I've been reading a biography of Winston Churchill, an amazing man who understood the meaning of courage, duty, and adversity. He led Great Britain through World War II and is among the greatest Prime Ministers ever. When he was made Prime Minister of England, Winston Churchill said in his address to the House of Commons, "I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat." Churchill did not see himself as a great man, but a man who was destined by God to do great things. There have been few modern leaders more influential to a nation than Winston Churchill. We are short on true leaders these days. There are few who are willing to use their blood, toil, tears, and sweat for the good of others and the glory of God.
I'm enjoying working with my hands again. I wake up around 4:50am and brave the morning chill, arriving at my current job site at 6am. I've been wrapping duct the last couple of days, some off a 10' ladder and a scissor lift. The work itself is exactly as I remember it being, and in a way I feel like I never left. I hadn't wrapped a duct in over seven years! But as familiar as the trade is to me, there is something very different this time around. I am not simply working to provide for my family or advance in a company. I am a preacher/pastor, and now I am a preacher who insulates. I am insulating because God opened a door to work, and all this is working towards a working visa in Australia.
This is the desire that God has put in my heart: I offer my blood, toil, tears, and sweat for the glory of God in Australia. In the words of Paul, I will gladly spend and be spent for the Australian people (2 Cor. 12:15). I have not been invited by any to do this, but I have been called by God to do so. Every day I affirm my commitment as I toil and sweat covered in fiberglass and dust for a higher purpose than just to fill my belly with food and provide shelter for my family. The cuts on my hands and the soreness of my body is not for my own benefit, but for the glory of God.
After the LORD destroyed Jericho, Joshua 6:26 relates, "Then Joshua charged them at that time, saying, "Cursed be the man before the Lord who rises up and builds this city Jericho; he shall lay its foundation with his firstborn, and with his youngest he shall set up its gates." Many years later, a man named Hiel rebuilt Jericho. 1 Kings 16:34 says, "In his days Hiel of Bethel built Jericho. He laid its foundation with Abiram his firstborn, and with his youngest son Segub he set up its gates, according to the word of the Lord, which He had spoken through Joshua the son of Nun." Re-building Jericho came at a personal cost for Hiel, his oldest and youngest son. In my situation this would be a grave cost indeed!
My prayer is that God would be gracious to allow me the privilege of laying a foundation of solid Bible teaching and faithful longevity in ministry in Australia. No cost is too high in following Jesus Christ. I am not perfect in my pursuit of Christ, but I want to be better. How amazing that I could be a tool in the hand of The Master Craftsman, by whom all things have been created and sustained! I am not worthy that He would place His hand upon me for any profit. May Jesus Christ be glorified in Australia and to the ends of the earth! Lay the foundation of Christ in Australia, Father, and use me as your mortar, brick, or trowel!
01 December 2009
29 November 2009
Nothing to Prove
Have you felt like you could do nothing right? No matter how hard you tried to prove yourself to someone, no matter your sacrifice, effort, or success, it was never enough? Many people carry the burden of trying to please their parents into their adulthood, feeling like they were never able to satisfy their parent's expectations. An ache of bitterness and unworthiness remains in the heart with a deep unsatisfied longing for acceptance and love. This is the tragic end of too many father/son relationships.
This is the emotional and relational baggage many carry into their relationship with God. Perhaps this fuels the need to constantly "prove" ourselves to God so we may experience the love and acceptance we have always craved. At church this morning, we read the story in Luke 17 of the ten lepers who were made well and the Samaritan who returned, praising and glorifying God. The thanksgiving and humble thanks of the ex-leper were visible evidence of his faith in God. Jesus sent him away in peace saying, "Your faith has saved you."
The Samaritan man who was healed did not have to "do" anything to "prove" himself to Jesus because Jesus already knew him. We do not need to "prove" ourselves to God by anything that we do, for the Bible is clear that all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory. But how often do we point to external acts when it is faith that Christ seeks? If we have faith, won't thanksgiving, praise, and God's glory be what we are about all the time? We have only proven we are sinners, through and through. It is not by works of righteousness that we have done, but according to His mercy we have been saved. What a relief that God's view of us is not dependent upon our works!
This goes back to the most fundamental basics: God has made us. He knows us. He placed every strand of DNA in every cell in our bodies, aligned our chromosomes how He saw fit, knit every bone, tendon, muscle, and arranged every organ in its place. He knows me and he knows you. He does not have "unrealistic" expectations of us that we have not lived up to: we are most precious to Him even in our fallen state. A human born into sin will sin. But God, who has chosen to have all His creation give Him glory, is pleased when a single sinner repents and turns to Him in faith. God's thoughts toward us are good, not evil. He is not the ever unsatisfied and aloof father whom we can never prove ourselves to. We don't need to prove ourselves: we must give ourselves. And considering what we know of ourselves, we don't deserve that kind of acceptance, love, and grace.
This is the emotional and relational baggage many carry into their relationship with God. Perhaps this fuels the need to constantly "prove" ourselves to God so we may experience the love and acceptance we have always craved. At church this morning, we read the story in Luke 17 of the ten lepers who were made well and the Samaritan who returned, praising and glorifying God. The thanksgiving and humble thanks of the ex-leper were visible evidence of his faith in God. Jesus sent him away in peace saying, "Your faith has saved you."
The Samaritan man who was healed did not have to "do" anything to "prove" himself to Jesus because Jesus already knew him. We do not need to "prove" ourselves to God by anything that we do, for the Bible is clear that all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory. But how often do we point to external acts when it is faith that Christ seeks? If we have faith, won't thanksgiving, praise, and God's glory be what we are about all the time? We have only proven we are sinners, through and through. It is not by works of righteousness that we have done, but according to His mercy we have been saved. What a relief that God's view of us is not dependent upon our works!
This goes back to the most fundamental basics: God has made us. He knows us. He placed every strand of DNA in every cell in our bodies, aligned our chromosomes how He saw fit, knit every bone, tendon, muscle, and arranged every organ in its place. He knows me and he knows you. He does not have "unrealistic" expectations of us that we have not lived up to: we are most precious to Him even in our fallen state. A human born into sin will sin. But God, who has chosen to have all His creation give Him glory, is pleased when a single sinner repents and turns to Him in faith. God's thoughts toward us are good, not evil. He is not the ever unsatisfied and aloof father whom we can never prove ourselves to. We don't need to prove ourselves: we must give ourselves. And considering what we know of ourselves, we don't deserve that kind of acceptance, love, and grace.
25 November 2009
The Power of Being Wanted
Now we know that there are certain things which will keep someone from serving in the military: asthma, blindness, paralysis, disease, or lack of motivation. The intention behind the sign is to motivate and encourage. Allow yourself for a moment to be a 19 year old man in a little town with big dreams. The sight of this sign send a spark of hope in his heart: could it be true? I can serve my country in the army? The government wants me to help? If Uncle Sam said, "I need you" then there would be obligation and perhaps guilt, but Uncle Sam WANTS me, a nobody! I'm in!
How wonderful it is to be wanted! I was recently offered and accepted a job at Farwest Insulation, a Local 5 contractor. Not only was the timing great, but the people have been so encouraging and accommodating. It was almost like a dream to be at work in a trade I love, having been offered a job at a shop I've never worked at after over four years being off the tools. In talking to my superintendent, I was told that good help is at a premium and they were very happy to have me. Now that tells me two things: the company believes I am a good worker, and I was offered the job because I am wanted. I don't know about you, but this made me feel pretty good...no, really good. It's good to be wanted.
If I can feel good because there is a construction company that wants me to work for them and treats me great, how much better should Christians feel because of our Father who wants us! God does not need us, but He wants us! His great desire is that we would love Him as He has revealed His love for us. God has granted us life and every imaginable blessing that we have. Are you good at something? It is because God has given you the ability. Do you love certain activities, foods, or people? God is to thank for that love and desire in your heart. People are content with one, three, five, sometimes ten children, but not God. He's not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance so He might save them, bless them, and dwell with them forever!
Thank God that He wants you! In this season of celebrating Thanksgiving in the U.S., may we remember that thanksgiving to God is not seasonal. He wants us and rejoices in each one of us individually. We aren't just a number "reporting for duty," but someone who God knows personally, intimately, and fully. Praise God that He wants us! Remember to thank Him today!
23 November 2009
Status Update!
Throughout my recent trip to Australia my mind wandered to what I might do when I arrived back in the United States. I knew for certain that the chapter at my life on staff at Calvary Chapel El Cajon was finished. If you're in the middle of a great book, there's no turning back to "re-live" a chapter you were particularly fond of. The enjoyment of the finished chapter urges you to anticipate the next. That is how it has been for me. The time I spent at Calvary was the greatest chapter of my life, but that chapter is closed. Now I am looking forward to the next chapter but I'm not capable or allowed to skim to the end. Page by page the story unfolds, and every page more interesting with unexpected twists and turns.
The moment came last Thursday (11/19) when I stepped onto the tarmac of the commuter terminal in San Diego. That surreal moment was 60 days in the making as I toured and preached in churches and houses throughout Australia: Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, and Canberra. But it wasn't just a preaching trip: it was a learning, growing, connecting with people trip. It was a great opportunity to have a real taste of Aussie culture and process through a wilderness experience with God alone, who guided and sustained me. At the moment my feet hit the pavement, I had no idea what I would be doing on Tuesday (11/24).
The day I arrived home (Thursday), I spoke to my brother Mat about work. During my trip it was affirmed constantly the best way to enter the country would be through a permanent working visa through my trade, mechanical insulation. I chose not to pursue this potential while in OZ because I believe God did not desire that I run around seeking sponsorship at that time, for He had prepared places for me to preach, minister, and help. I asked God to open the doors He wanted me to walk through. He has certainly done that! The following day (Friday) my brother called me and offered me a job with the company he works for, Far West Insulation. Believe it or not, Sunday I talked to the superintendent at church and he said it's a go. I called the union today, was placed on the out of work list, and tomorrow I go in for work!
Within five days of arriving home, I have a full-time journeyman level job in a trade that will be a great asset to me in securing a visa to Australia. It is truly nothing short of miraculous. Trades tend to slow down during the Christmas holiday season, yet I have an opportunity in a tough economic period to support my family and save money for our family to be established in Australia. I praise God for His provision and I can say that it is really the story of my life. What do I have that God has not graciously provided? He has given me hands to labor, and a mouth to witness of His greatness. Let us use all our assets and all the time He has allotted to glorify Him.
When God closes a chapter of your life, look forward to God's future. Don't attempt to recreate the past or dwell on past success or failure. Look to Jesus, for He will always lead us according to the Father's perfect will. It is our God who works in us both to will and do His good pleasure. God has done miracles in my life, and to the common eye they seem natural. Through eyes of faith, however, His supernatural hand is seen! May we sing with those who stand in victory as written in Rev. 15:3: "They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: "Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints!" As God is our Provider, may we provide Him abundant praise for the marvelous things He has done!
The moment came last Thursday (11/19) when I stepped onto the tarmac of the commuter terminal in San Diego. That surreal moment was 60 days in the making as I toured and preached in churches and houses throughout Australia: Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, and Canberra. But it wasn't just a preaching trip: it was a learning, growing, connecting with people trip. It was a great opportunity to have a real taste of Aussie culture and process through a wilderness experience with God alone, who guided and sustained me. At the moment my feet hit the pavement, I had no idea what I would be doing on Tuesday (11/24).
The day I arrived home (Thursday), I spoke to my brother Mat about work. During my trip it was affirmed constantly the best way to enter the country would be through a permanent working visa through my trade, mechanical insulation. I chose not to pursue this potential while in OZ because I believe God did not desire that I run around seeking sponsorship at that time, for He had prepared places for me to preach, minister, and help. I asked God to open the doors He wanted me to walk through. He has certainly done that! The following day (Friday) my brother called me and offered me a job with the company he works for, Far West Insulation. Believe it or not, Sunday I talked to the superintendent at church and he said it's a go. I called the union today, was placed on the out of work list, and tomorrow I go in for work!
Within five days of arriving home, I have a full-time journeyman level job in a trade that will be a great asset to me in securing a visa to Australia. It is truly nothing short of miraculous. Trades tend to slow down during the Christmas holiday season, yet I have an opportunity in a tough economic period to support my family and save money for our family to be established in Australia. I praise God for His provision and I can say that it is really the story of my life. What do I have that God has not graciously provided? He has given me hands to labor, and a mouth to witness of His greatness. Let us use all our assets and all the time He has allotted to glorify Him.
When God closes a chapter of your life, look forward to God's future. Don't attempt to recreate the past or dwell on past success or failure. Look to Jesus, for He will always lead us according to the Father's perfect will. It is our God who works in us both to will and do His good pleasure. God has done miracles in my life, and to the common eye they seem natural. Through eyes of faith, however, His supernatural hand is seen! May we sing with those who stand in victory as written in Rev. 15:3: "They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: "Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints!" As God is our Provider, may we provide Him abundant praise for the marvelous things He has done!
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