Dealing with the Injustice of Betrayal

Has someone ever let you down? Someone who was so influential in your life who through their actions of words just suddenly pulled the carpet out from under you? I have heard numerous stories in my years of ministry where kids would share the devastation they felt as they learned that their parents were getting a divorce. I have heard heartbreaking stories of abuse by various means against someone weak and vulnerable and trusting. Every time it is heart wrenching to hear these types of things the father's heart in me wants to try and fix it, wants to lash out and hurt those who have inflicted harm in such ways. But the truth of it is that the Lord is is the only one who can "fix" it. Oh He doesn't remove the experience from our minds, or somehow go back in time and change it. What He does is He brings healing to the open stinging wound. What He does is He makes a way where we don't have to be defined by tragedy or inflicted shame. What He does is give us the gift of being able to extend forgiveness towards those who don't deserve it, just like He does to us. This frees us from the toxic effects of bitterness and unforgiveness, in a way that no amount of "positive thinking" or self-help can ever come close to.
In moments where our foundations are rattled, it is an opportunity for us to know more of Who God is and how loving, generous and all-sufficient He truly is to us. Have you experienced betrayal? Have you then made the choice to either nurture the pain and anger, or dive deep into Jesus to find more hope, more healing and more freedom?
Oh and that whole desire to lash out...God's got that covered too. The reason we can let go of retribution is because God is a God of Justice and one Day there will be a reckoning. (Though you know you have truly found freedom when your desire for those who have hurt you is mercy rather than judgment)

Regarding the release of the Lockerbie Bomber

Recently the Scottish government released the only man convicted for the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland in 1988. This was done for "compassionate" reasons according to the people of Scotland's "beliefs." (Scotland is a Christian nation.) The reason for the release is because the bomber, Abdel Baset al-Megrahi, has been diagnosed with cancer and only given months to live. He was sent back to Libya to be with his family while he dies.

I understand that this is incredibly painful and insulting to the families of the many victims, but is there a greater good at work here? Is the Scottish government wrong in this and other cases? What would be served for him to spend his few remaining days in prison alone, except perhaps vengeance? He was, in effect, in prison for the rest of his life after his conviction.

I know that this man received a hero's welcome back in Libya, and if he was indeed guilty of the crime (there has been serious doubt regarding the conviction) that to me is disgusting to celebrate this man and his actions. But we (and by "we" I mean Christians) are not responsible for other people's actions, only our own.

I think that this was a strong act of compassion that honors the Lord and sends a strong message of the way that Christians are different. After all, Christians understand the darkness of our own hearts and the treachery we are capable of. Though some would read this and object "I would NEVER..." But given the same environment and upbringing, you really don't know that you would be any different. Let me say that we do desire justice in this world and believe there should be punishment for crimes, but we also are called to extend mercy. This act was, perhaps, a great example of that.

My point in all this? Christians are called to have a biblical worldview, rather than a secular (or regular) worldview. I think that this is one case of a government that is still founded upon Christian principles as we and many other nations continue slipping away from Christ. Our history is filled with examples of extreme compassion that reflected our faith and made the world sit up and take notice.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder

Just another example of our brokenness in sin. Why do we only truly appreciate what we have when we are separated from it? My fam is out of town for the week and suddenly I am aware of how much I love my wife and children. I suppose it has something to do with the peace and quiet that allows for reflection, where normally everything is a mad rush of chaos. And perhaps dealing with the pressure of trying to pastor and grow a church that has a great future ahead of it, as well as working on my Masters for the last two years.. These often unfairly only leaves scraps for my family. But this time makes me wonder if I truly express how precious my wife is to me or let my children know how much I love them. Do they know?

So I think that I will write a note to each one that they can read on their return that expresses those things. An idea for you to use as well?

My identity and confidence

I will rest in what God has spoken over and about me rather than what others or even myself would say regarding who I am or where I am headed.

God's laws

Have you ever noticed how the people and prophets expressed delight in God's laws in the Old Testament? Not just the 10 Commandments, but all of God's laws. How could this be so? In our 21st century American mindset we would view all these laws as restrictive, choking, binding. What was it that these people saw that most of us would be unable to see?

I am pretty sure that they recognized that these laws were a gift given by God to set them apart as a people distinctly to be known as the people of God. This was a covenant of love...love from God to His people, love for God by His people, and love for one another. It was also meant to be a light for all peoples, as well as an indicator that God had set in plan a motion that would lead to the salvation of all who received it.

In the midst of the growing chaos in this world, where systems are breaking down, people are being confused by new found exposure to the world's other religions, and other things... this is a time where those who follow God's ways will stand out as a witness to God's love. Rediscover God's law; particularly in the new covenant setting. You will find not restriction and bondage, but rather freedom and joy!

Stupid Church Signs

I saw another stupid church sign the other day. As some of you know they are my pet peeves. You've seen them... "God reads 'knee-mail'" & "Wal-Mart's not the only saving place..."

I know, right?!!? retarded.

The one I recently saw was a permanent part of a sign...not just the letters you can put up and change periodically. What did it say? Well besides the name of the church it said...

"Systematically teaching the Word of God"

Ok...so the "stupidness" is not so obvious on this one. But tell me, what is a church sign for? Is it for church members already attending that church? Nope. Obviously they know where the church is should be able to remember what the building looks like.

Church signs are for "advertising" to people who do not already attend there. Ok..so with that goal in mind and this church's chosen signage...who do you think they are advertising to? Who would "Systematically teaching the Word of God" appeal to? One would think only seasoned mature Christians would find that appealing.

So what't the point? The point of my rant is this... This sign reveals a flaw in our thinking in the church today. We have given up reaching the unchurched and the lost! Oh we still talk about them, put them in our mission statements and bring them up in our prayers... But we are not willing to change what we do or how we think in order to build a bridge and reach them!

We spend out time and money marketing to other Christians when we should be devoting our efforts to making some.

We at West Shore are still a church, but we are doing soemthing different...attempting to fix what is broken.

The Blessing of Legacy...

Last weekend I had the great privilege of performing another wedding for one of my Forerunner youth kids now-all-grown-up. Besides making me feel old(!!!), it was an awesome thing to be remembered with such affection that they asked me to be a part of their most special day.

I also had the opportunity to speak on Sunday morning at the church I used to be a youth pastor at. I founded the youth ministry there and I am sooo thrilled that not only is it still going, but from all reports it is going stronger than ever! It is not a self-centered pride that aggrandizes ones' self to say these things; for the very reason that it is still flourishing is because it was founded upon the Rock, Jesus Christ. Upon the Lord leading my family and I out of there, I was so grateful that the Senior Pastor turned the ministry over to one of my adult leaders on my team. I know it was a difficult thing for him to step into a position of heading a ministry founded and grown up by someone else, but he did so admirably and has put his own stamp of God-given uniqueness upon it all. I am sure if I attended a youth service it would be very different now than when I was there...and it should be! As long as it continues to be built upon the Rock, Forerunner will keep going strong in all of its various forms to come.

It makes me grateful for those who have come before me at West Shore Church. Though the church is very different now than it was in the past, I know that those faithful people laid a foundation that is sure and true. We are now building upon that Rock again. We are not only honoring the legacy of those that came before, but we are creating a new chapter of legacy all our own. We were put on this earth, in this place for such a time as this...and we too will be found faithful!