As I helped pack some things in preparing for our recent move, I came across a photo of a housewarming party in 1997. We had started Grace Covenant Church nine months earlier and were finally moving into our newly constructed house. People willingly gave of their time to help us finish the house and to help us move from Lewistown. And then they surprised us with a welcome party. We felt loved and appreciated. The future stretched before us, full of possibilities. We planned to change our community and our world. We were so encouraged by the outpouring of support.
I paused for a moment to reflect on the past 14 years. This time our move was differant. Instead of proclaiming how we planned to change the world, we have been led by the Holy Spirit to take a differant approach; a focus not on the glorious but on the insignificant, following the Holy Spirit into a place of nothing-ness.
Our recent move provides a snapshot of the cost of following Jesus. The people in the picture from 14 years ago have all disappeared. Some disappeared quietly, some took parting shots as they walked away, and a few were rather vicious in their attacks on us. So we moved alone this time. Nobody excitedly following us on our journey with Jesus. Please do not think I am complaining. I am simply pointing out what is!
What is the cause for the change, for the abandonment and the attacks? Did we commit some terrible sin? Did we embrace some unbiblical heresy? No, the abandonment and attacks started when we chose the way of Jesus over the ways of church (not the Biblical "ecclesia" but the creation of man). The viciousness of the attacks intensified as we continued to follow Jesus in a practical manner, allowing the "logos" to be our guide. In recent years, we have been falsely accused, literally thrown out of a church service (by the way - this particular group's motto is "worship God, love all".), lied to and lied about.
I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement. You see - the woman hates the saints of Jesus. She cares not a whit about someones religious affiliation. Her seductive charms are utilized for one purpose and one purpose alone - to disconnect people from the I AM.
As long as one yeilds to her seductiveness she allows whatever belief system one desires to create. However, the moment we turn away from her to embrace the ways of Jesus, she begins to turn her wrath on us. Her choice weapon of attack is not some vile demon. No, it is the ones who have forsaken the way of Jesus to embrace her harlotry.
The first attack will be isolation. She is fully aware of our God-given need for community. So she attempts to isolate us from relationships. Those under her spell suddenly no longer associate with us. The shunning is an effort to drive us back to her bed. She offers community and relationship if only we will disconnect from the I AM.
If the shunning does not bring us back to her fold, the attacks become more intense. She will attempt to destroy us. Baseless accusations will be unleashed on us. Those under her spell will spew her venom without regard for truth. Our words will be carefully critiqued in an effort to find some incriminating statement. If none is found, our words will be subtly twisted to create an appearance of heresy. Throughout history, she has gone as far as inciting physical violence resulting in the death of the saints. Much of the martyrdom has occurred in the name of some god in the protection of some religious system.
The followers of Jesus should not be surprised by the viciousness of her attacks. Jesus himself was crucified by those who purported to be godly.
Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Friday, September 9, 2011
oswald chambers
I don't often post the writings of other poeple. However, this morning I read something written by Oswald Chambers in My Utmost for His Highest. It expresses my heart better than I could do it.
...bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ ” (2 Corinthians 10:5).
Determinedly Discipline Other Things.
This is another difficult aspect of the strenuous nature of sainthood. Paul said, according to the Moffatt translation of this verse, “ I take every project prisoner to make it obey Christ .” So much Christian work today has never been disciplined, but has simply come into being by impulse! In our Lord’s life every project was disciplined to the will of His Father. There was never the slightest tendency to follow the impulse of His own will as distinct from His Father’s will—“the Son can do nothing of Himself ” (John 5:19). Then compare this with what we do—we take “every thought” or project that comes to us by impulse and jump into action immediately, instead of imprisoning and disciplining ourselves to obey Christ.
Practical work for Christians is greatly overemphasized today, and the saints who are “bringing every thought [and project] into captivity” are criticized and told that they are not determined, and that they lack zeal for God or zeal for the souls of others. But true determination and zeal are found in obeying God, not in the inclination to serve Him that arises from our own undisciplined human nature. It is inconceivable, but true nevertheless, that saints are not “bringing every thought [and project] into captivity,” but are simply doing work for God that has been instigated by their own human nature, and has not been made spiritual through determined discipline.
We have a tendency to forget that a person is not only committed to Jesus Christ for salvation, but is also committed, responsible, and accountable to Jesus Christ’s view of God, the world, and of sin and the devil. This means that each person must recognize the responsibility to “be transformed by the renewing of [his] mind .” (Romans 12:2).
...bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ ” (2 Corinthians 10:5).
Determinedly Discipline Other Things.
This is another difficult aspect of the strenuous nature of sainthood. Paul said, according to the Moffatt translation of this verse, “ I take every project prisoner to make it obey Christ .” So much Christian work today has never been disciplined, but has simply come into being by impulse! In our Lord’s life every project was disciplined to the will of His Father. There was never the slightest tendency to follow the impulse of His own will as distinct from His Father’s will—“the Son can do nothing of Himself ” (John 5:19). Then compare this with what we do—we take “every thought” or project that comes to us by impulse and jump into action immediately, instead of imprisoning and disciplining ourselves to obey Christ.
Practical work for Christians is greatly overemphasized today, and the saints who are “bringing every thought [and project] into captivity” are criticized and told that they are not determined, and that they lack zeal for God or zeal for the souls of others. But true determination and zeal are found in obeying God, not in the inclination to serve Him that arises from our own undisciplined human nature. It is inconceivable, but true nevertheless, that saints are not “bringing every thought [and project] into captivity,” but are simply doing work for God that has been instigated by their own human nature, and has not been made spiritual through determined discipline.
We have a tendency to forget that a person is not only committed to Jesus Christ for salvation, but is also committed, responsible, and accountable to Jesus Christ’s view of God, the world, and of sin and the devil. This means that each person must recognize the responsibility to “be transformed by the renewing of [his] mind .” (Romans 12:2).
Sunday, September 4, 2011
reconnect
No...I didn't forget about the blog. In fact I will publish more about the woman in the near future. It's just that life has been full of responsibilities lately. We moved to the farm. We love the solitude and quietness of the old house...the peacefulness of our surroundings. The birds frequent our birdfeeders in front of the porch regularly. However getting to this place has created a bit of chaos in our lives.
Adding to the chaos has been the fact that our parents have experienced some health issues. Quite frankly - August was a month from hell. My dad had a stroke and then discovered that he has cancer. Bev's dad had surgery and ended up with a blood infection. Her mother was diagnosed with colon cancer and went through surgery to remove the cancer. We've been in numerous hospitals and medical facilities in the past month. Her parents are doing well right now, however, my father is struggling. For me - it's tough seeing the man I so deeply admire going through this right now.
But then...that's life. We find the hand of God in the midst of the crap. We find rest in the midst of chaos. We enjoy the finch at the birdfeeder, the brightly colored morning glory entwining a corn stalk. The wobbly legs of a newborn calf cause us to smile. The hand of God is there...we just have to look for it!
Adding to the chaos has been the fact that our parents have experienced some health issues. Quite frankly - August was a month from hell. My dad had a stroke and then discovered that he has cancer. Bev's dad had surgery and ended up with a blood infection. Her mother was diagnosed with colon cancer and went through surgery to remove the cancer. We've been in numerous hospitals and medical facilities in the past month. Her parents are doing well right now, however, my father is struggling. For me - it's tough seeing the man I so deeply admire going through this right now.
But then...that's life. We find the hand of God in the midst of the crap. We find rest in the midst of chaos. We enjoy the finch at the birdfeeder, the brightly colored morning glory entwining a corn stalk. The wobbly legs of a newborn calf cause us to smile. The hand of God is there...we just have to look for it!
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