What if? (part 2)

In part one of this blog series I expressed frustrations with my personal failure in picking up my sword and storming hell’s rusty gates.  I also expressed my feelings as to why I believe we as the church have also fallen short in this regards.  Now, in part two, I want to discuss the solution offered in the song; as well as the implications of that solution.  As you might have guessed from the title of the song, the solution involves prayer.  The following words are taken from the chorus: What if His people prayed and all who bare His name would humbly seek His face and turn from their own ways?   He said that He would hear!  His promise has been made; He’ll answer loud and clear if only we would pray! 

Again, as in the last blog, I am interested in the thoughts that first came to your mind as you read those words.

For me, those words were a reminder that God is the God of second chances.  And, interestingly enough, this morning I read some very good thoughts concerning second chances on Trey Morgan’s blog (www.treymorgan.net).  But, for our discussion here, I don’t want to focus on the phrase second chances.  I want us to consider this subject by looking at the possibilities of what if.

What do you think would happen if His people prayed and then picked up their swords and stormed hell’s gates?  What type of message do you think a response of that nature would be sent to the captives?   Do you think an active belief, on the behalf of His people, in God’s promise to answer prayer would present a message of hope, belief in the possibilities of what if, to those held hostage by the power of sin?

If you have ever doubted the power of what if, I ask you to consider the conversation that took place between Jesus and a Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well.  I had read this passage many times and failed to see what I am going to share with you today.  The text tells us that Jesus arrived at the well around noon, the middle of the day.  Most people drew water from this well either early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the heat of the day; but, here was a woman who was drawing water in the middle of the day, by herself.   Have you asked yourself why this is the case?   From reading the story we discover that she had previously been married to five different men and was currently living with someone to whom she wasn’t married.   Can you imagine what everyone was saying about this woman?   And, here was Jesus speaking to her about living water and never being thirsty again.  She dropped her bucket and went and told everyone she had met the Messiah.   She came to the well as an outcast, she left understanding the possibilities of what if.    

Jesus came to save sinners, to set the captives free.  He left that mission in our hands.  I am convinced that if we will only pray, seek His face, and turn from our selfish ways that He will hear and answer!   I am also convinced that He will grant us the strength needed to storm hell’s rusty gates.   The end result will be that captives will be set free.

Those are my thoughts.  Do you have any thoughts to share with us?

What if? (part 1)

Those of you who read my last contribution to the world of blogdom are aware that I had planned to begin a series of thought entitled “What If.”    Well, in case you haven’t already guessed it, this is that series and it was inspired by the words of a Casting Crowns song — “What if His people prayed?” 

If you are not familiar with that song, please don’t worry as you will be before this series is complete.  Here are the words of the first stanza: 

“What if the armies of the Lord picked up and dusted off their swords, vowed to set the captives free and not let Satan have one more.  What if the church, for heaven’s sake, finally stepped up to the plate, took a stand upon God’s promise and stormed hell’s rusty gates?” 

My question for you is, “What was the first thought that entered your mind when you read those words?” 

I am sure most of you were thinking something along the lines of how amazing it would be if the armies of the Lord did exactly what those words suggested and picked up their swords and stormed hell’s rusty gates, right?   I hope so. 

To be honest, I began crying as I sang those words.   The reality of my failure at taking a stand upon God’s promise and storming hell’s rusty gates to set the captives free hit me like a ton of bricks.  Am I the only one who feels this way? 

There are two reasons I feel we are failing when it comes to storming hell’s rusty gates and setting the captives free.   

First, I can’t help but believe that we have lost our vision as an army in that we have lost sight of our leader, his purpose for coming and have forgotten his promise to be with us.  I think, in many ways, that we have ascended the ranks and assumed the position of leader and feel that the army belongs to us.  As such, we have begun putting faith in our abilities to devise the strategy for victory and have placed our confidence in self rather than the Lord. 

Second, I can’t help but believe that we have become confused about what it means to be a soldier.  As a soldier in the Lord’s army I need to be fighting the enemy, Satan, with a goal of setting the captives free; not some of the battles that I find myself and the army engaged in.   You know the battles I am speaking of, the ones over insignificant items, the ones that keep us waging war within not without.   

But, even though I feel that we as the church are failing in many ways, I still believe in the power of what if.   I mean, I can see the possibilities when I allow myself to think “What if the armies of the Lord picked up and dusted off their swords, vowed to set the captives free and not let Satan have one more.  What if the church, for heaven’s sake, finally stepped up to the plate, took a stand upon God’s promise and stormed hell’s rusty gates?” 

What are your thoughts?

Seeking your opinion

As I was driving home from work today I was listening to Casting Crowns and giving thought to the direction of my next blog.   After spending two days presenting my “ramblings of a frustrated servant” I thought I would change the tone of my next blog and seek to be a little more positive and upbeat, a little less controversial and present something to challenge us to greater service.

After much thought I had decided that I was going to present a two or three part series entitled, “What If…”  Unfortunately, as I sat down at my computer and prepared to begin part one, I took just a moment to surf and visit some sites that I monitor from time to time to in an attempt maintain a working knowledge, if you will, of some pretty fanatical/radical/unbelievable ideas.   I don’t agree with the majority of the things I read on these particular sites; but, nonetheless I can’t resist the temptation to review what is being written.   However, today I really wish that I would have pretended that this particular site was Potifer’s wife and I was Joseph.  In other words, I wish I would have tucked tail and ran away.   To make a long story short, I didn’t and you have to suffer the consequences.

Below is something I discovered and thought I would share with you to find out what you thought and see if you had any suggestions on how to deal with something such as this.  I don’t think you will enjoy.

“The other night I was writing the copy for the last editorial, “Some Call It Heresy”. My 10 year old daughter, who we named Precious, came into the room and sat down at the table. She said, “What are you writing dad?”

I said, “Honey I am writing a story about the lies people are telling about the King James Bible. They want us to think the newer modern Bibles, like the NIV and the New King James Bible (NKJ), are better.”

I told her, The King James Bible is a lot like water. God gave both the King James and water to us for our needs. Modern Bibles are much like cola. They were both sold to us by man. To get us to accept either one they have to lie about how much better they are than God’s original. You and I know that cola doesn’t quench your thirst like water.”

This isn’t everything that he had to say, but I figured this was enough to get us started.  So, what did you think?   Any comments?

Ramblings of a frustrated servant (part 2)

I suppose it is highly possible that my last submission to the world of blogdom came across as being very blah and boring.  And, more than likely, this submission will fall into the same category.  Yet, as I seek to transform and renew my mind into something more consistent with that of the mind of Christ, I find it necessary to deal with the frustrations that have become somewhat of a stumbling block to achieving my goal.

I am sure most of you understand the point I am trying to make.  Being more like Christ should be the goal of each person who wears his name.  But, because of the attitudes manifested by many who profess to be Christians, being more like Christ has become quite the challenge.   The sad part is that becoming more like Christ, possessing the same mindset of a humble, obedient servant, is difficult enough as it is without dealing with the negative, always finding fault, attitude of those in your own family.

I know, from my own experience, that it is easy to become carried away with the mentality of finding fault in what people do and say in the name of religion.   What really concerns me is that too many people find fault in anything that differs from what they have normally experienced in the church.  Whether it is something significant or something trivial, people delight in finding fault in the lives and worship of others.

For example, here is a list of things that I spent three to four months debating and am struggling to declare them as sinful.  Each of these items has been labeled as causing division and destroying the church of our Lord.   If you need further explanation on any of the items, just ask. 

•  “Praise Teams”
•  “Power Breakfast”
•  “Men’s Prayer Time”
• “Connection Groups / Life Groups”
• “Women Ministering To Women”
• “Class Dedicated To Singing Contemporary Songs”
• “People Lifting Hands Toward God During Worship”
• “Yearly Baby Dedication Ceremony”
• “Studying From A Book Other Than The Bible In Wednesday Night Class”
• “Video Projection Systems Utilized During Worship”

Let me know what you think:  sinful or not.

Ramblings of a frustrated servant

 As a graduate of one of our more conservative preaching schools I am very familiar with the concept of contending for the faith.   And, in regards to contending for the faith, one of the battles constantly raging within me is the battle for the control of my mind.

Now, before proceeding further, let me address the thoughts that many of you (especially my wife) are having about me losing control of my mind.   For your information, I am not referring to the loss of mental capacity resulting from my growing older. 

I am, however, referring to the battle involving emotions such as anger, confusion, doubt, fear, frustration and worry.   I am battling the constant feelings of being torn between two worlds.

I understand the concept of and need for Christians defending the faith, for maintaining the purity of the Gospel.   Yet, at the same time, I don’t understand the attitude of many who seem to have made defending the faith the number one priority of their lives; who in the spirit of the Pharisees of old seem to have majored in minor things while ignoring the larger concepts of the law.

I am frustrated because I can’t help but feel that much of the so-called liberal movement supposedly overtaking the church today is the direct result the attitude and stance of many defenders of the faith. 

For example, when I was asked which version (KJV or NIV) one should use when studying, I suggested that a person study from both the KJV and the NIV as it allows a person to utilize a version that is considered a standard, as well as one that is easy to read.  In response to my statement, one defender commented: 

“If you (Chris) had been a seeker of the truth, you would realize that the NIV is actually owned and copyrighted by someone other than God.” (Emphasis mine – Chris)

Or, what about the following comment made to me by another defender in a discussion about lifting of hands while singing a song during worship?  

Chris, you know that the people behind the evil Community Church Movement are using these tactics in order to deceive, control, and manipulate the members of the Church … Any honest person can understand that no God-fearing Christian should be a part of this deceptive subtle corruption. 

I mean, please don’t misunderstand me, I am all for truth and defending the gospel of my Lord and Savior; I just don’t understand some of the arguments, the attitudes or the positions of many in the church.  And, that goes for those on both sides of many issues.

For those who may be wondering, here was the position I took during the discussion of lifting of hands during worship:

“The “lifting of hands” during prayer or singing does not make the ones lifting hands any holier than the ones not lifting hands. It is merely outward posture or physical position. But, if a person feels that this outward posture helps him focus more on his worship to God, who are you and I to call him into question and accuse him of sin.  The truth is that whether the hands are lifted, the knees bent, the eyes closed or the head bowed, the important part is that the heart must be submissive and reverent toward God. 

I realize I will probably be labeled as a liberal as the result of this post.  And, probably labeled as too conservative also.  Wouldn’t that be my luck?

Any thoughts?