Declaration of Dependence

"We live under the illusion that if we can acquire complete control, we can understand God, or we can write the great American novel. But the only way we can brush against the hem of the Lord, or hope to be part of the creative process, is to have the courage, the faith, to abandon control. For the opposite of sin is faith, and never virtue, and we live in a world which believes that self-control can make us virtuous. But that's not how it works."

"Walking on Water"
Madeleine L'Engle

I was challenged on Sunday with a Jesus-focused helplessness. The Christian life; in reality, my life is full of paradoxes. A hurting father in the Gospel of Mark cries out, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” The father had confidence in the Lord, but could not see an end to his mess. I am praying that I find that same level of honesty in my own life. I don’t ask the Lord to help my unbelief; I choose to hide my mess under a veneer of with-itness.

That veneer creates an aura of self-righteousness. As I read the L’Engle quote above, my drive toward self-induced virtue was wrecked. And I feel equally shattered that my role and example in Christian education can contribute to young people endeavoring for virtue through self-control. Conformity to a standard is part of any community; therefore, schools have an established set of standards. However, it can never supplant our desperate need for a complete transformation of our heart, mind, and body (Romans 12:1-2, Philippians 3:21).

Jesus warns educators: “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” That warning speaks straight to the heart of Christian education (and parenting). Whether my example leads to a grave moral failure or to a self-induced virtue, I am causing a little one to stumble. My students live in the same mess that I do. Leading them to conformity will not fix the mess. The solution for all of us is complete dependence on Jesus Christ.

Recently, my wife shared this quote from Pastor Kerry Willis during recent chapel at her school: “Jesus Christ does not want to be part of my life. He does not want to be the center of my life. He does not want to be the most important thing in my life. He wants to BE my life.” Our mess is transformed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ: we were bought with a price. “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief.”

I want to thank Pastor David O’Dowd, Covenant Presbyterian Church, and Pastor Kerry Willis, Harrisonburg First Church of the Nazarene, for faithfully proclaiming God’s Word and speaking straight to our greatest need, Jesus Christ. 

I Have a Dream . . . We Bear an Image

“God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created Him; male and female He created them.” Genesis 1:27

January is a month in which we focus on human rights in the United States. Rather than generally throwing around the term, “human rights,” I want to begin by considering the source of such rights. Human rights are a product of human dignity; human dignity is rooted in our design. We were created in the image of God. Because of our common ancestry, all humans possess great value and worth with a great capacity to create and to love. The same two common ancestors chose to rebel against their Creator bringing brokenness into our world. That brokenness has resulted in a world that devalues human life. The evils of racism, abortion, and human trafficking illustrate that brokenness in exceedingly horrible ways.

Martin Luther King, Jr. dreamed of a world where “children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” His dream reflected the truth of human dignity being grounded in our Creator. As I sat in my office overlooking the playground of PCA, I observe the results of his dream. The diversity of PCA is worthy of celebration. Yet, racism continues to darken our world from ethnic cleansing to subtle discrimination.

Yesterday was Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. The image of our Creator is stamped even on the least of these. “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret” (Psalm 139:14-15). Abortion is not a political issue; it is a human dignity issue.  Yet, our world values the announcement of the expectation of the royal baby in Britain but is willing to discard the fetus of an unwanted pregnancy. However, human dignity is not associated with the circumstances surrounding one's birth.

There are more than 27 million slaves in our world today. President Obama has declared that January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month stating that “we recommit to bringing an end to this inexcusable human rights abuse.”  It is not just an international issue; forced labor and sexual exploitation can occur in our own community.  

Only the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit has the power to change the broken heart of man. I believe that one change that occurs as a result of the work of the Holy Spirit is a passion to confront the injustices that strip human dignity from ones created in God’s image. As we confront injustice, be reminded of the challenge from BeAVoice.net, “Let us choose to see those who disagree with us, as God sees them, treating them with respect and dignity while helping them to open their eyes to see the beauty and value of life.”

Resources:

Text of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech

Dignity of Human Life Video

Human Trafficking

Running Naked

Very few of us enjoy being embarrassed. It would be mortifying to have a humiliating experience recorded in the best selling book of all time. We have just such an event in the 14^th chapter of the Gospel of Mark. Young John Mark, the book’s author, is a follower of Jesus Christ, not one of the twelve apostles, but a follower that desired to be close to Jesus. I imagine that on the night Jesus was arrested, Mark was getting ready for bed when someone burst into his room to say that Jesus has been arrested. In a state of undress, he wrapped himself in the nearest garment he could find and ran out the door. Upon catching up with the procession leading Jesus to Jerusalem, Mark followed from the shadows. However, he was spotted and seized by his clothes. Terrified, he ran leaving his all his clothing behind. There he is, running naked and scared, recorded for all to read in the most published book in all of history.

That is bad enough, but running scared became a habit for this young man. Mark was invited to join the Apostle Paul and Barnabas on a journey to share the Truth of the risen Savior. In the midst of what God was doing through this missionary team, it was still a demanding venture. Mark ran again. Paul labeled him a quitter (Acts 15:38). Again, this has been read by multitudes on the pages of Scripture.

Before you think that I am running down this young man and piling on more humiliation, I must admit that I have often felt like Mark. My brokenness and failures, though not so public, scream in my mind, “You’re done! You’re through! Give up!” I find myself running naked and bare under the weight of my failures. Yet, Mark’s story does not end here (Thanks be to God!). Paul labeled him a quitter; Barnabas insisted that he saw God’s hand on this young man. The conflict resulted in Paul and Barnabas going their separate ways. Barnabas pursued Mark (Acts 15:39).

Born Joses, he was given the nickname, Barnabas, by those who observed his passion to build up those who felt their brokenness deeply. Barnabas means “son of encouragement” (Acts 4:36). I don’t believe that Barnabas coddled Mark by overlooking his failures. After all, God did not overlook my sin and failures. He covered them through the shed blood of His Son, Jesus Christ. Mark found confidence, not in himself, but in the One who redeemed him. Barnabas modeled that dependence to this shattered young man.

The impact of the example and encouragement of Barnabas is also recorded in Scripture. Years later, the Apostle Paul finds himself in a cold prison and very lonely. Listen to Paul’s plea to Timothy, “Be diligent to come to me quickly; for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world.” Another runner! However, Paul continues, “Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry.” The quitter is now useful! The broken one is now an instrument in the Hands of God to minister alongside Paul.

I believe that Paul learned from Barnabas the power of encouragement.  He writes, “therefore encourage one another and build each other up” (I Thessalonians 5:11). I believe that recognizing our own brokenness allows us to be better encouragers. On any given day within the Body of Christ, I can be the one needing encouragement, feeling the weight of my brokenness or be the one offering the encouragement. Because of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, there is hope and you are useful.

Grace on the Big Screen

One man tries to find redemption and meaning via the law. One man, living outside the law, crashes abruptly into grace. The law left one empty, resulting in a leap from a bridge. One struggled to fully comprehend the grace extended, yet within it, found hope. The lives of these two men intertwine in a world that is immensely broken.

From the first time I witnessed this story portrayed on stage, Les Miserables captivated my heart with its raw message. The big screen depiction of this epic masterpiece deepened my reverence for the power of grace to transform the heart of man. I have been attempting to put my thoughts in writing to no avail, however, I did discover two reviews that speak eloquently on my behalf. Spoiler Alert: I cried in front of my teenage boys while watching the movie . . . you’ll have to read the following to understand.

Crying at the Movies

Epic of the Heart

Cookies and Prayers

It happens to me about once a week. As I walked down the hallways of PCA, I was met with an overwhelming sense of delight. Each step becomes lighter, memories of childhood and special holidays fill my thoughts. Is it the sight of 4^th graders dutifully studying history? As a former history teacher, hmmm . . . maybe. Could it be kindergarteners practicing phonics? Likely not, since I do not always have fond memories of phonics. Indeed, these memories and emotions run much deeper than history and phonics. It is the aroma of chocolate chip cookies being lovingly prepared by our faithful kitchen staff. You know this experience well. If I asked you to close your eyes and envision the fragrance of fresh-from-the-oven chocolate chip cookies, your shoulders would droop and your head would tilt gently back as you imagine the aroma drifting through the room. Then, from the corners of your lips, the small smile of contentment would appear.

Powerful experiences such as this remind me that we are created in the Image of our Creator. He, too, responds to fragrance! “Let my prayer be set before You as incense, The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.” (Psalm 141:2) “Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.” (Revelation 5:8) When teaching young people to pray, I explain to them that their sincere prayers to our Heavenly Father are like fresh baked chocolate chip cookies to Him. At least it helps them understand how much God desires to hear His children pray!

Prayer is foundational to the ministry of Christian Education. Middle school students develop a heart for ministry by leading small student groups in prayer throughout the school. The staff begins each day with prayer. Stakeholders can join others in praying for the school. Moms will be praying in the morning during the school year. Even the silent prayers whispered by parents, staff, and students throughout the day create that fragrance for our Father. I don’t know about you, but this place smells good!

If you want more information concerning Mom’s In Prayer International or how to start a program at your school, visit their website at http://www.momsinprayer.org.