Like A Winter Snow

One of the most important doctrines of Christianity states that Jesus is God. Make no mistake about it, Jesus was also a man, but somehow, God was able to clothe His deity in our weak humanity and the result was Jesus Christ.

But how do we know that Jesus was God? How can we look at this man and believe that he was truly God? Let’s be honest, there are a number of mere mortal men throughout history who have claimed to be God, and yet the one that has been able to convince more people of his deity has been Jesus. And so what makes his arguments so convincing.

The classical Christian answer to this question finds itself in the claims of Jesus himself. Jesus claimed to be God. Not only that, but the power that he displayed while he was on this earth through miracles and the wisdom that he espoused while on this earth all give testimony to his deity. Few historians will argue that Jesus actually walked and talked in first century Palestine. Few historians will deny that he was a miracle worker of some sort and a very wise teacher. For many Christians, these facts point to the fact that Jesus Christ was God.

But at Christmas time, I would like us to focus on what people claimed about Jesus and his God-ness long before he even uttered his first words.

Jesus’ character pointed to his deity. Audrey Assad has written a song called “Winter Snow” which describes how Jesus could have come to our world in power, he chose to come quietly and unexpectedly as a little baby. As I think about this, I realize that if I were God I would not chose to enter into our world in this way. I don’t think it would gain me any followers, but instead show a lack of power. Regardless of what I think it showed, there is one thing that I’m certain it did not show: Jesus is God. There is no sign of deity in the manger. So, if I were God, I wouldn’t choose to reveal myself to my creation in the humble way that Jesus chose. I would come like a mighty King. For Jesus, this might mean that he should come on a white horse with an army of angels. If I were to come out of heaven to earth today that would probably include some much more magical fanfare. I think I would have the sky open up just a little bit so I could fly my F-35 Joint Strike Fighter down out of the heavens. I would parachute out of the plane which would then transform into some sort of angelic robot. I would be 20 feet tall and stunningly beautiful. On my arm would be a 19 foot tall and equally beautiful-supermodel type wife who adored my every move and laughed at every joke.

But that isn’t how Jesus came. And this is one of the main reasons that I think he is God. No man would have chosen to live the way he lived. No man would have chosen the humble birthplace. No man who claimed to be God would ever be content not to have a roof over his head or money in his pockets and yet, this is precisely what we see Jesus do as a baby and throughout his whole life.

I am also amazed at the number of people who believed Jesus was God before he ever uttered a word. Donald Miller in his book, Searching for God Knows What, outlines this phenomenon. You had a group of shepherds, essentially the blue collar workers of the day, who believed that Jesus was God because some angels appeared to them and then they found this baby just like they were told they would. You have a group of Magi, whomever they may be, who followed a star and found the baby and worshiped him. You have King Herod who was so convinced that this baby was going to be a king that he had infant boys murdered in order to protect his rule.

Not only that, but as a baby, Jesus was brought into the temple by his parents where the gospel of Luke tells of two encounters. One was with an older gentleman named Simeon. Simeon had been told that he wouldn’t die until he saw the Messiah. Simeon takes Jesus and immediately breaks into song. I still think it is the most beautiful song I’ve ever heard, and I think that it sounds best in the old English of the King James Version:

Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace,
according to thy word, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation
which thou hast preparest before the face of all people
a light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of Thy people Israel (Luke 2:29-32)

At the same time another woman, a prophetess named Anna comes and speaks to the people standing around Jesus. The Bible tells us that she spoke about the child as the one who would redeem Jerusalem.

And Jesus hadn’t even made a single claim about himself.

In fact, neither had Mary and Joseph. Luke tells us that they marveled at what was said about their son (Luke 2:33). This little baby. This little, helpless, weak, quiet baby. God in flesh.

And when I read these accounts, I see Kings, rich people, poor people, old people, working people, people of God and lay persons who, moved by the Spirit, looked at this child and saw God.

And if I were God. I wouldn’t have come this way. If I were God it would have been different. When we look at people who claim to be God it is never this way. This is why I think Jesus came quiet and soft and slow. I think this is why God clothed himself in our humanity the way that he did. Because no human in their right mind would do it that way. And I think this helps us understand that Jesus was not just a human, but also God.

He could have come like a mighty wind, with the strength of a hurricane… but he came like a winter snow.

Quito

Some 14 hours after we left Hayden, Al this morning our team has arrived in Quito, Ecuador.  So far the trip has been very uneventful.  We were able to check all of our bags and we caught our plane on time.  Tonight we are lodging at the Missionary Guest House in Quito.  It will be our last night in a bed and our last shower for around 6 days.  Check out my facebook page for uploaded photos. 

 

Tomorrow we leave for Tagualo around 7am Central Time.  While we are in the village, we are not expecting to have any contact with the States.  Please pray for our contact with the Tagualans and for our long journey over the mountains tomorrow.

The Path of Least Resistance

Yesterday, I watched my father in law turn on the garden hose in the backyard of my house.  We watched as the water flowed, downhill and away from my crawlspace.  In moving a crosstie and cleaning out a downspout, Richard (my father-in-law) taught me a valuable lesson about water.  It always flows along the path of least resistance. 

The path of least resistance is the easiest to follow.  It requires no extra energy or effort, simply point yourself downhill and let gravity do the work.  Unless someone dams up the water, it will continue to flow down this path until it dumps into a sewer or is absorbed into the earth.

But this principle is not only true for water, it is true for us as well.  Unless we are acted upon by some outside force, it is in our nature to want to follow the path of least resistance.  It is the easiest path.  It requires the least amount of energy or effort.

And it is almost always the wrong path.

After the Israelites began taking the promised land, Joshua, their leader dies.  God had empowered Joshua to lead the Israelites as they sought to conquer the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  But there was one catch.  The Jews were instructed by God to drive out all who lived in the land, even destroying whole cities.  The instructions were very explicit and direct.  The pathway into the Holy Land was not an easy road.  It would require war, and destruction and death.

The book of Judges records what happened.

Judges 1:27-31

But Manasseh did not drive out the people of Beth Shan or Taanach or Dor or Ibleam or Megiddo and their surrounding settlements….

Nor did Ephraim drive out the Canaanites living in Gezer…

Nor did Asher drive out those living in Acco or Sido or Ahlab or Aczib or Helbah or Aphek or Rehob…

Neither did Naphtali drive out those living in Beth shemesh or Beth Anath…

The people of Israel followed the easy path.  The path of least resistance.  As a result, many of the people living in the promised land were allowed to remain.  Soon the Hebrews intermarried with them.  Soon they adopted their gods.  Soon the God of the Hebrews was merely an afterthought.  The path of least resistance would ultimately lead them to division and destruction and captivity.

In what ways are you following the path of least resistance?  Are you more concerned with pleasing people or pleasing God?  Sometimes doing the hard things is exactly what God wants.

god is not great… I have much to say

My flight delayed in Baltimore, I began searching for some light reading to help pass some time.  Enter god is Not Great by Christopher Hitchens. 

I figure that I will have to publish my thoughts in a number of posts, as to place all of my observations in one blog entry would make it entirely too long and cumbersome for even me to read.

So I’ll begin by mentioning how heavy my heart has become even as I read through the first chapter.  I’m burdened, not because Chris Hitchens is an atheist (though I must admit that this bothers me); I’m burdened because of the reason for his lack of belief.

In the first few sentences of his book, Hitchens mentions a teacher that he had when he was but a boy in England by the name of Mrs. Watts.  She was given the responsibility of teaching students everything from “nature” to Bible (I dare say a downfall of government run education—first the utilization of teachers educating students outside of their areas of expertise, and second, government mandated religious education… Once the government begins instituting religion in the schools, then the government begins controlling not only what my children learn about science and writing, but about God as well… this makes me too uncomfortable to bear).

Back to Mrs. Watts.  An  offhand comment, innocuous in and of itself.  She hadn’t thought all the way through her statement, nor had she realized that a 9 year old Hitchens would be in her class.  “So you see children how generous and powerful God is.  He has made all of the trees and the grass to be green, which is exactly the color that is most restful to the eyes.”

Immediately, Hitchens recoiled with “embarrassment” for his teacher.  He mused, “the eyes were adjusted to nature, not the other way about.”

This statement by Mrs. Watts seemed to be followed by many other ignorant (notice I didn’t say stupid) statements by religious leaders and teachers throughout his life.  He discusses another such statement by the headmaster of his school who stated, “You may not see the point of all this faith now, but you will one day when you start to lose loved ones.”  This implies, as Hitchens surmises, that religion, regardless of its validity, is good in as much as it gives us comfort.  Hitchens (as do I), rejects this notion at once.

The entire first chapter is filled with statement after statement taught to this brilliant man about the church and its doctrine by church leaders, pastors, and teachers.

And most of it is wrong or badly misunderstood.

And this is why my heart is heavy.

You see, it is people who claimed (or had thrust upon them) authority to teach the truth about God and religion.  Their well intentioned, but poorly thought through lessons and quips have led this poor gentleman away from God, and because I believe the Bible is true, straight towards an eternity separated from God in Hell.

Even in my post now, as a pastor of a Southern Baptist Church, I see church members who have been taught that the Bible teaches all sorts of things that simply aren’t there, and the truth that is taught is often relayed in shadowed half-truths wrapped up in one or another religious cliché

I have been the Senior Pastor of a church for two years and I have served for the largest portion of my adult life.  So far in my ministry career one of the hardest part of my job is re-teaching all of the doctrinal inconsistencies that have been taught as the Word of God when they are nothing more than interpretations (accurate or inaccurate) of men.

Now Hitchen's heart is so hard that he will never listen to the truth that lies behind the inaccurate understanding of scripture that he has in his heart.  Aside from a supernatural work of God, this will never happen.  (Interestingly enough, it requires a supernatural work of God for all of us to be changed though doesn’t it?)

In short, if you claim to have authority.  If you claim to speak for God.  If you are a parent answering a question your child has asked; if you are a nursery worker in a church rocking babies;  if you are a Sunday School teacher, RA leader or confidant of a child… please, please, please make sure that what you are saying is doctrinally accurate and the complete truth about God.  If you don’t, many could be led astray.  Many like Chris Hitchens may be turned away from the truth, and in turn lead many others astray in the process.

The stakes are simply too high, and eternity simply too long to be cavalier with our teaching.

 

One Special Little Girl

My daughter Emma is four years old, and  she is already much wiser than her dear old dad.  Last night, as she was saying her prayers she asked God to have daddy’s tube taken out of his arm so that he could feel better.

From her lips to God’s ears.

Today the ordeal that began last December has come to an end.  The final chest tube had been removed almost 4 weeks earlier, and as of 11am EST the Picc line no longer found a home in my right arm.  My medicines have been adjusted and I will no longer fry when exposed to sun.  It is over.

My lung has expanded just like we hoped and that it would.  I am expected to recover completely.  My doctor, as he left my room this afternoon, bowed his head and looked back at me.  “Your recovery is nothing short of miraculous.”  He said.

Miraculous.  I know.  God is just showing off now!

Thoughts from 30 Thousand Feet

It is amazing how different the world looks from 6 miles up in the air.  My flight was delayed out of Baltimore, and although I’m disappointed I’m not at home right now with my three girls, I am currently observing a sunset that I would have missed had my flight been on time.

Romans 8 tells us that all of creation groans in anticipation of Jesus.  All of the created order is longing for a day when the curse of sin is lifted and all is restored to perfect harmony… the way it was intended in the beginning.

Looking at the magnificence of God’s creation from 30 thousand feet, it is hard to comprehend how much more perfect, how much more beautiful the New Earth will be.  I’m so thankful that I will get to see it.  Along with the rest of creation, I look forward to the day when I will see my savior face to face.

Reflections from Worship

Never in a million years would I want people to think that I don’t enjoy my job.  Essentially, I get paid to study God’s word and to teach His people of His love and goodness.  Every day I get to work in an office where I’m encouraged to read the Bible, talk with people, and pray to my God.

However, one thing that you must understand is the burdens that are carried by those who are called to full time vocational ministry.  Think for a moment of all the burdens you carry in your life.  Finances and relationships, jobs and families.  Your pastors carry similar burdens.  It is unfortunate, but our vocation does not make us immune from our problems. 

In addition to our individual burdens, as your pastor I carry yours as well.  I lay awake at night praying for your marriages and your finances.  For your children and your parents.  It is a job I enjoy; one that I love.  I wouldn’t trade it for any other job on this earth.  But it takes its toll, and from time to time I need to find time to refuel myself.

This last week was incredibly draining.  VBS, as wonderful as it is, takes so much energy out of me.  It saps me and drains me.  This year was no different.  I came home most days spent and exhausted.  My family suffers the most from this, and as is often the case, the took the brunt of my fatigue.

Saturday night found Jodi and I sitting in a car discussing how empty I felt.  Talking about expectations and rest.  I needed to experience God in an amazing way.  I needed to be reloaded so I could continue His most important work. 

And then Sunday happened.

I entered into a worship service where I was supposed to again pour out from my tank into that of the congregation.  I don’t know what I expected, but my prayer before the service was simple.  I needed God to show up.  I couldn’t do it on my own.  I simply had nothing left.

As Jason walked into the baptistry to begin “dunking” followers of Jesus I was reminded of how amazing God was.  In 2007 FBC Hayden baptized 7 new believers.  In the last two weeks we baptized 7 and we have at least that many waiting in the wings for baptism.  Already this year we have baptized as many as we baptized all of last year.  Certainly God is doing something in our midsts… how amazing to see that.  It was refresing to sit in my seat and rejoice with my family of faith the decisions that had been made. 

During the baptism I heard Jonathan Slatton speak of his grandfather.  What an example of a godly man in his life.  I’m so proud that there are still real men in our world who will unashamedly share with their children and grandchildren that being a man is not about beers and women, but about following God with reckless abandon.

As we sang songs about heaven, my focus shifted from my present fatigue towards a future home where every wrong will be made right and every pain will be relieved.  I was reminded that one day my body will no longer be ravaged by this horrible disease that cripples it.  There will no longer be the need for IV medicines, Picc lines or chest tubes.  My lungs will again fill with air and my scars will be gone.

Oh how I long for that day! I couldn’t stop crying.  God was filling me up.  He was healing my soul.  He was giving me what I needed!

Even now on a plane headed toward Maryland, I am continuing to worship my God with the likes of Chris Tomlin and David Crowder, Hillsongs and Toby Mac.

Thank you Lord for filling me up today.  Thank you for the boost of energy.

I will not be moved!  I’ll say of the Lord you are my shield, my strength, my comfort, deliverer, my shelter, strong tower, my very present help in time of need.

A mighty fortress is our God, a bullwark never failing.  Our helper he amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.  Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also, the body they may kill, God’s truth abideth still, and He must win the battle.

Praise God on high!  Every wrong will be made right!  How we long for the day, when every wounded soul will be made whole.  So let’s worship Him with a mighty voice, like we’re already with Him in Paradise!  Praise God on High!  Praise God!

A New Toy

So the wife and I finally broke down and bought a new laptop.  With all of my traveling and with us needing a computer that we could both sync our smartphones to, we settled on a Dell Inspiron Mini 10.  Upon opening the package that arrived today, I was pleased to find that this computer comes equipped with a program called Windows Live Writer which allows me to publish to my blog without logging onto blogger.

So perhaps I’ll update my blog a little more often… but probably not.