The Love that loves even when it hurts

“How am I supposed to show love to somebody who constantly rejects me?”

This line in the upcoming movie, FIREPROOF, marks the beginning of a revelation in Caleb’s life that will lead him first to the love of Christ and then to a love for his wife.

Are you making plans to see this movie on opening weekend? FIREPROOF opens this Friday, September 26, and will be playing in over 800 theaters nationwide. Your investment of time and ticket prices will be well worth it!

Why am I so sold on FIREPROOF? Because I believe more than anything that seeing this movie will give you hope for your marriage. You might be thinking that it’s way too late to save your marriage, but hold on, dear friend!

You may be saying, “Yeah, but I’ve tried everything to make this marriage work, and nothing’s working! We gave it a shot, but I just can’t give any more. We fight all the time. He’s been unfaithful. She spends more money than we make. We don’t agree on anything. I’m not sure if the love’s even there. Even if I tried to work it out and make things better, how am I supposed to love somebody who constantly rejects me?”

When Caleb Holt (played by Kirk Cameron) asked this question, his father explained that this is the love that Jesus Christ showed to us on the cross. Think about that for a while. Jesus didn’t come to die on the cross because we loved Him and were looking for a way to know Him personally. He suffered and bled and died for those who rejected Him. He sacrificed His body in demonstration of a love that goes beyond all human reason. The Bible says it this way: “But while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

That’s not a love I can figure out. I can’t explain how anyone would willingly die for those who would scoff and torture him. I can’t comprehend a man who could look at the Roman soldiers spitting in His face, crowning Him mockingly with thorns, and driving nails into His hands and feet, and somehow voice an audible prayer to God, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

A true understanding of such a love comes only by divine revelation. God has revealed in His holy Word that He loved this world so much that He gave His one and only Son over to death in our place so that we would not have to suffer His wrath against sin, but instead have everlasting life.

Friend, if you’ll open your heart to God, He will reveal how great His merciful loving-kindness is toward you. Even though you’ve constantly rejected Him, He has shown His love for you. And as long as you’re still breathing, He gives you the invitation to receive His love by receiving Jesus as your Savior and Lord.

In this love God forgives your sin, erases your guilt and removes your shame. In this love God fills you up with peace, with joy and with love. He transforms your life from self-centeredness to Christ-centeredness. He dwells within your heart through faith and keeps you in step with His Spirit so that you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. It’s like being born again. Do you know God’s love for you today?

When God revealed this love to Caleb, he received Christ’s sacrifice for his sins and received new life in Christ. And only then could Caleb begin showing that same Christ-like love to his wife who constantly rejected him. He learned that he could not give a love that he did not have.

What about you? The hope for your marriage is the love of Christ Jesus. The only hope for salvation from death and hell is the love of Christ Jesus. If your marriage or your life needs desperately to be saved or strengthened, cry out to Jesus and fall upon His mercy and grace. He can make your life and your marriage fireproof.

Rock Climbing Discipline

I'm still sore from rock climbing. Not a real scaling-the-mountain thing, but a challenging indoor rock wall. The soreness, though, is definitely real.

My family and I had a chance to spend a few days vacationing in tropical St. Louis last week. As a pastor it's important for the vacation time to be spent out of town. Hopefully it's a great opportunity to reaffirm the family bond, enjoy our time with each other, face new adventures together, establish some family traditions, then come back refreshed and ready to get back to work. That's what our week has been for us, and for me.

The rock wall was at the St. Louis Mills mall in the Nascar Speedpark area. On Saturday they had a two-for one deal on wristbands that allowed you access to the go-carts, bumper boats, Lazer Tag, mini-golf and the rock climbing wall. I bought the boys wristbands so they could do as much as they wanted, and I bought some extra tickets so that I could go with them on some things. I wasn't exactly planning on trying out the rock wall.

Did you know that when some muscles don't get used very much, and then all of a sudden you engage them in strenuous activity, they have a way of hollering back at you the next morning?

Tyler wanted to climb the rock wall, and so I joined him. I wasn't even half way up when I fell the first time. But I got up, shook off my embarrassment, and went back up. This time I made it to the top, using those muscles that would soon get even with me.

I went on one more climb on the other wall, and scaled that one, which seemed a bit easier. Tyler also made it to the top on that wall. But after that I was done. I could feel my forearms weakening by the minute, and I knew I had nothing left to give.

I wasn't sure where I wanted to head with this post, but every story has to have a spiritual purpose, right? I think for me the lesson is this: "Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness." (1 Timothy 4:7)

If I had been training my body regularly, I would have been prepared to face the rock wall. I would have eagerly looked forward to such a challenge. Even though the task may still have seemed daunting, I would have known that I could handle it. And my muscles would not have been so irritated at me the next day.

Doesn't it seem like when God places a challenge in front of us that the difference in whether we make it or break it is in our spiritual preparedness? If I am disciplining, or training, myself in the ways of godliness consistently, then the challenges that come my way don't seem so difficult. They may still be daunting, but when I'm fit in the strength that Christ provides, then what can I not handle? What load can I not bear in the sufficiency of God's grace?

We need - and I need - to be daily preparing for the rock climbing walls of life. We train ourselves for the purpose of godliness by feeding on the word of God, praying without ceasing, trusting Him for all things, obeying His commands, seeking His kingdom, relying upon His provision, walking in His guidance, resting in His promises, letting His Holy Spirit direct all our ways, and so on.

Godliness is profitable for all things. I will never have any regrets in following hard after the things of God. The effort, the work, the discipline, the sacrifice - whatever it takes to train myself in the ways of godliness - will all be more than worthwhile.

Lord God Almighty, there is great joy in the ways of godliness, and O how valuable your way is in facing whatever rock walls are set before me. With your help I can advance against the foe. With your help I can scale a wall. Strengthen me in your grace, and strengthen your church in your power. May we discipline ourselves for the purpose of godliness, knowing it is profitable for all things.

Thoughts on the Tennessee Valley shooting

My primary reason for writing this post is to answer the question: "What is the Unitarian Universalist church?" I was asked this yesterday and couldn't give a clear answer. All I knew is that they are a very liberal group, but I didn't know really what they believed.

It turns out, they don't really believe in anything. Maybe better said is that they believe that whatever you want to believe is okay. This link will take you a web site that provides some facts and figures concerning this "church," and also gives a summary of their "faith" and a good, biblical response.

The danger in my response is that you may think that I'm being sympathetic toward the murderer. I'm not at all. A man walks in through the open doors of a gathering where people are enjoying a children's program, and he begins shooting. What this man did was horrible. There is no excuse for his actions, and he deserves to be punished to the maximum extent of the law.

I feel terrible for the victims, their families and this church. I also realize that the same thing could easily happen in the church where I pastor, and it could easily happen in just about any church anywhere.

In fact, his rampage causes serious problems for any who would dare to speak out against the Unitarian Universalist "church" for whatever they do or don't believe. I run the risk of being accused of stirring up an environment of hate by saying that I oppose what this "church" represents. I realize that some will see this man's action - and view anyone else together with him who thinks this "church" is false - as being intolerant, hateful and bigoted. Homosexual activists will try to persuade the public and legislators alike that speech and/or action taken against the pro-homosexual views of this "church" must be silenced. They will attempt to create an atmosphere of fear among the public. They will try show that conservatives on this issue are violent and must be stopped.

Anyway, you can see for yourself on their own web site that the Unitarian Universalist "church" is obviously not a true, biblical church by any means. They have no doctrinal belief about God. He/She/It can be whatever you want he/she/it to be. Or you can choose to not believe in a god at all. Or you can believe in many gods. It doesn't really matter.

They describe themselves as a "religious community that encourages you to seek your own spiritual path." That's a long way from Jesus saying: "I am the way and the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father except by me" (John 14:6). It's a far cry from Jesus declaring: "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it" (Matthew 7:13-14).

Of course, to this "church" there's no point in referring to the Bible because it's just one of many religious books on their shelves which you may or may not look to for inspiration. One member is quoted on their web site: "I claim the Bible as one more chapter, among several religious texts, in the Unitarian Universalist guide to living." (Laura Spencer)

And Jesus certainly holds no special place in this religion. You can find inspiration in Him if that's what you like, but there are various views concerning Jesus, the Bible and Christianity within the UU faith. Obviously, none of them refer to Jesus as Savior and Lord.

There's room in this community of faith for people who claim to be Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Hindus, Pagans, Atheists, Agnostics, Humanists and others. To quote again from their site: "As there is no official Unitarian Universalist creed, Unitarian Universalists are free to search for truth on many paths."

I could continue indefinitely describing this so-called "church" as a false church. Again, for more details see this helpful site for information on a wide range of religions, cults and denominations.

Asking, Seeking and Knocking

"Next to the wonder of seeing my Savior will be, I think, the wonder that I made so little use of the power of prayer." - Dwight L. Moody

Didn't Jesus say, "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened"? (Mt. 7:7-8)

And did He not leave His disciples with this promise: "Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it"? (John 14:13-14)

Does not the counsel of God's Word testify to His awesome power available to His people for the asking? Don't we realize that the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective (James 5:16)?

So why do we devote so little of our time and energy to prayer? Is this not the case in the church today?

We find so many ways to keep busy - at work, at home, at recreation and entertainment, even at church activities - but we're missing something huge here. We're missing something supernatural by failing to spend hard time on our knees before the Lord Almighty. We're forfeiting the blessings of God's grace and peace and joy and comfort all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer (they should write a song about that).

The God of all creation invites us to come before His throne of grace with confidence, and He promises there we will receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Heb. 4:16). He says, "Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me" (Psalm 50:15). We are invited to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt us at the proper time, "casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you" (1 Peter 5:6-7).

Draw me near, O God, nearer, O Lord, to You. Forgive me for making so little use of the power of prayer, when You would so generously pour out Your blessings in abundance. Help me to want to seek after You, and more and more so every day. Make my heart like that of the Psalmist who cried out, "O God, You are my God, earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You, my body longs for You, in a dry and weary land where there is no water..."

Dropping In and Rocking Out

So the music was loud. Guitars were screeching. Drums were pounding. Voices were ringing. Hair was flying.

It was the Drop In and Rock Out Tour featuring the bands Philmont, Our Hearts Hero and High Flight Society. And professional freestyle skateboarder Tim Byrne.

Yeah, I wish I would have brought my earplugs. I didn’t catch most of the lyrics anyway. But as I sat and watched about 50 young people crowded around the stage, God moved in my heart to pray for them. And He moved in me to devote myself to the obedience of evangelism and discipleship.

Some of these students were probably not saved. They may have heard of Jesus and known about Him. But they didn’t know Him as the Savior of their souls from the clutches of hell. They didn’t know Him as the Lord (the “Boss” as Tim Byrne said) of their lives. No doubt many of these students were living for themselves and not for the One who died for them and was raised from the dead (see 2 Cor. 5:15). I pray that God will prepare their hearts to receive Jesus, believing in His name.

Others have likely made “professions of faith” but aren’t sure about living out what they say they believe in front of their friends and family. It’s one thing to stand for Christ in their youth groups, and another to stand boldly for Jesus at school. Jesus said this: “Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven” (Matt. 10:32-33). I think this group includes a ton of people – students and thousands of adults alike. They’ve signed the card, they’ve walked an aisle, they’ve prayed a prayer…but have they truly repented of their sin and let the Spirit of Christ reign in their lives? I wonder, and I pray that God will make them into wholehearted followers of Jesus.

And some in this motley crew of young people were certainly saved and sold out to the gospel of Christ Jesus. What an opportunity to allow God to use them to witness in the power of the Holy Spirit among their friends! A young person on fire for the Lord can make an impact in his or her world more than most adults ever will. I pray that God will keep them strong in His grace, loving, merciful, humble, teachable, useable, zealous and obedient to the faith.

No, it wasn’t exactly my style of music. But I believe that God can take these guitars and skateboards and use them for His glory. Tim Byrne gave a mighty testimony for the Truth last night. I pray that the students heard Him. I know I did.

"It's a bad night to be an athiest."

I love this line from ESPN's Rick Reilly at the end of this story. Check out this demonstration of God's power in the life of Josh Hamilton, From heroin to home run hero.

You Might Be a Missionary

I came across this list that I'm thinking about using to introduce Jerry and Ruth Moye on Sunday. Jerry and Ruth have been long-time missionaries in Hong Kong, where Jerry currently serves as pastor in a local church, and Ruth teaches in China. I'm looking forward to hearing how the Lord has been and is still using this couple to preach the gospel of Christ Jesus and make disciples of all nations.

We're also sending two of our youth on a week-long mission trip to Metro East St. Louis this week.

I think this list provides a humorous look at missions life - or at least our preconceived ideas of what missions life might be like! If anyone reading this has other suggestions to include, then please respond and we'll see about getting airtime Sunday morning.

You might be a missionary if...

• You don't think two hours is a long sermon
• You refer to gravel roads as highways
• Fitting fifteen people or more into a car seems normal
• You realize that furlough is not a vacation
• You do your devotions in another language
• You speak with authority on the subject of airline travel
• You can cut grass with a machete but can't start a lawnmower
• You watch nature documentaries and think how good that animal would taste if it were fried
• You can't answer the question "Where are you from?"

There are probably some other good ones. Let me know, and I look forward to Sunday morning!

Beautiful Feet

Are your feet beautiful?

Many people claim to have some kind of religious or spiritual belief system, but they often don't want to talk about it. "My faith is private," they'll say. Or, "It's between me and God. It's really nobody else's business."

I read in Reader's Digest (July 2008) an interview with Pierce Brosnan - Agent 007 turned singer/dancer - in which he was asked about his religion. Here's the published report:

Q. Do you still practice the Catholicism you were reared with?

A. I was an altar boy. That never leaves you. So when there are churches around, I go to church. I just went yesterday. I also love the teachings of Buddhist philosophy. It's my own private faith. I don't preach it, but it's a faith that is a comfort to me when the night is long.

I think this type of answer is very common among our generation in this culture. "I agree with this part of that philosophy. I like this part of my upbringing. I like what that verse says in the Bible and what this verse says in the Koran..."

You see how it goes. We just make up our own faith. Discard the stuff you don't like and keep the stuff you do. You just rearrange it all to fit your style and to fit your ideas. In the process you just make up your own god to be whatever you want he/she/it to be. In fact, you become your own god by creating one you like.

And you keep it, for the most part, very private. You don't preach it, at least not too emphatically. Probably for fear of offending someone, or not desiring to impose your off-brand beliefs on anyone, because after all, aren't all beliefs the same? As long as you believe in something? But who's to say that mine is right and yours is wrong. This works for me, but hey, whatever works for you is OK too.

Oh how deceived this generation has become! How far we have wandered from the truth of the Word of God. How little attention we heed from John's Revelation: "I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book." (Revelation 22:18-19)

Rather, we are commanded and compelled to preach the Good News of the gospel of Christ Jesus! The reason that the kind of "private faith" doesn't preach well is because it's flawed. It is untrue and unfounded. It is contradictory. It's mixed up and it's wrong.

Those, however, who know what it means to be saved from death and given new life through Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior can't help but tell others about it because we want them to experience this life, too. It's not our own blend of beliefs, but it is the Truth according to the very Word of Almighty God. It's a life of abundance that Jesus came to give, and it's a life everlasting.

You just don't keep Good News to yourself.

Friend, if you don't know Jesus and the power of His salvation and righteousness which saves from sin and death and hell, and assures His followers of the glory of heaven that awaits, then I urge you to call upon Him right now. Jesus will forgive your sins and cleanse you from all unrighteousness, that you may stand faultless before the Throne on the Day of Judgment. He will give you a new life, for anyone who is in Christ is a new creation - he is born again by the Spirit of God.

Call upon the Lord Jesus today and you will be saved. It's news so good you can't keep it to yourself.

"How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" (Romans 10:15)

Tony Dungy's "Quiet Strength"

What do you do when things don’t go your way? What do you do when disappointments seem to shatter your dreams? What do you do when you get fired unexpectedly from your job? What do you do when your nineteen-year-old son commits suicide?

Think about it: How do you respond when life throws you for a sudden detour? Some people retreat. They withdraw and often succumb to bouts of deep depression. Some people squeak and squawk. They get angry and throw temper tantrums that could rival any three-year-old. Some people seek revenge. They are the ones wearing the T-shirts, “Don’t get mad. Get even!” And they’re the ones whose lives are ruined by resentment and bitterness. Others whine, complain and sing the doleful refrain to as many who will listen.

You know that this journey in life is full of unexpected twists and turns. How you handle them helps define who you are and where you are going.

I’ve been laid up this past week following a minor surgery. There’s an unexpected turn for you. I’d much rather be playing ball in the back yard with my boys and helping my wife with the laundry. Summer’s made for baseball, bicycling, and barbeque – not for sitting immobile in the living room reading books. Even so I must ask myself: What am I doing when things aren’t going my way?

Last week I finally read the book, Quiet Strength, by Tony Dungy. Many of you know that Tony Dungy is the head football coach for the Indianapolis Colts, who led his team to a Super Bowl victory in 2007. I bought this book several months ago and have been looking forward to reading it. My wife and I heard Coach Dungy speak briefly at the Southern Baptist Convention last month, as well, so it was about time I got to it.

The book is a memoir of Dungy’s life. Repeatedly he reminds his readers that even though he loves the game of football, and even though the sport has brought accolades and honors few others have attained, Dungy maintains that life’s not about football – it’s about the journey. He writes in the Introduction: “It’s about the things I’ve learned, the mistakes I’ve made, and the heartaches that have made me lean into the Father’s presence.”

Dungy is the guy whose dreams were shattered with disappointment. As a standout quarterback for the University of Minnesota in the 1970’s, Dungy dreamed about moving on to the next level and playing quarterback in the NFL. His dream, like that of millions of young boys, was about to become a reality. The disappointment came, however, as he sat by his phone while twelve rounds of players were being selected in the draft – without his name being called.

How did he respond? Dungy kept his faith in the Lord and prayed for direction through his devastation. Offers had come in from other teams to try out for different positions, and he eventually made the Pittsburgh Steelers as a non-drafted free agent defensive back. It was from this life detour that he later met his wife and began a coaching career that would prepare him to become one of the greatest coaches in football.

Dungy is also the guy who was fired from his job unexpectedly. Despite turning a losing Tampa Bay program into a strong playoff team in only two years, Dungy was fired as head football coach at Tampa after six great years. Why? His teams never quite made it all the way to the Big Game. He was running a terrific football program, filled the stands at every game and was extremely involved in community outreach, yet it wasn’t enough for the owners.

How did he respond? Dungy writes: “There was no one to be upset with. God just wanted me to move on to a different situation. His time for me in Tampa had been completed.” No bitterness, no revenge. Dungy saw God’s hand at work and submitted himself to follow wherever the Lord opened up the next door – which would soon be Indianapolis.

Tony Dungy is also the guy whose nineteen-year-old son committed suicide. As the Colts sprinted to a 13-0 record in 2005, at the top of his game as a coach, delighting in the joy of his family, strong and growing stronger daily in his walk with the Lord, Dungy’s oldest son took his own life.

How did he respond? He took comfort in the promises and presence of God. Dungy spoke at the funeral service saying: “What’s kept our family going these last couple of days is what we believe, and we believe God when He says that He works all things for His good for those who love the Lord. It’s hard to accept because we can’t always see it, but we have to believe it…”

Friend, how do you respond to life’s unexpected journeys? A final quote from the last page of Dungy’s book that I hope helps your faith rest on God’s sovereignty: “And so we press on…We press on with our sense that life’s not always fair. And we press on with the knowledge – and assurance – that even though we can’t see all of God’s plan, He is there, at work and in charge, loving us… We press on into an abundant life on earth, followed by an eternity with God.”

VBS and Ice Cream Bars

We enjoyed a wonderful week of Vacation Bible School last week at Ridgway First Baptist Church. The kids and the workers enjoyed the Outrigger Island theme, and it gave me a perfect opportunity to wear some Hawaiian shirts in the pulpit.

I personally want to thank the parents and grandparents who entrusted their children to us. We value deeply the confidence you have in the church to provide your children a safe and inviting place to come. We hope that your children experienced the love of Christ in us for them throughout the week and that they learned the truths taught from God’s Word.

Without apology our desire is that your children will know personally the truth that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and receive Him as Savior and Lord. One of our memory verses for the week was this: “Jesus told him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me’” (John 14:6). There are many competing and confusing ideas today about spiritual things, but our heart’s desire and prayer is that your children (and you) will believe in Jesus and become His fully devoted followers.

I also want to say a public thanks to the church for their support of VBS. Truly this is a church-wide effort. Many covered us with prayer support, many gave generously of their finances, and we had 40 workers who gave sacrificially of their time to help in different ways during the week. From the kitchen crew to the rec staff, the music leaders and craft workers, and to the teachers and their helpers who carried out their mission with great grace upon them, I offer a humble and heartfelt thank you. I wish I could list them each by name, but I’ll settle for a special word of appreciation to our co-directors, Theda Miller and Becky Mitchell, for outstanding leadership. Oh yeah, we also were privileged to have a couple of young men who did a fine job of ringing the bell!

After the final bell rang on Friday night at 8:00, when the children went home and the lights were turned off, my family and I went home to celebrate a great week. We celebrated with chocolate and peanut butter ice cream bars. We don’t just get these treats out every night and eat them mindlessly while watching television. This was an occasion of celebration!

While our two boys tore into their ice cream with the grace of a hungry wolf on its prey (not unlike the way many of your children ate their snacks this week!), I carefully unwrapped my ice cream bar and began looking at it. Holding the stick I slowly turned it and examined it from different angles saying, “Man, this looks sooo good! What a combination: chocolate and peanut butter – and ice cream! This is going to be delicious. I am going to enjoy this like it’s the last ice cream I’ll ever eat!”

Tyler knew I was just playing around and asked incredulously, with chocolate all over his face, “What are you going to do? Aren’t you going to eat it?” Ah, yes, that’s the question! Are you going to eat it, or what? That thing’s going to melt if you just hold it there. Everyone knows that you have only a short window of opportunity to decide what you’re going to do. Either shut up and eat the thing or waste the moment.

Friend, do you know that time is running out on us here on earth? I’m not talking about global warming – I’m talking about that day when the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men (2 Peter 3:7). There’s only a short window of opportunity in which you have to choose whether you’re going to keep examining the claims of Christ Jesus, merely talking about Him, or truly “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8). Either bow before Him now and confess Him as your Lord and Savior, or waste the moment.

God is patient with you – He does not want any to perish. He wants everyone to come to repentance. He wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. And in His great love He gave His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for our sins and raising Him from the dead, making the way possible for us to be saved from death and made righteous before Him for eternity. “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ, who gave himself as a ransom for all men” (1 Timothy 2:5-6).

“Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts” (Hebrews 3:15), and miss out on God’s promise of salvation. The Truth is before you. “I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). What are you going to do?