Funerals are bittersweet: bitter because we are processing the loss of a loved one, but sweet to reflect on how people have impacted our lives for good. The first funeral I officiated was for a man I never knew. Our church was contacted by the coroner's office in San Diego and were asked if we could provide someone to perform the service. I was on staff as a youth pastor at Calvary Chapel El Cajon at the time and had been recently ordained as a pastor. It was through that phone call I was introduced to a young man known by his friends as Joey Hockenberry.
Joey was a man I wish I could have met. A condition from birth prevented him from being able to speak. Even at 30 years old he enjoyed simple pleasures, especially balloons. He had an amazing smile. His mother and sister loved Joey deeply, and his death was a tragic shock. In a moment, this young man passed into eternity. As I stood at the lectern at the funeral hall, the organist playing softly behind me, my heart broke for the grieving people who knew the young man. This was a man who was greatly loved by people and the God who created him. Though I never met Joey, I will never forget Him. His life should be celebrated more than the mourning of his passing. If I could meet Joey's mum and sister again, I would give them each a hug. They shared the life of their dear son and brother that day, a gift I can never repay.
There are some people who might trivialise Joey's life because of an arbitrary level of physical or mental development. I can tell you one thing for certain: God doesn't. God spoke to Moses in Exodus 4:11, "Who has made man's mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the LORD? God made Joey Hockenberry. He made him exactly as He intended to, and God does all things well. Joey never lost the wonder of being young. He laughed, he loved, he was human in every way. What we see as a limitation in someone else is a revelation of our limitations. God values human life to the point of sending His own Son as a sacrifice for sin. God allowed His only Son, Jesus Christ, to face death on the cross so all might live. Jesus died for Joey, me, and you.
God values life. He is the one who gives eternal life! Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." If you hate your life, it is because you love yourself more than Christ. And when Christ becomes your life what freedom, peace, and joy is provided by His grace. Psalm 16:8-11 reads, "I have set the LORD always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.
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Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will rest in hope.
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For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.
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You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore."
15 August 2012
13 August 2012
Worship the Creator!
There's been a lot of hoopla on cnn.com about the success of NASA deploying the rover "Curiosity" on Mars. At a mission cost of 2.6 billion, the hefty price tag is impressive. The rover was eight months hurtling through space before it touched down safely on the Red Planet. It is amazing what technology, human ingenuity, and some government funding can do.
As amazing as it is to put a man on the moon or a rover on Mars, it is nothing compared to the miracle of human life. It is far easier for us to land a rover with cameras and robotic arms on Mars and control it remotely than to comprehend or explain how bones form in the womb of the mother (Ecclesiastes 11:5). Isn't it crazy that the heart of a baby forms BEFORE the brain? Unless the heart was formed and pumping blood throughout the body, the brain tissues could not live. Our brains cannot fathom this wisdom. Maybe the day will come when man will put a rover on Jupiter, but that great feat will still pale in comparison to the miracle of life which God performs hundreds of thousands of times every 24 hours right here on earth.
A microscopic cell from a father and a cell from the mother in the right conditions are all that it required to begin a whole new life, a person in whom God breathes a living soul. Diving to the bottom of the Mariana Trench is kid stuff compared to this. God scoffs at nanotechnology: He is the only true Innovator and Creator. Worship Him, because by Him all things are created and consist.
As amazing as it is to put a man on the moon or a rover on Mars, it is nothing compared to the miracle of human life. It is far easier for us to land a rover with cameras and robotic arms on Mars and control it remotely than to comprehend or explain how bones form in the womb of the mother (Ecclesiastes 11:5). Isn't it crazy that the heart of a baby forms BEFORE the brain? Unless the heart was formed and pumping blood throughout the body, the brain tissues could not live. Our brains cannot fathom this wisdom. Maybe the day will come when man will put a rover on Jupiter, but that great feat will still pale in comparison to the miracle of life which God performs hundreds of thousands of times every 24 hours right here on earth.
A microscopic cell from a father and a cell from the mother in the right conditions are all that it required to begin a whole new life, a person in whom God breathes a living soul. Diving to the bottom of the Mariana Trench is kid stuff compared to this. God scoffs at nanotechnology: He is the only true Innovator and Creator. Worship Him, because by Him all things are created and consist.
12 August 2012
Stupid Questions?
I've heard it said: "There's no such thing as a stupid question." A variation on this theme is, "The only stupid question is the one never asked." I disagree with both of these statements. I once asked a class of teenagers to provide an example of a stupid question. Without a moment's hesitation, a hand shot up. "Yes?" The young man smiled and asked, "If a chicken had lips could it whistle?" I saw no need to further prove my point. The intent of those first two statements is often an encouragement for people to ask legitimate questions, even if they feel foolish asking them. In a classroom it is likely that if one person finds themselves stumped, there are others who could benefit from the answer. Too many people fear that revealing their ignorance through a question will make them the targets of ridicule and scorn. Pride does not enjoy making room for humility, and one must humble himself to admit his lack.
I believe there is such a thing as a good question. Jesus asked a lot of profound questions. Because good questions exist, it stands to reason that there are questions at the opposite end of the spectrum. Jesus was asked many leading, loaded, dishonest questions - not because people sought to gain understanding - but for the purpose of catching Jesus in His words so they might accuse Him. There are honest and dishonest questions. Jesus always answered honest questions, but He never entertained dishonest ones. When the disciples of Jesus humbled themselves to ask for an explanation of a parable, He spoke to them plainly. When the Pharisees asked dishonest questions, Jesus shot back questions of His own and turned the tables on those schemers, exposing their hypocrisy. We should emulate Christ's example and not feel compelled to give stupid questions asked dishonestly a moment of our time.
The Bible warns Christians to guard against wasting time on foolish questions. Titus 3:8-9 reads, "This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men. 9 But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless." It is also written in 2 Timothy 2:22-25: "Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. 24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will." Foolish questions generate strife and division; they are unprofitable and useless. There is a man who is more concerned about proving his point than by living righteously. Instead of arguing over senseless hypothetical situations or focusing on flavour over substance, we ought to expend our energies in actually living for God.
If we find ourselves unable to steer clear of disputes, it may be that we are not walking in humility as we ought. Jesus was humble yet was often the target of calculated debate and attack. Through great wisdom Jesus was able to diffuse His aggressors and leave them speechless - to the point that no one dared question Him any more. Let us follow Christ's example of answering dishonest questions with better questions still, and offering gracious instruction to those who legitimately seek understanding. I do not have all the answers, nor do I need to feel pressure to do so. 1 Peter 3:15 exhorts us: "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear..." Jesus has the answers, and He is my answer. He is my Hope! Instead of attacking others with words, we have a sure Defense and Foundation in Jesus Christ. Let us be clothed in humility and meekness, knowing that Christ is our Wisdom.
I believe there is such a thing as a good question. Jesus asked a lot of profound questions. Because good questions exist, it stands to reason that there are questions at the opposite end of the spectrum. Jesus was asked many leading, loaded, dishonest questions - not because people sought to gain understanding - but for the purpose of catching Jesus in His words so they might accuse Him. There are honest and dishonest questions. Jesus always answered honest questions, but He never entertained dishonest ones. When the disciples of Jesus humbled themselves to ask for an explanation of a parable, He spoke to them plainly. When the Pharisees asked dishonest questions, Jesus shot back questions of His own and turned the tables on those schemers, exposing their hypocrisy. We should emulate Christ's example and not feel compelled to give stupid questions asked dishonestly a moment of our time.
The Bible warns Christians to guard against wasting time on foolish questions. Titus 3:8-9 reads, "This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men. 9 But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless." It is also written in 2 Timothy 2:22-25: "Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. 24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will." Foolish questions generate strife and division; they are unprofitable and useless. There is a man who is more concerned about proving his point than by living righteously. Instead of arguing over senseless hypothetical situations or focusing on flavour over substance, we ought to expend our energies in actually living for God.
If we find ourselves unable to steer clear of disputes, it may be that we are not walking in humility as we ought. Jesus was humble yet was often the target of calculated debate and attack. Through great wisdom Jesus was able to diffuse His aggressors and leave them speechless - to the point that no one dared question Him any more. Let us follow Christ's example of answering dishonest questions with better questions still, and offering gracious instruction to those who legitimately seek understanding. I do not have all the answers, nor do I need to feel pressure to do so. 1 Peter 3:15 exhorts us: "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear..." Jesus has the answers, and He is my answer. He is my Hope! Instead of attacking others with words, we have a sure Defense and Foundation in Jesus Christ. Let us be clothed in humility and meekness, knowing that Christ is our Wisdom.
07 August 2012
Repent or Perish!
On the news before dinner, a video was shown of a flaming, mangled car which was involved in a tragic accident. The wreck ended up killing the teenage driver and sending a passenger to hospital in critical condition. After dinner our family reads a chapter from the Bible and discusses it together. The words of Jesus which we read were most appropriate and thought provoking. Luke 13:1-5 reads, "There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
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And Jesus answered and said to them, "Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things?
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I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.
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Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem?
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I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish."
That girl who perished in that accident was no worse than any other teenager. She was not killed because of bad karma, having sown the seeds of bad deeds throughout her life. I never met her, but I know she was no worse than I am. God causes the rain to fall on the just and unjust alike. Those Galileans who were killed by Pilate, nor those on whom the tower of Siloam collapsed, were worse than other people. The fact is, we have all done wrong. The point of Christ's emphasis is, "Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." Not too many of our lives will end in a fiery automobile crash. Not all of us will be crushed under the weight of crumbling masonry or face capital punishment. But unless we repent, we will likewise perish. Jesus spoke these words to compel people to face their own mortality. Every man will die, and if we die in our sins we face eternal death as a result. Though it may seem a bit harsh, Jesus was loving to speak this way. As I think of the flames licking that gutted car, I understand Him clearly. People are not unlucky to die, and others are not lucky to live. No matter how long we live on earth, each day is a step towards the inevitable end.
In the evangelism efforts of Christians it is a grave error to divorce the stark truth of the Gospel from the love which made it a reality. Most of us have witnessed a callous, arrogant, unloving presentation of Gospel truth. This is an outrage. But the other extreme is to hold forth the Gospel packaged with such fluff and ribbons that when the gift is opened there is nothing of substance within. We hold back from sharing the Gospel the way Jesus did because we are afraid of offense. The result is we pander to those who would refuse to trust in Christ no matter how it is presented, and we do not adequately warn others who would actually respond to the message of salvation through faith in Jesus. Because we are worried about scaring away the fish we stay away from the water. If we want to catch fish, we must not only be content to lower the nets: we need to retrieve them as well.
If we will save souls, there are things which we also must bring up: our sinful condition, mortality, the judgment that awaits all people after our life is over, and the salvation offered us through Jesus Christ. If John 3:16 is worthy to commit to memory, so is Luke 13:5. Unless we repent, we will all likewise perish. John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." He who has ears to hear, let him hear!
That girl who perished in that accident was no worse than any other teenager. She was not killed because of bad karma, having sown the seeds of bad deeds throughout her life. I never met her, but I know she was no worse than I am. God causes the rain to fall on the just and unjust alike. Those Galileans who were killed by Pilate, nor those on whom the tower of Siloam collapsed, were worse than other people. The fact is, we have all done wrong. The point of Christ's emphasis is, "Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." Not too many of our lives will end in a fiery automobile crash. Not all of us will be crushed under the weight of crumbling masonry or face capital punishment. But unless we repent, we will likewise perish. Jesus spoke these words to compel people to face their own mortality. Every man will die, and if we die in our sins we face eternal death as a result. Though it may seem a bit harsh, Jesus was loving to speak this way. As I think of the flames licking that gutted car, I understand Him clearly. People are not unlucky to die, and others are not lucky to live. No matter how long we live on earth, each day is a step towards the inevitable end.
In the evangelism efforts of Christians it is a grave error to divorce the stark truth of the Gospel from the love which made it a reality. Most of us have witnessed a callous, arrogant, unloving presentation of Gospel truth. This is an outrage. But the other extreme is to hold forth the Gospel packaged with such fluff and ribbons that when the gift is opened there is nothing of substance within. We hold back from sharing the Gospel the way Jesus did because we are afraid of offense. The result is we pander to those who would refuse to trust in Christ no matter how it is presented, and we do not adequately warn others who would actually respond to the message of salvation through faith in Jesus. Because we are worried about scaring away the fish we stay away from the water. If we want to catch fish, we must not only be content to lower the nets: we need to retrieve them as well.
If we will save souls, there are things which we also must bring up: our sinful condition, mortality, the judgment that awaits all people after our life is over, and the salvation offered us through Jesus Christ. If John 3:16 is worthy to commit to memory, so is Luke 13:5. Unless we repent, we will all likewise perish. John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." He who has ears to hear, let him hear!
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