At World's End

Well,I've been spending the past couple of months working on seminary stuff, and doing a lot of behind the scenes work for this (something BIG), but I thought current events warranted me taking some time out to write an entry.

By now, pretty much every one knows there's a group of people out there saying the world will end today. Some have sold their homes, and used their life savings trying to spread the world about this imminent apocalypse. This happens every few years (will again next year), and always has. Those that teach such things forget the very important teaching of Jesus from Matthew 24:36:

"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."

Not even Jesus knows when the end will be. Only God. Why does anyone think some guy with a magic formula can figure it out? Does he have a closer relationship to God than Jesus? No. He does not. We do not know when the end will come.

I address this because I feel shutting down such talk is extremely important. Talking about the end of the world is a distraction. We should not be worrying about when the end of the world will come, but instead focusing on saving the lost souls of this world during the time we have. We need to remember that today people are suffering, today people are hurt, today people are lost, and today people need to know the love of Jesus. When we become overly focused on tomorrow we forget about those needs of today.

Debating when the end of the world will be is simply not worth debating. It will come at a time none of us know. Even if it were today, which is highly unlikely, it would only be a coincidence. Even if it were today I'd rather spend my day spreading the love of Jesus rather than scaring people into thinking the end is nigh. We shouldn't try to scare people into coming to Jesus. We should show them his love. Pushing some idea about the end of the world only causes harm.

So, some may want to stock up on supplies, make plans for their left behind pets, or be prophets of doom. As for me, I will continue to work to spread the love of Christ to a lost and dying world, and should the end of the world come today, tomorrow, or thousands of years from now I will always hold to the faith that has taught me to help the hurting person today, and not to worry about tomorrow.

Doing something

I have a confession to make about a way I am that actually can make life a bit difficult for me in times. It’s something few know about me, and hard to explain, but I’ll try.

There’s a lot that bothers me about my country. I love America, and I love being American, but there are certain aspects of this country that make me feel suffocated on a regular basis. The rampant materialism, the screwed up moral standards the media tries to teach us, the confusion of needs and wants, the selfishness, and so many other things. I hate it, and sometimes hate myself because I see myself as part of the problem. It’s part of what tries to motivate me away from the ministry. I simply don’t want to be here surrounded by all this stuff a lot of the time. I want to go away, and live free of all of it so that it doesn’t taint me, or taint those I love.

There’s a major reason I don’t do this, and it’s the lesson of this entry. I’m not meant to. God did not make me aware of all the problems in my society so that I could run away from them. God doesn’t run, and neither should His servants. He gave me eyes to see this stuff so I could work to overcome it. America is capable of so much good, and it’s the responsibility of those who serve the Lord to try and make sure it does more good than evil.

This isn’t something unique to me, or to my country. People across this world can see problems in this fallen place, and our instinct can be to get as far away from those problems as we can. To run. To protect ourselves and those we love from such things. That is not right. That is not why God gave us eyes to see with.

We are to shine as a light in dark places, and remember that Jesus has overcome the world. We are called to do something about the fallen world, and to save others from it. We are not called to protect ourselves. We are called to spread the Gospel, help those in need, and fight these problems. Whether that problem is corruption in society, or homeless people living in the streets we are called to bring an end to such things. We are supposed to do something about it. We are called to change it. It may be harder than running, but that’s okay. We have God on our side, and He already overcame all this stuff on the cross. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.

Where there is faith

As I’ve discussed in a few recent entries, things didn’t go exactly according to my plan after I came back from Korea. My wife and I spent more time out of work than I’d hoped, I had to start seminary online because of the uncertainty concerning where I would be moving, and aliens abducted my dog. Well, maybe that last one didn’t happen, but the others did.

This could have been a reason to be upset with my commitment to stop running away since running away was for more profitable than going on the right path. I admit that there were times I got confused, but I always did one thing right. I went to God about it. When I did He reminded me that I may have been without any idea where life would take me, but that was okay. There was nothing to be scared about. I had faith. Where there is faith there is nothing to fear.

This is something we should all remember. When the conditions of our lives get us down we should remind ourselves of the words found in Hebrews 11:1:

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

The things we hope for have substance. Life may tell us we can’t do something. Faith tells us we can. The things we see may tell us its hopeless, but as long as there is a God in heaven there is always hope. We can always have faith, and turn that faith into action. If we have faith we won’t let our own lack of self-confidence keep us from applying for that job we know we’re perfect for. God has faith in us, and we should have faith in ourselves. If we have faith we won’t be afraid when something threatens our finances. We can trust God with it. If we have faith we don’t need to be afraid of taking a chance, speaking up for what’s right, or serving among the lowest people in our society. Where there is faith there is nothing to fear.

Help Japan

I want to take a break from my usual entries to address what's going on in Japan. There is a terrible devastation in that country, and some nuclear power plants are threatening to make sure the devastation may get worse. Let's all pray that it doesn't. Remember, no matter where you are one thing you can do to help is to pray. The Bible tells us that we should respond to suffering with immediate prayer.

Pray that people in danger will get out of harms way. Pray that those who need to be rescued will be, and that people can recover from injuries. Pray that God will comfort those in need of comfort today, tomorrow, and every day of their lives. There are many ways to help Japan. Asking God to help is one big way. Ask big. Pray for miracles. Pray that God will give miraculous healing, and will use his unlimited power to keep anyone else from being hurt. Pray that he will use us to be the miracles to save those who need saving, to feed those who need food, and to get water to those who need water.

There are countless other ways to help, and I am aware that some aren't sure how to. I'll provide some advice here, and tell you some options.

Giving money is a big way to help. I'd recommend samaritanspurse.org. It's a great Christian organization that is actively working to help.

Also, I'd recommend going to this page being ran by Northside Baptist Church in Greenwood, SC. This is a great church I used to attend where one of their lead pastors, Travis Agnew, is gathering information related to ways people can help. Travis is a great guy, and what he says can be trusted. Keep an eye on this page.

Another good way is to give online to Elevation Church (elevationchurch.com) . They are also in the process of seeking who is best equipped to help, and they are giving their entire outreach budget from this past weekend offering to the relief efforts in Japan.

Finally, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention The Red Cross. I've worked with them in the past, and the Red Cross is a great organization truly dedicated to helping those in need. Not only can you give them money, but blood, time, and many other things. They offer training, and can teach anyone how to help respond to such disasters in a number of ways.

There are countless more ways to help. Many unconsidered things. They are running out of coffins and body bags. If anyone knows any way to help with that then help. People need food and water. Find out ways to make sure they get it. We can help combat this devastation. We can obey the commands of Jesus, and love our neighbors as we love ourselves.

This disaster has caused considerable darkness, and our God has called us to be the light. Represent Jesus, and help. Pray. Do what you can. Don't hold back. Shine as a light.

UPDATE: I've found some new ways to help. I'll keep posting them here as I find them, and I encourage all others to do the same. Please let me know if you find out about some way to help that is great. People in Japan need it.

A great way for Iphone, Ipod Touch, and Ipad owners to help. There is a current sale going on in the App Store for Street Fighter IV and all the Sonic the Hedgehog games. Every cent made from the sale of these games over this time is going to relief efforts in Japan. Already have those games? Then why not just donate the money you would have spent on them anyway?

Saddleback Church has an easy way to give that goes directly to people who are trained to provide aid in disaster relief. Additionally, you can set up for funds to come out of your account on a regular basis to help with this effort.

Paypal has set up an easy way to use a paypal account to donate. Very simple, and an easy way to help.

Ign.com is having a charity event where they'll be staying up 24 hours, and playing a slew of games from Mario 3 to Resident Evil 4 all in effort to raise money for relief efforts in Japan. An original effort, and all proceeds go to the Red Cross. It starts at 3pm on America's west coast.

Life Church is partnering with Convoy of Hope, a great organization that has people in the ground bringing food and other supplies to those impacted by the tsunami. Both websites have ways you can help.

Baptist Global Response is another website gathering information on how to help, and that is actively helping in Japan. Can make donations on the website, or follow links to other ways to help.

The International Mission Board has also begun relief efforts in the area, and you can make donations to help them in their good work on their website.

Cast out your Nets

My wife recently got a daycare job in Charlotte, NC. This took us to a place we wanted to be, where we know we can serve in great churches, but I have to admit something. I wasn’t exceedingly happy about the way God was bringing us back to Charlotte.

My wife and I have worked in childcare before. We’ve done it in Charlotte. The result of that was nothing. It’s part of what motivated me to go to Korea, and to try to fix things my own way. When we came back we knew God had amazing plans for us. Then this job came along. Just like what we were doing before.

I admit it. I didn’t get it at first. Part of me was frustrated, and upset. We’d done this before, and nothing had come out of it. It didn’t move us forward. It just kept us surviving. Going back to what appeared to be the same thing just irritated me. It really irritated me. At one point, I sat in my car, and talked to God about it. Not in a calm tone, but with some anger in my voice. I was really confused, and asked him a lot of questions.

Did this mean we were wrong to come back from Korea? Could I not trust myself? I didn’t know. Not until God pointed me to one of my favorite passages of scripture.
I’ve written about this scripture before, but not in this way. It’s from the account of the call of Peter. The verses are Luke 5:4-6:

“When he had stopped speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.’ But Simon answered and said to him, ‘Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at your word I will let down the net.’ And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking.”

Suddenly, I got it. Maybe my wife and I had done this before, and maybe nothing came out of it last time. That didn’t matter, and it doesn't matter. Jesus was telling us to try again. At his word we must. I can trust Jesus, and obey him in this. I can know that it will lead to a massive catch.

I reveal all this because I know some have experienced this same thing. Maybe Jesus is calling you to do something, and you don’t get it. You’ve tried this before, and it didn’t work. You’ve tried reconciling with that person before, and they slammed the door in your face. You’ve been going to that same job every day, and it’s never led anywhere. You’ve tried that ministry before, and it failed. You don’t know why Jesus would call you to do it again. You just can’t logically understand it.

The beauty of this is that we don’t have to understand. We just have to cast out our nets. Maybe we’ve toiled all night, and caught nothing. That doesn’t matter. At the word of Jesus we should be willing to go out into the deep, and cast out our nets. We should obey because he knows more than we know. We should cast out our nets, and prepare for the massive catch that is coming our way.

Nothing to a little something

I know there are some who have turned from the ways of this world, and have put their trust in God. Many who do so are quickly met with success when they choose to follow the Lord down the path He’s set before them. Others, however, may be met with some opposition. Some turn from the wrong path, go in the direction the Lord has called them in, and for a time it seems like maybe nothing is happening.

What are we to do then? What should we do? Should we reevaluate, and consider maybe God didn’t call us to this path because things should happen faster and easier if He did? Should we give up, and turn to a different path? These are legitimate questions, and I know them because they are ones I have asked myself. I have learned something from this, and I hope to use it to make the journey somewhat easier for those who are in a similar place.

When I’ve thought about giving up God has turned me to a certain account in scripture. It’s found in 1 Kings, and about Elijah. At the time of this account Elijah had just stood up for God against a large number of false prophets, and said God could make it rain. There’d been a drought over the land for seven years, and Elijah had committed some mighty acts (calling down fire from heaven to destroy the false prophets for one thing), and people were now listening to him. He said it would rain. He’d told the king it would.

Time passed, however, and there was no rain. Not a drop. Look at 1 Kings 18:42-43:

“And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; then he bowed down on the ground, and put his face between his knees, and said to his servant, ‘Go up now, look toward the sea.’ So he went up and looked, and said, ‘There is nothing.’ And seven times he said, ‘Go again.”

Seven times there was nothing. Elijah had trusted the Lord, and there was nothing. Some have been there, or are there right now. We’ve trusted the Lord, but there is nothing. So far it looks like nothing has changed. In such times we need to follow the example of Elijah, and keep looking. We need to keep trying, and keep trusting in the Lord. We may have to look many times, but we can’t stop. Elijah didn’t stop, and this is what happened in verse 44:

“Then it came to pass the seventh time, that he said, ‘There is a cloud, as small as a man’s hand, rising out of the sea!”

Elijah had his servant keep looking, and eventually there was something. Something small. This is what can happen to us. After being patient with the Lord, and looking many times we can get the faintest glimmer of hope that things will start to move forward. It may not be much. It may be small. We may not even want to trust it at first, but don’t be deceived. What starts small can become large. Verse 45 tells us:

“Now it happened in the meantime that the sky became black with clouds and wind, and there was a heavy rain.”

That cloud the size of a fist became black clouds. It became a heavy rain. So can the cloud the size of a fist in our lives. You may not even be at the point where you can see this cloud, this glimmer of hope, but I urge you to not give up. Keep looking as many times as you need to, and keep trusting in the Lord. Keep the faith. It may be a while, but eventually things will move forward. There may only be a small sign that things will finally move forward, but trust in that small sign. Trust in the cloud the size of fist. It can grow. It can cause a heavy rain in our lives.

Trust in the Lord

I wanted to take some time to address some personal things some readers may be wondering about. Remember that I was inspired to start this blog while in Korea, and I’d learned a lot about mistakes I made. I tried to teach a lot, and I returned from Korea to finally follow the calling the Lord had given me.

Well, I’ve been back from Korea a few months, and some may wonder what’s going on. I’m not going to pretend that I came back, and Rick Warren was there at the airport to offer me a job. That would have been cool (And if you ever see this, Rick Warren, hey, working for you would be awesome), but it’s not what happened. Currently I am staying with some in-laws in the middle of nowhere in order to make it. Ashley and I have applied to lots of jobs, both in the church and outside of it, but nothing concrete has happened yet. I have, however, started seminary, and am moving away from the indecisiveness of my past.

Some may hear this, and think it means I was wrong. I’ve failed. I’m discouraged. That’s wrong. I may not like my current state of unemployment, but I am overjoyed with the relationship I currently share with the Lord. For the first time in my life I am putting my full trust in Him, and I know He won’t let me down. Money, the American employment system, and place will not stop me from serving Him. Nothing will stop me from trusting Him.

Do I know what the future holds? No. I don’t have to. I serve a God who knows that. He’s gotten me this far, and I know He’s going to lead me to a ministry that will bring many lost people of this world to Him. Even in this current position I’m in I know He’s guiding me. If I or Ashley gets some great job in a church I know He guided us there. If we get some job in a school, a business, the military, a park, or anywhere I know He guided us there. Even if it comes to me and Ashley having to go overseas again I know he guided us there. We accomplished a lot of good things we needed to in coming back, and if we had to leave again it would be for good, and not for evil. It would be so we could fulfill the calling He’s given to us, and not to run away as before. I may not know what’s going to happen right now, but I know I can trust Him.

I reveal all this because I know there are other people in this world who have put their trust in the Lord, and are still not sure where He’s leading them. Don’t get discouraged. Keep following Him. Keep trusting Him. He will never lead you astray.

UPDATE: The day after I wrote this Ashley got a job in Charlotte. We are now actively serving at Elevation Church, and continuing to walk toward where the Lord wants us to be. There are also some amazing opportunities in our way that I don’t want to mention too early. But they are awesome.

God is always faithful.