A Word to Young, Immature Street Preachers

Some brothers seem persuaded that aggression is a “sine qua non” (a thing that is absolutely necessary) for street preaching, but that is far from the truth.  There are some who appear to labor under the conviction that they are called to make a scene rather than move a soul.  Their whole manner is one that speaks of belligerence, forgetting that Christ's sons of thunder were, on at least one occasion, soundly rebuked for their destructive spirit. 

These are the men who seem to imagine that if they have only managed to get into some kind of argument, only succeeded in stirring up some kind of antagonism, they must be doing their job well.  They seem intent on venting a measure of unholy spleen, determined harshly to probe the sensitivities of all who pass by at their most tender spot, and then applauding themselves because they are convinced that the resulting negative reaction is expressive of a heart set against God.  Consider that the reason for such a reaction might just be that you are an offensive troll whose mission to stamp on as many toes as possible in the name of God has been overwhelmingly successful.

Just because truth came from the mouth of Balaam's donkey does not make your behaving like an obstreperous ass somehow virtuous.  You are there to do these men and women and children good.

Sadly, some street preachers seem to think that there is some scale of awards in which the more they are abused or restricted, the more effective and faithful they have been:

"Somebody yelled at me the other day."

"Oh, that's nothing, I got spat at a few weeks ago."

"Really, well, they threw something at me just last month."

"All terrible, no doubt, but I got asked by the local authorities to move on."

"Gentlemen, I .  .  .  [pause for effect] .  .  .  I have been .  .  .  arrested!" [Gasps of awe and a smattering of applause for the esteemed brother.]

I have seen and heard some and of some who, as soon as they are challenged by someone, invite them to call the police if they have a problem.  Now, if that isn't unhelpful, kindly fax me an explanation of what is! Or, the police turn up to have a word, and the immediate response is to get up on one's high horse (tricky if you are already standing on a small box, but I have seen some brothers attempt it with panache), strike the martyr pose (again, if you are already on a box on your high horse, this becomes quite a high risk approach), and state that you are exercising your rights as a citizen and as a Christian, and the only way to muzzle you is to arrest you.  Brother, you are probably not (yet) Bunyan before the magistrate.

I know that some police officers, appointed to keep the peace and enforce the law, have mistaken themselves for moral guardians in accordance with the spirit of the age.  Nevertheless, a friend of mine with the Metropolitan Police assures me that most of the police are likely to apply some sort of 'attitude test' – a deliberately combative street preacher invites his own trouble.  A soft answer turns away wrath, and we would do well to learn that a calm explanation, a readiness to find another location, or perhaps - in some circumstances - even a willingness to come back another day, avoids unnecessary trouble.  Stirring up trouble and inviting arrest is not being persecuted for righteousness' sake, but bravado.  "Ah, but I was forbidden to preach Christ!" Really, was that before or after you made a argumentative nuisance of yourself?   Often, they are not even forbidding us to preach, and - although I freely acknowledge that we should not bow to illegitimate pressures - a gracious response can defuse the situation, win the appreciation of the law enforcement officers in question, and spare us to fight another day.  We are in danger of provoking conflicts that do not need to happen.

The same Bible that tells you that all men will speak well of you only if you are in the train of the false prophets tells you also to live at peace with all men, if you can, and to pray for those who exercise authority in the hope "that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence".

We are sent out as sheep in the midst of wolves.  "Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves".

- Author Unknown

A Christian’s Motivation for Living a Moral Lifestyle

Whether you are a professing Christian or not; I believe we can all agree that there are valid reasons for all mankind to set personal moral standards and strive to live by them.  However, the big question is: “Are there important motivating factors that are unique to Christianity?”

This article will hopefully help answer that question and also clarify for the reader:  1) the temporary benefits of morality for all mankind while living on this earth; 2) the motivating factors that both Christians and non-Christians have in common; and; 3) why it is so important that we understand these differences.

Let us begin by examining the outcome of living by moral standards that would be true for all peoples.  I don’t believe anyone can bring forth a good argument against the benefits of a life lived avoiding: lying, cheating, stealing, excessive drinking, promiscuity, self-centeredness, rage, gossip, and the like.  We all can admit that breaking certain rules can have negative effects.  Even violating the vehicle code section of the law, like breaking the speed limit or running a red light has the potential for profound negative consequences, i.e. receiving a hefty ticket or even being the cause of a head on collision which kills another person or ends one’s own life.  With that in mind, let us look at the list below.

Some Positive Outcomes of Living by Moral Standards which are true for ALL peoples:

• ·               You are more likely to avoid negative consequences
• ·               You will hurt less people
• ·               You will make the world a safer place to live and raise children
• ·               You will leave an honorable legacy to your children
• ·               You will live with less regrets for bad choices
• ·               You will have deeper and more meaningful relationships
• ·               You will need to apologize less
• ·              You may even save money by avoiding monetary penalties for violating the law of the land.

Pretty compelling reasons for a person to desire to set moral standards and to live by them, right? 

Now really examine the list.  What are the common threads running through it?  Well, there are two that we need to take special note of.  The first is that the good and positive outcomes are temporal in nature.  That is that they are of or relating to time as opposed to eternity.  In other words, they are related to life on earth.  The second thread is that they are all focused upon “You”.  Therefore, they are truths that can be used to promote and motivate both Christians and non-Christians to desire to live more morally upright lives so that they can experience the benefits for themselves, their families and their culture.

However, are they, in and of themselves, the primary factors that should help motivate a Christian to do so?  Why is this such an important question?

First, many people are confused about what true Christianity is.  Many people outside the church (and some inside the church) think that Christianity is a religion of do’s and don’ts.  They have no real concept that becoming a Christian is the result of a super natural act accomplished by God in the heart, soul and mind of a person that radically transforms everything about the person.  A true Christian, although still living in the world, is governed by a total different reality—a super natural reality, if you will.

And what does that mean.  It means that a true Christian’s reality is of or relating to an order of existence which is beyond the visible observable universe.  They are no longer strictly motivated by temporal things but they live with an eternal perspective and they have been given a higher reason for living a moral lifestyle—a reason that transcends the temporal benefits of doing so.

Therefore, a true Christian’s understanding of life is radically different from the world and the reasons they do, or do not do, certain things is radically different, as well.  This is where I feel much of the church is lacking in the attempts to promote morality to those inside the Church.

What should motivate a Christian to live by moral standards?

As followers of Christ, our motivation and desire for living and teaching other Christians to live moral lives should look very different from the world’s. The emphasis should not be what we have in common with the world, but those things that are unique to the reality of true Christianity. So, what are some of the Christian reasons or motivational truths for doing so?

Perhaps this table will help illustrate the motivating factors that we as Christians have in common with the world and those things that are unique to the Christians reality. This is, by no means, an exhaustive list—but I hope it helps us to think things through.

Motivation for a Moral Life	Non-Christians	Christian
The desire to bring honor to the family name.	X	X
Loyalty to self and family	X	X
The better good of Self, Family, and Culture.	X	X
The desire to not suffer the negative consequences associated with immoral behavior	X	X
To please self and others by making wise and good choices	X	X
Have less regrets	X	X
The reality that Christ is present at all times.		X
Higher Loyalty to Christ than to family or self.		X
Does not want to bring dishonor to the name of Christ by the way they live		X
Belief that they are not living for themselves, but are representatives and ambassadors of Christ		X
The desire that Christ’s honor, power and reality be magnified by the way in which they live and the choices they make.		X
To personally experience the joy, happiness, and peace that comes with avoiding the things that would go against God’s moral standards for all of His creatures		X
The desire to please God.  Not out of fear of punishment or out of desire for personal temporal rewards but out love.		X
Understands the difference between temporal good and eternal value.		X

In the above, note the things that we have in common and the things that are unique to a Christian reality.  If you are a professing Christian, how many factors can you identify with as highly motivating factors for living a moral lifestyle?

The following came to mind as I was pondering this topic and I will share the results of that pondering with the reader..

First, I want to examine an often-used quote (which, by the way, is very similar to Bill Hybels book entitled, “Who You are When No One’s Looking”). The quote I am referring to is: “The true test of a man's character is what he does when no one is watching.” Here is the problem I see with this statement.

The truth is that there is not a single moment in our life where there is no one watching. Yes, I am aware that in that statement the term “no one” means no human being. However, when it is used inside the church as an attempt to promote and motivate Christians, it tends to eclipse what should be emphasized and that is that for the Christian we are never alone. A less confusing and a more motivating statement would be, “The true test of a Christian man is that whether he is being observed by people or in the privacy of his own room, he is always intimately aware of the presence of Christ.” Living in that reality should be all the motivation we need to adhere to a moral standard of living. My fear is that most professing Christians do not live in that reality and that is why they struggle so.

Secondly, as Christian’s (Followers of Christ) we represent Him. We are to be His ambassadors to a lost and dying world. We are not living for ourselves. We are living for Him. Our motivation for living by moral standards and principals should be born out of an overwhelming desire that our lives do not in any way bring dis-honor to His name. Christian, ask yourself—Do you care about that? Do you care about that more than you care about avoiding negative consequences or thinking of yourself as a man of character because you are moral even when “no-one” is watching?

Thirdly, loyalty is a powerful motivating factor which can even make people willing to die for their country. For Christians, loyalty (which is interwoven with love) for and towards our Savior and King should be one of the highest motivating factors for living a life of obedience to the moral standards outlined for us by Him.

In conclusion, if you are a professing Christian and are not motivated by the following:

· A deep, intimate, abiding relationship with Christ
· An unswerving loyalty and love for Him above everything else
· A desire to live a life that will NOT bring dis-honor to His name;
· An uncompromising preoccupation with His Glory;
· A genuine love for others, both inside and outside the church;
· and, an awareness of the reality of His presence every moment of your life;

Then, my friend, I believe that you have a much bigger issue to wrestle with than setting personal moral standards and living by them.


__________________________________________________________________________

Old Adam put in a better dress

(Thomas Watson, "A New Creature")

"I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom
 of God unless he is born again." John 3:3

Natural honesty, moral virtue, prudence, justice, liberality,
temperance--these are not the new birth. These make a
glorious show in the eye of the world—but differ as much
from the new birth, as a stick differs from a star! Morality
indeed is commendable, and it would be well if there were
more of it. Yet morality is but nature at its best; it does not
amount to saving grace. There is nothing of Christ in morality.
That fruit is sour--which does not grow on the root of Christ!

Heat water to the highest degree--and you still cannot
make wine out of it; it is water still. Just so, let morality
be raised to the highest, it is nature still; it is but old
Adam put in a better dress.

Moral virtue may exist with the hatred of godliness.
A moral man hates holiness--as much as he does vice!
"You must be born again." John 3:7

Why we gather....

Frankly, there are very few things I "like" about going to church.  In this consumer, man-centered, materialistic, narcissistic, christian culture that we find ourselves in, "church" on Sunday can be extremely depressing if you are actually paying attention to the people, what is being said, and the lack of Christ-likeness among those who wear his name (and of course I include myself in that statement.)

I could list all of the biblical reasons, in spite of the above reality, that one should attend a weekly worship service.  I only need one motivating factor, and that is my loyalty to Christ.  I am not loyal to a local church.  I am not loyal to anyone at the church.  My loyalty is to Christ alone.  All else, and everyone else, will fail me, as I will fail them.  I love when people ask me on Sunday, "What are you doing today?" and I can answer, "I have a special date with the love of my life."

We gather to worship Christ!  In fact, Christians in other lands gather at risk of death.  Just maybe it's important to sincere, genuine believers to gather for worship.  They certainly would have more seemingly legitimate reasons to not gather than we do.  Don't you think?

They Gather to Worship the Christ

By Frederick J. Stevens  1883-86

They gather, they gather from Island and main,

From seacoast and valley, from mountain and plain.

From Africa's fountains, from India's strands.

They gather-to learn what Jehovah commands.

They gather, they gather, a swift-swelling tide.

Resistless, on-flowing, a flood spreading wide.

They gather, they gather, and countless the throng,

To worship the Christ with the Incense of song.

They gather, they gather from China, Japan.

From city and hamlet, from tribe and from clan.

From tropical forests, from deserts of sand.

Commingling their praises a symphony grand.

They gather, they gather, a swift-swelling tide.

Resistless, on-flowing, a flood spreading wide.

They gather, they gather, and countless the throng.

To worship the Christ with the Incense of song.

They gather, they gather, the young and the old.

The king and the peasant all seeking one fold,

The soldier and statesman, the noble and slave.

All trust in his promise to guide them and save.

They gather, they gather, a swift-swelling tide.

Resistless, on-flowing. a flood spreading wide.

They gather, they gather, and countless the throng

To worship the Christ with the Incense of song.

Ritual Observances, External Morality, Emotional Experiences...

So many people (both inside the visible church and outside) are confused about what Christianity is.  This is so helpful in clarifying things for so many:

What does the Lord require of you?
 To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8

Simplicity and comprehensiveness mark the requirements of my God. He can abbreviate His demands into the fewest words; but they are words which embrace . . .
  the inward and outward,
  the present and future,
  the earthly and the heavenly.

I may fall into serious error regarding His will for me:

It is not a religion of ritual observances which He requires. How easily I attach an undue importance to ceremonies and forms, rites and penances and fasts!

Nor does He solicit primarily a religion of external moralities. God looks on my heart.

Nor is it a religion of emotions of which He is in quest. I must not put excitement and tears, in the place of saving grace and childlike obedience.

But see, my soul, God asks us to act justly. I cannot be His, unless I do justly. Everything that takes an improper advantage of another, and all that departs from the straightest line of absolute rectitude--I must hate and abjure. It is a demand which pierces deeper than it seems. For the integrity of conduct He desires--is the outcome only of a conscience He has quickened, and a will He has bent into submission to His law. The ethics of the Gospel are preceded and rendered possible, by the redemption and regeneration of the Gospel.

And God asks tenderness. He counsels me to love mercy. The world is full of sorrow, and I am to move through it as a good physician, befriending and uplifting those in need.

It is what He does Himself. Every glorious quality has its fountain in Him--but pre-eminently the quality of mercy. He is the great Forgiver and the great Helper--no earthly father loves like Him, and no mother is half so mild. So my feeble torch is but kindled at His altar. My charities and philanthropies must be learned in His school, who pardons my ten thousand transgressions!

And God asks humility. He commands me to lay my hand in His, and to walk humbly in His company. 

Nothing is so essential as poverty of spirit. It is the source and spring from which alone runs the fertilizing river of a holy life. The humble heart is where the flowers of Heaven find their congenial soil, and grow into beauty and fragrance.

 I only begin to be a disciple, when my proud heart is brought low--and my Savior is lifted high.

Now, my Father, if these are to be the features of my soul--then it is manifest that none but You can create them, and can nurture them, and can lead them to their perfection. Do the work Lord, and have the glory!

   ~  ~  ~  ~ 

(Alexander Smellie, "On the Secret Place" 1907)

It's Not About You!

This is how I am justified and forgiven.

Not by the hopeless endeavor to win and fight my way to the favor of God and the Celestial City--but by looking to Jesus only, and by leaning on Him absolutely.
"Nothing in my hands I bring,
Simply to Your cross I cling!"

This is how I find assurance.

I am tossed with tempest, overcast with doubt, haunted with fear--while I scrutinize my own frames and feelings. But when I fix my gaze steadfastly on Him, so all-sufficient, so perfect--the morning awakens and the shadows decay; behold, the winter is past, and the flowers appear! For my own comfort, I would see Him as a glorious Sun filling my sky.

This is how I grow holy.

While indeed I am bidden work out my own salvation with fear and trembling, it must not be as if everything depended on me. It must rather be by a perpetual faith in Him, and a perpetual prayer to Him, who works in me to will and to do according to His good purpose! The battle is not mine, but His. He sows the seed, and He ripens the harvest. He lays the foundation, and He puts the top-stone in its fitting place.

This is how I shall be glorified in the end

Self will have vanished in the better country, and Christ will be ALL! I shall follow the Lamb wherever He goes. I shall find my safety, my peace, my victory--in keeping very close to Him. He will be familiar, and yet He will be new every morning. And I shall discover in Him a subject of study, and wonder, and worship, and love--which is illimitable and unfathomable!

"Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith!" Hebrews 12:2

(Alexander Smellie, "The Hour of Silence" 1899)

Wisdom and the "IF" "Then" statements

Just thinking out loud....

It seems to me that as soon as someone starts mentioning, what I call the "If" statements in the Bible, you will soon hear someone else say, "It's all of grace".   No argument there; however, God makes it clear throughout His Word that we only grow in "grace" and knowledge when and "IF" we are actively communing with God through His Word and Prayer.  Sometimes I think we confuse the "monergistic grace" of God which saves completely and totally with "growing in grace and knowledge" as we walk through this life on earth as a born-again believer.  One must spend time in communion with God after He has brought them from spiritual darkness and death into the light and given them spiritual life, in order to experience and even recognize wisdom from God.

God is not a genie in a lamp that we rub when we need Him to do something for us, i.e. give us wisdom.    Clearly, if we want wisdom from God, there are more things involved then just asking for it.  Let's look at just this one passage in Proverbs Chapter 2:

IF you receive my words

IF you treasure up my commandments

IF you make your ear attentive

IF you incline your heart

IF you call out

IF you seek after it

IF you search for it

THEN you will understand

THEN you will find knowledge

The Value of Wisdom

1 My son, if you receive my words
and treasure up my commandments with you,
2 making your ear attentive to wisdom
and inclining your heart to understanding;
3 yes, if you call out for insight
and raise your voice for understanding,
4 if you seek it like silver
and search for it as for hidden treasures,
5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord
and find the knowledge of God.
6 For the Lord gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;
7 he stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
he is a shield to those who walk in integrity,
8 guarding the paths of justice
and watching over the way of his saints.
9 Then you will understand righteousness and justice
and equity, every good path;
10 for wisdom will come into your heart,
and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;
11 discretion will watch over you,
understanding will guard you,
12 delivering you from the way of evil,
from men of perverted speech,
13 who forsake the paths of uprightness
to walk in the ways of darkness,
14 who rejoice in doing evil
and delight in the perverseness of evil,
15 men whose paths are crooked,
and who are devious in their ways.

How Radical is "Radical" in America?

I was thinking about how Christians, living in a persecuted country, would define "Radical Christianity"--when simply professing faith in Christ might result in losing your job, losing your home, being imprisoned, losing your family, or perhaps even being killed.  How would they define "radical" among their brothers and sisters?  Their normal is radical!

Here in America?  Radical?  Hummm.  We think someone is radical, who shares Christ and the Gospel message with a stranger in line at Starbucks.  "Boy, that guy is Radical!"  Really?

In America, we are free to call ourselves anything we want and all we risk is being unpopular.  I often think about what would happen if an entire church body in America could be transported to a persecuted country  overnight and wake up in the middle of a land where even gathering to worship could result in death.  What would I do?  Would I run and hide?  Would I deny Christ?

In America, one of our biggest struggles is trying to find joy in doing dishes for the glory of God.

Just thinking out loud this morning...

Bringing God Glory (part two)

I can recall 15 years ago, someone asking me, "What does it mean to bring Glory to God" They sincerely wanted to know, and I sincerely had no clue. I suppose, like most of us, I knew in a general sense, but did not truly grasp the depth of what that means and the importance of truly understanding how God is glorified in and through our lives.

As we ask the question and ponder the answer: What is the chief end of man? Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever. We must go beyond the answer and ask another question. What does it mean, to glorify god?

Here is one mans answer:

Glorifying God consists in four things: 1. Appreciation, 2. Adoration, 3. Affection, 4. Subjection. This is the yearly rent we pay to the crown of heaven.

1. Appreciation.

To glorify God is to set God highest in our thoughts, and, to have a venerable esteem of him. Psalm 92:8. "Thou, Lord, art most high for evermore." Psalm 97:9, "Thou art exalted far above all gods." There is in God all that may draw forth both wonder and delight; there is a constellation of all beauties; he is prima causa [the first cause], the original and spring-head of being, who sheds a glory upon the creature. We glorify God when we are God-admirers; admire his attributes, which are the glistening beams by which the divine nature shines forth; his promises which are the charter of free grace, and the spiritual cabinet where the pearl of price is hid; the noble effects of his power and wisdom in making the world, which is called "the work of his fingers." Psalm 8:3. To glorify God is to have God-admiring thoughts; to esteem him most excellent, and search for diamonds in this rock only.

2. Glorifying God consists in adoration, or worship.

Psalm 29:2. "Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness." There is a twofold worship: 1. A civil reverence which we give to persons of honour. Gen. 23:7, "Abraham stood up and bowed himself to the children of Heth." Piety is no enemy to courtesy. 2. A divine worship which we give to God as his royal prerogative. Neh. 8:6,"they bowed their heads, and worshipped the Lord with their faces towards the ground." This divine worship God is very jealous of; it is the apple of his eye, the pearl of his crown; which he guards, as he did the tree of life, with cherubims and a flaming sword, that no man may come near it to violate it. Divine worship must be such as God himself has appointed, otherwise it is offering strange fire, Lev. 10:1. The Lord would have Moses make the tabernacle, "according to the pattern in the mount." Exod. 25:40. He must not leave out anything in the pattern, nor add to it. If God was so exact and curious about the place of worship, how exact will he be about the matter of his worship! Surely here every thing must be according to the pattern prescribed in his word.

3. Affection.

This is part of the glory we give to God, who counts himself glorified when he is loved. Deut. 6:5, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul." There is a twofold love: 1. Amor concupiscentiae, a love of concupiscence, which is self-love; as when we love another because he does us a good turn. A wicked man may be said to love God, because he has given him a good harvest, or filled his cup with wine. This is rather to love God's blessing than to love God. 2. Amor amicitiae, a love of delight, as a man takes delight in a friend. This is to love God indeed; the heart is set upon God, as a man's heart is set upon his treasure. This love is exuberant, not a few drops, but a stream. It is superlative; we give God the best of our love, the cream of it. Cant. 8:2,"I would cause thee to drink of spiced wine of the juice of my pomegranate." If the spouse had a cup more juicy and spiced, Christ must drink of it. It is intense and ardent. True saints are seraphims, burning in holy love to God [from the Hebrew word saruph, to be burned up]. The spouse was amore perculsa, [an overwhelming love], in fainting fits, "sick of love," Cant. 2:5. Thus to love God is to glorify him. He who is the chief of our happiness has the chief of our affections.

4. Subjection.

This is when we dedicate ourselves to God, and stand ready dressed for his service. Thus the angels in heaven glorify him; they wait on his throne, and are ready to take a commission from him; therefore they are represented by the cherubims with wings displayed, to show how swift they are in their obedience. We glorify God when we are devoted to his service; our head studies for him, our tongue pleads for him, and our hands relieve his members. The wise men that came to Christ did not only bow the knee to him, but presented him with gold and myrrh. Matt. 2:11. So we must not only bow the knee, give God worship, but bring presents of golden obedience. We glorify God when we falter at no service, when we fight under the banner of his gospel against an enemy, and say to him as David to King Saul, "Thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine," 1 Sam. 17:32.

A good Christian is like the sun, which not only sends forth heat, but goes its circuit round the world. Thus, he who glorifies God has not only his affections heated with love to God, but he goes his circuit too; he moves vigorously in the sphere of obedience.

Tomorrow we will ask another question: Why must we glorify God?

Sharing Your Gifts

In ways you least suspect, God answers prayers.  I have been praying for a couple of years that the Lord would bring someone into our lives with a heart for music.  My husband, who neither reads nor can write music, has been given over 70 songs (both the words and melodies).  His only way to capture those songs is to record them acapella.  He can hear orchestra's playing them, congregations and choirs singing them; but, that is impossible without sheet music for them.

We met Celeste and her husband Mike last December when members of our church and others came to Atria, where my husband ministers, to share a Christmas Program with the residents.  Celeste accompanied the group on piano and Mike sung in the choir.  At that time we had no idea how gifted this young lady was.

As we got to know Celeste and Mike we discovered that they both love the Lord and are both gifted in many ways.  As a side note:  They will be leaving for the mission field and will be gone sometime before the end of this year. Mike is a doctor and will be joining a medical missionary team in Africa.  Celeste will be working with women trapped in the sex trafficking industry with the desire to win them to Christ.

Through our relationship with them, we discovered that Celeste has been singing since she was a tiny little girl and also plays the piano--even composing her own musical arrangements.  Michael shared a few of his songs with Celeste and she was able to write the piano chords for them.  Three of Michael's songs became part of a one woman, outreach concert,  that we hosted at Atria on April 19th.

As we sat listening to this gifted young woman sing praises to the Lord, our eyes filled with tears.  As we heard Michael's songs being played and sung by someone who we have both grown to love, we were overwhelmed with thanksgiving to the Lord.

Little did we know, another sweet Christian sister, India Curry, who is a gifted artist as well, video taped Celeste practicing for the concert in her home and posted that video on Youtube.  You can watch it here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcXn5x26Alo

This is the body of Christ working together to build up and edify believers, bring glory to God, and reach the lost.

What God has taught me through this is that He has everything and everyone under His sovereign control and overcomes all obstacles that we may think are present in our lives.  He will bring those members of His body together who will glorify Him with their gifts in the most unexpected ways--even if it's only for a season!

Rejoicing in Christ - The Center of Our Joy!

He is NOT only found in the Bible!

"Abide with us!" Luke 24:29

So said the disciples when Jesus was about to leave them--and so shall we say, if we know the sweetness of His presence. When Jesus comes and manifests Himself, when He draws out our souls into sweet communion with Himself--then . . .
  we enjoy a Heaven on earth,
  our hearts glow with gratitude and burn with love,
  we are filled with joy, and
  dread nothing so much as His leaving us!
Then we cry, "Abide with us!"

Precious Lord Jesus . . .
  come and visit my soul,
  reveal Your glory,
  shed abroad Your love in my heart, and
  draw me into the closest, sweetest communion with Yourself!

Do you know what the above author means when he says, "When Jesus comes and manifests Himself, when He draws out our souls into sweet communion with Himself?"

It has been my observation, that the modern reformed church goer flatters himself to be growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, simply because he attends worship service and midweek prayer group and spends regular time reading the bible.

The way we pray reveals a great deal about what we truly believe.  Have you heard a prayer like the one in the short closing paragraph above, lately?  "Precious Lord Jesus, come and visit my soul"  Would you even know what that meant?  How does He visit our Soul?  What does that even look like, feel like?

I ask you, do we serve a living Christ or not?  One would think not when you hear prayers like, "Lord we know the only place we can find you is in the Bible--make us people of the book."  Or "Lord be with us"  Is He not Omnipresent?

I am not the only one who has sensed this heart breaking epidemic in the modern church.    It is a cold, impersonal, academic, detached knowledge of Christ--not a real and personal experience with our Risen Lord.  Dr. Joel Beeke observed this long ago.  Here is just a snippet of an article outlining the problem.  I would strongly recommend reading the entire article.

(excerpt)
One hindrance to growth among Christians today is our failure to cultivate spiritual knowledge. We fail to give enough time to prayer and Bible-reading, and we have abandoned the practice of meditation. How tragic that the very word “meditation,” once regarded as a core discipline of Christianity and “a crucial preparation for and adjunct to the work of prayer,” is now associated with unbiblical “New Age” spirituality. We rightly criticize those who engage in transcendental meditation and other mind-relaxing exercises because these practices are connected with false religions, such as Buddhism and Hinduism, and have nothing to do with Scripture. Such forms of meditation focus on emptying the mind to become detached from the world, and to merge with the so-called “Cosmic Mind.” There is no living, personal God to attach to, to listen to, and to be active for. Yet we can learn from such people the importance of quiet reflection and prolonged meditation.

 At one time the Christian church was deeply engaged in biblical meditation, which involved detachment from sin, and attachment to God and one’s neighbor. In the Puritan age, numerous ministers preached and wrote on how to meditate. Few studies have been done on Puritan meditation.

 In this article, we will look at the Puritan art of meditation, considering the nature, duty, manner, subjects, benefits, obstacles, and self-examination of meditation (see the bibliography at the end of this article). With the Puritans as mentors, perhaps we can recover the biblical practice of meditation for our time.

 The Definition, Nature, and Kinds of Meditation

 The word “meditate” or “muse” means to “think upon” or “reflect.” David said, “While I was musing the fire burned” (Psalm 39:3). It also means “to murmur, to mutter, to make sound with the mouth.” It implies what we express by one talking to himself.î[1] Such meditation involved reciting aloud to oneself in a low undertone passages of Scripture one had committed to memory.

http://www.grace4u.org/puritan/free_beeke.html