Blessings and Woes

Our world has little trouble in classifying its inhabitants. We qualify each other on the basses of race, religion, beauty, wealth, and other exterior characteristics. And, no matter how removed we believe ourselves to be from this concept, it’s often difficult not to apply labels of poor, rich, ugly, pretty, black, white, etc. I don’t remember the existence of these labels at the beginning of my years in elementary school. My friends were from many different backgrounds and all looked different. But, I didn’t care about the skin color or number of rooms in their houses that my friends had. My biggest concern was having something exciting to bring to “show and tell”.
The older I get, the more I notice how limited my perspective can be. I almost immediately have opinions about an individual based on my first impression. Often, it’s just how an individual speaks that inspires me to apply criterion. My intention is not to make those reading this feel guilty or to make you afraid to approach me. I merely want us to see people through the eyes of Jesus. One of Jesus’ first concerns was to unify people. He often defied convention by reaching out to those considered to be outcasts by the majority of society. Jesus showed love to lepers, tax collectors, and prostitutes.
In Luke 6:17-49, we read Jesus’ sermon on a “level place”. He begins by giving blessings to those who are poor, hungry, sad, and hated. Jesus then applies woes to the rich, well fed, laughing, and those spoke well of. Jesus isn’t trying to make people feel bad if they are enjoying life. He wants us to understand that blessings don’t come to those who put all of their focus on enjoying their lives. Jesus continues to say that we must love our enemies and not judge others. We need to have a broad perspective. We need to see what matters. We need to have empathy for and try to understand each other.

The Mysterious Origin Of...

It is typically both fascinating and exciting to learn the origins of the people in our lives. Gerald Ford, former president of the United States, had parents who divorced just weeks after his birth. He lived with his mother and her husband, a paint salesman, whom Gerald was named after. He entered Yale as a football coach before being accepted as a law student. James Brown, who died in the same week as Ford, was born in a shack in South Carolina. He was abandoned by his parents and was living in a brothel by the age of seven. As a child, Brown picked cotton, danced, and polished shoes for money. Neither of these men came from nobility or was born privileged.
I used to read a great deal of comic books. Some of my favorite stories were the origins of the various super heroes. Peter Parker, an outcast and “science geek”, was bitten by a radioactive spider to become the Amazing Spider-Man! Bruce Wayne’s parents were gunned down in front of him, motivating him to fight crime as the Batman! These kinds of stories inspire us to believe that people with humble beginnings can become anyone they desire. I believe that God chose the individuals we read about in scripture for this reason. The Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, is packed with the accounts of simple people who were able to accomplish great things.
We read in Luke 5 to Luke 6:16 about the gathering of the apostles. Jesus doesn’t choose the church leader, the historian, or the great orator. There is nothing wrong with being one of these people, but one of the biggest obstacles people face in accepting Christ is the belief that his message is not for everyone. Jesus used people that we fisherman and tax collectors. He asked seemingly average men to leave their old lives behind and teach the gospel. No matter how average we think we are, this is our responsibility as well.

The Mission

We had an excellent time at Winterfest this year. I believe everyone that attended was uplifted and renewed by the worship and teaching that took place. We had a safe trip with no criminal infractions to report. I want to thank everyone who supported this trip from the bottom of my heart. Without your prayers, encouragement, funding, and general assistance, this trip would have not been possible. For parents, I know it isn’t easy to let your kids travel halfway across the United States without you. I want to say that you made the right choice as I believe trips like these change lives and create lifelong memories. I also want to thank the teens for giving up their weekend to get closer to our Lord and savior. Finally, I want to give special thanks to the chaperones that came with us to Winterfest. I know these trips can be expensive, time consuming, and generally exhausting. You are all irreplaceable and this trip wouldn’t be successful without you.
For those who don’t know, Winterfest is the largest gathering of teens from the Churches of Christ in the world. About 13,000 people traveled to Gatlinburg, Tennessee for this year’s event. In several sessions, those in attendance are provided with entertainment, worship, and powerful lessons. This year’s theme was “The Mission” and was focused entirely on Jesus Christ. In the first session, we learned that we must know Jesus through studying the scriptures. In the second session, we were told that our character must reflect that of Christ and we must be Christ in this world. In the third session, we discovered that we must see Jesus in others, treating others as we would treat Jesus. Finally, we were left with a message centered on evangelism, the sharing of the gospel. In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus gives us our mission. We are to share the gifts of salvation and the knowledge of Jesus Christ with the rest of the world. We must never waiver from this assignment. There is no time to waste in sharing the gospel.

Who Possesses Us?

Seeing as how I spent an almost ridiculous amount of time in college studying he field of psychology, I often feel it necessary to share a portion of what I learned with others. I can only hope this knowledge does not fall to the same deaf ears I once presented my “ABCs” to as a child. It is fascinating to discover the complexities of the human mind. We are without doubt the creation of a perfect God. There are many distressing concepts one comes across in the study of psychology. Just as every human being is subject to physical illnesses, we are subject mental illnesses. One of the most intriguing mental illnesses is dissociative identity disorder. Dissociative identity disorder is the diagnosis given to individuals who display multiple distinct identities or personalities, each perceiving and interacting differently. Different personalities within an individual even have different handwriting. The causes of this disorder have not been identified, but many theorize that stress (often childhood abuse) causes one to create multiple identities subconsciously in order to cope with this stress.
Though few of us could be diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder, we all take on identities that our not our true self once in a while. We are all created in the image of God. We each have the potential to be reflections of Jesus, living as Jesus did when he came to Earth. However, this way is not always easiest. We are overcome with powerful influences and temptations. I could turn the other cheek when someone hurts me. However, I often become vindictive and wish the same hurt on others that they have inflicted on me. I should help others but typically spend more time helping myself. In Luke 4:31-44, we find Jesus healing many demon possessed individuals. While we may never find ourselves possessed by demons, we will find ourselves the victims of selfishness and the suggestions of Satan. We need to find out true identity in Christ.

Can I See Some Identification?

I apologize if I have stated this fact too many times before, but I studied psychology in college. I have always been fascinated with the mind and how we relate to each other. Some of the most interesting things I learned about were defense mechanisms. When anxiety becomes too overwhelming, we often distort reality or block it out entirely. One of these mechanisms that I have found myself to exhibit in my life as a Christian is identification. Identification is when an individual unconsciously models himself or herself after the character or behavior of another. An individual practicing identification often attaches him or her self to a group and shuns those exhibiting characteristics outside of the group. This maintains one’s ego while promoting self-importance. Particularly in high school, I was very rough on people who didn’t have the exact same beliefs as myself. I boasted about being a Christian and spent a lot of time looking down on my peers. I wanted more people to learn about Jesus, but I wanted them to do it on my terms.
I believe that God chose Paul for some very specific reasons. Paul had lived on the other side of the tracks. He persecuted Christians and did everything in his power in an attempt to blot out their existence. Paul was blinded by God’s glory and had his life completely turned around when he encountered God on the road to Damascus. Paul knew what it was to identify with those who hate God and want nothing to do with him. I believe this definitely assisted Paul’s effectiveness as a missionary. He didn’t seek to exclude others. He didn’t want to persecute those outside the church. Paul wanted to welcome them with open arms. The apostles were profoundly affected by their encounter with Jesus. They left their careers, their families, and their past behind to spread the gospel of Christ. In Acts 10, we find the story of Cornelius, a Roman centurion who is one of the first Gentiles to give his life to Christ. When we consciously identify with and attempt to fully emulate Christ, we can bring even the least likely individuals to encounter Christ. We are the instruments of God, His hands and feet.

It's Making Me Wait

One of my worst enemies, as of late, is anticipation. Whether what I am waiting for is exciting or dreadful, the waiting eats away at my very being. If I know that I am to receive a package by mail, I can’t rest until it has arrived. I have to obtain tracking numbers and program them in to my computer for constant updates. More acceptably, I suppose, is when I have to take a big test. Eventually, I plan to complete the Graduate Record Examination so that I may complete further education. I fear this day to the point that my stomach aches. These types of feeling distract me from my daily responsibilities.
Most ridiculous is my eagerness to urge to attend a screening of the upcoming film entitled ‘Cloverfield’. ‘Cloverfield’ is a product of director JJ Abrams, creator of popular and endlessly confusing television show ‘Lost’. ‘Cloverfield’ is the account of a group of friends, all in their twenties, who witness and become involved in an attack on New York by a giant monster and its smaller underlings. “So you’re excited about a Godzilla rip off?” is what you might be thinking right now. Well, the catch is that the movie’s monster has yet to be revealed to the public. Other than a blessed few, no one has seen the ‘Cloverfield’ monster. Add to this a cryptic viral marketing campaign, and you have millions of people salivating with expectancy.
I can’t even begin to imagine how much the Jewish people anticipated the coming of Jesus. Oppressed by the Romans and living more as slaves than as free men, the Jews were looking for a leader who would end this way of life. Jesus shows faithfulness to his ministry as well as God’s endorsement of him in Luke 3:21-22. In this instance, Jesus simultaneously supports the act of baptism and makes his presence as the Son of God official. After 2000 years of study, we often fail to value what Jesus’ presence on the Earth means to us today. We need to anticipate God’s gift of salvation through Christ.

Eye Witness Testimony

In a court of law, hearsay is immediately thrown out. For a case to proceed, the court needs to hear the accounts of eyewitnesses. Witnesses play an essential role in bringing justice to a criminal case. A witness must comply with a subpoena, also known as a summons. This is a court order for a witness to appear and testify in a criminal case. One can be arrested for ignoring a summons. A witness must remember the details of the event in question including conversations, persons present, times, distances, and other information relevant to the criminal case. One’s testimony mustn’t contradict itself or the truth itself.
Acts 26:16 states that we are appointed to be servants and witnesses of what we have seen and heard. Our world tells us to look out for ourselves. It might sound odd to some that God, the all-powerful creator of the universe, wants servants. Many would interpret this as egomania. However, our role as servants and as witnesses is for our own renewal and benefit. When we are God’s witnesses, we avoid our selfishness and don’t follow our own will. The emptiness and lack of direction that many of us face is replaced with God’s infinite understanding and compassion. We in turn offer these gifts to others.
Anna and Simeon, two individuals “advanced in age” were two of the first people mentioned to witness the human incarnation of Jesus Christ (Luke 2:22-40). Jesus’ parents, as law-abiding Jews, show up at the temple to perform sacrifices associated with the wife’s purification. Simeon, a righteous and devout man, delivers a prophecy regarding Jesus’ future. Jesus is said to be the light for revelation, offering salvation to mankind. He is also said to cause the “falling and rising of many in Israel.” As witnesses to Christ’s glory ourselves, we must present a life changing truth to mankind.