Grace, for the Chief of Sinners, and Fred Phelps
As of this writing, Fred Phelps is still alive, but the message will remain the same upon his eventual passing.
I’ve been seeing an alarming amount of posts on social media outlets, rejoicing about the coming death of Phelps. The majority of these people are people who would claim a relationship with Christ.
I am deeply saddened by this.
Immediately I’m reminded of 1 John 4:20. I’ll paraphrase it, You’re a liar if you say you love God, but hate your brother. (You might not agree that Phelps is your brother, but humor me.)
Proverbs tells us that hatred stirs discord/strife. As a Christian, your response should never employ hatred. Ever. There should be no desire for revenge, or payback.
Do I agree with the Westboro Baptist Church?
Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop
Recently, I had the opportunity to sleep in a truck in the middle of a highway. I wouldn’t suggest it.
First, I’ll give you a little background on the situation and myself. I work with a women’s ministry called The Blush Network. We travel and put on conferences in various states and cities around the country. We aim to hit every major city at some point.
A few of our team members fly out, and others drive. I got the privilege to drive from Dallas, Texas in a truck with a couple other team members. Our destination was Lynchburg, VA. We had a conference on campus at Liberty University.
Fast forward, conference goes well, great attendance and speakers. The Gospel of Jesus was presented and many souls were captured by Him. Fast forward again, we’re hitting Arkansas on the trip back. BOOM, rain hits. I think, no big deal. Then the rain turns slushy, and the temperature drops. Uh oh.
Suddenly, the roads turn icy. Like solid sheet of ice, and we’re towing a trailer. Turns out, we drive around 200 miles on solid ice, all in all. Scariest trip of my life.
This is where my appreciation for 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 comes into play. Specifically the part in verse 17; PRAY WITHOUT CEASING.
This passage is talking about our conduct as Christians. With each other, and apart from each other, our conduct is important. I have a completely renewed perspective on this passage. During this 200 mile ordeal, I think I prayed more nonstop than I ever have.
We were losing traction if we hit any incline, bridge, or overpass; it was terrifying. We petitioned the name of Jesus the entire trip.
Suddenly, traffic stops all around us. I mean DEAD STOP. We sit for what seems like an eternity. Two hours goes by and I sleep a little. I wake up and finally we’re moving again, but the roads are even icier. It’s had time to refreeze.
We’re moving at about 12 mph and still have 100 miles to go to get to our destination. We’re calling hotels in the surrounding areas looking to just take refuge for the night. None have vacancy.
We end up sleeping for a couple hours in the parking lot of a hotel in 12 degree weather. It was invigorating.* (*awful)
So all in all, our normally 18-hour trip turned into about 27 or so hours, I’m just glad I didn’t have to cut my arm off like in 127 Hours.
Scripture is important, and what it says are not suggestions. When Scripture says to pray without ceasing, or to quit sinning, or help the weak, it’s a command.
I have a newfound appreciation for this concept, because God saw us through a potentially life ending ordeal.
Our petitions to Him do not fall on deaf ears. However, keep in mind, that Scripture also says to do nothing out of selfish ambition. So, our prayer life should be from a place of humility.
Also, look for me on the next episode of Ice Road Truckers: Dallas Edition. Just kidding.
Do you pray without ceasing? I look forward to your thoughts.
Bigger, Better…Best.
So I recently have had a “career change.” Sparing the details, I’m now searching for a new place to work, and make a living. I know my skill set, and have people helping me out, putting their necks out and a good word in for me. I love the people who surround me.
So many times, when people are in similar situations, they hear things like: “God’s got something so much better for you,” or “You’re gonna be moving on to bigger and better things, I just know it.” These statements are so dangerous. Let me explain why.
First let us establish that God says, “I am enough for you,” and Scripture also shows up that God works out things for the “good of those who love Him,” in Romans 8.
This being said, the danger of the previous statements is that so often, we look at things from our perspective. So following that thought, I imagine that “bigger and better” looks like more responsibility and more money. Affording more luxury to life, and extra income to work with.
CAREFUL.
God says what he has for you is plenty and more than enough. Better, in the eyes of God, doesn’t necessarily mean better in the eyes of man.
Our God doesn’t play by our rules. He has His own agenda and has a specific plan in place for the world, and our path is determined before we’re even placed on earth.
So when we approach “bigger and better”, please don’t set yourself up for disappointment when things aren’t exactly what you envisioned. Don’t feel like God hasn’t given you what is better, because when it’s from Him, it is the best.
I’m not saying these things from a place of–do this–like I am an expert, I’m saying this coming from a place where I have to continually remind myself of these things. The human condition is to be easily deceived by fleeting thoughts and empty promises; don’t succumb to it. Rather, submit wholly to God.
God is wholly good, and more than sufficient. Praise God for that, because I’ll never carry myself to the places He wants to take me.
You’re moving on to exactly what God has, bigger and better…best.
-Jarin
Wrasslin’ with Jesus
I think if we’re honest with ourselves and others, there’s been a time when we’ve doubted our calling and our God. There may be a time where you question if living this “Christian” life is worth it, or if it’ll pay off. Maybe we fear that we’re being idle, or that God has placed too much on our plate. Regardless if you’re connecting with one or more of those, we have great example to grow and learn from in Scripture.
In a recent, albeit brief, conversation with a friend, I learned that this person had felt the pressure of being a Christian. As if there were expectations that were placed on them, by others, that they couldn’t achieve. That interactions with certain people put them on guard because they were bombarded with “Jesus-talks,” and not fellowshipped with.
They are doubting God, and trying to find their place in His world. They’re just doing their “own thing” at the moment.
This gets dangerous, and not in the good ‘Darkwing Duck’ kinda way.
I think we have a cool example of struggling with God and with man in Scripture with Jacob. Now, with this passage, I’m not necessarily equating the situation with doubt and with pressure. Rather, the concept being similar, in Genesis 32.
We see Jacob preparing to meet with his brother Esau. Esau is not a believer in God, while Jacob is. It’s important to note that Jacob and Esau had been noted as “fighting in the womb,” so their relationship isn’t good for multiple reasons. Jacob has been a believer for around 20 years or so, and around 100 years in age. An old dude, by today’s standards.
We see Jacob struggling with the thought of talking to his unbeliever brother. He wrestles with the thought of following the will of God and living for Him.
22 That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two female servants and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. 23 After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. 24 So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. 25 When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. 26 Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” (Gen 32:22-26)
We see that he LITERALLY wrestles with God.
I think we can relate. We ‘wrassle’ with the concept of God and living for Him. Just like my friend who is experiencing what they’re experiencing, it’s a real concern.
We see that in the end, God prevails and spares Jacob, but also blesses him, and creates in him a new nation. The nation of Israel.
The take away from this is simple. God has a desire to make you righteous and bless your endeavors. Sometimes, it takes wrasslin with God.
What if you’re on the other end? What if you’ve got the friend who is going through that at the moment, how do you respond?
I think this is an opportunity to shine and just love that person. Don’t question them, don’t pressure them. Encourage them, and let this season take it’s course.
The last thing you wanna do is sacrifice the hangouts because they’re afraid all you’re gonna do is pressure them into “believing again,” or whatever you think it is.
My challenge is that you know God and that His love for you is overwhelming and undeserved. Yet, Grace exists for you to wrestle with Him, and grow. It exists for you to challenge and encourage others to understand the same.
It is not, however, an invitation to pressure or belittle or think less of others when they’re going through seasons of struggle/doubt.
Know God. Know His Love. Experience His Grace.
-Jarin
Why Intuition Is A Liar
In previous blogs I’ve written, I’ve touched on 2 Timothy, and its description of what Scripture is and how it is used. I’ve really been looking hard at this passage. Specifically the part where it talks about “training in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16)
Training. Training. Training.
We have to learn righteousness. It’s not an immediate thing. We have to be taught, rebuked and subjected to the correction of the Holy Spirit.
This is why intuition is a liar.
So often I’ve heard, even in the last year, “Follow your intuition,” (“Trust your instincts,” “Follow your heart”—they’re all the same.)
My heart is not filled with righteousness, nor a real desire for The Lord. Well, over time it has become that way, but hasn’t always been.
This is no fault of mine, because as scripture explains, I’m born a sinner. Full of faults, and failures. I miss the mark.
It’s because I am a sinner that I cannot trust MY intuition. I can’t. It’ll fail me every time.
This is where the intervening nature of the Holy Spirit and the correct use of Scripture comes into play.
A lesson learned. A guiding correction. A convicting sermon/passage of Scripture. It’s all designed to train in righteousness.
“For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:11
(If you’re a vine user and are familiar with Cousin Terio, insert the “Oooh, Oooh” here.)
It’s with a little pain and discipline that we become righteous. We become more prone to reactions based in love, truth, and understanding.
It’s with training that we become who Christ wants us to be, and we establish the place in His Kingdom that He desires for us.
Quoting from the English Standard Version, Proverbs 12:1 says: “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.”
-Jarin
Counter-Culture
In a conversation I recently had with a friend who isn’t a believer, we discussed the Word of God: what it is and what it is for. I was asked how I’d respond to questions, or how I’d react to things that are contrary to what Scripture teaches. I was also asked if Scripture is still relevant today because “the world has changed so much since Biblical times.”
I paused and thought for a little bit. Making the other person nervous and myself nervous because what was to be said next could hinder the acceptance of the Gospel by this person.
In my previous blog, I wrote about the character of God, and how it is unwavering and steadfast. So, I decided to use that to introduce what I was going to present. I provided scripture to show how it is true and why it is necessary to have a God who is wholly steadfast. Because, to answer their question about relevancy, if our God changes then His word does, too, and scripture would not be relevant today. Since He does not, Scripture is relevant and very necessary today.
While we are bombarded with things and changes that current culture says we should accept, the Word of God is unwavering. One current hot topic right now is gay rights. I was asked by this person if I’d attend a gay wedding of someone we both knew.
I felt trapped. Do I answer with Scripture and appear arrogant, or do I dance around the subject hoping it goes away?
I chose Scripture, and tried my hardest to not appear arrogant or like I’m better than anyone else, because I’m not. I took that time to name sins; in many forms. Things like lying, stealing, cheating, lust, disobedience, murder, pornography, malice, jealousy, gossip, and the list goes on. I also explained that while I would not judge the people who’ve been part of those things, I also wouldn’t condone their sin; again in any form, as I’d hope those around me wouldn’t allow me to continue to sin.
The Bible says that any and all sin distances us from God. I say again, ALL sin distances us from God. If what Scripture says is true, because again it’s the Word of God, and the character of God never changes; these things are all still sinful, including homosexuality.
I paused. I took a breath and waited for what I thought was going to be backlash. There was none, I could see that God was working. There are questions being answered, and changes being made in this person’s life. I hope soon, they’ll trust wholly in Jesus.
You see, the Bible says “All Scripture is God-breathed,” and that it is useful for so many things. So it’s certainly not just a list of general suggestions for living life, rather it is designed for directing our entire lives to Jesus Christ.
Until we fully allow Jesus access to our lives, we’ll never understand all that God has said, and even after submitting to Him, it’s a slow and steady growing process.
While all this is true, there’s an inverse side to all this. Not all things our Christian culture says is true. This can get a bit tricky and step on a lot of toes, so I’ll keep it light and get to the point. There are certain things that get preached and attributed to the Bible or God’s character, that simply are not true or even in the Bible. This is why knowing Scripture is important.
If we do not weigh what we are taught against the Bible by those who claim relationships with Jesus, we may believe something that is contrary to what God has for us.
While I don’t condone cheating, there’s a great example to be found in it. Believing blindly what we’re taught, is like cheating off someone else’s answers during a test. if they’re wrong, we’re going to be wrong, as well. There is going to be a rude awakening when those test results come back.
We’re to weigh everything against scripture because 2nd Timothy 3 explains that it is “good for teaching, and rebuking, and correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
All around us is culture, and it will influence us. It’s what we do in reaction to this culture that defines who we are, and who we represent.
-Jarin
Kingship and You.
Think for a moment if you will, about your life. Think about what happens when things don’t go according to plan, or when coming up with a plan is difficult. Think about when someone else had an agenda for you and your life. All these situations are not fun, and can result in having an idol, in our lives.
For me, I desire to lead, to exert leadership. Control. Leadership is my control idol. I have a natural tendency to be a leader. Whether good or bad, I tend to have the ability to be the leader. When I don’t get the opportunity to lead, I get frustrated pretty easily, because I have an insight that would make the situation better, at least in my mind. Leadership can become an idol pretty quickly in my life, if I don’t keep my heart in check, and the Lord on the forefront of my mind.
Looking back at “according to plan,” what’s this say to you? I think you’ve got something in mind. It doesn’t have to be what I deal with. Maybe in control looks like making sure your body looks the right way, and you control it with the way you eat (or don’t eat.)
Maybe you deal with lack of control, and hurt yourself. Maybe it is control over other people, and playing mind games with them. Whatever it is, you know your version of control, and what dangers lurk within. You know the control that these items have over you.
In the book of Joshua, God tells us to be strong and courageous, because He is with is. While this passage is talking about the calling God had over the life of Joshua, I think we can pull some important items from it, describing the character of God.
Scripture tells us that God is the same always. Specifically it says, “He’s the same Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow.” So we know that His presence in our lives is unchanging, and that He constantly seeks to have communion with us.
It’s at this point that I think we should establish that idols don’t necessarily have to be something we like. An idol is anything that we either submit to, or allow to have control over our lives. We can enjoy it, but sometimes we don’t like it at all.
It’s because God desires to have communion with us that He also deserves to have the place in our lives that we submit completely to him. Let’s interchange the words idol and control with kingship; because Christ is king. Psalm 22:28 states “For kingship belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations.”
Not only does God desire that kingship over our lives, it’s already His!
Finally, 1 Peter 5:6 gives us the best course of action for our lives, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you.”
Submit to the kingship of the Lord, because He’s worthy of it, and because making Him an idol in your life, won’t let you down. Let His control and direction be what you submit to, what you let control you, because in the end, it’ll allow you to be used of God, and exalt you to better make Him known.
– Jarin
Dr. Pepper and Heineken
Rebellion is something you hear about semi-regularly if you attend church much. Rebellion could be against God or man/the world.
Let me tell you a little about my rebellion since I’ve had my fair share of rebellious moments against God and my family. But, this is one is epic, so let me give you this scenario: I was a senior in high school on spring break AND it was my 18th birthday. I was feeling like I was king of the world and could do no wrong.
I decided not to go home that week, choosing to spend time with my friends and crash at one of their houses rather than spend time with my family. I only went home to change clothes, disrespect my mom, and grab some money out of my hidden stash. We had a “good” time that week, fighting each other in air soft gun wars, cruising town in Shane’s ’64 Ford Galaxy, and calling Bret’s mom to get “permission” to drink her beer that had been taunting us in the fridge, mixing it with Dr. Pepper, which is the WORST thing I have ever tasted.
In our my rebellion, I disregarded what was important, which was to honor my God through obedience. See, I was a Christian, very active in student leadership in my youth group, and growing in my relationship with the Lord. I also wanted to experience more out of life and wanted control of it. I laugh now, realizing how stupid of a kid I was. I also see that I had an opportunity to grow.
Romans 5:19-20 talks about how disobedience brought about the law by which we’re held accountable. The law entered the world by the action of one man, Adam. We always have a choice to choose God or man and any choice that disobeys God is rebellion.
But, the end of Romans 5:19-20 says that while sin abounds, God’s grace is EVERMORE present. So, while I am a wretched, sinful man, God sees more and even desires to use me. Even when I was a dumb kid who rebelled against God and my mom, God knew that He still wanted to use me.
So now, since I’ve been rebellious, I see rebellion from the inverse side and see it as something to strive for. Wait, what? Yep. I strive to rebel against the standard of the world. I work to choose God with every action and every decision. It’s not always easy and I do often fail. I need to constantly remind myself to “seek first the kingdom of God.” (Matt 6:33)
God willing, I’ll be better at honoring Him as our relationship continues to grow. I hope I also become better at honoring my parents and family as I seek to obey them even now as an adult.
Rebellion is something to strive for and avoid. You have the choice to rebel against the world or God. Make the right choice.
-Jarin
Don’t Categorize
First, as you’ll notice, I am a guy, and I write like one. I am part of The Blush Network , and I hope you’re cool with that.
Now then.
I always seem to think about what dangers lurk in ministry. Not physical dangers, but dangers to the Gospel. The danger of dismissal is one that I keep constantly in mind.
Dismissal can be filed under ‘categorization.’ What do I mean? Let me explain.
In all of our lives, we have those select few people who are just ‘that guy,’ or ‘that girl.’ They’re just the token ‘____.’
Or, try this scenario out. I’ve recently been in contact with a gal I dated years ago. Nothing romantic – we were just catching up. I’ve learned that in the time following our break up years ago that she’s since ‘lost her faith.’ She thought I’d ignore her or decide that talking to her would be a waste of my time, so she was reluctant to tell me where she was at this point in her life.
Pause.
This is where I tell you one thing. Be intentional with the Gospel with your relationships in dating and in non-dating. Being intentional with the Gospel of Jesus Christ should drive your every interaction.
Being intentional looks like letting the understanding of who you are and who Christ is drive your interactions.
Un-pause.
If you’re tracking with me still, and I hope you are, the young lady was under the impression that my attitude toward her would change. Much to her surprise, it didn’t. To quote her, “…also a good feeling to not be categorized by a religious person, based on that single factor.”
That should mean the world, right? The person will be surprised by knowing that you value them like God does and delight in knowing that you will not disassociate from them based on differing beliefs.
However, keep in mind that you’re not necessarily condoning a different lifestyle or sinful natures. You’re simply showing that person they’re of value, as Romans 5:8 so clearly states: “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
That Scripture shows us the infinite value of life and should give us the push we need to love others.
Back to my original point. I am that “token” person. I get typecast as the funny guy. I get overlooked for opportunities to speak or teach because I am funny. While I can deal with it and press on, not everyone can do that and some people get really hurt by church people typecasting them because they’re good at something.
So, for people who know the Lord, make sure that you shuffle positions around in your ministries every so often. This’ll do a couple things — first, it’ll ensure that your people don’t get burnt out, but it’ll also allow for others to bring new ideas to the table and hone new skills.
If you’ve kept reading after my opening couple sentences, congratulations, you’ve already worked against categorizing me. Thank you for that.
-Jarin
Change…
You know, they say that only a few things in life are constant. Some say, “Death and Taxes,” others say “change, is the only constant.” I’d agree with change. So much changes so often, and so quickly!
I recently became victim to change, again. I graduated college. I got a new job, after having the same for 5 years. I made new friends, I had to learn a new group dynamic, I am moving to a new residence, and will have to learn a new route to work. I will have to learn a different timing, and learn how to live with new roommates.
All change.