FreeTruth

I work at America's Keswick with men who have lived through the worst things a human being can experience. They have known every kind of sin and the darkness of addiction. Some have spent years in prison. Many of these men shouldn't even be alive today because of the dangers they exposed themselves to. But when they find Jesus Christ the transformation is wonderful.

A while ago I was listening to one of these men give his testimony. Stack up this man's life against mine, reveal a bit of our past, and ask the man on the street to judge us-- there would be no contest. I have a family. This colony man wrecked his family. I've been faithful to my wife, he has cheated on his. I have been honest in my dealings, and my wife and children love me. This fellow has burned every bridge behind him, and destroyed relationships through selfishness, lust, lies, and deceit.

As I listened to this man tell his story before about 500 people that night, I was struck by something; it was the humble, yet eloquent and unashamed expression of deep love for the One who had so recently saved him. He had sought the Lord from the hellish pit he was in, and Jesus Christ had loved him and lifted this broken man. It was so real, and so very believable this simple expression of love for his savior.

And there I stood in the back of the Activity Center watching and listening. And then God spoke to me, and I understood that the Lord was well-pleased with that man--more well pleased than he was with me in that moment.

My past didn't matter. His past didn't matter. In that moment, he was far better off than me. God is the God of the present, and the simple truth was that my heart was lukewarm, but this man's was red-hot with love and gratitude.

"Truly I understand that God shows no partiality..." (Peter in Acts 10)

Brothers and Sisters, pray for me, that my little love will somehow be fanned into flames of love like I saw in that Colony of Mercy man that night. I cannot coast on my past, or expect special favor or status simply because I have a long history with the Lord. I do not want to be the Pharisee, or the older brother in Luke 15.

God, help us to seek you with new strength this year, to know you, and to love you personally and passionately.

Labels: Affections, Growth, Guest Post, Loving God

Sunday morning I was sensing the need for spiritual renewal--and for a new brokenness, and a fresh filling of the life of God. The Lord convinced me of my need in the following ways.

The service began with the Lord's Table. Tim made an appeal to "walk worthy of the Gospel." While reminding us to thank God that, by His grace, we are not "what we could be," Tim pointed out that it is also right to consider, "are we where we should be?"

Brothers and sisters, what I am about to confess showed me that I am not where I should be. It shames me to tell this, but this blog is a good place for honesty. In the celebration of the Lord's Table, when the bread was distributed, there was a brief moment of silence. It was very peaceful... too peaceful. I suddenly woke to the realization that the congregation had just eaten the matzo. I then lifted my bread and also partook... a couple of seonds late. The Apostle Peter was gently rebuked by our Lord in the Garden of Gethsemane because he was unable to watch with the Master for 1 hour... and here I was, not able to stay alert for just a few moments! I need "more of God."

The morning scripture texts were from the life of Abraham. In Genesis 15:1 the Lord declares to Abram: "I am your shield, and your exceeding great reward." "But Abram said, O Lord God, what will you give me...?" Am I not like Abram? God offers Himself to me... Himself, the great gift. Why do I not simply take Him, enjoy Him, love Him? He is the supreme gift. Why do I allow myself in countless ways to be distracted from Him? I need "more of God."

After the service, a dear brother began to talk with me about what was being planned in the way of summer evangelism. There were to be a few Saturday car washes, and Friday night Boardwalk Evangelism was also being planned. Once again my conscience was pricked. As I listened I realized that it's been a long time since I've considered spending my Fridays and Saturdays in this way. I was reminded that, before these kinds of Kingdom activities are going to be a joy to me, (as they are for the brother who was sharing these opportunities with me), I will need "more of God."

How about you? Is there anything in your experience telling you that you need more of God? Let's come to this Friday evening "More of God" service with expectancy, humility, and hope!

Labels: Change, Dependence on God, Growth, Guest Post, Repentance

Getting back to our conversation about change, Bruce is right when he suggests that behind much failure to change is a failure to honor the authority of God's Word-either by adding our ideas to it, or by somehow redefining what it says according to our ways and habits. I take that to capture the gist of his comments.

Too often we fail to love God with a Truth and Bible-driven heart-set, and the result is that we simply refuse to change even when God is clear in His will for our lives; His will revealed in His Word.

That said, once I've learned His will, I find grace for change in seeing living examples of obedience. Such as my friend, Doug. He's my chiropractor. I went to have him adjust me a bit yesterday. He did so in more ways than one. Every time I'm with Doug I feel his passion for people, including a radical lifestyle-affecting commitment to reach the lost. To be with him is to be inspired toward evangelism.

Before I left his office yesterday, he introduced me to his receptionist in a way that set me up to share Christ with her. It was a thing of strategic beauty. And by the grace of God, I was ready to speak, and received words to do so.

I wouldn't always have been poised to respond to the moment. People don't believe this about me, but I'm shy by nature. I'm not naturally inclined to approach people to talk about anything. Shy: that's a sneaky euphemism for one who is self-centered, too proud to risk saying the wrong or embarassing thing, too in love with his own comfort zone to love the people that are crowding into it.

I've had to change. Shift has had to happen. Shyness had to go. And one of the life-spheres in which it's been needed is in my evangelism. For this I've had to submit to God's Word and just do it. But I've also had the privilege of having models of evangelism set before me, like Doug and Joel.

Joel's my second of five sons. He engages in what I call zig-zag evangelism. It started when he was in the local community college. He made it his habit to arrive early for class, park as far away from the building as he could, and then open his eyes to anyone anywhere in the parking lot between his car and the building. Then he'd walk toward each, moving from one spot to another, back and forth, zig-zagging his way across the lot--making sure to say hi, and to get to know everyone on the way to class.

The way he figured it, the more he got to know, the more he might have a chance to share the Lord with. I remember when I first heard him describe his witness strategy, I was tempted to dismiss it as simply his style (those who know Joel know that he is not shy). But that was a cop out.

After a few minutes' reflection I thought: "Tim, you may not be able to duplicate Joel, but you can imitate him. It's time to learn from your son" (something I'm now doing with all six of my children!). I knew change had to happen. So I decided then that I wanted to grow up to be like my son! His model has led me to change. Now--after years of prayer and practice, while I may never match Joel's gifting, I can and I do have a very similar spirit as I go out my door. "Lord lead me to someone and make me ready to love and speak."

So when Doug set me up to speak to his receptionist yesterday, by God's grace I was ready, and the door opened wide. The young lady was open and looking and eager to talk. Pretty cool.

So here's a way to change: see what God says to do, pray for grace to change, look for models to help you see what it looks like in real life, and then give it a shot. Then keep at it until choices become habits, and habits become character, and character, life. God promises this: grace will flow to inspire and to enable our obedience. And we'll never be the same.

Why not try something new for God today.
And let me know how it goes. I'd love to hear.

Labels: Change, Evangelism, Growth

As TDB comments, "We're hard wired to hang on to our comfortable ways of doing life, believing it will start working--eventually--in the face of compelling evidence to the contrary." I agree. We often mistake what is comfortable for what is effective or right. If it feels easy or normal we don't even think to change it. We feel no instinct or desire to shift. Why mess with success? But is it really success, or is it something else?

One of my first adult life uses of the shift key took place around 1988. About five years into pastoral ministry I studied the Bible's teaching about Communion and concluded that the NT church observed the Lord's Supper often. I know there's debate on it, and my point is not to build a case here, but here's what I thought: the Bible at least commends (though I'm not sure it commands) frequent Communion.

Having come from a tradition of once-a-month Communion, this jarred my little theological world and caused no small inner turmoil. You see: the trouble with the way we do (and have always done) things is that our way takes on the status of conviction by wrapping itself in arguments to justfiy its existence and exaggerate its importance. That's what had happened with my once-a-month-Communion practice. It's the way it had been done. It seemed to be working. And besides, if you observe Communion more than once per month, it'll become a vain repitition; an empty ritual. Increased familiarity will lead to diminishing returns. So the argument (my argument) went.

But I was up against it: the trouble with the argument was that it didn't seem to stand up to the implications of Scripture, nor to the witness of history. Apparently in the NT church they were able to observe Communion at least weekly and still be impacted by grace. Scripture testimony (and the experience of some great Christians in history) rocked my convictions and exposed them as mere traditions. It was time to use the shift key.

Opting for every week Communion (our practice to this day) we've found that instead of becoming a vain and empty ritual, Communion has become a profoundly meaningful, and worship and life-transforming means of grace. Every week Communion perpetually reminds us that no matter what else happens in life and church and worship, we are each, individually, and all, collectively, people of the Cross. By this means, we are brought back to the gospel and to the main thing (1 Corinthians 15:3) every time we gather. Greater familiarity has in fact led to increasing returns.

The lessons learned from this use of life's shift key have been valuable:
1. When the Bible seems to be pointing in one direction and I'm going in another, it's always safer and better to adjust accordingly.
2. I don't need to be afraid to test my ways and traditions. With a Bible in hand, I can be willing to evaluate everything. Is it right? Is it really biblical? Are my arguments for my way merely human reasons for a human tradition or are they really God's truth truly held? Is there a better way? While the older or present way may not seem broken, does it need a tune-up or upgrade?
3. And in the case of Communion, I've learned that anything that keeps the Cross of Jesus front and center in life is a good thing!

Shifting direction has led us closer to Jesus.
Any thoughts?

Labels: Change, Communion, Growth