Birthday Thoughts

I typically use the time around my birthday to do what most people do around New Years; I think of goals and resolutions for the coming year.

To date, much like those with New Years resolutions, I have failed quite a few planned accomplishments. Before my 25th birthday I remember wanting to have an album recorded by that birthday. While I guess technically I do have songs, and could put them into a format considered an "album," the purpose was more to have one with sales.

Over the past couple years, I've realized it's really more important to set my goals/expectations in line with what God would have me to do. The best laid plans of man would amount to very little if God is not factored in. I have talents, and God can use those talents, but if I try to use them in a way that is not in line with His will, they may not come to fruition. Though it is true God sometimes will let us pursue our own will to learn reliance on Him, I'm beyond wanting to take that route.

I'd much prefer these days to just line myself up with the will of God and go. I had written a few blogs back about the peace in the silent time of my life. God is constantly growing me, in what I hope is preparation for service that uses His gifts He has given to me. Being able to lead worship at Amen Austin has been a good starting point for that. The learning how to lead, and how to implement and coordinate the worship music for maximum worship experience, is something new, but exciting. And, prayerfully, I am for now in God's will on that.

So God has been using my ability to play music and lead to serve Him. Is it possible there are still other avenues of service not yet explored? I would think so, yes.

I know in spring, if God wills it, I will be leading a team of people to Mexico on a week-long mission trip. Though our quick weekend planned trip for October fell through, it may have been to give more time to my training and growth within servitude of God. I am sure I could have led the October trip, but could I have led it in the way God intended? Of that I'm not sure.
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All of these best laid plans, in many cases have not come to fruition through fault of my procrastination tendency. I am naturally good at putting things off until the last minute, and then executing as close to deadline as possible. It's a stressful way to do things, but managed to work through my college years.

Still, from a Christian perspective, I'm not sure procrastination is an expected virtue of which I should possess. Therefore, it is important as I grow in the faith, to examine this detrimental aspect of personality (or practice, as it may be). In doing so, I could be much more ready and prepared to go where God would lead.

In the past, I have fought this battle with procrastination by making lists of things to do. Whether just for one day, or for months at a time, list making has been my only means of accomplishing what needs to be done in a timely manner.

In this upcoming year, there are some events scheduled to happen; as well as, goals for myself I'd like to accomplish for which I need to start planning. So, the further purpose of this blog post, may be to simply lay out some things I would like to accomplish, whether for myself or others, in the upcoming year.
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1. Spiritual Growth
There are many aspects of this for which I could keep learning and growing, but a primary area that I know needs work is my prayer life. In terms of sermon absorption/learning, I may be now in the realm of overkill (if that were possible), and my intellectual pursuit of the theological aspects of the faith, may at times overshadow the emotional connection that is so much of an important aspect. I need to reconnect with God outside of intellect, and on the level of communication, by prayer, daily Bible study, etc...

So, for spiritual growth, I shall:
-Dedicate more time to prayer daily
-Read at least some part of the Bible each day, and ideally, begin to work through specific chapters in addition to a daily, regular reading
-Continue to serve in whatever capacity God allows regarding worship leading, missions, writing, etc...

Physical Growth
I don't want to say Juliet told me so, but she told me so. I usually do well at just fluctuating physically with weight and eating right. I can go through nice phases in which I accomplish this to a high degree. But, it's not a permanent solution. Juliet is also trying to exercise more and eat better, but my lack of participation may be causing a lack of motivation in her unintentionally.

So, despite having healthy blood pressure, pulse and other essentials, I could certainly lose some weight and eat a bit better.

So, for physical growth, I shall:
-Try to run/excercise at least a few days a week to start, with intention to expand that into some form of daily movement
-Make healthier selections in terms of food and portion size (though, this process may be gradual, as many habits must be broken in their time)

Relational Growth
Juliet and I have a relationship in which we both understand each other fairly well. Still, there are many things we can work on together to fully experience the marriage on the level God intended. There is an element of laziness in my life, that may often bleed over into the relational areas (though certainly it hits the spiritual and physical as well), which I can begin working on.

So, for relational growth, I shall:
-Commit more time to Juliet, or take most advantage of time available with her that isn't interfered with by work and other activities
-Try to implement some romantic (catch her off guard) gestures, at least once in awhile, and preferably as often as is financially possible.
-Learn to love and/or continue to love her in the manner Biblically prescribed for a husband and wife who keep Christ at the center of the marriage
-Begin to pray more with her, and for her, and fully take on role as spiritual leader of the household (this would be helped by the spiritual growth section regarding prayer in general)

Occupational Growth
Work is one thing with which I never seem to be fully satisfied. I love my current job in the sense of what it is, but the mere fact of having to leave home, Juliet, other activities, to make money and work, is a downer to me (as I imagine it is to most people). I would love to have some sort of full-time ministry job, though the part of me desiring that probably sees it as more fulfilling and less of a "job," when in fact, I imagine even those in ministry occasionally have "job" aspects of the call that remind them of the old 9 to 5 days. To that I mean, work in general, is never going to be perfect in this world (though we were created partly to be workers). So, I must always keep Colossians 3:23 in my mind and, "do everything I do as if working for the LORD..."

In this sense, I could understandably remain in current position, making decent money, and fulfill the financial obligations of life. But, continually seeking to grow, even in a job not directly associated with my interests of faith, can be considered beneficial.

So, for occupational growth, I Shall:
-Look for opportunities of promotion or growth within my current position
-Look to find a means for Juliet to have a less stressful work experience, within what means I May have
-Continue learning, growing and serving in ministries outside of work, to be better prepared, should God move for me to make a change at some point
-Follow Colossians 3:23, especially on the days when sleep seems so much better than work
-Shine my light at work, and be a Christian example to my best ability for those around me who may or may not be of the faith
-Implement a good budget and debt reduction plan, to place some ease on the financial burdens for which "Working" is necessary to begin with

What I would Like to Accomplish
Finally, the section over which I technically have the most potential control. Though, this is also the section most likely to be ignored or overshadowed by the others. It isn't that any one section is more important than the others (save for Spiritual growth perhaps). But, the fact that the upcoming list for this section is "technically" optional, but in another sense, necessary for fulfilling those things for which I was either created to do, or simply would like to do

So, for goals to accomplish, I shall:
-Put more work into my upcoming book (for which the outline is making progress), and dedicate some time each week to work on it
-Continue to hone my music skills, primarily for use as as service gifts, but also, on the chance that my Christian album could still be recorded at some point
-Continue to blog, whether in a teaching or reflective capacity, for the benefit of those who continue to, or choose even one to read, in the hope that something could be gained from it, for their edification
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And with that, my thought process for birthday 2013 (28th year), is temporarily complete. I may add to this mentally or otherwise, but this is a good initial idea of what I hope to finally fulfill over the course of the next year.

You are all welcome to help keep me accountable, and certainly to assist in any way possible. In the end, I submit to God's will for what the year may hold. I would pray it is one of continued growth throughout the many areas of life, and one of drawing ever closer to Him. For, at the end of the day, that is really the goal for which we should all draw towards. Working out our faith. Sanctifying ourselves daily for the glory of God and the kingdom. I hope I may be of humble service in these upcoming years. I may have wasted a good amount of my first 28 years in this regard, but I understand now that my calling is sure, and my salvation will endure. I will continue to pursue God, above all else, and let that pursuit, guide my other endeavors. May it be a blessed year for all!

Perspective in Prayer

The Healing of the Paralytic

This story is one of the most commonly used illustrations of Jesus' ministry of which I can think. I have heard it more than many other stories during illustrations during messages. But, I think in the way I've always heard it presented, the focus is drawn toward the wrong portion of the passage. I think in reading about a miraculous healing, we miss a more important act by Christ regarding this paralytic.


17 On one of those days, as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with him to heal.[a] 18 And behold, some men were bringing on a bed a man who was paralyzed, and they were seeking to bring him in and lay him before Jesus, 19 but finding no way to bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the midst before Jesus. 20 And when he saw their faith, he said, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” 21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 22 When Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answered them, “Why do you question in your hearts? 23 Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? 24 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the man who was paralyzed—“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.” 25 And immediately he rose up before them and picked up what he had been lying on and went home, glorifying God. 26 And amazement seized them all, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, “We have seen extraordinary things today.”


So, imagine you have traveled a 3 day journey to hear this "Jesus" person speak. Stories have traveled of his miracles and teachings, and as some of the most prominent religious leaders of the day, you need to get clued into what this guy is all about. Theologically, it is necessary to you. So, as a Pharisee of Christ's time you gather with others in a small house, and Jesus begins preaching.

Suddenly, through the ceiling, you see a paralyzed man being lowered down by his friends into the midst of the crowd. Being a house, this breaching of the roof certainly gains the attention of all those around and of Christ.

His friends, seeking to get as close as possible to Jesus, and likely to ask for healing, had gone above and beyond to accomplish their goal. Christ recognizes their faith in this odd, but hopeful act, and says to the man, "your sins are forgiven."

Come again?

Let that sink in for a minute. This is the point in the story that we typically breeze past, because honestly if you are looking for healing from a physical ailment, our human minds would not immediately catch the significance of Christ's words here. And, as we probably would do in the same circumstance, the friends and the paralytic begin pondering this in their hearts.

Meanwhile, the teachers and Pharisees see the Theological error in Christ's statement (not realizing He is God incarnate) and begin to call "blasphemy" on him for forgiving the man's sins. Two perspectives happening at the simple proclamation of these words.

Let's address the perspective of the Pharisees first.

Pharisees Perspective
Up until Christ forgives the paralytic of his sin, they are getting along just dandy with Christ's teachings. His healing power is known, and his teachings seem to be in line with their belief. But, in a moment, the Pharisees and teachers are shaken. Blasphemy was a capital offense of the time, and it would have been a dramatic, dangerous moment for anyone but the Son of God. A false prophet in that time was to be killed, and initially, this seems to be what they are thinking of doing.

"Only God can forgive!" they cry after hearing Jesus' words. Christ, having the omniscience of God, understands the thoughts of their hearts and addresses them directly. But, in doing so, he is also speaking to the murmurs happening in the heart of the paralytic and his friends.

Paralytic and Friends Perspective

So, your friends go through all the trouble of lowering you into the house, near the man whom is known two have power of physical healing. Your expectations as a paralyzed individual are that you can receive this physical healing. Were the paralytic praying in that moment, he would have been asking for a healing for his physical ailment. His mind had no focus on his iniquity before God, or other spiritual matters. He wanted to walk!

His friends, likewise, are interested in seeing the miraculous works of this mysterious Christ. So, the words leave Jesus' lips, "Your sins are forgiven," and I can almost picture the drop in the pit of his stomach as he realizes that maybe Jesus is not going to heal his physical ailment.

The Proper Perspective
Much like in our own lives, if we were to hear of a great healing going on, our human desire would be to see for ourselves if our physical maladies could in fact be healed. Hopefully a discerning Christian would be at least a bit wary initially, but we all have problems, and the curiosity would likely get the better of us. Our prayer life can be this way often as well. We ask God to do this and heal that, and generally focus at least a little on ourselves. We think of our human bodies, and their weaknesses and cry out to God to help us.

Now look back to the passage. Seeing what was going on in their hearts, Christ then asks a question. Is it easier to say, "your sins are forgiven," or "rise and walk?"

The Pharisees were probably thinking the correct answer was "Rise and walk," and it seems probable the paralytic and friends would have thought this as well. After all, they had heard eyewitness testimony that Jesus was capable of doing this very thing with those very words.

The next words from Christ are significant in explaining the whole point of his miraculous works, not just here, but in every instance throughout his ministry where healing is involved.

But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the man who was paralyzed—“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.”


We see the point right here. Christ had offered the man something far more valuable than physical healing, but the paralytic was not aware that it was something he needed. In addition, to give proof of his power to forgive sins (Something the Pharisees were no doubt waiting to see) he consents to heal the man. The point of the healing is to show His authority and power to bend the rules of the physical world (of which he created) and heal. This proves that he is God (or to them at the very least that God could have sent him).

And, most importantly, it is a demonstration that when Christ says, "you are forgiven," the man truly had his slate wiped clean before God. This man could have died right then, and had no separation between his Creator and himself.

Application

So, when we address the real point of this passage, we see it isn't so much the fact that Christ made the paralyzed man walk, but that he forgave the man of his sins. In those days, before Christ's sacrifice on the cross, forgiveness of sin required slaughter of animals. It required blood, as it did in Christ's case as well, to satisfy the requirement of a Holy God. Christ, knowing he had that same power (being God himself) offers the man something he would not have otherwise obtained.

And yet, in our human minds, we focus on the physical healing more than the forgiveness. But, think of it like this. One hundred years from today, any of our current or future physical maladies will make no difference whatsoever. We will have passed from this life to the next. However, the question of whether or not we are justified to stand before God, our slates wiped clean, and enter into an eternal fellowship with Him, Will be of GREAT importance.

So in forgiving the man's sin, he gave him a gift 1000 times more precious than the healing. And this is the pattern for hearings in scripture. They are used by Christ to demonstrate His authority to forgive the sins of the people, and now, of us.

When we pray for health and happiness, we must also take into account that those are all temporal things. The prosperity preachers of today's false prosperity gospel would have us believe that God simply wants us to be healthy, wealthy and happy. But, the reality is, this life is not the focus of God's attention. Yes, he can heal. Yes, he may even bless us financially from time to time. But, our expectation, and in fact our celebration, should come from the fact that by His blood we can stand before God in perfect judgment, and have our sins remembered no more. That we can enter into eternal fellowship, instead of hearing those horrifying words from Matthew 7, "Depart from me, I never knew you."

And make no mistake, those words (though part of everyone's favorite 'Sermon on the Mount') are as true and convicting today as they were when spoken. We must all give an account before our creator someday, and when that day comes, will it really matter if in our 100 year life we suffered physical ailments? Or, will it be so much more important that we have the covering of salvation? That we have renewed fellowship.

Final things

When we pray to God, it is ok to make request. It is ok to desire in this life that we have some comfort. But, we should not be so immature in our faith as to think we will have it simply by being a Christian. Christ promised that to those who would really, truly follow him, there would be trial and hardship, even, unto death. This is odd to hear for our rather safe and prosperous American Christians, but makes sense across the globe as Christians are persecuted daily in less prosperous nations. His call to take up our crosses daily, means we must be so willing to follow Christ in this life, that even if it means our life is at stake, we do not waver.

This is a good way to discern where we really stand in our salvation. More than just a prayer and an altar call, we should be people of true conversion. Our hearts should desire God, forsaking all other relationships in favor of Him. The Church is Christ's bride, and like a marriage between earthly husband and wife, we are to put our spouse above all else. And so, in this great metaphor of God's most sacred bond, we understand that to really and truly follow Christ, means we must be willing to give up all else.

He may call us to rid ourselves of possessions like the rich young man. Or he may simply require us to use our talents to serve. But, we must never assume that it will be anything less than a commitment of life. This is the danger of Christianity. We do not enter lightly into it, and anyone preaching a lighter gospel than this, is feeding false assurance. Yes, God is love. And, for those in his saving grace, the love is abundant and unfailing. But, simply attending church services once a week, and leading the same sinful lives during the week is not evidence of true conversion. We may stumble and fall, but the truly converted will be of a contrite and repentant heart, and not seeking to ever fall into that same sin again, God-willing.

The paralytic in this story was blessed to have both sins forgiven and physical ailments healed. But, in keeping with God's sovereignty above all else, it is His will, not our own that will ultimately be done. How much better to be seeking that will, and to be fully within it than to be wandering lost outside?

Take a closer look at this story of the paralytic, and realize that the true point of the story, is that Christ has power to forgive sins. And, if we are of a repentant and believing heart; if we are truly willing to forsake sin, and fully commit to Christ; then, the moment we earnestly embrace that, we are saved. We may forget the day and the hour. When and where is not important. What is important is that it is true saving grace. Seek assurance, and work out your salvation daily. (Phil 2:12) Let us hope and pray for the forgiving grace of God far above any physical healing or comfort we may desire. And, God being gracious may still grant us comfort and healing. But, remembering that one hundred years from now, we will experience full and unrestricted fellowship in the bodies and place we were meant for, should give us plenty of comfort.

That, is a far more Biblical, and really a far better perspective.

The Enemy of the Christian

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."
Ephesians 6:12

Calling ourselves Christians comes with many caveats. I've covered before the things of Christ doctrinally that must be accepted. By that same note, I will cover here a topic within the faith that requires a delicate balance. Admittedly, this is not a topic to which many Christians feel a need to speak, so in doing so, the alienation factor among some here may be present. Still, it is an essential topic of which to be aware as a Christian.

The key to a discussion of Satan, or Spiritual Warfare in general is balance. There are two lies, or call them extremes, into which Christians may easily fall when it comes to "Angelology (study of Angels and Demons)." Within this post, I hope to touch only briefly on this overlooked aspect of the faith. Being a follower of Christ is not promised to be an easy life. Christ brought this up a few times (Luke 9:23, Jn 16:33, Mt 10:22).

Two Lies about Satan
1) He does not exist
2) He exists and is all powerful (on par with God)

An important note to start on is that Satan is a created being. He is not omniscient, omnipresent, or any other all encompassing attribute on par with God. However, we do learn in the Bible that he is the current ruler of this world (Jn 12:31, 2 Cor 4:4).

Though Satan was fully defeated at the cross, Christ has not yet taken his position on Earth as King of Kings, though he reigns actively in Heaven. Therefore, Satan has some power here. If we look around, it isn't hard to observe. The culture of the day, and the many problems in this world, are products of this control.

Our world is fallen because of the curse of sin (Genesis 3:16-19). Christ's death on the cross not only redeemed those who would believe in Him, but also will ultimately be the redemption of this cursed world. Much of this was covered in my previous post, "Save the Earth: God and the Environment."

Because Satan has some measure of authority on Earth, Christians should be fully aware that we are engaged in a spiritual battle (Eph 6:12). While it is not proper theology to blame everything on Satan, certainly there are occasions of direct demonic influence possible in the Christian life.

Satan's temptation for us is tailored towards our weakest points. Overcoming this temptation is something only God's Spirit can empower us to do. If someone has a propensity for alcohol, you can bet, the temptation for drink is fully utilized by our enemy. Many other examples could be used (drugs, pornography, anger, etc...).

So, what is our part in this spiritual battle? We certainly are players, by collateral damage if nothing else. Satan's anger is towards God, and as Christians, adopted to sonship of God our Father, Satan has a n easy target for his anger. Our propensity for sin certainly makes things easier for him.

A few points to clear up:
-Satan is not everywhere at once
-Satan, like angels and demons, functions in limited space, and therefore can really only be physically in one place at a time.
-Satan is an angelic being, and therefore spirit-not physical
-The cultural picture of red individual with horns and a pitchfork is not accurate. Often Satan appears in a way in which we may not recognize. As Paul says,

"...Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light."  2 Corinthians 11:14

Because of the nature of this created, angelic being, it would be wise to assume that Satan himself is not physically involved in our lives. Rather, it's those angels who fell with Satan (demons) who typically confront the believer. He is the ruler of this world, and as such, has commanding power over an army of demonic beings (those 1/3 of the angelic beings brought down in his own fall- See Isa 14, Eze 28).

It is also important to clarify that the view of "Demon possession," and "exorcism" as they are portrayed by the culture is inaccurate. For one, if we are in Christ, then a demon cannot "possess" us. Demonized is a more accurate term. We can be afflicted by, but not possessed. The language studies with these words, would also seem to favor a term not related to being possessed by the demon.

A study done by Mike Fabarez of Focal Point Ministries, examined the various names by which Satan is called throughout the Bible. Each of these names spoke to a specific attribute or role of him, and an examination of that will perhaps shed more light on what we are up against.

Included below is a chart from Focal Point's website that I filled out along with the message. Find the message here: http://www.focalpointministries.org/sermon/angels-demons-part-7-11-61/  for more reference.

Text	Name	Occurs	Meaning	Aspect	Description
Zech. 3:1-2	Satan	54	Adversary	Role	Opponent -Military context -Refers to his role -Became Satan’s enemies because we are children of his enemy (God)
Luke 4:2	Devil	34	Slanderer	Role	Defamer -Seeks to defame us and criticize us -
Rev 12:7	Dragon	12	Monster (Beast)	Power	Imposing -Don’t want to trifle with Satan - Archangel Michael defers to God’s authority when Disputing with Satan
John 17:14-15	The Evil One	10	Wicked Person (intellect, emotion and will)	Character	Sinful -His end not for our ultimate good
Rev 20:1-2	Ancient Serpent	10 (OT-5, NT-5)	Treacherous	Role	Tempter -If sin didn’t have temptation, none of us would do it
Rev 9:1-11	Abbadon (Apollyon-Greek)	7 (OT-6, NT-1)	Destroyer	Role	Killer -Angel of Death -Associated with Sheol (place of the dead in OT)
Mt 12:22	Beelzebul (Beelzebub)	7	Lord of the House/ Lord of the Flies	Rank	High (leader of enemy)
John 12:31	Ruler of this World	3	Governs people	Authority	Great -Christ has authority, but has yet to take over his authority and reign -Kingdom has not fully arrived (Saul still on the throne) -Christ has power and authority, but has not yet taken his position on rightful throne
Isa 14:12	Day Star, Son of the Dawn (Lucifer transliterate from Latin to English)	1	Prominent Angel	Glory	Distinctive -Outshines the other angels -considered himself in light of himself and fell because glorious compared to others
Ezek 28:14	Anointed Guardian Cherub	1	Angelic Bodyguard	Privilege	Extreme -What Satan had before fall
2 Cor 4:4	the god of this World	1	Oversees this age	Control	Massive -Satan has massive control in this world -
Eph 2:1-2	The Prince of the Power of the Air	1	Guides the Culture	Influence	Vast
Rev 12:10	The Accuser	1	Assigns Blame	Role	Critic (Destructive Criticism)
John 8:44	The Father of Lies	1	Misleads & Misinforms	Role	Deceiver
2 Cor 11:12-14	Angel of Light	1	Disguises Lies in Truth	Strategy (Scheme)	Insidious -Subtle -Bait & Switch

We can see from this that based on role alone, Satan is our Adversary, slanderer, tempter, destroyer, critic and deceiver. He is not all powerful, but does have great power and authority over this world. His influence is vast and one of the most recognizable strategy he employs in our day is disguising lies with some truth in order for us to believe false doctrine or preachers. An examination of the verses associated with these names would be a helpful exercise.

The point of this quick assessment is to simply remind the Christian that one of the many struggles we will face in our walk with Christ is temptation by the enemy. Not believing in Satan is to fall into one of his lies. And being obsessed with the demonic and Satan's power is another extreme into which we should not fall.

We need a fair and balanced view of this real created being whose goal is to steal, kill and destroy us. But, in Christ, we know we have the victory. His death and resurrection means that Satan's ultimate end is defeat. It is not some cosmic good vs. evil battle where Satan wins some and Christ wins some. Satan loses everything. Christ is already victorious. But, like a sore loser, Satan will not accept defeat without a fight.

As Halloween approaches, I recommend Christians really asses their participation in this Holiday. Regardless of what we think it means, there are real people out there during this time that target Christians. Demons can empower those who worship them to work real supernatural trouble for people. Do not let any "doors" be open into your life. Watch your practices and see that they do not offer an opening for oppression in your life by the demonic. Some common practices we accept that are common means by which demons work in us would be horoscopes, dreamcatchers, fortune tellers, palm readings, tarot cards, occult objects, prayers to saints, Ouija Boards, and yes, Halloween.

Does this mean everyone who participates in Halloween will be oppressed by a demon? Certainly not. But, why bring something into our lives that has a potential to harm us? The Bible is clear that our fight is against principalities and powers of the air, not flesh and blood. The manifestation of this oppression may not even seem obvious at first.

An assertion as to why so many of our teens are suicidal and depressed could be made to their childhood participation in these various occult holidays and practices. It's a long reach, but not out of the question.

The Bible talks of a boy oppressed by a demon who "threw himself into the fire and water." This is easy to interpret as a demon pushing a boy to suicidal tendencies. The demon oppressed man in the tombs was seen to be cutting himself and harming himself as well (See Mt. 17:15 and Mark 5:3). If Satan's ultimate goal is to harm us, it is not hard to believe that his demons' goal is to cause us harm in whatever way possible.

We must ask ourselves if taking kids to get some candy and dressing up is important enough to risk opening them up to demonic oppression. The dark side of the supernatural is real, and we must guard our hearts and minds in Christ, seeking first His kingdom, to overcome our tempter.

For more discussion on Halloween and this time of year, see "It's the Most Uncomfortable Time of the Year."


For more reference on Satan see: 1 Peter 5:8, Jn 10:10, Luke 22:31, Ezekiel 28, Isaiah 14:12, Luke 10:18, 1 Tim 3:6, Job 1, Rev 12:10, 2 Corinthians 11:14

Peace in the Silence: Part 2- The Sequel

The Christian life is more than just attending church, it requires actively seeking to grow  in our walk with Christ

This post has the honor of being the first post specifically written as a "sequel" to a previous post. I wrote a few weeks back about the "silent" period that I feel God has me in right now. As I pointed out in that post, I am referencing the 400 years of silence between the Old and New Testament periods in which God was behind the scenes, maneuvering nations and kings for the sake of the Christ's coming. The comparison was that in my own life now, I can feel that in the stillness lately, God has been maneuvering things as well which will ultimately help to fulfill his plan as it relates to my personal walk.

Now, God is certainly personal, and I understand he isn't moving mountains for me only. But, I've had no real other way to explain the past year. It has been tough this year, but in the midst I kept feeling this desire to move closer to God (not further away as I would have expected in the midst of trial). These trials were training me to be of better service to the kingdom. My longing for theological things, and desire to learn and understand why I trust in Christ, propelled me forward like in no other year up to this point.

Now, the caveat I will place here before talking about all of the great things I anticipate for the upcoming months is that I understand this may just be the beginning, and that God is consistently and actively involved in my own life (like all those whom he calls his). I hope as well, that those whom I will reference here, understand that I am grateful to them for opportunities that have recently arisen.

This past weekend, I had decided on a particularly slow Saturday night to email my former associate pastor from Jubilee Christian center in Austin. We had moved to a new church in October 2012 to be closer to home, and to accommodate both Juliet's and my schedule. We never would have expected just how great that move would be, and how plugged in we would begin to become with Life Church in Leander. There is a special place in my heart for Jubilee, and for Pastor Jimmy and Jaquita. For the time we were there, we received what God meant for us to receive.

So, I was typing my email to our former associate pastor, and recalling all of the Thursdays after work that I used to go sit and chat theology with him. It was a great outlet for all of the studying I was doing on my own. I had helped out on a seminar with him on the topic of "Salvation," and somehow very quickly afterward lost touch. I'm not sure what the cause was, but it seemed that overnight after that seminar, I lost focus, or something just re-directed me elsewhere.

In the midst of our transition to Life Church, he was beginning to start new projects of his own. A Christian discipleship program was established, and more recently, he and his wife decided to step out on faith to plant a church in the South Austin Area. It was in this context that he reached back out to me after my email had been sent.

In truth, I can't recall what exactly propelled me to write the email, and my goal was simply to catch up with him, and maybe meet up a little bit again for our discussions. I'll post a portion of his email reply below, because when I read it and showed it to Juliet we both smiled. It is one of those moments where you just realize 100% that something is in store for you, and you have to take that jump out off the ledge to be immersed in it.

Here is what it said:

"...On that note, I am praying and looking for an anointed worship leader who can play guitar, sing and play the harmonica and be the Missions Director and lead short term trips to Mexico, write a monthly ministry/theological article for the Church newsletter, is Pug friendly and able to trouble shoot any Apple questions that arise?  Know anyone who fits that description?  I'd like to have someone who would be willing to commit to the first 2 months to get us up and going with a strong worship time.  If this is even a consideration for you, let's meet and talk about the possibilities..."


Well as this particular blurb from the email basically made mention of the ministerial things that have the most appeal to me, and hinted at my current skill set; as well as, dog breed preference, I knew I couldn't pass it up. Was this what God was preparing me for during my own "silent period?"

I talked to Pastor Matt and said I'd be more than happy to help out. As it happened, they got a location for the church booked quicker than he anticipated, and I was able to lead music at the first official meeting of Amen Austin Church this past Friday. For the next two weeks at least, I will have this same opportunity to experience the beginning stages of this church's growth.

Leading Music for First Meeting of Austin Amen church

I write this today because it seemed the perfect "sequel" to what I had written a few weeks back with no real idea where things were going to be moving. One of the best aspects of getting to help serve for the time that he feels like using me, is that it allows me to still have time for our home church. With that church, another great guy has given me the partial responsibility of organizing our next trip to Acuña in October. I can't say I'm doing a wonderful job at that just yet, but I pray God has good things in store. Juliet and I had a blessed check this pay period and were able to cover our trip costs, so we are certainly locked in and ready. She also got the time off officially now.

I think an aspect of our faith that Christians tend to forget easily is that it is an active faith. So many of us see it as that thing we do on Sundays that has no bearing on the rest of the week. Pastor Matt preached a great message on Friday about the parable of the sower. He broke down what some of the implications are for the different types of ground that the seed fell upon.

In the parable, God is sowing the seed, and the seed is God's word. When it falls, 3 of the times it lands on ground (people types) that is not sufficient for its growth. The 4th time, it falls on good soil and bears much fruit. The entire parable is found in Luke 8:4.

What occurred to me is that many times in my life to this point, I have been one of the seeds in soil that is not good. The seed which was choked with thorns is relatable when I think back upon my past. Jesus says this is the the people who hear the word, and embrace it, but the worries of life, riches or pleasures choke it out like thorns. I haven't always made time to connect with God, and often the distractions of television and daily activities can "choke out" the word.

Weeds grow without our help, but stopping them from choking us requires actively removing them

What I am learning; however, is God's desire really is to reward those who earnestly seek him (Hebrews 11:6). The funny thing is, this is a different type of a reward. It's the reward that comes from learning and growing in the faith. Its' the boldness to proclaim the gospel unabashedly. It's the hunger for God's word that until you experience cannot really be explained. It's the Scriptures making sense and the Holy Spirit opening our hearts to God's plan and meaning in this world.

The fact that I can attend a church with people I care about on Sunday and hear a good message that grows my faith, help coordinate mission trips, and challenge myself to be more of a servant is wonderful. Then, to be a part of something God is currently growing by ministering as needed at a church plant with more people that I love to be around, is just way too cool to take in all at once. The days don't interfere, so I am still able to attend home church, help with youth worship music on Wednesday nights, and now help with Austin Amen on Friday or Saturday nights makes for a great week to me. And, I still have a great job during the week that pays the bills.

God is always preparing and working in our lives. Many times, when we feel God is being most silent, he is busy working things together for the good of those who love and wish to walk with Him (Rom 8:28).  These silent periods, just as they were in the Biblical and historical sense, are blessings to us. We hold fast to the faith, knowing that if God is for us, then who can be against (Rom 8:31).

Now, all of this does come with a request to my Christian brethren. Please work diligently to not become the first type of seed which falls on rocky ground, but has no moisture with which to grow. We have all had the "altar experiences," and times of great emotion at church. The joy hits us and we get very excited about what God is doing. Then, as the week progresses, we forget that feeling. We let the thorns and weeds grow up without actively cutting them down. We get strangled by cares of the world, and forget what our focus should be. My prayer is that for my Christian brethren, and in my own life, we don't become shallow-minded Christians who have one "God experience" and then never try to grow in our faith. We must not become complacent Christians.

We should let each movement of God in our lives (whether good or bad) propel us to further growth. Juliet and I have had a tough year, but God has turned that heartache into growth and trust in Him. God did not cause the evil, but can use the bad things of this world to work things out for our good. We must be consistent, dedicated, and like the seed that fell on good ground, we must grow to bear fruit, with patient endurance. This, my friends, is the purpose we all seek. This is why I thank God today for the "silent periods" of my life.

Peace in the Silence

An often overlooked, but significant historical period is the silent period between the two testaments in the Bible. In this 400 years of silence, God is moving people and nations to a point where they will be ready to receive Christ and his plan for salvation to all men who call upon the name of the Lord. It is a period where no prophets in Israel are speaking. Ending with Malachi's book in the Old Testament we enter a 400 year silent period until John the Baptist comes on the scene as the forerunner of Jesus.

I mention this because lately, I feel I'm in the midst of my own silent period. For nearly the whole year, I've been struggling to find satisfaction in various areas of life. The primary one in which this manifested was work.

I love my job, but from about November to June, I had entered a bit of a funk. Circumstances over which I had no control took me from excelling and being a leader, to barely wanting to show up for anything but the paycheck. Most of this was self-induced.

I allowed 1 part envy, 1 part selfishness and 2 parts lack of trust in God, color my personality for nearly a year. For the most part, it affected work in a non-detrimental way. That is, I still performed my daily function and did what I had to do. Considering what a God-send this job had been in the first place it was really pretty bad of me to be frustrated and disappointed.

As this year brought multiple trials, I found it hard to focus at work. I wasn't getting enough time with Juliet, and much of my time at work was spent thinking about her, and things I had forgotten to talk to her about during the little time we were together each night.

For weekends, I had plenty of time, but during work days, I slept too much. For most days, I would average 10 hours or more, when really 6-8 would have sufficed. I would leave home dreading the night at work. And, it wasn't even busy at work. Maybe that is why I had all the time to think, and dwell on things that I was unhappy about.

So, in July for our 6th anniversary, we made a trip to Oklahoma to visit my family. My stepmom suggested that I try to get a more concise, regulated sleep schedule. This would allow me my 6-8 hour daily, but also free up 4 hours a night with Juliet to interact. Now instead of about 12 hours a week together, we'd average closer to 40.

We came back and I immediately implemented the new sleep schedule to great effect. Though Juliet's schedule conflicted sometimes, I managed to stick very close to my 9a-5p sleep. At work, I began to enjoy my time again because I was rested, and had plenty of interaction at home with Juliet.

For August, I had one of my more productive months thus far. I credit it to the change in sleep and spouse interaction.

So, what does this have to do with a silent period?

Well, in the midst of my disappointments from the November- June period, one of my Christian brothers at work was excelling at the job. He began steadily climbing the ranks without really seeming to seek it out. We had spoken a lot about our faith, and he seemed to have much more trust in God's plan than I did. He just prayed, read the word daily and focused on his job while he was here.

He wasn't sullen over missed opportunities, or envious of those around him. He just buckled down and did what was required. He lived out Colossians 3:23 and Ephesians 6:7.

Now, I look at the current situation, and he has been blessed with even more responsibility. It's great because we get along well at work and really build each other up in Christian brotherly love. He learns from me, and I learn from him. And, in this instance, I am truly excited for him and what God is doing in his life.

So, the other night as I sat back reflecting on the upward trend my work life and personal life is taking after a big slump, I realized that I am in the midst of a silent period.

God is moving in my life behind the scenes setting up something that I can only imagine is magnificent. There is this urge deep within me to study theological matters and equip myself with information about what I believe. In the midst of that, I also have a strong pull to get out and do more good for people. I feel like letting my light shine by action so that my faith will shine as well.

If God had placed me where I wanted to be back in November, I don't really think I would have been ready. Even now,  I can see I have many personal things to learn and grow with before being responsible over others. In the midst of my buddy's promotion of sorts, I can see God working things together for my good  as well (Rom 8:28).

So, just as Israel likely contemplated what was to come during the 400 years of God's silence, I too contemplate the blessings and growth that awaits. I have no idea what is happening behind the scenes, but I know things are working. I am trying to pray daily now for a spirit of humility. I pray to be rid of my spirit of selfishness and envy. I want to humble myself at work and at home to be the best I can be, so that when God says, "go!" I will be ready and able.

So, in this blessed silence, God and I have grown closer. They say the closer you grow to God the more aware of your failings you become. This sounds bad at first, but is really a blessed truth. By realizing my failings and shortcomings, I can learn to rely better on God. I can put my trust where it should be placed, instead of in man or myself.

There's an old Christian song we used to sing in church that said something like this:

So I wait for you, So I wait for you
I'm falling on my knees, offering all of me
Jesus you're all this heart is living for.

I think sometimes Tom Petty is right about "the Waiting" being the hardest part, but I know God is busy moving me into a position in life where I can be of best use to the kingdom. People and nations are moving for the good of those who love and trust in him. And, for now, I find peace in that silence.

Christian Politics

What should be the Christian's role in the political realm?

With the ever changing political climate of our nation, it is difficult to determine where exactly we fit, as Christians. We understand that the world's ideals will not always line up with our own, and yet we still owe it to ourselves to be aware of political happenings in our world.

With the advent of social media, it appears that Christians are more vocal than ever about their beliefs regarding one's place in the politics of the nation. Often, the Christian becomes actively involved in the politics of a particular party or candidate. But, where are we to draw the line of involvement?

My thought would be that maintaining an active knowledge of the issues most relevant to the individual person is the best place to start. From that point, actively seeking candidates that support one's views is another relevant way to engage. Above all, understand that regardless of who is in power, God ultimately has control. This is a key aspect of the Christian's involvement, and one many are quick to forget.

Whether Democrat, Republican, Independent or other, in God's sovereignty, rulers and leaders are placed where they are by the will of God. We may not always see an immediate, direct reason for this. There is a grand orchestration of events for which we will have little knowledge on this side of Heaven. For the Christian and politics, an element that should not be disregarded is that of our trust in God through Christ to bring about the world's redemption, by the means he deems necessary.

1) Relevant Personal Issues
A relevant personal issue would be something in the political realm that has a direct, immediate effect on an individual's way of life. It could be related to an event close to them, or something that actually has a direct effect on them.

For example, I have an active interest in immigration and immigration reform because Juliet is originally from Mexico, and we have had to deal directly with that process. She migrated legally, through all of the paperwork and headache, and is eligible now for citizenship, once we save up the money.

Now, an active interest in immigration means that I want to know what is going on related to the US relationship to Mexico. I have a special place in my heart for my wife's country of origin, and care to see it is fairly treated in governmental dealings.

By that same notion, while I would not directly support illegal immigration, I can certainly understand what drives people to do it. The legal process as it stands now is a mess of paperwork and fees, and had Juliet not already been fully fluent in English and Spanish, it would have been a nightmare of a language barrier as well.

I watched a very interesting documentary on Netflix the other day called, "The Other Side of Immigration," that I would encourage anyone interested in this topic to view. It offers a personal look at the struggles faced by rural Mexico, and the reliance on the ability to migrate to the states for livelihood in many cases.

So, as seen in the example, the Christian can assess what is close to them, and support or oppose those issues.

2) Candidate Support
This area for the Christian is often much more difficult. It is also the primary reason so much discord is sown amongst the church and the world. When Christians oppose another candidate so much that they become hateful, the light of Christ is lost. It is difficult to be salt and light to the world if we are showing hatred of a candidate or ideals.

Now, there are some issues which from a Biblical standpoint it would make sense to support. But, just as in non-essential doctrinal issues we are to have charity with one another, so too we must have charity in how we approach disagreement on a political issue. This past election is a great example of how it is possible to be charitable and weigh the candidates and issues, and how it is also possible to attack others' views in our opposition. The anger displayed by Christians during this election only served to cast us in an even dimmer light. Ironically, there was no "perfect Christian candidate" to be found. Yet, for all the complaining and arguing, you would think Christians were fighting to elect Christ himself on whichever side of the political spectrum they fell.

There is no rule anywhere that says a Christian must vote for the Conservative/Republican candidate, or a Liberal/Democratic candidate. Historically, we see the conservative stance on moral issues often is in line with the Christians' views, but that also is not always the case.

Christians who view a candidate solely on the candidate's religious affiliation also set themselves up for inevitable disappointment. Were a Christian to check the doctrine of both Romney and Obama from last election, and honestly assess what they claimed to believe, one would find neither fit the bill for foundational Biblical Christianity. And, in the political realm, that has to be ok. There is not going to be a Christian candidate in the fullest sense of the term. Each president has had some religious affiliation, but none to my knowledge have ever been inherently, and perfectly in line with Biblical Christianity.

This is where the separation between church and state can be observed. While it is true many of our founding fathers expressed some belief in God, it is also true that a stated belief in God is not the same as a belief in Christianity. Many religions profess a belief in a god, but it is not the God in whom Christians claim belief. And so, we find that judging a candidate simply on their faith or religious affiliation is often a fool's errand.

We must remember that were any of us to already be perfected humans, incapable of sin, we wouldn't have needed Christ. Since that is not the case for anyone dead or alive today, save Christ himself, we must cast aside the prideful notion that there is a "perfect" candidate or position on an issue. There is no perfection in the world as it currently exists.


3) God is in Control

God is in control. Whatever is going on in the world, God is in control. As Paul states in the book of Romans,

"Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God." Romans 13:1

This verse should be the verse all of us consider before posting distaste with anything in the political realm. If we profess as Christians to observe Biblical teaching in our lives, how have so many ignored this concept and taken to political bashing? Paul makes it clear that (and I can't stress this enough) God is in control. God knows who will win the election before they know it themselves. God puts those in power to bring about his good plan in the world on a macro level, far beyond what our finite eyes can see.

Do we sometimes have to tolerate Presidents and leaders who espouse views not in line with our own? Of course we do! And, we should understand that in the Biblical context of things, that is to be expected and accepted.

I am of the humble opinion that when a Christian takes to bashing a politician or leader in the world, on the sole basis that they perceive them to be a threat or unworthy candidate, that Christian needs to be aware of how their position is going to appear to those who are not of the faith. Does a viewpoint paint a negative view of someone? Jesus said love our enemies. Does it slander the name of a person? The psalmist reminds us that there is none righteous in the world (Psalm 14:3). Paul reminds us that all have sinned and fallen short of God's standard (Romans 3:23).

We are going to disagree with those in power at some point. We are going to feel upset and hurt by decisions made at times. But, we can also view that leader as a creation of God. Whether the leader acknowledges or knows it, God loves them and wants them to return that love. Maybe some do, and maybe some don't. Some will do it in non-Biblical ways, but mere acknowledgment of God's authority can often lead an individual on a path that ends with Christ. It is often a long journey. It also does not always end that way. We must be assured that in everything, we have the word of the one with ultimate authority, and the one by whose authority and grace we are saved in our faith in Christ. It is this authority that we should be concerned about. Political leaders will come and go, but God is everlasting, and our relationship to God, is of much more importance than our view of a candidate's stance on a political issue.

I encourage my Christian brothers and sisters to watch how we speak of our government. We will not always like what they do. For some, we may never like it. But, we need to remember that our actions as Christians are often what can bring someone to belief. Our treatment of those who believe and those who don't believe needs to be equal, and charitable. Our commission is to go out in the world and make disciples, but it is hard to win disciples if our efforts are focused on speaking badly of others.
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The Bible has a few things to say about our relationship to government and earthly rulers. See these verses below:

"Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God." Romans 13:1

"Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's." Matthew 22:15-22

"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus." 1 Timothy 2:1-5

"But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare." Jeremiah 29:7

"For Kingship belongs to the Lord, and he rules over all nations." Psalm 22:28