To You Is Born

Funeral Theology

To be fair, I'm writing this as a way of processing the past few days. I lost my friend Jeremy and I miss him. However, the past few days has also left me with one haunting question:

"Why don't I always treat people like this?"

I Answered My Phone

The past few days I've spent a lot of time over at Jeremy's home. I let Rebecca (Jeremy's wife) and her family know they could contact me at anytime and for any reason. I wanted to be completely accessible to them as they mourned. I answered my phone every time she called. I cleared my schedule. It was not a burden.

Did you ever notice how the majority of Jesus' miracles did not come about by strategic planning or appointment? Rather, his miracles often began out of interruptions, inconveniences, and even annoyances. He was never too busy. Jesus would stop the world to address a need and still stops all of heaven to hear your prayer.

Others Were More Important

When someone passes away there are countless details to attend to. Rebecca's phone was ringing off the hook. One day while I was visiting with the family, Rebecca's phone interrupted our conversation. She apologized and I made a decision. I told her and her family, that for the next few days they will never need to apologize to me for anything. They can get angry, answer the phone, ask me to leave, anything they want. They were more important. I was just honored to be there.

The apostle Paul writes about Jesus by saying, "but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant."(2) As I studied this scripture I discovered something startling. Jesus didn't just give lip service to the idea that other's were more important. He didn't just talk about it or act like it. Jesus actually thought others were better than him. When he saw another person walking by, Jesus saw their needs as more valuable.

In a world where we won't even let the truck merge into our lane, what a revolutionary idea! What if I thought this way all of the time?

Grace Got Liberal

During one of my last conversations with Jeremy, I asked if I could share who God is. See, Jeremy was a skeptic and had plenty of questions regarding faith. I always appreciated his honest doubt. As I sat next to his bed, I decided to share the story of the thief hanging on a cross next to Jesus as they both slowly died. I've always enjoyed the simple conversation Jesus and the thief had.

Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."

Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."(1)

I think most pastors and theologians, given the choice, would leave this conversation out of the Bible. It doesn't fit neatly into our boxes of belief regardless of how it's dissected. Read it however you like, but I see a man throwing a hail marry pass with his last breath. This conversation seems more like a bail-out plan than belief.

Near death conversations often end up this way. Grace gets wonderfully liberal. Hoops and hurdles are removed. Questions remain unanswered, evidence is still insufficient, uncertainty shadows faith, and yet Eternity approaches. In conversations like these, it is never about a belief in a statement, it is trusting in a person. As we prayed together, Jeremy decided to trust Jesus with his life and death and today he is with God in paradise. That's why we sing about grace being amazing.

So why don't I always communicate grace this way? Why do I have this constant need to restrain and control God's reckless love for others? Why not fling open the door and reveal a God that honors a dying man's request?

1. Luke 23:39-43

2. Philippians 2:3-7

Giving Presence

This is a sermon I spoke yesterday at Lifepoint Church in Renton, WA. If you want to listen to it podcast style it will be available here in the next day or 2. There has been light editing to make it more readable.

In 6 days I will be leaving Washington. I know, sad...

I will be leaving the cold and the rain, 2 things that I have been really beginning to loath.

Before moving up here I would have never referred to myself as a “Cali boy,” or a “California Kid”,  but after being up here, I can’t help but long for the sunshine and the 100 degree summers of Sac town.

A sunny Christmas with a high in the 60s sounds perfect to me right now. 

I can’t wait to be home.


However its not the weather that makes me most excited to be home, because in reality Seattle is ten times the city Sacramento is.

But there is one thing missing in Seattle.

Its my cousin, a 7 year old named jack, my really cool brother, my sweet mom, and my amazing dad. Its the people that I love that make me most excited about going home.

There is a reason why children, no matter their age, go home for Christmas every year. Its not because we love the free food, which we do, its not because we feel like we have to, its not so that we can get a gift from our parents, which, I’m not going to lie, is pretty awesome.

The real reason we go home is because we know that our presence is the best present of all to those we love.

Its because being with those who love us and we love is more meaningful than anything else in the world. 

To slow down life and just “be” with the important people in our lives.

I never really understood this importance of presence in my life until I was gone from my family for the first time, when I moved up here, to WA.

Now, when I go home and I get to see the smile on my parents faces, it almost makes being gone worth it. Or watching 7 year old Jack’s face light up when I walk into the room. It simply shows the importance that our presence makes in the life of others.

Presence may be the single most important gift anyone can give.

We can look at the patriarchs (Abraham, Issac, and Jacob) and see that God’s presence was with them, leading them.

We can look at Moses and the Sinai account to see God’s presence with the Israelites.

We can look at Israel’s tabernacle and later the temple as the defining physical object that showed God’s presence among Israel

You see, Israel was defined by one thing. The presence of the Lord.

God was with his people, His presence was made clearly known.

Israel’s identity depends entirely on the encounter between God and Man. The key word being “encounter." This was and is not simply a one sided relationship.

As a matter of fact we can look back to the time of Joshua and Judges to see the implications of this relationship between God and Israel.

Joshua 3:7-10

7 And the LORD said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses. 8 Tell the priests who carry the ark of the covenant: ‘When you reach the edge of the Jordan’s waters, go and stand in the river.’”

9 Joshua said to the Israelites, “Come here and listen to the words of the LORD your God. 10 This is how you will know that the living God is among you and that he will certainly drive out before you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites and Jebusites.

11 See, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth will go into the Jordan ahead of you. 12 Now then, choose twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one from each tribe. 13 And as soon as the priests who carry the ark of the LORD—the Lord of all the earth—set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heap.”

14 So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carrying the ark of the covenant went ahead of them. 15 Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, 16 the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away, at a town called Adam in the vicinity of Zarethan, while the water flowing down to the Sea of the Arabah (that is, the Dead Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho. 17 The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD stopped in the middle of the Jordan and stood on dry ground, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground.

Its clear in this passage that Joshua listened to the Lord, and the Lord was with the Israelites on that day. His presence was known.

In contrast we can look in Judges, after the death of Joshua how the people turned away from the Lord and the consequences because of the breakdown of this relationship.

Judges 2:11-14

11 Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD and served the Baals. 12 They forsook the LORD, the God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of Egypt. They followed and worshiped various gods of the peoples around them. They aroused the LORD’s anger 13 because they forsook him and served Baal and the Ashtoreths. 14 In his anger against Israel the LORD gave them into the hands of raiders who plundered them. He sold them into the hands of their enemies all around, whom they were no longer able to resist.

Israel turned its back on God. He never left them, but they chose leave Him.

God created humans for relationship. God chose Israel as the means in which he could be known and have this relationship with the world.

Through out the entire Old Testament we see a picture of a God, that is desperate to be with His people. A God, that put up with unfaithfulness, and abandonment because He loves His creation and wanted to live and dwell among them. He wanted his presence to be known.

Thank God the story does now end there. God longed for a more intimate relationship with those he loved, us.

Enter Jesus.

Matthew 1:18-23

18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about[d]: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet[e] did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,[f] because he will save his people from their sins.”

22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”[g] (which means “God with us”).

God with us...

God’s presence is with us now.

We have received the ultimate gift of God’s presence.

Because of Jesus, the infinite God becomes more tangible, more approachable, and more comprehensible.

Jesus loved being with people.

He paid attention to the prostitute in Luke 7. While the pharisees were condemning Him, He forgave her of her sins.

He noticed little Zachariah, the chief tax collector, a man who stole from others, up in a tree in Luke 19.

Jesus paid attention, listened, and noticed. He did all the things that we don't do because we are in such a hurry that we forget.

Because we have God with us we have everything, and it changes everything.

Jesus came to be with the hurt, the lost, the sick.

We can see Jesus taking time to heal a man with Leprosy in

Matthew 8:1-3

Jesus Heals a Man With Leprosy

1 When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. 2 A man with leprosy[a] came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”

3 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy.

Jesus noticed those everyone else would have passed by. He was willing to be with the broken, and even heal the broken. He still is today.

Where is your leprosy, where is your hurt, where is your loss, where are you sick? Do you anticipate God’s presence to be there in those situations?

So, How should we celebrate His presence this Christmas?

This season is the celebration of the arrival of God’s presence in the person of Jesus.

Take a moment and think, what is the most memorable gift you have ever received? …

I bet for most of you the gift that comes to mind is a relational gift. A gift that celebrates the relationship between 2 people.

My most memorable gift was a baseball mitt. It wasn't the most expensive gift, or even the one I was most excited about at the time.

But its definitely the most memorable, because when I think about it I think about my dad, and the the times we played catch, and all the times he coached my teams, and how he taught me to be the man I am today. 

It’s not the mitt that is special, but the relationship it helped build.

In the same way the life of Jesus was God’s celebration of the relationship between man and God. He gave his presence, in his only son, He gave himself.


Here we read the account of the birth of Jesus:

Luke 2:7

New International Version (NIV)
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

I have been to Bethlehem, and let me tell you, Its not the pretty wooden manger with the cute baby animals that is depicted in movies, or the beautiful nativity scenes that we proudly display in our homes.

Where Jesus was born was quite the opposite. It was a dark, dirty, nasty cave. Now add in gross and dirty animals to the mix, and this is definitely not a place you would want to have a baby. Yet it was the place Jesus made his debut.

Jesus did not force his way into existence displaying the vast power of God, which he could have, rather he came humbly in a tiny dirty cave among animals in a small town called Bethlehem.

Could it be Jesus came humbly in a dirty cave, so that we could know that our sinful messed up hearts were not too lowly of a place for him to dwell?

Jeremiah 17:9

English Standard Version (ESV)
9The heart is deceitful above all things,
  and desperately sick;


Does that sound like a place for God to dwell? Probably not, but it does sound a lot like the little cave in Bethlehem.


Ultimately Jesus’ presence, his gift, cost him everything.

Lets not loose sight of why this season is so important. Its not a new video game, its not a new piece of Jewelry, its not the latest and greatest piece of technology.

This season is a celebration of important people in our lives

Its a celebration of our willingness to slow down and care for one another

Its a celebration of remembering, that Jesus came humbly to give his presence and be apart of our broken and messed up lives.

A Pure and Friendly Jesus (Letter to Christians)

To my dear pastors, presbyters, lay leaders, parishioners, board members, elders, deacons, priests, and bishops,

We have passed the point of no return for the Christian faith. We can no longer identify a cohesive "Christendom" to geographically or politically define Christianity. It's global now. But with that globalization has come an influx of other religious influences. Christianity no longer belongs to Europe or America, just as Islam no longer belongs exclusively to Saudi Arabia, just as Buddhism no longer belongs to India or even Japan. The world is opening its arms to migration and new people groups just as Jesus himself opened his arms to those no one expected him to love.

This may come to you as bad news as you're hiding out in your bomb shelter of nationalized religion and waiting for this storm to pass. It's not a storm, and it won't just "pass." Religion will no longer be able to exist in a crystallized state of patriotic identity.

In this new climate of religious amalgamation we must learn as much as we can about each other, so resist the urge to resist a change to what has largely been a nationalized Christianity. Note that this does not require going to a Christian bookstore to pick up a new copy of "Why Christianity is Right and Everyone Else is the Devil" by Pat Rewind. That kind of approach was never helpful, and it's actually causing more harm than good.

The existence of other religio-philosophical systems in itself is not a threat to the nature and character of Christ, nor is it an affront to your many years' worth of tithes and Christmas plays. Other beliefs are not "the enemy" and certainly their representative believers do not deserve to be anathematized for not being just like you. You might even benefit from another perspective.

I'm not advocating a total abandonment of Christianity, nor am I pushing you to become anything other than fully in love with the person and nature of Christ. But there are two commissions operative in Christianity that need to be addressed.

The first is that Jesus never said that his closing statement before disappearing into the sky was a "Great Commission" and if you read it without that context it really just looks like a benediction such as would be said from a parent to a child. So Matthew 28:19 is not a call to categorical proselytism but an impartation of divine authority to teach the things he taught, which even in his time were philosophically subversive.

The second commission is the actual content of that teaching, which is found across the four gospels but for brevity's sake I will equate with the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7. It has been said that the Ten Commandments and the law of the Hebrews was a religious evolution for the Ancient Near East because for the first time ever, a deity cares about the way people treat other people. And since Jesus confirms that he is not abolishing this law at the Mount of Olives, this must be maintained. But we can also add another layer because in Jesus's teaching it is clear that God also cares about how you think and feel about other people, just as much as if you were acting physically. And here is introduced a God who knows your heart, to whom your intentions and thoughts matter.

God emptied Godself (Luke 1:26-38) of power to walk around in human form (Philippians 2:5-8), to teach a better way to live, and to offer absolution for moral transgressions (Luke 23:34) rather than lex talionic retribution. This concept is what makes Jesus such a striking figure even to people who do not consider themselves "Christian."

By taking all these foreign things like Red-White-and-Blue, the King James Version of the Bible, or legal propositions, and bundling them up with Christ you are heretically obfuscating his teaching with your own hegemonic interests.

Thus, I arrive at my two requests of you:

1) Please allow Jesus to have his own voice untainted by your biases and interests, true to the context in which he spoke both historically and theologically.

2) And please spend time in meaningful interaction with people of other beliefs, faiths, and philosophical backgrounds and positions.

You'll find that Jesus is a lot more powerful once you stop interrupting him, and that other people have some very important contributions to make to our understanding as we follow Jesus's teaching. If you integrate these requests into your life you may find that God starts doing some things you never thought possible. But if you ignore me, feel free to let me know how it's working for you.

Sincerely,

Rev. Thomas R. Gartin

Just Jump

Two Kinds Of Good

It occurred to me this week that when you and I speak of a person being "good" we could mean very different things. It's a word with all kinds of connotations and meanings. Specifically, in a spiritual context, "good" is an extremely diverse term.

I've met many I would define as "good" and what I mean is they are merely moral. This kind of good is very responsible and reliable. It's the neighbor that keeps his grass mowed but you wouldn't want to spend much time with because this kind of good survives through contrast. It's good at reminding you of how bad you are. It means well, but its stance is always defensive. This kind of good is defined by what it doesn't do. It's the aestetic alone in the dessert with his hand raised for three weeks. As Tom Sawyer put it, "It's good in the worst sense of the word."

Now, I'm happy to tell you there is another kind of good. I've met many I would define as this "good" and what I mean is they are generous. It's a kind of good that is approachable and attractive. It's a good that has a sort of charm and grace to it. It's the good you are unintentionally refreshed to be around. It's the friend you call for a good laugh because this kind of good prospers within community. It's good at conveying joy. It's stance is always accepting. This kind of good is defined by what they give. It's the trusted friend you met with at the pub to confess something ugly and he responds with an arm around you and a nod to the bartender, "The next one's on me."

See, I write this on Sunday because I know how many of my friends aren't getting dressed for Church this morning because they are weary of the former kind of "good". They have suspicions that God is a different kind of good. God could be the latter kind of good. For some, the suspicion is not much more than a hope. I wanted to share this with you because your suspicions are correct. Your hope can end in joy. I wanted to announce to you that God is very good.

And my life is going to prove it.

Care to join me?

"this is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers." -1 John 3:16

More to come on this... To Be Continued.

Spiritual Lessons From The Man In The Parking Lot

[Just found this and realized I forgot to publish it at the time!]

Last semester I was approached by a man, while I was walking to my car in the parking lot. "excuse me sir, I like your tie. By the way, are you registered to vote in Placer County and would you be willing to sign this to stop the tuition hike?" (extending a petition with a few signatures already on it.) I was grumpy, tired, and ready for Spring Break, so I answered brashly, "Sure, if you can tell me exactly what I'm signing, and how that will stop the tuition hike." He promptly responded, "Thank you have a great day" and walked away.

Hands down, I wasn't the most polite person to deal with, but really?! I asked a question and he left! As I got in my car and began to criticize the man on his inability as a petitioner, I realized that I have done the same thing when trying to "get signatures" for Christ or even just to go to church! This thought, ultimately led me to three conclusions that I had rarely thought about as a follower of Christ.

1) Cut the Flattery- The minute he gave me a compliment was the minute I gave him one strike. I didn't know him, and he was obviously selling something. The flattery as a use of persuasion was not only extremely obvious, but extremely hurtful to his cause. It immediately shut me down. Now, this is not to say you can't compliment a person and be polite, but examine the motive behind it. If you weren't trying to ask them about church or Christ, would you still have given that compliment?

2) Have the information- 1 Peter 3:15 says, "but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect." If you walk up to someone and tell them that Jesus loves them, and they should accept him in their hearts, you better be ready for "why?" Imagine how strange you felt when you first heard this, if you can remember, imagine: An invisible God, who you don't know about, sent His son from Heaven to Earth to die for your sin, which you may or may not see as bad.Not only that, but you should also seek after this invisible being, and ask His forgiveness. Does that not sound nuts if you aren't a Christian?

3) It doesn't matter how pretty you wrap it up, it is still about them- I was in a bad mood before I saw him, I was in an even worse one while talking to him. But it didn't matter. I knew while he was talking that I wasn't going to sign the petition, and it didn't matter to me how eloquently he stated his case. Short of bribing me to sign the petition, there is really nothing he could have done to get me to sign it. Often as followers of Christ, we think it is our job to get the signatures. It isn't. Our job is to love the person, present the material, and let God do the work. At the end of the day the burden is on the person you have shared with, not you. If they aren't ready to accept Christ, there is nothing that you can do or say in that moment. All you can do is love. Often we consider pestering them, yet this only results in working against your cause, making them believe that believers are insensitive to their desires, pushy, annoying, and just flat out rude.

These lessons only reinforce in my mind that the acceptance of and leading to Christ must be done through a personal relationship. The following of Christ is a process, not a moment, and we as followers of Christ need to respect that it is something that takes time. All we can do is continue to show love.

-Chris

Should Christians Rebuke Others?

I have both a Biology Test to do, and genetics questions, yet cannot seem to get something off of my mind. No doubt that by now, you have heard some kind of comment about women and the way they dress during Halloween. Since I am neither a woman, nor a fashion expert, I am definitely not qualified to make any comment on it. Since I am a Christian, a follower of Christ, and a representative of Him to the world, I do feel qualified to comment on the Christian’s reaction to those who partake in the bizarre event known as the way people dress on Halloween.

The first major reaction that I see is nothing. People don’t say anything due to fear, apathy, or any other numerous reasons. Many people see Halloween as no different as women wearing a swimsuit during the summertime, and with such a view, hold back judgement on those who (in my opinion) dress funny on Halloween. Although I don’t fully believe in this approach, I find it a lot less damaging than the next response that has driven this post.

The second response that I see from Christians is one of passionate rebuke. Christians are quick to condemn these women as “skanky, sluttish, and whore-ish, yet believe that since they are not calling that person a skank, slut, or whore directly; that it is appropriate to use these words. In giving those who hold this opinion the benefit of the doubt; I will say that this passionate response comes from a desire to see their friends, families, or even complete strangers dressed in a way that is ultimately respectful to that person. Yet, the righteous desire does not permit, or justify, the use of words that are ultimately condemning, degrading, and judgmental of that person. Proverbs 15:1 says, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Imagine if you were that person who decided to wear a little less, and you had someone judging your character on the clothes you were wearing for one night. Now imagine if you didn’t even know the person making that judgement. That person then proclaims to be a Christian. How do you feel towards the judge, Christians, and Christ Himself? I can tell you that by the reactions of my friends who partake in such an event, these people feel hurt, judged, and angry towards not only the judge (effectively eliminating any credibility that Christian once had- hindering their ability to minister), but also toward all Christians, and even being angry towards Christ for the hypocrisy of His followers.


For anyone acquainted with the New Testament they will immediately point to verses that permit the rebuking of others. Although there are many verses of the sort, we can examine Jesus’ words in regard to the correction of others’ actions. Luke 17:3: “So watch yourselves. If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them.” Yet, I would like to point out something. Christ first says, “So watch yourselves…” Correction is a very personal matter and although Paul instructs it to be done in front of others (possibly for a variety of reasons, such as accountability- the same as having a witness present to attest that everything was said and done appropriately) it is initiated when you, personally, are wronged. We see this in the following of “if your brother sins against you rebuke them, and if they repent forgive them.” Instructions are given later in 1Timothy 5 that say: “1 Do not sharply rebuke an older man, but rather appeal to him as a father, to the younger men as brothers, 2 the older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters, in all purity.” Here there are two important things, 1) “Do not sharply rebuke…” without feeling the need to define sharply, let’s just use the word respectfully. 2) In all purity… examine your own actions for the rebuking. Is it coming from the love of that person, or are you just using that as an excuse to passionately condemn someone who isn’t following the rules? How can you tell what your motivation is? If you havn't talked to that person or bothered to keep a relationship with that person, it probably isn't the former.If you have worked to keep a relationship with that person: Be careful of the words that are used, and realize whenever you use the word you, you are making it a personal statement: make sure you aren’t attacking the character of your brother by describing an action. (sucks when someone emphasizes you huh?) I also feel the need to mention, that rebuking should be done by someone close who they will receive it from.

Another thing that is important to point out. Christ mentions a “brother” (For this usage, sister is also appropriate), The Bible defines the word “brother” in two ways. 1) A biological connection between two people (Mathew 13:55). And as a unification of believers (1 Corinthians 12). Neither one of these contexts is used for the unbelievers. With this established, it is not the role of a Christian to rebuke those who do not believe, it is a Christian’s role to love them. Take a look at the encounter with the Samaritan woman in John 8. When accused by the Pharisees of adultery, despite her guilt, Christ responds, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Verse ten then says: “Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” ¹¹ “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” If Jesus didn’t condemn a sinner, then neither should Christians. He left the adulteress with an encouragement, not a judgement.

With my feelings expressed, I can only leave you with my hope: May you use your passion to uplift those who believe, and those who don’t. May you be respectful of all people: encouraging whenever possible, and correcting only when necessary. May you always remember the power of your words, and the power that you have to affect others. Finally, may you always remember the love that Christ has for each and every person, and let that love drive you to love others.

-Chris

Glow Sticks

Glow sticks.

They are interesting objects if you think about it. They are the only objects that I can think of that have to be broken then shaken up before it will work.

I was recently teaching a message about conflict with God. One of the topics that got brought up was the idea of natural disasters and if it is fair to blame God for them.

The example that was used was Hurricane Katrina. So much destruction was caused by this natural disaster. So many lives were flipped upside down and completely shaken up.

Friends and loved ones lost. Homes destroyed.

We can look at something like this and wonder where God is. How could this come from a loving god? Non believers use situations like this as ways to disprove the existence of God.

But let's look at how when there is a disaster of sort - thousands of people turn to God or the church for comfort.

Now look back at the glow stick.

You take a glow stick, break it in half, then shake it up and it glows brightly. What if these situations, these disasters, these times when things just don't seem to go right, are not punishments, but instead us being broken, shaken up, so we can glow with the brightness of God's love and mercy?

I believe that there are times when we become so distracted, so preoccupied with our day to day that our relationship with God becomes one of complacency and routine. There are times when God needs to shake things up to get our attention.

Now, this is not to say that the reason there are disasters are so God can get our attention. Since we do not know how God works in the larger sense, there is no way to say why God allows these things to happen.

I am but merely suggesting, that when things are going wrong in your life, when you feel like your life is being turned upside down, maybe that is God's way of breaking and shaking you so you can glow brighter for Him

Between Lightning and Thunder

When I was in college, I was pretty busy. I was working part time at a video store(a) during the day and full time at Albertson's stocking shelves during the graveyard shift. I was also taking a full load of classes while speaking a lot at Young Life. I worried my poor Mom so much during those couple years because the only time she would see me was when I'd stumble upstairs for a couple hours of sleep before the next class, speaking gig, or shift at work.

Despite all of the busyness, I look back fondly on that time because I learned how to wait on God. I used to read in the Bible about Jesus waiting forty days in the wilderness or Moses waiting forty days to carve out the ten commandments as something quite boring. I mean, you can only pace and skip stones for so long. Hurry up and do something God, I don't have all day! Waiting is what we do in line at the grocery store. That busy period of my life taught me waiting on God is much more exciting than that. In fact, waiting on God was the most thrilling part of my week.

I remember sitting in my car in the parking lot of Albertson's before work. I hadn't slept in a couple days. I remember taking out my Bible and turning to the book of Isaiah and squinting my eyes to one particular verse under my car's dome light.

"but those who wait in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint."(b)

I took God at his word. I turned off my dome light, closed my Bible, and clocked into work. And as I worked, I would wait.

But this waiting was a joyful expectancy.

A giddy excitement.

Like a teenager waiting their turn to jump off a cliff into the water.

Like a child peering through the window at lightning flashing in the dark and waiting for the thunder.

Like a trapeze artist that has just let go, arms stretched out, waiting to be caught.

And while I waited, God would strengthen me. He'd carry me. He'd help me. Every. Single. Time. His faithfulness built a steady reputation in my life that I have leaned on all these years.

Now, I don't think of waiting as a boring obligation. It's become the best part of my week. Prayer ceases to be a painstaking ritual but a conversation with the One that promised abundant life. Waiting turns my attempts to follow Jesus into an adventure. When I wait on Him, this life opens up to me. I become keenly aware of His ability to do anything and his activity in this world. I heard someone say that grace is best received to those with empty hands. If that's true, I believe waiting helps me open my hands up.

So, I got a lil "waiting" kind of prayer I'd like to share with you:

"God, can I be a part of what you're doing today?"

Then wait. And see what happens.

I double dog dare you to ask Him that. This life may open up to you. Distractions may become divine moments. Inconveniences may become opportunities. Your answer may be right around the corner. Christianity may become an adventure again. You may find yourself between lightning and thunder.

a. Did you know they used to have video stores?

b. Isaiah 40:31

Faith and Tires By Drewe Zanki

Have you ever had an ‘aha!’ moment? You know, when something happens and you just ‘get it’?

This happened to me almost 15 years ago, but the memory remains clear to this day. I was driving somewhere with my wife in the car, and we were on a highway just north of Brisbane, Australia. We were doing about 100Kph (65 Mph), and as we reached a turn in the road we went right on around.

That doesn’t sound very exciting does it? But I instantly thought that the reason I turned in at such speed was faith – faith in the tires that as I turned the wheel, they would hold and we would go around the corner safely. I wasn’t speeding, I wasn’t being crazy, I just trusted that I could take the corner at that speed with no issue at all.

What I really had that day was a realization that we have faith in many things in our lives – even complete faith. Had the tires not held, I would at the very least be severely injured, if not more likely meeting God face to face. And yet we rarely think about these things as we go on our daily lives, but just simply have faith that they will do the job as designed.

How does that relate to our faith in God?

How often does something come up and we question God? How often does an opportunity open before us and we doubt God? How often are we called to do something and yet we hesitate because of fear?

Daily, I trust all sorts of things, like the tires on my car, with my very life.

Am I willing to do the same with God, the almighty creator of the universe?

Hebrews 10:22-23 (ESV)

Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.

What do you trust more - God, or things?

About the Author:

Drewe is married to Kerry with 2 children, a full time IT manager, and part time Bible scholar. He posts verse by verse studies at delvinginto.com . His key passion is the Bible - that it is the Word of God and the ultimate guide to a relationship with Jesus, and therefore worthy of significant time and study.

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