"All the lonely people, where do they all come from?
(Ah, look at all the lonely people)
All the lonely people, where do they all belong?
(Ah, look at all the lonely people)" ~The Beatles
During last Wednesday evening's Bible class with Harold Shank (www.haroldshank.com), Dr. Shank was discussing God's heart for the widow and the orphan. He pointed out that the widows and the orphans were left alone after the deaths of their husbands and fathers. They were left without providers, defenders, and companions. They were alone and vulnerable, not only to those who would take advantage of them but to feelings of loneliness and isolation.
God notices such circumstances. He cares.
"A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows,
is God in his holy dwelling.
God sets the lonely in families..." (Psalm 68:5-6).
In the Old Testament, he set up laws to protect vulnerable and lonely people like orphans, widows, and immigrants (Exodus 22:21-22). In the New Testament, he calls upon Christ's church to "look after orphans and widows in their distress" (James 1:27). Reflecting his heart for the lonely, God calls on his people to care for those who are alone and vulnerable.
Now the challenge is to look around and see the lonely people. Then I need to take the initiative to let them know that they are not alone and that God cares about them.
Showing posts with label Harold Shank. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Harold Shank. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Take Up Your Cross
"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."--Jesus Christ (Matthew 10:37-38).
During a Wednesday evening class at the Park Plaza Church last month, Harold Shank (http://www.haroldshank.com/) and Peter Cariaga shed some new light on these words of Jesus. I understood that Christ was calling on his disciples to be willing to die for him, but I did not understand how the original hearers would have processed this information. They probably would not have been looking ahead to Jesus' death on a cross as an example of taking up their crosses. They would have been looking back several decades to the days when the foreign terrorist Alexander Janneus ruled over Jerusalem.
The Jewish people hated the savage Alexander Janneus. When he arrogantly attempted to sacrifice an offering at the altar of the Temple, the Jews became enraged at his contempt for their God, pelting him with fruit. The idolatrous tyrant reacted by killing 6000 Jews.
After another rebellion by righteous Jews, Alexander Janneus ordered the crucifixion of 800 Jewish men. Crosses littered the landscape outside Jerusalem. While those men were slowly dying, their wives and children were brought to their crosses and slaughtered before their eyes. While faithful Jewish people were being murdered under his orders, Alexander Janneus was enjoying a feast with his concubines.
When Jesus called on his disciples to take up their crosses and follow him, he was calling them to exhibit a loyalty to him that rivaled the commitment of righteous Jews to their God in the face of a barbaric enemy. Christ was calling his disciples to follow him despite cruel opposition, pain, and torturous death. He wanted his disciples to embody a tough faithfulness. He promised that he was worth it.
Christ is calling for the same kind of faithfulness among his followers today. Let's not deny him or his words when opposition, pain, and even death await. He is worthy of our loyalty.
During a Wednesday evening class at the Park Plaza Church last month, Harold Shank (http://www.haroldshank.com/) and Peter Cariaga shed some new light on these words of Jesus. I understood that Christ was calling on his disciples to be willing to die for him, but I did not understand how the original hearers would have processed this information. They probably would not have been looking ahead to Jesus' death on a cross as an example of taking up their crosses. They would have been looking back several decades to the days when the foreign terrorist Alexander Janneus ruled over Jerusalem.
The Jewish people hated the savage Alexander Janneus. When he arrogantly attempted to sacrifice an offering at the altar of the Temple, the Jews became enraged at his contempt for their God, pelting him with fruit. The idolatrous tyrant reacted by killing 6000 Jews.
After another rebellion by righteous Jews, Alexander Janneus ordered the crucifixion of 800 Jewish men. Crosses littered the landscape outside Jerusalem. While those men were slowly dying, their wives and children were brought to their crosses and slaughtered before their eyes. While faithful Jewish people were being murdered under his orders, Alexander Janneus was enjoying a feast with his concubines.
When Jesus called on his disciples to take up their crosses and follow him, he was calling them to exhibit a loyalty to him that rivaled the commitment of righteous Jews to their God in the face of a barbaric enemy. Christ was calling his disciples to follow him despite cruel opposition, pain, and torturous death. He wanted his disciples to embody a tough faithfulness. He promised that he was worth it.
Christ is calling for the same kind of faithfulness among his followers today. Let's not deny him or his words when opposition, pain, and even death await. He is worthy of our loyalty.
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Walking With the Wise
"He who walks with the wise grows wise,
but a companion of fools suffers harm" (Proverbs 13:20).
Since I would like to be wise, I try to learn from wise people. Here is a list of some wise authors and some of their books:
Nancy Leigh DeMoss: Holiness: The Heart God Purifies
Tony Dungy: Quiet Strength, Uncommon
Bob Lepine: The Christian Husband
C.S. Lewis: Mere Christianity, The Screwtape Letters, The Great Divorce
John Piper: Desiring God, Don't Waste Your Life
Dennis and Barbara Rainey: The FamilyLife Marriage Bible (New King James Version), Two Hearts Praying as One, Moments Together for Couples
Haddon Robinson: Trusting the Shepherd, Decision Making by the Book
Harold Shank: Children Mean the World to God, Up Close and Personal: Embracing the Poor
but a companion of fools suffers harm" (Proverbs 13:20).
Since I would like to be wise, I try to learn from wise people. Here is a list of some wise authors and some of their books:
Nancy Leigh DeMoss: Holiness: The Heart God Purifies
Tony Dungy: Quiet Strength, Uncommon
Bob Lepine: The Christian Husband
C.S. Lewis: Mere Christianity, The Screwtape Letters, The Great Divorce
John Piper: Desiring God, Don't Waste Your Life
Dennis and Barbara Rainey: The FamilyLife Marriage Bible (New King James Version), Two Hearts Praying as One, Moments Together for Couples
Haddon Robinson: Trusting the Shepherd, Decision Making by the Book
Harold Shank: Children Mean the World to God, Up Close and Personal: Embracing the Poor
Sunday, September 07, 2008
Aggressive Mercy
I want to begin the week with a concerted effort to show mercy every day. I want to find ways to help someone every day. This passage from Harold Shank's Children Mean the World to God always inspires me to pursue mercy in life:
"Lydell Thomas leads a large inner city ministry in Nashville. He taught me about 'aggressive mercy.' Often we wait for people to come to us. Begging destroys dignity. People who ask for a handout must submit to our tests of efficiency before we will engage mercy. Lydell urges us to be more aggressive in showing mercy. He told about a young mother and her children who attended church one Sunday for the first time. A visitation worker called on the family the next day. The worker noticed the woman and her children had no furniture and passed the word on to a minister who dropped by later to confirm the report. While there, the minister asked the young mother a question.
"'Would you mind if we brought a couch, a couple of chairs, and a bed over to your apartment? We can have the truck stop by tomorrow if it is convenient.'
"The young mother and her kids stared in disbelief. Pure mercy is a rare commodity. After saying 'yes,' questions started coming to their mind. Who are these people? Why do they care? Why are there no strings? Why is there no interrogation? They went back to church and came to know God.
"We need aggressive mercy. We must be looking for children in need and finding ways to serve them, not waiting for them to come to us. We should be seeking them out, standing at the gate looking down the road to see if there is someone we can share our compassion with today" (p. 207).
"Lydell Thomas leads a large inner city ministry in Nashville. He taught me about 'aggressive mercy.' Often we wait for people to come to us. Begging destroys dignity. People who ask for a handout must submit to our tests of efficiency before we will engage mercy. Lydell urges us to be more aggressive in showing mercy. He told about a young mother and her children who attended church one Sunday for the first time. A visitation worker called on the family the next day. The worker noticed the woman and her children had no furniture and passed the word on to a minister who dropped by later to confirm the report. While there, the minister asked the young mother a question.
"'Would you mind if we brought a couch, a couple of chairs, and a bed over to your apartment? We can have the truck stop by tomorrow if it is convenient.'
"The young mother and her kids stared in disbelief. Pure mercy is a rare commodity. After saying 'yes,' questions started coming to their mind. Who are these people? Why do they care? Why are there no strings? Why is there no interrogation? They went back to church and came to know God.
"We need aggressive mercy. We must be looking for children in need and finding ways to serve them, not waiting for them to come to us. We should be seeking them out, standing at the gate looking down the road to see if there is someone we can share our compassion with today" (p. 207).
Thursday, August 28, 2008
A Church that Respects the Poor
In my previous post, I encouraged churches to respect those who are unhealthy, poor, and uneducated. Mike from the Upper Room blog asked me for more information about how to do it. (By the way, he is one of the most thoughtful bloggers around. Check it out at http://theupperroom.typepad.com.) In response, I will be quoting from Up Close and Personal: Embracing the Poor by Harold Shank, Anthony Wood, and Ron Bergeron. The three ministers had found that they were able to lead people in poverty to Christ, but they could not keep them in their middle-class, suburban-style congregations. As a result, they started an urban ministry to plant churches in inner-city Memphis, Tennessee.
"We learned three things in starting inner-city churches. First, respect inner-city culture. Effective missionaries study the culture first. We mistakenly believe inner-city dwellers are either just like us or inferior to us. Neither is true. Each urban center has its own culture, values, and language that must be learned through study and observation.
"Insensitivity to different cultures creates barriers instead of bridges. Missionaries learned to bring Christ, not their hometown culture, to a new country. Jesus loved people by respecting them. We will do the same. Here are a few ways to get started:
1) Educate your church biblically, culturally, and missiologically concerning urban church planting and ministry. Read books like Ray Bakke's The Urban Christian or William Pannell's The Gospel from the Bottom Up.
2) Visit an existing inner-city church that is reaching the urban poor to appreciate the faith practiced in cultural diversity. Research what others have done.
3) Ask people knowledgeable about the local poor to guide you through the existing outreach programs in your city.
4) Ask a poor person for honest answers about why he doesn't attend church where you do. Brace yourself for the truth. Then ask your new friend, 'If there was a church in your neighborhood that you would go to every week, what would it be like?'
"Second, expect inner-city leadership. We found more sense of community in the poorer areas of town than we've ever experienced in the affluent sections. The inner-city neighborhood has a social structure and leadership network. There is a saying in our inner-city, 'It takes a whole community to raise a child.' Family, school, social service, and church all connect. Networks flourish in the inner city. Church workers can connect to these networks. Our goal is to establish a fellowship of inner-city churches with local leadership designed to serve their communities. The church must be built according to this urban blueprint. Our inner-city brothers and sisters are better equipped to take back their neighborhoods for Christ by using their own networks to build God's church community.
"Third, expect inner-city theologians to arise. The Bible established doctrine, but Christians develop traditions. We establish the order of a Sunday morning service, decide how long the sermon should be, work out details on who can spend church money. Suburban preachers speak to issues that confront the average middle-class American. While fundamental doctrines do not vary, their application...varies, depending on the situation of the local Christians.
"In our suburban church, ushers stand at the back of the auditorium to serve. If a homeless woman tried to walk to the front during the sermon, they would stop her and talk with her in the foyer. To suburbanites, that seems a reasonable and loving policy. To inner-city Christians, that policy is offensive and unacceptable. They know that people often come into the service as a last resort. To turn away a homeless woman at that critical time may lead her to drugs or to her seeking help from different people. They value an uninterrupted sermon just like the people in the suburbs, but they understand the rejection of forcing a homeless person to wait" (pp. 60-62).
Thanks for the question, Mike. And thanks for reading!
"We learned three things in starting inner-city churches. First, respect inner-city culture. Effective missionaries study the culture first. We mistakenly believe inner-city dwellers are either just like us or inferior to us. Neither is true. Each urban center has its own culture, values, and language that must be learned through study and observation.
"Insensitivity to different cultures creates barriers instead of bridges. Missionaries learned to bring Christ, not their hometown culture, to a new country. Jesus loved people by respecting them. We will do the same. Here are a few ways to get started:
1) Educate your church biblically, culturally, and missiologically concerning urban church planting and ministry. Read books like Ray Bakke's The Urban Christian or William Pannell's The Gospel from the Bottom Up.
2) Visit an existing inner-city church that is reaching the urban poor to appreciate the faith practiced in cultural diversity. Research what others have done.
3) Ask people knowledgeable about the local poor to guide you through the existing outreach programs in your city.
4) Ask a poor person for honest answers about why he doesn't attend church where you do. Brace yourself for the truth. Then ask your new friend, 'If there was a church in your neighborhood that you would go to every week, what would it be like?'
"Second, expect inner-city leadership. We found more sense of community in the poorer areas of town than we've ever experienced in the affluent sections. The inner-city neighborhood has a social structure and leadership network. There is a saying in our inner-city, 'It takes a whole community to raise a child.' Family, school, social service, and church all connect. Networks flourish in the inner city. Church workers can connect to these networks. Our goal is to establish a fellowship of inner-city churches with local leadership designed to serve their communities. The church must be built according to this urban blueprint. Our inner-city brothers and sisters are better equipped to take back their neighborhoods for Christ by using their own networks to build God's church community.
"Third, expect inner-city theologians to arise. The Bible established doctrine, but Christians develop traditions. We establish the order of a Sunday morning service, decide how long the sermon should be, work out details on who can spend church money. Suburban preachers speak to issues that confront the average middle-class American. While fundamental doctrines do not vary, their application...varies, depending on the situation of the local Christians.
"In our suburban church, ushers stand at the back of the auditorium to serve. If a homeless woman tried to walk to the front during the sermon, they would stop her and talk with her in the foyer. To suburbanites, that seems a reasonable and loving policy. To inner-city Christians, that policy is offensive and unacceptable. They know that people often come into the service as a last resort. To turn away a homeless woman at that critical time may lead her to drugs or to her seeking help from different people. They value an uninterrupted sermon just like the people in the suburbs, but they understand the rejection of forcing a homeless person to wait" (pp. 60-62).
Thanks for the question, Mike. And thanks for reading!
Friday, August 01, 2008
Life-Changing Books
"Of making many books there is no end" (Ecclesiastes 12:12).
Several good books have influenced me over the years. Here are a few:
Life Application Study Bible (NIV)
A couple of years ago, I was on sick leave from my job, recovering from surgery, when a co-worker called. Paula explained to me that she wanted to buy a Bible for her mother who had never read more than a few verses from a Bible in her life. She needed a recommendation. I recommended the Life Application Study Bible, because of its excellent introductions to the books of the Bible as well as its study notes. A newcomer to the Bible needs a little direction, because it can be difficult to figure out how a book or passage relates to the overall message. This Bible helps tremendously. Although it's available in many good translations, I recommended the New International Version because it is both very accurate and very readable. It was the first version I read that I could understand.
Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper
This book challenged me to focus on honoring Jesus Christ in every area of my life because of what he has done for me. Its intent is on pulling us away from selfish, petty, and trivial pursuits to pursuing the glory of God.
Wisdom Hunter by Randall Arthur
This is a novel about an arrogant, dictatorial, and self-righteous pastor who is shaken to his core when his estranged daughter dies suddenly in an accident and his neglected wife dies soon afterward of a broken heart. As the man searches for the granddaughter he has never seen, he starts a journey from legalism to skepticism to real Christianity. Even though it's a novel, Wisdom Hunter is filled with truth and reality.
Rekindling the Romance by Dennis and Barbara Rainey
This book contains great insight into men and women. We bought it at FamilyLife's A Weekend to Remember marriage conference last year. I highly recommend the radio program FamilyLife Today, the marriage conferences, and any book (including this one) by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. You will learn much about your spouse from this book.
Up Close and Personal: Embracing the Poor by Harold Shank, Anthony Wood, and Ron Bergeron
This book inspired me to become involved in urban ministry. It will help any reader in understanding the culture of poverty, the effects of racism, the need for friendship in the midst of poverty, and how to help people come to faith in Jesus Christ. It contains good practical advice about how to help people in need.
Children Mean the World to God by Harold Shank
This book is surprising because of the depth of the theology. I did not expect a book about children to be a book about God and his character. I read Children Mean the World to God in the middle of the adoption process for our son. It gave me the encouragement I needed when the days were dark and I could not see the dawn coming. It will inspire any Christian parent, Bible class teacher, or lover of children to keep making the effort to show love to the children of the world for God's sake.
The Measure of a Man by Gene Getz
This book encourages all Christian men to aspire to the qualities of an elder as described in 1 Timothy and Titus. Whether a man ever becomes an elder is irrelevant; a Christian man needs to make it a goal to grow in the virtues described within this book.
No More Jellyfish, Chickens, or Wimps by Paul Coughlin
This is a parenting book like no other. It deals with instilling children with courage, security, and assertiveness. In addition, it helps parents and children deal with predators and bullies. Its goal is not to produce nice and compliant kids, but rather good and brave children.
Do you have any books that have made a positive impact on your life? Please share information about them in the comments section. Thanks for reading!
Several good books have influenced me over the years. Here are a few:
Life Application Study Bible (NIV)
A couple of years ago, I was on sick leave from my job, recovering from surgery, when a co-worker called. Paula explained to me that she wanted to buy a Bible for her mother who had never read more than a few verses from a Bible in her life. She needed a recommendation. I recommended the Life Application Study Bible, because of its excellent introductions to the books of the Bible as well as its study notes. A newcomer to the Bible needs a little direction, because it can be difficult to figure out how a book or passage relates to the overall message. This Bible helps tremendously. Although it's available in many good translations, I recommended the New International Version because it is both very accurate and very readable. It was the first version I read that I could understand.
Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper
This book challenged me to focus on honoring Jesus Christ in every area of my life because of what he has done for me. Its intent is on pulling us away from selfish, petty, and trivial pursuits to pursuing the glory of God.
Wisdom Hunter by Randall Arthur
This is a novel about an arrogant, dictatorial, and self-righteous pastor who is shaken to his core when his estranged daughter dies suddenly in an accident and his neglected wife dies soon afterward of a broken heart. As the man searches for the granddaughter he has never seen, he starts a journey from legalism to skepticism to real Christianity. Even though it's a novel, Wisdom Hunter is filled with truth and reality.
Rekindling the Romance by Dennis and Barbara Rainey
This book contains great insight into men and women. We bought it at FamilyLife's A Weekend to Remember marriage conference last year. I highly recommend the radio program FamilyLife Today, the marriage conferences, and any book (including this one) by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. You will learn much about your spouse from this book.
Up Close and Personal: Embracing the Poor by Harold Shank, Anthony Wood, and Ron Bergeron
This book inspired me to become involved in urban ministry. It will help any reader in understanding the culture of poverty, the effects of racism, the need for friendship in the midst of poverty, and how to help people come to faith in Jesus Christ. It contains good practical advice about how to help people in need.
Children Mean the World to God by Harold Shank
This book is surprising because of the depth of the theology. I did not expect a book about children to be a book about God and his character. I read Children Mean the World to God in the middle of the adoption process for our son. It gave me the encouragement I needed when the days were dark and I could not see the dawn coming. It will inspire any Christian parent, Bible class teacher, or lover of children to keep making the effort to show love to the children of the world for God's sake.
The Measure of a Man by Gene Getz
This book encourages all Christian men to aspire to the qualities of an elder as described in 1 Timothy and Titus. Whether a man ever becomes an elder is irrelevant; a Christian man needs to make it a goal to grow in the virtues described within this book.
No More Jellyfish, Chickens, or Wimps by Paul Coughlin
This is a parenting book like no other. It deals with instilling children with courage, security, and assertiveness. In addition, it helps parents and children deal with predators and bullies. Its goal is not to produce nice and compliant kids, but rather good and brave children.
Do you have any books that have made a positive impact on your life? Please share information about them in the comments section. Thanks for reading!
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Jonah and the Hero
These are the notes for our weekly Bible study at the Normandy Apartments. Normally, I do not make extensive notes. I usually write out several questions about a text. This week, we are starting a new study, and I felt that a few introductory notes were needed before we get into the text of the book of Jonah.
"I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity" (Jonah 4:2, NIV).
Although never explicitly stated, the book of Jonah appears to be an autobiographical work by the prophet himself.
Jonah was a prophet living in the northern kingdom of Israel under King Jeroboam II (793-753 BC; 2 Kings 14:23-25), the most powerful of the northern kingdom's rulers. The northern kingdom had always been corrupt: following false gods, listening to the false promises of those false gods, and even sacrificing their own children to appease the false gods at times. Nevertheless, God had not given up on the people of Israel yet. A minority continued to be loyal to the true God, and a few prophets like Jonah continued to appear in the northern kingdom.
The Assyrians were the most powerful and evil enemies of Israel during those years. Ninevah was their capitol city. For Jonah to be called to preach to Ninevah would have been like a Jewish prophet being called to preach to Berlin during World War II. It was hostile territory. The people were not inclined to respect a man of God, and the man of God knew that the people were guilty of horrible and violent sins against the people of God.
The book of Jonah is almost entirely narrative. It focuses on actions rather than the message of the prophet. Other books of prophecy reverse the emphasis. Most prophetic literature focuses on the prophet's message, but not his actions.
Some people attempt to discount the book of Jonah because they doubt the miracles. However, the Christian faith is built upon miracles, from the miracle of creation to the miracle of Christ's resurrection. The miracles of the Bible were recorded because they happened. Furthermore, Jesus Christ accepted and taught the historicity of the story of Jonah, just as he accepted and taught the historicity of the Queen of Sheba's visit to Solomon (Matthew 12:39-42). He did not differentiate between the miraculous account about Jonah and the mundane account about Solomon. We will follow his example during our study.
God is the hero of the book of Jonah. Through a reluctant and whining prophet, God is determined to get his message to the capitol city of the Assyrians. As Harold Shank noted, "The book of Jonah is an argument against any who seek to keep God for themselves..." (College Press NIV Commentary: Minor Prophets Volume 1, Hosea-Micah, p. 330). God reaches out beyond his people to his enemies. He warns of destruction, but when he sees repentance, God is quick to forgive.
In the book of Jonah, we notice a God who is in control. He will not take no for an answer from Jonah when the prophet does not want to warn Ninevah. God controls the weather, animals (the fish and the worm), and plants (the vine). He uses whatever is needed to reach both his prophet and his enemies.
One interesting aspect of the view of God in the book of Jonah is the view of God as Creator. He uses creation to reach his creatures, both people and their cattle or livestock according to the last verse of the book.
In the end, God challenges our prejudices. Contrary to all expectations, the city of Ninevah converted to God. We see people and write them off as hopeless. God sees people and offers them hope.
"I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity" (Jonah 4:2, NIV).
Although never explicitly stated, the book of Jonah appears to be an autobiographical work by the prophet himself.
Jonah was a prophet living in the northern kingdom of Israel under King Jeroboam II (793-753 BC; 2 Kings 14:23-25), the most powerful of the northern kingdom's rulers. The northern kingdom had always been corrupt: following false gods, listening to the false promises of those false gods, and even sacrificing their own children to appease the false gods at times. Nevertheless, God had not given up on the people of Israel yet. A minority continued to be loyal to the true God, and a few prophets like Jonah continued to appear in the northern kingdom.
The Assyrians were the most powerful and evil enemies of Israel during those years. Ninevah was their capitol city. For Jonah to be called to preach to Ninevah would have been like a Jewish prophet being called to preach to Berlin during World War II. It was hostile territory. The people were not inclined to respect a man of God, and the man of God knew that the people were guilty of horrible and violent sins against the people of God.
The book of Jonah is almost entirely narrative. It focuses on actions rather than the message of the prophet. Other books of prophecy reverse the emphasis. Most prophetic literature focuses on the prophet's message, but not his actions.
Some people attempt to discount the book of Jonah because they doubt the miracles. However, the Christian faith is built upon miracles, from the miracle of creation to the miracle of Christ's resurrection. The miracles of the Bible were recorded because they happened. Furthermore, Jesus Christ accepted and taught the historicity of the story of Jonah, just as he accepted and taught the historicity of the Queen of Sheba's visit to Solomon (Matthew 12:39-42). He did not differentiate between the miraculous account about Jonah and the mundane account about Solomon. We will follow his example during our study.
God is the hero of the book of Jonah. Through a reluctant and whining prophet, God is determined to get his message to the capitol city of the Assyrians. As Harold Shank noted, "The book of Jonah is an argument against any who seek to keep God for themselves..." (College Press NIV Commentary: Minor Prophets Volume 1, Hosea-Micah, p. 330). God reaches out beyond his people to his enemies. He warns of destruction, but when he sees repentance, God is quick to forgive.
In the book of Jonah, we notice a God who is in control. He will not take no for an answer from Jonah when the prophet does not want to warn Ninevah. God controls the weather, animals (the fish and the worm), and plants (the vine). He uses whatever is needed to reach both his prophet and his enemies.
One interesting aspect of the view of God in the book of Jonah is the view of God as Creator. He uses creation to reach his creatures, both people and their cattle or livestock according to the last verse of the book.
In the end, God challenges our prejudices. Contrary to all expectations, the city of Ninevah converted to God. We see people and write them off as hopeless. God sees people and offers them hope.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
People and Programs
This is a quote from Up Close and Personal: Embracing the Poor by Harold Shank, Anthony Wood, and Ron Bergeron:
"Most people like Josh (a homeless man) can get free food, clothing, and shelter at many places, but few places offer a connection with a compassionate person. 'Compassion' comes from two Latin words meaning to 'suffer with.' Giving to the poor without feeling their hurt falls short of true compassion.
Novelist Leo Tolstoy tried to rid Moscow of the poor by giving money to beggars in the worst sections of Moscow. The experience soured Tolstoy. He gave to people who only 'needed money to buy a railway ticket home,' but felt cheated when he later spotted them still in town. Next he organized the Moscow census to seek out the 'truly' needy. Yet his list didn't advance his cause. He concluded, 'Of all the people I noted down, I really helped none...I did not find any unfortunates who could be made fortunate by the mere gift of money.'
Tolstoy organized programs but never connected with people. Most poor people need other people, not expanded programs. God uses people to help other people. Andrew introduced Peter. Ananias taught Saul. Paul mentored Timothy. Since God uses people to reach other people, we shouldn't be surprised at its effectiveness in our lives. If we meet them where they are, we can be used by God to lead them out of bondage. Clothing closets and food giveaways work most effectively when they provide a connection between two people" (p.35).
"Most people like Josh (a homeless man) can get free food, clothing, and shelter at many places, but few places offer a connection with a compassionate person. 'Compassion' comes from two Latin words meaning to 'suffer with.' Giving to the poor without feeling their hurt falls short of true compassion.
Novelist Leo Tolstoy tried to rid Moscow of the poor by giving money to beggars in the worst sections of Moscow. The experience soured Tolstoy. He gave to people who only 'needed money to buy a railway ticket home,' but felt cheated when he later spotted them still in town. Next he organized the Moscow census to seek out the 'truly' needy. Yet his list didn't advance his cause. He concluded, 'Of all the people I noted down, I really helped none...I did not find any unfortunates who could be made fortunate by the mere gift of money.'
Tolstoy organized programs but never connected with people. Most poor people need other people, not expanded programs. God uses people to help other people. Andrew introduced Peter. Ananias taught Saul. Paul mentored Timothy. Since God uses people to reach other people, we shouldn't be surprised at its effectiveness in our lives. If we meet them where they are, we can be used by God to lead them out of bondage. Clothing closets and food giveaways work most effectively when they provide a connection between two people" (p.35).
Friday, August 03, 2007
Children's Bible Class Teachers
"At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, 'Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?' He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: 'I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me'" (Matthew 18:1-5, NIV).
Sometimes it can be difficult for churches to fill the positions of children's Bible class teachers. It can be a difficult job. The younger children may need diapers changed. The older children may have questions that could never be answered in a mere hour. It can be a thankless job. Parents may never express appreciation. A church may never recognize the contribution that the teacher is making (although the Contact Church has always been good about showing appreciation to teachers).
However, a children's Bible class teacher has a great responsibility and potentially profound influence in the lives of children. When a child becomes a follower of Jesus Christ, he or she may not even remember that the Bible class teacher was the first person to introduce him or her to God, Christ, or the Holy Spirit. He or she may not recall that the teacher first explained such concepts as faith, repentance, baptism, prayer, heaven, hell, atonement, or propitiation. How many people would not be Christians today if not for children's Bible class teachers?
For years, Janet has taught Bible classes in the Jenks Church and the Contact Church of Christ on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings. For the past 6 years, she has taught the children at the Normandy Apartments while I have taught their parents and grandparents on Monday nights. In her honor (and in honor of others like her), I am posting a portion of Harold Shank's Children Mean the World to God:
I never ran away from home, but I readily identify with...loneliness, vulnerability and despair. The confusion mounted in my mind throughout my sixth grade year. Finally the Church of Christ VBS came around again. The teacher was a nice gray-haired woman named Mildred Stutzman. After VBS, Mildred took me aside. I couldn't figure out why she wanted to talk to me. I was just a kid from the neighborhood who went to VBS every summer. She explained that she also had a sixth grade class on Sunday morning. It met in the same room. Some of the same children that were in VBS were in her class. She invited me to attend.
I remember being amazed at what Mildred was asking. In the grand scheme of things I wasn't important. I was the naive child who never went to church. But I was struggling with the God question, wondering where I would get answers. Then came a voice asking me to come to a place where those questions might be discussed. God heard my cry. He answered it with Mildred Stutzman...
So I started going to Sunday school and staying for church...
Two years later, with a great deal of thinking about the God-stuff in between, I told the preacher, "This is what I want. I want Jesus in my life and I want my life in this church." I became a Christian.
Today, Harold Shank is one of the most influential leaders among the Churches of Christ and a Bible professor at Oklahoma Christian University. It all started with a children's Bible teacher named Mildred Stutzman reaching out and teaching an ignorant little boy about God. The most amazing thing is: This is happening all the time in Sunday schools, Wednesday night classes, and urban ministries around the country and around the world. Often, we miss seeing it, because it takes time to see believers develop.
Sometimes it can be difficult for churches to fill the positions of children's Bible class teachers. It can be a difficult job. The younger children may need diapers changed. The older children may have questions that could never be answered in a mere hour. It can be a thankless job. Parents may never express appreciation. A church may never recognize the contribution that the teacher is making (although the Contact Church has always been good about showing appreciation to teachers).
However, a children's Bible class teacher has a great responsibility and potentially profound influence in the lives of children. When a child becomes a follower of Jesus Christ, he or she may not even remember that the Bible class teacher was the first person to introduce him or her to God, Christ, or the Holy Spirit. He or she may not recall that the teacher first explained such concepts as faith, repentance, baptism, prayer, heaven, hell, atonement, or propitiation. How many people would not be Christians today if not for children's Bible class teachers?
For years, Janet has taught Bible classes in the Jenks Church and the Contact Church of Christ on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings. For the past 6 years, she has taught the children at the Normandy Apartments while I have taught their parents and grandparents on Monday nights. In her honor (and in honor of others like her), I am posting a portion of Harold Shank's Children Mean the World to God:
I never ran away from home, but I readily identify with...loneliness, vulnerability and despair. The confusion mounted in my mind throughout my sixth grade year. Finally the Church of Christ VBS came around again. The teacher was a nice gray-haired woman named Mildred Stutzman. After VBS, Mildred took me aside. I couldn't figure out why she wanted to talk to me. I was just a kid from the neighborhood who went to VBS every summer. She explained that she also had a sixth grade class on Sunday morning. It met in the same room. Some of the same children that were in VBS were in her class. She invited me to attend.
I remember being amazed at what Mildred was asking. In the grand scheme of things I wasn't important. I was the naive child who never went to church. But I was struggling with the God question, wondering where I would get answers. Then came a voice asking me to come to a place where those questions might be discussed. God heard my cry. He answered it with Mildred Stutzman...
So I started going to Sunday school and staying for church...
Two years later, with a great deal of thinking about the God-stuff in between, I told the preacher, "This is what I want. I want Jesus in my life and I want my life in this church." I became a Christian.
Today, Harold Shank is one of the most influential leaders among the Churches of Christ and a Bible professor at Oklahoma Christian University. It all started with a children's Bible teacher named Mildred Stutzman reaching out and teaching an ignorant little boy about God. The most amazing thing is: This is happening all the time in Sunday schools, Wednesday night classes, and urban ministries around the country and around the world. Often, we miss seeing it, because it takes time to see believers develop.
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