I have a friend in heaven
Jesus is his name.
A friend who never changes,
Every day the same.
This friend I have in heaven's land
Is rich beyond degree.
He owns the greatest bank of all
And signs my checks for me.
They never say in Jesus' bank
No funds to pay on hand.
The wealth of all the universe
Is under his command.
By C. H. Jack Linn in So You Want a Mountain by Ford Philpot
Sunday, August 30, 2015
Saturday, August 29, 2015
Fascism: Everything old is new again
My wife, Beth, reads aloud to me when we travel. Our current read is Eric Metaxas’ Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy. The book has set me to thinking.
Metaxas describes Germany between two world wars. The allied victors applied crushing terms to a defeated Germany at World War I’s Treaty of Versailles. These terms led to national foment, civil unrest, revolution, and factions vying for political power and dominance.
Communism was yet in its Bolshevik infancy. The pro-Russian German communists opposed the National Socialist Party, the Nazis, in a quest to control Germany’s future. The Nazi propaganda smeared the communists as Jews who were bent on destroying the German fatherland. Jewish owned businesses were fined, boycotted, and labeled for their ethnic ownership. When war erupted yet again on the European continent, the final solution was enacted, exterminating over six million European Jews in unprecedented genocide.
Listening to Beth read Bonhoeffer’s story triggered a series of observations to parallels we are experiencing in twenty-first century American life and culture.
America celebrates a class of powerful elitists who control politics and media. These powerful elitists promote cultural and moral relativism, simultaneously contradicting themselves, by making "truth" claims as to what they declare to be right and wrong.
Traditionalists who cling to historically patriotic along with traditional religious values based in the Holy Bible and the Judeo-Christian ethic, are declared to be wrong. Such values are targeted by the cultural progressive elitists as bigotry, hate-speech, intolerance, and deserving a punitive response.
The jack boots are thumping on the cobble-stone.
The punitive response is harsh, swift, and aggressive. Progressivists dominate the nation’s courts, legislative values, and government’s executive decisions. Businesses must cater to the progressive agenda. Churches must adopt the progressive agenda. Schools must bow to the progressive "truth." Government issues its edicts demanding conformity. Media declaims non-conformists as radical fundamentalists--ugly labels!
The Schutzstaffel (Nazi SS) is at the door.
Bakers and businesses are ordered to serve all comers, especially those who are advancing a progressive agenda. Any deviation against the received politically correct view is offensive.
"Hate speech (dissent) must be silenced."
"Divergent views must be suppressed!"
Progressives demand that political and religious views be homogenized into a shared, media-approved, politically-acceptable, and conformist view of reality!
The rainbow-hued swastikas of fascism are unfurled and waving their call to silence non-conformance.
Who will stand? Who will be principled non-conformists? Who will volunteer to think in an age that commands thoughtlessness? Who will have the courage to speak? Will you? Will I?
Metaxas describes Germany between two world wars. The allied victors applied crushing terms to a defeated Germany at World War I’s Treaty of Versailles. These terms led to national foment, civil unrest, revolution, and factions vying for political power and dominance.
Communism was yet in its Bolshevik infancy. The pro-Russian German communists opposed the National Socialist Party, the Nazis, in a quest to control Germany’s future. The Nazi propaganda smeared the communists as Jews who were bent on destroying the German fatherland. Jewish owned businesses were fined, boycotted, and labeled for their ethnic ownership. When war erupted yet again on the European continent, the final solution was enacted, exterminating over six million European Jews in unprecedented genocide.
Listening to Beth read Bonhoeffer’s story triggered a series of observations to parallels we are experiencing in twenty-first century American life and culture.
America celebrates a class of powerful elitists who control politics and media. These powerful elitists promote cultural and moral relativism, simultaneously contradicting themselves, by making "truth" claims as to what they declare to be right and wrong.
Traditionalists who cling to historically patriotic along with traditional religious values based in the Holy Bible and the Judeo-Christian ethic, are declared to be wrong. Such values are targeted by the cultural progressive elitists as bigotry, hate-speech, intolerance, and deserving a punitive response.
The jack boots are thumping on the cobble-stone.
The punitive response is harsh, swift, and aggressive. Progressivists dominate the nation’s courts, legislative values, and government’s executive decisions. Businesses must cater to the progressive agenda. Churches must adopt the progressive agenda. Schools must bow to the progressive "truth." Government issues its edicts demanding conformity. Media declaims non-conformists as radical fundamentalists--ugly labels!
The Schutzstaffel (Nazi SS) is at the door.
Bakers and businesses are ordered to serve all comers, especially those who are advancing a progressive agenda. Any deviation against the received politically correct view is offensive.
"Hate speech (dissent) must be silenced."
"Divergent views must be suppressed!"
Progressives demand that political and religious views be homogenized into a shared, media-approved, politically-acceptable, and conformist view of reality!
The rainbow-hued swastikas of fascism are unfurled and waving their call to silence non-conformance.
Who will stand? Who will be principled non-conformists? Who will volunteer to think in an age that commands thoughtlessness? Who will have the courage to speak? Will you? Will I?
Thursday, August 27, 2015
Miley's really not smiling
I just left a medical office where the Today Show was blaring. Miley Cyrus had a guest appearance on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Show last night. Miley’s most recent self-destructive escapades include parading herself topless in public settings. She told a story of a recent opportunity to meet the legendary musician, Paul McCartney. Miley, bare-breasted in the conversation with the former Beatle, boasted that her naked bosom was a great equalizer. She was nervous meeting the rock and roll music legend. Her exhibitionism made McCartney even more nervous. Miley boasted that she had trumped McCartney in the conversation.
The Today Show hosts were giggling with celebratory sensationalism as they discussed Miley’s most recent immodest scandal. The waffling weaklings of television celebrated Miley’s "right" to self-expression with relativistic prattle about Miley’s doing "what’s right for Miley."
Jordin Sparks, the 2007 winner of American Idol, followed the Miley story with a live interview promoting her most recent project. The conversation inevitably turned to the "Miley" storyline. Sparks, who rocketed to stardom with a squeaky clean teen idol image, echoed the hosts’ relativism with her own nonsensical version of "You’ve gotta do what’s best for you!"
I sat in the waiting room saddened by the brokenness of youth, plagued by sin, and Hell-bound for personal self-destruction.
Miley Cyrus has been exploited since childhood. Childhood stardom is a curse that one should never wish upon one's own child in our media age. Undoubtedly, her exploitation included adults using and abusing her to the point that she views herself almost exclusively as a sex object to be exhibited in one shocking portrait after another. Such a whoredom is inevitably based in this young woman’s having been victimized as a child. Our voyeurism perpetuates her victimization.
How must I respond?
I cannot respond with relativistic, nonsensical prattle that rattles nihilistic emptiness: "You’ve gotta do what’s best for you!" Miley’s exhibitionism isn’t good for Miley! It’s a scream for help from someone who doesn’t even know how to scream! It’s a cry for deliverance and hope from someone who has no hope beyond the shock value of the moment.
I cannot respond with voyeurism. Our entertainment culture howls at us to gaze at people’s private pleasure and private pain. Curiosity wins! I just looked.
Wrong.
I must respond with compassion. Surely, Miley’s behavior is wrong in every way. Such a conviction does not label me a hater! It labels me as compassionate and caring. The media celebrate her painful exploits, making money hand over fist at Miley’s exploitation. At some point, you and I must cry, "NO! STOP!"
Compassion requires concern for a fellow human being who is hurting, broken, shattered, and crying out for a little bit of attention in a desperate quest to mean something to somebody! Compassion requires human decency. Compassion demands that you and I care for broken, hurting people of all shapes and sizes, both beautiful and appalling.
Dear God, I am praying for a shattered young person right now. Her name might be Miley, or Susan, or Keesha, or Becky, or... She is crying out to be noticed. Her unhealthy cries come from a place inside of her that has been corroded by sin--others’ sins against her, and her own against herself. I cannot help but be reminded of Jesus' story of the Good Samaritan. Bring her to a place of repentance, redemption, and wholeness. Extend hope. Give her a new identity. Define her through right relationship with Yourself, Creator God. And, oh yes, help me to care enough to show compassion to my neighbor. Amen.
The Today Show hosts were giggling with celebratory sensationalism as they discussed Miley’s most recent immodest scandal. The waffling weaklings of television celebrated Miley’s "right" to self-expression with relativistic prattle about Miley’s doing "what’s right for Miley."
Jordin Sparks, the 2007 winner of American Idol, followed the Miley story with a live interview promoting her most recent project. The conversation inevitably turned to the "Miley" storyline. Sparks, who rocketed to stardom with a squeaky clean teen idol image, echoed the hosts’ relativism with her own nonsensical version of "You’ve gotta do what’s best for you!"
I sat in the waiting room saddened by the brokenness of youth, plagued by sin, and Hell-bound for personal self-destruction.
Miley Cyrus has been exploited since childhood. Childhood stardom is a curse that one should never wish upon one's own child in our media age. Undoubtedly, her exploitation included adults using and abusing her to the point that she views herself almost exclusively as a sex object to be exhibited in one shocking portrait after another. Such a whoredom is inevitably based in this young woman’s having been victimized as a child. Our voyeurism perpetuates her victimization.
How must I respond?
I cannot respond with relativistic, nonsensical prattle that rattles nihilistic emptiness: "You’ve gotta do what’s best for you!" Miley’s exhibitionism isn’t good for Miley! It’s a scream for help from someone who doesn’t even know how to scream! It’s a cry for deliverance and hope from someone who has no hope beyond the shock value of the moment.
I cannot respond with voyeurism. Our entertainment culture howls at us to gaze at people’s private pleasure and private pain. Curiosity wins! I just looked.
Wrong.
I must respond with compassion. Surely, Miley’s behavior is wrong in every way. Such a conviction does not label me a hater! It labels me as compassionate and caring. The media celebrate her painful exploits, making money hand over fist at Miley’s exploitation. At some point, you and I must cry, "NO! STOP!"
Compassion requires concern for a fellow human being who is hurting, broken, shattered, and crying out for a little bit of attention in a desperate quest to mean something to somebody! Compassion requires human decency. Compassion demands that you and I care for broken, hurting people of all shapes and sizes, both beautiful and appalling.
Dear God, I am praying for a shattered young person right now. Her name might be Miley, or Susan, or Keesha, or Becky, or... She is crying out to be noticed. Her unhealthy cries come from a place inside of her that has been corroded by sin--others’ sins against her, and her own against herself. I cannot help but be reminded of Jesus' story of the Good Samaritan. Bring her to a place of repentance, redemption, and wholeness. Extend hope. Give her a new identity. Define her through right relationship with Yourself, Creator God. And, oh yes, help me to care enough to show compassion to my neighbor. Amen.
Tuesday, August 25, 2015
Ashley Madison, et. al.
Ephesians 5:1-7 NKJV
1 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them.
Dear God,
I sat down for a quick look at the names on the list of Ashley Madison customers in my state--four thousand in all. I am sad that so many married people are promoting themselves as looking to cheat on their spouse. Someone told me that the male customers outnumber the female 9 to 1.
Lust and adultery come in all shapes and sizes. Sin is packaged in every profession. Prurient desire spans all classes and colors. A friend studying the list with me noticed a number of ministers in our community. I grieve their failure.
A counselor friend tells me, "If statistics are to be trusted, up to half of them are considering two things: An affair and leaving their ministry for someone other than their wives." He goes on to say that " Some of these men are caught in a damnable doctrine, and the end result is an acceptance of even this sin, though they know it is wrong. So, they just confess it every night and go about their lives as though nothing needs to change... It’s a diabolical doctrine, a rejection of the effectiveness of Christ’s cross and his blood, and a general damning of biblical redemption all balled into one package. And to think, they say they do this to bring glory to God? Seems preposterous to me. And, I think, to God as well."
Throughout the years, I have loved the fallen in the faith. I have tried to provide spiritual
care and protection, and guide them to repentance and wholeness. Often, leaders who fall into lust and pornography can only truly repent if they initiate the repentance on their own. Rarely have I witnessed true and thorough repentance from someone who was caught in their own sexual sin.
I pray for the thousands of men who are now caught. I pray for their true repentance. I pray for the ministers and spiritual leaders caught up in a sinful trap of their own setting. I pray that Your conviction will bring them to a repentance that transcends parsing and excusing what they did or thought about doing. Lead them to complete repentance, faith, and restoration.
I pray for their wives who are suffering at this moment. Some of these women are simply crushed and broken. Others are raging. Keep their hearts clean. Keep their minds on You. Protect them from themselves and the harmful effects of the very legitimate emotions they feel right now.
I pray for their children. Some of the kids are internet savvy enough to see what their fathers, and perhaps even their mothers, have done. You alone know what these children and teens are facing and feeling. Be their security when parents and family fail to provide them with the security and protection so essential to their well-being.
In the midst of brokenness, You are the "Repairer of the breach" (Isaiah 58:12).
In the Name of our only Restorer and Redeemer,
Amen.
1 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them.
Dear God,
I sat down for a quick look at the names on the list of Ashley Madison customers in my state--four thousand in all. I am sad that so many married people are promoting themselves as looking to cheat on their spouse. Someone told me that the male customers outnumber the female 9 to 1.
Lust and adultery come in all shapes and sizes. Sin is packaged in every profession. Prurient desire spans all classes and colors. A friend studying the list with me noticed a number of ministers in our community. I grieve their failure.
A counselor friend tells me, "If statistics are to be trusted, up to half of them are considering two things: An affair and leaving their ministry for someone other than their wives." He goes on to say that " Some of these men are caught in a damnable doctrine, and the end result is an acceptance of even this sin, though they know it is wrong. So, they just confess it every night and go about their lives as though nothing needs to change... It’s a diabolical doctrine, a rejection of the effectiveness of Christ’s cross and his blood, and a general damning of biblical redemption all balled into one package. And to think, they say they do this to bring glory to God? Seems preposterous to me. And, I think, to God as well."
Throughout the years, I have loved the fallen in the faith. I have tried to provide spiritual
care and protection, and guide them to repentance and wholeness. Often, leaders who fall into lust and pornography can only truly repent if they initiate the repentance on their own. Rarely have I witnessed true and thorough repentance from someone who was caught in their own sexual sin.
I pray for the thousands of men who are now caught. I pray for their true repentance. I pray for the ministers and spiritual leaders caught up in a sinful trap of their own setting. I pray that Your conviction will bring them to a repentance that transcends parsing and excusing what they did or thought about doing. Lead them to complete repentance, faith, and restoration.
I pray for their wives who are suffering at this moment. Some of these women are simply crushed and broken. Others are raging. Keep their hearts clean. Keep their minds on You. Protect them from themselves and the harmful effects of the very legitimate emotions they feel right now.
I pray for their children. Some of the kids are internet savvy enough to see what their fathers, and perhaps even their mothers, have done. You alone know what these children and teens are facing and feeling. Be their security when parents and family fail to provide them with the security and protection so essential to their well-being.
In the midst of brokenness, You are the "Repairer of the breach" (Isaiah 58:12).
In the Name of our only Restorer and Redeemer,
Amen.
Monday, August 24, 2015
Love Him or Hate Him?
Matthew 10:34-39
34 “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 35 For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; 36 and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ 37 He who
loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it."
Mark 8:38
"For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”
John 14:6
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."
Luke 12:49-53
49 “I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished! 51 Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. 52 For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three. 53 Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”
Acts 4:12
"Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Dear Jesus,
Your radical Gospel certainly draws a line in the sand. Your exclusive Messianic claims leave no doubt as to the choices that face me.
Either You are the Savior of the World or You are a fraud and an imposter.
Either You are the Son of God or the son of Satan.
Either You are the "Way, the Truth, and the Life," or You are the greatest liar who ever lived.
Either You are the Creator of the World, or You are a fabricator of myths.
What will I do with You? Will I love You or hate You?
William Barclay writes: "To this day the fact remains that when a man is brought face to face with Jesus Christ, he must either hate Him or love Him; he must either submit to Him, or desire to destroy Him. No man who realizes what Jesus Christ demands can possibly be neutral. He must either be his lover or His foe." (William Barclay in The Gospel of Matthew, vol. 2, p. 393).
Pilate asked the crowd of Jews at Jesus' trial, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” (Matthew 27:22).
The question demands an answer! "What will I do with Jesus?"
I choose to embrace You by faith. I choose to believe the claims of Your gospel, Your character, Your Divinity, and Your Truth. On this side of the line I stake my claim. I take my stand with You. Grant me courage to embrace all that You are and all that You mean for my life.
In the Name of the Son of God and Savior of the World, Jesus,
Amen.
34 “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 35 For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; 36 and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ 37 He who
loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it."
Mark 8:38
"For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”
John 14:6
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."
Luke 12:49-53
49 “I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished! 51 Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. 52 For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three. 53 Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”
Acts 4:12
"Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Dear Jesus,
Your radical Gospel certainly draws a line in the sand. Your exclusive Messianic claims leave no doubt as to the choices that face me.
Either You are the Savior of the World or You are a fraud and an imposter.
Either You are the Son of God or the son of Satan.
Either You are the "Way, the Truth, and the Life," or You are the greatest liar who ever lived.
Either You are the Creator of the World, or You are a fabricator of myths.
What will I do with You? Will I love You or hate You?
William Barclay writes: "To this day the fact remains that when a man is brought face to face with Jesus Christ, he must either hate Him or love Him; he must either submit to Him, or desire to destroy Him. No man who realizes what Jesus Christ demands can possibly be neutral. He must either be his lover or His foe." (William Barclay in The Gospel of Matthew, vol. 2, p. 393).
Pilate asked the crowd of Jews at Jesus' trial, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” (Matthew 27:22).
The question demands an answer! "What will I do with Jesus?"
I choose to embrace You by faith. I choose to believe the claims of Your gospel, Your character, Your Divinity, and Your Truth. On this side of the line I stake my claim. I take my stand with You. Grant me courage to embrace all that You are and all that You mean for my life.
In the Name of the Son of God and Savior of the World, Jesus,
Amen.
Friday, August 21, 2015
Marriage or Mockery?
Jeremiah 16:9 "For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: 'Behold, I will cause to cease from this place, before your eyes and in your days, the voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride.'"
Jeremiah 33:10-11 “Thus says the Lord: ‘Again there shall be heard in this place—of which you say, 'It is desolate, without man and without beast”—in the cities of Judah, in the streets of Jerusalem that are desolate, without man and without inhabitant and without beast, 11 the voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voice of those who will say:
'Praise the Lord of hosts,Jeremiah 33:10-11 “Thus says the Lord: ‘Again there shall be heard in this place—of which you say, 'It is desolate, without man and without beast”—in the cities of Judah, in the streets of Jerusalem that are desolate, without man and without inhabitant and without beast, 11 the voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voice of those who will say:
For the Lord is good,
For His mercy endures forever”—
and of those who will bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the Lord. For I will cause the captives of the land to return as at the first,’ says the Lord."
Dear God,
The blessings of Your restoration of Your people to spiritual hope and opportunity are thrilling. Jeremiah saw hope to come for the Hebrew remnant even before there was a remnant. Jeremiah saw hope to come for the Hebrew remnant even in the midst of Babylon's destruction of Jerusalem and its temple. That is genuine faith!
But destruction would precede restoration.
Destruction would be characterized by many tragedies. But one tragedy Jeremiah names explicitly is that the voice of the bridegroom and the bride would be silenced. However, Jeremiah also prophesies a day of repatriation of Your holy remnant from Babylonian captivity; and he writes that Your remnant would be blessed with weddings--brides and grooms!
John, the Revelator, prophesies the destruction of Babylon yet again in John 18. Babylon is described as Your arch enemy--a bloody whore. Babylon's end includes the cessation of weddings between bride and groom.
Your Word clearly teaches that blessed nations are nations that practice weddings between a bridegroom and a bride! Holy marriage is both a cause and an effect of Your blessing! The end of Your design for marriage is clearly prophesied throughout Scripture as a curse to a nation. It is accompanied by witchcraft, assassinations of prophets, and martyrdom of the saints.
I pray for my friends and family who are ensnared by sinful substitutes for Your design, holy marriage. Your plan is for one man to marry one woman and remain in holy union for a lifetime. Divorce mocks Your design. Co-habitation mocks Your design. Same-sex marriages mock Your design.
But after all of the prophesied tragedy, You continue to extend hope--hope in the form of another wedding--a Bride and a Groom! "Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb's wife" (Revelation 21:9). Heaven's glory begins with a wedding! A holy Bride, the Church, and Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God and Bridegroom!
Thank You, Jesus, for bringing hope out of devastation, a remnant out of captivity, holiness out of horror, and the blessing of holy marriage out of civilizations where marital joy has been cursed into silence.
In the Name of our Bridegroom, Jesus Christ,
Amen.
Thursday, August 20, 2015
Thankful Communion--Part 2
I Corinthians 10:14-17
"Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 15 I speak as to wise men; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 17 For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread."
November 29, 2013 I flew to Kenya, Africa. My purpose was to speak to the pastors of the Africa Gospel Church in Kenya at their annual pastors conference. The conference was held at the Tenwek Africa Gospel Church. The church could seat about 800 in America, and about 1000 in Kenya.
The AGC has 1700 churches and nearly 1400 pastors. Church plants begin under trees!
The final service on Friday morning was the ordination service. Bishop Rev. Dr. Robert Lang’at, a WBS alumnus, ordained 38 pastors into the AGC. The ordinands knelt on the cold concrete floor for 30 to 40 minutes. The ordinands were from various Kenyan tribes ranging from Kipsigis to Maasai. The ordinands age range spanned from 30 somethings to 60 somethings. The Bishop walked from one ordinand to the next, praying for each, ordaining them to preach the Gospel and shepherd the flock of God. It was a stirring moment.
Once the Bishop concluded ordination, the new reverends took part in their first holy communion as ordained elders. The bread and the wine were distributed to the ordinands. I thought the distribution of the elements complete. The 1200 or so onlookers had not been administered, just the ordinands, their sponsoring ministers, and the bishop. I was astonished by what happened next. The elements were brought to me! Broken, humbled, I partook.
That day, thousands of miles from home and everything I know and love, I partook of the symbols of the Body and Blood of our Lord with brothers and sisters of another land and language.
Immediately, my mind flashed forward to that day Paul described in Philippians 2: "9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Holy Communion ushered me into the Presence of God where someday we shall hear the sleepless angels proclaim"Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!" (Revelation 4:8). And we will join the entire created order to "give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever (Revelation 4:9). And we shall cast our crown of faithfulness before the throne of Jesus, crying out with the faithful who have believed in Jesus: "You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power!" (Revelation 4:11).
"Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 15 I speak as to wise men; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 17 For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread."
November 29, 2013 I flew to Kenya, Africa. My purpose was to speak to the pastors of the Africa Gospel Church in Kenya at their annual pastors conference. The conference was held at the Tenwek Africa Gospel Church. The church could seat about 800 in America, and about 1000 in Kenya.
The AGC has 1700 churches and nearly 1400 pastors. Church plants begin under trees!
The final service on Friday morning was the ordination service. Bishop Rev. Dr. Robert Lang’at, a WBS alumnus, ordained 38 pastors into the AGC. The ordinands knelt on the cold concrete floor for 30 to 40 minutes. The ordinands were from various Kenyan tribes ranging from Kipsigis to Maasai. The ordinands age range spanned from 30 somethings to 60 somethings. The Bishop walked from one ordinand to the next, praying for each, ordaining them to preach the Gospel and shepherd the flock of God. It was a stirring moment.
Once the Bishop concluded ordination, the new reverends took part in their first holy communion as ordained elders. The bread and the wine were distributed to the ordinands. I thought the distribution of the elements complete. The 1200 or so onlookers had not been administered, just the ordinands, their sponsoring ministers, and the bishop. I was astonished by what happened next. The elements were brought to me! Broken, humbled, I partook.
That day, thousands of miles from home and everything I know and love, I partook of the symbols of the Body and Blood of our Lord with brothers and sisters of another land and language.
Immediately, my mind flashed forward to that day Paul described in Philippians 2: "9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Holy Communion ushered me into the Presence of God where someday we shall hear the sleepless angels proclaim"Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!" (Revelation 4:8). And we will join the entire created order to "give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever (Revelation 4:9). And we shall cast our crown of faithfulness before the throne of Jesus, crying out with the faithful who have believed in Jesus: "You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power!" (Revelation 4:11).
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