"The Bible Found Me"

This week I entered a study break. It's been great to get away from the normal setting. I'm a little closer to nature and it's amazing how the simple things become beautiful again--just by simply stepping outside of routine for a few days.

I've been reading G. Campbell Morgan's biography for one thing. I've admired this man's legacy but haven't known much about this man whose ministry spanned roughly 50 years (~1890-1940). One scene that should help anyone who wrestles with doubt happened in his 20's. Bombarded by the liberal mindset that was already taking root in England in the late 1800's, he wrestled with assurance on the authority of God's Word, the Bible: “I am no longer sure…but of this I am sure. If it be the Word of God and I come to it with an unprejudiced and open mind, it will bring assurance to my soul of itself.” 

Later he writes of that battle,  "That Bible found me….in 1883. I have been a student ever since and I still am (in 1938)!"

Simply awesome.

Update on Joplin

The pickup for supplies at Crosspoint (for Joplin disaster relief) has been moved up. Please have your items here by Wednesday evening, June 1. Drop off at bins IN STUDENT MINISTRIES. (See this LINK for more info.)

Jesus loves the church

Yes, I've seen some bad stuff under the name of "church." Here's a few: abuse, division, quackery, mishandled funds, affairs and more. For this reason, some have said, "I'm a part of the invisible church." Or, "I don't believe in organized religion." Behind every statement like that is a hurt or disappointment. Someone somewhere in the church let them down.

But I've also seen some amazing, miraculous things in the "church." Just this weekend, here are a few stories from people. (Names changes to protect identity):

T.S. - former alcoholic, suicidal, marriage "on the rocks." Now? marriage restored, secure in Christ, solid Bible teacher
K.W. - rape victim, suicidal, raised by single parent. Now? secure in Christ, great leader, financially stable
R.K. - sexually abused as a child, disappointed and hurt by church leadership, struggled with homosexuality. Now? secure in Christ, training for vocational ministry, leading and helping others.

For every bad story about church, I could give you several good ones. No wonder Jesus loves the church and gave Himself for it.

You need to love it too. Don't love Jesus and dis' His bride. (see Eph. 5.25, 1 Cor. 3:16-17)

Sunday's Coming

It's Friday but Sunday's coming. That ought to be the  mantra of the Christian. Jesus was dead on Friday, but it's only Friday. Resurrection Sunday is the hope in every dark night that a Christian faces. All suffering, despair and tragedy should be viewed in the light of Easter. There it looks totally different. Wow, I can't wait to celebrate this. Think I'll start now.

If you haven't seen this clip of "It's Friday" by S.M. Lockridge, or even if you've seen it before, watch it again and get some hope.

No commitment?

What is friendship without commitment? Just an acquaintance. What happens to a marriage without commitment? Divorce. What are team members without commitment? Losers. Not much can be accomplished without commitment.

Some friends of mine have marked their calendars for a sprint triathlon which is a shorter version of the swim, bike, run competition. But without "commitment to training" they will not finish. They will pass out, fall short or permanently impair their body. Marking your calendar for a competition is useless if you don't commit to training.

How many marriages don't go the distance simply because there is no "renewed commitment" daily, weekly, monthly?
How many churches close their doors because there is no commitment to the next generation of leaders? The church dies because there is only a commitment to "now."
How many jobs are lost simply because there is little commitment to excellence, but rather simply a commitment to "get my check"?

If you want to finish the race, you must commit to training. I found a quote attributed to marathoner Frank Shorter. Frank finished second in the Montreal Olympics in 1976. Moments after, a reporter asked him, "I know you must be disappointed...Do you plan to go for the gold medal again in 1980?" The Olympian calmly looked back at the reporter and said, "Well, of course I wanted to win the gold medal. But the question I have to ask myself now is, "Will I commit myself to running 10 miles per day, every day, for the next 4 years?"

Jesus said, "A wise man hears my words and puts them into practice." (Matthew 7:24) 

When they heard "this"

Great time this morning with staff and interns on a mark of a healthy church as found in Acts 2: spirit-empowered gospel preaching. "When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”Acts 2:37. What does "this" refer to? Peter's spirit-empowered gospel message. The message cut through to the heart. What else can do this!!!

On the same day, I see this video on the power of God's Word. You've got to see THIS!

The Meek shall inherit...

You may despise PBS. You may never have been a fan of Fred Rogers, a.k.a. "Mister Rogers." But this clip of him testifying at a Senate hearing in 1969 demonstrates passion and more; perhaps we see why Jesus said the meek will inherit the earth. Strength and passion come in different models. God led 2M+ through the leadership of the meekest man. "Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth" (Numbers 2.3 ESV).