Brotherly Love

  I read on article last night that disturbed me greatly.  The article was about a book called "TORN: Rescuing the Gospel from the Gays-vs.-Christians Debate".  The premise of the book is that you can be both a practicing homosexual and a practicing Christian.  In fact the article did help me to understand the exegetical position that seems to reconcile the lifestyles by focusing on Jesus' teaching about love over the commands for sexual purity.

  The author of the book goes into detail about how he realized he born gay.  He was at a Christian concert with a date (female) and he began to be "attracted" to a male he saw there.  He had been battling homosexual tendencies - even trying to date girls.  However, that one event seemed to solidify in his mind that he was indeed gay, and he began a journey to reconcile his Christianity with the desire to have sex with a man.  He goes on in the book to basically dismantle Scriptural teaching about homosexuality by focusing on "committed loving relationship".

  I never cease to be amazed at how people can take a clear teaching from the Bible and proclaim the very opposite using the Bible.  Jehovah's Witnesses, for example, "prove" that Jesus is not God using the very Bible that proclaims Christ's deity.  They simply avoid the many references to Jesus being equal with God and focus on a few verses that seem to back their proposition.  In this case the author of the book takes Romans 1 and "proves" his case that what God desires is committed loving relationships - gay or straight.  So clearly deception, and so clearly he has become one of the ones mentioned in Romans 1:32.

  If you do not believe Jesus is God why would you call yourself a Christian?  If you continue to have gay sex why do you still want to call yourself a committed Christian?

  If we took the example of other sexual perversion and applied the same standards we could justify adultery, bestiality and pedophilia.  It is absurd.

  My experience in Ethiopia has taught me alot about male relationships.  Homosexuality can be found in Ethiopia no doubt.  However, men are free to express physical affection toward each other without it being sexual.  From a very early age boys walk hand in hand and sit with their arms around each other.  We see this same behavior in very masculine situations such as the American football field, but only the most depraved would imply sexual connotations to these situations.

  In the West we are assailed with sexual imagery from birth, and even products such as bacon are sold with "sex appeal".  No wonder our thoughts about perversion and immorality are askew.

   At an early age I felt attraction to certain men.  I was drawn to men who were godly in their behavior.  I was drawn to men who were interested in the things I was interested in.  At the same time I was attracted to the opposite sex, but for wholly different reasons.  Eventually I was attracted to a godly young lady that was interested in many of the things I was interested in - she became my wife.  Many of the men I was attracted to became my mentors.  The godly influences won out over those who only sought to take advantage of me.

  I believe that men are "naturally" attracted to other men, but it is sin that twist this attraction until it developed into perverted sexual desire.  Indeed this is the clear teaching of Romans 1.  People who practice sin (which begins in our thought life) were given over to "uncleanness".  I don't believe young men are born desiring anal sex, I do believe boys are born with a desire for intimacy and relationships.  When this "natural" desire for intimacy is not found in healthy God honoring relationships a counterfeit can be found.

  Many young men that I have counseled who are struggling with same sex attraction began their struggle when their father did not give them the love and affection they desired.  The same is true for many young women who struggle sexually.  Not all who struggle with homosexuality have poor, bad or absent fathers - it just seems to be common.  Many of the ones I have counseled also had an older male who paid them attention and then took advantage of them.  The desire for a father's love and affection was counterfeited by sexual attention.

  Ultimately it is our desire for intimacy with God that is the driving force for many of our relationships in life.  If those relationships are lived out in obedience to Scripture and the commands of Christ we will find that they benefit us spiritually.  A godly marriage is sacramental and aids us in our relationship with God.  A bad marriage can hinder us, and draw our attentions away from God.  A good spiritual brother can sharpen me like iron sharpens iron.  A bad relationship can draw me away and hinder intimacy with God.  Any time we place someone or some desire before God we had become idol worshipers.  We fly in the face of God and proclaim that we know what is best and most fulfilling.

  Men can also have inordinate relationships of a wholly mental sort.  Our desire for intimacy with God can be given over to spiritual masters and gurus.  We can begin to follow people or personalities rather than develop intimacy with God.  It is easier to follow a great Bible teacher rather than to have an intimate relationship with the God who knows how many hairs I have on my head.  Hero worship may be more appealing than intimacy with the God that demands our full allegiance and obedience.

  Romans 1 says that men exchanged worship of the Creator for worship and service of the creature.  Men served their own bodies and feed their lusts rather than submitting to God's "natural" design and purpose for humanity.  We were created for intimacy with God, not simply to serve the desires of our flesh.

  How I wish that I could roll back time to those pivotal moments in a young man's life when he first questions, "Am I gay?"  Young man - you are not gay if you do not feed those desires and give life to them, but rather put those desires to death!  You are not a drunk if you never get drunk!  Your are not an adulterer if you will stop lusting after those who are not your own!  Young man, what you need is a deep and committed relationship with your Creator!

  I am convinced that in many cases the godly attention of an older man could rescue the young questioner from a lifetime of sexual struggle and perversion.   Where are the godly older men who will become mentors to those wondering boys?  Where are the men who will not take advantage of the young, but rather build them up in godliness?  Where are the brothers who will love the young ones by commending them to godliness rather than feeding their flesh desires?

  May God help us to truly love him and each other by obeying His Word and being doers of it.

Lying to tell the Truth - Evangelistic Deception

For years I have protested the modern evangelical Christian practice of Evangelistic Deception (lying about our intentions in doing mission work). How can we share the Truth by lying?

Today it is painfully evident that we have only deceived ourselves - the Taliban knows exactly what the IAM (International Assistance Mission) workers were doing - promoting Christianity. It seems that the only people who are unaware that this is what the team was doing are the US Secretary of State, news outlets and the director of IAM.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton condemned the attack and disputed the Taliban's assertion that the medical team was promoting Christianity.

"We also condemn the Taliban's transparent attempt to justify the unjustifiable by making false accusations about their activities in Afghanistan," Clinton said.

On the IAM website a statement was posted that reads, "Our faith motivates and inspires us - but we do not proselytize. We abide by the laws of Afghanistan. We are signatures of the Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and NGOs Disaster Response Programmes, in other words, that, 'aid will not be used to further a particular political or religious standpoint.' But more than that, our record speaks for itself." (Dirk R Frans)

What record is that? One of doing good in the name of Jesus the Christ and proclamation of the Gospel I would hope. For a true Christian your entire life is about the following of Christ which certainly does include "proselytizing."

It is a shame that this mass martydom is not being portrayed as exactly what it is. These people were killed because they were Christians ministering in the name of Jesus and hopeful that their witness might cause some to convert to Christ and proclaim Jesus as LORD. Instead the State department and even the ministry that sent the team is tying to convince the world that these people were "aid workers" and not "ministers."

It is time to stop fooling ourselves. If you go to another country in the name of Jesus you are a missionary! If you extend yourself on behalf of the poor for Jesus sake, and the Gospel - YOU ARE A MISSIONARY! You do not have to "preach," but I certainly am hopeful that many heard the Gospel through this team of missionaries. Certainly I do not propose that we wear little name plates that say "Missionary Bob," but we should never be ashamed of the fact that these people (at least one that I knew) were promoting Jesus!

Should I get a tattoo?

I would like to begin by saying that I do not intend to offend, pass judgement or condemn anyone. My purpose is simply to look at the issue of Christians trying to decide on the issue of getting tattoos, and to help young believers think through the issues.

I have read a lot of opinion on the issue and the debates about Levitical law. Both sides seem to make many good arguments, but there is apparently no consensus on the Old Testament Biblical prohibition. Generally most people end up saying something like, "Christians are not 'under' the law..." and the response is generally, "well then is murder still wrong?" These type of arguments don't really get to the heart of the matter.

Indeed it is the heart where Christ's work is done and God's concern for the individual seems to be focused. The New Testament teaching on circumcision is clearly about God's concern for our heart. The Apostles agreed that Gentile believers be prohibited from eating blood and sexual immorality (both of which are Levitical laws, btw), and that Gentiles not be burdened with the extent of ceremonial law. The heart is God's concern, and a transformed heart will change behavior.

But, does the New Testament have anything to say about tattoos? The Apostle Paul goes to great lengths to command Gentile (and Jewish) believers that they should do everything within their power not to live "as the pagans do". Any behavior or meal that is associated with pagan behavior should be avoided. Christians should be know by the "Banner of Love". We should be "marked" with love. In other words, Pagans display their gods in carvings of stone, wood and skins -- Christians display our God through deeds of love and concern for our brothers. We should be known for our love.

This led me to investigate WHY many young Christians want tattoos. Obviously there are many reasons. One of the main reasons I hear is, "To witness Christ to others" or "so everyone will know I am a Christian". Kind of the Evangelical trump card - EVANGELISM.

One blogger said of his reasons for getting a tattoo, "To me it was the sense of taking control and doing what I want regardless of what anybody said or thought... Really what I think is it all boils down to is either you have the nerve to have ink carved into your body for life... That is why all of us with tattoos have a sense of brotherhood. Because each one of us knows the pain we went through for something we love (tattooing)."

So there we have it. "Taking control and doing what I want to do regardless of what anybody said or thought." As Christians we are to be intensely concerned with what others think, especially in regards to the perception of sinful behavior (real or imagined). Also, we are to be controlled by the Holy Spirit, not our fleshly desires.

While the Old Testament prohibition against tattoos might be up for debate I think it is clear that our society still views tattoos as "rebellious" and "to Hell with your opinion of me". A new term has evolved called "tattoo lifestyle" with magazines focusing on this evolving people group. (BTW, many Internet filters will block 'Tattoo Lifestyle' sights as "R rated"). I wonder how long it will be until people begin saying, concerning their desire to be tattooed, "I was born this way."

In conclusion I think the real issue concerns your heart. Why do you want a tattoo? Are you at all concerned about offending people for the sake of your freedom? Do you seriously want to do what pleases God, or what pleases you?

If you are truly concerned about lost souls or being identified with Christ then I would suggest a little soul searching. Is a tattoo glorifying to God? Will it offend others around you? Will it cause others to stumble?

The Apostle Paul put it this way, "So whatever you eat, drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God -- even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good, but the good of many, so that they may be saved." (I Corinthians 10:31-33)

Slowly by Slowly should go to press this week!

I'm excited! The book has finally gone to press and I should have a final copy within a month. Hopefully by August it will be available on Amazon and others.
So much work for 108 pages!

Thank God for seizures

I can honestly say that God has made me thankful for most everything, even cerebral palsy. If Lauren had not been born with CP I would not be living in Jackson, TN and I most likely would not be doing what I do now with Indigenous Outreach (www.ioiusa.org). But, I haven't ever really been thankful for the seizures. They have stolen what few abilities she had.

A few years ago my oldest daughter and I were by Lauren's side as she had a series of seizures. "Please God make them stop at 50."

"Oh LORD, stop them at 60."

"70!"

"Please Jesus - 80? No more, please!"

"90???"

"One hundred. Please God stop them at 100."

She had 101 seizures and then fell deep asleep. My oldest daughter looked at me with tears in her eyes and asked, "Daddy, why is God mad at us?"

"He isn't honey. And I know this does not make sense, but He is doing good to us."

"Well, it does not feel good."

It didn't feel good. It felt horrible. I felt like a fool that night, but what else could I do? So helpless. So incapable of conjuring religious zeal. Yet my faith compelled me to make statements that I cannot prove.

A few months ago I complained to my wife that I hated the seizures and the helpless feeling that we have as Lauren suffers through them. "God has made me thankful for everything, except seizures."

We got a card from one of Lauren's therapist. She and her husband have been attending our small church for a few months now. They were looking for a church home one providential day as Lauren had a series of seizures at therapy. "...I thank God for the seizures Lauren had that day, because it gave us the opportunity to talk about your church." This dear family has found a home with our quirky little congregation of believers.

God was so kind to us. He did not have to make me thankful for seizures, He could have allowed me to stay mad - to stay in unbelief. But God is so loving and kind that He gave us a glimpse of His goodness even in the seizures.

I still don't like them, but thank God for the seizures.

Against the doctrine of Drunkeness in the Spirit

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 5:15-20

It has been some time since I posted on this blog. But, today my heart is troubled and I simply must say something.

A friend recently gave me a web link thinking that I would enjoy the site because it featured self-proclaimed "modern mystics". When I think of mystics I generally am thinking about those throughout history who have had a deep love relationship with Christ, and that relationship is then manifest in the outworking of extreme love. In my opinion Mother Teresa would be an example. A modern mystic would be someone who, in their secret devotions, has a vision or dream that propels them to a deeper relationship with God that is worked out in tangible ministry to their fellow man.

Today I take a public stand against the "charisma" of "drunkenness". This foolishness is nothing new in the world of heresy, and it is demeaning to the holiness of God. Those who promote "Spirit Drunkenness" teach that being filled with the Holy Spirit means that you babble like an idiot, act like an animal and have ecstatic experiences like being "high". Scripture clearly teaches that we are not to be "drunk" with wine, but to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Someone who is truly "filled with the Holy Spirit" would then manifest the fruit of that Spirit which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

As I watched videos of "manifestations" on the "New Mystics" website I was literally sickened. I could not continue to watch as they used the Eucharist like it was pot, or crack. The sensuality of the videos was extreme - to explain to you in detail what they did with the elements would be a sin to even repeat. For those who would defend this behavior I ask you, can you see Jesus acting this way? Would Jesus act like an animal? Didn't Jesus actually cast demons out of people who acted like animals?

God is a god of order, not of chaos. Flee those who bring disorder and disunity over disputable matters! Run from those who preach the Gospel as a means of financial gain, or of self-promotion! Rebuke those who preach drunkenness in any form! Be sober minded for the days are evil!

Walking the line

It is so hard to walk a line that leads down the middle of the road. Walton Padelford says, "The only thing you find in the middle of the road is a dead skunk with yellow paint across its back."

IOI was recently refused an audience with a missions committee because we are "too inclusive" and therefore not "orthodox". The funny thing is that in this democratic church I was never allowed to speak to the committee, nor was I ever asked one question. The conclusion was based solely on the fact that we work with so many denominations in Ethiopia, and our support comes from so many different churches in the USA.

The fact is IOI is an orthodox Christian missionary organization. As far as our Statement of Faith we site the Apostle’s and Nicene Creed, and believe the Bible to be inspired of God without error in the original manuscripts. Furthermore the ministers supported through IOI should preach the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ clearly as explained in scriptures such as I Corinthians 15:1-6 and be expecting the physical bodily return of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is about as orthodox a statement as one could possibly make.

The real issue it seems is not theology rather it is methodology. We are not charismatic enough for the Charismatic, we are too inclusive for the Cessationists. It is not the issue of revelation that is a problem (IOI holds to the classical Protestant view that there is no "new" revelation about God - Sola Scriptura, while at the same time giving honor to tradition when it complies with Scripture), rather it is speaking in tongues that plagues us as the unity breaker.

To be honest, most of what I see that is called a "work of God" seems to be nothing more than flesh on parade. Yet, I cannot deny that God still does miracles and there are many gifts that God gives. Scripture is clear that we are not to forbid speaking in tongues, furthermore Scripture is clear in how tongues are (or not) to be used publicly. We teach Biblical exercise of all the gifts to the glory of God and the edification of the Church. If the Church is not edified then cease.

Rather than promotion of a denominational flavor IOI is committed to the teaching of sound doctrine and sound methodology according to Scripture. It may not be possible to walk this line, but our law is the Law of Love. We see our brothers and sisters in need and we are striving to have compassion them. We seek to aid them financially and practically, as well as theologically and methodologically.

May God grant us His grace as we seek to fulfill this labor of love in unity of the Holy Spirit.

Christian Beggars

A lady selling vegetables on the streets of Addis Abeba.

I have never seen the righteous forsaken, nor God's seed begging for bread.

My office is at the church and we often have beggars come by seeking cash or a hotel room. Most of the time they tell me that they are Christian, just had some "bad luck".

When I probe deeper I find that these "Christians" don't actually belong to a church, and don't actually know other Christians that they could give me as a reference. So, what makes someone think they are Christian if they have NO fellowship. I am not saying you have to be listed on the roles of some organization, but I do believe you should have some contact with another Christian if you are in the Body of Christ.

For those who have a somewhat credible profession I have found that the "beggar" leaves my office as one who already had the answer in his hand, he just needed someone to help him see it. That is the beauty of life together. We have all things pertaining to life and godliness, we just forget, or can't see it.

Rebellion against God and pride are the main causes of begging that I have witnessed in America. Now, don't think I am saying this means we have no obligation to help, but it does make a difference in what type help we give.

When a man asks for bread we simply give him bread in the name of Jesus. No obligations, no expectation. We simply obey Jesus. However, when we are approached by a professed Christian that is begging we certainly owe this confessed brother a bit more than a simple meal -- we are after all our brother's keeper. For a Christian to be reduced to begging is a shame on the Church. For a Christian to be reduced to begging it is a shame for him. For a Christian to beg it is a reproach on Christ, and an accusation against God for not providing what He promised His children in food and clothing.

In the Old Testament we find a believer by the name of Job. He lost everything, but not through rebellion or disobedience. He was reduced to ashes. Yet, the only begging Job did was to beg of God for an answer. Apparently the believers who surrounded Job, although they judged him wrongly and gave horrible advice, apparently care for him physically. We see clearly that Job's friends sat with him and tried to aid him as best they could.

So, here we have it. The most "down on his luck" man in history, yet he continues to believe and God continues to care for him through his weak believing friends.

While the world is full of poor Christians there should be NO Christian beggars.

As I have traveled through out Ethiopia I have met many desperately poor Christians, but I have yet to see them utterly forsaken or reduced to begging. The churches are full of people who are poor, but they care for each other in ways that shame us in America. I have witnessed poverty stricken Christians in Ethiopia share their dirt floor with even poorer Christians.

The next time someone begs of you on the basis of being a Christian brother I encourage you to question this brother. Don't simply tell him to be "warm and filled", but take a moment to find out why he does not attend worship or have fellowship with anyone who can share in his sufferings. You may find a lair and a thief, but you may find a brother that needs a prophetic word to go home and be reconciled.

When we view the Christian beggar as our brother then we see that God has given us an opportunity to share in the love of God in the care of His children. We can "get in on what God is doing" by giving to the poor and having mercy on those who least "deserve it".

Going Home Today!

Thank you again to everyone who has been praying for Lauren. She will be allowed to go home today from the hospital. She slept through the night last night and seems to be almost back to normal.

Rough night, but better morning

Lauren had a fairly rough night last night, but this morning she has perked up and even eaten most of her breakfast.

She has smiled a couple of times this morning and even laughed once, so we are definately seeing improvement.

Lauren has been moved to a regular hospital room.

Thank you again to everyone who has been praying!

We arrived at the hospital at 8am on Monday morning for Lauren's double hip replacement surgery. Twelve hours after our arrival, after six hours of surgery, she was moved to ICU for observation. Today, after eighteen long hours in ICU, we were moved to a normal hospital room.

Lauren has begun eating some, and has longer periods of being awake. Lana and I think she is having quite a bit of pain, but she still has an epidural (also known as a "spinal block") to help manage it.

We have received cards, calls and email from around the world. We are very grateful for the family of God that has joined with us in praying for Lauren.

If all goes well Lauren should be going home by Friday. Still she will have six weeks in a body cast and months of therapy. However, the surgery should keep her hip in socket and we are hopeful she will be riding horses again within six months or so. Who knows -- she might even walk with her walker again one day (a skill among many that she had lost because of her chronic hip problems).

God bless you for caring!

Surgery Went Well

Thank you to everyone who has sent word, greetings and prayers!

Lauren was in surgery for 6 hours today and she is now in intensive care. The doctors expect to move her to a regular room if all goes well through the night.

She is exhausted as you can imagine. Lana and I too are exhausted. But, we give thanks that all went well up until the very end of the surgery.

Lauren's vital signs continued to look great throughout the day and the doctor felt good about going ahead and performing the surgery on both hips. Toward the end of the surgery there was some concern about her blood ph levels, and a UT issue. They did end up having to give Lauren a blood transfusion.

We have visited with Lauren and she seems more than a little disoriented and weepy. But, so far she seems like she is doing as well as can be expected after such an intense day of surgery.

"We are not out of the woods yet," said her doctor. "But, it looks very promising."

Thank you for your continued prayers. Six weeks in a body cast holds the possibility of more problems, but we have a great peace tonight. Praise God.

Surgery on Monday

Thank you to everyone who has prayed so far! We have received word from Ukraine, Germany, Ethiopia, England, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Brazil and all over America from people who have joined in prayer for Lauren.

Her surgery will be this Monday, June 16 at 8:15am. She is scheduled to have both hips replaced, her leg bones reshaped and muscle "lengthening". It will be major surgery followed by six weeks in a body cast.

God has answered many of your prayers so far and we have an amazing amount of peace about this surgery.

While we were at Vanderbilt Hospital for the pre-op we met a lady and her son that we had met three years before. Three years ago the boy had the same surgery that Lauren is scheduled to have and after his recovery we lost touch with the family. They were in Nashville for a routine appointment on Wednesday and it was definitely a "God thing" that we saw each other after all this time. The boy is doing great, and the mother was very encouraging.

Thank you again for all your prayers!

Day of Prayer for Lauren

Many of you know Lauren personally and you know of her struggles with CP.

She is scheduled for major surgery on June 16 for double hip replacement and reformation of both femur bones.Our brothers and sisters in Ethiopia have set aside Thursday, May 29 as a special day of prayer and fasting for Lauren.

We invite you to join us in prayer.

The Mission of Compassion

"If you see your brother in need and have not compassion - the love of God does not live in you." (I John 3:17)

From what I understand there are Christians who are persecuted every day in this world. I personally know hundreds of believers in Ethiopia alone who need help. How is it that Christians in the most prosperous nation in the world and the richest congregations turn a blind eye to our suffering brethren? There should be a multitude of ministries that seek to help poor, imprisoned and naked Christians.

It often seems that if a mission is interested in the poor it is only to draw them in to their programs so that they can count heads. I don't doubt the sincerity of these organizations I only doubt their gospel and its mission. Feeding the poor becomes a "method of evangelizing" all the while we expect believers to "pull themselves up by their boot straps." It is wicked. For some it would seem to be better to stay a "seeker" and take advantage of "christian charity" rather than become a believer left to fend for yourself.

The good news is that many of these missions are actually preaching the death, burial and Resurrection of Jesus the Christ. I have witnessed churches who explode in numbers and zeal when they are first planted, and I see many who's lives are changed indeed. The problem is that in the years to come their zeal grows cold and soon they become much like the churches that planted them concerned with growing their programs rather than meeting the needs of those around them.

Conversely there are missions who have lost the Truth and have become nothing more than social aid agencies that help salve the conscience of wealth Westerners by feeding multitudes of poor. There are no requirements for aid or belonging, no Gospel message. Just "pure" charity with no strings attached.

What I am trying to say is that both of these views are extreme, and neither is truly bringing God's Kingdom to this earth.

I am growing increasingly confident that missions is something that must be done in community. I believe that Christ's Kingdom is being established on this planet, that His will is being done on Earth as it is in Heaven. This is happening as more and more congregations begin to truly care for each other and become known for their love rather than their buildings or programs. As believers are encouraged to work out their salvation through the practice of God given gifts the world sees the Light and tastes the Salt.

Who in America has not heard that "Jesus died for your sins"? But, how many in America see the Body of Christ (the Church) loving God by loving each other?

How many have heard the Gospel which is costly? How many have heard that it will cost them everything to follow Christ? The Gospel has become an event rather than total life transformation.

All too often our gospel is offensive, not because of Christ, but because it lacks Christ. Jesus died for you. Say this prayer, go to church, give your tithe (of course spend the rest on yourself), obey God and you will prosper! God just wants you to stop doing bad things. The only thing God requires is that you receive His free gift that He offers. "All you have to do is accept." -- It is a lie!

Jesus not only died for you He rose from the dead in a real body! He demands that we believe. He commands us to repent (a constant adjustment of our thoughts to conform with the will of God rather than doing what we want). What God requires is obedience!

The book of James (which many would remove from Scripture) states plainly that faith without works is dead. First John states clearly that we must "lay down our lives for the brethren". Jude warns of those who feasted with believers, yet only wanted gain for themselves. Acts tells of those who wanted to follow Christ in a effort to gain magical powers or miracles, only to find themselves being cut off. Colossians warns about false religion that is worked out in ascetic harshness, rather than overflowing love for the Church that comes from a relationship with the Triune God. Paul greeting the Thessalonians, who not only speak the Gospel, but their "faith goes out before them" -- even so in chapter 4 he says, "you have been taught by God to love one another." In Timothy we see command after command about humility and submission because of the great love of God -- the good "fight" is one of love, faith godliness, gentleness -- and a strict command from God for wealthy Christians to be "rich in good deeds, liberal in giving." These are not options they are commands!

Nowhere in Scripture are we commanded to build big buildings, provide sporting events or any of the plethora of activities that are associated with "church" (not that there is anything inherently wrong with these things). However, we are commanded repeatedly to be generous to poor believers. It is tragic that aiding believers is so low a priority that it is not even on the budget of many congregations.

(Not suggesting that we aid laziness or that we enable people to be leaches on the Church -- see following posts).

There simply is no way around it -- we will be judged according to our deeds! Without faith in Christ we are lost, and without works we have no faith. Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, "Only those who believe can obey, and only those who obey can believe."

It is not our message or our words that we are known by, it is our fruit. Our fruit should be love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. As unbelievers see the fruit they are amazed, as they hear the Gospel they are offended, and as God gives faith they are saved. Those who were outside are inside and become part of the Body of God's great love.

Finally a wedding picture!

Ben and Pepo!
Married in Addis Abeba Ethiopia on Sunday, Jul 8th, 2007.
Anyone else need a matchmaker's services?

Are you washed in the Blood?

"I saw the filthiness of sin and I also saw the efficacy of the Lord’s precious blood cleansing me and making me white as snow." --Wacthman Nee

There are over 250 references to "blood" in the Bible. Blood plays a significant role in the Christian faith. Animal blood provided a symbol and a true "covering" for sins. But, it is not animal blood that cleanses us or takes away our sins. "For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins." (Hebrews 10:4)

According to Scripture the Blood of Christ accomplishes many things -- redemption, cleansing, covering, sanctification and more.

In Revelation 7:14 we see that our "robes" are washed in the Blood of the Lamb and made "white as snow." How strange it is to think that blood can make robes white. Yet, it is a spiritual message.

Our works are our "robes," and even the very best of man is all together vanity. Our works are tainted by the flesh and sin. Our righteousness is filthy. But, the Blood of Christ washes us as we participate in His sacrifice. Our hands have His blood on them.

He washes our works and makes them white as snow. He has redeemed not only our souls, but our very existence. He did not simply wash our hearts, He has given us new hearts. He has given us His Spirit to live within us. He has taken a dead thing and given it life. He has made those who only knew darkness and decay to be the light and salt.

By the scheduling of His precious Blood Christ accomplished our salvation. The blood of Christ is an offense to some, and a stumbling block to many. The Blood of Christ is central to the Gospel. For those who believe it is the display and action of the power of God unto salvation. Praise God for the Blood of Christ!

"Woman's hand washed in blood" (Art.com)

Quote of the Weak - Proselytize

"Every attempt to impose the gospel by force, to run after people and proselytize them, to use our own resources to arrange the salvation of other people, is both futile and dangerous."

- Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship

Taken out of context one might accuse Bonhoeffer of being "unevangelical." This would be a huge mistake.

Bonhoeffer saw clearly that modern methods of evangelism were dangerous because they cheapen the gospel, and present a god that is incapable of accomplishing His will. The begging, powerless and effeminate Jesus wants to save you, if you will only ask him to...
Bonhoeffer knew the all powerful, sovereign Creator of the Universe that commands all men everywhere to believe and repent. He boldly proclaimed the Gospel and knew that God was the only faith giver. He knew that men cannot believe unless God performs a miracle at the hearing of the Word. He knew too that there must be a preacher to proclaim the Gospel. With his very life Bonhoeffer paid the cost of his discipleship (he died in a Nazi concentration camp). At the end of his life it was said of him by a fellow non-Christian prisoner, "I never knew a man who's God was so real to him."

Quote of the Weak -- Material Needs

"If we grant the baptized brother the right to the gifts of salvation, but refuse him the gifts necessary to earthly life or knowingly leave him in material need and distress, we are holding up the gifts of salvation to ridicule and behaving as liars."
-Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship


"Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distress, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:21)

Now Showing -- Amazing Grace

The Bishop's Rating: aaaaa (Five out of five marks)

Very much worth the $5.50 price!

The recommendations came from a wide range of people. In fact, so many people recommended this movie to me that I was intrigued. I was afraid that it would be another heavy handed "Christian movie" that basically only Christians would want to see.

I enjoyed this movie on so many levels that it is hard to know where to start. Basically it is the story of William Wilberforce, the British Member of Parliament that sponsored the bill to abolish the slave trade in all English colonies. This may not sound like much of a story to you, but you could not be more wrong. This movie is a story of love, penance, redemption and grace.
The title Amazing Grace comes from the song of the same title which was written by a former Slave Ship captain. Wilberforce was a student of this captain who had become a "protestant monk" after his conversion.
The movie shows the important role that Wilberforce's wife played in her encouragement to continue to fight the fight, although he had lost the effort 39 times over 18 years (a fact that is not in the movie).
I also appreciated the depiction of Colitis, which afflicted Wilberforce and now affects my wife. The physical and emotional suffering that he endured served to make him even more aware of a life lived well.
Far from Christian Cheese this movie should appeal to a wide audience, and encourage many to be who they have been created to be.

The sad fact is that I believe that most people will not see this movie. One point in the movie was that "great men" most often become great through actions that haunt them, yet Wilberforce proved to be a great man through actions that blessed others. It is a beautiful story; sadly a story that most likely will not sell.