I know this might seem contradictory to the previous article but so what? It is truth. There are certain areas that I want to be unbalanced. And some areas where I don't have a choice. hehehe
The area that I want to be most unbalanced in is my pursuit of Jesus. This is an all out lopsided crazy pursuit at the expense of joyfully giving everything. I think a major theme can be missed in Jesus' teachings; you might not make the cut. Pastors might not make the cut (1 Timothy 4:16), apostles might not make the cut (1 Corinthians 9:27), disciples might not make the cut (Acts 5), and prophets might not make the cut (Jeremiah 23).
Jesus shares so much about the narrow road and narrow gate that only a few find. Broad is the road and wide is the gate that leads to destruction. Narrow is the way that leads to life (Matthew 7). "Are only a few going to be saved," one person asked Jesus? His response: "Make every effort to enter through the narrow gate because many will stand at the door and knock and I will say to them plainly, "away from me I never knew you (Matthew 13)."" Wives, jobs, property, and many other things will all be a distraction from God (Luke 14). Jesus speaks plainly about this and I apologize that pastors do not speak more boldly on this subject. It should make us all cringe at the thought of people saying, "but Jesus you taught in our streets, we prophesied in your name, and even drove out demons" but He will tell them plainly, "away from me you evil doers" (Matthew 7:21-23 and Luke 13:26-27).
Not every one who says to me Lord Lord will enter the kingdom. -Jesus
Ok, tell me if in light of those texts you want to hold anything back in following him? No way! That makes me want to go crazy and if someone tells me that I am too radical in my pursuit then I will show them why, "I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize (1 Corinthians 9:27)." I might be unbalanced. But, I think I am justified in doing this. The man who found the treasure in the field joyfully sold everything so he could purchase the field. The merchant who found a pearl of such great value sold everything he had so he could have that pearl (Matthew 13). That is how it is with God. When you realize what you get, you joyfully give up everything for him. You become unbalanced, you throw caution to the wind, you recklessly pursue Him, and you do it in a way that others might think you are crazy... But here is the truth: You would be crazy not to.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
You've Got Balance Brah!
So about a year ago I was hanging out in a pub with some friends. (You can read as hanging with sinners and tax collectors but be careful that you don't become like the ones that first coined that phrase) I ran into a kid from highschool that became an Alaskan fisherman, like the guys on "Deadliest Catch" and then took the money from his few months of nonstop work and traveled all over the globe trying to surf and soak up the vibes of different cultures.
Apparently, he had seen my myspace with pictures of me wakeboarding, skateboarding, surfing, and hanging with orphans on missions trips so he said to me, "you've got balance brah!" I don't even know if I can help you hear him say those words like he did. He was a little impaired and he put a ton of emphasis on the word "balance." I honestly didn't know how to respond, so I told him it was years and years of practice. Then he kinda grabbed my arm and said, "no man... you've got balance brah" putting more of an emphasis on the word balance. I guess he was talking about the mission work that I've done and that I make it very apparent that I am a sold out Christ follower so he was saying balance inferring that it was "gnarly that I answer to a higher power."
I am trying to figure out this whole balance thing. Lately I've been wrestling with what it means to have balance. How can you hold two seemingly different views in the balance? Think about this... the apostle Paul said "...besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn? (2 Corinthians 11:28-29)" Sounds like a pretty intense burden? I know the feeling too... obviously not to the extent that Paul did, but I can feel the pain of looking at churches and have a concern for their spiritual well being. I know how he feels about feeling weak and I know how he feels when he speaks of sin and the inward burn. But in another place Paul writes these words, "Rejoice in the Lord! I say it again Rejoice! (Philippians 4:4)" Be glad I command you. How does Paul hold in the balance these two seemingly opposing views?! How is it possible to be joyful when you are concerned about the health of churches or the fight of sin in your life or even the seeming victories Satan has in your friends or families lives? How can you be joyful then?
In my opinion it is only a work of God to have Joy when things are hard. We need to cry out that God would pour the oil of joy on our lives. We need to look at the majesty of the One on the throne and recognize, "He is enough."
Let me swing the other way for a moment... are you unconcerned? I think it is possible to be naive of what the Spirit is doing. And I think it is at your own detriment. Proverbs 1:32 says, "the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them." I think it is possible to be ignorant of the fact that the world is perishing around us and we simply attend church and feel pretty good about life. In fact Ezekiel describes the sin of Sodom as this (by the way we don't want to be like Sodom . God poured his wrath out on and consumed her with fire), "she was arrogant, overfed and unconcerned." Sodom was arrogant, overfed and unconcerned. Sounds deadly close to a description of my life.
So, I guess the crux of the matter is this... are you heavy on one side or the other? Do you have balance today? Or are you operating on one end of the spectrum? Because both ends are unhealthy and we need to find a way to be somewhere in the middle. Somehow concerned about the world around us, and the state of the churches, and the wages of sin, and weakness of our faith.... but also rejoicing and joyful in the fact that "the enemy has been defeated, and death couldn't hold Him down. So lift your voice in victory and make Your praises loud (Hillsong United lyrics paraphrased)."
Let's have some balance brahs!
Apparently, he had seen my myspace with pictures of me wakeboarding, skateboarding, surfing, and hanging with orphans on missions trips so he said to me, "you've got balance brah!" I don't even know if I can help you hear him say those words like he did. He was a little impaired and he put a ton of emphasis on the word "balance." I honestly didn't know how to respond, so I told him it was years and years of practice. Then he kinda grabbed my arm and said, "no man... you've got balance brah" putting more of an emphasis on the word balance. I guess he was talking about the mission work that I've done and that I make it very apparent that I am a sold out Christ follower so he was saying balance inferring that it was "gnarly that I answer to a higher power."
I am trying to figure out this whole balance thing. Lately I've been wrestling with what it means to have balance. How can you hold two seemingly different views in the balance? Think about this... the apostle Paul said "...besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn? (2 Corinthians 11:28-29)" Sounds like a pretty intense burden? I know the feeling too... obviously not to the extent that Paul did, but I can feel the pain of looking at churches and have a concern for their spiritual well being. I know how he feels about feeling weak and I know how he feels when he speaks of sin and the inward burn. But in another place Paul writes these words, "Rejoice in the Lord! I say it again Rejoice! (Philippians 4:4)" Be glad I command you. How does Paul hold in the balance these two seemingly opposing views?! How is it possible to be joyful when you are concerned about the health of churches or the fight of sin in your life or even the seeming victories Satan has in your friends or families lives? How can you be joyful then?
In my opinion it is only a work of God to have Joy when things are hard. We need to cry out that God would pour the oil of joy on our lives. We need to look at the majesty of the One on the throne and recognize, "He is enough."
Let me swing the other way for a moment... are you unconcerned? I think it is possible to be naive of what the Spirit is doing. And I think it is at your own detriment. Proverbs 1:32 says, "the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them." I think it is possible to be ignorant of the fact that the world is perishing around us and we simply attend church and feel pretty good about life. In fact Ezekiel describes the sin of Sodom as this (by the way we don't want to be like Sodom . God poured his wrath out on and consumed her with fire), "she was arrogant, overfed and unconcerned." Sodom was arrogant, overfed and unconcerned. Sounds deadly close to a description of my life.
So, I guess the crux of the matter is this... are you heavy on one side or the other? Do you have balance today? Or are you operating on one end of the spectrum? Because both ends are unhealthy and we need to find a way to be somewhere in the middle. Somehow concerned about the world around us, and the state of the churches, and the wages of sin, and weakness of our faith.... but also rejoicing and joyful in the fact that "the enemy has been defeated, and death couldn't hold Him down. So lift your voice in victory and make Your praises loud (Hillsong United lyrics paraphrased)."
Let's have some balance brahs!
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Luke 8- Good Soil
The Parable of the Sower
While a large crowd was gathering.... Jesus told this parable. I love that Jesus when he sees a large crowd does what most church goers would never do... He tells them a hard message. He tells this large group of people that the mystery of the kingdom of heaven is like a farmer that scatters seeds and three fourths of the seed fail and only a small amount actually finds its way to good soil, "those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, an by persevering produce a crop." (vs 15) But look at how he finishes his parable... "he who has ears to hear, let him hear (vs 8)." This is how he finishes a lot of hard teachings. Some people will hear it and believe it. Some will simply hear it. If you have ears hear the message of the Son of God. He doesn't argue. He doesn't even try to convince, He simply says how it is. The word of God will be sown like seeds and many will not produce a fruit, only some, hear my message.
What I challenge you to do today is to reflect and meditate on this passage. No body is above this. The mysteries of the kingdom of God are available to you. They have been sown. Which soil do you think you are?
Are you like the path? With a hard and calloused heart that is impenetrable? Satan makes quick work of your kind. He is like the birds of the air that can eat the seed quickly on the path.
Or, are you like a rock that readily receives the word and with joy, but then after a time of testing, which will come, you fall away? Is your faith firm? Do you trust God even if things don't go your way? Are your roots deep? Does your faith run deep?
Are you like a thorn patch that the word fell into? Did you receive the word but are you still concerned with the world? Popularity? Money? Clothes? Cars? Comforts? Friends? If you are like a thorn patch your faith will not survive. You can't serve God and money.
Examine yourself. Don't play around with Christianity. Many have never truly examined themselves to see if they are in the faith and have managed to fool even themselves(Acts 5). Don't be foolish. Retain the word, and by persevering produce a crop!
While a large crowd was gathering.... Jesus told this parable. I love that Jesus when he sees a large crowd does what most church goers would never do... He tells them a hard message. He tells this large group of people that the mystery of the kingdom of heaven is like a farmer that scatters seeds and three fourths of the seed fail and only a small amount actually finds its way to good soil, "those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, an by persevering produce a crop." (vs 15) But look at how he finishes his parable... "he who has ears to hear, let him hear (vs 8)." This is how he finishes a lot of hard teachings. Some people will hear it and believe it. Some will simply hear it. If you have ears hear the message of the Son of God. He doesn't argue. He doesn't even try to convince, He simply says how it is. The word of God will be sown like seeds and many will not produce a fruit, only some, hear my message.
What I challenge you to do today is to reflect and meditate on this passage. No body is above this. The mysteries of the kingdom of God are available to you. They have been sown. Which soil do you think you are?
Are you like the path? With a hard and calloused heart that is impenetrable? Satan makes quick work of your kind. He is like the birds of the air that can eat the seed quickly on the path.
Or, are you like a rock that readily receives the word and with joy, but then after a time of testing, which will come, you fall away? Is your faith firm? Do you trust God even if things don't go your way? Are your roots deep? Does your faith run deep?
Are you like a thorn patch that the word fell into? Did you receive the word but are you still concerned with the world? Popularity? Money? Clothes? Cars? Comforts? Friends? If you are like a thorn patch your faith will not survive. You can't serve God and money.
Examine yourself. Don't play around with Christianity. Many have never truly examined themselves to see if they are in the faith and have managed to fool even themselves(Acts 5). Don't be foolish. Retain the word, and by persevering produce a crop!
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Rejoice! I Say it Again Rejoice!
What a beautiful Sunday afternoon! As I look out my apartment window I am reminded that God is meant to be enjoyed. The apostle Paul says in Philippians 4:4 "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" God is a treasure. He is so good. Look at His creation. Marvel at his handiwork. God is good.
Today I am focusing on just enjoying him. I am meditating on his grace for me and the saving work that he performed on my behalf. He went to the cross for me just so he could be near me. I am forever in his service! I am so enamored with my King! I am so in love! He is so magnificent and so beautiful. Enjoy God today. That is what he desires most from you. He wants you to look at him and think, "NO WAY!?! I can't believe God is in love with me?!?" Worship him today.
Today I am focusing on just enjoying him. I am meditating on his grace for me and the saving work that he performed on my behalf. He went to the cross for me just so he could be near me. I am forever in his service! I am so enamored with my King! I am so in love! He is so magnificent and so beautiful. Enjoy God today. That is what he desires most from you. He wants you to look at him and think, "NO WAY!?! I can't believe God is in love with me?!?" Worship him today.
Bless Your Youth Pastor
This is an article by Pastor John Piper, from Desiring God Ministries, that expresses my sentiments exactly. If you want to know the key to making me extremely happy check out this answer to the question... "How can I bless my pastor?"
http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/AskPastorJohn/ByTopic/75/2733_How_can_I_bless_my_pastor/
http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/AskPastorJohn/ByTopic/75/2733_How_can_I_bless_my_pastor/
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Luke 7- Wisdom is Proved Right by her Children
Last night I was telling several students how I am so blessed and have gotten to do so many cool things with my life. Jordan's response was a sarcastic, "yeah, and now your stuck here." To which I said, "it is good to be here and now I get to live through you guys. You are my glory(somewhat jokingly)." Danny said, "I am going to have a t-shirt made that says 'Cory's Glory.'" ... That would be funny but please don't do that. I will be struck down in my arrogance. Here is the concept behind this though... what you guys do with your lives shows how well I did my job as a pastor. If after high school all of the students go to college and forget their convictions and beliefs and fall away, then I suck. I did a bad job at shepherding you to respond to the voice of the King. But, on the other hand, I can live through each of you with how well you follow Christ for the rest of your lives. You are my glory. Even writing that makes me smile. It is such a funny way of thinking. But, you are my spiritual sons and daughters and my goal is to raise you in righteousness. I need to use every thing I possibly can to help you to become a mature believer and the way I do it might be different than other youth pastors. In fact some might say, "He has a demon (vs. 33)" and others might even say, "Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and 'sinners' (vs. 34)."
This is a concept that I have been wrestling with lately. I feel like the trend with youth ministry is to provide a fun program to get people into the church (as if a building can save?!?). I believe this is the strategy that a pharisee from verse 30 would buy into. However, my strategy is to simply get students to Christ, to disciple them, to help them walk with Him, and to even put them in situations that will stretch their faith and prove their commitment. And, it might be frowned upon. Here is my argument though... "wisdom is proved right by all her children." This may not seem like the most logical strategy in the eyes of men, but I am OK with that because I am focused on ..."the things of God (Matthew 16: 23)." My wisdom will be shown by a small amount of students that actually live their lives for God. Some will be missionaries, some will be pastors, some will be worship leaders, and a bunch of them will actually change whole companies because of their faith. They will be passionate Christ followers and they are my glory! And to make my argument a little more pointed I firmly believe the current American youth ministry system is broke. If 80 percent of students after finishing youth ministry fall away from their "faith" (quotations added to emphasize that it is an illusion of faith), then what is the point of groveling to provide fun activities for the 80 out of 100 students that will stand at the gates and hear the words, "I never knew you?"
Here is my proposal... let's focus on discipleship and make sure that we are making passionate followers of Christ. When someone totally gets that Christ is the greatest treasure ever, they can't help but to share that with others! I have done evangelism ministry for the past 5 years and I totally see the value in it... God desires that none should perish and we need to be telling others all about Him and His benefits. But, as a ministry we are committed to making disciples and not just having a fun program. I am not the first to feel this way; check out what Oswald Chambers, a minister of Christ from the early 1900's, has to say on April 24th.
http://www.myutmost.org/04/0424.html
and if you want to read more his book is available for online viewing
http://www.rbc.org/utmost/index.php
This is a concept that I have been wrestling with lately. I feel like the trend with youth ministry is to provide a fun program to get people into the church (as if a building can save?!?). I believe this is the strategy that a pharisee from verse 30 would buy into. However, my strategy is to simply get students to Christ, to disciple them, to help them walk with Him, and to even put them in situations that will stretch their faith and prove their commitment. And, it might be frowned upon. Here is my argument though... "wisdom is proved right by all her children." This may not seem like the most logical strategy in the eyes of men, but I am OK with that because I am focused on ..."the things of God (Matthew 16: 23)." My wisdom will be shown by a small amount of students that actually live their lives for God. Some will be missionaries, some will be pastors, some will be worship leaders, and a bunch of them will actually change whole companies because of their faith. They will be passionate Christ followers and they are my glory! And to make my argument a little more pointed I firmly believe the current American youth ministry system is broke. If 80 percent of students after finishing youth ministry fall away from their "faith" (quotations added to emphasize that it is an illusion of faith), then what is the point of groveling to provide fun activities for the 80 out of 100 students that will stand at the gates and hear the words, "I never knew you?"
Here is my proposal... let's focus on discipleship and make sure that we are making passionate followers of Christ. When someone totally gets that Christ is the greatest treasure ever, they can't help but to share that with others! I have done evangelism ministry for the past 5 years and I totally see the value in it... God desires that none should perish and we need to be telling others all about Him and His benefits. But, as a ministry we are committed to making disciples and not just having a fun program. I am not the first to feel this way; check out what Oswald Chambers, a minister of Christ from the early 1900's, has to say on April 24th.
http://www.myutmost.org/04/0424.html
and if you want to read more his book is available for online viewing
http://www.rbc.org/utmost/index.php
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Luke 6 -Blessings and Woes
"Blessed are you who are poor for yours is the kingdom of God." (vs. 20)
We are exceedingly rich. The majority of people on the planet live for a couple of bucks a day. You didn't read that last sentence wrong. Literally most people have nothing. You are so rich. But Jesus says, "blessed are the poor because theirs is the kingdom of God." We have to figure out how to be poor in spirit. We have to figure out how to be desperate for God. People that are actually poor live everyday asking God for provisions and praising Him when they survive another day. But, we can manage a whole week without even hardly thinking about God?! That is dangerous. In fact Jesus says in verse 24, "but woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort." As a rich American I need to force myself to be desperate for God. I need to read passages like this that warn me from setting in and being comfortable. That warn me from dashing my ship on the rocks of richness.
We are exceedingly rich. The majority of people on the planet live for a couple of bucks a day. You didn't read that last sentence wrong. Literally most people have nothing. You are so rich. But Jesus says, "blessed are the poor because theirs is the kingdom of God." We have to figure out how to be poor in spirit. We have to figure out how to be desperate for God. People that are actually poor live everyday asking God for provisions and praising Him when they survive another day. But, we can manage a whole week without even hardly thinking about God?! That is dangerous. In fact Jesus says in verse 24, "but woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort." As a rich American I need to force myself to be desperate for God. I need to read passages like this that warn me from setting in and being comfortable. That warn me from dashing my ship on the rocks of richness.
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