Urgency

It is 1877, you are a minister speaking in Boston and suddenly the Holy Spirit opens the heart of the people to respond to the call.  Such is what happened to William Wilberforce Newton.  Imagine the scene: men rushing out to the street, hanging on to light poles and screaming at how they knew the gates of Hell where opening to suck them in.  The fear was real, the conversions were real.  It was an event that one sorely wishes would happen today.

So why doesn’t it?

I think it has to do with a lack in the sense of urgency.  We have no urgent viewpoint. 

Maybe it is because Jesus has not returned since his departure around 33 AD.  If he has not come in 2,000 years – why should he be showing up in the next 2,000 years or 200 or 20 or this year, much less this month or tomorrow?  It is almost as if the Church has become one of the scoffers mentioned in 2 Peter 3:3 -

First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.

There is NO sense of urgency.  Is it because we have read too many books claiming to know when He is coming again?  Or the black eyes the cultish whack-o’s have delivered to the sincere believer whom has been waiting and watching?

Perhaps the parable of the sower of the seed in Luke 8:14 has the answer:

"And as for that which fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and their fruit does not mature."

                                               

Whatever the cause, why have you lost your sense of urgency?  Is your life so busy or overcome with situations that you can no longer anticipate His return?  Is it that tomorrow always comes, that you see no reason to be urgent?  Have you been wooed away by the world and its promises to the extent that His promises are only dim memories?

I think you get the point here.  We are easily distracted from what our pursuit as believers is to be.  We do not need to be more financially solvent to be effective for Him to use.  We do not need to be so busy in our lives that there is no time to live as we ought.  Nor do we need to continually be entertaining ourselves, literally to death, so there is no interest in study, or prayer, or helping others, or witnessing – even with our life.

Turning off the TV and getting involved in the lives of those around you is what all of us have to do.  Time is short.  Urgency is our byword.  Now, get off the computer and get out there!

Christine's Story

Christine was a very dear friend. She is also dead and this is a part of her story. 

I hadn’t heard from Chris in about three years. This was not unusual for her; she would often disappear for a few years and pop back up, and then disappear again. Plus, I knew from her sister she had been ill. You have to understand Chris was a drama queen “ the queen of drama queens”, if you will allow. So when she said she knew she was dying, I knew she had twenty years left to go. What I had not known was that she had been in a coma for several weeks with her estranged son sitting by her bedside waiting for her to die. Apparently, he left for a stretch and walk; she came to and called me. When he returned, she was dead.

Too freaky! The timing I was to learn from one of her brothers whom were trying to piece together the question as to how I had talked with someone in a coma, whom was being watched. This sequence is the best they could come up with. Were it not for knowing God and how He works, I would be getting goose flesh over this! But, instead, I say “Cool, thank you God for letting me talk one more time with her.” Apparently, she needed to share her story, and I have with all of my youth groups since her death….. And, now with you.

Chris grew up in a Christian home, extremely head strong and very soft on the eyes, as they say. Her sisters used to tease her about being the Christian with the smell of smoke clinging to her clothing and the back of her dress on fire, because she was a little on the wild side. Everyone would laugh at this, as it seemed true and there were no consequences for any of our actions. Yeah, none of us were any better or worse, maybe just wild in other ways. And as the oldest of the group that hung together, we learned much from her mistakes.

Chris went through a string of marriages and divorces. All those hot guys kept turning out to be real losers. Oh yeah, she loved some of them desperately, long after they were gone. But, they were not Christian and they were losers in many different ways. Heavens, one of them even turned out to be a contract killer; everyone thought he was a salesman, until his arrest. Boy could she pick them! I will admit I still like one of those husbands, boy did he get the shaft from her but that is another story!

Her sexual activities turned into an addiction. She went from doctor to doctor trying to find a pill or therapy which would cure her of what she now saw as a real problem in her life. She ended up sleeping with most of them; one giving her the gift of HPV.

Pretty depressing story, huh? But, it is not over yet.

“Kris, this is Chris, and I am dying. I got HPV from a shrink I was seeing. He was supposed to be helping me, instead he killed me. 

(HPV discussion was here, as she had to explain it to me for I had never heard of it before.)

“I want you to know what your friendship has meant to me and to thank you for being there.

“I can’t believe it took so long for me to get my act together and understand what life is all about. I was living my life for me, the way I wanted to, the devil be damned.

“And now I can’t understand how I could have been so selfish, I just did not listen to those whom cared the most.

“And now, I will be leaving my two children. There is nothing I can do about it. I guess they will have to live with their father now. What am I to do? How can I tell them what they need to know?

“But, at least I got it figured out. I have made my peace with God, I know He is now my true Savior and I am ready to meet with him. Oh, if only I had done this twenty years ago! I didn’t understand!”

We talked for close to thirty minutes until she weakened and had to go. I expected she was going to be making similar calls to her other friends and family members. Little was I to know this was to be her last phone call. I heard from her brother the next day she had died after a six week coma. I then understood how miraculous this call had been. 

I loved Chris for the “soul mate” she was to me. We never failed to make the other laugh or cry, probably the definition for the best of friends. Maybe why she suddenly called me instead of a sister or her mother. She knew I would understand and tell her right from wrong and be a comfort, even if I truly could not have understood.

If ever there were a reason for young women in the church to get their acts together, Chris’ story should be it. She grew up in the church, she knew all the right words, she even thought she was a Christian. There is nothing to make Chris, you or I any different from one another.

It is only by the grace of God each of us doesn’t go through what Chris had to, in order to at long last find peace in HIM. 

Certainly, God gave me an easier route, when I deserved far worse.  And I do pray you make your peace with HIM long before you get hammered by God, as Chris was.

Christian Radio

For those living in America, count ourselves lucky in your ability to have local Christian programming.  Few places in the world have such freedom.  When I am in Seattle, there are about 4 stations I can listen to.  One of them is great, the other 3 a little lame.  However, I love it when I am in Denver, 7 stations on FM alone!  So lots of programming options.  I tell you I am glad I do not work from there because I would get so little done!

In Europe, there are a few big broadcasters and a sparse scattering of smaller local stations (except in Italy!).  Trans World Radio (http://www.twr.org/), broadcasts from 12 locations around the world, including Switzerland, with over 2,000 repeaters worldwide!  They are by far the largest of those attempting to reach the world via shortwave and longwave.

The impact of Christian radio can be seen in the strength of the Christian church in closed countries.  The fall of the Soviet Union was as much a result of the joint efforts of radio and publishing houses to flood them with the message of salvation – as it was the bankruptcy of a failed philosophy.  Today, the same can be said of the closed Islamic world – in need of reaching – and they are trying.

If you are able support Christian stations, then consider supporting organizations such as TRW or those whom use TRW.  Pick a country, pick a language, pick a program – any and all can by sponsored fully or partially.

If you are not able to provide financially, then remember prayer is the most powerful offering you can make to anyone in any situation.  (I often think more prayer and less dollars would do Christianity a world of good!  I bad….)

On Suffering

This is not a good morning.  Darn back went out last night (honest, I did NOTHING to cause it this time!) and is still mighty sore this morning.  So a good time for me to reflect on suffering.....

A poignant question often asked of me, which has stuck with me, basically: why me and pain and suffering?  Hard questions to answer, especially when you do not have the answer for yourself.

If we look at 2 Corinthians 1:1-7, we might find the answer to this question.

1.  We all have troubles and problems.

Rare is the person whom has not suffered to some degree.  It is a condition common to all.  However some of us seem to suffer far more than others.  It is out of proportion what some have to go through.  Let us call this life altering events.

It is important to note that this life is not in Heaven!  God really does not want or needs us to be satisfied with this life and this world.

This is THE lie of Satan in this age, to say: if you love God / give / have faith enough - then you will not suffer.  That is not Biblical theology, if is a very contemporary FALSE doctrine!  Looks to me like verses 4 through 7 guarantee us suffering in this life!

2.  God Comforts All of His Children.

God is called the “Father of Mercies”.  Father meaning the originator or source, in this case, of mercy.

Biblically, comfort is not so much about feeling “better” as it is about feeling “stronger”.

3.  God’s Children Are To Be Comforters – Not Just Comforted.

Comfort is not given to you, if is loaned in order than you might pass it on!

Yes, comfort is one of the things God gives us to give to others…

So, what does this tell for me?  It tells me that in my suffering, God is strengthening me.  In my suffering I gain experience and am to learn from it.  What I have experienced and learnt from, I am to share with others whom are likewise afflicted.  And those whom I help are expected equally to do the same with those whom are in their lives.

I have written before on what certainly has been the worse I have suffered through, so I will not repeat it.  But, I do see this verse played out in my life since I was hit by that truck in 1996.  Maybe on a day by day basis I can not see God’s hand, but others could.  I remember posting about two years ago about how much I had changed since the accident and surgery; growing in ways that I was unaware of.

Christian Alphabet

This cute work up came from my Russian artist friend.  She tends to come up with some pretty cute items from time to time and this is one of them!

              Although things are not perfect
              Because of trial or pain
              Continue in thanksgiving
              Do not begin to blame

              Even when the times are hard
              Fierce winds are bound to blow
              God is forever able
              Hold on to what you know

              Imagine life without His love
              Joy would cease to be
              Keep thanking Him for all the things
              Love imparts to thee

              Move out of "Camp Complaining"
              No weapon that is known
              On earth can yield the power
              Praise can do alone

              Quit looking at the future
              Redeem the time at hand
              Start every day with worship
              To "thank" is a command

              Until we see Him coming
              Victorious in the sky
              We'll run the race with gratitude
              Xalting God most high

              Yes, there'll be good times and yes some
                                           will be bad, but...
              Z ion waits in glory...where none are ever sad!

Silly Kitty

Toast

Toast Appears On Jesus' Face!