Archive for January, 2007
I did not know this. I’m really hoping that all the ninjas and pirates that read this could give me some insight into this situation…you know, it might be able to be resolved…or there could be a big fight.
We have been babysitting this past week. Mario and Mary let us “watch” it and we have had the Nintendo Wii at our house. Jeff took out his opponenant in boxing and Joanna and Lauren had a close match in tennis. It is pretty amazing overall. It is a ton of fun with other people…kind of weird to play it by yourself.
It was a bit difficult to press the enter button today. I have completed my application for the master’s program and sent it in…now I wait.
I was surprised at how nervous I became before I pressed that button.
Now I wait…a week or two and I will know my direction. It does freak me out that I am looking at a four to five year commitment. The Lord has openned doors and will help me through them.
It is impossible to see the world without some sort of lens. We are impacted by our upbringing, life experience, those we surround ourselves with and in my case, faith.
Faith in Jesus Christ daily challenges my worldview. There is something deep inside of me that battles each and every time I watch the news, read the newspaper, open one of numerous web pages. This battle also rages in me each and every time that I step foot into church. I am bombarded each and every day with messages attempting to influence my worldview.
Faith is messy. The more I grow in my faith the messier faith has to be in order for the message of Christ to ring true. Christ said that we are to love our enemies, to look out for the widows and the poor, to give when someone asks, to sacrifice our own desires for the sake of others.
Sit across the table from a gay man and listen to his struggles in his relationship with God. Learn from a prostitute that she hates what she does but it is the only way that she can feed her two kids. Speak with an inner city missionary who just lost his wife and baby in an apartment fire as he questions everything. Take a moment to listen to an elderly woman whose mind is slipping away. Faith is messy and answers are not simple.
My faith has shown me that my worldview is warped. Faith has shown me that my worldview needs something more. My faith has shown me that only Jesus Christ can be the answer to a world and a worldview that is broken.
(this is the response to the question for my masters work regarding how my faith has affected my worldview)
On a dark stormy night, I met Jesus for the first time. I had heard of Him but it was that night that I wanted Him to be a part of my life. It was that night where I began my faith walk and entered into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
During my childhood years, Christ was a one dimensional figure on my Sunday School teachers flannel graph board. I was told that He loved me and wanted me to love Him. I often saw Jesus holding children or lambs, which I remember finding odd. He reminded me a bit of a superhero as He walked on water, healed people, and was an all around great guy.
In high school I saw a man who experienced hardship, temptation, excitement, joy, and trials so that I could experience forgiveness and wholeness in my life. I understood that He died so that I may know Him better and in the response of love I may attempt to replicate His life.
I graduated and went to a “Christian” college. These four years were one of the greatest times of testing and also growth in my walk with Christ.
Following my junior year at Hope College I spent the summer in the projects of Nashville Tennessee experiencing hands on ministry. I saw the scriptures through the lens of social justice and ministered to whom Jesus called the “least of these”. This time brought into clarity such a strong message of Jesus Christ to care for the poor and needy, to lift up the brokenhearted.
Since I began full time in ministry almost six years ago, Jesus is still the center of my life. I have to fully depend on Him daily and intentionally set aside time to study His Word, listen to His voice and seek His heart.
I have begun a new chapter in my life. About 5 months ago I announced to the youth that we would be searching for a new youth pastor to lead them. It was a very hard day in my life but one that God has used. As time past, we crossed paths with Mario. Mario has now been leading the youth for just over two weeks and is doing a great job and connecting with the students here.
As Mario has transitioned into the job, I have been picking up my duties as the associate pastor here at Family Bible Church. I have been stunned by how quickly the days have past as I have been working in this new role. Not only am I beginning a new role here but I am applying to begin my work on a masters degree.
Just a little change in the big picture but has been a great step in the moment. I am looking forward to the way God is going to continue to work in and through FBC. We are moving in an amazing direction and I love the excitement that feel from the people here as we serve the Lord and He changes lives through the work.
John 5:1-18, I have always been intrigued by the Pool of Bethesda. A place where those who were sick would come and lay until the water was stirred. At that point the first one there would be healed. Now the pool is just bizarre by itself but what a scene. Many sick, disabled, hurt people seeking healing. No better place for the love of Christ.
The question that Jesus asks has always struck me as funny but very harsh too, “Do you want to get well?” This man has been laying there for 38 years, the obvious answer is yes but did the man give up hope for healing?
I think that the man had given up hope because of his response, he made an excuse. I find myself often in this situation when facing a temptation or trial. Jesus always gives us a door out and is open for healing my heart but so often I answer the questions of whether or not I want to get well by ignoring it or making excuses.
I know that Jesus is constantly asking me this question of whether or not I want to get well. This week my pray is that my answer is yes each and every time that Jesus asks.
Today I read in John 4 about the official whose son was sick. He encountered Jesus and Jesus told him that his son was better. The official turned and went home to find that his son was well. The word says that he and his household believed. What I wonder is…what happened to that family later on? Did they continue to believe or did they walk away from faith in Jesus?
In ministry, I have seen many miracolus things happen to people. A lady in Nashville who had been deaf since childhood could all the sudden hear, a student who suffered from stomach pain have pain removed, on and on they go. This were all items that strengthened my faith and the faith of those who witnessed it but has not surprisingly had a huge impact on my faith.
So often miracles draw people to the Lord but they are not enough to get by on because we are always looking for more and more signs. It is the love of Jesus Christ that draws us near to Him and maintains the relationship.
Even look at the Israelites who had God with them but continually turned away from Him over and over again.
Faith is very seperate from miracles and we as followers of Christ need to not seek out signs and wonders but develop a consistent walk with the Lord through knowing Him and walking in His love.
Before the Game
This Christmas Joanna gave me a great gift, tickets to a Red Wings Game. I had never been to a game at Joe Louis before and have never seen the Red Wings in person. It was a great game, 6-3 the Red Wings beat the Chicago Blackhawks. Joe Louis is one of those rare sports venues like Fenway Park, and Wrigley Field that you have a sense of awe due to the history that has taken place there.
