"I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: 'The righteous will live by faith'" (Romans 1:16-17).
I have created a new blog with the purpose of sharing the gospel of Christ at http://a-disciples-gospel-blog.blogspot.com. Please feel welcome to check it out.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
The Gift Exchange
A faint knock at the door awakened the old man.
"Dad?"
"Yes, come on in, son," the old man said from his hospital bed.
"Where are Mom and the people from church?" asked the young man.
"I asked them to take your mother out to eat. She needs a break, and I wanted to talk with you alone."
A little nervous, the young man asked, "Is everything all right, Dad?"
"Well, you know what the doctor has said. I'm not going to be around much longer." The old man coughed. "But I wanted to give you a gift before the end comes."
"A gift?" the son said with curiosity.
"Yes. You see, son, I've been thinking about the day your grandfather died. I would have wanted him to tell me something like I'm going to tell you tonight." The old man paused and wiped away a tear before continuing. "I remember as a boy when my dad walked down a church aisle to give his life to Christ. I even remember his baptism--that sort of thing makes a huge impression on a young boy. I remember how he led prayer around the dinner table as I was growing up, and I even remember how he led prayers in church every once in a while. But long before you were born, something changed in Grandpa's life. He stopped praying, or going to church, or expressing any interest in Jesus-- as far as I could see. I could not tell whether he really believed in Jesus Christ or not. I never knew whether he was ready to meet God when he died."
The young man did not know how to respond.
The father continued, "I would have loved for him to have given me the gift of assurance that he truly trusted in Christ and expected to be with God forever."
The older man looked at the muted TV before going on. "I just wanted to let you know that you don't need to worry about me. I really do believe in Jesus Christ. I really am committed to him. And I really do expect to be in heaven in a short time from now."
"Dad, you did not have to tell me," the young man answered. "I have seen your faith in the way you live. When I was growing up, I never told you, but I often found you in the early mornings reading your Bible and praying while you thought you were alone. I heard your prayers, when you thought no one but God was listening. I saw how you treated Mom. I know how you treated me. I saw how you would help friends, strangers, and even people who did not like you much. I saw God's Spirit in you. So you didn't really need to give me the gift of letting me know that you were right with God. I knew it, but I'm glad you told me anyway."
Choking up a little, the father hugged his son and said, "Thank you for that gift. Now I have only one more thing to ask from you: Meet me in heaven some day, son."
"I wouldn't miss it for the world, Dad."
"But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness" (2 Peter 3:13).
"Dad?"
"Yes, come on in, son," the old man said from his hospital bed.
"Where are Mom and the people from church?" asked the young man.
"I asked them to take your mother out to eat. She needs a break, and I wanted to talk with you alone."
A little nervous, the young man asked, "Is everything all right, Dad?"
"Well, you know what the doctor has said. I'm not going to be around much longer." The old man coughed. "But I wanted to give you a gift before the end comes."
"A gift?" the son said with curiosity.
"Yes. You see, son, I've been thinking about the day your grandfather died. I would have wanted him to tell me something like I'm going to tell you tonight." The old man paused and wiped away a tear before continuing. "I remember as a boy when my dad walked down a church aisle to give his life to Christ. I even remember his baptism--that sort of thing makes a huge impression on a young boy. I remember how he led prayer around the dinner table as I was growing up, and I even remember how he led prayers in church every once in a while. But long before you were born, something changed in Grandpa's life. He stopped praying, or going to church, or expressing any interest in Jesus-- as far as I could see. I could not tell whether he really believed in Jesus Christ or not. I never knew whether he was ready to meet God when he died."
The young man did not know how to respond.
The father continued, "I would have loved for him to have given me the gift of assurance that he truly trusted in Christ and expected to be with God forever."
The older man looked at the muted TV before going on. "I just wanted to let you know that you don't need to worry about me. I really do believe in Jesus Christ. I really am committed to him. And I really do expect to be in heaven in a short time from now."
"Dad, you did not have to tell me," the young man answered. "I have seen your faith in the way you live. When I was growing up, I never told you, but I often found you in the early mornings reading your Bible and praying while you thought you were alone. I heard your prayers, when you thought no one but God was listening. I saw how you treated Mom. I know how you treated me. I saw how you would help friends, strangers, and even people who did not like you much. I saw God's Spirit in you. So you didn't really need to give me the gift of letting me know that you were right with God. I knew it, but I'm glad you told me anyway."
Choking up a little, the father hugged his son and said, "Thank you for that gift. Now I have only one more thing to ask from you: Meet me in heaven some day, son."
"I wouldn't miss it for the world, Dad."
"But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness" (2 Peter 3:13).
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Religion in the News
Yesterday's edition of USA Today contained two important articles about religion.
At www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2009-03-09-american-religion-ARIS_N.htm, you will find a report about how the American people are changing in their religious affiliations. A large number are abandoning Christianity for a variety of reasons.
At http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2009/03/tough-love-and.html#more, you will find an opinion column about why the poor are attracted to theologically conservative Christianity.
At www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2009-03-09-american-religion-ARIS_N.htm, you will find a report about how the American people are changing in their religious affiliations. A large number are abandoning Christianity for a variety of reasons.
At http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2009/03/tough-love-and.html#more, you will find an opinion column about why the poor are attracted to theologically conservative Christianity.
Sunday, March 08, 2009
A Simple Man, A Simple Question, A Profound Impact
I heard this true story in our adult Bible class this morning:
A man was on a business trip to Sydney, Australia a few years ago. While there, he had some free time and decided to walk around the city. As he was about to cross a busy street, he felt a tap on his shoulder. When he turned around, a homeless man asked him, "If you were to die tomorrow, where would you spend eternity?" Then, the homeless man walked away without saying another word.
The homeless man's question haunted the businessman for the next several days. He began to evaluate his life and his destination.
When he arrived back at his home in Atlanta, Georgia, he decided to attend a large church nearby. The preacher gave a powerful and eloquent sermon about Christ. At the end of the sermon, the businessman stepped forward, announced his faith in Christ and was baptized. Afterward, he wanted to speak to the congregation. He told them that the sermon was very good, but that it had little to do with his conversion to Christ. He told the church about the simple question of a simple homeless man in Australia that had changed the direction of his life earlier in the week.
Two week later, another man who had walked away from following Christ many years earlier came forward at the end of the worship service. He wanted to confess his sins and recommit his life to the Savior. Without knowing the story of the man who had become a Christian a couple of weeks earlier, this man told about his recent vacation to Sydney, Australia. While there, a homeless man had tapped him on the shoulder and asked him, "If you were to die tomorrow, where would you spend eternity?" The homeless man's question provoked the man to re-evaluate his life and the emptiness of it. He decided to return to Christ and to the church.
The congregation was amazed at the impact of a homeless man's question who lived half a world away. It revolutionized their desire to make a difference in the lives of the people around them.
Years later, the minister of the congregation was on a short-term mission trip to Sydney, Australia. He remembered the stories about the homeless man who had changed the lives of two of his members. So, he decided to walk the street on which the homeless man had confronted two strangers who would become dedicated members of his church. He walked the street for hours without success. Just as he was starting to feel like giving up, he felt a tap on his shoulder. The preacher turned around to see a homeless man. Before the homeless man could get a word out, the preacher said, "I know what you are going to say. You're going to ask me, 'If you were to die tomorrow, where would you spend eternity?'" The homeless man was surprised. Then, the preacher told the story of what had happened in his hometown church because of that man's question. The homeless man was overwhelmed. He broke into tears as he explained, "I have been asking that question everyday for years, but I have always wondered if I was making any difference at all."
Do you ever wonder if you are making any difference at all? I do. Please be assured that if you are following Christ, caring for the welfare of others, and living to honor God, you are making a difference. Our simple actions can have a profound impact, even when we are unaware.
A man was on a business trip to Sydney, Australia a few years ago. While there, he had some free time and decided to walk around the city. As he was about to cross a busy street, he felt a tap on his shoulder. When he turned around, a homeless man asked him, "If you were to die tomorrow, where would you spend eternity?" Then, the homeless man walked away without saying another word.
The homeless man's question haunted the businessman for the next several days. He began to evaluate his life and his destination.
When he arrived back at his home in Atlanta, Georgia, he decided to attend a large church nearby. The preacher gave a powerful and eloquent sermon about Christ. At the end of the sermon, the businessman stepped forward, announced his faith in Christ and was baptized. Afterward, he wanted to speak to the congregation. He told them that the sermon was very good, but that it had little to do with his conversion to Christ. He told the church about the simple question of a simple homeless man in Australia that had changed the direction of his life earlier in the week.
Two week later, another man who had walked away from following Christ many years earlier came forward at the end of the worship service. He wanted to confess his sins and recommit his life to the Savior. Without knowing the story of the man who had become a Christian a couple of weeks earlier, this man told about his recent vacation to Sydney, Australia. While there, a homeless man had tapped him on the shoulder and asked him, "If you were to die tomorrow, where would you spend eternity?" The homeless man's question provoked the man to re-evaluate his life and the emptiness of it. He decided to return to Christ and to the church.
The congregation was amazed at the impact of a homeless man's question who lived half a world away. It revolutionized their desire to make a difference in the lives of the people around them.
Years later, the minister of the congregation was on a short-term mission trip to Sydney, Australia. He remembered the stories about the homeless man who had changed the lives of two of his members. So, he decided to walk the street on which the homeless man had confronted two strangers who would become dedicated members of his church. He walked the street for hours without success. Just as he was starting to feel like giving up, he felt a tap on his shoulder. The preacher turned around to see a homeless man. Before the homeless man could get a word out, the preacher said, "I know what you are going to say. You're going to ask me, 'If you were to die tomorrow, where would you spend eternity?'" The homeless man was surprised. Then, the preacher told the story of what had happened in his hometown church because of that man's question. The homeless man was overwhelmed. He broke into tears as he explained, "I have been asking that question everyday for years, but I have always wondered if I was making any difference at all."
Do you ever wonder if you are making any difference at all? I do. Please be assured that if you are following Christ, caring for the welfare of others, and living to honor God, you are making a difference. Our simple actions can have a profound impact, even when we are unaware.
Friday, March 06, 2009
Parenting Advice and Pastoral Care for Adoptive Families
John Piper has written an excellent piece explaining why fathers should not allow their sons to wrestle girls at www.desiringgod.org/Blog/1664_over_my_dead_body_son/. This is important advice because parents are allowing their girls to enroll in wrestling programs. At least two girls were in Christopher's wrestling class last fall (but he did not wrestle them). As John Piper explains, we need to teach our sons that "men don't fight against women. They fight for women." As counter-cultural as this may seem, it's right.
On the same blog, an article appears suggesting 10 ways to pastor adoptive families and those considering adoption. It's at www.desiringgod.org/Blog/1662_10_ways_to_pastor_adoptive_parents_and_those_considering_adoption/.
On the same blog, an article appears suggesting 10 ways to pastor adoptive families and those considering adoption. It's at www.desiringgod.org/Blog/1662_10_ways_to_pastor_adoptive_parents_and_those_considering_adoption/.
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, March 01, 2009
"I Was Sad...We Ran Out of Food"
"Rich and poor have this in common:
The LORD is the Maker of them all" (Proverbs 22:2).
Sometimes I read romanticized ideas about poverty. I read about how a life of poverty is a simple life, even a life to be envied. But I don't quite buy into it. I have seen the stress of people in poverty. They wonder about their ability to care for their children. They worry about their ability to feed their children. They experience the fear of living in a hood filled with drugs, alcohol, domestic violence, and gangs. They are not living in conditions to be envied.
Today, my wife Janet was teaching the 4-year olds in Bible class at church. One little boy said to her, "I was sad." Janet asked, "Why were you sad?" He responded, "We ran out of food."
The little boy, his siblings, and his mother attend the Contact Church on a regular basis. They are almost always present. His mother wants to be a good mother. She attended the class I taught last spring on the subject of biblical parenting. But the family struggles with problems that are difficult to solve. The mother has difficulties in finding and keeping a job. A responsible father is not in the picture. She wants to do the right thing for her family, but she needs help.
Thankfully, the Contact Church steps up to help such families. In addition to high-quality Bible teaching for parents and children, the church helps in physical ways. Each Sunday morning before Bible classes, anyone can come into the kitchen to get a donut (or two) and some juice. (Judy Babbit uses the opportunity to teach a little about the Bible when the children come to get donuts. Before they get a donut, she will ask them a question like, "How many books are in the Bible?" Then, even when they do not know the answer, she gives them a donut.) After the worship assembly, other local churches in our area usually provide a lunch in our kitchen for anyone who wants to stay and eat. Every Sunday, people who have nothing at home can come to the Contact Church and find some food and some love. In addition, our food bank provides food for hundreds of people throughout the week.
When I heard Janet's story about the little boy in her Sunday school class, I was sad too. But I was happy to be associated with a church that cares about little boys like him and families like his. He and his family were not hungry today.
The LORD is the Maker of them all" (Proverbs 22:2).
Sometimes I read romanticized ideas about poverty. I read about how a life of poverty is a simple life, even a life to be envied. But I don't quite buy into it. I have seen the stress of people in poverty. They wonder about their ability to care for their children. They worry about their ability to feed their children. They experience the fear of living in a hood filled with drugs, alcohol, domestic violence, and gangs. They are not living in conditions to be envied.
Today, my wife Janet was teaching the 4-year olds in Bible class at church. One little boy said to her, "I was sad." Janet asked, "Why were you sad?" He responded, "We ran out of food."
The little boy, his siblings, and his mother attend the Contact Church on a regular basis. They are almost always present. His mother wants to be a good mother. She attended the class I taught last spring on the subject of biblical parenting. But the family struggles with problems that are difficult to solve. The mother has difficulties in finding and keeping a job. A responsible father is not in the picture. She wants to do the right thing for her family, but she needs help.
Thankfully, the Contact Church steps up to help such families. In addition to high-quality Bible teaching for parents and children, the church helps in physical ways. Each Sunday morning before Bible classes, anyone can come into the kitchen to get a donut (or two) and some juice. (Judy Babbit uses the opportunity to teach a little about the Bible when the children come to get donuts. Before they get a donut, she will ask them a question like, "How many books are in the Bible?" Then, even when they do not know the answer, she gives them a donut.) After the worship assembly, other local churches in our area usually provide a lunch in our kitchen for anyone who wants to stay and eat. Every Sunday, people who have nothing at home can come to the Contact Church and find some food and some love. In addition, our food bank provides food for hundreds of people throughout the week.
When I heard Janet's story about the little boy in her Sunday school class, I was sad too. But I was happy to be associated with a church that cares about little boys like him and families like his. He and his family were not hungry today.
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