Thoughts

Until It Becomes Your Own

Posted on by justinlewis78

Watching an infant baptism can be quite mesmerizing.  At a glance, it might seem to be another “church ritual”.  And depending on the tradition you grew up in, it might raise some theological questions.  Just recently we participated in such a celebration as one family (someone who grew up at Westminster and said her ‘yes’ to Jesus here) presented her child for this covenant-making ceremony.

This experience can be deeply impactful for our community.  There will be those who join this family in adult Bible study and volunteers and nursery workers who sing lullabies and whisper-sing “Jesus Loves Me”.  Some of you even will tell the Story of Jesus through Scripture-infused song and projects at VBS, coach and mentor with basketball teammates, guide and challenge at youth retreats, build trusted relationships through Community Groups. Through it all, they will see Jesus.

There is a line from a baptismal rite from the French Reformed Church that gets me every time.  After reciting the great deeds of heaven and mission of God to rescue mankind, the pastor says,

“…All of this was done for you, though you do not know any of this yet.  But we will continue to tell you this good news until it becomes your own.  And so the promise of the gospel is fulfilled: “We love because God first loved us.”

In these words, I am mindful that we enter a community experience like no other!  We are storytellers and keepers of the hope found only in Jesus Christ.  Every little child (and their family) who enters into this covenant shall be blessed by our watchful and tender care.  Every young person will be encouraged and challenged to nurture this lifelong relationship with a Savior.  Every adult – no matter how old or young – will bear the Name of Jesus and shine brightly in our community… all so that the next generation will discover life in Jesus Christ.

In doing so we are not participating in a “ritual”.  Instead, we are enjoying God and making Him known.

How Should We Feel?

Posted on by justinlewis78

Like most of America, I sat through the results of the election last week with anticipation and concern.  In my 20 years as a voting adult, I’ve never felt this way.  Of course, I’ve dabbled in both hyperabsorption and abstinence of the media’s coverage.  The result is the same: I don’t know how to feel about all of this (– probably because I feel too much).

A few days later, Holly and I ran through some of her favorite communicators and their topics.  She shared that one in particular – an author gaining in national renown and encouraging thousands of women daily by her posts and speaking – recently confessed her love for another woman.  It was the first time I witnessed a Christian woman/leader redefining her sexuality on such a public stage.

Now, there was no “coming out” parade.  Conversely, there were no heralds of blasphemy or rebuke.  She simply identified that she is in love with a (particularly well known – besides the fact) woman.  I asked Holly, “How does this make you feel?” And she said, “I don’t know.”

To use the word confused would certainly come to mind for me.  But I don’t think it’s that really.

inside_out_emotions-03So let’s look at the Inside-Out top 5:  Am I sad?  Not exactly, it’s hard to be sad for someone who feels the love from companionship when she never thought she could.  Am I happy?  No.  Angry or afraid? Not really.  Disgusted?  Not at her choice, but maybe at how it’s being easily accepted by the Christian community.

I think we struggle with our feelings on the current climate of political discourse and those of sexuality, gender identity, and relationships because we stress too much how we ought to feel.

The reality is we ought to feel a lot.  It’s how God made us.  In the beauty of his divine design, He bestowed upon us the attributes of himself – physically and emotionally.  We understand this in its base form when someone says they have “fallen in love”; we recognize the beauty of that sentiment.  God is love (1 John 4:8), so the recognition of “love” is something – at least in our basic English understanding – beautiful.  However, if I were to say (and I’m not!!!), “I love my wife…and I love another woman” – this stirs concern in you and rightfully so.  As a result, I hope, you would articulate a loving, biblical response and walk with me through grace and truth.

A biblical response here is key.  In the example above, we know of God’s best for marriage because of His Creation narrative as a design of holy companionship (Gen 2:24), which I understand as between one man and one woman.  But that speaks only to my covenant relationship, not my feelings.  So it will take a concerted realignment of my heart to understand that even though I love this hypothetical other person, it is outside of God’s design for my holy relationship with Holly.

I end my thought here with this: our feelings usually influence our opinions.  Our opinions, then, are simply that… ours.  This means they will continue to conflict with each other and even our biblical knowledge and tradition because they stem from our own motives and desires.  That’s our world.  That’s our reality.

But there is also another.

In June 2015, the Supreme Court of the United States published their ruling on Obergefell v. Hodges, and as a result, effectively legalizing same-sex unions nationwide. With this new “law of the land” change, I preached a sermon and was terrified that I was supposed to address this monumental decision. Across the country, preachers did the same. Some spoke. Some led their congregations in prayer. Some rejoiced. Some tweeted. And I was silent on the issue.

Later that night, Holly and I visited Passion City Church and joined with thousands in worship. Pastor Louie Giglio admitted what I too had felt, yet his words assuaged my tongue-tied heart. He said (and I paraphrase here), the best thing he can do as a follower of Christ is to read God’s opinions in scripture. And as a pastor, his obligation is to communicate God’s opinions from scripture. He then went on to preach his prepared message.

Now, that doesn’t mean that he or the thousands of pastors across the country sat in silence out of fear or shame of the Gospel. It means that they…we accept the Kingdom reality that God’s opinions are authoritatively set above all others – a matter of fact that will continue to be incomprehensible and incompatible to agnostic intellectuals…or even professing evangelicals. It means that when I lead correctly, I will tell only what I know God gives me to tell. And of my feelings, I can be assured that God understands and allows for me to feel everything I feel about the issues and perplexities around us.

This leads me to prayer and reflection, to examine my own heart, to repent for my actions, inactions, and thoughts. And friends, I confess I do not do this consistently enough. Yet, when I do, this saves me from the abyss of despair, rage, prejudice, terror, or even ecstasy. For as a communicator of God’s authoritative word, I set my mind at ease that I can trust Him and more often than not, accept that my opinions will continue to shift, while God’s will stay the same.

When the day comes when I open my mouth to declare his promises and truth, I want to be the man who will speak what is his and not what is mine. That way, how I feel, will pale in comparison to the power and beauty of what I know to be true.

A Legacy of Discipleship

Posted on by justinlewis78

I imagine the Apostle Paul at the end of his life; his memories of recent years of preaching and suffering are filled to the brim and somehow the corners of his mouth are curling up with an unspeakable joy.

I’m not sure if one can call it “pride” when we describe the satisfaction of churches planted, heresies silenced, hundreds of both Jewish and nonJewish men and women discovering the truth of the resurrected Savior, more than a dozen churches.  Paul could not know in these moments that his letters would pass through the fingers of servants and strangers to reach our minds and encourage our souls.  And yet, that’s exactly what the Holy Spirit worked in him to do.

In spite of the direct impact of Paul’s legacy, we often overlook his initiative to take on future leaders…his own disciples.   Timothy, Silas, Sylvanus, Epaphroditus, Philemon, and others.  And while these men saw Paul as a mentor-figure, he saw them as “co-workers”.  I imagine the honor these men would cherish – to know that Paul thought of them and treated them as men who shared in the apostolic mission to carry his name to the nations:

…the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man (Saul) is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” Acts 9:15-16 (NIV)

Such a mission! To carry his name. His holy, weighty, powerful, majestic, life-giving name.  It was on this name…on this person…that Paul claimed all of his churches are built on him.  In perhaps one of his more famous metaphors for the church, Paul describes the people of God as a building:

Through God’s loving-favor to me, I laid the stones on which the building was to be built. I did it like one who knew what he was doing. Now another person is building on it. Each person who builds must be careful how he builds on it. 1 Cor 3:9-11 (NLV)

The Greek here is arkitekton – that’s right, the architect.  The head-designer AND builder.  Paul looked at Christ as the perfect foundation and then chose the best human-materials to build the rest.  (Not “best” as in worthy, but best as in the best available resources.)

So, friends, where do we do this?  By looking at those whom God has placed around us.  We invite one, two, five, (maybe even!) twelve people into our lives to learn and grow with us.  And we reject the notion that we have nothing to offer the kingdom.  For the ungodly lies seek to thwart our disciple-making work with..

…because of my past,
…because of my sin,
…because I’m too young,
…because I’m too old,
…because my wounds are fresh,
…because I’m not a good teacher.  (and on and on…for we will never run out of excuses)

It does not matter if you call yourself a discipler, a teacher, or a mentor.  What matters is that you BUILD UP the kingdom with fellow stones.  What matters is the obedience to multiply God’s family.  What matters is the community that becomes more creative, breathtaking, and dynamic all because we never give up on the mission to live like Christ in this world and invite others into the journey.

In this work of disciple-making, remember that the spiritual gifts were given to all to develop a stronger and healthier Christ-centered community:

So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church. (1 Cor 14:12, emphasis mine)

So let your imaginations fly!  Begin to live into Paul’s vision of the beautiful Kingdom of God that takes the best available materials around you — namely, your neighbor — and creates cathedrals out of common stones.

After all, that’s all Paul was.  Just another stone willing to be used by God.

Holiness in parenting

Posted on by justinlewis78

The following is a 5-day glance at some difficult moments that God has used to bring me back to him…and redeem a father’s heart:

  • Saturday morning – I had the privilege of joining other pastors and worship at a conference.  I was three hours away but getting home seemed to take forever thanks to some hurricane-related traffic.  The reunion at home was perfect; I was both excited to be with my family and rejuvenated from the time with other leaders.  That is, until…
  • Sunday – “I don’t wanna go to church.”  Our day began with feelings of frustration especially as the kids resisted our Sunday morning ritual.  Our morning worship experience went well, of course.  But emerging from our family time in church, I had some fresh urgings to read the bible again with my children at bedtime.  So a plan was set…only to be challenged by the evening meal, not eating+whining drama.  Alas, early bedtime.  “We will try again tomorrow,” I tell myself…no-so-convincingly.
  • Monday – I kept thinking: “We have to read tonight.”  And yet again, we had another battle before bedtime.  In spite of the chaos of jammies, oral hygiene, clean up, etc., we pushed through and actually had “Bible time” —   (although I certainly felt a healthy dose of hypocrisy).
  • Tuesday – This is the day I completely lost my patience.  I’ve heard parents talk about how parenting makes them more patient…but I swear, this is the day when I realize I have none.  Thank God for bedtime… but wait, we have to read before bed. Here’s when it hits me like a tackle from behind, “Justin, you need to pray for them.”
           I realized that in all our daily “prayers” I had stopped praying for them. So hours later, I use my super-stealthy tooth fairy/ninja footsteps to enter their room and fall on my knees.  That night I prayed over them while they slept.
    In some ways, it’s easier, since I do not have interruptions or the need to translate my phrasing to little ears. In another way, it’s more terrifying.  As I bow my head and hold my little boy’s arm, I lay my heart out before God and feel the humbling need to repent of my attitude.  My heart floods again with the love I have and the love I choose to have for these little minions.  I am reminded of my dreams for them… that these days are passing quickly… that there is a day when I will stop raising them.  All I could think (as I wept for my sin) was that they deserve better …and that I needed healing.
  • Wednesday morning (today).  As I write this entry, I have just put Joshua in the car for Holly to take him to preschool only to realize that the Spirit was convicting me:

“Joshua?”  [he begins to get situated in the car.]

“Joshua, can you look at me?”  [I hold his face to look at mine…hoping to get his full attention.]

“Son, I am so sorry for being mean to you lately.  I love you so much and I love the little man that you’re becoming.  Will you forgive me?”  [He nods.  Probably baffled at the words I just spoke.  But I grab him anyway, we hug, and I knew that he knew I said something important for me.]

So I write this today out of a call to authenticity.  For I read and know these words:

For the LORD corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.
Proverbs 3:12  NLT

AND

Fathers, do not make your children resentful. Otherwise, they’ll become discouraged.
Colossians 3:21 ISV

…and I am reminded of the true heart of my heavenly Father and leader in parenthood.

I am not a perfect father.  But I have one.

I am not very patient.  But I am forgiven.

I am not always present.  But He still walks with me.

Friends and readers, parenthood is not about having the correct response and attitude in all encounters with our kids.  It’s about learning about the love of our perfect Parent. The One who raises us and molds us into better stewards of these precious lives.

If you, like me, struggle with your attitude today (or lately), I dare you…sneak into their room tonight and unleash everything on the throne of heaven.  Hold nothing back. Perhaps your child, like mine, is waiting for the same words: “I’m sorry.  Will you forgive me?”  

I for one and am glad my Father is teaching me this on my journey to holiness.

Keeping the Stream

Posted on by justinlewis78

First…a parable of our souls. (watch below)

I’ve been reading John Ortberg’s Soul Keeping in the days leading up to a trip to the Dominican Republic with Mission Emanuel.  Part of my assignments for these days is to lead 2 seminars on “Getting the most out of our time with God.” 1

Here in the beauty of Cielo (meaning “sky” or “heaven”) we work and play and dig deep wells of beautiful relationships.  Americans and Dominicans (and sometimes Haitians) work together to create and dream for justice and healing.  For these days (or rather, hours) of teaching, I gather with two groups: American teenagers and young adults serving here for 3 weeks and Dominican men and women who work in the ministry office.

There are two distinct cultural perspectives at work: young people who are just learning about their spiritual journeys…still forming to words and phrases to capture the relentless love of Christ and a personal relationship with their Creator.  And then there are those who serve the ministry every day – keeping the books, organizing projects, managing staff, maintaining the campus and its resources.  Amazing men and women who come from different walks of life and together care for an entire community. No matter the differences between these two groups, it is clear… every soul hungers for God.  That’s why every hand goes up when I ask, “who here would like to have a better devotional life?”.

Our first day is spent on “Spiritual Personalities”.  I discovered this phase almost 8 years ago when leading a group study on An Ordinary Day with Jesus, by Ortberg and Ruth Haley Barton.  A major premise of the study is to admit that each of us is designed uniquely, and in our rebirth in Christ, we have particular tendencies defined by our soul’s hunger and learning styles.2

Just like the video above and the story of the “keeper of the stream”, we must be caretakers of our souls.  With debris on the edges and branches that fall and disturb the flow, our souls require attention.  The personalities each of us discover can point to the way we connect to God (Relational, Worship, Intellectual, Creation, Contemplative, Activism, Service) and categorically experience nourishment in his presence.

It’s amazing how throughout my life and most other Christians, we adopt a discipleship strategy that’s akin to “one size fits all”…or as one friend described a bad medicine experience, “when I was sick, (my friend/non-doctor) gave me an antibiotic that worked for him, so I took it.  But I got sicker.  Later, my doctor told me I was having a reaction and it would take weeks or months to recover from taking that antibiotic.”

Imagine the freedom of discovering that God has wired your soul to connect with Him while being relational with others – and the frustrations you experience in being in solitude or attempting contemplative disciplines are simply not your personal pathways to growth.  It DOESN’T mean we can avoid those disciplines (in fact spiritual disciplines is our topic for the remaining session).  But it DOES mean that we understand our souls better and stop taking the proverbial medicine that works for someone else and expect the same result in us.  It means that we can stop pushing others to experience the same emotional joy that we experience at a breathtaking sunset, a piece of art, a song in the order of worship, an explosive teaching of Scripture, a cause of justice or a humbling act of service.  We free ourselves from such expectations and bless others by doing the same.

So let’s return to the stream of our souls and care for it well.  Let’s enjoy the beautifully unique ways God has made us and be grateful.  Let’s pursue an experience with the Lover of our souls and connect with him in the life-giving ways we would incorporate with a loved one.  And let us learn from others and appreciate the ways they are uniquely encountering God.   If you have not taken such an assessment, I encourage you to do so.  For you might discover what I and thousands of others have and grow stronger in your devotional life by living in the “personality” you already have and enjoy God more fully in the process.

Footnotes:
1 I came up with the title a few days ago and regret how consumeristic it sounds. Perhaps “How to enjoy our time with God”…

2 I have since also discovered Gary Thomas’s work on the same – Sacred Pathways.  Yet I found the former assessment works a bit better when translating to young people or in Spanish.)

Some dangers of Gossip

Posted on by justinlewis78

When Jesus entered the Temple and saw vendors profiting on worshipers, his infuriated response was rooted in his clear perspective on worship. Worship should be unhindered and should stir disappointment or guilt on the way to the altar. In churches today, we rarely see such blatant parallels and affronts to the holiness of worship. But there are seasons in the life of a church where community behavior hinders us on the way to worship.

One such area is gossip. Gossip (in my own definition) is the spreading of information about another with the goal of causing ridicule or disgust. The motive here is important; we can share news (i.e. “John and Sue had their baby!”) and it is not gossip. It becomes gossip easily when we attempt to stir someone to mockery or anger based on a self-righteous opinion:

  • “John and Sue had a baby… have you seen it? That’s one funny-looking baby!”
  • “…John went back to work that same afternoon!”
  • “…I can’t believe they have 12 kids! Can you imagine?!”

The letter of James expresses a strong pastoral concern for believers’ tongues. He describes is as a fire – a contagious, forest-consuming fire. James’s passion for action is magnified by his caution to using speech as a weapon. Even in his 1st-century perspective, the Church of Jesus would be known for something better than unwholesome speech. For the Church of tomorrow, we must guard ourselves against the ways that gossip might eat away at our community health. If you need a reminder of what gossip can do, here are a few possible outcomes.

  1. Fosters doubt in leadership – When we gossip we tend to gossip about the people of influence – whether it be the influence of social groups or entire communities. The danger, of course, is that we begin to treat someone as objects of ridicule. With leaders, our gossip burns through the layers of trust and encourages others to deny their authority.
  2. Fosters distrust in community – If we have the awareness of gossip in our own communities, most likely it is because someone has been caught in gossip – even about yourself. When this happens you begin to consciously or subconsciously distance yourself from others. Insecurity in our relationships is the death of peace and not the will of God.
  3. Disrupts biblical peacemaking – We tend to gossip because of hearsay from someone “in the know” OR because we have personally witnessed behavior that causes concern. As brothers and sisters, we have an obligation to confront each other when someone’s behavior unsettles you (Matthew 18:15-17). Now, if you’re like me, you justify this behavior by saying “I just need to vent” or “I just need to confess to someone”. In doing so we fail our neighbor by subjecting them to our version of right-ness. Peace – as Jesus would demonstrate – would come at the cost of self-sacrifice and others’ edification. Therefore, we honor Christ and his church by facing our brothers and sisters head on when we are in disagreement.
  4. Promotes self-righteousness – selfishly we speak of others with or without the facts and manipulate moments of conversation to make ourselves look important. Gossip always seems to have a motive: to tear someone down in the eyes of another, or elevate ourselves. I confess that many times in my life, both motives come into play. But no matter how I look at it, I am confronted by the truth that I am playing into a power struggle that I have created or nurtured. Jesus said, “he who is first shall be last…”
  5. Corrupts healthy intercession. When we spread gossipy news – even in the hope of inviting others to prayer – we fail to intercede for others with God-centered intentions. To be clear, I am referring to both intercessory prayer and intercessory mediation. Many times, we are thrust into moments of communication on behalf of another. But by becoming bearers of news, requests, apologies, or explanations, we dance into temptation with the false feeling of security – neglecting the reality that we might subconsciously choose a side. Our words, then, well-intended or not, might carry inflections or other nonverbal cues that invite your listener to be influenced or tempted to react, instead of pray.

For the Christian, gossip falls into the biblical understanding of sins of the tongue (along with deceit, slander, blasphemy, complaining, mockery, foul language, sarcasm, etc.). In this category, we are constantly fighting a raging fire – an untamable beast (James 3). We cannot begin to imagine the results of playful match wielded above dry straw. Yet one glance to the left and we rivers of gasoline; to the right, we see the dry timbers of our well-built cathedrals.

One never imagines the catastrophes of gossip and therefore we must return to the disciplines of silence, meditation, journal-keeping. We must embody direct communication fueled by gentleness and eagerness to forgive. And the hardest of all – we must rebuke gossip with expediency.

Remember, the tongue is a flammable instrument – yet one that can “build up” and give grace.

(Eph 4:29). Let us therefore be people who speak life, practice discipline, love our neighbors and call the community to accountability in speech. You never know whose character (or even life! Leviticus 19:16) you might spare, including your own.

 

 

 

Why I miss college ministry

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I stepped away from college ministry in March 2015.  It was a terribly difficult decision for me since I have adored working with college students since I graduated college in 2000.  When you do college or campus ministry, you agree to step into people’s lives from all backgrounds – with young men and women who have a vague preconceived notion of “God” or no notion at all.  Sometimes you get to work with amazingly talented, brilliant, and spiritual students.  Sometimes you see their faith flame up into a roar.  Sometimes you get to nurture the embers.

So why did I leave?

In my first few years I rode the wave of appointment after appointment; men and women who wanted a pastor.  I listened.  I counseled.  I taught.  It was thrilling.  It was fun.  In those days, I remember laughing and co-creating a ministry that developed a true Christ-centered community.  There were days I would go home smiling and be so grateful to do the work I got to do.

But something changed.  I began to resent students’ busy schedules.  I grew weary of the cliquey Greek culture that competed with (my idea of) Kingdom-culture.  I grew jealous of other ministries or other churches.  I grew to distrust my leaders for their lack of followthrough. And finally I developed a wound of insecurity in my own ministry position at my church.

I felt misplaced in a sea of church-based programs and I grew disconnected from my own calling.  This doubt surged in my final year as I sought mentors, counselors, spiritual advisors and, yes, even mood-managing medicine.  The end result was a reaffirmation of my calling and a decision to step aside from my ministry with a sense of peace.

. . . . . . . . . . .

Days like today I miss college college ministry.  I miss being able to sit in a dining hall or quad and bump into a myriad of faces.  I miss dreaming with student leaders.  I miss the evangelism.  I miss taking them on mission trips and watching their faces as they take off in a plane for the first time…or share the Gospel for the first time.  I miss the mild “politics” of roommate disagreements or relationship advice.  Days like today I think about how simple it all really was.

For those years, I got to bring people to the feet of Jesus.  I got to introduce them to the earth shattering Truth that he alone is worthy of our lives.  That every heartbeat is a chance to carry his Name to the nations.

So for those of you with a passion for this generation for college students, please give them your best.  Please show up and invite them into the most exhilarating journey of real life in Jesus Christ.

Chances are…someone did that for you… and that’s probably why you would even read this blog.  🙂

“Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up.”

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This post was written upon reflection of the ESPYs and clips of Jimmy Valvano and Stuart Scott prepare us for the award show tonight.

I first heard Jim Valvano’s words back in 1993: “Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up.” (If you haven’t watched this…please do.)

I was just a 15-year-old kid who loved UNC basketball, yet here was our rival’s coach drawing every human emotion out of me and I could not understand why.   Twenty-two years later, I can now resonate with the need for Jimmy V’s challenge… and how so many of life’s challenges invite us to choose a path of fight or flight. Stand or surrender.   Being a person of faith in Christ usually means we do a bit of both. Sometimes, we pick battles that stand for something—a moral code, justice, defending the little guy or a decision to believe something our culture does not.  Sometimes, we have to look a little more like our rabbi Jesus who taught us to love our enemies and pray, “Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done” and in doing so, we deny our agenda and yield to Another’s.

So how do we choose? When do we stand or fall?

Twenty-one years after Jimmy V’s challenge, another fighter stepped into the spotlight. In 2014, Stuart Scott (UNC alum and ESPN icon) gave this clarification:

“When you die, that does not mean that you lose to cancer. You beat cancer by how you live, why you live and in the manner in which you live. So, live. Live. Fight like hell. And when you get too tired to fight then lay down and rest and let somebody else fight for you. That’s also very, very important. I can’t do this “don’t give up” thing all by myself.”

Scott’s inspirational words remind us that our humanity shows us what we are capable of and also how needy we are. Our strength and weaknesses are both part of the story God is writing for us.

I was recently speaking with a mother of a young adult who was raised in our church, but chose a lifestyle of rebellion and pleasure. Recently, this young man attended church and has asked his parents for some biblical wisdom and affirmation. “We’ve been through this,” she said. “We can’t afford to go down this road again and get our hopes up, only to have our hearts broken again.”

How do you convince a parent to keep fighting for her beloved son? I could only offer her a reminder that this boy too was baptized and loved. Parents and the church made a commitment to never give up. We made promises. And we keep them. We continue to fight for him and so many others on our trembling knees before God. After all, it is His will we are seeking, so we should be approaching Him, pleading with Him, thanking Him through each challenge that throws us into uncertainty.

I am reminded of Paul’s words to a young discouraged man leading his church in Ephesus,

3-4 Timothy, you are constantly in my prayers. Day and night I remember you before God and give thanks to Him whom I serve with a clean conscience, as did my ancestors. I really want to see you, especially when I remember how you cried the last time we were together. Yes, I know it would make me joyful to see you again. 5 What strikes me most is how natural and sincere your faith is. I am convinced that the same faith that dwelt in your grandmother, Lois, and your mother, Eunice, abides in you as well. 6 This is why I write to remind you to stir up the gift of God that was conveyed to you when I laid my hands upon you. 7 You see, God did not give us a cowardly spirit but a powerful, loving, and disciplined spirit. (The Voice translation)

Paul tells this young pastor that while things are difficult now, he is being prayed for and loved on. The problem might linger, but his heart will be strengthened through days of earnest faith. Paul reiterates that the faith of others (his mother and grandmother) has been instrumental in his past and current situation. In short, the tapestry of prayers weaved by the saints bring Timothy present encouragement.

So for now, we wait. With faith that wavers, ebbs and flows. Yet we are also strengthened by moments on our knees or tweet-prayers shot to the heavens while we’re stuck in traffic. Our God — and “the cloud of witnesses” from our spiritual family – allow us to never give up.

We will never run out of fights. Some of them will take us to our final breaths. But we should never believe the lie that we can be defeated.   For only one, allowed Himself to be defeated by the weight of sin. Yet even then, our glorious King Jesus rose again to defeat death and show us that HOPE will always remain.

So fight. Fight like hell. And if things don’t go your way, let the grief of loss take you into the arms of a resurrected reminder of everlasting victory. Don’t let fear keep you from praying for those you love. Don’t let pain keep you from climbing that last hill. Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up.

Exposed

Posted on by justinlewis78

magnifying_glassStanding in front of a dermatologist for a skin test is an interesting way of being examined.  I know I’m not about to start a modeling career, but it’s a tad unsettling to see the flashy, laser magnifying class coming at you to examine the imperfections, flaws and questionable dots. After my exam today (everything’s good, btw) I couldn’t help thinking that I sometimes think of God that way.  I imagine his probing eye and his throat clearing way of telling me that there are spots…flaws in my character, my soul.

But is that who He really is?

Certainly God’s own character reveals his deliberate concern for his people’s thoughts and actions.  He knows what’s going through my mind and how I behave when no one’s looking. When I hear the Lord say “My grace is enough to cover and sustain you. My power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor 12:9) I hear God’s encouragement to accept that he doesn’t just know every imperfection and flaw in me, but he is covering me with his grace.

May you too feel the realness of this covering.  You do not simply stand exposed before him… you are being covered in His infinite grace.

Good. Bad. Redeemed. (Pt 2)

Posted on by justinlewis78

Read Part 1 here.

Yes, we are good.  AND, yes, we are bad.  

In his book, Changes that Heal, Dr. Henry Cloud discuss a mixing of Good-Bad. The G-B nature we have received has potential to destroy our perceptions of ourselves and others. Cloud mentions that a mature persecutive on our true nature will both accept our capacity for both. Apart from this maturity, we find ourselves self-loathing, unforgiving, bitter and alone. Such depravity means an existence void of trust. In its deepest state we refuse to even allow God’s grace to be sufficient over our sin. Such an existence leads to unconscionable misery and utter loneliness.

Too often we allow the proud of our accomplishments to cloud our rightful standing before God. At times we will even pursue a “Pride of failure” – believing that our mistakes are ours alone as well as all suffering that comes with them.  Such an attitude stems from our born-addiction to the flesh – that natural inclination to choose disobedience, painful burdens and

What do we do then with what remains? How do we embrace a stained mark upon every heartbeat and live for and serve others? How did the Savior embody such a love knowing what capacity for both good and bad lurked within his followers – and enemies? And yet, he offered his very blood as a ransom for all.

And this leads to the final truth and main point of this blog: Not only are we GOOD and BAD…WE ARE REDEEMED.

AW Tozer once wrote in prayer, “Lay upon the Thy easy yoke of self-forgetfulness, that through thee I might find rest.”  It was for rest…for freedom of self…that Christ offered himself into the wrath of God.  Such an extravagant gift was paid so that you and I might relinquish the pride of all we have wrought and discover that God’s goodness in us and our natural tendencies to sin are interwoven in a new fabric of Truth, namely that we are His.

If you, like me, tire of the constant ebbing and flowing of righteousness and repentance, it is because we are being remade to enjoy God forever.  Such enjoyment does not ignore the progress of Holiness in us, nor does it ignore the gravity of sin.  It makes us grateful.  It makes us Christ’s workmanship, it makes us ready to be used.  Perhaps this is the journey of healing for so many of us.

So may the journey bring you freedom to be God’s cherished child without fear, pride or guilt. And may you find rest in knowing that you are good, bad and redeemed.