Faithful Friend

Many may be a friend,

But a faithful friend,

Who can be?

Show me love, and yes…

You may be a friend;

But teach me to love myself,

A faithful friend you will be.

Forgive me when I wrong you, and yes…

You may be a friend;

But forgive me when I fail to forgive you,

A faithful friend you will be.

Give to me kindness, and yes…

You may be a friend;

But give, needing nothing in return,

A faithful friend you will be.

Keep me from harm, and yes…

You may be a friend;

But grant me the freedom to experience pain,

A faithful friend you will be.

Encourage me, and yes…

You may be a friend;

But confront me in my destructive ways,

A faithful friend you will be.

Tell me what I want to hear, and yes…

You may be a friend;

But to always speak truthfully, even when it hurts,

A faithful friend you will be.

A friend may share your life’s journey,

And a friend may part ways.

But a Faithful Friend gives your journey life,

And his love always remains.

For many may be a friend,

But a faithful friend…

Which will you be?

Ransomed Hearts

Philipp, our Swiss friend, asked an amazing question last night…

“Why does humanity always desire more?”

After explaining we realized that what he meant was that humans are not okay with just existing, we are constantly looking for purpose, significance, or life after death.  For someone who is not keen on religion or Christianity, yet is willing to admit he doesn’t know life’s purpose, Philipp is very much inclined towards hope, purpose, and significance.   I always admire those who challenge life questions, but I pray that his search for the meaning of life, or even life after death, leads him to Jesus.  

We’ve spoken some about religion, but he has expressed his dislike for the judgment involved and admits he usually stops listening when people mention the Bible.  I have had many experiences like this in the last few years, finding a balance between telling people about the gospel and forcing conversation can be difficult.  For there are so many people, like Philipp, who want to be heard and respected when they hold different beliefs… the last thing they want is another Bible verse.  When someone responds, “I don’t care what the Bible says.”  What then do we do?

A close friend and mentor once told me, “Jesus pursued everyone, but chased no one…”  Sometimes it can be hard to “let go”, but is it wrong of me to think that at times this could be the best witness?

I have been reading through a short book by J. I. Packer, Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God.  Though it is short in length, it may be one of the most challenging books I have ever read.  But Packer said something that I think is often overlooked, something he backed with plenty of scripture.  

"Love made Paul warm-hearted and affectionate in his evangelism.  'We were gentle among you,' he reminded the Thessalonians; 'being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but our own selves, because you had become very dear to us" (I Thess 2:7-8).  Love also made Paul considerate and adaptable in his evangelism; though he peremptorily refused to change his message to please men (Gal 1:10, 2 Cor 2:17, I Thess 2:4), he would go to any lengths in his presentation of it to avoid giving offense and putting needless difficulties in the way of men's accepting and responding to it. 'Though I am free from all," he wrote the Corinthians, "'I have made myself a slave to all, that i might win the more.  To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews; to those under the law I became as one under the law ... that I might win those under the law.  To those outside the law as one outside the law . . . that I might win those outside the law.  To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak.  I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some" (I Cor 9:19-22).  Paul sought to save men; and because he sought to save them, he was not content merely to throw truth at them; but he went out of his way to get alongside them, and to start thinking with them from where they were, and to speak to them in terms they could understand, and above all, to avoid everything that would prejudice them against the gospel and put stumbling blocks in their path..."

I don’t know.  I wish I could say for certain I know the answer to this question.  I think too often our forcefulness drives people further away from life in Christ.  Partially because they don’t realize our urgency and persistence stems from love.  I may believe that our desire for “more” is derived from our creator, who created us in His image.  But in that moment, can telling a hardened heart that they are a beloved child of God push them further away from truth?  Unfortunately, I think yes… and I think this happens far too often.  

Maybe then the answer is consistency and presence.  Though Jesus chased no one, he turned no one away when they came to him.  Though Jesus was fully God and fully man, he pursued everyone, chased no one, and was readily available when ransomed hearts returned to him.  Is it here that we preach not using words, but by living the love of Christ through deed and truth (I John 3:18), trusting that through our consistency and through our presence, the ransomed hearts of the Lord will return?  I believe so.  

So in our witness, may we pray for discernment as we pursue everyone while remaining consistent and always present in the lives of those closest to us. 

And the ransomed of the Lord shall return…
Everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;
they shall obtain gladness and joy,
and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Isaiah 35:10

From Life to Art

The beauty we’ve been given,

Is in that which is unseen;

And although unseen, we hold confidently to its’ reality

In a secret balance of faith and passion.

For a painter is not a painter,

Until he approaches his canvas.

A writer is not a writer,

Until she captures creativity through the power of words.

A traveler is not a traveler,

Until he courageously walks away from the security of certainty.

In everything we start with nothing,

Faithfully holding onto what could be;

And although we cannot foresee successes or failures,

With passion we must pursue Everything. 

The same holds true for love…

For a friend is not friend,

Nor a neighbor a neighbor,

Until kindness is given freely, expecting nothing in return.

A brother is not a brother,

Nor a sister a sister,

Until they have carried each other’s burdens.

A mother is not a mother,

Nor a father a father,

Until they experience true love’s sacrifice.

So in our desire to truly live

We must approach our canvas,

Walk courageously,

Carry one another’s burdens,

Love sacrificially,

And vulnerably embrace our imperfections,

It is here that life becomes art,

And our lives an empty canvas,

Waiting to be faithfully and passionately approached. 

Dedicated to my dear Aunt Debbie.

Spend and be spent...

These last few weeks have been life changing, and still have much farther to go on this trip.  Even before leaving my mind has been occupied with words, how we use them, and often times which ones to choose. 

These last 8 months of my have been putting together a “covertly” Christian organization, the Become a Human Project.  While my convictions and direction come from my faith and love for my creator, my heart has been unsettled about how we, or I, often make attempts to point people towards Jesus.  That is what we are called to do right?  Point people towards Jesus, tell them about our God, make disciples? 

I find this topic to be much like a love-hate relationship.  Why, when I tell people about Jesus and often include scripture verses to emails and text messages, do some people not want to hear about my God?  Why do they seem to close me out when I present them with what I call truth? Why don’t they understand that I just want to save them? Can’t they realize that they need Jesus, just like the Bible says?  Why is it that I can’t seem to forget about them either… I mean I've done my job as a good Christ follower, right?

The answer to all these questions can be found within the questions themselves, in a few key words.  Bible.  Need.  Save. Truth.  Sin.  Evil. Convert.  Heaven.  Hell. These words are not icebreakers to those who don’t share my beliefs; in fact, they often keep people from continuing the conversation or prompt them to put up their best defense mechanisms.  I don’t blame them.  There are a lot of people who have been hurt by religion.  But that doesn’t answer my question, how are we supposed to tell them who Jesus is, and how are we supposed to make disciples if people don’t want to listen to our preachy vocabulary?  Doesn’t the Bible tell me that salvation, Jesus, and its message are for everyone?

The beauty is, it is for everyone.  That is why relationship, understanding, and sensitivity are so important when exploring how we truly make disciples.  Someone who has no understanding of the Bible or its terminology are often offended by the fact that we Christians are set out to “save” people.  I want to reach the hearts of those people.  Even though they may not understand me, they should know that is not you, or me, who are doing the “saving”, but God. 

What if being “saved” could be vocalized differently, taking into account the persons cultural and religious background?  Isn’t it the same that those who are saved have found a friend in Jesus and a deeper understanding that we are image bearers of God created to do good works and make Him known?  If we put it that way, might we open up doors for conversation that all people can relate to?  It isn’t that we are hiding who God is, or who Jesus is, it is that we are beginning to understand our call to evangelism is more than saying the name of Jesus or quoting a scripture to those who don’t want to hear it. 

First we must be Jesus, we must be a friend, and we must use our gifts and talents that God has given us to make him known.  For some, that may be presenting the Gospel in culturally sensitive ways giving proper recognition to Jesus and siting scripture the whole way.  For others I think it may be presenting Jesus in a way that breaks cultural barriers and may be non-conventional and at times a little “covert”.  But the truth remains, the charge is there, we are to go and make disciples, but that doesn't mean it will be easy or the same for everyone.

Paul urges us to first be a friend, it is all over his letters and evident in his actions.   “For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.  To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews.  To those under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law...  To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak, I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.” (I Cor 9:19-22)  Again, hey says, “So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also ourselves, because you had become very dear to us.”  (I Thes 2:8)  “I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls.  If I love you more, am I to be loved less?”  (II Cor 12:15). 

I hope that in this I have not convinced anyone to present a watered down version of the gospel.  In fact, I hope that you have been encouraged to present the gospel in its entirety.  If we truly wish to make disciples, we have to be willing build lasting relationships with believers and nonbelievers.  It has to be more than bringing our friends to church to let the pastors do all the work; and it has to include pursuing all people, while remaining sensitive and full of love. Leading someone in a prayer of salvation and repentance must always be accompanied with discipleship, what is the point of creating large groups of “converts” and allowing them to all melt away?  That is not the model that Christ, or the apostles, left us.  It was a lifetime investment, founded on relationship, in which they would gladly spend and be spent, so that God would be known. 

First be their friend, and when Christ in you builds a relationship with them… they will listen.

Hope in the God of Justice

The following is a section taken from a book I have been reading, Good News About Injustice by Gary Haugen.

The battle for justice in the world is not fought where we think it is.  The struggle against injustice is not fought on the battlefield of power or truth or even righteousness.  There are pitched battles waged on these ramparts, but the war is ultimately won or lost on a more forward front.  In the end the battle against oppression stands or falls on the battlefield of hope.

No one knows this better than the oppressors.  They know that they never have enough power, lies or loyalty to withstand the onslaught of even a fraction of the power, truth and courage that humanity could at any minute amass against them. Therefore they rely on, utterly depend on, the inaction of despair.  They know full well that their preeminence depends on most people in their community, their nation and their world doing nothing.  This is the essence of Edmund Burke's conviction about human history: "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."

The oppressors knows that primary reason we do nothing is we have lost any hope of making a difference.  It is not that we lack power, compassion, courage or knowledge.  Rather, we lack a sense of hope that allows us to take what we have into the fray.  By sheer inertia, therefore, we lend our own weight to the downward cycle of despair.  Our lack of hope keeps us from the front lines of engagement.  And our absence only makes the oppressor look stronger, compounding our own despair and that of those who might otherwise be prepared to fight.

But as faithful Christians through the ages have demonstrated, we don't have to be this way.  We have access to hope that changes everything.  Great people of faith- William Wilberforce and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.- and the lesser-known giants like Dr. Bushnell and Rev. Murphy changed their communities, their nation and their world because they found the hope to seek justice. 

[excerpt taken from Chapter 4 of Good News About Injustice, by Gary Haugen]

A little encouragment goes a long way...

This last week has been full of very unexpected and encouraging surprises.  Being home has been amazing, but presents its own set of life’s challenges.  Between text messages, phone calls, letters, reminders, emails, and even a surprise visit, God showed me just how important encouragement is for the Body of Christ.

I am reminded of Paul, and what he writes in Colossians about why he struggles for them to know the mystery that is Christ:

…that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments.  For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.
Colossians 2:2-5

In Paul’s absence he writes to fellow believers for a few reasons.  Yet the first of these reasons is so that their hearts may be encouraged, and I strongly believe that the other reasons come as a result of his encouragement. 

The result of encouragement connects people in love, and directs them towards the riches of full assurance and understanding of who God is and who Christ is. Why do I believe Paul is writing out of encouragement?  Because faith is tough… There is no hiding the fact, life in Christ will be difficult.  We are told that we will face trials, persecution, and possibly death for what we believe.  Additionally, it is crucial for the message of Christ to withstand plausible arguments, feel good philosophy, and unhealthy human traditions.

Friends, this is why encouragement so important for the body of believers.  For anyone who walks in faith, we need encouragement.

So here is my request. Take ten minutes out of your day this week to encourage someone.  Not just Monday, but every day this week.  Here is the catch, do not fabricate the encouragement.  Even though encouragement should be based on truth, I believe you can always find something encouraging to say to everyone.

Be creative, send a text message, write a thank you note, make a video, draw a picture, or write a poem, there are more ways than one to offer encouragement.  I promise you, you will be amazed at what a little bit of encouragement does to those receiving it, but don’t forget to make note of what it does to you.

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for build up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Ephesians 4:29 (ESV)

By this we may know...

Preface:

There may be a time when someone who you’ve only truly known for two hours might say; “There is someone in D.C. that I think you should meet.”

I have just recently returned from a very spontaneous trip to the Northeast, hopping from Washington D.C. up to New Jersey, down to Delaware, then back up to Pennsylvania in just six days before returning to beautiful Colorado.  It is trips like this one that remind me to stop questioning God’s plans and just let Him be.  While I am pretty tired, the encouragement I received while on this trip will last a lifetime.  Of this, I am sure.  

There has been a lot occupying my mind since returning from this trip, and even though these memories are still fresh in my head, I will probably need a few more weeks to fully digest all that I have experienced.  But there is one thing from this trip that I do know: God is using ordinary people, to do extraordinary things...  still, in all of my not knowing, scattered thoughts, and attempts to understand, there has been one verse that has truly caught my attention in the midst of my new experiences and new found friendships.

By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

I John 2:5b-6 (ESV)

Here is the truth, as believers we can imitate Christ’s faith, love, devotion, and selflessness… and we should, because that is how we are known.

It isn’t about how you advertise your cause for your Jesus, but that Jesus is advertised through our actions, our relationships, and our conversations.  It isn’t about the cause itself, and it isn’t about you or me, it is about making Jesus known.  That is the standard, that is how we know Jesus abides in us.

Too often I find myself preparing to do what appears right, and even though conceived out of the purest intentions it is never compared with the ministry, actions, and footsteps of Christ.  So I am very grateful for my new friends, for pointing me towards this verse, and for giving me new perspective as to what it looks like to walk as Christ walked.

By this we may know that we are in him: that we walk in the same way in which he walked.