Hope

Everyone struggles. But what am I struggling toward? Throughout different seasons of my life, I’ve been reminded that “this too shall pass.” But when the depth of my anguish overwhelms my struggle, there is no ability to grasp such a thought. It doesn’t seem like my struggle will end. What then? “Where does my help come from?” And I wait.

“Then only do we rightly advance the discipline of the cross, when we learn that this life, judged in itself, is troubled, turbulent, unhappy in countless ways, and in no respect clearly happy; that all those things which are judged to be its goods are uncertain, fleeting, vain, and vitiated by many intermingled evils. We conclude that in this life we are to seek and hope for nothing but struggle; when we think of our crown, we are to raise our eyes to heaven. For this we must believe: that the mind is never seriously aroused to desire and ponder the life to come unless it be previously imbued with contempt or the present life.” John Calvin Institutes Book 3.9.1

Everyday that passes drives me to pray for a peace that passes understanding, a peace that calms in the midst of tragedy. It's easy for me to allow my circumstances and feelings to dictate my reality. But there's something more satisfying. God promises that He is greater than my limited mind and turbulent emotions. So I wait; I rest; I say to myself, my help comes from the Lord, hope in Him, my salvation and my God. (Ps. 42.5 & 121.2)

Come Then, Lord Jesus

1. The Church has waited long Her absent Lord to see
And still in loneliness she waits A friendless stranger she
Age after age has gone, Sun after sun has set
And still, in weeds of widowhood, She weeps a mourner yet

Come then, Lord Jesus, come
Come then, Lord Jesus
Come then, Lord Jesus, come, come, come.

3. The serpent's brood increase, The powers of hell grow bold
The conflicts thickens, faith is low, And love is waxing cold
How long, O Lord our God, Holy and true and good
Wilt thou not judge Thy suffering Church, Her sighs and tears and blood?

4. We long to hear thy voice, To see Thee face to face
To share Thy crown and glory then, As now we share thy grace
Should not the loving bride, The absent Bridegroom mourn?
Should she not wear the weeds of grief, Until her Lord return?

5. The whole creation groans, And wait to hear that voice
That shall restore her comeliness, And make her wastes rejoice
Come, Lord, and wipe away, The curse, the sin, the stain
And make this blighted world of ours, Thine own fair world again

Come then, Lord Jesus, come
Come then, Lord Jesus
Come then, Lord Jesus, come, come, come.

It's Definite

In class I read the following quote by J. I. Packer in the forward of, From Heaven He Came and Sought Her: Definite Atonemtne in Historical, Biblical, Theological and Pastoral Perspecive:

In this understanding of Christianity, Christ's achievement by his cross of the corporate redemption of the whole church - past, present, and future as the Holy Three know and love it, and thereby the individual redemption of everyone whom the Father has given to the Son to save, is both the mountaintop of glory, in the primary sense of God putting himself fully on display, and the wellspring of glory, in both the secondary sense of the spur to endless doxology and the tertiary sense of divine action to glorify the redeemed in, with, and through Christ, so that they bear his image and likeness in a full sense. (p. 14)

Why would I read such a heavily packed sentence to seventh and eighth graders? For one, the students are intelligent enough to wade through the syntax. Secondly, it's important to share the weight and awesomeness of God's love, which leads me to my main motive. It's easy to get caught up in arguments on such a topic or reading doctrine simply to amass intellectual knowledge, but the real meaning not to be missed in this sentence (and the overall book) is life changing - God loves you. Those words put life into perspective - God loves you. Don't miss the delight of those words - God loves you.

Rebels rebel; Haters hate

April 1865

Even as the guns of war grew still, emotions seethed. The hate, of course, was the most perilous. One Southern innkeeper told a journalist that Yankees had murdered his soldier sons, torched his house, and taken his slaves. "They left me one inestimable privilege - to hate 'em. I git up at half past four in the morning, and sit up til twelve at night, to hate 'em. . . . A planter said "I have vowed that if I should have children - the first ingredient of the first principle of their education shall be uncompromising hatred and contempt of the Yankee. Day by day and hour by hour does the deep seated enmity I have always had . . . for the accursed Yankee nation increase and burn higher." Jay Winik, April 1865 : The Month That Saved America (p. 351-352)

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore,we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. Romans 5.6-10


It's true that before God saved me I was His enemy. I was a sinner at enmity with God. If that is biblically true, then how did one who was opposed to God willingly become reconciled to God? Did the Southerners who hated the North really want to be a part of the Union they hated? The Southerners quoted above may have become a citizen of the United States, but it was not their choice. 

Reading the New Testament leads a Christian to worship. Reading and understanding your position before God as a sinner leads you to bow in reverence, worship, and be in awe at the God who is mighty to save. God's mercy and justice are more amazing than my free will. I don't have a problem recognizing my inability to save myself. The problem develops when believers make this issue divisive. Even when I struggle through difficulties in God's Word, I trust His plan over my ability to work out that which I don't understand. More specifically, God does not need me to make up an excuse for why all people aren't saved. My free will does not solve all the problems associated with people who do not respond to the Gospel. Free will diminishes God. It minimizes God's omnipotence, and depicts Him as following the choices of man. This is not a biblical view of God. God works all things according to His will, not mine. 

That's Crazy!

Each night before bed, Karen or myself are in a habit of reading with Isaac. The books change slightly as Isaac comes to prefer one book over the other. We were in a smooth rhythm of Thomas the Train - Troublesome Trucks, Jonah, and the finale with David & Goliath. I enjoy listening to Isaac quote the various stories and ask questions along the way. David & Goliath seems to be a staple in our nightly repertoire. When we get to David & Goliath the conversation goes,
"Is David listening?"
"Yes, David is listening."
"Is Goliath listening?
"No, Goliath is a pagan. Pagans don't listen."
It's great to hear him now say "Goliath isn't listening; Goliath is a pagan."

For a three year old, the story of Jonah isn't outlandish. Isaac asks the same sort of listening questions for Jonah, the sailors Jonah attempted to join, and the Ninevites. When Jonah is in the fish, Isaac wonders if it's dark in there. I assure him it is dark in the belly of a fish and a bit stinky too. For many of us, though, the reality of a man being swallowed by a large fish, whale perhaps, is crazy. There's no way a story like that could be literally true. Stories like that must have only been written to convey . . . uh, faith or . . .  the reality of a Sovereign God whom people should turn to or He'll wipe out?

It is crazy to think of a man being swallowed by a fish. When that's observed in nature, game over. No more observation. But in a world that supernatural intervention takes place, miracles happen. A man is swallowed by a fish, prays for God's mercy, and holds onto his hope in God.

Even if this story is discounted, it's interesting to hear Jesus' thoughts on Jonah. When people demanded Jesus to perform a sign so they would know He was the Messiah, he turned their attention to Jonah. Just like Jonah was really in the belly of a fish for three days, so will I be dead for three days (my paraphrase Matt. 12:38-40).

That's crazy to think of a man being in a fish for three days and living. Yes, it is. It's even crazier to think a man can be brutally killed and after three days rise from the dead.

Jesus says all of this is true. Are we listening to His words?

Taking God Seriously

When a man of wisdom and reputation stands up with an indictment against those who make up the church, self labeled Christians, I think we would be wise to listen.



J. I. Packer's new book, Taking God Seriously

Your New Favorite Burger

Here is a Hutcheson family favorite. You may get as far as the title or the recipe source and automatically put it in the "no way" category. I would say that's just like Isaac saying no to cookies. No matter how much I tell him that he'll like the treat, he's missing a great treat. Although, now that we've started potty training, the word treat has a marvelous ring to him. He'll eat mostly anything with this sweet bell of a word.

(On a budget note, this recipe is the priciest of the ones I've listed.)

Nutty Veggie Burgers from Dreena Burton Let Them Eat Vegan

Makes 5 to 6 Patties

1 ½ cups raw almonds ½ cup raw walnuts ½ cup raw pecans (or more walnuts) 1 small clove garlic, cut into quarters ½ teaspoon sea salt 1 tablespoon ketchup 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast 1 tablespoon tamari ¼ teaspoon poultry seasoning, or ⅛ teaspoon each of dried thyme and dried sage ½ cup (packed) finely grated carrot ½ cup (packed) finely grated zucchini ½ to 1 cup rolled oats A smidgen of oil, for panfrying

In a food processor, combine the almonds, walnuts, pecans, garlic, and salt. Puree until the nuts are finely ground. Then add the ketchup, nutritional yeast, tamari, poultry seasoning, carrot, and zucchini, and pulse until the mixture becomes dense and is starting to hold together. Pulse in the oats. Remove the blade and shape the mixture into patties.

To cook, lightly oil a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Cook the patties for 5 to 7 minutes on the first side, and then another 3 to 5 minutes on second side until golden brown, working in batches, if necessary.

John Mark simple recipe  There's no simplifying this recipe. It's all good and worthwhile as it is. I'm sure there's some substitutions or variations that you could experiment with for your tastes. I hope you've enjoyed some delicious new and healthy meals in your home, or plan on enjoying once the next grocery trip rolls around. Eat together and enjoy!

(For the record, I'm not anti-McDonalds. The recipe above is my preference over Micky-Dees fine double cheeseburgers.)

Coconut anyone?

After yesterday's post for a phenomenal kale salad, here's another recipe - Karen's coconut lentils. Here's the good news about lentils, you can do whatever you want with them. Feel free to throw an onion and a couple of carrots in a food processor for this recipe. Typically that's the base for our lentils regardless of the additional spices. You can use garlic, salt, cayenne pepper, berbere, sriracha, thai red curry paste; I think you get the point that in whatever you cook lentils they absorb. On a side note, red lentils cook a little faster than green or brown lentils, but the latter are slightly cheaper. 

Ingredients

• 1 lb. (2 cups) red lentils 
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 tsp sea salt 
• 1-2 tsp turmeric 
• 1 (15 oz.) can light coconut milk 
• 1½ cups water 

Instructions

1. Place the lentils in a medium pot and gently rinse 2-3 times or until the water runs clear. Drain as much water out after the last rinse as possible.
2. Mince the garlic and add it to the pot along with the salt, turmeric, coconut milk, and 1.5 cups of water. Give it a gentle stir to make sure everything is mixed.
3. Bring the pot up to a boil over medium-high heat (use a lid to make this faster). Once it is boiling, remove the lid and let it boil gently for about 20 minutes or until most of the liquid is absorbed. When most of the liquid is absorbed, turn off the heat and let sit for about 5 minutes to continue to absorb. Taste and season with more salt if desired.

John Mark's simple recipe

It's really the same just not measured exactly. True cooks, my wife included, don't measure teaspoons, tablespoons, etc. They know it when they see it. If you want to expand your cooking knowledge, measure out a teaspoon or tablespoon then pour it in your hand. Get to know the feel of it and what the approximate size is in your hand. 

As for this recipe, I do like to add thai red curry paste. Depending on your taste, one jar might last two or three various recipes. It's an additional cost for this recipe, but turmeric might be an additional cost for your spice draw as well, if you don't use it in any other recipes. Turmeric is a great spice that adds flare to many recipes and is a great antioxidant. The bottom line is that lentils provide excellent nutrition. Plus, you can tailor them according to you tastes AND satisfy your palate. Enjoy!

What to eat?

In light of my sermon this past weekend on fitness, nutrition, & self-control, here is one of Karen's fabulous (& easy) recipes - kale salad. Before you dismiss it, let me reassure you it has mouth watering flavor and satisfies the salt craving you want in a meal.










Kale Salad:
2 bunches of fresh kale (or 1 bag of pre-washed/cut kale)
1 avocado (sometimes i use more avocado, especially if it's for people who have never tried kale before!!)
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup olive oil
1TBS black or cayenne pepper
1/4-1/2 diced red onion (optional)
8oz cashews ground in food processor
sea salt to taste
tomatos (optional)
diced green peppers (optional)

Directions:
trim or pull kale from stalks & wash thoroughly. if using bagged kale, simply rinse & spin
if you are using fresh kale, check closely when rinsing as there are often little worms hanging out
spin kale in salad spinner or let dry thoroughly
in small bowl whisk lemon juice, olive oil, & pepper
place kale in large bowl
add onion & lemon/olive oil mixture to kale
scoop avocado into bowl
add a few dashes of sea salt
add ground cashews
use your hands to mash/massage everything together (it gets a bit messy)
the kale should shrink substantially with the dressing
sometimes i'll add more cashews on top or diced tomatoes on top

For the John Mark simple version:
Mix
1 bag of kale
1 avocado
1/4 cup lemon juice
just enough olive oil
a spoonful of pepper
sea salt to taste

Can it Be?

Justin Taylor posted the background and Scriptural allusions for Charles Wesley's "And Can it Be". It's my favorite hymn that I think every believer should know and sing. It's a beautiful arrangement of the Gospel. Check it out.

4. Long my imprisoned spirit lay,

Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;

Thine eye diffused a quick’ning ray

I woke; the dungeon flamed with light;

My chains fell off, my heart was free,

I rose, went forth, and followed thee.

Risky Church

There are many churches in St. Augustine and thousands of churches in cities all over our nation. If there are already so many churches, then why plant a new church? Why leave the comforts of an established, healthy church? Justin Buzzard wrote a top ten list of reasons to join a church plant. In the message Sunday, Greg made a distinction between people who are involved in the early days of a church verses those involved in an established church - pioneers and settlers. Both types of people are needed at different stages in the life of a church. Who's a pioneer? Who's a settler?

There are plenty of opportunities to be involved in healthy churches and to serve in God glorifying ways. When your church plants a new location/church in your city or nearby community, should you pack your church bags and get involved?

Reason number one to get involved:
1. If you want to see Jesus do something new and are sick of the status quo.

The goal of church planting is not to create a place for church hoppers or people looking for the next best Sunday morning entertainment. The goal of planting a new church is to see people experience Christ for the the first time and live in light of God's transforming grace. When someone feels the futility of life without God, knows his guilt before God, and believes that God's promises of joy are true, worship happens.

I don't want expected "church stuff" to happen. God created the universe by the power of His Word. I believe Him to do amazing things through His people. I'm excited to see God display His grace and power through the work at Parkview St. Augustine. If you're tired of the status quo and desire to see Jesus do something new, get involved at Parkview.

Headed to Uganda

In less than a month, Karen is traveling to Uganda. It's amazing the things she's done in the past two years. In light of our move to Florida and raising four children, Karen has continually had orphan care as a priority in her life. Last year she spoke at Together for Adoption and has cultivated ways to make orphan care a priority for the church. Her upcoming trip to Uganda will be a strategic trip to forge new relationships with a ministry that meets many needs for children: food, clothing, education, love, and care.
Karen's wisdom and training sets her apart from others. It's not everyday you find a woman who loves Jesus and is highly trained as a psychologist to meet people in desperate crisis with wise counsel. You can check out some of the details about her trip in an excerpt below. It's from her website that she and her friend, Emily have set up to raise funds for their trip.

In July, Drs. Karen and Emily (Clinical Psychologists) will be traveling to a Christian-based, non-profit organization located in Jinga, Uganda. We will be providing developmental, crisis, and grief & loss training to the staff and mentors of this non-profit organization. We will also be providing psychological aid to the children in this village, many of whom are orphaned, and most of whom have been exposed to extreme poverty and the traumatic situations that can arise from such conditions. We will also be involved in community outreach and discipleship with the people of this community. We are so excited to work with the people in Jinga and cannot wait to see what God will accomplish while we are there! Both Emily and Karen have a heart for advancing the Kingdom of Christ. 

Visit the link and help send Karen & Emily to Uganda.

Thanksgiving List 2012

In the tradition following my dad's Thanksgiving List in His column "Chip's Off the Old Block", here is my Thanksgiving List for this year.

I’m thankful for God’s grace that forgives me of all my sin, credits me with righteousness, and adopts me into His family as His son.

My wife who is the treasure of my life. She is excellent and wise beyond any beauty I could ever imagine. I love my beautiful wife. She challenges me, sharpens me, and points me to Jesus.

All of my children. God’s grace in my older children’s lives is absolutely amazing. Kashiku and Lemlem defy the typical compliments others can pay to a parent. Yes, he is strong and handsome; yes, she is beautiful. But they are wise. Both of them have a heart to reach the nations with the Gospel. I praise the Lord for their hearts.

I praise God for the babies, Isaac and Kaleb. I love watching their personalities blossom; I love kissing their faces and snuggling them up.

My mom and dad. They care for my family and I more than I know and more than the average person can understand. I thankful for their wise counsel.

I love to hear Karen tell me about a conversation she had with either my mom or dad on the phone without me.

GracePointe Baptist Church. I’m thankful to pastor a church cares about the Gospel.

I’m thankful to serve along two pastors at GracePointe, Jim and Phil.

A magical sister who is a great aunt.

A nephew who is very smart, verbose, and entertaining.

Teaching at St. John’s Academy.  The Lord has worked in an awesome way that has brought me to SJA. I’m thankful I was able to home school Kashiku and Lemlem. That experience allowed me to work at First Baptist Church in Palm Coast last year which provided teaching experience. The Lord has given me a great calling to pastor and teach children.

The leadership and teachers at St. John’s Academy. Wallis Brooks, the principle is a very kind woman and excellent leader. I’m thankful for the teachers in the first grade that are an immense help to me – Mrs. Mahen and Mrs. Reinhold.

I’m thankful for Kashiku & Lemlem’s teacher, Mrs. Masters.

Kashiku & Lemlem making all A’s at such a tough school. They are champs!

Living in St. Augustine.

The Alligator Farm. It’s a family favorite! We have our favorite animals: the reticulated python, marabou stork, and the macaw, Even if it’s slightly scary walking over the alligator pit with small children.

My wife’s great cooking; it’s adventurous with many new spices and flavors.

Riding my bike.

My friend and encourager, John Mark Tittsworth.

Preaching the Gospel.

Having a family that listens to the Gospel. Watching Kashiku & Lemlem’s faces while I preach is a blessing I’m thankful for and humbled by. God is good.

Running races with my family.

Dr. Eddie Hatifield, a blessing like none other. His wisdom and friendship is incomparable.

Running while Kashiku & Lemlem ride their bikes, and I push the babies in the stroller.

Working out with Karen (it doesn’t happen very often, but I love it.)

Working puzzles with Kashiku & Lemlem.

Karen and I watching our favorite TV shows together.

Playing chess with Mitchell and Paul.

Eating a quart of Cold Cow Ice Cream, chocolate peanut butter of course.

The house we live in right now.

Having sand in my shoes.

Two cars that work. As a driver of a minivan that currently has a luggage rack on top, I can say my dream car has finally arrived. It’s no muscle car, but it’s a wonderful blessing to need such a car.

An office at Christ the King Anglican Church. I’m very thankful for the care and support of this fellowship. David Alert, the pastor, is a blessing to me and GracePointe.

Going to the beach.

Playing Monopoly Deal, a card game, with my family and winning. *Karen would suggest she wins the most frequently. This is my Thanksgiving List though. Her suggestion will be neither supported or refuted.)

Siracha hot sauce

Friends of mine that are pastors and faithful to the Gospel: Jamus Edwards, Brandon Swanner, Jeremy Hatfield, Brad Rhodes, and Freddy T.

Orphan Sunday

In every worship service we make Christ the center or our worship. Yesterday churches around the world highlighted orphan care. I preached from Ephesians 1:3-6 in order to highlight our status as adopted children. By the glory of God's amazing grace, God chose us to be holy and predestined us to adoption as sons. As former orphans we celebrate God's great grace in our lives. When we read this passage our hearts immediately leap in praise because of what God has done for us. This text is about worship. We recognize that God designed and accomplished salvation in a perfect Trinitarian act, as the rest of the passage shows (1:3-14). 

As God's children we tell God's story of adoption to ourselves every day. The Gospel reminds us what Christ has done on our behalf and whom we now are in Him. By teaching the Gospel to ourselves everyday we rest in God's faithfulness and love rather than our self-righteousness. 

Our theology ties into orphan care because the church is most suited to care for the orphans. All because we know what it is to be an orphan, we gladly provide for the needs of orphans. Providing for the needs of orphans comes through adoption, foster care, assisting foster parents or families adopting, giving to those who are adopting, and most importantly praying. 

We can pray for Eric and Amy Ostrander. Right now they are in the Democratic Republic of the Congo attempting to finalize their adoption of two boys. They meet with their social worker today to advocate for their son. They should have a decision sometime Tuesday. Church, pray for this adoption to be finalized and the Ostrander's bring home their two sons soon.

Check it out . . .

In today's artistic culture there are several musicians who are writing new songs and remixing old hymns. Welcome Wagon is a band I heard after their record debut was produced in 2008. I really enjoyed their remake of "He Never Said a Mumbling Word." I'll be honest I didn't know it was a remake until I looked into their work a little more. Nonetheless it was a humbling song for me to hear and a great picture of just how much Christ humbled himself in order to bring salvation. Their latest album is a great piece of artistic work that mirrors the Gospel from beginning to end. It may not be everyone's favorite genre of music, but it is a great illustration of God's great grace to sinners. Listen to it on Spotify or buy the album. Here's a couple of their songs below.

What's a church to do?

Recently I have been preaching a sermon series about the church titled - Who Cares About the Church? Jesus Does. The doctrine of the church is vitally important for Christians. Salvation is not simply getting to heaven; salvation entails a host of blessings, both personally and corporately. God calls us into His family which means we will spend eternity with our brothers and sisters. On this side of eternity we get a glimpse of eternity in the church.

Our glimpse into the next age comes from our status as believers. Once a person confesses Jesus Christ, his or her walk to obey all that Jesus commanded begins. Jesus calls all believers to be baptized. The clear picture of a person eligible for baptism in the New Testament is one who has repented and believed in Jesus for salvation. It is also clear that those who have faith in Jesus associate with a local church. The early church presupposes membership in a local church because a person's life has been radically changed. The reaction of a person saved by grace is to fellowship with other believers. Worship becomes riveting, engaging, and amazing when the truth of Jesus Christ is proclaimed. When Paul gives instruction to the Church at Colossae (Col. 2.6-15), he roots their behavior in the reality of the Gospel. Paul tells them, “Act like who you are because of Christ" (paraphrase H. York). The church is full of Holy Spirit filled brothers and sisters of Christ.

A glaring objection about the church immediately jumps off the page. Even though church members are "new creatures in Christ," the church is full of hypocrites, liars, and cheaters (a.k.a sinners). People who claim to believe in Jesus Christ do not act much different than Buddhists, atheists, or any other false religion. One function of the church is to build each other up even through discipline so there is a clear distinction between the church and the world. Since every member of the church is a member of Christ, we are called to love our brothers and sisters even when that means we have to correct them. As culturally unpopular this notion might be, it is clear from Scripture that God uses the church to hasten holy living among members who live contrary to God’s will.

Church discipline benefits church members. This action is not branding people with Scarlet Letters. The church calls an individual to repent of sin tenderly, patiently, and lovingly. Jesus spoke about church discipline when he told the church to judge each other after famously telling people not to judge (Matt. 7.1-7). Jesus taught a way to judge. It is important we help each other live holy for God's glory by looking out for each other's walk with the Lord. Paul encouraged the church to do the same thing (Gal. 6.1-2). Paul did not expect the church to judge those outside of the church. Church discipline is for those in the church.

The church proceeds with church discipline (out of love) to bring a brother or sister to repentance. By pointing out a person's disregard for personal holiness, the church affords that person the opportunity to repent. Repentance brings worship, joy, and satisfaction in Christ over false idols and temporary pleasures. Church discipline portrays a holy God righteously judging sin. When the church confronts sin in a person's life (binding and loosing - see Matt. 16.19 & 18.18), the church acts on the authority of Christ. A person has the opportunity to repent, but when a person hardens his heart, the church acts in the same way God will act on the day of judgment.

You may wonder why a pastor of a small church would teach such a difficult and controversial topic. Simply stated, it is in the Bible. Jesus instructed His church to do this. Who am I to implement other means to keep His church holy? I pray that GracePointe will be marked by love and holiness. May we be a church filled with people who care for each other and live for the riches of Christ.

Going to Church

In worship yesterday, the sermon text was Matthew 16.13-20. I taught about Peter's confession as the foundation of the church, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus joyously responded that Peter's confession was the foundation of the church, "and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." Our identity as Christians is necessarily joined with the church. Believers in Christ don't have to go to church because the church isn't a place; it's a people. When a person has a relationship with Christ, he happily gathers with other believers to worship as God's family. Jesus tells us in this passage that those who confess Him as Lord and Savior are His people, the church. We gather as a church to show and experience this reality. Being a part of a local church is an important part of our Christian lives. For believers, it's not a laborious obligation; it's a delight in our pursuit of Jesus, the one who has rescued us. Our corporate worship is a visible testimony to the Gospel we proclaim. I look forward to worshipping with my brothers and sisters each week. We're not just coming to church, we are the church. It's who we are.

Getting to Heaven

There is a fun children's song I was introduced to a few years ago. It's called, You Can't Get to Heaven on Roller Skates. It sounds like a good song to teach children song about salvation by grace and not by works (or mode of transportation). In another version of the song, it may teach a few other things - "you can't get to heaven in a miniskirt." The song is cute and fun, but none of the versions ever explain how a person enters heaven. The audience is still left with an incomplete understanding of how to get to heaven. When there's a lack of clarity, people fill in the blanks with their own understanding and assumptions. The religious leaders in the first century lived with an incorrect understanding of acceptance before God. Based on a strict, ethical code the Pharisees attempted to live in such a way that granted them access before God. Mark jibes at their excessive rules they thought would make them blameless(7.4). By their everyday living and adherence to the elders' tradition, they expected to have an open door to God. They tried to attack Jesus based on their tradition in an attempt to silence Him and squelch His growing fame. The attack showed their lack of understanding and Jesus' superiority. Jesus looked past their tradition and quoted the prophet Isaiah (7.6-7). Jesus ignored their trivial accusation to show the greater issue at stake - worship. Jesus supported His claim by proving from the Law their traditions were self-seeking and and therefore, false worship (7.9-13). The Pharisees might as well put out a cute children's album because they were just as clueless about knowing God as someone trying to get to heaven on roller skates in a miniskirt. They missed the point of the Law and ultimately, missed the Messiah. There aren't any rituals a person can perform that provide righteousness before God. There's no rituals you perform that make you a "good" Christian or a "bad" Christian. Believing the Gospel is an everyday experience of God's grace. When you believe the promise of the Gospel, the Holy Spirit makes your dead heart alive in Christ. Following Christ is an act of grace the Holy Spirit leads us in every step of the way. There's no work we perform that adds to our salvation. It's all Christ's righteousness in us that allows us to stand before God. May God point us to His amazing grace.

Ride for Adoption

In just a few short days, the Ride for Adoption begins. I'm joining Kaleb Scharmahorn in the first Ride for Adoption to help him bring home his son or daughter from Nicaragua. We will be riding from Nashville to Daytona, 700 miles in 7 days. As a church we stand with those adopting to encourage and help in every way we can. We can respond to orphan care in three ways: prayer for orphans, families adopting or providing foster care, financially support families adopting, and rescuing the orphans through adoption or foster care. Adoption is a beautiful reality that effects every one of us. We have been given the blessing of adoption through Jesus Christ. Our salvation gives us forgiveness, righteousness, and adoption. Each aspect of salvation is beautiful and drives us to worship God for the many blessings He pours out on us. None of us were naturally in God's family. By His amazing grace, He called us into His family. When we support adoption we are picturing the Gospel! Children who were once without a father are now called into a family and called son and daughter. For the Scharmahorns we want to pray and help financially. The ride is a fundraiser to help the Scharmahorns overcome the financial difficulty of international adoption. Please consider sponsoring a few miles of this ride to help fund their adoption and bring home their precious child. Every donation helps them; there's no amount too small. Check out the website rideforadoption.com for information on how you can give.

Why is Election in the Bible?

A few weeks ago I planned to teach about election. My parents happened to be in town for that Wednesday night service. When my mom learned about the topic, she raised some points regarding election and its practical place in everyday life. She also cautioned me that it’s very divisive. I’m thankful for my mom and her help because once again she’s right.
Election has caused controversy throughout the church’s history. It’s not a teaching that any believer can ignore because it’s all over Scripture. More importantly, Jesus instructed His disciples to observe everything He commanded, and treasuring the place of election in God’s redemption is a part of our calling as disciples. Believers have the joy of reading God’s Word and discovering the riches of His grace to us. God’s grace to us includes election. The salvation that we have through Jesus is deep and rich. Savoring every important aspect gives believers more and more opportunities to delight ourselves in our Sovereign God. Election is difficult to understand and even outside of our complete understanding. God still gave this gem to us for a wonderful reason – WORSHIP.
Reading passages like Ephesians 1:3-14 offers us a chance to worship God rather than detail who is “elected” and who isn’t. Paul wrote this amazing beginning to the Ephesian church to lead them (and us) in worship for God’s amazing grace. On the one hand we are invited to behold God’s plan of salvation – worship Him. On the other hand in places such as Matthew 28:18-20, we’re invited to participate in God’s plan of salvation – Tell others about Him. To combine these frameworks undermines their purpose and develops a faulty method for reading Scripture.
Election brings praise and thanksgiving from a true believer. Paul’s writing is filled with praise and worship to God for what He’s done. God’s action in electing individual believers sets aside human pride. The very fact that I didn’t do anything or deserve His love directs me to worship God rather than brag about myself for who I am or what I’ve done.
I have confidence in God for His salvation. I trust in His salvation that I know He will make complete. Election produces fruit like Paul writes about the Thessalonians in 1 Thess 1:4-10. Election produces holiness not pride or laziness. Since God elects individuals to salvation I know that nothing can separate me from His love (Rom. 8:29-30). I am assured of salvation through Jesus because of God’s word. When I trust in Jesus for the forgiveness of sins I know God has chosen me. Oh, what humbling grace! May we draw near to God because of His great grace to us.

Ride for Adoption

Kaleb & Meagan Scharmahorn are adopting a child from Nicaragua. They are great friends of ours. We're thankful to be so close together in Florida. Kaleb's serving at Salty Church in Ormond Beach, FL, and I'm here in St. Augustine.
One of the fundraisers they're doing for their adoption is a bike ride from Nashville, TN to Daytona, FL. Yes, that's correct from Tennessee to Florida - 700 miles in 7 days. Check out the video and consider donating to help the Scharmahorns bring home their next son or daughter!

RideForAdoption.com from Ride for Adoption on Vimeo.