Craving the Cross

Moved

2009-09-06T16:25:00.001-07:00

I've moved to tumblr.

What Might the Cell Church Encounter?

2009-08-11T16:27:00.000-07:00

I was thinking about the Cell Church model in relation to the traditional model. I can't predict exactly what will be the major problems with the Cell Church or what it will struggle to accomplish in relation to God's mission, but I think, after looking at the traditional model, it will have a hard time looking like a interconnected church.

What I mean by that is this: The traditional church struggles with home groups in the way that they try to make it look like they're really relational and community driven. But when you compare that home group to the church's showings of a home group. They fall short with evangelism, discipleship, mercy ministries, and caring for the planet. Whereas, it is easier for a house church to fulfill those calls in the small group setting.

So when I look at that problem and see how the traditional church struggles there, I can't help but think the Cell Church struggles with looking like we aren't apart of a larger community. A bunch of "small churches" trying to do "big church" is going to run into the counter-problems found with a "big church" trying to do "small church".

Something I have to wrestle with...

"I want to show you how a Christain man dies."

2009-08-06T22:12:00.000-07:00

Found this on Justin Taylor's blog Between Two Worlds. Enjoy.

In his book The Walk, Michael Card recounts the many ways that biblical scholar William L. Lane mentored him, beginning with Card's time at Western Kentucky University and ending with Professor Lane's death. Indeed, his retelling of their friendship is the telling of their discipleship:

"I would like to speak to you now about discipleship. I could do so in technical, academic words that would bore us both to death. Instead, I will do what Christians from the beginning have done—I will tell you a story because something as important as discipleship cannot be reduced to a definition or contained in a program. The truth of it must be lived out to be properly understood. It is organic; it flexes and moves and defies definition. That is the way of discipleship."

The means of discipleship, according to Card, is a walk. It is two (or more) people walking together for months, or even years, in the context of living life together. Indeed, as Card points out, this is the model of discipleship evidenced in the life of Jesus with his own disciples.

Card recalls his time in college with Lane as "the golden years," in part because Lane was able to show Card just how good those years really were:

"After all, that's one of the tasks of the discipler, to wake us up to what is really going on around us, to encourage us to take our eyes off ourselves and see that our world is not the only world. That outside the narrow confines of the self there exists a world that truly is golden. And they allow us to borrow their eyes until we can see it for ourselves."

Card also recalls what occurred when Lane learned that he had cancer, near the end of his life. The mentor and his wife decided to move to Franklin, Tennessee, to be nearer his disciple:

"During the conversation Bill told me why he wanted to spend his last days here. He didn't feel that Seattle was home, even after eight years there. Neither did he want to go back to Bowling Green, even though his years there had been some of the happiest of his life. 'I want to come to Franklin,' he said. 'I want to show you how a Christian man dies.'"

And that is exactly what he did.

It was only after Lane's death that Card began to understand the full meaning of that statement:

"Bill had said, 'I want to show you how a Christian man dies.' I have only recently realized that this lesson began the first moment we met. It continued for twenty years or more, because each time I was within Bill's reach, I was being powerfully taught or even more powerfully shown the life of faith and Spirit. And it is that life that best prepares us for the slumber Jesus spoke about."

May God raise up more men and women who will demonstrate to their disciples not only what it means to live for Jesus, but also what it means to die in him.

3 Ways

2009-07-29T10:45:00.001-07:00

There are only three ways to Live:

1. Legalism/Moralism

2. Gospel-saturated

3. Hedonism/relativism

You pick.

What it takes to follow

2009-07-28T11:21:00.000-07:00

"The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been

made.

I'm a disciple of His and I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away,
or be still.

My past is redeemed. My present makes sense. My future is secure.

I'm done and finished with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth
knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and
dwarfed goals.

I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or
popularity.

I don't have to be right, or first, or tops, or recognized, or praised, or
rewarded.

I live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and
labor by Holy Spirit power.

My face is set. My gait is fast. My goal is heaven.

My road may be narrow, my way rough, my companions few, but my guide is
reliable and my mission is clear.

I will not be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back,
deluded or delayed.

I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice or hesitate in the presence of
the adversary.

I will not negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of
popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I won't give up, shut up, or let up until I have stayed up, stored up,
prayed up, paid up, and preached up for the cause of Christ.

I am a disciple of Jesus!

I must give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He comes.

And when He does come for His own, He'll have no problems recognizing me. My
colors will be clear!"

-Anonymous

Without the Gospel

2009-07-26T01:09:00.000-07:00

Without the gospel

everything is useless and vain;

without the gospel

we are not Christians;

without the gospel

all riches is poverty,
all wisdom folly before God;
strength is weakness,
and all the justice of man is under the condemnation of God.

But by the knowledge of the gospel we are made

children of God,
brothers of Jesus Christ,
fellow townsmen with the saints,
citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven,
heirs of God with Jesus Christ, by whom
the poor are made rich,
the weak strong,
the fools wise,
the sinner justified,
the desolate comforted,
the doubting sure,
and slaves free.

It is the power of God for the salvation of all those who believe.

It follows that every good thing we could think or desire is to be found in this same Jesus Christ alone.

For, he was

sold, to buy us back;
captive, to deliver us;
condemned, to absolve us;

he was

made a curse for our blessing,
[a] sin offering for our righteousness;
marred that we may be made fair;

he died for our life; so that by him

fury is made gentle,
wrath appeased,
darkness turned into light,
fear reassured,
despisal despised,
debt canceled,
labor lightened,
sadness made merry,
misfortune made fortunate,
difficulty easy,
disorder ordered,
division united,
ignominy ennobled,
rebellion subjected,
intimidation intimidated,
ambush uncovered,
assaults assailed,
force forced back,
combat combated,
war warred against,
vengeance avenged,
torment tormented,
damnation damned,
the abyss sunk into the abyss,
hell transfixed,
death dead,
mortality made immortal.

In short,

mercy has swallowed up all misery,
and goodness all misfortune.

For all these things which were to be the weapons of the devil in his battle against us, and the sting of death to pierce us, are turned for us into exercises which we can turn to our profit.

If we are able to boast with the apostle, saying, O hell, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting? it is because by the Spirit of Christ promised to the elect, we live no longer, but Christ lives in us; and we are by the same Spirit seated among those who are in heaven, so that for us the world is no more, even while our conversation is in it; but we are content in all things, whether country, place, condition, clothing, meat, and all such things.

And we are

comforted in tribulation,
joyful in sorrow,
glorying under vituperation,
abounding in poverty,
warmed in our nakedness,
patient amongst evils,
living in death.

This is what we should in short seek in the whole of Scripture: truly to know Jesus Christ, and the infinite riches that are comprised in him and are offered to us by him from God the Father.

-John Calvin

Thug Life

2009-07-22T11:02:00.000-07:00

I'm turning into a thug. I'm starting to like this Christain rapper, Lecrae. He's so good! Check him out. Holla'!

Idolatry

2009-07-18T17:57:00.000-07:00

I'm realizing that we do in fact worship a tangible idol here in America. It may not be in the shape of a statue that we bow down to, but it does come in many shapes, sizes, and functions. We bow down to our selfish desire for the latest trend or technology. Materialism has plagued America since the instalment of capitalism. We are driven for our unquenchable thirst for more "stuff".

I went up to Hearst Castle yesterday. I have never been there. And I guess I shouldn't have been surprised by what I found. It was going to cost us $25 to get in a bus and walk through a guy's house that he built to try to find fulfillment in the now. He was driven by what he could have here on Earth. And as I stood there, I noticed that everybody around me had the same drive train, me included. To a degree, everybody there, some more than others, wanted to have the stuff that William Hearst had.

But God has called his followers to a different drum beat. He told the rich young ruler to leave all that he had. To abandon his identity. That is, his materialistic idol. Nothing in this world is laying prostrate before but God. That's something that we in America must remind ourselves everytime we watch tv, drive through town, and walk into any shopping center. A passion for the tangible will leave you lonely and wanting more than what you have. Materialism is an ever-perpetuating ride of emptiness.

As Christopher Wright so brilliantly put it, "The worship of false gods is the fellowship of futility, the grand delusion whose only destiny is disappointment."

Just Me?

2009-07-14T18:43:00.000-07:00

I've been noticing a not-so-new trend in the traditional worship setting. It's something that I'm not a big fan of, but I'm not sure if it's just me or everybody else.

Doesn't worship nowadays seem like a utopic setting? I might be wrong here, but most songs that I see churches singing deal with us acting as if we are perfect people in the presence of God. For example, I recently sang a song that centered around how much "I" love God. This love seemed so deep that "I" couldn't even imagine sinning, but that's not how I feel.

We also sang about "our holy desires" and the fact that there is nothing we desire more than God. Maybe my theological wheels were spinning too fast at the time, but I couldn't help but think that every time we sin, we slap God in the face with our desires.

During the entire worship set all I could do is sit there. I couldn't sing. I couldn't worship. Yet, for some reason, everybody around me was singing like it was their last chance to. It must just be me that feels like a shattered soul, unworthy for the love bestowed on me. I know the theology behind imputed righteousness and justification. In fact, I can't get enough of it, but when it comes to worshipping God like this, I have trouble doing it.

The times that I can worship God with the entire depth of my lungs and heart is when we sing songs full of angst. Songs that are centered around God being perfect, me being broken, unworthy, sinful, and made righteous by the blood. It is those songs that I'm able to worship God with. They seem to be more in line with how feel in front of God.

But it may just be me.

Two Hymns

2009-07-09T22:49:00.000-07:00

"If Thou But Suffer God to Guide Thee"

God knows the time for joy and truly

Will send it when he sees it meet

When He has tried and purged thee duly

And found thee free from all deceit.

He comes to thee all unaware

And makes thee own His loving car.

-Georg Neumark

"Day by Day"

He Whose heart is kind beyond all measure

Gives unto each day what He deems best--

Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure,

Mingling toil with peace and rest.

-Fanny Crosby

My Uninspiration

2009-07-01T22:37:00.001-07:00

Just for the heck of it, I thought I'd make a list of things that don't inspire me at all. In fact, they make me mad. This stuff are the items/topics/thoughts that I wish I could get rid of for good. I hate every piece of them, especially the ones I struggle with (which is all but 7.

1. Vanity

2. Popularity

3. Materialism (Especially in the Church, i.e. big buildings/expensive facilities)

4. Small Talk

5. Pride

6. Superficiality

7. Business

There they are...now they should leave.

My Inspiration

2009-06-28T22:28:00.001-07:00

I decided to make a list of the things that inspire me most in my relationship with God at the moment. For some reason, when I reflect/dwell deeply and envelope myself in these things, I come away feeling refreshed as they press me into holy places in my mind. So here is my current list, which I'm sure could change as early as tonight:

1. Mornings with God & coffee

2. Weighty Truth

3. Robust Dialogue on Mission and Ecclesiology

4. Passionate Teaching

5. Gospel Saturated Books

6. Discipleship

7. Courageous/Challenging Sermons

Staying Quiet WILL Lead to Death

2009-06-19T15:16:00.001-07:00

"The greatest sermon is the one unspoken."

I've heard this quote before, but I recently heard somebody say this. And all I can say is, "God, may this never be my attitude. Motivate me to preach the Gospel. Never let me be content with 'living a good life'. I want to do that and more for your Kingdom. You gave us your WORD that we can proclaim it to the nations. Let that mandate control my decisions."

That quote is the biggest excuse to keep our faith under a bushel.

Aggressive Tithing

2009-06-16T20:49:00.000-07:00

In my observations of what the economy has done to the church (not the institutional church), I have seen that people are taking it out everywhere, but the offering plate. What I mean by that is instead of having more trust and a higher view of money in the down turn, the people are finding excuses and taking out their aggression on either their own personal relationship with God, church leaders, or a bad combination of the two. This just propels my hatred towards capitalism.

We can't have "stuff".

We can't be "comfy".

We can't be "happy".

We can't have our god.

Our consumer culture welcomes these ideas of having the newest stuff with their own version of a holy kiss. Christians have fallen into the trap with the pagan culture in our midst. We walk a thin line between worshipping God and money. According to Revelation, it would be better for us to be enemies of God instead of friends with the world and trying to maintain some kind of atoning relationship with the Creator.

So instead of letting this economic downturn cause our materialism to come out in full force towards God or the godly leaders of His church. Let us instead take out aggression towards the offering plate. Let's take out our anger or bitterness out on the money which has generated our disdain. Let's show God that we worship Him more than money.

My Theology*

2009-06-12T00:33:00.000-07:00

Before I start this apparently necessary venture, it is beneficial for me to lay out a few added notes that would otherwise not be able to fit into this post. Also, I am too tired to proof read this...and considering not many will read it, I'm okay with mistakes and bad grammar.

First, let me explain the asterisk is the title. I am a student at CBU. Therefore, I am learning new things that are continually shaping the way I think. My professors challenge me and I engage in multiple meaningful conversations with people who are much smarter than me. Which, in return, broadens my thinking as well. So to fully reveal what I mean by the asterisk I will add what it means to the title, My Theology (Subject to Extreme Change...Daily). And you might as well add weak to that also. In no way is my theology strong, the foundation for my theology, however, is the one of unsurpassing strength. It is also my belief that the daily will not stop once I graduate CBU, Seminary, and wherever else God leads me because I am forever a student of God and the Scriptures. In no way do I think I will come to a place where my theology is perfect. It will always need correcting.

Second, the reason why I am writing this post is because, for some reason, I have been given the stigma of being an extreme Calvinist. Some might give me the adjective (or noun) of hyper, staunch, and supra-. I want to make myself as clear as possible, I do not consider myself a "Calvinist" nor do I even think that John Calvin himself would give himself of title of his own cachet.

Now, let me start from the beginning....

I believe my first encounter with a Calvinist was one that turned me off to the title completely. I was in Hawaii with my family on a vacation the summer after I graduated. I decided to go on a little stroll along the strip at night to get some fresh air and out of the hotel room. I soon ran into a preacher whose pulpit was the street corner. As I came up to him I set my eyes upon a sign that he had stood up next to his pulpit that read, "God hates sinners....Repent or burn". I was a little irritated to say the least.

I started to engage in a conversation with him and he told me that Jesus had only died for those who are going to heaven. My biblical knowledge was not robust at the time and had no idea where he would get such an idea. I responded with the most profound verse that I knew on the subject, John 3:16. We continued to argue for a good hour before I quit trying to convert him (even though his knowledge surpassed mine exponentially). I always have loved arguing for some reason.

But that was my first encounter. I overly zealous street preacher who had no love for people. He was there because the Bible demanded him to evangelize. His idea of evangelizing was weak and, I'm sure, fanned the "flame of atheism" for many who were yelled at by him. I was turned off by this "Calvinism". Especially after talking to my dad about it the next day when he told me that Calvinists had bad theology (according to him, of course).

A month or so later, I moved to college to start my studies of God and the Bible. The first class I went to was Pentateuch, taught by Dr. Mooney. I immediately fell in love with him and the class. He opened with a heart wrenching, though provoking, motivating scenario that placed me in front of a boy who had never heard about Jesus. He ended the story with, "and what will you say to him about the Cross?" At the time, and sometimes to this day, I would not know what I would say. But ever sense the first class Dr. Mooney had my full attention. I hung on every word that came out of his mouth. I ate up the class and loved every minute of it. Even when studying for a test meant pulling an all-nighter and still not feeling prepared.

So at this point, Dr. Mooney could say anything and I would trust it as Biblical Authority. And when I found out that he was a Calvinist, I didn't know what to say. I started to study and search for it in the Scriptures. I read Romans, Ephesians, Exodus, and every other passage that dealt with the doctrines behind that loaded word. All I could talk about with my friends was this idea, I had no idea what to believe. I didn't want it to be true. The fact that Jesus just died for the elect. How could a loving God do such a thing? But it was still exciting, too exciting even. I saw the Biblical foundation behind Calvinism and my professor and hated street preacher's theology. It was all so new, and my mind was softer than play dough. "This is Truth", I said to myself over and over again in my dorm room. The thing that I hated so much since the day I first encountered it was the thing that I began to believe.

All I could say at the time was, "I'm a Calvinist." And I remained one for, perhaps, a year.

Then I walk into Dr. Morgan's theology class. This man is nothing less than brilliant. He remembers what page number certain footnotes can be found on...think about how crazy of a memory that is. But we started to discuss theology in a systematic way and my thinking, once again, started to become unglued. He pointed out all the flaws in both Arminian and Calvinist camps. I had to concede my Calvinism right then and there after seeing even more biblical proof on the doctrine. (I condensed this section because it's late at the moment and was sick of writing out stories of my life.)

And this is where I stand now with my theology as of June 12, 2009 at 1:08 a.m..

It is my opinion that a so called "5 point" theology is limiting to God. How is it that God only works salvation in 5 points? And then on top of that, I am extremely limited by the brain that God has given me. Unfortunately, I am not as smart as I wish to be. So me attempting to comprehend the way God works in the lives of human beings is futile. All I can do is take all the biblical data I can and throw them into the soup called, My Theology. And just to cover the main issue here (atonement), Jesus' death atoned for something. That is obvious. The question that lies before me is, what is the "something"? In some verses it is the entire world and all people. This language is impossible to bypass and I get irritated when I hear theologians and preachers try to walk around the text in a cute way to make it fit into their system. And the same goes with Romans 9 and the idea that God chooses vessels of wrath and glory. Don't avoid the easy exposition of this text, HE CHOOSES WHOEVER HE WANTS. End of story. Deal with it.

So if both are found in the Bible, why do we waste all of this time arguing about how He does it? All we know is that He works out salvation in the lives of the Lost. If you think there is any other way to get salvation outside of God, reread the Bible. God creates, provides, and gives salvation (That is found in John 3:17 for those who'll throw out that Bible verse).

But to give a name to my theology for all of you who think of me as a Calvinist, I prefer reformed because Calvinism immediately denotes an idea of a system. I hate systems. And I think God does too, He always surprises me. Therefore, I'm sure He can and does work outside of a 5 point system considering the biblical data that we do have. And even if I had to put myself into a pointed system, I would lean more towards 3. Irresistible Grace is unbiblical, people resist God all the time. They straight up close their eyes and plug their ears when creation screams, "God created me!" Total Depravity has some issues for me too. Solely based on symantics. My good friend Jeph says he believes in Radical Depravity, which I think makes more sense. I agree with the definition, but the adjective Total implies the meaning that lies behind the title of Complete Depravity. Limited Atonement...this one has more symantic problems too because atonement is unlimited for all the sin that I have done. But I have no idea if it atones for Joe and Suzy or just Suzy. I think that a lot of the Scriptures point to both, but I do believe that it atones for just Suzy is justified as well. So I have no idea what I believe there...just depends on the day I guess.

Sorry there was so much here. I just had to give reasons why I went on that 1 year sojourning process through the land of 5 Point-erism and that took a long time to cover.

Social Work vs Gospel Work

2009-06-07T11:52:00.000-07:00

This video offers intriguing insights from two of my favorite pastors, John Piper and Tim Keller, on where the line should be drawn between meeting the physical needs of those less fortunate and meeting the spiritual needs of the Lost.

GM and SBC

2009-06-04T12:18:00.000-07:00

My friend and mentor Dr. Dunavant wrote an intriguing article concerning the recent demise of GM and the implications it has on the future for the SBC. Click here to read it.

Cal Poly Encouragement!

2009-06-02T23:34:00.000-07:00

I was encouraged today to find a couple of girls having, what looked liked, a Bible study at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo. Except on closer examination, via ease-dropping, I soon learned that it was more of a discipleship meeting. One girl was asking questions (of which I couldn't hear...she was a quiet talker and facing the opposite direction) and the other girl was giving Biblical advice and constantly pointing to her past examples and the perfect example of the Cross.

I'm not exactly sure why I was so encouraged by this news. Maybe it was because I had not seen it yet on campus after being here for 3 weeks. Or maybe it was because I am so used to seeing meetings like this all around Cal Baptist. Nevertheless, discipleship is flourishing and spreading like wildfire. Even on secular campuses!

Soli Deo Gloria!

The SBC

2009-06-02T15:55:00.000-07:00

One of my professor's wrote an article for Between the Times today and it was quite insightful to the direction that he (and I) feel that the Southern Baptist Convention is moving to in the near future.

You can read it here.

Our Burden

2009-05-31T21:25:00.000-07:00

I recently had a conversation with a girl in high school who had to cancel her mission trip to Mexico on two different occasions: the first trip was to Tijiuana due to all the gang violence as of late. The second was to Mexicali because of the Swine Flu. Her church was finally able to find of a hole in the curtain separating the US from the world in Jamaica.

I think it's great that these Christ followers are willing to relentlessly seek to do the work of the Kingdom. Even when it's inconvenient.

But why is it that we refuse to send missionaries to dangerous places?

Are we afraid of what might happen to us?

Is the risk of losing our lives to great?

I even see this at my school. They will not send students to India because of the danger. Why don't we just sign a reliability release form?

Jesus took the biggest risk. He knew He would be murdered on Calvary. He knew, yet He went. And it turned out to be the mission trip that brought Salvation to this world. His blood washed sinners clean. It is my prayer that we do not back down as Disciples. That we take off the burden of fear and put on the burden of the Cross.

Just Do Something

2009-05-30T18:47:00.000-07:00

The answer to my prayers?!

Wisdom Teeth Chronicles

2009-04-23T14:32:00.001-07:00

My wisdom teeth were stolen from me on Tuesday...and as I was waking up after the mugging, I found myself sitting infront of a salt water tank. In this tank I saw a fish that I never thought I would be so excited to see, Nemo....yes, Nemo.

I repeatedly told the nurses and my parents that there was a "little Nemo" in that tank. I was astonished. I couldn't get enough of the little sea creature. Later on the drive home, my dad asked what the name of my girlfriend is (this question is always asked and never has an answer), but I thought I would give him a name for once, Britney Spears.

The life lesson I learned from this little adventure, don't do drugs.

Made Me Think

2009-04-23T14:15:00.001-07:00

Last week, I was in my very last Biblical Preaching class (Biblical is a loose term) and one of the sermons opened very thoughtfully with the most sinful city in America, San Jose. It was surprising to me that it was not Las Vegas, and apparently it surprised some of my classmates who are from LV. They both in unison let out a rejoiceful, "YES! It's not Vegas!" It made me think.

Yesterday, while I was in staff meeting at church, one prayer request read, "Pray for my sister, she is recovering from surgery in Utah and is surrounded by Mormons." It was apparent that the request was for spiritual strength to get through their "evangelism." It made me think.

I've recently started reading a book titled The Reason For God. And in it, the author Tim Keller began to depict the city that he decided to plant a church in, New York. He was saying that the reason he chose this city is because of all the liberal/theologically absent thinking in the area. It made me think...

Why are so many people in our Christian culture afraid of being apart of a conversation about God? Why are so many people happy that they are "not" in a culture flooded with sin? Shouldn't we be excited at the possibility that we live in the city with the most sin in America? When I heard that statistic at the beginning of the sermon, I thought, "I want to live there." And immediately after, I heard the shouts of acclamation. During the staff meeting, I prayed for something that the requester was not thinking. I hope that lady recovering from surgery is used by God to start a revival in that lost state.

I'm not saying this to make anybody think that I understand what it means to be Christian, because I don't by any stretch of the imagination. But I am saying this to try to make myself, and hopefully somebody else as a vicarious consequence, to think about where I am in life. Where is it that God has put me to make a difference? Am I in a city that does not have a light? If so, what am I doing to make the Gospel known?

It is those cities and places that Paul had in mind when he wrote this in Romans 10,

"How shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!'"

Paul made me think. And hopefully the Gospel makes me act.

Prayer For Obama

2009-01-20T08:10:00.000-08:00

Obama will be in my prayers. It is an historical event and I am blessed to live in America where the Presidents can so peacefully switch power. I pray that Obama will have guidance, protection, and wisdom from God in this presidency. But most importantly, I pray God will break down Obama's opinions on abortion and make them fit more in tune with a Biblical Worldview.

Also, I'll agree with everybody when they say he is a great rhetoric, but not as good as Piper!

Martyrs in Iraq

2008-12-09T09:58:00.000-08:00

Voice of the Martyrs

Doing Missions when dying is gain.

they need me

2008-11-26T23:19:00.000-08:00

Could you imagine a world where Christians lived the way God called them to?

What would it look like? Maybe people would start to say, "I like those Christians. Maybe they aren't all that bad."

I understand that we are going to be hated by the world for our beliefs...but are we hated for the right reasons?

A book by David Kinnaman, unChristian, reported that most nonbelievers said that Christians were, "hypocritical," "insensitive," and "judgmental." Is anybody surprised by this? I think it is only fitting that people think of us like this considering the way we act. I don't like it, but it's true.

Christians are arrogant jerks to say the least.

But if we started to live radically, maybe we would start being disliked for the right reasons. I would love it if people hated me because they thought I was a weirdo. If the only thing I ever talked about was Jesus and was totally overwhelmed by this overwhelming god. People would inevitably think I was a psycho. I think it better to be considered a psycho rather than a "cool" Christian.

At the same time, if I was radically living the way Jesus tells Christians to, maybe I could make a legitimate difference. God tells us to love the poor, care for the widowed, protect those who need protection. What if I did all of those because it came to me naturally? This should be the norm. Radically following Jesus.

I pray that radical would become the norm. And that Christians were leading the fight against injustice all around the world, including at home. It is so much easier to be Christian overseas. Why am I not being one in America? There are people all around me who need Jesus just as much as the drug traffickers in Mexico. Just as much as the entrepreneurs in Japan. Just as much as a sex-slave in India. Just as much as the child soldier in Africa. Everybody needs me to be a Christian, dare I say they need me to be a radical Christian at that? It is pathetic that I have to add an adjective to explain what a true Christian is.

Dollar For a Drink

2008-11-21T09:37:00.001-08:00

Click here for an inspiring story about a daring 16 year who is not afraid to be counter-cultural.

Ryder Cup!

2008-09-19T12:09:00.000-07:00

Do work USA!

Tiger who?

Living on "The Fringe"

2008-09-16T22:02:00.000-07:00

I just finished watching the second episode of a new TV series called The Fringe. The final minute or so there was an extremely profound quote that I think would be good to explore.

"The inherent pitfall of being a scientist is trying to maintain the distinction between God's domain and our own."

I feel as if the inherent pitfall of being a descendant of Adam would be not understanding the distinction between God's domain and our's. What even constitutes as "our" domain? In one of my classes we had a topic floating in the air about the reality of dying to ourselves. If you want to take it one step further you could say we are already dead. "Dead to sin, alive in Christ."

Calvin puts it this way, "we are just sojourners in this world. Our true home address is in heaven. " [I read that today and don't have the book with me...it probably shouldn't be in quotes now that I think about it...]

So when you look at it like that, we don't own anything! We must live in this world as sojourners. I'm not saying that disciples of Christ should sell all they own and live like homeless people begging for food, but I am saying that they should give all they have up.

Genesis 22 shows the perfect example of this idea. Abraham was so enthralled with his son Isaac that God made sure that Abraham's allegiance was still devoted to God. He asked him to make the ultimate sacrifice; his son, his most beloved possession.

That is the total surrender of our possessions.

God has commanded us to be in this world as nomads. We own nothing but that which is awaiting us in Heaven. That is a radical call! It is something that I need to learn more of. I just don't want this to be an ideal for me; I need this to be words that are spoken through my actions. I must die to myself every morning and say, "God, I am just a wandering fool that is willing to do whatever it is that You ask of me."

That is the true meaning of living on "the fringe". We are always one heart beat away from heaven. So let us not waste that final thump of life on the sensual. But instead, Let us become gloriously broken and destroyed by our sin as we call on the name of the Lord for help. Let us use our last heart beat to pump as much of the Gospel into this pitfall we call Earth as we can.

The Payoff

2008-09-13T15:25:00.000-07:00

I don't really have much time to blog, but I can't help myself. I'm addicted to writing my thoughts down on a webpage that nobody will ever read...It's odd.

But the reason why I am writing to myself today is because I just finished reading a chapter in The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. This chapter was all about the gospel and it's implications for the believers. It was a challenging chapter that talked about suffering because He first suffered for us.

Bonhoeffer said that the way to overcome suffering is through suffering alone. It didn't make sense to me at first, but he continued to say that Jesus commands us to pick up our cross and follow Him. Now I see the suffering...

But how do I get over suffering through suffering? It still is a conundrum.

"My yoke is easy and my burden is light." Yeah right Jesus. I'm not really feeling the easy burden and yoke as I'm studying to, Lord willing, become a pastor one day. Hours and hours of reading each day isn't easy by any means! But the byproduct of the suffering that comes through my studying is what gets me through the suffering!

The byproduct? Joy.

I find so much joy in spending my entire day reading theology, discipleship, studying Greek, and not being able to do things that I enjoy like exercising, watching every game of football that's on TV, and hanging out with my friends until the late hours of the night. But it's the little things that I find in God that make me happy with what I'm giving up.

Jesus suffered for me so that I can suffer for Him. I don't need a social life! The only life I need is one radically committed proclaiming the Gospel and sharing the joy that I find in Christ Jesus my Lord.

Special Music at it's Best

2008-09-11T15:26:00.000-07:00

Click here for the coolest offertory you will ever witness. I'll happily...no...joyfully tithe during something like this!

Death By Love

2008-09-09T20:47:00.001-07:00

Mark Driscoll, one of my favorite pastors/speakers/authors is coming out with a new book all about how the love of Christ has broken us free from the bonds of sin. It is written in the form of letters. It is sure to be one worth reading.

Biden's interview on Meet the Press

2008-09-09T19:04:00.000-07:00

Clicked here for an interesting video on Biden's view of abortion. This is postmodernity at it's greatest.

Thoughts on Hell

2008-09-05T13:47:00.000-07:00

I have begun to read a book titled Hell Under Fire by my theology professor Dr. Morgan and many other contributors. I can't say the subject of Hell has ever really caught my attention. Call me a late bloomer, but the only overall thoughts that I had on Hell before reading this book are simply put, "I don't want to go there."

I knew all that was said about it. The common weeping and gnashing of teeth line I had heard quite a bit growing up in church, but it never quite resonated with me. Hell was just a place to me. A place that I know, unfortunately, most people are going to end up.

But this book has kept referring to Hell as eternal punishment or eternal torture. This book is written for scholars...so I don't claim to know half of what they are saying (literally: I haven't seen half of the words these authors have said...it's pathetic). But those two phrases I understand. And from what I've learned so far in the book, I know them well now.

eternal torture...

Just think about that for a moment. Not just torture, but torture for all eternity. I can't imagine.

I had to stop reading a few times just because I couldn't get out of my mind how many people are heading in that direction. I felt like swearing. It seemed like it was the words that could suffice. Actions could not explain how mad I was; words can't do it justice either. Eternal Torture kept echoing in my head. It still does...it won't stop.

And I've come to the conclusion that I will pray these thoughts return if they do cease. I'm not sure it's right to use Hell as a motivation to witness and pray for the lost, but I will. I know one thing for certain, that it is wrong for me not to witness. So even if I do have the wrong motivations (not saying I do or don't...just uncertain), I will continue to use them because I know God will be glorified in the end. No matter how many people end up suffering, the end result is that people will bow before Him. I pray that it is not forced upon them. I pray that they will, in the end, do it willingly and humbly before Jesus Christ.

The Cross's Symbol

2008-08-27T15:01:00.000-07:00

I just finished watching the last 5 minutes of a documentary on crucifixions. It seemed as if they were talking about the miserable death that comes by the torture device (Yes, it is a torture device). But I was disappointed when the last line of the program was, "The cross should be a symbol that says, 'You should never treat somebody like this.'"

Are you kidding me?!

Now don't get me wrong, I agree that we should not treat anybody in a hurtful way; neither physically nor emotionally. Christians are called to love everybody. The cross even shows that! "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." (-John 15:13 ESV) Yet the idea of the cross's new meaning from Channel 269 (DirecTV) ticked me off. The cross has such a deeper meaning. It carries with it the idea of grace, hope, and a future in Christ! I'm so thankful that is the meaning instead of the one that the historian from the History Channel came up with.

How Can We Know?

2008-08-20T23:19:00.000-07:00

Summer is coming to a close...which means I will come to a long stretch where I can do nothing but read, write, study, sleep, and eat. It has been a good summer where God has challenged the way I think and live my life. The last question that God has brought to my attention comes from Corinthians. After reading the opening chapter of the first letter, I began to ask myself how I should look at other people who say they are believers, yet don't act the part. Are they saved or not? So let's get started...

There is no doubt in my mind that these people, in Corinth whom Paul is writing to, are saved through the blood and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is evident through the first half of the chapter. Paul makes that very clear.

But the rest of the book shows the people to be drunks, adulterers, liars, etc.. So what does this mean? These people are saved and act like this?! It just doesn't make any sense.

Paul says that these people are saved. Even though they act the way they do. So how are we supposed to think around the "Christians" in our society. In chapter 2 verse 14 Paul explains what a natural, or unsaved, person does. He "does not accept the things of the Spirit of God."

Now...what are the things of the Spirit of God? I might be wrong on this one because I have not studied exactly what Paul is talking about, but on first look it appears as if Paul is talking about wisdom. Most of the second chapter revolves around the idea of wisdom. So it would not be a long shot to think that he is still talking about it here in verse 14.

A natural person does not accept wisdom, so an unnatural, or saved, person would. I think that is our answer. It is all about being able to accept being wrong! Humility is a showing characteristic of our salvation. We show humility every time we worship God. As seen in Revelation 4, the 24 elders throw their crowns at the foot of God and worship Him! They show humility. Worship is a way of telling God that He is more important than us. It is also the sole reason we are on Earth.

We also see this idea being set forth, by Paul, in chapter 5. There is a man who is doing such a sinful act that they throw him out of the church. The man says he is saved, yet doesn't act like it. So Paul says they will throw him out in order to save him from his flesh (v. 5). And praise God, in 2 Corinthians we learn that he did repent from his sin (2 Corinthians 2:5-11).

This is still a difficult idea for me to grasp. Hopefully as I further dive into God's Word the answer will become more and more clear to me.

Side note...I put in quotes the word Christian referring to people who do not appear to be saved. I have no remorse in putting quotes around it. In fact, there should be quotes around myself sometimes. I feel as if it should serve as a reminder that we are sinful, wretched people who do not deserve God's gift of salvation. But God is full of grace and mercy and we can rely on the fact that He has forgiven us of all our sins! I cannot wait to get to heaven and worship at the throne.

Obamassiah

2008-08-12T12:19:00.000-07:00

Whether you like Obama or not...you have to laugh at this!

Awesome parody.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNFNG3AGO_g&feature=related

R.I.P. Golf

2008-08-11T19:30:00.000-07:00

The headlines shouldn't be reading, "Tiger is having reconstructive knee surgery." It should be reading, "Golf is having reconstructive knee surgery; out for the season." It is absolutely absurd how important Tiger Woods is to golf. For those of you who know me, you know that I'm a golf addict. I know a ton of players on the tour and can tell you if they are good or not. I might even be able to tell you their world ranking...but since Tiger's been gone, I haven't watched one event. Granted, I have been overseas for 3 weeks. But I did have the opportunity to watch the PGA Championship, one of the 4 biggest tournaments the year, and I didn't watch any of it. In fact, it's Monday...and I still haven't even checked to see who won! This is ridiculous for somebody who loves golf as much as me. I can only imagine for the guy who just likes golf. I guess I'm not a golf fan, I'm a Tiger fan. I'm okay with that. After all, Tiger Woods is my male celebrity crush (I say that completely heterosexually).

So until next season, I probably won't be watching much golf.

Go Tiger!

Something Spiritual

2008-08-11T11:19:00.000-07:00

I alluded to the fact that there were security issues with my blog being written while I was over there because the Government monitors all internet activity and it is very possible that they could read my blog and deport me, my team, and the IMB Missionaries there. So I chose to talk about things that were secondary agenda to me. Luckily, I'm back in the states where I can openly talk about my beliefs. So here is what really happened.

When I used to think of Muslims, not too many good thoughts would come to mind. I would have the usual thought of; terrorists, extremists, and the idea that they hate America. All of those views seem to be valid with what we are fed from the media. Just an example, when we were in LAX we put on our dishdashas (traditional Muslim attire) and a guy walked past us and under his breath said, "terrorists." That is not what he found out by himself. That is what the media chose for him to think.

What we are not fed and therefore not given the choice to think is what these people are truly like. Now when I think of Muslims, I think of; overly hospitable, nice, and family oriented. I think it is absurd that we go through our days and hear nothing positive about this people group. They act more like Christians than Christians do. I hate to say that, but it is true. When was the last time you gave out your number to a perfect stranger and told them to call you if you needed anything? I don't think I ever have, yet these people do it daily. I learned a lot from them.

God is doing some amazing things in the Middle East. People are coming to the Lord in masses. There is a movement in Iraq that is so new right, they can't even number the amount of Believers. That is exciting! Who doesn't want to be apart of that?

I'm sorry to say that I cannot tell you of any tangible evidence of our mission trip. The fact is; witnessing to Islams is a slow process. The average amount of times the gospel is shared to them before they start to believe is 25. It usually ranges from a 5-7 year evangelism process. So unfortunately, we were not able to see anybody come to the Lord this trip, but I have faith that people we came into contact with will eventually be forgiven of all their sins. It is only going to take people who give up their time and make their way over to the Middle East and tell them the Good News that they have. And if God would call somebody like me, I know He will have people going over who will do a far better job than I ever will be able to. I think that God just wanted to show me what He is doing overseas because I am not very good at the whole evangelizing thing.

There is something that I feel is worth being discussed while I'm talking about my trip. It doesn't deal with interacting with the lost. It doesn't deal with smuggling Bibles into the country. It deals with the humbling act of worship. There is something that can't be described when you are able to worship the God of the Universe in a country where His name is not lifted up. Singing with my team and doing Bible studies was amazing. Not because we were good singers or teachers. Not because we had in depth theological discussions. But because God was being glorified! The trip alone was worth it because I was able to worship the Lord.

People say that going overseas is a life changing experience. I pray that it will be for me too. Right now, I'm beginning to see the importance of living with intentionality. It was so easy to walk around looking for people to talk to and give people a smile that you make eye contact with. Why don't I do that in America? I have made a promise to God that I will start to make an effort in making relationships with unbelievers. I will do that by going to Starbucks to study instead of my apartment. I will make friends in my classes that are not believers. And I will make more of a point to build the relationships with my friends that I know are not believers. It is just one way that I will be fulfilling the Great Commission in America. Hopefully this is just not one of those post-summer camp moments where you are on fire to do stuff like this.

My prayers are going to be going strong for the IMB Missionaries we met in the Middle East. And it is my prayer that you answer the call to go make disciples. It is not a choice. There is no so called "calling" to be a missionary. It is just a matter of saying "Yes" to God, because He is asking all of His sheep. So you can say "Yes" either two ways; Go or Send.

How much longer?

2008-08-03T07:02:00.000-07:00

I'm pretty worn out with everything. Not to mention getting on the internet was a pain. Along with me not getting able to get on AOL to check and send email really made me happy as well. I promise I was in a better mood 10 minutes ago.

I'm still having hints of fun though! This place doesn't even look like the Middle East. It is more like a rain forest than a desert. A few days ago we had a picnic with some Arab guys on a cliff overlooking the ocean. We ate with our hands and the Arabs made fun of me...I guess I wasn't doing something right. Who thought there was a technique to eating with your hands? But at the end of our meal there were about 6 camels that showed up. It was a weird juxtaposition with the camels and ocean. I'm sure you can't see that combo too many places in the world.

It has been harder to find fluent people here in Salalah. Kind of a bummer, but we are making due.

Overseas brings a lot of Spiritual Warfare that I've never experienced in the states. I'll be happy to get it all off my back soon. Even with all the warfare, it is nice to know that the S-man isn't happy with the work we are doing. Speaking of the work...it is a lot different than what I thought it was going to be. And I'm still looking to find peace with my purpose for coming.

Please pray for me and renewed strength. There is only a few more days left and I want to be able to finish strong! There is still a ton of work to be done here. It has been refreshing to see the work that was already in progress. The harvest is ready!

I'm going to go and try to find a way to email people. But in case I can't....Mom, all I want is clean clothes, a good shower, my cell phone, and food that comes out solid. Also, mom and dad....Happy Anniversary! I love you guys.

ME Update 1

2008-07-26T02:42:00.000-07:00

My eyes are beginning to open to something so much bigger than anything you can experience on American soil. It is really hard to talk about what I want to say because of problems that come from "closed" regions, but I promise I'll have plenty to say when I get home.

I can give you a few snippets though!

The quote of the trip:
Muhammed *with Arabic accent*: You ever poop in the desert?
Kyle: ...No.
Muhammed: You should try it.
That guy is probably the funniest Arab guy I will ever meet.

The drive to the LA airport was stupid scary! The guy drove like he was half asleep or something. I think he was on some kinda of drugs. He definitely didn't know how to stay in one lane.
Driving in round abouts with 3+ lanes and little to no regard for the one or two traffic laws in place is even scarier....I thought Asians were bad drivers! They drive like experts compared to Indians.

I've never seen a chandelier bigger than the one in the Grand Mosque. The place is absolutely gorgeous.

I'm kind of bummed I haven't been able to use the squatty potty yet. My colon ran into a little problem with the food for a few days. :/ Needless to say, the Imodium has done it's job and my cheeks haven't seen porcelan for awhile.

Off roading in the desert is pretty exciting. It comes in two ways:
1. Get stuck in a Sadan in the middle of the night.
This one is fun! You get to see a man in a Dishdashda named
Muhammed running around in a panic not knowing what to do while
the Amreecas push the car out of the sand.
2. Get stuck in an Explorer during the day.
This one is fun too because Arab's on quads get to laugh at you and steal
your SUV for a good ten minutes while you are stuck in the back seat. Not to
mention he drives off after asking the owner if he was Amreecan. After hearing
a "yes", replies "Goerge Bush." Then precedes to floor it through the dunes at scary
speeds. Nevertheless....amazing!

This is all I have time for now. But don't worry mom, I think I have gotten used to the food so I shouldn't be sick anymore (yes...I did get a little sick). I should be able to update in a week or so. We are flying to a vacation spot of the region tomorrow so it should be amazing!

P.S. Sorry I didn't call before I went offroading, mom. But I think you'll understand.

Prayers Wanted!

2008-07-17T08:08:00.000-07:00

I'm leaving for the Middle East and I would love your prayers for my team and me!

I'll try to be updating this blog once a week or so...

Uh Oh

2008-07-12T18:42:00.000-07:00

I'm getting ready to go to the Middle East next week and I stumbled upon this from George Otis Jr.'s book The Last of the Giants: Lifting the Veil on Islam and the End Times

"Should the Church in politically or socially trying circumstances remain covert to avoid potential eradication by forces hostile to Christianity? Or would more open confrontation with prevailing spiritual ignorance and deprivation--even if it produced Christian martyrs- -be more likely to lead to evangelistic breakthroughs? Islamic fundamentalists claim that their spiritual revolution is fueled by the blood of martyrs. Is it conceivable that Christianity's failure to thrive in the Muslim world is due to the notable absence of Christian martyrs? And can the Muslim community take seriously the claims of a Church in hiding? . . .The question is not whether it is wise at times to keep worship and witness discreet, but rather how long this may continue before we are guilty of "hiding our light under a bushel. . . . The record shows that from Jerusalem and Damascus to Ephesus and Rome, the apostles were beaten, stoned, conspired against and imprisoned for their witness. Invitations were rare, and never the basis for their missions."

The part of the ME where I'm going is a pretty safe place to be. Probably safer than LA. But still...makes me think a little bit.

Suffering

2008-07-09T14:54:00.001-07:00

I was reading this book called the Bible (pretty good, I recommend it). But in 1 Corinthians 15 it talks about Jesus rising from the dead, along with the eye witnesses that saw Jesus after He had been killed.

One verse struck me in the passage. Verse 14 says, "And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain."

I have been asked the question before, "If Christianity is proved wrong, what will you do?" I had no idea how to answer a question like this. I always gave the holy/faithful (some what faking) answer of "that's never gonna to happen".

But Paul is essentially answering that question here in v 14. He says that it is futile the way he has lived! Why would somebody want to go through the hardships of being a Christian when they could spend the easy life of being a non-believer? And if you are thinking to yourself that your life wouldn't change but the one day a week you go to church, maybe you should think more about what it means to be a Christian.

Being a Christian is tough! We don't get to understand the meaning of tough here in America. We can easily live two lives and put on a facade infront of our "brothers and sisters". Maybe we should all live in the Persecuted Church area for awhile and see what happens to our faith.

Would you still be a Christian if somebody was beating you upside the head with a bat? Would you still believe if you witnessed your loved one's getting dragged out into the street and beaten? Would you still cry out to God when you have lived in solitary confinement for years?

Christians in America don't have to deal with the hardships like our Asian brethren. But even without the persecution, what would change about your life if Christianity was nothing more than an SNL skit?

Why didn't the emergent cross the road?

2008-07-08T09:39:00.001-07:00

I found this on Dr. Mooney's blog.

10. Because he did not want to be labeled.

9. Because he was not absolutely certain that he could cross since in order to get to the other side, you would have to go half way, and in order to go half way, you would have to go half way to half way, and in order to go half way to the half way, you would have to go half way, ad infinitum.

8. Because it was not a labyrinth shaped road.

7. Because only arrogant people cross roads.

6. The liquor store was on his side.

5. Because they didn't ordain women or homosexuals to street preaching on the other side.

4. Becuase everyone crosses the road, it must be wrong.

3. Because to cross the road you have to go West.

2. Because it was a one-way street.

1. Because he did not want to be acccused of J-Mac-ing.

Here we go!

2008-07-06T17:04:00.000-07:00

Hello blogworld! I am now an official blogger. This apparently is where all of my important thoughts are supposed to appear. I'll try not to disappoint those who think I have interesting things going on up there. And if you are one of those people...you must be really dull.

I know the blogworld is filled with postmodernity (ie. coffee, long talks that don't generally have a direction, and the philisophical idea that we cannot reach absolute truth). So it seems that I, more of a traditionalist, am venturing into the realm of black rimmed glasses and talks about how cool the new u2 album is. But I think that most of my posts are going to be about loving God and His Word. So innevitably, I will post things that bloggers care about...like beating poverty and loving people. I won't talk about global warming so much...but I love the Earth nonetheless. Why do you have to be green and democrat to love the Earth anyways?

Well, I'm off to go find some funny Youtube videos because that's one part of blogging, right?