Blog Posts

fantastic focus

8/10/2015

Last Sunday, Brian Templin said several things that have truly stuck with me...

In the evening, he mentioned that often we choose to focus on the wrong thing, or rather, just not the right thing? Whether believer or not, for various reasons, we sometimes have the natural inclination to gravitate toward the focus of something other than the right thing. Oh we may not mean to, we just find ourselves often doing it.

The Bible admonishes us to be "looking" unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. (Hebrews 12:2 NKJV) Said another way and in another version, we are to be "fixing our eyes" on Jesus... (NIV)

The Greek word for “looking” or “fixing our eyes” is aphorao. It originates by combining two separate Greek words meaning "away from" and "to see". The implication is that there is a turning away from that which we are currently looking at, to instead see something else. In this case, we are to turn our attention from that which may currently be occupying our attention and to, with intent, fix our eyes on Jesus instead. What exactly does this mean?

Perhaps an illustration is in order. Better yet, a modern day parable: "Two Boys on a Journey"

Two boys found themselves on a journey together. The younger boy was extremely homesick and was, in fact, headed home. But he was unaware of it. Nonetheless, he was consumed with the desire to go home. Aware of it, the older boy had just left home and was going to a place to learn survival skills. This trip for survival learning was to prepare him for life away from home, but it was to also include subjects other than outdoor skills. But he, too, was unaware of it. While on this journey, and not long after the journey had started, the older boy became extremely irritated with the younger boy because of his constantly expressed desire to go home. This soon became an obvious distraction and to the point where the older boy said, "I just want you to go away." But the younger boy still said insistently, "I just want to go home." Whose eyes do you suppose, the younger or the older, remained fixed on their individual purpose and pursuit?

The parable I have just shared is based on an incident that actually happened. I was actually right in the thick of it on my return flight from a recent wedding. The boy who wanted to go home was just three years old. Oh my - what focus he had! He kept repeating to his mother, desperately over and over, perhaps 40-50 times during the flight, “I want to go home”. The boy and his still younger brother, and the mother, all fell sound asleep about 40 minutes into the flight. For whatever reason, it never occurred to the toddler that he was actually indeed headed home.

The older boy was a young military serviceman who was 23 years old. He and about two dozen other soldiers were headed to a destination for military training. The mother and the two young boys were sitting directly behind us during the flight. This young soldier was seated next to me and it quickly became obvious that he desperately wanted the younger boy to be quiet. He made it very clear by his countenance and gestures. The mother on the other hand had a focus of her own. She was not focused on what people thought, including this clearly agitated serviceman. She simply remained patient with her young son until she could calmly get him calmed down. Quite frankly, I thought she did a remarkable job. I even prayed for her very early in the flight.

Each of these people illustrate a focus. Focus is a term we use for a variety of subjects in everyday life. Focus can relate to an attention span, determination or resolve, or vision in general. It however seems to always have two ends of the spectrum - in or out. A camera out of focus; our concentration on a goal would be considered determination or resolve in focus; and yes, our physical eyes depending on the circumstance can be "in or out" of focus.

Awhile back we had a season in our church where we invited broad participation on vision casting for future ministry. This process was called "Future Focus Forum". It is quite obvious, at least to those who call our church “home”, that this is not something we are focused on at the moment. Some are familiar with the popular Christian organization "Focus on the Family" and James Dobson its founder. The family is indeed a good thing to focus on, as well as vision for church ministry. However, it is not the central subject of this message. Hopefully we will focus our attention here on the "focus" of something else.

In our title, "Fantastic Focus", I had honestly considered the use of the term "fixation" instead of focus. However, it typically brings a negative impression, or shall we say, negative focus! Have you ever had what might be considered a fixation? In an older comedy movie (Dream Team), actor Peter Boyle plays a character with a psychotic condition what is known as "Christ fixation". In this instance, the term had a very negative focus. The man clearly had an unhealthy, deranged and very distorted mental concept. Fixations can come in the form of stalkers of celebrities, secret admirers, and every other manner of unhealthy obsessions. But does it always have, or need to have, a negative connotation as it did in this case? Perhaps it would be beneficial to quickly review the varied meanings of fixation. May I suggest that you do this on your own.

Looking again (focusing) on our scripture passage in Hebrews, is it any wonder that these first two verses in Hebrews 12 follow directly on the heals of the "great faith chapter", Hebrews 11? We all know that faith is the focus of that chapter. Further, is it any wonder that verse two of Hebrews 12 relates our "focus" to the authoring and the perfecting of our faith? The writer of Hebrews has already admonished readers to fix their thoughts on Jesus in the first verse of chapter 3. Why? Because Jesus Himself is the author and perfecter of our faith. Our faith is not a generic one - it is in Christ. He is always front and center. If I cannot keep a steady focus on Christ, the end result is that my faith will never be perfected. Perhaps a steady focus on Jesus, a "Christ Fixation", is not a negative thing after all, at least in the biblical sense. Not only that, but the admonition in Hebrews 12:1 is to throw off everything that hinders, including the sin which so easily entangles us. These simply are among the many “front and center” distractions that take our attention off of Jesus. The spiritual mind and eyes fixed on Christ are, in a protective and preserving sense, an anecdote. Not only that, this particular fixation might be thought of as a holy obsession of which we have no reason whatsoever to be ashamed.

In our parable and true story, we see how easily and quickly we can be distracted from our goal, our purpose. The older boy represents a person without a healthy Christ fixation. The younger boy, rather, represents the one whose eyes are fixed on Christ. Having the simple faith of a child, perhaps we should think of it in these terms. If I am in Christ, I am at home. If I am away from him, even in thought for very long, I am homesick. Put very simply, Jesus is home. There should be a sense of being at home in Christ. The one who fixes their eyes on Christ in this fashion cannot and does not wander very far from home.

I have a pair of binoculars that, in my opinion, have incredible focus. The clarity is simply fantastic. If I think of my own focus on Christ in these terms, I wonder just how fantastic it is? A focus such as the young boy had indeed represents a healthy focus, even a fantastic one. I dream, and pray, that I would be a believer with a fantastic focus on Jesus. I pray that you will be too.

May I admonish you to purpose in your heart today to grow in this grace. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you perfect your Kingly focus, your focus and fixation on Jesus Christ. Remarkable and odd at the same time, we are admonished to focus; fix our eyes; on the eternal unseen (II Corinthians 4:18). That which we see all around us is easy to focus on, but it is temporary. Jesus, at least at the moment, is unseen. He is also eternal. Let's fix our eyes on Him.

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being a plus or minus christian

8/3/2015

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The written “rants” on social media (such as FaceBook) lately have caused me to question what kind of believers we really are, and what does the church “say” to observers through all the rhetoric?

As Christians, we always have a choice to add positive or negative to any situation. Better yet, we have a choice to consider and treat people with a positive or negative approach. When we consider those who are not yet believers, do we take them as they are, or do we attempt to “fix them” first by suggesting that certain things be removed from their lives before they are “worthy” of God’s mercy and grace?

As an illustration, picture a non-believer as an empty glass with some sand in the bottom of the glass. The sand represents their “sin”, “issues”, or “problems”. If we take the “minus” approach to treating others, it is like taking a pair of tweezers in nit-picky fashion and selecting and personally removing a speck of sand out of the bottom of the glass. Of course in this fashion the process of “removing the sand” is long, laborious and frustrating. In fact, we may soon give up. If however, we take the “Plus” approach, understanding that we are filled with streams of living water, we will pour ourselves into the glass, and in no time the glass is not only full of water, but the sand is being displaced and washed out of the glass. Only Christ can wash completely, but we are, after all, His ambassadors! (II Corinthians 5:20)

Is it possible that the Apostle Paul, when addressing the church in Ephesus (Ephesians 2:1-5), was in some respects addressing a “Minus” church? Here, he tells them; “but as for you, you too were once dead”, and figuratively speaking, they had previously had sand in their own glasses. Maybe they still do.

This business of plus and minus brings to the surface a host of questions. For example, does the church choose who it ministers to, and why? Do you? Who, after all, are you willing to associate with? When it comes to people in your sphere of influence, can there still be sand in the glass? A lot of sand? When we consider Jesus, he was not ashamed to make his association with tax collectors, prostitutes, and those who were considered “unclean”. In essence, these were the ones that no one else would associate with.

So why do we treat others differently, or rather, inconsistently? Minus says, “You change, and then I will associate with you.” However, Plus takes on the attitude of what we read in Ephesians 2:10. We were created to be Plus Christians – those who add to (or into) the lives of others. One of the things to be added is fruit – the fruit of the Spirit. This fruit is not to be kept for ourselves, and it is to be without price or cost to the recipient. Rather than make the person come to the super-market of your life to purchase the fruit, why not leave the fruit on the tree, out in the open and in public, to be picked by whomever would choose to pick it? We can choose to be Minus and be stingy with our Christlike fruit, or we can leave it on the tree for everyone to pick – everyone! Who gets to enjoy the fruit of your life?

According to scripture (I Corinthians 13:13), we must love if we are to truly be a Plus Christian. Our love is to be poured out and into lives, like water filling the glass. And it is to be poured out on whomever, regardless of their status. Must they act and be “just right” to receive His mercy? Your mercy?

Be a Plus Christian to ALL those around you, even as Paul did. Become a minister of grace without prerequisite (Ephesians 3:7) and show forth the power of this grace by your deeds (James 2:14).
(This subject was derived and is based on the sermon message with identical title by Brian Templin; August 2, 2015)

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longing for a longing

7/25/2015

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When I first came to Alaska in August nearly 33 years ago, I had to be separated from my wife for seven weeks. That’s right, seven! Our first son was only six months old, we were to be leaving a church we loved, and family we had never been apart from, and moving to a place we had never been. In the process of that transition and move, it was necessary to be apart from my precious family, and to be apart from my wife for a longer period of time both previously in our relationship, and since then. During that period, and as the weeks dragged on, I had a longing to be with her that is hard to describe. I missed her and my son terribly. It was a lesson in life for both of us, but I hope I never have to endure such separation again.

The longings, yearnings, and groans we have in life are of course diverse. I came home from work the other day to something that we had not had for dinner or a meal in a very long time. When I made mention of it to my wife, she simply said; “Well, I was hungry for it.”

Have you ever wondered what causes us to hunger, long, or yearn for certain things? In these two prior examples, we actually see a yearning for something and a yearning for someone. Both can create varied levels of intensity and duration. I have experienced both short-lived “hunger pangs” when my appetite was in a rage, as well as drawn out “longings” such as I had for my young family all those years ago.

There are also a wide variety of scriptures which speak to this subject of longing. A variety of metaphors, such as hungering and thirsting, are used to help us grasp this power of longing. Some have to do with things to be sure, but more have to do with relationships. Some of these are man-to-man, such as brother to brother. Others have more to do with the man-God relationship. Some examples are:

Man-to-man (earthly relationships)

He (Titus) told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever.                                                                                                            [II Corinthians 7:7]

But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you.   [I Thess. 2:17]

Man-to-God (heavenly relationship)

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?                                                                [Psalm 42:1-2]

My soul faints with longing for your salvation, but I have put my hope in your word.     [Psalm 119:81]

Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling…         [II Corinthians 5:2]

People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.                                                                                                        [Hebrews 11:14-16]

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.            [Matthew 5:6]

I find some intrigue in that Jesus promises a “filling” to those who hunger and thirst (long) for righteousness. In this, it was purposeful (I believe) that Jesus makes it a point to mention that they will hunger AND thirst, as if one or the other just doesn’t seem to describe the longing intensity quite good enough. At face value, we may quickly conclude that righteousness is what we will be filled with. That is, after all, what is longed for in this verse. Right?

I have now been a Christ-believer and follower a long time. However, I must admit that not once prior to salvation do I recall longing for righteousness. But when I met Christ, and He came to reside in me, all of a sudden I had a desire (a longing) to become like Him. That desire has intensified over time. This is a desire that the Holy Spirit keeps instilling and working in me. When I came to realize that it was not just any righteousness, but His righteousness I was to seek (Matthew 6:33), I found that the only way to hope to accomplish it was to trust in His perfect sacrifice for me, and to rest in Him. In essence, it is not really righteousness that I long for, but rather, the Righteous One.

I must admit also that I am in a season of, for lack of a better description, longing for a longing. I want my desire and longing for the Righteous One, Jesus, to be a marked feature in my life that is never missing. Sometimes I wonder if it is, or at least, has waned. If there is such a thing as spiritual hunger pangs, how might they be recognized in me and in you, and how often should we experience them? There are some worship “lyrics” that speak to this issue of longing, such as:

How I long to be with You; to sit at your feet and worship. My life I give to You. So use me as You will.

Or…   Hungry, I come to You for I know You satisfy. I am empty but I know Your love does not run dry. So I wait for You, and I wait for You. I'm falling on my knees offering all of me. Jesus, You're all this heart is living for. Broken, I run to you for Your arms are open wide. I am weary, but I know Your touch restores my life. So I wait for You, and I wait for You. I'm falling on my knees offering all of me. Jesus, You're all this heart is living for.

I can sing these song lyrics, but doing so won’t produce the longing the words describe. However, I am quite sure that these songs were birthed from a longing. It is also what birthed Psalm 42:1-2. I have a longing for this manner of longing. I long for it in my life and I long for it in yours. I am also reminded of a truth I heard in another song; Only Jesus can satisfy my soul. If that is true, and I am certain that it is, then perhaps we should find ourselves longing no longer for the things of this world, but rather, for the One in whom our soul delights. The perfect One. The holy and anointed One, Jesus. The world is offering us so much that is competing for our affection. However, it will never ever satisfy our soul.

Precious Savior, Redeemer, Friend, bring us to the place of longing again…

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echoing prayerful ways

7/13/2015

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Yesterday’s sermon message was titled Prayerful Ways and was birthed out of a set of devotionals I had recently read on the subject matter of prayer. It so happens that this is a subject matter weighty on my heart these days anyway, and so to have an unexpected but welcome follow-up message sent to me this morning was particularly potent. As a dear sister from our congregation has just reminded me, this is what some have referred to as a "sacred echo". It's obvious God wants my attention, and for that matter, our attention - regarding prayer.

Before receiving this message, I had come across the topic of Body Language in my morning devotional. Now to most, that may seem insignificant. However, that happens to be one of the four main subtopics I had used in yesterday’s message, Prayerful Ways, and related it to the manner in which we pray. Coining the phrase sacred echo, perhaps for me personally this might be considered a “double echo”?

Of particular emphasis in the message Prayerful Ways was another main subtopic, Spread It Out. It was based on the scriptural and historical reference to King Hezekiah spreading a threatening letter/decree out before the LORD in prayer (II Kings 19:14 & Isaiah 37:14). This was a seemingly impossible situation for the people of Jerusalem as a whole, filled with incredible intimidation and promoting great fear. In our modern day lives, this was used to emphasize that we can bring intimidating written news before the LORD, such as a threatening email, a pink slip, a frightening medical diagnosis, a divorce decree, or an unexpected bill or financial statement. We may not incur these types of threats every day or even very often, but sometime in our lives we come to the place where things are simply “beyond us”.

To be specific, the sacred echo forwarded to me this morning included a devotional by Glynnis Whitwer , on staff with Proverbs 31 Ministries as their executive director of communications and overseer of their devotionals, Encouragement for Today. In it, (and based on the scripture reference; "I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?" Jeremiah 32:27 (NIV)); she wrote this:

Why do I compare God’s power to mine? Why do I worry about "bothering" Him with too many "big" requests? Why do I accept so many situations and never even think about praying for them to change?

The truth is that I’m much more comfortable praying for things that could be solved in my own power. There’s an underlying fear that God might say "No," or worse, stay silent.

Plus, I’m afraid I’ll misuse my invitation to pray or seem demanding. The last thing I want is to treat God like a genie in a bottle. Those complicated fears limit my prayers for God’s help in many impossible situations.

Oh how that must grieve the heart of my Heavenly Father. He knows how much more He wants to do in my life, and in the lives of others, if only I’ll invite Him.

Here’s the truth: When I build my faith on what I can do, then I will only see what I can do. But a faith based on what God can do … now that’s life-changing.

That’s how I want to live my life. I want my prayers and faith to go beyond human power. I want to bring everything to my Heavenly Father, every care, every need. Not with a demanding heart, but with one of positive expectation.

It’s not my responsibility how God decides to answer. But that shouldn’t keep me from asking.

I’m tired of playing it safe. It’s time to cast off my (our) fears, remove the limitations I’ve (we’ve) placed on God, and invite Him into every situation I (we) face — especially those that seem hopeless. It’s then I’ll (we’ll) see God’s power, not mine (ours). (my emphasis added…)

Thank God for those things, the many things, that are beyond us. Because they are “beyond us”, we have this privileged opportunity to bring them to our awesome God in prayerful crys. If I understand correctly the cited scripture (Jeremiah 32:27) as well as many others, nothing is beyond Him!

So today, if in the recesses of your spirit and thinking, and as a result of an impossible need or situation you (we) face, you are saying, “it’s beyond me” – then without hesitation, take it to our Father in prayer. If necessary, write the impossibility on a piece of paper. Like Hezekiah, spread it out before the LORD. This is our confidence. His answer to us will always and most assuredly be; “It’s not beyond me.”

Pastor Bob

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remembering dependence

7/4/2015

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There will be many things remembered today – July 4th, 2015.

Some will celebrate anniversaries. Others will celebrate the birth of a newborn baby. Others will wish a Happy Birthday to a son or daughter born on this date years ago. The United States and its people will celebrate, again, Independence Day. To be sure, each of these is a cause and call for remembrance.

Perhaps there is another remembrance that is fitting for this day. Long ago Moses spoke these words; “And you shall remember the Lord your God…” – Deuteronomy 8:18 NKJV. Perhaps this is something we should also never forget. Whether Moses is still considered a spokesman, forefather, or someone else of influence, the scriptures account for these words and this proclamation.

In United States history, another forefather issued a proclamation that called its people to remember, and in that remembrance, to do something. In March of 1863, President Abraham Lincoln stated these words in his “Proclamation Appointing a National Fast Day”.

“…whereas it is the duty of nations as well as of men, to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God, to confess their sins and transgressions, in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon; and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord. And, insomuch as we know that, by His divine law, nations like individuals are subjected to punishments and chastisements in this world, may we not justly fear that the awful calamity of civil war, which now desolates the land, may be but a punishment, inflicted upon us, for our presumptuous sins, to the needful end of our national reformation as a whole People? We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of Heaven. We have been preserved, these many years, in peace and prosperity. We have grown in numbers, wealth and power, as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace, and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us; and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us! It behooves us then, to humble ourselves before the offended Power, to confess our national sins, and to pray for clemency and forgiveness.”

These were uncertain and in many respects, sobering times in our nation’s history. I believe that we are now in uncertain and sobering times too. Please know that President Lincoln was not just making up the phrase underlined above. He was referencing scripture in Psalm 33:12. It is here that I would like to add some of the other verses of that same Psalm, from verse 10 to the end:

The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect. The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people He has chosen as His own inheritance. The LORD looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men. From the place of His dwelling He looks on all the inhabitants of the earth; He fashions their hearts individually; He considers all their works. No king is saved by the multitude of an army; a mighty man is not delivered by great strength. A horse is a vain hope for safety; neither shall it deliver any by its great strength. Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy, to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name. Let your mercy, O LORD, be upon us, just as we hope in You.

I call us not just to remember that this is Independence Day, a day special for some other reason, or to remember these words of proclamation from 152 years ago. Rather, I call us to do what the scripture incites us to do – and always; to Remember the Lord our God. In our celebrated but often misunderstood independence, let us never forget to continually run to Him in utter dependence – for (His) life, liberty, and justice for us.

Pastor Bob

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somewhere, over the rainbow

6/27/2015

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The familiar song Somewhere Over the Rainbow made famous, first perhaps by Judy Garland, has some interesting lyrics to be sure. The first line of the song which states “Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high, there's a land that I heard of, once in a lullaby” speaks of a place perhaps all of us would want to see – or for that matter; live! We who know Jesus Christ know that we did not hear this necessarily in a lullaby only, but in the Word of God. Many may be surprised to find out, however, that for whatever reason, this song and the primary subject couched within its title has had particular appeal in the last 50 years or more to the homosexual community. In an article written by columnist Forrest Wickman almost exactly two years ago (June 26, 2013), we read this bit of history regarding the “rainbow significance”.

The rainbow … wasn’t popularized as an official symbol of the gay community until the 1970s. In 1978, San Francisco artist Gilbert Baker designed what is believed to be the first modern gay pride flag by combining eight stripes, each a different color with its own symbolism: pink for sex, red for life, orange for healing, yellow for sunlight, green for nature, blue for art, indigo for harmony, and violet for the human spirit. When he wanted to manufacture the flag for sale, he found that hot pink wasn’t as available as the other colors, and so the flag dropped to seven colors. Baker later dropped indigo to maintain an even number, and the flag arrived at its contemporary six colors. When San Francisco gay activists marched to protest the 1978 assassination of city supervisor Harvey Milk, they marched with Baker’s rainbow-colored flags.

Pop culture also gave the rainbow resonance with gay activists, perhaps because of Judy Garland and her signature song “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” Garland was a major star to the gay community throughout the 1950s and 1960s. Gay men came out in droves for her performances, and, from World War II forward, many in the LGBT community referred to themselves as “friends of Dorothy,” a phrase that seems to have derived from Garland’s performance in The Wizard of Oz. The pivotal riots at the Stonewall Inn occurred just hours after Garland’s funeral, and her death may have helped provoke the unrest. Garland had earlier bragged, “When I die I have visions of ____ singing ‘Over the Rainbow’ and the flag at Fire Island being flown at half mast.” Garland died in 1969, before the popularization of the modern LGBT flag, but some Fire Island houses were reportedly draped in black.

Of course, rainbows and rainbow flags carry significance outside the LGBT community. The rainbow is an important symbol in the Bible, representing a promise of peace from God to Noah, and some Christian groups have used that symbol in their iconography.

The physical rainbow is indeed a beautiful thing to behold; even more so when we consider its origin. We find in Genesis 9:8-17 that God created the rainbow just as He created all things. To be sure, we are not talking about just any icon. This particular creation, and more to the point, was to signify a covenant that He was making with not only man, but with all living creatures for all generations in perpetuity (verses 10-12, 15-17). The rainbow was His personal signature, as it were; a reminder to both Himself and man of this very important covenant (agreement).

As an apparent affront to God Himself, it should not surprise us in our generation that the symbol of the rainbow these days now somehow has been made to symbolize something of which He (God) clearly has warned human beings to abstain from. As if the deceiver, the devil himself would continue to throw dirt in the face of God, so it would seem that what was intended to be a sacred symbol for thousands of years is now perverted in the eyes of so many. As always, be reminded that God will have the final say. As such, we as believers should not succumb to mud-slinging or dirt-throwing ourselves.

It is at this point that I must mirror, at least in part, what our Assemblies of God General Superintendent, George Wood, recently wrote in his Statement Regarding the Supreme Court's Same-Sex Marriage Decision:

Today is a sad day for America.

As a Christian minister and general superintendent of the Assemblies of God, I am deeply concerned with the Court's redefinition of marriage and the negative effects that it may have on religious freedom.

Scripture defines marriage solely in terms of the union of a man and a woman (e.g., Matthew 19:4–6; Mark 10:5–9; cf. Genesis 1:27–28, 2:20–24; Ephesians 5:21–32). Not only that, Scripture prohibits same-sex intercourse (Romans 1:26–27; 1 Corinthians 6:9; I Timothy 1:10; cf. Leviticus 18:22, 20:13). When it comes to same-sex marriage, Scripture clearly prohibits what the Supreme Court permits.

As Christians, Assemblies of God adherents affirm that the Bible determines what we believe and how we behave. Our Statement of Fundamental Truths puts it this way: "The Bible is our all-sufficient rule for faith and practice." And: "The Scriptures, both the Old and New Testaments, are verbally inspired of God and are the revelation of God to man, the infallible, authoritative rule of faith and conduct".

Our Scripture-based definition of marriage and understanding of sexual morality shapes what our Constitution and Bylaws require as behavioral standards for credentialed ministers, finds reflection in the Assemblies of God position paper on homosexuality, and provides the rationale for the conduct codes of our denominational offices, affiliate organizations, and colleges and universities.

While I am grateful that in its decision the Supreme Court acknowledged that our opposition to same-sex marriage and behavior arises from "good faith" rather than animus, I am deeply concerned, however, about how the Court will rule when government laws and regulations that reflect its redefinition of marriage conflict with our biblical behavioral standards. For example;

•              Will public accommodation laws be interpreted to require Assemblies of God congregations to rent their sanctuaries to same-sex weddings if they also rent their sanctuaries to weddings involving a man and a woman?

•              Will Assemblies of God ministers be required to solemnize same-sex marriages?

•              Will Assemblies of God colleges and universities be required to enroll same-sex married students, even though that constitutes a violation of their student conduct codes?

•              Will our schools be able to access federal student loans and grants if our student conduct codes prohibit same-sex behavior?

•              Will Assemblies of God organizations that provide psychological counseling, adoption services, or other services that require professional licenses be stripped of their licenses because of their faith-based opposition to same-sex marriage and behavior?

•              Will Assemblies of God organizations lose their tax-exempt status because of their opposition to same-sex marriage because of the Bob Jones precedent?

As an American, I believe that this decision represents a judicial usurpation of politics. Proponents of same-sex marriage like to draw analogies between their movement and the Abolitionist and Civil Rights Movements. The analogy is false, but it is nonetheless instructive in this particular case.

Whereas abolition and civil rights were enacted democratically by amending the U.S. Constitution in the 1860s and passing national civil rights legislation in the 1960s, same-sex marriage has actually only been democratically enacted in just 11 States and the District of Columbia. It has been imposed on 39 States and American territories by State and Federal Courts that overturned democratically enacted definitions of marriage as a man-woman union. Think of it: The power of just five votes! (The decision passed on a 5-4 vote)

I cannot help but think that this is an unhelpful way to resolve the political, social, and moral conflicts that divide the American people. I close with three words of pastoral advice:

First, to Assemblies of God ministers: Politics reflects culture, and culture reflects religion. If you are concerned with the political drift of American culture, preach the gospel! As it sends out roots in the lives of believers, the seed of the gospel will change hearts and minds.

Second, to Assemblies of God adherents: You are privileged citizens of a blessed nation. Use your citizenship well! Seek the common good. Advocate for the last, the lost, and the least. Speak the truth in love. And vote for candidates and issues that reflect a biblical perspective on issues. The difference in so many conflicts in American politics and culture turns on who turns out to vote.

Third, to all Christians: If you are troubled with the Supreme Court's decision, keep perspective! In this and every other matter, always remember the words of our Lord Jesus Christ: In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world (John 16:33).

Let us all pray for a great spiritual awakening in our country!                                                                      (George Wood)

Somewhere over the rainbow not only do bluebirds fly, but most definitely our God reigns! We do not like to talk about these things much, but we are clearly in the days wherein Jesus spoke – “this is the beginning of birth pains.” Paul also reminded Timothy (and us) in II Timothy 3 – “perilous times will come.” I among a host of others would describe the recent supreme court decisions and subsequent happenings as perilous times. So what now?

Reflecting on the words and testimony of Jesus and Paul the apostle, even in the face of certain opposition and perhaps even persecution, we also must stay the course. Keep on keeping on dear friends. We are to hold to biblical standards and simultaneously love our neighbor as ourselves, whoever they are. We must finish the race well. We are to live godly lives in Christ Jesus, despite the times we live in, and despite the worldly standards which apparently can change on a whim. Hold fast to Christ and continue to emulate His life in every way and to everyone and in His power. We will do well to do this, and we will most certainly finish well if we do. On a final note, remember that there is a higher court than the supreme court – the courts of the living God! He is the final judge. We are not. He has all authority. Figuratively speaking, He is over the rainbow; the physical kind He created as well as any other kind...

Pastor Bob

3 Comments

god... & father

6/20/2015

2 Comments

Father’s Day… again! On this Father’s Day, 2015, what might we consider about this holiday, or fathers in particular, that we haven’t already considered in our lives? This holiday, as history records, in the USA was instituted sometime during the first decade of the 1900’s. There apparently is some discrepancy, and therefore argument, as to who instituted it and exactly when. However you may be surprised to know, if you don’t already, that Father’s Day is celebrated throughout the year in various countries and in nearly every month, depending on which country you speak of. For example, and it just so happens like this year, in many of the eastern Mediterranean countries as well as Egypt and Uganda, they celebrate Father's Day ALWAYS on June 21st. The country of Bulgaria celebrates it the day after Christmas, December 26th.

There are obviously reasons, good or bad, why the recognition occurs at different times for different people. I will purposely use the term “recognition” here, as celebration may not necessarily pertain to everyone everywhere. The truth is that not every person considers the word “father” as a positive term. Unfortunately, some fathers (literally) have given the term a bad rap. This is none other than tragic. It always has been and always will be.

Although I did not have my earthly father in this life nearly as long as I would have liked, he was a good father, and I tend to think “good thoughts” when I hear the term father referred to. This is not the case for too many people I know. In their case, “good thoughts” are not necessarily connected to “father”.

For those familiar with the Bible and scripture in general, it should be familiar that God is referred to as Father countless times, both in the Old and New Testaments! It is important to see how this term is used in its broad variety, and to see how and under what circumstances it was introduced. For example, in the Hebrew writings, the OT among many, God is referred to as Father (‘ab – pronounced ahv) in Psalm 89:26. Interestingly enough, this word is listed FIRST (H1) in the Strong’s concordance; the Hebrew lexicon of the scriptures, and prior to every other word. Perhaps we can take a cue from that? Let's continue.

Even the Old Testament prophet acknowledges that there is something about God which describes Him to be more than some super divine being who simply “lords it over us”. He is certainly LORD, but also consider here what Isaiah has to say:

Isaiah 63:16        Doubtless You are our Father, though Abraham was ignorant of us, and Israel does not acknowledge us. You, O LORD, are our Father; our Redeemer from Everlasting is Your name.

Isaiah 64:8           But now, O LORD, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You our potter; and all we are the work of Your hand.                                 (NKJV)

Taking a hint from the recognition of Father’s Day in Germany, which evidently falls on Ascension Day, we can perhaps think about not only what happened, but what was said that day. In Jesus’ departing words to his disciples just before he ascended to heaven, he spoke the words of what we know now as the Great Commission. We know it so well perhaps that we miss the significance of the fact that not only are we to make disciples, but we also are to baptize believers in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. That’s right… the Father. I notice here that name is in the singular tense rather than plural?

To be sure, there are a wide variety of names given to God as well as to Christ and the Holy Spirit. At times those names are synonymous with all members of the Trinity. For example the Spirit of God and the Spirit of Christ are synonymous terms, both in reference to the Holy Spirit. The term “I Am” referred specifically to God in the Old Testament, in Exodus 3:14, and ultimately to Jesus in the New Testament in John 8:58. This should not cause us alarm. After all, we serve ONE God, not three. (see Deuteronomy 6:4)

What is noteworthy though is to consider that in the time of Jesus, and to the Jews in particular, that the name of God was extremely sacred. This is a good thing – the Name of God should be sacred to us also! Jesus, being a Jew Himself, would certainly have known this. For example, the name Yahweh originating from the tetragrammaton “YHWH” came into being because the Israelites thought that the name of God was too sacred even to pronounce or utter. Yahweh is simply the sound (pronunciation) of how the tetragrammaton (that referred to God) sounds when spoken. However, in this most crucial moment of history and in Christianity, when Jesus is about to exit the earth’s scene for a considerable (and yet undetermined) length of time, he chooses to use another term to announce the Great Commission. Here he shies away from "the sacred" as it were. Not I Am, nor Jehovah, nor Yahweh, nor any other “name” given to God in the scriptures - by Himself or anyone else. Rather, it was the term Father he used instead.

Close examination reveals that Father is the term that Jesus consistently used to refer to God! In fact, he used it more than any other term, both to others he taught and to God the Father directly. In his personal relationship with God, Jesus repeatedly calls him Father. Should this not again reveal its importance?

And if that were not enough, consider how most of the letters to the churches reveal the proper place of the Father in our lives. Specifically, hear the words of these scriptures written by Paul the apostle:

Romans 1:7         To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I Corinthians 1:3      Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (II Cor. 1:2)

Galatians 1:3      Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ…

Ephesians 1:2    Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Phil./Col. 1:2)

I Thessalonians 1:1          To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I Thess. 3:11       Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you.

II Thess 1:1-2      Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I Timothy 1:2                      To Timothy, a true son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.

II Timothy 1:2                    To Timothy, a beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Titus 1:4                               To Titus, a true son in our common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.

Philemon 1:3                     Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

No one would argue that there is clearly a pattern here. If we were just to consider Paul’s letters, then we might conclude that this is simply a way that he personally greeted the saints in writing. However, look also at what other apostles tend to write:

I Peter 1:2-3       To the …. elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ...

II Peter 1:17        For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

I John 1:2-3         ... the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us— that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.

I John 3:1             Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.

I John 5:7             For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one.

II John 1:3            Grace, mercy, and peace will be with you from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

Jude 1:1               Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, To those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ:

This great and awesome privilege we have as believers is so limitless. But perhaps one of the lessons from this examination we have taken together is this - we are not just believers. For us to understand that the basic reason that the term “father” comes into play in all of life is a result of children, this brings special significance to the fact that we are to think of ourselves as children of God, as stated in I John 3:1. It may sound rudimentary and ridiculous, but if I understand the term correctly, no one qualifies as a father unless they have children. It therefore stands to reason that we are also to think about God, call on God, proclaim God, and celebrate God, as our father. The Spirit of adoption, which we are so privileged and honored to have dwell in us as children of God, constantly announces this within in celebration form:

“Abba, Father”                 The Spirit Himself (the Holy Spirit) bears witness with our spirit that we are (not just believers, not just Christians, nor even just disciples, but...) children of God. (Romans 8:15-16)

In addition to all the truth of scripture we have reviewed already, and whether your earthly father (biological or otherwise) has filled the role as a father to your satisfaction and expectation or not, this scripture (speaking of God) makes this great promise to us: He is a father to the fatherless. (Psalm 68:5)

Let us pause to celebrate again: Our Father in heaven, (most) Hallowed be Your name. (Matthew 6:9)

Pastor Bob

2 Comments

lord, teach us also

6/14/2015

1 Comment

Consider for a moment all that you "know". To be sure, some of us know more than others, and about a variety of subjects. But consider further that which you have been "taught". Chances are, that which you know is a result of someone teaching you. Whether it’s a mother teaching her daughter how to cook, or a father teaching his son how to hunt or fish, we all have experiences of being taught a variety of things. In the area we live, seemingly surrounded by water, I think it is a good idea (practical) that we be taught how to swim! Whether it be from a coach or someone else, we hope that those teaching us, regardless of what it is, know how “to do it themselves”. In the movie, “Father of the Bride”, we learn early on that George Banks (played by Steve Martin) has obviously taught his daughter how to dribble and shoot the basketball. There are multiple scenes where the two of them are doing so "together". Such things as this are best learned “by doing it” and are also best learned by someone accompanying us to show us how. As the old adage goes, some things are better caught than taught. Speaking of catching- when I was a boy, my dad did teach me how to fish; how to “catch fish”. The greatest lessons I learned, however, were from accompanying him and watching him fish.

When it comes to our spiritual life; our walk with Christ; perhaps we can narrow the focus a little bit here. As I think about my own walk with Him, I cannot help but think about how I learned to do what, and who it was that taught me, and under what circumstances. For example, I am grateful for those people placed in my life who have taught me how to study the Bible, serve with excellence and humility, and to follow through with what the scriptures themselves teach me.

Forty-five years ago at the age of twelve, I lost my dad. His funeral was the day before my birthday, and my birthday that year, (as well as this year), fell on Father's Day. Just prior to my dad passing away from his battle with cancer, he wrote a poem, which includes a couple lines I have never forgotten:

Through life I stumbled and fell and lost my way,
Until ones like you taught me to pray.

In thinking about all that I have been "taught", it occurred to me that my very first lessons about prayer were taught to me by my father. Our chief subject in this article is this topic of prayer, this skill of prayer, this great privilege we call prayer. Let's consider some things Jesus says about the subject:

Luke 11:1-4 Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.” So He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your Name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” (NKJV)

Many of you will recognize this (verses 2-4 in particular) as what has become known as the "Lord’s Prayer" or the "Model Prayer". We see a nearly identical rendering of it in Matthew 6:9-13. Because of this, many have had the notion that Matthew and Luke are simply giving an account of the same historical occasion in their respective gospels. Indeed, Jesus’ words in both accounts are nearly identical, but friends, we are in error if we think that they are one in the same occasion. So how can and do we know this with certainty?

In Matthew’s account, Jesus teaches from atop a mountain to his disciples (known as the Sermon on the Mount) just after he has been swarmed by the multitudes and has just arrived there and been seated (Matthew 5:1-2). In Luke’s account, we discover that Jesus has actually been praying in a certain place and has just finished praying when a disciple comes and poses the question; “Lord teach us to pray…”. We know that this disciple is not alone because in Luke's gospel, Jesus (verse 2) then said to them.

The “them” in each case is different. The multitudes are actually present for the teachings of Jesus in Matthew (verses 7:28-29) whereas only the disciples are present in Luke’s account. The specifics of what Jesus teaches about prayer (not the pattern or recited words only, but the entire teaching) are completely different in each case. In Matthew, the context is, when praying, to do so in secret and not for “a show”. We are told to pray in secret, where our reward is from heaven, and not to put on a display in front of others. In Luke, the context is, when praying, to keep persisting in the asking. We know this from the parable Jesus shared in Luke 11.

From our main text in Luke 11:1-4, I must say that I marvel at something disclosed; a few things actually:

First, I have to wonder which of these occasions happened first? In either event, it is clear that Jesus has indeed, more or less, repeated himself to his disciples, at least with the model (pattern) words he used. Not unlike these first disciples, we also may need to be taught time and again about such important, and in fact crucial, subjects as this. I pray that you and I may listen each time, and learn from each lesson the Lord brings our way.

Secondly, it was just one of his disciples who posed the question about teaching them to pray. I have to wonder if they had discussed among themselves who would ask him? It is obvious from the account that either they had all been watching him pray, or the one disciple certainly had. It was clearly right on the heals of this particular observation that the question was asked. I suppose that this was not his/their first observation, either. Jesus has clearly displayed a pattern, and it is often patterns in people’s lives that grab our attention. I am also reminded that sometimes a hesitant but humble question will result in the entire group benefitting from the answer. Such is the case here; and not just the twelve, but the multitudes of people through the centuries who have had the privilege of knowing Jesus’ answer.

Thirdly, and perhaps most significantly, I marvel at the subject matter itself in which the disciple asked Jesus to teach them. The disciples had observed so much: How Jesus spoke and taught with authority, the power of God on display in His miracles, the love and compassion with which he reached out to people. Amongst “all that Jesus began both to do and teach” (Acts 1:1) which the disciples had the privilege of witnessing and hearing, the subject matter with which we find this specific question, “please teach us”, being asked is this: LORD, TEACH US TO PRAY! The fact that praying was asked to be taught to them is not necessarily the only significance here. Apparently and according to Luke 11:1, John the Baptist had been teaching his disciples to pray. However, I marvel at the fact that the Bible states ONLY ONE TIME what the disciple(s) wanted to be taught about.

First, let’s consider examples of what the critical question wasn’t; valid as these may be:

Lord, teach us to speak to the people with the authority in which you clearly do.
Lord, teach us how to study the scriptures which we hear you quote so often, and more than that, teach us what the scriptures really mean.
Lord, teach us to know how to perform the miracles in which you have displayed time and again.
Lord, teach us to have the mercy and compassion with which you always clearly demonstrate to people, which includes us. Teach us to have the patience which you have with all people.

The disciples may have asked these questions, or many like them, as time spent with Jesus went on. In fact, I am certain they did. I marvel, however, at the fact that the New Testament not once accounts for any such question from the disciples – not once! The only time that the phrase, “Lord, teach us to…” has anything attached to it is in this specific instance. I believe that this is incredibly revealing and important. What must this say about our subject matter?

In perhaps an indirect way, we discover here (again) that prayer must have preeminence in our lives; it must be chief among the items in which we have Christ teach us also. If he was willing to teach them, he is certainly willing and able to teach us also. The Spirit of God (Christ), the Holy Spirit, is here as our helper now. We are taught that He will teach us and help us in this critical endeavor we call prayer (Romans 8:26). Moreover, He will help us teach others, both by word and example.

I believe what Jesus taught here regarding prayer, as well as during the Sermon on the Mount, was not meant to become a recital to be quoted every time we prayed. Unfortunately, to some the words have been made into a sort of ritual which people believe have some special mystical power if quoted. I had a gentleman visit me in my office one time who had concerns about the activities that his wife was involved in. Despite the fact that this man was far from living a godly life himself, this was his proposed solution - his words went something like this: “Pastor, would you please pray the Lord’s Prayer over her?” I was so dumbfounded and struck at his recommendation that I honestly don’t remember what I prayed or if I adequately spoke to his ignorance at all. I found it hard to fathom how he could misconstrue Jesus' intentions so badly.

Moreover, we know that Jesus did not recite these words every time that HE went to prayer. There are plenty of examples in scripture to clear that up, John 17 being one of them. Why then would he teach his disciples to recite a ritualistic set of phrases? We can conclude, therefore, that what Jesus intended from this teaching, and in answer to the question, was to represent the motive and attitude with which we pray. Although he used nearly the same words on at least two occasions we know of, it is important that we be taught more than what is seen on the surface. From the writings of the well-known Jack Hayford, we read these thoughts:

Jesus’ words, “Your kingdom come”, are more than a mere suggestion to pray for a mere future millennial day, for everything in this prayer is current. This prayer is not a formula for repetition so much as it is an outline for expansion. For example, worship is to be longer than a sentence. Our petitions are not, nor should they be, confined to mere bread. Our forgiveness is to be requested with specifics, not mere generalities, and prayer for the entry of God’s kingdom into present –day realities and situations is not, and cannot, be accomplished in a momentary utterance. The “mood tense” in which Jesus states “Your kingdom come” essentially means, “Father, let your kingdom come, here and now!” This calls for an intervention in prayer, what we come to know as intercession. Motivation for such prayer comes when we recognize the importance Jesus placed on prayer in helping us serve OUR ROLES in asking for his kingdom to come.

This is learned not just from His words taught, but from His example caught. Most if not all of his early disciples "caught this" as demonstrated by the teaching that many of them provide in scripture about the absolute necessity of prayer in the life of believers. Peter, James, and Paul are only a few examples.

My prayer not just this moment, but one of endurance and until Christ shall come again, is what our message title suggests. Lord, teach us also (to pray)! It is also my prayer that there will be countless people in our lives who hopefully one day utter, or pen words similar to those my father once penned; “Through life I stumbled and fell and lost my way, until ones like you taught me to pray.”

Commit yourself again today to a life of prayer; for the sake of your walk with Christ, and that of your children, and of those you serve with in the family of God, and of those who as of yet have not yet been adopted into that family. Moreover, for Jesus’ sake, and for His kingdom, continue to ask - Lord, teach us to pray.

Pastor's Corner

fantastic focus

being a plus or minus christian

longing for a longing

echoing prayerful ways

remembering dependence

somewhere, over the rainbow

god... & father

lord, teach us also

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