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March, 2009

  1. Peace. . .

    March 30, 2009 by Nate

    Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

    It’s interesting that Christ would add the disclaimer: “not as the world gives.” What’s he trying to get across?

    Imagine yourself in the middle of a hurricane. The winds whip around you at breakneck speeds. The torrent of rain slams against you like sheets of water being blown at your body. Debris is flying everywhere. In the midst of this storm a massive boulder rests unshaken by the hurricane. You fight your way to the monstrous rock and grab hold, knowing that it can anchor you to the ground. Or you rest against its side, trusting that it will shield you from the howling winds that threaten to tear you from the ground.

    That rock doesn’t provide the kind of peace you probably think of when you consider the word peace. But it offers a kind of peace that is desperately needed in this world.

    The world pretends to offer peace and comfort. But its efforts at creating peace are nothing more than an illusion. A diversion designed to make you believe that there is no storm. But there is, and if you deny the storm’s existence, you’ll be swept up in it.

    So run to Christ. He is our Peace in the midst the storm.

    I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.

    ~John 16.33 (The Message)

    Category Scripture Musings, Spirituality | Tags: | No Comments

  2. Hope. . .

    March 27, 2009 by Nate

    God has chosen to make known. . . the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

    There are so many words that we’ve cheapened. Hope is one of them.

    “I hope I win first place.”

    “I hope she says yes.”

    “I hope I don’t fail the exam.”

    But hope is so much more than wishful thinking. True hope is far more powerful than that.

    Hope is trusting that the unseen is better than we can possibly imagine. Hope is knowing that, even in the midst of darkness, our worst pain has a glorious purpose.

    The New Living Translation turns the word “hope” into “assurance.” Christ gives us true hope—an assurance—that this life is merely a shadow. There is something glorious that has yet to be revealed.

    But beyond just giving us hope, Christ is that hope—that assurance.

    As I close in on post #100, I want to take time reflecting on what Christ is.

    So, for post #93, Christ is hope.

    We have been made right with God because of our faith. Now we have peace with him because of our Lord Jesus Christ. Through faith in Jesus we have received God’s grace. In that grace we stand. We are full of joy because we expect to share in God’s glory.

    And that’s not all. We are full of joy even when we suffer. We know that our suffering gives us the strength to go on. The strength to go on produces character. Character produces hope. And hope will never let us down.

    ~Romans 5.1-5 (NIrV)

    Category Scripture Musings, Spirituality | Tags: | No Comments

  3. Malls, Mexican food, and men. . .

    March 22, 2009 by Nate

    This post was originally written in September 2008.

    Who would have thought an afternoon doing some shopping at the Garden State Plaza and topping it off with a great meal at On the Border would yield a conversation about discovering who God wants us to be?

    During the course of our dinner chat, my buddy Matt brought up an interesting thought about mankind’s primary relationships. He is first to connect with his Creator, for this is the chief of humanity’s priorities. He is then to connect with the woman, for this is the creation God designed intently and specifically for the man. All other relationships must take backseat.

    As he talked about man’s responsibilities and purpose in relationship, my other friend Courtney brought up a frustration that most women have with men: they don’t step up. They’re weak and unwilling to follow their dreams of changing the world for Christ. They’re unwilling to become the men after God’s heart that they were designed to be. They’ve lost the will to be men.

    As a group of single twenty-somethings, the natural inclination for us was to discuss how this affects our past and potential relationships. So let me follow that train of thought for a bit.

    God designed us as sexual creatures. He placed His image on our lives in many ways, and our connection to each other on the sexually is just one of the myriad ways He’s done that.

    Think about the idea of God loving the world. He longs to connect with the world, to share His joy with all of Creation. But Creation has not known or seen His love or is unwilling to experience His joy. So He places His Son into the hands of Creation and hopes that Creation accepts His proposal of love.

    Parallel that with the man in his love for the woman. He longs to connect with the woman, to share his joy with her. But the woman doesn’t know his love or is perhaps unwilling to experience his joy. So he places his heart into the woman’s hands and hopes that she accepts his proposal of love.

    Ironically enough, the woman wants more. And she deserves more. Like Courtney said, men have lost their willpower. We know what it means to be a good Christ-follower—trust Jesus and love others. But we’ve forgotten what it means to be a good man.

    I know her frustration all too well.

    I’ve dreamed big. I’ve longed to serve God with all that I am. I’ve desired to follow in the footsteps of men like King David, King Josiah, the Apostle Peter, and the Apostle Paul. Everything inside me cries out to God to allow me the opportunity to do great things for His Kingdom.

    But I’m afraid.

    I’m afraid, not because of outside forces or society’s push. I am determined to stand strong against that. I’m afraid, not because my friends may think I’m crazy to attempt such incredible things for a God I can’t even physically see. My friends would support me 100% in such an endeavor.

    No, I’m afraid because of myself. I’m afraid because I know my flaws and my failures. I know my sins and my selfishness. I’ve seen myself falter time and time again.

    That is why I’m afraid.

    I dream to take on the world. I dream of doing great and innovative things for the Kingdom like Scott Harrison, Craig Gross, Shane Claiborne, and even my friend Tim Lucas have done.

    But I’m afraid because I’ve seen where I’ve been and what I’ve done. I’ve been trudging through the mire of lust, barely able to come up for air. I’ve sloshed through the swamps of pride and selfishness, weakened by the downward pull of upward desires.

    But worst of all, I’ve suffered through the guilt of my sin, and I’ve been robbed of my dreams. I’m afraid of the evil that I’m capable of.

    So to all the “Courtneys” out there—women longing for men who will lead them, boys who are looking for men who will mentor them, and other men searching for strong men who will guide them—I have one request for you: pray for us. Don’t pray that we’ll come into your lives, because odds are we’re already there. Pray that we’ll stand out in your lives. Pray that we’ll overcome our fear of ourselves. Because when we overcome that fear, we’ll finally step up. We’ll become the leaders you want us to be.

    Because I, for one, want to dream big again.

    But this time, I want my dreams to come true.

    Category Friends, Personal, Spirituality | Tags: | 4 Comments

  4. What does true love look like?. . .

    March 17, 2009 by Nate

    I came across this article recently, and I couldn’t help but resonate with the writer’s frustrations. Have we forgotten what it means to be Christ-followers?

    At Liquid Kids this Sunday, I walked the children through Christ’s final meal with his disciples. I’m sure that since Jesus knew he was going to die soon, he chose his words very carefully. The words on his lips were these: “Love one another.” He said that love would be the defining feature of all his followers.

    So why isn’t it the defining feature of his followers today?

    Take a look at the Christians roaming the country today. The church-goers glaring at the visitors who stole their seats at the Sunday service. The preachers pounding the pulpit, proclaiming New York/Chicago/Las Vegas/San Francisco to be the new Sodom and Gomorrah, and calling down God’s “wrath” on these cities.

    Remember Jesus? Remember how he wept and called out to the city of Jerusalem, longing for the rebellious metropolis to come back to his love?

    Perry Noble said this in a message last week: “God didn’t call us to condemn the city. He called us to rescue it.”

    Have we forgotten how to love like Christ? Have we forgotten what true love looks like?

    Christ’s description of love is one of complete self-sacrifice. We have no right to talk to anyone about hell until they know that we’re willing to die for them.

    The greatest command from God is to love. Even Christ’s “Great Commission” takes a backseat to his command to love. We can’t effectively fulfill any of his commands if we can’t truly love.

    So before you open your mouth to people about their eternal destiny, ask yourself, “Am I willing to put my life on the line for this person?” If your answer is no, don’t say a word to them about it until you can answer yes.

    Category Christianity, Scripture Musings | Tags: | 1 Comment

  5. Christianity’s future in America. . .

    March 13, 2009 by Nate

    I’ve often wondered if Christianity is in need of a facelift. According to the 2008 American Religion Survey, the results of which were just released last week, mainline Christianity has suffered a significant decline.

    According to David Gushee of the Associated Baptist Press (see this op-ed piece), this decline signals a winnowing process that is taking place in Christianity.

    Am I discouraged by this? Not at all.

    First, I believe that nominal Christians will fade away. Christianity will no longer be defined by the people who self-identify as Christians but don’t truly believe in Christ. A movement that sheds its fat will be far more effective.

    Second, Christians will begin to cross denominational lines and reconsider their more controversial identifying doctrines in favor of working together to spread the Gospel and share Christ’s love.

    Third, Christians will slowly move away from the culture war they’ve been waging these past few decades. They’ll soon begin to realize that a political battle is not the battle we’re meant to fight.

    Sure, the [C]hurch will be smaller because of it, but a stronger and more effective group of Christ-followers will emerge.

    Category Christianity, Church, Direction | Tags: | 1 Comment

  6. It’s all worth it. . .

    March 12, 2009 by Nate

    In anticipation of the upcoming Prison Break series at church starting this weekend, I’ve decided to go through Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi.

    I’ve often marveled at the joy Paul expresses through one of the most difficult times of his life. He’s in prison, chained up, and waiting to be executed, yet still he writes, “Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! . . . . Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: rejoice!”

    How is it that Paul can write such powerfully uplifting words in those circumstances? What was driving him to live life this way?

    Lately I’ve been feeling God calling me toward ministry. A number of times over the past several months I’d begun pursuing that call in different forms: taking steps toward a full-time ministry position at my home church, putting together my application to seminary, applying at various full-time ministry positions around the country.

    But every time I find an open door, it closes before I reach it.

    And I find myself asking God, “Is it even worth it?”

    No, it’s not. Not if my pursuit is after the things of God rather than God himself.

    I’ll admit it’s not easy when he puts a desire in your heart but tells you to wait before you can obtain that dream. It’s even more difficult when you know your dream is something that he would be proud of.

    But the reality is no matter how noble or God-pleasing my dream may be, attaining it will never bring me joy.

    And while my disappointments and difficulties pale in comparison to Paul’s sufferings, I get discouraged, I complain, and I grow frustrated with my circumstances.

    And I have to ask myself, “Why can’t I celebrate like Paul did if my life is circumstantially much better than his?”

    Paul discovered why it’s all worth it. He discovered how to rejoice in every circumstance. He discovered where true joy can transcend his situations. Because his celebration was based on something other than his circumstances.

    The answer sounds cliché (especially if you grew up in Sunday School hearing this kind of cheese being sung), but it truly makes all the difference.

    Jesus.

    Because he is the sustenance for the entire universe. Because his life is the center of all of history. Because his death is love defined. Because his resurrection is the beginning of new life for humanity.

    Because this kind of love is what we were designed for.

    There is no reason to live. There is nothing to live for.

    Because it’s not worth it to live for anything.

    Except Jesus.

    I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.

    Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

    ~Philippians 3.8-14

    Category Church, Personal, Scripture Musings, Spirituality | Tags: | 1 Comment

  7. The serving chart. . .

    March 11, 2009 by Nate

    This chart was too good to leave alone. I want to thank Prodigal John and Stuff Christians Like for the awesome concept.

    Category Christianity, Church, Personal | Tags: | No Comments

  8. Revealed through us (pt. 3). . .

    March 10, 2009 by Nate

    (Continued from my previous post. Read that first.)

    . . . Paul wrote that regardless of motive, as long as Christ is being preached, he rejoices. So why is it that anytime we see people proclaiming Christ through a method we don’t fully understand or use ourselves, we get our panties all bunched up and cry, “Heresy!” or shout, “Stuffy!” or, “Cold and unfeeling!” Is it really our place to do that?

    If Christ is truly at the center of our lives, we would recognize that his word is in fact being proclaimed and preached through methods we may consider “unusual” or “out of the ordinary.” But he’s not at the center, and so we argue and bicker about what the other church is doing.

    And therein lies the problem. Our lives and churches are no longer Christ-centric. He’s been replaced by whatever gift he’s given us. X Church is a teaching- and doctrine-centered church. Y Church is a service- and outreach-centered church. Z Church is a connection- and community-centered church.

    And guess what? All three churches are practicing idolatry. I don’t think I’m stretching things either.

    The [C]hurch is the Bride of Christ. As such, her sole responsibility is to love him and do what he says. Like a bride’s devotion to her groom, the [C]hurch is supposed to be obsessed with Christ’s whole being. How long can a woman repeatedly say to her husband, “I love that you’re a musician,” without saying, “I love you”? How long can that continue before he gets pissed that she’s not in love with him, but rather in love with his job or abilities?

    If a church constantly says that their gifts are more important than the gifts of another church, they’ve abandoned Christ and replaced him with an idol. They’re worshiping teaching/service/community and not Christ.

    And don’t get me wrong. I’m not against “specialized congregations.” If a church is made up of people who are good in just one of those three functions, awesome! Expand on that and sharpen your skillset, but know that it was given to you by God; it isn’t God, so it’s not worth arguing with the church down the street over. Because the moment you’ve done that is the moment you’ve turned the gift into the god.

    Category Christianity, Church, Spirituality | Tags: | No Comments

  9. Revealed through us (pt. 2). . .

    March 9, 2009 by Nate

    (Continued from my previous post. Read that first.)

    . . . But why is it that so many churches focus on one of those gifts, at the expense of the other two? I understand there are churches that are made up completely of one kind of people. But the sad trend that’s built up among many of these congregations is that they argue with other churches that their gift is the “right” gift.

    Let me use an example. X Church on South St. is made up of people who are great students of the Scriptures. They know the Word of God inside and out, and they are well versed in proclaiming the truths embedded in the Bible. “Christ was the greatest Teacher that ever lived, and we are his students, charged with becoming teachers ourselves. So we must give ourselves over to the study of the Word,” is the motto of X Church.

    But along comes Y Church on Bank St. Y Church is made up of people who have been given the gift of a humble servant attitude. They pour God’s grace into the community around them, serving food to the homeless of the town, rebuilding dilapidated or devastated homes of the needy, and handing out free newspapers to the commuters at the train station. Y Church’s motto is this: “Christ served the least of these. He stooped down and became a Servant to the people of earth. As Christ’s servants, we too must share that spirit of servanthood.”

    And then Z Church opens up on Morris St. full of people who know what it means to love and connect with others. Everyone at Z Church devotes their time to listening to each other, learning about each other’s hurts and desires, and filling each other with love and grace. “Christ knew how to connect with people lovingly and without judgment. As the children of God and brothers and sisters with Christ, we must learn to love sacrificially.”

    But X Church thinks Y Church is lenient with their doctrine. And Y Church thinks Z Church is too busy having conversations instead of working. And Z Church thinks X Church is cold and unfeeling. And X Church thinks Z Church relies too heavily on emotions rather than rational thought. And Z Church thinks Y Church has no concept of the true heart and longing of the people they claim to be serving. And Y Church thinks X Church believes themselves to be smarter than anyone else, which is why they won’t serve the community.

    So a church war breaks out. X Church takes out an ad in the local paper calling Y Church heretical. And Z Church puts a PSA on the local radio station calling X Church stuffy and boring.

    And all three churches have forgotten why they’re doing what they’re doing. They’ve forgotten whom they belong to. They’ve forgotten that Christ longs to reveal himself through them. . .

    (Post continued here. . .)

    Category Christianity, Church | Tags: | 1 Comment

  10. Revealed through us (pt. 1). . .

    March 6, 2009 by Nate

    But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.
    ~Philippians 1.18-19

    Not too many years ago I spent a lot of time arguing about all the little details of inconsequential doctrines that, in retrospect, did more to hinder the movement of the Gospel than I thought. But there I was, more concerned with getting my point across than with investing in someone’s life.

    And when I run into people who act the way I used to act, I get disgusted. I want to yell, “Don’t you know that your argumentative debates and judgmental rants are doing more harm than good?”

    But I have to remind myself that God is still using those people. I may be turned off by their methods, but they’re still instruments in God’s hands.

    I was talking to an old friend last night about some of the aspects of people within God’s Kingdom. Each person has his/her own spiritual gifts that reveal something about God in that person.

    Take Bill, Mike, and Tom, for instance. Bill, the Student Ministries Pastor at Liquid Church, has quite obviously been blessed with the gift of compassionate love. God has chosen to reveal His attributes of community, love, and openness through Bill. On Tuesday mornings, Bill sets aside time simply to invest in our friendship. He has no agenda and no ulterior motive. We shoot into Morristown for an early cup of coffee and just learn about each other.

    Mike, the Campus Pastor at Liquid Church New Brunswick, has been given the gift of service and humility. God’s mysterious nature as the ultimate Servant is very visible in Mike. He asserts no authority over anyone, but gently cares for people where their needs are. On any given Sunday morning, Mike has already poured my coffee, and is probably waiting for me to turn my back so he can set up my room when I’m not looking.

    Tom, the Campus Pastor at Liquid Church Morristown, is an entirely different story. His obvious gift is knowledge and wisdom. He can spend hours poring over the Scriptures, and months later recall the deep mysteries embedded within them. And he has the creds to prove it. With degrees from Johns Hopkins, Columbia, Dallas Theological, and who-knows-where-else, Tom has clearly been chosen to reveal God’s occupation as the Master Teacher.

    And when these three men work together, the Kingdom really begins to move forward. . .

    (Post continued here. . .)

    Category Church, Friends, Scripture Musings, Spirituality | Tags: ,,,,, | No Comments

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