Preview: T.R.U.T.H. in Ministry.org
T.R.U.T.H. in Ministry.org
He Is For You, Not Against.--By T. Michael Cart Sun, 21 Jun 2009 18:17:41 +0000 If God is for us, who can be against us" Today is Father's Day. For me, Father's Day comes with a complex mix of emotions and textures. I usually reflect on the previous year as a father and, almost always, I find myself coming up short. By the end of the day, I will have resolved to do better in the coming year. Yet, even though there will always be room for improvement for all fathers, I would like to take a moment and appreciate all of the fathers out there, flawed and imperfect, who are in the active dispensation of their fatherly business, working it out and doing their best. You are brilliant. Your sacrifice means something. Your work and your efforts will produce good things in the lives of your children. You are worth it. You are good enough. Remember, God is for you and, likewise, you are for your children. God is our collective father. He is for us. No matter what mistakes we make or how many expectations we do not meet, he is for us. He is for us, like the father is for the prodigal son; always watching the road intently...waiting for his son to return. And though he will correct us from time to time, he is still on our side. Be encouraged. You can do it. You are more capable than you realize. God chose you for this job. You may not see the immediate results of all that you do and, at times, you may feel unappreciated by children, spouses and others. That is okay. You can handle it. You are a father; a symbol of stability and strength. God is for you, not against. Pass it down.
T.R.U.T.H. IN MINISTRY Book Review by Naomi Silva "Davennomi" (Amazon.com) Fri, 19 Jun 2009 21:27:28 +0000 This book is simple yet profound. It absolutely speaks the "truth" regarding what our focus as Followers of Jesus should be. Of course that focus is so much more than just going to church, or it should be. Unfortunately we all are vunerable to becoming "churched" and losing sight of our call. This book is a great tool to strip it all down to what is important. And that is being teachable, reachable, unoffendable, tangible and honorable. Simply put to follow the example of Jesus! This book is not so much like reading a book as it is like sitting down across the table from a good friend and having a encouraging conversation.
Lone Wolves Are Easy Prey--By T. Michael Cart Mon, 15 Jun 2009 22:40:36 +0000
for waging war you need guidance, I heard somewhere that none of us is as smart as all of us. Generally speaking, I feel this to be true. Yet, the idea of seeking guidance and help in our endeavors sometimes goes against our flesh. It is one thing to say to our friends that the counsel of many is a good thing, and another thing to actually seek it ourselves. If I asked all the lone wolves to raise their hands, would you be among them? Do you have a child, friend or a parent that excessively goes at it alone? True, some people just seem to navigate the waters of life better if they are the only ones with any real input on how the course is plotted. But, then again, once they arrive at their destination, they may likely find themselves in the same situation as when they started: alone. As I continue to look at spiritual warfare, I found it of particular interest that the Bible gives proverbial precedent to the idea that wars are best waged by those who can recognize the value of external guidance and advice. This does not mean that we blindly jump on every advisory bandwagon that comes our way. But it does mean that we position ourselves among those who strengthen and encourage us in our daily battles. Nowhere is this more true than when in the midst of a spiritual struggle. Quiet isolation is the goal of the enemy. It presents an ideal situation for his assault. Quarry that is separated from its kind is a much easier acquisition. I can clearly remember one particular night when I was yet a teenager. I was heading to an all-night coffee session with a friend. As we walked, I noticed three older boys on the other side of the street staring at us. Their ill intent was plainly visible. There would be no avoiding conflict. We attempted to pass anyway, unchallenged. We managed to go a few more steps before one of the boys, a tall one, began to trot toward us across the street. He yelled out in a non-threatening tone "Hey man...can you do me a favor?" Relieved, I replied "Sure." The last thing I remember was seeing the glint of the streetlight reflecting off of the metal clip on his ski glove. When I came to, I was sprawled out on the remains of what used to be someone's fence in their front yard. It had broken my fall and suffered more than a little damage. As my awareness and my vision returned, I saw something that will stick with me for the rest of my life. Standing above me, was my friend. He placed himself between me and my attackers, which were now all three. He was brandishing a screwdriver he had been carrying and fiercely holding them off. Based on the situation and the specific group that the assailants came from, it is safe to assume that, had my friend not been there, I would likely have been the recipient of a much worse beating. Regardless of our individual strengths, experiences or victories, we are all capable of giving ground to the enemy. Sometimes, even when our initial instincts tell us something is wrong, we let our guard down. We are best equipped through the corporate strength of our faith communities. It is how God made us to be; dependant on him, yes, but also finding potency and purpose in the company of eachother. Whatever the situation may be, I want to encourage you to seek out other believers for strength and encouragement in the fight. It makes it difficult for our brothers and sisters to bear our burdens if they do not know about them. Let us stop excluding ourselves from the blessings that we would freely offer others. We, too, need help at times. Its okay. The next time a believer asks us how we are doing, perhaps we could just tell them the truth. You never know, they may know exactly what we are going through. Maybe they need your advice too.
A Friend Like Epaphras--By T. Michael Cart Wed, 10 Jun 2009 22:57:02 +0000 Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.
Do you have an Epaphras in your life? We all could use the kind of devotion and fealty in a friend such as Epaphras. The word says that "he is always wrestling in prayer for you". Isn't that great? When someone tells you that they will pray for you, one of two things will happen; they either will pray for you or they will not. You might never know if they do or not, but I want to assure you that it is a matter of some import. When someone tells someone else they will pray for them, a sacred trust is formed that tests the integrity of the promiser. It is a covenant that ought to receive the highest priority. We have told someone that we will talk to God for them...and if need be...wrestle. Perhaps their situation is grave. It could be medical or relational. To them, it could be the darkest time they've ever faced. We assure them that we will pray for them. We have given them hope; reasonable expectation that we will spend time on their situation. Yet, there is a spiritual connection that now demands attention and time. We made a promise. How important is that promise and do we give it the gravity it deserves? Perhaps we could learn from Paul, who spoke highly of Epaphras. Perhaps it is the simple fact that it is Paul speaking of his friend, rather than Epaphras speaking of himself. In fact, I would go as far to say that Epaphras likely told very few people at all that he would pray for them. I imagine that he simply prayed without ceremony or hype. He probably prayed right on the spot and then continued to pray at other times as well. I believe he prayed when he was sick, well, happy, sad, indifferent or, otherwise, indisposed. He wrestled on his friends' behalf. He wrestled. Amen? I want to encourage all of you, today, to consider what praying like Epaphras really means. It means that we pray with people on the spot, if necessary. It means that we take prayer seriously and that we hold reverence for its function and faith in its promise. It means that we pray for people as if our lives depended on it. It means that our time is spent praying for others, instead of just telling people we will do it. Does that mean that we should not tell people we will pray for them? No. It does mean, however, that we do so with sincerity of heart and a genuine sense of urgency.
Fight Like Lot!--By T. Michael Cart Fri, 05 Jun 2009 15:40:10 +0000
Lot went outside to meet them and shut the door behind him and said, "No, my friends. Don't do this wicked thing." I wonder just how horrified Lot must have been to see every man in town surrounding his house, demanding that he relinquish to them his guests, two angels, so that they could have their way with them. The Bible says that every man was there, both young and old. No doubt, Lot could see people he knew: merchants, neighbors, officials, soldiers and buddies. Sounds like something out of a zombie movie. Indeed, that is exactly what it must have been like. It is the stuff of nightmares; all of your friends and cohorts suddenly converging on your house, ill intended and bent on sullying the truth of God's goodness. Yet, Lot went outside and faced them...pleaded with them. He stood between the army of darkness and the two angels that he harbored in his home. Such a burden. If Lot ever felt alone for a single day in his life, this was it. When he came against them, the crowd reacted with vitriol, telling him that he would be treated worse than the two messengers he was protecting. Lot was desperate and determined. In the center of his being, he had to know that the stakes stretched far beyond the scope of his own life. There was something vastly complex and eternal about to happen that had chosen his front yard as a stage to play out. This was a spiritual battle of unsearchable importance that would ring through the heavenlies for all time. So crucial was this encounter in the annals of humanity, that Lot even offered up his own daughters to the crowd in order to satisfy them. He was willing to pay such a price. But, the crowd would have nothing to do with them. They came for the messengers...God's messengers. At some point, the angels pulled him inside and came clean about God's intention to destroy the city. As it turned out, Lot and his extended family would be offered clemency; a chance to escape. Sodom was lost, but the determination and intercession of one man, softened God's heart and kept an entire army of evil at bay. In our own battles, we must come to terms with the fact that our decisions, prayers and spiritual actions advance the overall war effort in the name of the King. It is never just about our own house. It is never just about our own struggle. It is never just about our own story or legacy. Every time we stand in the gap, determined to come between the enemy and something or someone God loves, we become a sharpened agent of the Most High and, just for a moment, we actually understand the truth of what we are fighting for. Lot saw it too. It is love that holds us fast against the dark tide that surges at our defenses and that seeks our lives and the lives of those around us. It is love that causes us to open the door and abandon safety for the confrontation of ages. It is love that sustains us as even our friends and neighbors desire to see us destroyed. It is love that wins the war. Today, I want to encourage you to fight like Lot. Do whatever it takes. But just remember, you are backed by the author of the universe. Though you stand, at times, seemingly alone, God is behind you and his
Bible Study Battle in Bonita Fri, 29 May 2009 21:06:47 +0000 Apparently, the county of San Diego gets to tell people what they can do in the privacy of their own home.
Context and Confrontation Tue, 19 May 2009 17:01:26 +0000 It is the strangest thing: Lately, I have been put on the spot about the Bible quite a bit from various people. Sure, it happens to all of us from time to time, but for me, more than usual. The overwhelmingly common denominator in these recent encounters, I've found, is the disregard for context when referring to scripture. But, the more I think about it, the more I realize that this is the prevailing posture out there. I can remember a time when I acted similarly toward believers. I spent a great deal of time and energy reading the Bible and reading books that sought to discredit the Bible with the intention of discovering the magic bullet that would hopefully leave Christians speechless and unable to respond, thereby proving that they were wrong. I prided myself on "knowing the Bible better than most Christians". When I would enter into a debate, my purpose was one thing only: to win the argument. As such, I brandished a pre-meditated list of verses I felt to be contradictory, atrocious or anachronistic. Yet, even as I expertly laid out my argument, I gave zero play to context or translation. I simply pulled out one liners and thereby summed up my case against Christianity based on those verses. As long as I could keep the focus on the literal dimension of those scriptures, I would leave the debate feeling bolstered and justified. I win. Here's the thing: my focus was on myself. If you are a believer, this is going to happen to you. It is going to happen to you a lot. It's okay. You can handle it. Here are some guidelines that may be helpful when confronted by someone who wants to engage you in debate over your faith or a particular scripture. 1. Pay Attention. It will not take long to figure out the mood texture of the encounter. The tone of the debate can be dramatically different based on the intentions of the person presenting the challenge. Some people will be genuinely curious about the Bible and your faith. This will likely yield a fairly pleasant experience. Some people will engage you with the intention of refuting Christianity specifically. Still others will care only about the debate itself, wanting to win the argument, giving less regard to the subject matter in question. If you can determine this early on, you will have a better chance of staying on topic and not being manipulated. 2. Check yourself. It is very important to keep a posture of humility during such and encounter. You might help someone to Christ that day or you might not. But, no matter what, you will plant a seed. It is a mistake to focus on being right. If the truth is the truth, it doesn't need us to make it true. Instead, we should focus on being civil, forgiving and non-inflammatory in our demeanor. The seed will remain and if they come to Christ later on, they will remember that we were kind, even if they were not. You can not force someone with a hardened heart to glean the Spirit that resides within scripture. But, we can demonstrate evidence of the Spirit through our actions. 3. If you do not know a scripture, do not pretend that you do. Many people, especially those that specifically seek to discredit the Bible, are very well-read Bible students. There are droves of books and articles out there that point out all sorts of Biblical contradiction, weirdness and miscellany. Most who confront you will come into the conversation with a plan of action. Part of that plan will likely be to catch you off guard by proposing that you explain how a specific scripture could be true. If you do not have the context of the scripture down, then just admit it. You could offer to look it up and discuss it with them or you could contact someone that you know to be well versed in that particular area. Or, you could simply say that you don't know but you will gladly get back to them after you research it more. The worst thing you cou[...]
Witch Children In Nigeria: Spiritual Atrocity Mon, 18 May 2009 23:02:13 +0000 Today, I read an article on CNN.com that completely floored me. It is an article about the witch children in Nigeria. This breaks my heart in two. I can not adequately describe how this makes me feel. It angers and disgusts me that people use my Savior's name to inflict such base atrocity on others; more especially children. This must be stopped. I can not believe that more is not being done about this. This is spiritual abuse to the extreme. The article is as follows: Below is a video (part 1 of 2) that explains a little further. This is an outrage. Please pray for Nigeria and for the children hurt by this twisted attack. This is not Christianity. Jesus would never have condoned this.
End Of The Road--By T. Michael Cart Tue, 12 May 2009 04:24:12 +0000
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. My son walks to school. He walks 2.5 miles to school...each way. When he first started, it was not uncommon to hear him complain about tired and sore legs after he got home. It is quite a distance and he was not all that happy to do it. Unfortunately, our particular family circumstances required it. Now we are almost at the end of the school year. He is still walking. Only now, he does so with ease and confidence. He hardly notices at all. It is second nature to him...no big deal. He actually enjoys it. Of course, he requires more food as a result. Seems like he is always hungry. Spiritually, we can enter a similar dynamic. We can dread doing something that is uncomfortable or difficult. It could be anything: approaching a brother with an admonition, cheerfully giving, denying self, turning the other cheek, forgiving a trespasser or answering a question truthfully, though it may cost us something. What if we could look at the road ahead and be happy that it is going to be a difficult walk? What if we could experience true joy that we are about to suffer or be greatly inconvenienced? What if we could realize, before hand that the testing of our faith meant that it would eventually be strengthened as a result? The funny thing about being tested is that, the more you have to do it, the easier the test becomes. It is always that first step that is the hardest. And, while being tested builds perseverance, there is no guarantee that the trials will ever end. Consider James. When he wrote the above scripture, could he have known that he would be stoned to death in A.D. 62? Probably not. But, his trials led him there, regardless. So how do we do it? How do we come by this ability to face adversity, considering it as joy? Well, there is great freedom in knowing that we are on the road that God set before us...even if that road is rocky and overgrown. By the very fact that we can come to this conclusion, we can also arrive at the idea that God would give us the ability to travel that road, even if we don't think we can. And, even if we cannot see the details of all the hazards that the road may hold, we do know exactly where the road ends. This is joy.
Willing--By T. Michael Cart Thu, 07 May 2009 03:24:01 +0000
... "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean." I absolulely love the book of Luke. There is just something about it that speaks to my spirit. I love the way it flows; the way it addresses the supernatural; the way it tells the story that has given us new life. As I was looking through Luke today, I happened upon the scripture above. The phrase says so much. The man who said it was a leper. The Bible says that when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and begged him, saying those words. How did the leper know? The Bible really isn't clear. But it could have been that the leper heard about Jesus around town. Maybe he had a friend that talked about him. Maybe he overheard a group of people spreading the good news. Maybe he had been hearing about him for a while. Who knows. The important thing is that the leper found him. The first part of what he said, 'Lord, if you are willing', is beautiful. Why? Because it acknowledges Jesus' authority as well as the leper's humility. Secondly, the man says 'you can make me clean'. He boldly believes that Jesus can do it. His faith is true. He basically says 'Lord, whatever you want, you can do it'. Of course, Jesus says 'I am willing', then he heals him. Jesus is always willing to respond to humility and faith. It doesn't matter how sick we are, how many times we denied him before, how long it took us to find him...he is always willing. Always. Isn't that good news? It is we who are not always willing. It is that willingness that we should pray for. It is like an open hand that leads straight to the heart. Will we accept whatever he places in it?
Carrie Prejean: under fire again Wed, 06 May 2009 05:51:01 +0000 My latest article on Examiner.com article. Pray for Carrie.
Not of My Making by Margaret W. Jones, Ph.D.--A Book Review Sun, 03 May 2009 21:05:00 +0000
Not of My Making, by Dr. Margaret Jones, is the true story of one woman's journey through the realities and consequences of abuse in churches and families. The book engages the reader from the outset, setting the stage for a compelling journey through the perils of abusive church systems from the perspective of a sincere seeker of truth. Spanning the realms of Unitarian Universalism as well as mainstream Christianity, I found Dr. Jones' first hand experiences regarding the similarities in abusive practices between them to be shocking and informative. But if I had to choose one word to describe the work, I would choose the word 'honest'. Dr. Jones writes with an introspective, transparency of thought that is downright refreshing. She writes with fairness and constant self-examination, sharing her humanity and vulnerability. And, while the subject matter creates an immediate expectation within the mind of a potential reader, this is not a church-bashing book by any stretch. For those who are sensitive to it, there are strong references to occurrences of emotional and sexual abuse and a little bit of profanity as well. It does not detract from the book, however; just be ready for it. Even at 400+ pages, it moves forward at a good pace. Overall, this is a good read for anyone who wants further insight into the effects of spiritual abuse. Here is a link to the book's Amazon.com listing: http://www.amazon.com/Not-Making-Margaret-Jones-PhD/dp/098014910X
Letter to Spiritual Abuse Survivors--By Margaret W. Jones, Ph.D Sat, 02 May 2009 04:59:21 +0000 Abuse, no matter, what form it takes: sexual, physical, emotional or spiritual wounds our souls often driving us away from God. After I was raped at age 11 I withdrew from everyone. Five years later finding no solace in attending mass I stopped going and became an atheist. I thought, What was the point of praying. God wasn’t listening. But that left me spiritually empty. My story as told in Not of My Making recounts my spiritual journey away from God and back again. When my children reached school age I returned to church looking to provide them with a moral education. I chose Unitarian Universalism because I believed them to be open and tolerant. Later I was driven out because I wasn’t liberal enough and because I began my journey back to Christianity. I joined a Lutheran Church. Members never saw me as one of them. It was easy for them to force me out a few years later. Why did I turn away from God after being bullied and molested outside the church only to have my faith deepened when I was scapegoated and abandoned by three churches? Perhaps because that was all that was left. Stripped of all my safe havens I came to understand in a way that I never understood before that we all sin. It doesn’t matter what kind of church you attend. At some point, there will be bullying and scapegoating during some conflict because it is the easy way to handle it. People don’t have to change if they can put the blame on someone else. Scapegoating helps to unite people against a common foe making themselves feel powerful and righteous. Like Christ it is the innocent who are expelled. My husband angrily asked me, “Why do you keep going to church? They will only hurt you again.” “If someone is rejected by their partner don’t tell them to stop dating.” I responded, “Rather you tell them there are more fish in the sea and to keep searching.” I have kept searching and to my surprise have found what I was looking for in a theologically conservative church. It is the polar opposite of the Unitarian Universalism Church but close to the Catholic Church of my childhood. I think I am safe there. I urge all survivors to return. Help those sitting in the pews see the harm they are doing to the body of Christ by expelling some of its members. Bring your understanding and compassion to church. Unite with fellow survivors and build better, healthier churches that help everyone grow closer to God. You belong there. Didn’t your ancestors help build the churches and contribute to the financial support of its clergy? Why shouldn’t you go? Church is your spiritual home. Come home and make it a better place for everyone.
Facebook International Influenza H1N1 Prayer Team Sat, 02 May 2009 00:37:53 +0000 Link to a worldwide effort to pray over the H1N1 flu virus situation
Strongtower! Fri, 01 May 2009 01:24:46 +0000
http://www.strongtowermediaservices.com/ It has taken some doing and a lot of God's goodness, but we started a new editorial / writing services company. It is called Strongtower Media Services LLC. It will allow us to engage in our ministries and still pay the rent. We felt a very strong leading to go in this direction. After years of marriage, we finally realized that each of us has one piece of the puzzle. One flesh, one purpose, one victory. Good word-of-mouth would be very timely and much appreciated. God bless you!
Swine flu pre-prayer-edness Wed, 29 Apr 2009 02:01:40 +0000 I have been following the development of the global swine flu situation. I wrote this article at examiner.com. We should all pray fervently pray that God is merciful in this matter. Swine flu pre-prayer-edness - It has been confirmed that WHO, the World Health Organization, has upgraded the swine flu pandemic threat to level 4, indicating that the swine flu is now considered to be capable of causing what WHO officials would call 'community level outbre... [San Diego Christian Examiner]
Regarding Christians and Pornography Sun, 26 Apr 2009 06:38:08 +0000
I wrote an article at Examiner.com called Church and porn: we are not fine
San Diego Christian Examiner Fri, 24 Apr 2009 07:48:15 +0000
I am very excited to report that I have been picked up by examiner.com as a regular columnist. I write as a San Diego Christian Examiner. I invite you to read my articles there. I get a paid a small amount every time someone clicks on one of my stories there. During these hard times, I can use all the publicity I can get. I appreciate each of you very much. May the Lord flood your day with grace and his perfect presence. Clicking on the image above will take you to my Examiner.com profile page. T. Michael Cart
Comments Mon, 20 Apr 2009 17:39:35 +0000 I just discovered that there were some new comments that were somehow deleted. If you have recently made a comment to a posting, and you don't see it, please accept my apologies. I would be very grateful if you submitted the comment again. Very Respectfully, T. Michael Cart
The Great Omission--By T. Michael Cart Mon, 20 Apr 2009 05:17:07 +0000
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." I can remember, back in the days of teen angst, Atari and leg warmers, seeing a guy walking down Steven's Creek Blvd having a conversation with someone else. He was unkempt and in a hurry. His last shower, by my estimation, had occurred some weeks prior. Despite his haste, he conversed with fluid movements and purpose. He was very interested in his dialogue. The other person had, what I might consider to be, a problem of substance; that is to say, he was not actually there. No, there was no visible person with whom the transient was conversing. I distinctly recall making a joke that, somewhere, on the other side of the planet, was another busy street person who was listening and responding in kind. There are a couple of people reading this, right now, who remember me making that insensitive remark. I am continually amazed at how I survived the eighties at all. Suffice it to say, he was convinced, beyond all doubt, that he was talking with someone. Of that, I am convinced. I wonder who it might have been. Christians are admonished to honor the great commission. This is a central tenet of our faith. We read it, we hear it, we hear it again and we frequently refer to it with confidence and conviction. We really like the part about going into all nations and baptizing and teaching. We rally behind the call and shout out "Amen, brother!" It is the last part that is a hard sell. Surely he is with us always, even to the end of the age? Oh, sure, we can recite the scripture and feel okay about it in church, but what about when we get out there in the world? Do we always feel like he is with us? For most of us, the honest answer is no. Our fears, varying moods and unmet expectations blind us to his presence at times. It takes effort to acknowledge his presence in our day and in our lives, especially when circumstances are less than desirable. So, how about this...what if we had no home, have not taken a shower in weeks, probably have not eaten in a while and we have to walk everywhere. Would we feel like acknowledging the Savior's presence? Would we have an open and public conversation with him, as if he were really there? Would we be a fool for the conversation? Do we believe enough to risk ridicule by a bratty teenager? The point is this: He is with us always. We either choose to recognize it or we do not. He does not disappear because we are having a bad day. It is we who ignore him. I know, I know, wildly gesticulating and carrying on in a crowded place might cause people to give you a wide berth. But, recognizing his presence, even quietly, can make the difference in our circumstances and in our lives. Yes, the great commission is exciting, but even if we are, sometimes, alone in the flesh...we are never alone in the spirit. He wants to make sure we know that.
Sidetracked!--By T. Michael Cart Wed, 15 Apr 2009 07:20:15 +0000
His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him. When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. One of the most interesting places on the planet, in my opinion, is the island of Malta. Malta rests about sixty miles south west of Sicily and around one hundred eighty five miles east of what is now Tunisia. It boasts a very unique blend of regional and cultural influences that have developed over the last five thousand years. During the first century, Malta was chiefly controlled and influenced by the Roman Empire. In the game of "what ifs", one can speculate what might have come of Malta had Paul not shipwrecked there. Think about it; Paul first healed the father of Publius, the highest ranking Roman official on the island, then he healed all of the rest of the sick people on the entire island. The Bible doesn't specify how many were cured, but I'm sure it is a large number. The epidemiologist in me wants to speculate as to the likelihood of an epidemic of some kind that had affected a large portion of the island's population. It would make sense. Well, Paul shipwrecked just in time, it seems. How many descendants of those that were healed are walking around today? Paul was being transported to Rome for an audience with the emperor when this happened. He was on his way to where he would eventually lose his life. He had an appointment with destiny...and he knew it. Yet, God made him take a detour. I never stop marveling at how God interlaces the events in our lives for his purposes; even if they seem to be in the middle of difficult circumstances or not according to our own plans. We may never know how history will regard our obedience to God and the tasks he sets before us. This is the beauty of Paul's ministry. He looked for opportunities to serve God wherever he was at the moment. Can we do that? Can we narrow our focus, when necessary, to see opportunities that are right in front of us? The greater question is this: Are we willing to be reconciled to the idea that we may never see the fruit of our labor? Paul didn't. Publius, awed by miracles he witnessed, received Christ and would become the first bishop of Malta. Malta would then basically become one of the first western Christian nations. It would be hard to calculate the total impact on worldwide Christianity, as a result of the three months Paul spent on Malta. Just because we feel sidetracked at times, doesn't mean that we are not right where God wants us during that time. Sometimes, God will shipwreck us on an island filled with danger, forcing us to winter over just so we will look at what is right in front of us. The next time we get sidetracked, we ought to look around and see who we can serve...Rome can wait.
Social Norm by T. Michael Cart Mon, 13 Apr 2009 03:24:30 +0000
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. Yesterday was quite eventful; a veritable grab bag of events sort of jumbled together to create a unique fingerprint on the timeline of my life. Included in the montage was the beginnings of a new neighborly relationship, an emergency room visit, an observation of the behavior of parrots, a new burger recipe and a conversation with a guy named Norm. I have seen Norm around town. Imperial Beach, while a city, has a small town dynamic that is pretty rare in southern California. Everyone sort of knows everyone. Norm is the guy on the bike. That's what he does. He will tell you that his name is "Norm, like the social norm, which I'm not." Well, I was looking for my wife and kids at the basketball court by the beach. Norm pulled up on his bike and commented on my son's skateboard. Quickly, the conversation went from the finer details of owning a Russian-made bicycle to theology. Norm has some interesting things to say about Christians. None of them were very good. Well, actually, he employed the use of very impactful profanity in his assessment. I'm not sure he let the word "Christian" get by without at least one F-word to adequately describe his utter displeasure. He waxed historic; giving me a lesson on why Nero was right to slaughter as many Christians as he could get a hold of. He was convinced that everything wrong in the world was the fault of the Christian church. Eventually, he took a breath and let me have a go. I simply explained that Jesus taught people to serve others. He wanted to add more to it; to sully it. I just redirected him back to the simple truth of Jesus' example. At some point, he conceded that not all Christians were evil. I alluded to the fact that all Christians are, however, human. Finally, he calmed down and admitted that Jesus' teachings were good. But then, he swore that he couldn't believe that he rose from the dead. He said that it was all an elaborate trick; a hoax. I think he used more F-words. Yes, lots of F-words. Then he challenged me to explain why Christians don't do what Jesus taught. Ouch. He looked at me with a seriousness that was unsettling. He was waiting and I was speechless. I said that we are all imperfect and that we need help. I said that I don't know what is in the hearts of other people, but that real Christianity is about sacrifice and service. He scrutinized me for a moment, and then he said that I was smart and that he would like to talk to me again sometime. He reminded me that people don't come back from the dead, even if they teach good things. (more F-words). I said it was nice talking. Good 'ol social Norm. He is more the social norm than he realizes, I think. I am looking forward to seeing more of him.
Thank God Its Good Friday--By T. Michael Cart Fri, 10 Apr 2009 07:47:01 +0000
For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. As far as days of the week go, Friday has always appealed to me as being magical in some way. No matter what kind of week transpired or how tired I was, I always received the coming of Friday with open arms. Even during those times when I've been between jobs, Friday never failed to lift my mood and create enthusiasm for the weekend. Today is Friday. But not just any Friday. No, Today is Good Friday. Never has there been a Friday that symbolized so much as Good Friday. Apparently, not all Fridays are created equal. Like its regular counterparts, Good Friday represents the end of a long period of time. And, just like its regular counterparts, Good Friday brings news of rest and a new beginning. Now, can you imagine if your boss told you that after this coming Friday, you would never have to toil again? Could you imagine if your boss said that you were appointed to have all of your bills paid from that day onward...forever? What would you say to that? What if your boss said that in order for you to receive it, all you had to do was believe that it was true? Would that not be the best Friday ever? You were appointed to receive salvation before you were ever born. That's right...you. You were set apart, chosen, picked, selected, designated and purposed to be in eternal relationship with he who made you. So, before we made the choices that we wish we hadn't, we were appointed. Before we catapulted harsh words into someone's life, we were appointed. Before we refused to forgive those who hurt us, we were appointed. And, we are still appointed, right now. God will never change his mind about your appointment. Only you can do that. The message of the cross is hope for the hopeless. It is an eternity of paid bills with no strings attached. Those bills were paid for, over two thousand years ago, in blood; the blood of the Son of God. So, the next time the enemy calls you to collect on a bill, you just tell him to take a hike because Jesus already paid the bill in full...for all time.
Angle--By T. Michael Cart Wed, 08 Apr 2009 07:20:08 +0000 Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually! -1 Chronicles 16:11 Among other varied curiosities, the last three weeks have tested me utterly, and even beckoned areas of my personality I forgot existed. Pressure, it seems, doesn't always produce diamonds. Sometimes, it just crushes things. I found myself descending familiar tiers of desperation; all too familiar. It is like going into a rural gas station bathroom and seeing the initials you scribbled on the wall twenty years prior...the reality of their existence telling you that this place is exactly where you have always belonged; that you never really left at all; that everything in-between was just a specter...a dream. During these extreme times, our spiritual immune system can become compromised. It is exactly at these moments when both God and the enemy do their best work. Broken down, weakened and tired. These states of being are perfect for us to receive God's mercy and refreshment. It is also when we are most susceptible to the enemy's condemnation. Your adversary will work an angle. Whatever it is, he will find it and put it to the test. He is not the sort to be idle, apathetic or casual concerning what he perceives to be his expressed ownership of your future and, indeed, your very existence. He is invested and intensely interested in each one of us. Opportunity is his companion. He has a deadline to manage. If he could just get us alone for a moment. If he could just lead us far enough away from the pasture to work his angle, well, you get the idea. In our own strength, we fail...again and again. Yet, from the time we are children, we are raised in a world that teaches the value of self reliance and potency; hoping to develop a force of will that perseveres through adversity. To tough it out; to be strong enough. This is exactly where our enemy wants us. He can work with pride. It's kind of his thing. This is where I found myself when I finally came to my senses. With each area of my life that appeared to crumble, I became less and less willing to allow God to handle it. It was like being at a carnival shooting gallery watching the enemy shoot the targets, each one a vital part of my life. The urge to take control was nearly insurmountable. Then, at the last possible moment, I realized that the game, itself, belongs to God and that he makes the rules. God is strong enough. He is strong enough to powerfully and simultaneously work in the lives of almost seven billion of his children. When his presence is sought, his strength flows through our circumstances. As soon as I figured this out, for the millionth time, things began to unfold in a way I could not have seen before then. Things are rapidly improving. We are moving into a new house tomorrow; a house that is beyond anything I could have hoped for; a house that will see the start of our church plant and a house that would not have been possible had we not been forced to leave the other one. It is finally beginning...eight long months after arriving, it is finally beginning. The peculiar thing, is that it all had to happen exactly the way it did. There was no other way around it. The only thing that would have made these past several weeks less painful would have been if I had made [...] |
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