The Word Came... to the Sasak

This summer, Kathy and I visited the Museum of the Bible during our sabbatical stop in the Washington, D.C. area. It was well worth the day spent there. We saw all sorts of displays and records of the transmission of God's Word to people. But an unexpected joy was the discovery of a room filled with translations of the Bible. As impressive as it was, there was one translation that stood out for us. It was the Sasak New Testament, produced on the island of Lombok in Indonesia. And we felt incredible joy to see it there.

Why?

Because from 1990 to 2005, we were eyewitnesses to the process that led to this translation's completion and printing in 2007. The Sasak live on the island of Lombok, Indonesia, and number at 3.5 million people. They are, in the latest report only .001% Evangelical--99.99% are Muslim. That translates to less than 400 known believers, even though gospel outreach has gone on most recently since the late 20th century. But that is up from the less than 50 believers in 1991 when I first visited the island.

I was traveling with a missionary worker sent by our church who, along with his wife and two other couples were seeking to begin work there, in partnership with some Indonesian believers. Other than Indonesian literature (Indonesian is a trade language spoken throughout the country, but not the "heart language" of most people living away from the major population centers), there were only portions of scripture that had ever been translated into Sasak and they were not readily available.

Over the years I made five more trips to Lombok (three with Kathy) where we visited our workers and their teams. These teams continued to change as persecution and efforts that failed to take root kept removing some, even as others arrived. Workers would often arrive brimming with hope but leaving discouraged. Some would change fields. Others came home to do something else. Still others, through various attacks (some physical), found themselves having to leave due to government pressure. None of the workers in place when I started visiting were there when we last came to the island.

We remember the first major team working on the translation. They did so in secret and were very fearful of discovery by the Muslim authorities. But they were continuing and showed us their work. Their leader, Anna, was tenacious, but shortly after our visit, she perished when her gas stove exploded and her burns were beyond medical help. Losing Anna was devastating to our friends (it would not be the only death they experienced) and seemed to be something that might end this project.

At that time, persecution had broken out throughout the island. Christians' homes were targeted and were burned. As mobs arrived, they would drag all the family's possessions into the street and burn them, even as they ransacked the house. Sometimes they left the house standing because it was a rental owned by a Muslim. As we drove the streets, we would see places where the asphalt had buckled from the heat of a fire, and this was how we would know that a Christian had lived in a house on that street. The main victims were from other ethnic groups (including our team of workers) who live on the island and are identified as Christians since so few Sasak are believers. The persecution and then Anna's death seemed like it might shut the work down again.

But in 2004, our last visit to Lombok, we were welcomed by the translation team (they had a new leader and had been joined by others). Where a few years ago their demeanors had demonstrated their fear in their faces, now they were smiling, happy, and excited at what God had done in enabling them to complete their drafts.

Most startling of all, one of the U.S. workers there told an amazing story about the checking of the translation. It seems that they needed Sasak speakers to read the draft and then translate it back into Indonesian to see if they had gotten the translation right. But native speakers were Muslims, and there was no certainty how they would respond. This worker had befriended a Muslim Sasak man who was very interested in knowing more about Jesus. After much prayer, the worker approached the Sasak man and asked him if he would be willing to do this work. What happened next was miraculous.

The Sasak man told the worker, "I had a dream and in it, I was told that I would soon learn my life's purpose. And now you have asked this of me. This must be what I have been born to do." And he accepted.

Later, another Sasak man was asked to help in making Sasak corrections, and eventually, these men were able to talk together about the Scriptures.

Most amazing of all, the first man was so moved by what he read (he was reading Romans), that, without the worker's permission (this could be dangerous), he started having his neighbors over to read it to them and talk about it--a Muslim Sasak leading a Bible study in Romans! Through this a number of people became believers and a house church began.

In fact, a number of house churches began. Meanwhile, the translation of the New Testament went to the Indonesian Bible Society for further refinement and preparation for publication, which finally was completed in 2007 (there still is no complete Bible in the language).

Seeing this volume in the ranks of all these translations was such a joy and brought back so many memories of the faithful workers we knew who over those years sought to bring Sasak people the knowledge of the gospel. There are still workers (precious few) who are there continuing that work, but now they have the New Testament as their key tool!

Why tell this story now, in Advent? Well, the Sasak people have been waiting in spiritual darkness for even longer than the people waiting for Jesus' birth. Finally, the light is dawning and the Word made flesh has given them his written word. Let the story of the Sasak, and the reminder that there are still well over a billion people still waiting for that message in their language, give this season of "waiting" even greater significance.

Two stories give different but not contradictory evidence

Reasons to Believe

This morning I did what I do after breakfast (hopefully not before). I looked at my Facebook feed, and quickly discovered two stories, both of which I had seen before (one numerous times). The more familiar one was the story of a hole in the ground, and what was found there. The newer one was the story of a hug.

The hole in the ground is in northern Israel, where archeologists found a church dating from the 5th century A.D. that had been burned and later buried over the centuries. As they excavated, they found that the floor of the church was covered with beautiful mosaics, including one of the the feeding of the 5,000 by Jesus. This is yet another evidence from the first centuries of gospel proclamation that the stories of Jesus were well known and understood by his followers. Similar murals and mosaics are found in various places attesting to the use of the New Testament to inform faith. Of course, this is only the latest in a massive number of recent discoveries that offer convincing evidence that David ruled in Jerusalem, that Nebuchadnezzar destroyed the city if 586 B.C., and that Semites (Israelites) lived in Egypt and left suddenly around the time of the Exodus. Archeology gives us much to rejoice in as verification of scriptural records. We don't need "proof" that God's Word is true since we accept it by faith, but outside verification is a wonderful, faith-encouraging way to let others know about our glorious God and his revelation's reliability.

The hug was just two days ago. It took place in a courtroom, as Amber Guyger was sentenced to 10 years in prison for the shooting death of Botham Jean in his apartment. Ms. Guyger, a Dallas police officer at the time, had entered his apartment by mistake--hers was one floor away, thought he was an intruder on her couch, and shot him fatally. The facts were never in doubt, but in the trial certain details of her past were brought out that made her look worse as prosecutors sought to assert more motive to the shooting than just fear. The jury sentenced her to 10 years, although the prosecutor asked for 28 and she could have received life in prison. As Mr. Jean's family were allowed to give victim impact statements, his brother, Brandt, stunned the courtroom (and the nation) by saying that he forgave her, wanted the best for her just as his brother would, and said that she would find it by turning to Christ and seeking God's forgiveness. The judge, wiping tears from her eyes, then allowed him his request to give Ms. Guyger a hug. Later, the judge gave Ms. Guyger her personal Bible and urged her to live in light of John 3:16. (Here is a link to the video of his remarks and the hug.)

This story has swept throughout news and social media, with many praising Mr. Jean (rightly so) and marveling at the grace and forgiveness he has shown.

What I find amazing is that both of these stories are powerful testimonies to the saving, life changing power of Jesus and his message. But only one grabs the heart--it is the one that doesn't look for factual corroboration of biblical claims. Instead, it clearly reminds us of just what Jesus did for each one of us, and what he calls us to do, as hard as that may be, and however much it may cost. And it reminds us that the mercy and forgiveness of Christ can flow through us to those who don't deserve it, just as it did to us in the first place.

Thank you, Brandt Jean, for not just honoring your brother's memory, but for walking in the footsteps of Jesus. 

In the World of St. Kanye

Wondering about faith, creativity, and celebrity

 We have been introduced to a new moment in our culture as Kanye West has been very publicly invoking faith in Jesus--not in the clearest terms, but still...

Recent news is that his long promised album, "Jesus is King," did not release as originally promised. That may or may not be a big disappointment to you, and knowing most of my subscribers, you probably weren't even aware that the album was coming. And some of you aren't sure who Kanye West is. Suffice it to say that he has been a one man celebrity and music dynamo, along with his wife, Kim Kardashian West. His music is hugely popular, and his antics are legend. But if you don't know about either of them, that's O.K.--this is Cedarville. I've included a picture for reference.

Anyway, he has been throwing a lot of religious language into his lyrics and posts of late. For all of his career, along with all of his other themes he has had occasional references to Jesus and faith. But recently he has been much more intentional, doing weekly "Sunday Service" musical settings, and openly calling himself a Christian. The most recent one was a remarkable gospel experience with a solid Bible message from a godly pastor (from my old hometown).

Reactions to all of this are pretty predictable. Some are ready to embrace him as the next Christian spokesman to the world, as various other musicians and celebrities have been. Anybody remember that young Christian sensation, Miley Cyrus? Or Katy Perry? Or Bob Dylan's Christian period? Or Jane Fonda's conversion (younger people won't recognize that last name)?

Others, because of the list above, simply dismiss it and assume it can't be real. My natural bent might be in that direction, too.

But, then I remember the story of Chuck Colson, the noted aide to President Nixon who pled guilty and served time in prison after the Watergate scandal. He, too made a public confession of faith before he was sentenced to prison, and many thought it was to get a lighter sentence. But when he came out of prison, he slowly built a ministry to former prisoners, reaching out to old friends who saw the change in him and helped him along in creating Prison Fellowship. By the time of his death, many never knew (other than by his own testimony) about the before picture of his life.

So, with Kanye, I am agnostic but hopeful, and even encouraged by early evidence. Agnostic means "I don't know," and that's really true. Lots of people use Jesus as a marketing tool, and he may be doing so. At the same time, I'm aware that there have been truly Christian influences in his life in the past and even more in the present, and that the music industry has insiders who are solidly committed believers seeking to win people to Christ. I also know that people who have had their share of problems and crises (as Kanye certainly has) are exactly the kind of person that the Lord has chosen in the past to redeem (can I get an Amen on that?). So I can hope--not just for him, but his wife, and those he loves.

And for all of us, we need to realize that our temptation to grab onto a celebrity testimony and say--"there, see, Christianity is great, because my celebrity says so." That is similar to hoping the cool kid in school will like us and that will make us cool, too. It doesn't usually work that way at school, and the credibility of Christianity will never be established by the latest celebrity who embraces it. Let's be careful to only let there be One that we choose as the best example of our faith, and that is the One for whom it is labeled in the first place--our Lord Jesus Christ.

Worship is Heart Work

“This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.”

—Matthew 15:8, quoting Isaiah 29:13

Jesus quotes himself (as God’s revealer) from Isaiah’s prophecy, indicating that both the people of his own time, and the Israelites of 700 years prior had a shared condition. They each knew how to say the right things about and to God, but they were words devoid of conviction. While speaking of God in ways that sounded like praise and obedience, they actually were not occupied with thoughts of him at all. The next verse in both contexts says that they replaced God’s instruction with the “precepts of men”—rules that were made up for them (and often by them).

It is easy to find illustrations of this in our contemporary setting. I see this every time I watch mainline “Christian” services for special events that take place in the media. The recent funeral for the late former President George H.W. Bush would be one example. Readers of scripture and of some of the historic and orthodox parts of the Episcopal liturgy were done by people who, in some cases, deny the core truths of the Scriptures they are reading or summarizing. The words were great, but neither the speakers nor most of their hearers believed them. 

I cringe when liberal (and sometimes conservative) Christian clergy are being interviewed about major social issues of the day, and try to use Scripture as their proof that Jesus was a social justice warrior/feminist/political revolutionary/traditional values advocate/free market supporter, etc. The fact is, Jesus was all of those things and more, but in ways far different than the speakers I hear quoted understand. But the real travesty is that they trot out their image of Jesus when it suits them but ignore the New Testament witness to all he is and all he says and have no sense of submission to him or his gospel whatsoever. They do the same with the rest of Holy Scripture; use a dollop of the Bible when it fits but ignore its context and other content. This hard-heartedness toward a loving, holy, and speaking God manifests no true worship of him.

But then, I must stop and ask myself, “is my heart focused on God in my worship?” Now, sometimes it clearly is—in fact I think this is the norm. But there are still too many times when I’m singing to or about God and I’m thinking about something else. At other times I’m supposedly listening to what God is saying as I read or hear a sermon, but my mind is wandering to other interests. When I give my offering, do I think about this as truly given to show my love and honor for God, or am I just doing it as duty, or to be seen by others, or to get a greater tax break (which many of us will discover is less than we think due to new tax laws—so our faulty worship in this may even be flawed economic strategy, too)? 

It’s easy to see the flawed worship that comes from those we know are not serious about it, or those we know are devoted to false gods or false understandings of the true one. But we must also be honest about our own struggles to worship. Our hearts may be far from God in outright rebellion, but it may also be distraction, or self-concern, or the pursuit of lesser pleasures (which can be our own personal idols). We wouldn’t want others (or even God!) to think we weren’t interested in worship, but sometimes, we just aren’t. That’s when we need him even more.

Worship springs from the heart, and while we can “fake it” in the sight of others, we know that God sees and searches the heart. This is not a cause for fear, but honesty, sometimes repentance, and always hope. He will strengthen our hearts as we yield them to his Spirit’s work. He seeks worshipers, but he knows that for us to be one, he must also save worshipers and shape worshipers and sanctify worshipers. He’s ready to help and awaits your coming to him with your need of a strengthened heart.

Two actions steps you can take:

1.    Right now, go to God in prayer and ask him to help you worship him better today. Ask for eyes to see his working, a mind to recall his truth and his promises, and a will that is shaped toward his desires for you.

2.    On the next Lord's day, if you can, join others of us here or wherever you are in a time of corporate worship, letting the presence and voices of others be a prod to join in, a reminder that you are not alone, and an encouragement that, all together, you are acknowledging the worthiness of God to be our single greatest focus.

Let’s do the heart work of worship together.

9/11 Memories--Eighteen Years Later

Eighteen years.

Incoming freshmen at the university up the street from my office have no memory of a pre-9/11 world, of a time when our nation was not at war. That day (and those that followed) are etched in my memory, disbelief turning to horror in a few hours after waking up (we lived on the west coast then). Watching and rewatching the footage of planes used as missiles and towers dropping to the ground. Watching the Pentagon in flames. Hearing of the passengers on a doomed plane thwarting their hijackers' plans at the cost of their lives ending in a field in Pennsylvania. Images of people jumping out windows to escape flames.

In the days ahead mourning proceeded next to the barricading of public buildings and airports. Everyone was stunned, no one could fly anywhere and many discovered they knew people who knew people who were either lost or spared by circumstance (a pilot friend was supposed to be on board one of the doomed flights the next day). It was days before some aspects of life began to return to a new "normal."

For a few days, people prayed and asked for prayers, and some thought revival would follow. A national prayer service had good words from many, including Billy Graham. But soon the prayers diminished, with most coming from military families for loved ones who would soon be going into harms' way. Some expressed anger that God would let this happen, others said it was God's judgment on America for whatever sin the speaker especially hated. There was no mass repentance.
The name "Osama bin Laden" became known and hated very quickly. It was just a month later I was boarding a flight (slowly) when the announcement came that we were sending troops to Afghanistan, ostensibly to root out the terrorists in this safe haven provided by the Taliban government. Most of us knew little of the Taliban or al Queda back then--we didn't even know how to spell or pronounce them. We know that now.
Soon our politics took over. The war in Afghanistan became the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, with massive support quickly deteriorating into accusations and argument. Victory has yet to come--we don't seem to be sure what that would even be at this point. We are so ready to be done that we almost were treated to the presence of Taliban leaders at Camp David last week--even as they continue a war against the government we put in place.
9/11 was a day that changed everything, much of the change being in the way Americans conducted their lives and viewed the world. But the day itself needs to be remembered in honor of those who were its victims and as a lesson to us all. Evil threatens us. Danger surrounds us. But God is with us and for us. Surprise attacks don't surprise him. "Senseless" violence and suffering is not outside his control or plan, even when it makes no sense to us. And people used to not acknowledging God are not moved even by great tragedy to change their ways on their own.

Strong, Crushed, Renewed?

What is the condition of your spirit?

Proverbs 18:14 says "A man's spirit will endure sickness, but a crushed spirit, who can bear?" This offering from the wisest of teachers lets us know a few things about that part of us that we can't see but governs the whole of our life--our spirit.

First, it tells us that our spirit can "endure sickness." Infirmities, diseases, and illnesses are hard for us to take, especially when they linger and when their symptoms are severe. Even so, we know that people find ways to endure such hardships. We tell stories of people who dealt with such things in ways that inspire in their perseverance. Some of you have gone through such hardships and been an example to me and to others.

But second, this proverb tells us that while the spirit is resilient in the face of this and other adversities, it can still be "crushed." The word here comes from a root that speaks of being broken, stricken (by a blow), or wounded. It is the condition of something that, when whole, is powerful enough to endure hard things like cancer or physical injuries. But it can be wounded, and such wounds can be debilitating.

That's the third truth--the crushed, broken spirit is something we cannot live with. As the writer says, "who can bear it?" The answer is, no one can. In fact, Proverbs 17:22 says "a crushed spirit dries up the bones"-- a metaphor for the loss of vitality, hope, and ultimately, life.

What kinds of wounds crush the spirit? This book gives us some clues. Though not an exhaustive list, I think we can see how these things can or have wounded spirits, including ours.

Perverse, evil words are one such destructive tool. Proverbs 15:4 says, "...perverseness in [the tongue] breaks the spirit." We have all had people say things to us that were hurtful, and meant to be so. When such words come from those we have loved and trusted, they can be devastating. Believing them can forever shape a child's heart, and they can cause adults to shun situations and people under their influence. Of course, perverse words can also be lies, such as those Satan used at the beginning: "has God really said? You will not surely die!" These kinds of perverse words may not hurt immediately, but become deadly once accepted.

Later in the same chapter, the writer of Proverbs says, "A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed (15:13)." This is not just a disappointment, but an abiding sense of grief at a fundamental level. It comes when what we have built our life and sense of meaning and purpose on is taken from us. It can consume us when those idols we have trusted fail us. We experience it when the things we are counting on to make us happy fail to do so. It is the opposite of the joyful heart that is like good medicine (17:22)

In 16:18 we get another clue to a way to damage our spirit -- it is through "haughtiness" of spirit (an inflated view of ourselves). This, we are told, leads to a "fall"-- again, not just a simple stumble, but a crushing, fatal collapse. When we allow our spirits to be "puffed up" with pride and arrogance, we create the situations that will lead to our being not just humbled, but potentially crushed.

How is your spirit today? If it isn't enduring the hard things of life as well as it should, perhaps you should ask whether or not one of the following is true?

1. Are you allowing evil words and lies to shape your beliefs and attitudes about yourself?
2. Are you discovering that you have trusted in the wrong things to give your life meaning and purpose, and now finding that they are failing to deliver what you have relied on them to give?
3. Have you put all your confidence in your own ability to make it in life as the captain of your soul?

Brothers and sisters, take heart. There is a cure for the broken spirit and these three causes of it.

Rather than let the words and lies of others, including Satan, hold sway, run to the Word and hear the promises of Jesus, who speaks grace to you, his child, and tells you of his everlasting love. He speaks peace, and forgiveness, and whatever else  you need to hear. Listen!

Put away your idols, and seek Jesus and him alone. Let that pursuit lead you to experience how he will add all other things you need into your life (Matthew 6:33). Idols are deadly, tricky things. Often they are, as has been said, by others, "good things, turned into ultimate things" -- which then makes them a bad thing.

Humble yourself before the Lord. Confess your tendency toward self-sufficiency. You can't fix everything, nor should you try. You are not God and don't have access to his plans and ways. You cannot even cause your hair to grow faster (or at all) or even stay in place! God has them all numbered. Let God be God, and let him bring balm to heal your spirit.

Pray, with David, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." God will hear and answer that prayer -- every time.

Ascension Day: When Christians Should be Looking Up!

Today is Ascension Day, forty days after Resurrection Day (Easter). The Bible tells us that it was after forty days on earth, during which time Jesus appeared publicly twice in the upper room to his disciples (John 20:19-29), once in Galilee to a large crowd of followers (Matthew 28:16-20), picnicked with some of the eleven after a night of fishing on the Sea of Galilee (John 21:4-14), and met with them again in Jerusalem (Acts 1:6). Luke makes it plain that during these days he offered "many proofs" that he was, in fact, the same Jesus who was alive again (Acts 1:3). He also told them that great power was coming for them from heaven, but that they must wait in Jerusalem now for it to come.

After all of this, according to the book of Acts (1:6-11), he led them for their final "study session" (where he laid out once again the plan for worldwide witness once their power had come to them), to the same hillside east of Jerusalem where he had, weeks before, told them about the end of the age--the Mount of Olives. He repeated the plan (you remember what it is, don't you?) and as he finished, with the eleven watching, he began to rise bodily into the sky, a glorious, shining cloud of glory enveloping him as he rose so that they could no longer see him. He (and the cloud) were gone! But in the meantime, two angels stood next to them, and gently told them that staring was not their occupation. But hope was theirs--this same Jesus, will return in just the same way.

In his glorified body.
Visibly.
Carried back on the cloud of God's glory.
To the Mount of Olives, where he will stand on earth.

We've been studying a little bit (OK, a lot) about what the Bible says will precede this return, but never let us lose sight of what the signs point to.

Our Jesus is alive, and he is coming back.

Can it happen? Just as surely as he went up, he will come back down. Until then, don't lose hope, even though you can't see him yet.

Happy Ascension Day!

Significance, Suffering, and Sovereignty

We want the first, avoid the second, and ignore the third

And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized, but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” Mark 10:35-40 (ESV)

This story always intrigues us, for many reasons. One is that in Matthew's gospel we discover that James and John used their mom as the one to make the request--how bold of them!

There are many lessons to be gathered but there is one specific lesson that has been on my mind this week.

Note that James and John wanted special seats in the kingdom of Jesus--on his right and left hand. These would be prominent places indeed. If the rest of the disciples were on thrones as well, and in a line, they would be the ones seen most prominently, closer to Jesus than anyone. And these seats would identify these two disciples as especially significant--as if no one was closer to Jesus. It wasn't exactly what Peter would have thought.

We look at them and feel sorry for them--after all, the entire church for 2,000 years has heard of their prideful move and its failure. We know that the other disciples were angered, perhaps because they didn't ask first. Being important in the kingdom was a big deal to them. They wanted, they craved significance!

Interestingly, Jesus doesn't just put them in their place with a withering response. Instead, he points out two issues.

The first is whether they are able to drink the cup that he is about to drink. We have the advantage of history and the biblical record to know that this was the cup of his suffering and death. They brazenly answer, "we are able." They weren't at that point, although Jesus tells them they will, in fact drink from that same cup. James would be the first martyr and first of the disciples to die for Christ. John would be the last, after numerous attempts on his life, dying as an old man after living in exile because of his faithfulness.

Why does Jesus say this? Because the road toward significance in the service of Jesus is, invariably, the road of suffering. It is, after all, the way of the Cross. A path that emphasizes death to self, putting others first, sacrifice, loss, giving up familial relationships, and a cost to pay is not an easy, rosy one. It is good--incredibly good--and we know its ultimate joys. But it is still a road of suffering. Were they willing to embrace suffering? They said yes, but when Jesus prepared for his, they slept, and when he underwent his, they ran in the other direction.

How about us? Are we willing to run toward suffering, and chaos, and all the mess involved in invading strongholds of sin to, as the old song says, "rescue the perishing?" The followers of Jesus must embrace suffering on the path to significance.

Jesus doesn't dwell on their actual inability, but he moves to a second issue--sovereignty. He says that it is not his prerogative to award those seats, but that right belongs to the Father, who will give them to those for whom they are prepared. Not only will the Father give them out, but he has prepared the seats for particular people and people for those seats. Was it James and John? Jesus doesn't say--only that he won't do it.

Why does Jesus reveal this truth? I would suggest it is because we must remember that it is the Father's will that matters, and sometimes that will is not for us to be made prominent or significant in the eyes of others. You can indeed serve faithfully, and suffer bravely, and yet God's plan for you may not involve being seen as significant. Your role is perfect for you, and brings glory to God (as we are all made to do), but it may or may not be appreciated and valued by others. This creates another question: are we willing to be faithful in serving and even suffering, if God's plan for us does not involve being recognized as "a great servant" or "a noble sufferer for righteousness?"

By the same token, we have to decide if it is enough to be "significant" in the eyes of God alone? Will we walk the path of obedience, knowing it brings suffering, hoping only for the joys in Christ we are promised, and not worried about whether we will be recognized for doing so? True significance means trusting the sovereign determinations of God as to when or whether earthly eyes will know of us and our faithfulness.

I think James and John were a bit out of control in their request, but if we are honest, it can be easy to want to be significant--to be recognized, even if it is for our humility! May God help us serve, and live, and worship for the approval of the only One who matters. The path of true significance in God's sight is open to all his children--it will involve both suffering, and sovereign direction, but also divinely promised reward at the time we hear, "Well done!"

Who will get those two seats? I don't know. But the question reminds me of a story I read about the death of George Whitefield, the great evangelist. John Wesley had been an early friend and co-worker of Whitefield, but they differed sharply on doctrine--with Whitefield being a strong believer in the sovereignty of God in salvation and Wesley taking a strong view in favor of man's free will. Their letters back and forth on these issues were argued with passion and heat. When the news of Whitefield's death reached Wesley, a lady who was one of Wesley's followers asked, "Mr. Wesley, do you expect to see dear Mr. Whitefield in heaven?"

"No madam" replied Wesley after a lengthy pause.

"Ah, I was afraid you would say that," she answered.

To which Wesley added, "Do not misunderstand me, madam; George Whitefield was so bright a star in the firmament of God's glory, and will stand so near the throne, that one like me, who am less than the least, will never catch a glimpse of him."

I think that we may be surprised to find that God has a way of making significance in his eyes much more rewarding that significance in the eyes of others. And learning to rejoice in the recognition that others may receive (even if you don't for the very same service) is one of the greatest preparations of our hearts for a destination we rightly call "Glory."

Out of Control!

We are reminded daily that we are not in charge.

This week, I have had nearly a dozen conversations with people that have in some way pointed out that plans made did not happen. Things thought certain turned out to be illusory. Decisions that seemed to be no-brainers turned out to be wrong. As one person said it, "Nothing here seems to be going according to plan." Even my devotions sounded this note during the week.

That should not be a new discovery for us, but an acknowledgement of settled reality. Oh, I don't mean that there isn't a plan that is being carried out. It's just not yours, or mine. Does that bother you? Why? After all, it's been the truth as long as we've been alive.

The longer I live, the more I realize that the moments when my plans for me and others come to fruition are more happy exceptions than a regular rule. How many times have I envisioned the way a conversation should go, only to have it not go that way? How often have I thought that things should work out a certain way for me or those around me, only to have them be different? Would anybody really think that I'd create a plan where I'd live in Ohio and my married kids and grandchildren would be all over the country? No way.

Yes, I can decide to go to the store, and then go. Even then, however, I'm warned to take an "if the Lord wills" approach to those details. And that's a clue to the greater reality we must see. There is a master planner, and it is not any of us.

We live in a God-created world where everything follows the Creator's plan. And it is set: look at Isaiah 46:8-10

 “Remember this and stand firm,
recall it to mind, you transgressors,
 remember the former things of old;
 for I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like me,
declaring the end from the beginning
and from ancient times things not yet done,
saying, ‘My counsel shall stand,
and I will accomplish all my purpose,’
calling a bird of prey from the east,
the man of my counsel from a far country.
I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass;
I have purposed, and I will do it."

That is just one passage of many that speak of God's directive power over his creation, including us. But that is not the only truth about his plan that we must hold on to, lest we go crazy with fear and doubt.

The second great truth is that the God who is all powerful is working things for his glory and the good of those he has redeemed. Even in the passage above he makes sure we recognize that his control points to the glory of his name. Consider also Isaiah 42:8:

 I am the Lord; that is my name;
my glory I give to no other,
nor my praise to carved idols

And then that verse we glibly quote but don't dwell on its depths: Romans 8:28-30

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. 

Taken together, these texts (along with many others) point us to three realities:
1. God is in control of everything, not us.

2. God's plan lines up with his character of holiness and love, bringing him the glory he is due as God.

3. The people who have been called by God into his family (and become those who love God) can be sure that all things are working out what God knows is good for us.

The fact that I'm not in charge of things should become great news. After all, the One who is in charge came up with the plan of redeeming sinners through the death of his Son and making us righteous by faith alone. If he can do that, then I can rest in knowing the rest of his plans are equally good.

However, it's tough to live in that reality when things go badly, or what we perceive as badly. We don't get the job, our relationship falls apart, a loved one gets very sick. These aren't good circumstances, and they will be our lot in a world still marred by sin. And we face the sinful choices of others (that God's plan includes--even when we can't figure out how such freedom to defy him can be harmonized with his control) that bring pain and suffering--these are not good things.

But all of the bad that we acknowledge is not outside his directive plan, and will yield ultimately good results for us and glorious results for the name of God, even when he exercises judgment over his enemies; this glorifies his justice.

This is where faith comes in. We must believe what we know to be true. God's control is always good for us. My thinking that things are bad may be true about the circumstances, but not about the outcome. And it's really, really good that you and I are not ultimately in charge of our lives. I've made enough wrong moves in my life to know that I don't get things right all the time, and I don't want to imagine what my life would be if my failures were fatal on my own, instead of tools in a good Father's plan for me!

"A person's heart plans his way, but the LORD determines his steps."--Proverbs 16:9

I taught Christine a song from that verse, and it's what I hold onto now and I seek to make the decisions in front of me. You can, too!

Words that Heal

During my devotional study in Proverbs last year, my readings often focused on the power of words. Tim Keller's devotional book on the Proverbs has been my guidebook through the wisdom we find, and for a successive number of days, the various proverbs relating to speech were in view.

I've considered the nature of words from the many types of speech discussed there. Solomon speaks of words that are true, and not just factually true, but honest--without any attempt to mislead. Words should be faithful in their intent, reflect integrity in the speaker, and bring grace to the recipient (I was going to put all the references in here, but all you would see would be parentheses and numbers!).

Words can be kind or cruel; they can have power to hurt or even kill. They can encourage and build up, or they can wound and tear down. They can refresh or cause anxiety. Sometimes they can be both needed and hard to hear when they contain the faithful rebuke of a friend. Even as I say these things, some of you are remembering various verses from the book that say these things.

Recently, I have been impressed by the discussion of words that heal. In 16:24 we read, "Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones." That's an image that requires some experience. Mine comes regularly in Israel.

On our Israel tours, the hotels we use provide very large breakfast buffets. One of my favorites features a large section of fresh honeycomb, dripping with honey. It is a treat to enjoy and I do almost every morning we are there. Spreading it on some of the wonderful breads available makes the morning meal a "sweet deal."

In a culture that didn't have the abundance of sugar in everything that we have, honey and the honeycomb were a treat, and came to symbolize a special refreshment. We are told that both Samson and Jonathan found themselves refreshed and sustained in eating from it.

Similarly Solomon says words that are empowered by grace ("gracious words" are not just "nice," they are reflective of grace to others) have a similar effect. They can bring a lightness to the soul that may be weighed down. More than that, they can bring healing--a restorative power--to the person who may be suffering.

I think most of us would want our words to be able to have this kind of impact on others when they are hurting, and perhaps even when they just need to be encouraged. So, how might we make sure our words are restorative and healing when that is needed?

I started working on a list of the other characteristics I find in Proverbs that give healing power to words. Here it is--you can probably add more.

1. They should be true. You don't help anyone or show grace in any real sense by not being honest.
2. They should be "hear" able. What I mean by that is that what I say needs to be both understandable and receivable by the hearer. Sometimes I may have a gracious message, but the person I address is not in a state of mind to hear it. I should gauge the moment to see if I can speak in a way that will be heard in the right way.
3. They should have credibility. That means that the person has reason to believe that I am a credible witness and a trusted voice. This is especially true if the healing needed involves any measure of correction.
4. They should have the effect of "blessing." The way they are spoken and the aim in the speaking should be seen as seeking the good of the hearer. When we say something "for their own good," that is what we mean, but sometimes the way such messages come across is less healing than harsh.
5. They should reflect and line up with wisdom. Many of the proverbs extol wisdom, and healing words will bear the evidence of flowing from wisdom we have gained through our experience of God's truth and his work in us.
6. They should be regular. Just as we may need multiple doses of a medicine, healing words sometimes need repeating and regularity to have their desired effect. 

That's my initial list. As I said, you might add to it out of your experience. But this has become my personal challenge--to find ways to make my words and conversation a greater source of healing to those around me. 

A Tale of Two Easter Sundays

You can see me facing the congregation with the orchestra
in the foreground and the choir in the distance.

Yesterday here in Cedarville, the Grace Church family celebrated the Resurrection with two services filled with music and Word--we have our children worshiping with us on this day, and so the whole service was geared toward the whole family. We considered three themes together, "Lost, Waiting, Rescued" as we recounted the story of Jesus death and resurrection in the context of the Bible's grand story. It was a great day of worship and celebration. We arrived and left without incident. We always do. Surprisingly, last week, the new Chief of Police, a believer himself who attends a sister church, stopped by on Sunday morning to speak to our safety team here and ask if there were any ways that he could be of any assistance to us. It was a very kind gesture. We haven't had any need for the police to protect us, and in my tenure here, we have not had to have the police intervene during a service or offer us assistance, other than in an occasional medical emergency when they accompanied EMS workers who came to help.

In contrast, the Zion Church in Sri Lanka did not have their expected Easter Sunday. Instead, a bomb ripped through their building killing dozens of people. The pastor, a graduate of Singapore Bible College, lost his son in the blast. The picture you see was taken at Zion Church just ten minutes before the bomb exploded and killed half the people you see in that room. The authorities are convinced that this was the work of terrorists targeting Christians, but they have not yet named the group responsible [UPDATE: The government has named a known Islamic terror group as the perpetrators, but says they could not have acted alone and must have had outside help from other like-minded groups. The government was warned of these attacked by the US and other intelligence services weeks in advance but did not issue warnings or take steps to protect Christians].

This is a picture of the children of Zion Church in Sri Lanka,
ten minutes before half of them were killed in a bomb
blast that targeted the church along with others across
Sri Lanka, on Easter Sunday morning.

Sri Lanka is an island nation where the majority religion is Buddhism, and the next largest is Hinduism. These groups were at war for decades ago, as the minority Tamil Tigers, made up of members of the minority Hindu people, waged a guerrilla war against the Buddhist Sinhalese majority. It was a terrible time, but a peace agreement ended such terrible carnage over a decade ago, and Christians were not in the crosshairs then. No one expected such large scale violence again in the country, and especially not against Christians on Easter. But the longstanding Catholic presence, along with a small but fast-growing Evangelical presence, has brought opposition from the larger religions, including Islam.

Sometimes these stories make us momentarily sad, but they are easy to hold at a distance. Not so this time. We have two members of our own Grace Family from Sri Lanka, and each of their families was touched by this string of church bombings, losing members of extended family. I spoke with them Easter Sunday at our services, and they were still awaiting word on the rest of their families. Thankfully, no immediate family members were harmed.

I see some Christians who seem to be reacting with anger toward those who did this: anger that probably is due, at least in part, to being taken by surprise in both the incident and its violence toward people we know were not a threat to anyone. I'm troubled, but not angered. Here's why.

Jesus told us a number of truths about being his people. One is that we should expect hatred, just like he himself faced. Further, he told us that we are blessed when we are persecuted for his name's sake, and that is clearly what was happening here. Speaking to the church in Smyrna about the persecution they would face, he did not urge anger or retaliation, but rather, "be faithful to death, and I will give you the crown of life." These martyrs will receive that special gift from Jesus himself.

We grieve the loss of life, and we weep with those who weep. This was not deserved, nor was it anything other than criminal and evil. But it really should not surprise us that it happened--even if the particular occurrence was a surprise. It has been happening throughout Asia for years, even as the evangelical church is growing rapidly there.

Those who plotted these bombings believe they can silence Christians and stop the gospel from moving forward by their actions. Not only are they wrong, but they will find what many before them have discovered--"The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church." And in what might be one of the most ironic of results, some of those who plotted this deed may themselves come under the conviction and saving power of the One they were trying to fight. Just ask Saul of Tarsus.

We had a great Sunday, but it was a bit more sobering than normal, for the events in Sri Lanka had already occurred and we noted them, praying for our brothers and sisters there. But right after we prayed, we sang a song that included the following words:

There's a reason why our hearts can be courageous,

There's a reason why the dead are made alive,

There's a reason why we share his resurrection,

Jesus is alive."

(From "Praise the King" by Shane and Shane)

Believers in Sri Lanka and other places need that courage right now, and God will give it. And we may need it sooner than we realize--may we seek it in the power of Christ's resurrection!

"Christ is Risen, He is Risen Indeed!"

[Originally published on Easter, 2014]

I've actually been to this tomb in Israel many times--a rolling stone tomb along the road that is probably the closest we
will get to a good representation of what Jesus' empty tomb would have looked like.

A very well known "cutting edge" Christian famous for his iconoclastic life and writings wrote a book a number of years ago that was every "wanna be cutting edge" Christian's favorite book. In it, the writer echoed one of his mentors in saying that the beauty of the teachings of Jesus is so great, and the power of his instruction so overpowering, that even if the whole story of Jesus wasn't true, and there was no heaven ahead, he would still want to be a Christian because of these qualities.

At that point as I was reading the book, I threw it across the room.

Why? Because that is what Paul the apostle would have done.

Actually he says, in 1 Corinthians 15 that if Christ is not, really and truly, raised from the dead, we Christians are "most to be pitied." That is Bible talk for "losers," "idiots," or just about any term of derision and foolishness you would want to pin on us. Why, Paul says, would we go through all the self-denial, the enduring of wrongs in hopes that they will be made right some day, the offending of others, and who knows what else, if this whole matter of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus isn't real?  Good question! 

Christianity, thankfully, is not just a self improvement program because, let's face it, even if I improve myself to my highest potential, I am still falling short of God's glory, still selfish, still thinking more about myself than I should, only now I'd just have more about me to brag and think highly about. And I can't save myself from myself--from my sinfulness. 

Christianity is about resurrection, not just reformation. It is not just weak becoming strong, but dead coming to life. The resurrection of Jesus figured much more prominently in the apostles' preaching in Acts than it often does in our thinking. We focus on his death--a vital focus to be sure. But they loved to proclaim his resurrection--his power over death, and the guarantee of right standing before God forever in his presence. His death, without the resurrection, gave his followers only grief. They didn't think about how noble it was, or even of it as a possible appeasement of God's wrath. Only the resurrection made it real to them.

And it keeps making it real to us. He is risen. He's alive, now and forevermore. And as he ascended into heaven the message of the angels at that event was the same as he had been giving--he is coming back!

Links to the "Holy Week" posts up to this point...

It's Wednesday of Holy Week. You can find the post about it here.

The Tuesday post is here.

The Monday post is here.

The Palm Sunday post is here. 

Dangerous!

Sometimes just being a witness to Jesus' power is dangerous

"When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account  of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.
So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus."

John 12:9-11

The Saturday night before Palm Sunday (tomorrow) is the anniversary of Mary, the sister of Lazarus, anointing Jesus with costly ointment in an extravagant display of her love for him. Jesus said it would always be remembered about her, and obviously, it is.

The setting of that special gift was at a dinner that Lazarus and his sisters gave for Jesus in their home that evening, as the Sabbath was coming to a close. It wasn't just a meal for the family, the disciples, and Jesus, although they are clearly in focus. Apparently others of their neighbors came--and not just a few. The clearly stated reason is in our text. It was only a matter of days (or at most a few weeks) since Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead. Talk about a rock star! Had this happened today, Lazarus would have been on every news and talk show imaginable. They didn't have such things then, but people had heard about it, and then heard that Jesus, the miracle worker himself, was back at the home of this family in Bethany. So they came in large numbers. I don't know if they fed them all, but I wouldn't put it past Martha.

However, some of those who knew all about it were not there and were not fans. They were the religious leaders of the Jewish nation in Jerusalem. What they saw distressed them greatly. People were moving toward Jesus because of the newly raised Lazarus. Rather than let the miracle touch their hearts or even challenge their thinking, they came up with what they believed was the only sensible solution. Since they didn't want people believing in Jesus, they didn't want them to see evidence that he should be believed in. Lazarus was, right now, Exhibit A; therefore, Jesus had to die, but to make sure his legend didn't live on, Lazarus had to go back to the grave, too.

Imagine that. People hate you because a miracle gave you life. Just his being alive was enough to want him dead.

Reading the story again made me think. All around each of us are other believers, and we all are those who have been raised from spiritual death by Christ (and with Christ). We are, in a real sense all a "spiritual Lazarus," called out of the grave. And in a real way, our lives ought to be just as much a testimony of the power of Jesus as his--so that we would become dangerous to the kingdom of darkness.

Now I know, you can't see being spiritually raised to life like you can see a physical raising. But just a minute. It was the fact that Lazarus was showing all the signs of life that made him the miracle. Are there signs of spiritual life that should be evidence that we have experienced the miracle of new life? I think you know there are.

• Faith in Jesus
• Trust in his Word
• Love for other Christians
• Faithful witness to the gospel
• Growing hatred of sin
• Increasing joy in holiness
• The fruit of the Spirit

That is just a start. And I might suggest that these signs may be enough to put you in danger! Not from Jewish religious leaders, but from a greater enemy. Satan hates to see the evidences of spiritual life, and he will do all he can to kill them off in you. He may stir up unbelievers to persecute and threaten you, as he has done in so many places and eras. But he may also throw all sorts of temptations, discouragements and challenges your way as well. He hates you for the life you show. If he can't keep Jesus dead (and he couldn't), he will do his best to stop you and your life from being seen. Why? Because just like Lazarus, your life might also be enough to draw others to Jesus.

Let's live out the reality of what we are--alive from the dead, to the glory of our Savior!

In the Aftermath of ISIS

In terrible circumstances, making an eternal difference, one child at a time.

I spent a week in Colorado Springs recently for meetings with the Board of Indigenous Ministries, International (John and Dee Cook’s agency, and the ministry through which we support Grace Bible College in India, provided them with a van through the Harvest Offering, and provided Iraqi refugee families and children with trauma kits containing food, clothes, and stuffed animals). Actually I spent more of my week than I planned as a “worst in memory” blizzard hit the eastern slope of the Rockies socked. Freeways were closed, vehicles unable to move, and flights canceled—God made his will clear that I stay longer, and learn more.

Anyway, I serve on this Board (it’s a small one right now, with four of us in the meetings), and what I have been learning about two of our ministries is both incredibly disturbing and extremely encouraging.

From northern Iraq: What is disturbing is the continuing deterioration of conditions for millions of refugees in and around the Kurdish region of northern Iraq. While there are many NGOs (non-governmental organizations) in the region, and a few large Christian relief organizations, they are not visible to the people IMI is serving in the camps, cities and towns that were once in ISIS-controlled lands. It is in these regions and these people that this small mission is focused.
The stories of these refugees are horrific, and the suffering they have experienced has left entire populations with physical and emotional scars—everyone seems to have some form of PTSD. The horrors of ISIS and the utter destruction of every bit of infrastructure breeds hopelessness. In the midst of these overwhelming needs, IMI has the privilege of bringing the light of gospel message and presence.

IMI has helped plant the Baptist Church in Irbil, and that church’s pastor, Sabre, oversees care for a fast-growing congregation of converts from Christian and Muslim backgrounds. In one evening last summer, 125 people trusted Christ. This church is overwhelmed with trying to help these new converts and other refugees to be able to find stable living. When John and Dee come, they bring more resources, encouragement, and Dee’s ministry to the women is having a large impact. Members of the church become the ministry team to others.

One young couple, Fadi and Myrana, lead our efforts among refugees. Fadi handles the logistics of getting food supplies, while Myrana works with children, helping provide basic needs and building a unique child sponsorship program. IMI’s program doesn’t just provide for a child, although that becomes the entry point. Each child receives enough food for their family for a month, a monthly kids club similar to a Sunday school, the families are visited by team members from the church, and each child is linked to another program IMI has initiated that provides backpacks with school uniforms, shoes, and supplies. And right now nearly 300 hundred children are being sponsored. But we have almost 200 profiles of children still waiting.

What is encouraging is that we can do something in the name of Jesus that changes the circumstances of a child, and in many cases is introducing them to the gospel that can change their lives for eternity. All for $39 a month. [Pictured: John Cook holding one of the refugee boys outside of Mosul on the last trip].

From Egypt: Following tremendous persecution, Christians in Egypt are experiencing a moment when the government is friendly toward them even as Muslim extremists still attack churches. In recent weeks, churches have been surrounded by militants with automatic rifles, firing at them as the people huddled inside. And still, they continue to worship and witness.

IMI has hosted pastor’s conferences (Don Callan has actually spoken at one) and helped plant 10 churches in Egypt. Here the great pressing need has been to help widows in the churches who cannot work because they have children to care for. IMI has launched child sponsorship here as well, providing these “half-orphans” food for their families, clothing, and all that is necessary for school. Because they are all connected to IMI’s church plants, both mothers and children find spiritual support, and a number of the teenage children have decided they want to serve the Lord Jesus with their lives. IMI is helping them go to Bible college. Again, the amount of support works out to $39 a month.

I don’t mean for this to be just a commercial for IMI, but I do want to ask you to consider whether being a part of changing a child’s world by helping their family, linking them to a church, and exposing to the gospel is something you could do. IMI's program provides a profile, picture, and description of the child and family, as well as the strong encouragement for you to write to your child (these letters are so prized, John and Dee asked if we have people who might write letters to give to kids whose sponsors don't write, and also to the other children in a sponsored child family--these children often feel terribly sad when someone writes to a sibling but not to them). Iraqi refugees are often staying for the long haul. Syrian refugees in the region often hope to emigrate and so may have months rather than years to be reached in this way. Like other sponsorship programs, this one feeds and clothes children. But what excites me is the close connection of these precious children to Christians who are present in their lives and able to bear continuing witness. Pastor Sabre is doing amazing follow up work with teams from his church.

If you’d like to help a child in Iraq or Egypt, you can do so by going to IMI’s website—http://indigenousministries.org—and go where it says “Sponsor a Child.” Unless specifically requested you will be given a refugee child to sponsor. Here is the link to the sponsorship page.

More than this, though, I want you to know that the Gospel is having great impact in some of the darkest corners of the earth. Men, women, and children who have experienced horrors that we cannot begin to imagine have been met in their deep pain and loss with the greatest love ever known—the love of Jesus. There is so much to be done, and it does feel overwhelming even as we anticipate adding 600 more refugee children to our program. That is a huge leap for such a small organization, and it seems so little, knowing that the need is so much larger. But while we can’t solve it all, we can be agents of gospel change, one child, one family, one refugee camp at a time. And it is happening!