A Lifestyle of Peace: October 2014

Thursday, October 30, 2014

Can you still wonder?

Picture from the International Space Station over Great Britain, also catching a view of the Northern Lights on the horizon.

What about wonder? We can talk truth and philosophy all we want, but wonder is the backdrop that draws us. It binds us into the search. Don't you think? I am not primarily a logician, but I love logic. I'm not primarily a rationalist, but I love rational.

I'm primarily an intuitive. I subconsciously reel in toward the conscious clues of time, space, reality, nature, society, people, all into a cohesive band of thoughts and perceptions, systematizing into my prefrontal cortex, as a worldview. Is that you?

Modern Christianity has been described as dogmatic. Fair enough. Perhaps it has become that. R.C. Sproul wrote a book on the importance of the arts to Christianity, which suggests to me that perhaps we have abandoned the arts? Listen to some Christian rock and you'll be in full agreement with me on that one. Blah!

In addition, Ravi Zacharias wrote a book titled "Recapture the Wonder." To recapture something must mean, in the general sense of a movement, that it has somehow been lost.

I can see why. The theological bullies out there are pretty intense. The orthodoxy. The fear in my mind as I write sometimes, wondering if I might get pinned as a heretic if I don't phrase something in just the correct theological way. It damages the ability of the believer to creatively and wondrously interpret the scriptures.

Have you ever noticed how hard it is to put together a systematic theology that isn't at least somewhat contradictory or very often it doesn't seem quite, quite right? Do you know why?

I think I know why. Point one, maybe it was never meant to be systematized. Point two, the startling coalescence of contrarieties, the mystery of the wide, deep depths and finely tuned breadths of the message of the Bible, the cross, the gospels, is so powerful, so mysterious, so groundbreaking, so variable, so multifaceted, and multidimensional; and so truly the revelation of the divine architect of the universe that it cannot be understood fully on a purely rational systematic level. It must be invibed on an intuitive level. That takes wonder, and imagination.

So here are two videos that may just capture some of the wonder of the world we live in. Enjoy.

(Click play on the video, and then in the lower right corner you can make the video full screen if you'd like)

1. The North Lights

2. Fly on wings like Eagles

3. Time Lapses of Natural World

4. Formation of a Snowflake

5. Time Lapse of our Home from Orbit at International Space Station

Related Posts:
A Vital Spiritual Experience
Daybreak: Examining the Problem of Pain
Journey of the Christian through the Forest called Earth
The Heavens Declare // Photos from Hubble
The Cross of Christ Jesus & Reflecting the Savior

Monday, October 27, 2014

Ten Years in the Desert, Two Years in the Wilderness

In five days I'll be celebrating two years clean and sober, in the care of Jesus Christ. It's been an amazing and challenging ride thus far. I'm sure it'll be constantly changing, as it has been since day 1 of hope.

There are so many memories over my life. Yet they fade, slowly, until I can hardly remember any of my life. I live in the present. Yet I tend to project myself into the future. Is that you as well? I tend to imagine and write about who I'd like to be, and without even realizing it, I tend to project my ideal self into the future and see it come to fruition. I live by my core values, and try to see them translated into the physical world around me to my satisfaction. That is the core of being a dreamer-idealist (INFP).

I remember a book my mother read me as a child. It was called "Owl Moon." It was the story of a father and son traveling out into a winter night, into the woods, to spot owls. The Owl Moon story captured my curiosity in describing emotion through writing. It captured my imagination. Later I began writing, putting together novels and studying the classics.

Fast forward fifteen years, and I was dreaming of chasing an owl into a dark forest. I was searching for a meadow of golden sunlight. The peace I felt there in the dream was the most real sensation of my life. I've always had the clearest dreams. Often I'd write about the dreams I had. This time I wrote an entire book about that journey, into a beautiful, dangerous forest. I called it Jacob and the Meadow. Perhaps the forest in that dream was drug addiction. Or simply a description of my own inward spiritual journey. Or maybe something else. It's hard to say.

Naturalists think all reality can be described in purely physical terms. But that is not what I've seen. That is not what corresponds with reality. Instead I see a world rich with symbolism. We live in a world filled with allegory, metaphor, and foreshadowing.

So it's been nearly two years. It's also been a constant struggle. But no one said it would be easy, least of all, Jesus himself. Jesus said count the cost. Because it ain't easy. But wow, is it worth it.

Transformation! Power! Intense, gritty, real struggle! Moments sublime with intervals hilarious. Can we make it? I believe we can. I can, with some divine charity. Perhaps the first story has ended, of Jacob and his search for the Meadow. If so, has the second story now begun? I wrote three books in those delusion-filled, sleepy times of my life. I was lost on the road, asking questions like "Where do I go from here?" and "What is the meaning of all this?"

The second story began in a floating city in the clouds. Certainly indicative of the mind caught up in the altered states of dissociative hypnotics. The first chapter climaxed with the main character leaping from the city in the clouds and breaking his shoulder landing on a broken wasteland below. Below an angel appeared and healed his shoulder. The barren wasteland below, was, as Morpheus from the Matrix movies might put it "the desert of the real." Inevitably when the drug addict comes clean of the drugs, he must face the reality of what has happened to his own life and his own self. Entire sections of the mind have been ignored. Others have grown out of control. Chemicals are off balance, and the outworking is a terrible sight to behold.

The second story really cataloged the story of an estranged man from a different place discovering a tattered, broken land full of chaos and trouble. The land itself with a sickness upon it, the various settlements and cities broken and corrupted, divided and leaderless. Add to that, also facing an inevitable onslaught from the powers behind the floating city, a kingdom called "Rem."

It was really a double allegory similar to Tolkien's middle earth books. The city in the clouds and the broken land below represented the shattered mind of a drug addict, my own, and the journey to escape that. Yet it also represented an external situation I was beginning to perceive in the world around me, a powerful elite across the Earth keeping populations in a dumbed down state of servitude, whether directly or indirectly. Yet in a third sort of "inverse allegory" the main character was in the city in the clouds dreaming about the real world below. That is another reference to drug addiction, in that once a drug addict is securely placed within the world of delusion and lie (the tripping, high state), the previous life of sobriety and normalcy becomes the far away dream world that doesn't seem real any longer. And once far enough within, hard to even remember.

The second story chronicles the journey of David aka Jacob (in each of the three stories the same character receives a new name) as he stumbles about from city to city, encountering people and places he half remembers from his dreams. The main character works to improve the settlements, instill hope in them, and help them to unite together. Ironically this is similar to the journey of one lost in drugs and delusion, to put together his life again.

In the past two years I've slowly rediscovered who I am, traveling from area to area of my own interests and goals, beliefs and ideals, gathering them together to recreate who I am. The toll of drug addiction and alcoholism is unspeakably terrible. One might wish for pity sake that you just let the poor addict have a quick death from the start.

Because the addict loses everything, slowly, painstakingly, himself divided, part of him wanting to stop and try to recover, but the greater majority insisting on more drug, more drug, more drug. It's like slowly losing a war. Piece by piece your outer life is destroyed. Car gone, on probation, off probation, in jail, new charges, lost job, family starts slowly backing away, one by one friends disappear, 1, then another, two more, and soon all. People start to hate you for your behavior. Especially when they loved you deeply. Piece by piece, life itself slips away.

One by one, I saw myself violate my own deepest held convictions. I saw my own strength fail time and again. I would be able to quit for a month, relapse. I would quit for another week, relapse. I would get into recovery for 4 months, relapse. Then even a full year, relapse. Probably the worst part was wanting to quit, but at the same time not wanting to quit. Or put another way, wanting to quit but not quite enough to convince myself to take an action or make a change. And knowing, painstakingly knowing that there was no way out. Expecting and even looking forward to death. Then when death wouldn't come through the addiction, attempting suicide through more direct means. And failing. Ending up in a mental hospital. Watching your own dad testify against your ability to take care of yourself in a court room. Being raped by a drug addict. The insults and injuries never ended. The icing on the cake of course, is the look in the eyes of counselors, nurses, doctors, family, and friends. The look that says "you're bad, you're evil. just stop already." I remember a nice Catholic lady once said "damn you" as I pleaded for mercy from a grocery store owner who had caught me shoplifting.

But occasionally there were people like Father Marion, displaying the love of Christ. You could search his eyes and there was not even a hint of judgment. Just love. And they reminded you, pointed you directly to Jesus Christ himself.

I had tried so many times on my own power and my own strength. I had failed. I had wanted to show God I didn't need him. But the truth is, I need God. Just as much today two years later as the first day of my new life. When I finally called out to Jesus Christ, in earnest, brutally crying out for help, at the bottom, he suddenly made the impossible possible.

At the outset of the 3rd story, the main character was given a new name, Joshua, and the angel who was protecting him and guiding him through the wastelands gave him a suit of armor, shield, and sword. Much like a Christian receives the imputed righteousness of Christ at his moment of believing. So the third book began the story of a redeemed young man, with united armies to take on the evil he saw around him. (Side note: If you want to read any of those three stories click here, but I can't vouch for how coherent that reading experience will be.)

And so in my own life, in the past two years I've seen myself grow and change, from a broken, lost, hopeless young man, to a soldier of Christ, encouraging a world to love Christ with a radical love and defend the truth that we can so admire in the books of the Bible. That is the literal, substantive transformational power of Jesus Christ, who is really, truly, God.

Related Posts:
Mental Illness, Awareness, and Jesus
Spiritual Journey | Dreams, Darkness, False Light
The Topic of Liberty from a Libertarian
God's work in the Human Heart
Hope for the Hopeless
The Spiritual Journey of Justin Steckbauer
Pain/Suffering in the Christian Life
Momentary Troubles & Eternal Glory
Reading G.K. Chesterton and C.S. LewisRescue in the Labyrinth, Darkest Hour

Sunday, October 26, 2014

Quick Fact Sheet: Four Points to Consider

Apologetics are wonderful! Here are some quick facts with intriguing quotes from great minds across the ages. Feel free to share and use this "expert testimony" to any and all uses.

10 Answers to Common Questions Raised by Skeptics

Have you ever been puzzled by the objections raised by skeptics in regard to Christianity? Or maybe you are one of those skeptics? If so, I'm glad you're here.

As Dr. Ravi Zacharias would put it, "Apologetics is the seasoning, but the gospel is the main course." I love apologetics, I find it absolutely fascinating. I also secretly wish I had come into contact with apologetics sooner. Because then maybe I wouldn't have had to go down so many dark holes looking for answers. I dismissed the Bible and Christianity very quickly when I was young. I didn't think there was a reason in the world to believe any of it. I had a practical view similar to that of Richard Dawkins, that belief was considering things to be true that were in direct contradiction with reality.

I've now found that the really gritty down and dirty truths of reality are indeed best explained in Christianity. No other worldview can adequately explain why the world is such a messed up place. No other worldview tells me so many things that I don't want to hear, yet I know deep down are true about me and those around me. I respect Christianity immensely for that. That's the intellectual level. Yet I could not follow it simply on the basis of hard truth.

I found myself in love with Christianity on an emotional level, a heart level, because of the incredible love and forgiveness in the message. It all comes together beautifully in my view.

But there is no reason to be afraid of objections to Christianity. I firmly believe that we ought to respectfully answer any objection or question raised. Assuming it is raised politely! I can't stress that enough, that it's important to be polite when both raising an objection, and answering an objection. This is not about winning an argument. It can't be. Too much is at stake. It's about speaking the truth in love. Even a Christian apologist who wins a "battle argument" often ends up losing the person.

We want to win the person to Christ! (That's the imperative to keep in mind). So give ground at times, find ways to agree with points and parts of their position. Identify with their position. Grant fair points when they make them. Be kind and compassionate, and very patient. Develop a friendship, a relationship. If losing the argument will mean bringing the person a step closer, so be it. The person raising an objection may not be listening to the argument as much as he or she is listening to the attitudes and mannerisms of the speaker.

But very often people have legitimate concerns and reasonable questions to ask. Many have had very negative experiences with Christianity. They need to be reintroduced to the radical love in the Bible. The job of the defender is very often simply clearing away all the barbed wire, bushes, garbage, and mud so that the cross of Jesus Christ can be seen unobstructed.

So here are ten answers to common questions raised by both the honest skeptic, and the upset former believer. Enjoy.

1. All the ridiculous stuff in the Bible has been disproved, hasn't it?
Ravi Zacharias Answers:

2. How do you know objective morality is based on God?

William Lane Craig answers:

3. Am I unloving for not affirming same sex behavior?
Frank Turek answers:

4. How can a good God allow evil?
William Lane Craig answers:

5. How can a good God send me to hell?
Frank Turek answers:

6. Why is Christianity the one true religion?
Greg Koukl answers:

7. Is there Evidence for God's existence?
Frank Pastore answers:

8. Who created God?
William Lane Craig answers:

9. Isn't all truth relative? Is there such a thing as truth?
Frank Turek answers:

10. But Why Jesus?
Ravi Zacharias answers:

Related Posts:

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Five Vital Wisconsin Ministries: Please Support & Share

There are a lot of factors that play into a successful walk with Jesus Christ. It's about relationship of course. It's all about prayer and learning through the Bible. Christian fellowship is vital too. But then there are local and state ministries that are really a blessing along the way. Here are some I'd like to encourage you to interact with and support.

1. Wisconsin Christian News
One of the few Christian newspapers still in business in Wisconsin, and the articles are very high quality. There used to be over 120 Christian newspapers in our area of the Midwest but that has dropped down to less than a dozen. So if you can support Wisconsin Christian News, please do! We desperately need that message of Christian values in a world rapidly being pushed through the process of secularization.

2. 89Q Your Positive Hits Wisconsin Radio
89Q is a listener funded ministry that focuses on a positive Christian message. The music is very uplifting and we need that in a world that can seem so negative at times. I've personally been blessed by 89Q while listening to and from work, and while listening at work. Sometimes it can be very stressful at the shelter where I work. I really need the consistent encouragements 89Q offers on the air. Please support 89Q as well, and tune in on their website or at FM 89.5.

3. Reaching You Ministries
Actually just last night I had the privilege of hearing a talk by Kristen Jane Anderson on her journey to Christ. This young lady attempted suicide by laying on railroad tracks, and lost her legs. Miraculously she survived the experience through the grace of God. Now she travels and does talks on her story. She has been featured on Oprah, and has a ministry called "Reaching You." I got to speak to Kristen Jane Anderson after the talk at the University of Wisconsin Marathon County. I told her about how Christ saved me two years ago from a life of depression and disaster. It was a very powerful encounter for me. There's a certain community between people who have survived desperate situations, that is indescribably wonderful. Please support her ministry, out of Green Bay, Wisconsin. Contact her ministry to have her as a speaker, her story is incredible!

4. The Salvation Army of Wisconsin
It's that time of year! The Kettle Kickoff in my area will be on November 6th. Bell ringers will be out soon! Check with your local Salvation Army to find out how you can help. There are lots of wonderful programs that support the community in my area. Some that I can think of off the top of my head are Coats for Kids, Food Pantry, Backpacks for Kids, Christmas Toys for Families, and many others! Sometimes we forget about the Salvation Army programs in our areas, and all that they do to provide after-school programs, a shelter for the homeless, and food supplies to struggling families. Don't let those programs fall to the wayside. Instead remind people, your friends, congregation members about those programs and how they can help, donate, and volunteer their time!

5. Converge Great Lakes Churches
The churches in my area that have probably been the biggest blessing to my life are almost all exclusively members of the Converge Great Lakes arm of Converge International, a wonderful and growing fellowship of Baptist churches worldwide. The leaders are excellent, the congregations are friendly, and the teaching is Biblical. Of notable mention are: New Day Christian Church pastored by Aaron Winowiski, The Sanctuary pastored by Dan Mandigo, Downtown Mission Church pastored by Charlie Salamone, not to mention Bethany Baptist Church, Good News Baptist Church, and Journey Church. There are several others outside Converge that are great too though, like Grace Station, Highland Community, Wausau Alliance Church, and of course the Salvation Army Church where I currently attend!

Additional Wisconsin Ministries of Note:
Catholic Charities Wausau - providing a warming center for homeless and temporary financial assistance
Lutheran Social Services - financial assistance, hommy home
The Center for Human Development - christian counseling services
The Neighbors Place - food pantry, asian american assistance
Community Corner Clubhouse - job services and mental health support
Celebration Church - a church ministry doing some very cool things in Wisconsin

Related Posts:
Five Causes for the New Christian Activist
The Spiritual Journey of Justin Steckbauer & Issues in Wisconsin
The Power of Your Story and mine...
Spiritual Journey | Dreams, Darkness, False Light
Meth and exploring Darkness
Christianity Falling: A Request for Heroes

Monday, October 20, 2014

Dare I send you to Church?

The scary Westboro baptist church members protesting... everything. A stark reminder that some churches are not churches.

Ephesians 2:19-22 (ESV) So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

Recently I was attending an event at a local college campus. I won't say the name of the organization, but it was certainly interesting. I'd be meaning to make time for more fellowship with believers. I attend the Salvation Army church in my town, and also their adult sunday school, but I wanted to meet more people my age.

Now I understand that I was at a sort of "outreach event." But my goodness. I only went twice, and the stuff I overheard was quite surprising. Two girls, friends came up to each other and hugged. I overheard two guys, one was the speaker for the night, and the other was one of the core leaders of the group and they whispered "lesbians" to each other and giggled. There was an openly homosexual individual, which is fine, but no one in the group seemed to acknowledge the scriptural view regarding homosexuality. Another guy mentioned how him and his buddies were going to smoke tobacco on the front porch later. Social posturing, games, alpha male crap, social climbing, you know.. all that worldly stuff. And I thought to myself.. is this it? Is this the church?

The church is described within the pages of the Bible as the body of believers on Earth. The people within the "body" are baptized into the family of Christ. The act of baptism with water is representative of a rebirth of the individual into a new family. It is a ceremony of joyous adoption into a new family.    If you're a follower of Jesus, you're part of the organic church, the versatile, adaptable "body of Christ." Another symbolic statement. That's the metaphor, we are the body, moving about the Earth, doing the work of Christ. We are the hands and feet of Christ. And he is the head, it's his work, his goals, his ideas, his plans, and all things that bring glory to God the Father.

So being part of the "church" is being part of "the body of Christ." It is an organic statement, a way to describe a people rather than a building, denomination, or institution.

I know that many Catholics are part of this organic body. I know that many Prysbeterians are part of this body. I know that many Evangelical Frees, Lutherans, Baptists, Methodists, Anglicans, and so many others are all, individually either part of the organic body. I will even say that even groups like Mormons, even many Jehovah Witnesses are indeed part of the body of Christ, despite disagreeing with many of their core doctrines. Core doctrines may reveal the tendency within a group. But since Mormons and Jehovah Witnesses consider the Bible as the authoritative word of God, there are certainly many Jesus loving followers within their ranks. Of course, that's something you're not suppose to say, and I might get jumped on and assaulted by some strict Calvinists. But I'm interested in the truth and love, not lining myself up with theological bullies.

Small men will, will, will try to keep great men down. Small men despise great men because they see outside them something they wish to be, but are too foolish, cowardly, and pathetic to become. They will feel threatened, they will attack you, mock you, minimize you, and attempt to lock you out desperately, perhaps in some attempt to comfort their own fragile ego.

They will try to steal your ideas. They will quietly attempt to recreate your efforts, while locking you out of leadership. They will copy many things you do and are, and try to claim the ideas for themselves. They are worms, leaches, and the church is full of them. They will cook up charges to cover their own sins, and take every opportunity to fill your mind with jaded thoughts about the church. Don't let them.

The church is an organic, wonderful communion of followers of Jesus. It's also very messy. It's difficult. Confrontations take place, and that's always been very hard for me. I'm an introvert you know! And the church is a very extroverted place. So I've had my problems in community. It's probably been the most difficult thing about being a Christian so far. Existing in community, where power structures are in effect, and the possibility of abuse of power takes place, and there are clashes of ideas, and harsh words tossed back and forth.

So I was considering the question recently: Dare I send my readers to church?

There are many fascinating, creative, and compassionate people who read this blog. There are some very wonderful people who read this blog. There are some people with some very great ideas who read this blog. There are also people who have struggled in the past with churches, leaders, and false teachings. And I certainly wouldn't want to put those people in harms way.

Can I really send such introverted, sensitive, politically minded, intelligent, wise people into the churches of today?

It's a very difficult question. I have to consider my own experience with churches in central Wisconsin. To say I've had a bad experience is an understatement. I've found it to be very difficult. You come in with a lot of new ideas, and people don't want to hear it. They want to do things their way. And that's certainly fine.

But what about the many churches around the states and Europe that are dead? With false teachers, crumbling with sin, or just old and decaying? There are so many churches like that!

Dare I send these libertarians, political activists, depressives, introverts, readers, writers, learners, brilliant, gentle, humble, loving folk out there!?

I don't want someone to go out, find this nasty, scary, creepy little church, get rebuked by some weirdo, and come back and say "see Steckbauer was wrong Christianity sucks!"

So let's just think this through first. And we'll go over a few words of caution and suggestions regarding fellowship with believers. Alright? Let's start.

I've had some weird experiences at churches. I went to this one church, it was one of the few in town that had an evening service. I was working 2nd shifts at the shelter and having trouble waking up for church so early in the morning. So I went to this church. And naturally, I was the only person there under 60. The pastor did preach a good sermon. Unfortunately after the service I was cornered and surrounded by congregation members, led by the pastor's wife who proceeded to interrogate me as to why I came. And as she asked me questions, and I answered them, about who I was, where I came from, what I did for a living, it was like she kept insinuating that I was lying. Now I know from experience, that sometimes people will try to use churches for free assistance. But come on. I hadn't asked for anything.

Another congregation member was trying to kind of defend me. She told the pastor's wife that I had gone to Good News Baptist in the past. The pastor wife asked her if she had said that first or if I had. Like I might just be playing along with what the congregation member had already stated.

Then the Pastor's wife started asking me about doctrine, what does salvation mean, and on and on and on. I told her I worked at Salvation Army. She still seemed like she didn't believe me. So I gave her my business card. Still, it seemed like I wasn't quite off the hook yet! Haha! Creepy. Finally I left, never to come back again!

First thing, remember all churches are not created equal. And it doesn't necessarily have anything to do with denomination. A Catholic church may be a wonderful Spirit filled community while a Baptist Evangelical church may be a dead church full of sin. It's just hard to say. So try a few out, and if you have a bad experience at one, keep trying others. Seek out a church that teaches what's in the Bible. Don't skip around based on how you necessarily "feel" about it. Test the church in regard to our ontic referent the Bible.

If you can't find a church where you can successfully take part in group worship, Bible study, and evangelism, then consider starting your own house church. Have you ever heard of the House Church Movement? It's a pretty cool thing in my humble view. Click here to a free online book about it. You could always start a Bible study in your home too. Are you feeling led to do that? Pray about it! With the internet, the possibility of online Christian fellowships is exciting!

God loves you. He will help you to find a good church, so pray first before you try to find one! If you can't find one, pray about starting a house church or a Bible study. In the meantime, be sure to spend extra time in prayer, praising God, and studying the Bible on your own. Despite what some theological bullies might tell you, there is such a thing as a "solo-Christian." It's a fact of life in this world. One can be a follower of Jesus Christ without ever being bullied into the authoritarian power structures of churches, or into fellowship with "believers" who embrace sin.

However, being a solo-Christian is difficult, and dangerous. It's like leaving the safety of the flock. Of course in many parts of the world there is no flock, like 3rd world countries. So stay close to the shepherd. In the west, same problem, maybe there is no flock, just a bunch of wolves around a false teacher, or worse yet, a bunch of wolves, and a few sheep around a shepherd. That's a tough one. But once again, stick with the only true shepherd, Jesus Christ. Sometimes I've had to go it alone for seasons (if I call it a "season" it's Christian then, right?) and that was tough. Glad to have found the Salvation Army church, and my wonderful job at the shelter.

So I'll leave it there. These are difficult issues. No one said this would be easy did they? Nope, no one did. So be in a lot of prayer, contemplation, and study of scripture.. the book of Acts is useful regarding church issues. So is Timothy, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, and many other books of the Bible.

Friday, October 17, 2014

Modern Christianity & Apologetics: Some Intriguing Lectures & Discussions

I really enjoy intriguing and entertaining presentations regarding Christianity, Apologetics, and Science. Don't you!? I really, really do. So these are five gems I've scraped together for your viewing pleasure. My goodness, we have such a rich movement of Christianity taking form in this country today. Don't you think?

First off we've got an interview by the sarcastic, brilliant Eric Metaxas. The interview with Canon White is absolutely fascinating, and funny. It's simply astounding to hear about the work of the Holy Spirit, angels, miracles and such happening in Baghdad. You wonder about what it's like to be a persecuted Christian from time to time, it sounds truly terrible, yet wonderful at the same time. 2nd is a presentation by Frank Turek, revealing some very intense and scary information about college professors and atheism on campus. 3rd is Eric Metaxas again, sarcastically interviewing the founder of the intelligent design movement Stephen Meyer. Fourth again is Frank Turek discussing the fossil record, intelligent design, and the cambrian explosion. Enjoy!

1. Eric Metaxas interviews the Vicar of Baghdad Canon White
Topic: Being a Christian in Iraq

2. Frank Turek discusses Intellectual Predators on Campus
Topic: Atheist bias on college campuses

3. Eric Metaxas interviews Stephen Meyer / Socrates in the City
Topic: Intelligent Design

4. Frank Turek discusses Intelligent Design, Evolution, and the Cambrian Explosion
Topic: Fossil record/Cambrian Explosion

Related Posts:
The Power of Apologetics
Believing in the Miraculous
Apologetics: Answering Atheism, Naturalism
Can you see through the illusion?
Philosophy, Science, Logic, and History

Power Structures: The Pyramid & the Inverted Pyramid

What is a pyramid in the terms of a look at the structure of society? A pyramid in teaching and history has often been shown to adequately describe the basic layout of a society and how it is controlled, or governed. One can also see an economic picture when looking at the layout of a pyramid.

Today in terms of what we'll be looking at, it's kind of an umbrella. Distribution of political power, economic power, and indeed spiritual power I think can be well described within the context of a pyramid.

In our world today we have at work, generally, the pyramid structure. At the bottom are people like you and I, with the least amount of power, and bearing the weight of the day to day operations of the society. Going up you see the various other segments of society with increasing amounts of power, and less and less of the population involved as you move up the pyramid.

To illustrate take a look at a political drawing from the early 1900s, obviously the illustrator was seeking to attack capitalism. That is not my purpose for this short discussion on pyramid systems.

So the working class is at the bottom, and then you move upward to say the "middle class" something I was part of when I was in my teen years, before my parents divorced.

Remember in the late 90s and early 00s the cost of living was much lower. The Federal reserve had not devalued the US dollar to the point it's at now. So during that time in my life I was the son of a teacher and a nurse. Today that would not necessarily make someone middle class. (I suppose it would depend on what kind of teacher.) We took frequent vacations. I was very blessed. I got to see Washington D. C., Yellowstone Park, the Grand Tetons, Boston, fishing in Canada, and I was even privileged to be at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia. My parents worked a great deal, but there was also plenty of time for vacations and relaxation. We owned several cars, a ski boat, 3 wheelers, and snowmobiles. Of course today my parents are both in debt and struggling to make ends meet. Divorce does that.

After the middle class you have probably the upper class, people who make above $100,000 a year. Engineers, doctors, lawyers, police chiefs, small business owners, and so on. Sort of "upper middle class."

Next you'd have large corporate owners people above 10+ million a year. These are the people who really influence things on not just a local or regional level, but on a nation level. Included in this group would be Senators, Representatives, certain Religious leaders, Government bureaucrats, all the way up to the President of the United States.

Next would be people who make over 100 million a year and exert influence over not just national politics, but international politics. This would largely be banking institutions and the owners of those institutions, including fortune 500 companies, and representatives of international governance organizations like the United Nations and European Union.

So that's how it breaks down. And most people live in the money paradigm. People will pretend they don't, but they surely do. Money is the god, and it is not a forgiving god. It demands tribute and gives more to those who have and as far as those who have not, well, sometimes the unexpected does occur.

Enter, Jesus Christ. I hope you smile at this moment. Because the world has a lot of problems, and much of it can be attributed to the pyramid. Entire continents starve and suffer from disease and the money is there, but it is not open to those who would need it. But then there's our glorious Lord Jesus Christ. The one who changes everything. And what happens with Jesus? He does the impossible.

Our glorious Lord flips the pyramid on it's head. As is written in the word: ""So the last will be first, and the first will be last." (Matthew 20:16 NIV).

In the future kingdom we see an inverted pyramid as the style of government. Jesus Christ is the benevolent President. And those who had been the most abused and neglected of society on Earth as it is now will be the first in His government. Those who ruled on the Earth in this life, will be the least in the kingdom, at best, and at worst, they will have no place in the kingdom of Jesus Christ.

This is why I can't understand it when friends of mine say that "religion is the opiate of the masses." Do you know that you're quoting Karl Marx? Do you know that his system of government/economics has been used to enslave and commit genocide against entire populations? Keep that in mind.

I concede, absolutely, that religion has been used as a method to power. I consider the megachurch leaders, not all of them, but some of them, such as Mark Driscoll, who use their position as a means to power, status, and influence. Don't get me wrong. I loved the teachings of Mark Driscoll, but with increased power, comes increased responsibilities (Luke 12:48). That said, God bless the leaders of the church and we should be quick to accept their acts of repentance, multiple times, 7 times 70 times (Matthew 18:21-22). If you work that out it comes to 490 times. So that's a lot of times. I assume, even more.

So there I come to the purpose of this post: Humble leadership.

I find it quite confusing, the pastor position. But I do live in the United States so, that might explain it. The pastor position is kind of a position of prominence and authority as far as I can see. They are busy, powerful, CEO-like men and women who stand atop the mountain directing the company below. On the stage, the godly man, the representative for the people before God.

But that isn't biblical. The biblical "leader" I suppose would be much more so like the humble servant role of Jesus Christ, washing the feet of the disciples. The eternal servant. In the correct model, the "pastor" or "elder" would be below the church members in the scheme of "power." The leader is the servant.

Philippians 2:5-11
⁵In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

⁶Who, being in very nature^[a] God,
    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
⁷rather, he made himself nothing
    by taking the very nature^[b] of a servant,
    being made in human likeness.
⁸And being found in appearance as a man,
    he humbled himself
    by becoming obedient to death—
        even death on a cross!

⁹Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
    and gave him the name that is above every name,
¹⁰that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
¹¹and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.

This is illustrated well in the role of the church planter. A poor church planter, according to Ralph Winter in his book "Perspectives on the World Christian Movement" will do certain things: He will have to be at the center of everything. He will be the one in the limelight, with all the attention on him. He will have to have his hands in everything. He will be very hesitant to delegate any authority. And he will then end up attracting only the very least influential members of the local culture.

I've been a part of a church plant that went just like that. But Ralph Winter also wrote that in a really good church plant, it will be something called a "people movement." And it just rings true with the message of the Bible. The church planter is hardly seen. He tends to work behind the scenes. He is quick to take give out power to locals. He finds a local person of influence and simply helps that person to take on the roll of prominence in the new movement. Then the movement takes on a very "home grown" quality. In the best kind of people movement the church planter is never noticed. And isn't it like our God to exalt the humble church planter in the background, out of the limelight, who painstakingly works for others to get the earthly honor? Of course it is.

In the same way, the humble servant pastor leads up a healthy church. He is not a CEO power player. He is a servant of his congregation.

1 Peter 5:1-4 (ESV) So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

In this world we have a pyramid of control, and most of us are at the bottom. That's what it's like in a kingdom controlled by the evil one. But in the kingdom of Christ Jesus, the poor and powerless are quickly the exalted. I know so many people so consumed with the political corruption of the world and the brutal realities of life on Earth. I used to be that person, searching for the truth in all of it. To them I say, keep fighting for a saner world today, but also, have the eternal perspective. Christianity is not another method of control. Christianity is the ultimate solution to the greatest question: Why is the world so messed up? And an even bigger question: How can we fix it?

The answer is Jesus Christ. There is no perfect economic system or form of government that will make all this suddenly ok. Because the problem is not government corruption, or corporate corruption, or social corruption. The problem at it's very core is my corruption. The evil in my heart, and in your heart, because we've all at one time or another contributed to the problem. And the only answer to the evil in my heart, is rebirth in Jesus Christ. That is the very heart of the solution. Become a part of that solution. Because it's real. And it works. With Jesus as President, the pyramid inverted, and the evil in my heart replaced with love, finally, peace on Earth, life, joy, no more death. Free, free at last. That's the ultimate liberty in Christ Jesus.

Amen.

Related Posts:
The USA and the Ancient Roman Empire
The Mainstream Media, Tolerance in America
Recipes for the Babylonian Captivity
American Traditionalism vs. Biblical Christianity
Religion or Relationship? Good deeds or Jesus?

Saturday, October 11, 2014

A Vital Spiritual Experience, an unparalleled Adventure

The Christian journey is a magical, incredible, powerful adventure. It is simply the highest and greatest undertaking possible for any one man or woman to set forth upon. The Pilgrim begins at the cross of Christ, and sets out upon a heroic journey unparalleled by any other on the face of the Earth.

Ups and downs, highs and lows, devastating tragedies, joyous victories, and everywhere in between. It all awaits the pilgrim on his passage. Autumns skies, swaying woods of yellow, gold, and red that bring about such unspeakable emotions. Winters so deep and unending one feels like the only creature in a thousand miles. Springs of lush green and pouring rains. Summers of golden rays set against valleys of green and endless oceans blue, that remind you of lost loves and childhood moments of indescribable emotion. The adventure is beautiful. The Christian faces down a deep wilderness, brilliant white angels dancing in the sunlight for a moment you might catch a glimpse, and in the shadows mysterious and terrible creatures lurking, temptations outstretched so sweet to the mouth, yet so bitter to the stomach.

Comraderies with fellow travelers. Breaks in the trail that lead to dead ends. Broken fellowships fleeing the woods. The sounds of bombs falling in the distance. Cloudy skies crackling thunder. Quiet moments of home and hearth around dinner tables breaking bread in joyous communion. Moments of clarity when the clouds part and God himself in shining light shows himself in sovereignty.

And so much more. So much more. So many twists and paradoxes, ironies, synchronous moments, joys unspeakable, moments of pure adulation interspersed with moments of hope and holiness, dwindling amongst regret, fear, and lingering disappointment. Days of war and nights of love, peace of heart amongst the powerful love for God, and for fellow travelers. On and on it goes.

This Christian life is a indeed a great and epic journey of spiritual power and growth. Jesus Christ at the center, Holy Spirit working in our heart, and God the Father overhead guiding the way. One day at a time, remaining steadfastly firm in the commitment to never give up, to always stay loyal to the God who saved us, one day at a time, learning, growing, falling, and getting up again. All thanks to Jesus Christ, all through him, to the glory of God the Father.

Take the journey, begin the adventure, experience the power.

Monday, October 6, 2014

Mental Illness, Awareness, and Jesus

This post is in connection with the October Synchroblog. Participate in the Synchroblog to write on like-minded topics.

#BlessedAreTheCrazy

Anxiety? Worry? Depression? Insomnia? These are things many people struggle with on a daily basis. Of course there is a lot of stigma surrounding these issues.

What do you say when someone asks you how you're doing?

"Hey Justin, how are you doing buddy?"

"I'm doing good."

But what I'm really thinking is.. well, I'm kinda sad right now and I'm not sure why. I'm tired too. Super tired. I keep thinking about things from the past and feel depressed, and occasionally I think about things in the future and feel anxious. So I'm really kind of a mess today.

Of course I would not say that out loud. Why? Because I don't want any advice. I don't want a pep talk. I don't want my friend to "worry about me." And I don't want to make him uncomfortable. But it's there. Sometimes I need so badly to tell someone, but I can't.

A lot of the time, that's a snapshot of what it's like with mental illness. Everyday can be a struggle.

Mental illness is a very real concern for many, many people today. It's a silent struggle. Because in our "5 step to success" style consumer society, we all put on shows. We play pretend, and the game is "I'm perfect." We all pretend like we have no problems, and suffer in secret. And that leads to loneliness.

Well I refuse to play games. I have issues! And it's ok to have issues! I struggle with mental illness. Big deal.

Sadly the perfect mask often occurs in the church as well. When people play righteousness, or holier than thou, a church rapidly degenerates into nothing more than a weird social club. Sin is hidden. Secrets abound. No one can be honest. And effectiveness in ministry drops by leaps and bounds.

Mental illness is real. Sadly, in some churches if you bring it up you'll get the "it must be hidden sin in your life or you'd always feel great." That is entirely false. The Psalms show again and again, Christians will struggle. The entire New Testament is full of mentions of Christians having to endure trials and suffering.

The Old Testament as well. Consider the story of Elijah and his victory over the false prophets of Baal. He had just achieved an incredible victory over the false prophets. Yet he received word that someone wanted to kill him, and it was like the straw that broke the camel's back. He fled and endured depression. Yet he had done nothing wrong, he was simply struggling with the ups and downs of life.

1 Kings 19:3-9
³Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, ⁴while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” ⁵Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep.
All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” ⁶He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.
⁷The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” ⁸So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. ⁹There he went into a cave and spent the night.

Sometimes I've had enough! Just like Elijah. Sometimes I'm depressed. And I go to my cave and feel sad. Worry, anxiety, difficult feelings... Probably the most important thing someone with mental health issues needs is a loving friend. They need someone to listen without judgement. They need someone to acknowledge them, listen, and tell them that they are understood.

One last thought on mental illness.. I'm an introvert. And being an introvert is a wonderful thing. Unfortunately my introverted style of life, wanting to write and read and spend time alone was misinterpreted by my dad as a mental health problem when I was 10. I was put on prozac. That mindset of "take a pill to fix a problem" and "there is something wrong with you" spiraled. One could say Ritalin was a major contributor to my parents divorce a few years later, as my dad pressed to experience the cures of psychiatry. Then after, I looked to doctors and pills to solve my mounting problems. I became addicted to Ambien. And I continued to throw pills of all kinds into my mouth, to solve my mental health pains and troubles until 10 years later I'd destroyed my whole life and had overdosed twice and been declared a danger to myself and/or others by the legal system.

Thankfully, Jesus Christ saved me from that. It's all about Jesus. It's all about God. Christianity. I had been prescribed over 30 different medications over those years. I had been in outpatient counseling, in-patient facilities, over and over and over. But all the psychotherapy in the world was useless without Jesus Christ and the words of the Bible to make recovery possible. That was the problem all those years, I tried to overcome those issues with the very best meds and therapy. But it was all useless until Jesus Christ changed my heart, and filled me with power to truly seek out and put into practice the solutions out there.

It was a nightmare to be in that repeating loop, that repeating disaster. I wish someone had told me during those years that I needed Jesus. But then again, I probably wouldn't have listened anyway.

Mental illness is real. It affects millions every year in this country. It's not sin. Though we all do sin. It's illness. And it needs treatment. Therapy is useful. Some medications are useful. But unless the spiritual life guided by Jesus Christ is present, it's often wasted effort.

So during this month of mental health awareness, hug a depressed guy or gal. Listen and learn. Simply be there. Don't worry about what to say, just listen! Support someone will mental illness in your area. And if you're like me, someone who struggles with depression, anxiety, and sleep problems, I have a message for you: You aren't alone. God loves you, I love you. I get it, I really get it! Your pain has meaning, and I know you're of a special few to our Heavenly Father.

Amen.

Books I Recommend for Mental Health & Addiction:

Freedom from Depression Workbook by Les Carter

The Lies We Believe Workbook by Chris Thurman

Love Hunger Workbook by Frank Minirth

The Bondage Breaker by Neil Anderson

Love is a Choice by Robert Hemfelt

Happiness is a Choice by Frank Minirth, Paul Meier

Pain and Pretending by Rich Buhler

Worry-Free Living by Frank Minirth

Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book by Bill Wilson

Basic Text of Narcotics Anonymous

Celebrate Recovery

Every Man's Battle by Stephen Arterburn

Healing for Damaged Emotions by David Seamands

The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale

The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer

The Problem of Pain by C.S. Lewis

Has Christianity failed you? by Ravi Zacharias

Support Groups I Recommend: (no cost groups)

Celebrate Recovery Group Locator - for support with addiction, mental health, sexual health, eating disorders, etc.

Alcoholics Anonymous - for support for people struggling with alcoholism.

Al-Anon - support groups for those affected by alcoholic family or friends.

Narcotics Anonymous - support for people who struggle with drug addiction

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) - mental health support groups

Others include Nicotine Anonymous, 1-800-QUITNOW (for tobacco), Overeaters Anonymous, Emotions Anonymous, Smart Recovery, and many others! Inquire locally.

October Synchroblog List: