finding itself in an untenable situation. In opening their doors to every refugee early on, they are becoming overwhelmed logistically. The newspaper <a href="http://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/fluechtlinge-im-niedersaechsischen-sumte-tausend-sind-einfach-zu-viele-a-1057676.html" target="_blank">Spiegal</a> for example (Google translate needed), reported that a village of 100 was being told to take 1,000 refugees. That is overwhelming. Unless you have sewer, doctors, food, etc for 10x the amount of people, it will be a humanitarian disaster.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. According to <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/16/politics/syrian-refugees-u-s-applicants-explainer/" target="_blank">CNN</a> the US administration is currently set to take 10,000 refugees and says it wants to take up to 85,000 in 2016, upping to 100,000 in 2017. This may or may not happen depending on how the politics work out. Furthermore, at the time of this writing, something like 30 state governors say they will not take any refugees. This also may or may not happen depending on how the politics work out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. Syria is a complete and utter disaster. <a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2015/10/syrian-civil-war-guide-isis/410746/" target="_blank">The Atlantic</a> gives a pretty decent overview of the parties involved, the complication of it and the loss of human life. We're not talking about a romanticized movie version of war. We are talking about bad guys vs. bad guys with a whole lot of innocents caught up in the middle. Muslims and Christians, men and women, children and the elderly, all are having their lives ripped apart.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u><b>The role of countries:</b></u></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now that we have a base-line of information to deal with, we can move forward to the "what now?" phase of things. Many say that the US should not take in a lot of refugees. They warn that ISIS and other evil groups are trying to get in through those channels as well. This is not an unreasonable or unfounded concern, as ISIS itself has said they plan to do this. Furthermore it is also said that the US should worry about its own first. We have many veterans, children and elderly who are homeless and not taken care of. They say if we have the resources to take in so many refugees, we should work on our own problems first. Again, this is a valid argument. To let our those in our own backyard suffer because we are so focused on those far away is not good. You could say the same about the mission approach to the church. While it is good to go into all the world and spread the Gospel, it is foolish and folly to forget about those who are right here with us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the other side of the coin you have those (rightly) say that Syria is a place with no hope and nothing to build from, at least for right now. They claim that if we are a Christian nation we should be willing to take any who could use our help and do what we can. This is good sentiment. To ignore what is going on simply because they are far away and "it doesn't affect us," is to be blind to how God works. We are called to all, not just those who are "like us."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Both sides are partially right. It is the job of a country to do what it can to sustain and protect itself. It is the job of a Christian to help those in need wherever and whoever they are. Where the mix-up comes is in the claim that we are a "Christian Nation." We are not. No country on earth has ever been a "Christian Nation." There have been nations filled with Christians, but Jesus did not come to save a nation-state. He came to save people. When we combine the two into one entity, that is where things begin to break down.I think that is also why I have had such a difficult time trying to figure out the Biblical approach to this. So how should we, as Christians, approach this issue?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">See, while people make up a nation, they are not the nation-state itself. Our bodies are the same way. I am made up of cells, but those individual cells are not the body itself. My body has a different role and function than any of my cells do individually. It has a different purpose. Cells deal with cell things, the body deals with body things. Try and think of it like that.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you are looking for a 10,000 foot view; what a response as a nation should be, I suggest reading <a href="http://www.theblaze.com/contributions/youre-not-a-bad-christian-just-because-you-want-to-be-cautious-about-syrian-refugees/" target="_blank">Matt Walsh's</a> post on this. It deals largely with the nation-state response and Christian attitudes. It was literally posted as I was writing this, but I want to focus on something different. I want to focus not on Christian attitudes and feelings, but individual Christian actions and reactions to the refugee crisis. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>The role of Christians:</u></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I do not think that anyone out there is going to argue that we as Christians should not help people regardless of where they are from. I also do not believe that anyone would argue that the Bible says we should only give aid to those we feel like aiding. None of that is up for debate (at least as far as I know).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In James 1:27 that "Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world." As individuals, this is where we should stand. With this, there are two categories that people will fall into with the refugee situation: those that do not come into contact with them and those that do.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For those that do not come into contact with refugees, please be careful what you say and stand for, especially on social media. It is so, so easy for words to be misconstrued and people pushed further away from Christ by what they witness us say on the internet. When James says in 3:6 "And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell." he was just talking about what comes out of our mouths. What we type with our hands can have the same effect. Remember, before anything else you are in Christ's service to do His Will and bring others to Him. If what you are about to post is going to harm that function, it would be better to keep it to yourself instead. Furthermore, please please pray for them. They are likely coming from a situation so terrible that you do not have the life experience to even begin to empathize with them on a real level. Your prayers have been and are needed desperately by a desperate people.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For those that do come into contact with refugees, your actions and attitudes will largely determine how they view Christianity in America. Many in the Middle East view the US as a Christian Nation. It will be shocking enough for them to see what the nation at large is like. It will be worse if those who actively claim to be Christians are no different. Gentleness, peace, aid, kindness, friendliness, spiritual gifts are all things that can make a huge difference. Do not follow the trends of those who are out to make their own followers and get their own votes. Follow the call of Christ to show Him to all you meet without fear, hesitation or apology. You never know the seeds that are being planted, so do all you can to plant good ones in all that you do. Instead of worrying about their motives, consider your own motives in how you respond, because those are what truly matter. Finally, as I said in the last paragraph, pray. Pray for yourself, that you will be Christ to those you meet. Pray for them, that they will come to know the Savior by what they see in you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am going to stop here because this post is getting overly long, but I hope it has opened your eyes to a different way to approach this crisis. In all things we are to be Christ's and respond with His love and care, no exceptions. We can make a difference, but only if we are relying on the One Who Makes the Difference. In all things, love. In all things, Christ.</span>Jared Kemphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16404360257396154542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7103397532581929209.post-49260284692854017652015-10-20T11:07:00.003-07:002015-10-20T11:07:50.372-07:00In His Steps<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSdzpLMozjgU3a_tGxjq6h2H-Jv53YoTO0gToYDhy3W0Y-9c3jzPqfKvF1N-_-4QLBzr8pOZgkRHThE2d2jLKdGhZDyagjtLTGxSR_I7FyNIgAO9FADtICV7z3V8bNRkSDciCHVmsi7F4/s1600/InHisStepsCropped12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSdzpLMozjgU3a_tGxjq6h2H-Jv53YoTO0gToYDhy3W0Y-9c3jzPqfKvF1N-_-4QLBzr8pOZgkRHThE2d2jLKdGhZDyagjtLTGxSR_I7FyNIgAO9FADtICV7z3V8bNRkSDciCHVmsi7F4/s320/InHisStepsCropped12.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The standard of Jesus as an author was too ideal. Of course Jesus would use His powers to produce something useful, or helpful, or with purpose. For what reason was he, Jasper Chase, writing this novel? Why what nearly every writer wrote for - money and fame as an author. He was not poor, and so had no great temptation to write for money. But he was urged on by his desire for fame as much as anything. He must write this kind of matter.</i></span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>But what would Jesus do? The question plagued him even more than Rachel's refusal. Was he going to break his promise? Did the promise mean much, after all?</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>As Jasper Chase looked out his window, Rollin Page emerged from the clubhouse just opposite. Jasper noted his handsome face and trim figure as he started down the street. He went back to his desk for a moment and then returned to the window. Rollin was walking down the block and Rachel Winslow was now beside him. Rollin must have overtaken her.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Jasper watched the two figures until they disappeared. Then he turned to his desk and began to write. When he had finished the last page of the last chapter of his book it was nearly dark. What would Jesus do? He had finally answered the question by denying his Lord. It grew darker in his room. He had deliberately chosen his course, urged on by his disappointment and loss.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Those paragraphs, from the book <u>In His Steps</u> by Charles M. Sheldon, are terrifying to me. They are of a faith rocked and broken not by persecution or upheaval or terror, but disappointment and choice. It is not under torture or torment, it is not with bombs and guns.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is a man alone in his room, choosing to walk away.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What is terrifying about this is the simplicity of it, and how common it is.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We see people make the choice every day. We have made this choice ourselves, at least on some days. It may not be as final as the paragraphs above, but can be just as deadly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our world lives and thrives on the lie that if it is not "bad" then it must be OK. It gives permission to do what <i>we will</i> as long as we are "following our conscience." It insists that our will is good, and that what we desire is fine, that as long as we are following our hearts we surely will end where we belong. In short, it says the exact opposite of what Christ calls us to.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I cannot recall anywhere where God said, "as long as it does not go directly against my commands, I don't care what you do." I cannot think of anyplace in the Bible where that is even implied. And I cannot think of anything like that because I am convinced that it does not exist in God's Word.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You see, Jesus does not call us to follow our own will, but His. He does not call us to tweak our lives, but overthrow them. His call is one of <i>total subjection</i> to Himself, and nothing less. To insist on our will because it is not "bad" is still to insist on <i>our will</i> <i>over His</i>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is not something that can stand.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What we must do, if we are truly going to follow Jesus, is ask <i>why</i> we do what we are doing. We need to take the time and effort to dig down and see the real reasons and motivations that are driving us. There is a time for work. There is a time for play. There is a time for family. There is a time for friends. There is a time to be alone. But in all of those things there is and must be time for God. He must fill and override them all if we are to be who He truly calls us to be.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If we don't, we may very well reach a point where we look out our window, recognize our final choice, and close into a darkened room and a darkened heart.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If we do, however, we have <i>so much more</i> to look forward to. When our lives are filled with the light and love of Christ, when every crevice and undercurrent is written by God, when we choose to fill our lives and experiences with the life-giving force of the Savior, and when our lives are over-ridden with the love of serving the Master, everything changes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is a light that waits over the horizon, and you are invited to it. There is love and hope and light and life waiting on the other side, just out of reach and just out of sight. But we can catch glimpses of it now. Patches of glory that shine through and give us hope for what is coming. But we must make the choice now to be a part of it. We must choose to follow and fill ourselves no matter the cost. We must subject our lives, hobbies, friends, families, jobs, food, experiences and everything else the upward call of Christ.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because on the other side lies darkness. Beckoning with promises of power and wealth and happiness. Empty promises it can never fulfill because it is empty itself. It has nothing true to offer except a sucking away of all we hold dear. It lies subtlety, appearing to be so much more than it is, its only true desire to drink deeply of our lives and empty us before the end.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But God offers to <i>fill</i>. He offers to fill us to overflowing and more. But we cannot accept it if we hold tight to our own wills. We <i>must let go</i>, because that is the only way we can truly recognize Him as Lord. He offers freely. The only condition being that we give up our poor ration of crumbs so He can fill us with the full fatness of His joy and blessing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The choice is ours to make. To follow the Master of All who can truly give or the little gods who promise much but only consume. There is life waiting, and there is death.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let us be those who choose life.</span></div>
Jared Kemphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16404360257396154542noreply@blogger.com0