Every once and awhile I get a good idea in the shower. Think about it. It's a wonderfully creative atmosphere. There’s plenty of water for thoughts to grow. A nice warm and humid environment like that of a greenhouse. Why shouldn’t it be a place where ideas can push through the soil of the mind and sprout?
It’s practically replaced the bath of centuries past, where I’m sure many great thoughts came to birth and fruition. Like practically all guys, and most people, I don’t take baths. Perhaps that’s why everyone’s so hyper-stressed these days. More time needed in hot water to melt those anxious thoughts away and foster the percolation of worthwhile ones. But the shower still provides some level of relaxation and besides, it’s also a fairly quiet place to think, unless you’re a crooner.
Not too long ago I was in the shower and God gave me this little gem. Remember, it's not mine but his (and no, I’m not claiming divine revelation, so relax and go take a bath). But he's loaned it to me so I feel OK quoting myself - "The discovery of truth is not a point of one’s own genius, but the dispensing of the grace of God."
Monday, November 24, 2008
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Part 2 of Many Ways from Point A to Point B
In a culture and country filled with mediocrity and so many individuals devoting their entire lives to absolutely nothing of actual substance and value, the Christian is commissioned to be the ministerial mouth, hands, and feet of Jesus. If our relationship with our Lord is healthy and we are growing through the Holy Spirit, we certainly realize that we’re to live in an attitude of one that’s 180 degrees from indifference and run-of-the-mill living, and bring the message of the Gospel to others. We are to be salt. Salt brings a dish alive, as passion does a person. We are to be light. Light blazes and energizes, as passion does a community.
Spiritual passion ignites and drives a disciple to do the work of Jesus. But passion is always rooted in something or someone. Food. Money. Success. Servanthood. Power. A lover. A leader. God. Our passion isn’t intangibly or vaguely based. It’s found in its connection to the Object of our faith.
Would our Lord have us go about our work for him with anything but a passion fueled by the Spirit? But a cook doesn’t always feel passion when spending a night behind a line of stoves where you look down at your pocket thermometer and it reads 120 degrees in your jacket pocket. It’s not always about feeling great. It’s about the big picture that drives one ahead in good times as well as the difficult. The same for the disciple.
But we’re not to forge ahead as a disciple of Jesus in a state of confusion. If one chooses to stand at the stove and attempt a dish with absolutely no clue as to how to do so, she can’t successfully proceed one moment further. Trying to wield a razor sharp chef’s knife without knowledge in how to do so is a great way to lose a finger or two, or worse. It’s no different for a follower of Christ.
I think it’s so very cool that as Paul lists all the spiritual armor for the disciple, the only piece that is used in an offensive capacity is the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. In your mind’s eye add to the example of the untrained cook a Roman untrained in sword warfare. Imagine him swinging that thing wildly, only to unintentionally plunge it into his own flesh, or some innocent bystander. So the minister of God must not only know the Word, but know how to use it. And one must start somewhere; I think that’s to be a foundational knowledge of that which God took the loving time and effort to reveal to us – his written Word.
I have more respect for an atheist who can vehemently tell me why he is one than a Christian who has no idea why he believes what he does nor can share that why with someone else.
And so I’m referring to not only that foundational Biblical knowledge of who God is, who we are in Christ and so on, but the ability to passionately share that revelation from God with others, who whether they know it or not, are starving for it. And unlike the cook, we have the Holy Spirit, God himself, to guide us in our understanding of what he has to say to us in Scripture. And he doesn’t stop there, but makes himself available to equip us to incorporate that very Word into our own lives and make it available to others as they see it lived out in our life application.
So I hope my comparison of a cook’s world and that of a minister of Christ is one you can relate to. There are so many other ways to express these ideas; you can plug in so many different occupations to make the same case. But as a chef who taught others how to cook, I was fervent about expressing the need to the novice in acquiring the cooking knowledge and understanding base and then go and express himself. The sky was the limit in what you could prepare and you’d save time, wasted effort and food, and frustration along the way. You could cook safely for you and for those you fed. The work of a ministering disciple is more practical, even more possible, and infinitely amazing. Bon appetite!
Spiritual passion ignites and drives a disciple to do the work of Jesus. But passion is always rooted in something or someone. Food. Money. Success. Servanthood. Power. A lover. A leader. God. Our passion isn’t intangibly or vaguely based. It’s found in its connection to the Object of our faith.
Would our Lord have us go about our work for him with anything but a passion fueled by the Spirit? But a cook doesn’t always feel passion when spending a night behind a line of stoves where you look down at your pocket thermometer and it reads 120 degrees in your jacket pocket. It’s not always about feeling great. It’s about the big picture that drives one ahead in good times as well as the difficult. The same for the disciple.
But we’re not to forge ahead as a disciple of Jesus in a state of confusion. If one chooses to stand at the stove and attempt a dish with absolutely no clue as to how to do so, she can’t successfully proceed one moment further. Trying to wield a razor sharp chef’s knife without knowledge in how to do so is a great way to lose a finger or two, or worse. It’s no different for a follower of Christ.
I think it’s so very cool that as Paul lists all the spiritual armor for the disciple, the only piece that is used in an offensive capacity is the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. In your mind’s eye add to the example of the untrained cook a Roman untrained in sword warfare. Imagine him swinging that thing wildly, only to unintentionally plunge it into his own flesh, or some innocent bystander. So the minister of God must not only know the Word, but know how to use it. And one must start somewhere; I think that’s to be a foundational knowledge of that which God took the loving time and effort to reveal to us – his written Word.
I have more respect for an atheist who can vehemently tell me why he is one than a Christian who has no idea why he believes what he does nor can share that why with someone else.
And so I’m referring to not only that foundational Biblical knowledge of who God is, who we are in Christ and so on, but the ability to passionately share that revelation from God with others, who whether they know it or not, are starving for it. And unlike the cook, we have the Holy Spirit, God himself, to guide us in our understanding of what he has to say to us in Scripture. And he doesn’t stop there, but makes himself available to equip us to incorporate that very Word into our own lives and make it available to others as they see it lived out in our life application.
So I hope my comparison of a cook’s world and that of a minister of Christ is one you can relate to. There are so many other ways to express these ideas; you can plug in so many different occupations to make the same case. But as a chef who taught others how to cook, I was fervent about expressing the need to the novice in acquiring the cooking knowledge and understanding base and then go and express himself. The sky was the limit in what you could prepare and you’d save time, wasted effort and food, and frustration along the way. You could cook safely for you and for those you fed. The work of a ministering disciple is more practical, even more possible, and infinitely amazing. Bon appetite!
Friday, November 7, 2008
Many Ways from Point A to Point B
Part 1 of a philosophical comparison in two areas of endeavor...
I used to work as a professional chef. I later sold food and cooking equipment, and taught people about cooking. I mention these things to merely point out that as I share a philosophy and comparison of mine, you may consider me qualified to do so. If not, perhaps read on further and contemplate anyway.
One role and responsibility of a chef, the most important, is that of a cook. You see, a chef is a managerial, leadership role. A cook, not necessarily so. A cook must know how to do exactly that - cook - and execute his station with passion and proficiency. If the second violin doesn’t come in on cue and in tune, the entire orchestra (kitchen) suffers. It’s the makings for an ear wrenching symphony.
You can go to school to learn to be a professional cook. It’s certainly possible to excel as one without formal training. So one cook trains at a great school, works her way up the ladder in many restaurants, becomes a superb cook. Another works his way through a few great books on cooking, labors on his own at the stove, and has a better way around the kitchen then the average cooking school grad. He may arrive at the same level as the schooled cook in a fraction of the time. Perhaps a “foodie” has a natural knack for the knife, whisk, and stove and is able to jump right into the fray of a commercial kitchen after much less experience than most. Whoever the person passionate for food, and whatever the culinary path they walk, a few things are certain.
The cook’s desire has to be fueled by passion. First, you must have the longing to take quality raw food ingredients and create a dish pleasing to both eye and palate. But to bring that desire to fruition, you must have a strong, solid foundational knowledge of foods, cooking techniques, and what happens when you combine the two. This foundation is not only built in the mind, but by hands-on experience - tasting, smelling, touching as a one progresses. What happens when sugars are exposed to certain degrees of heat? Why can fish dry out, even though totally submerged in a poaching liquid? So, the knowledge is honed through experience and executed with excellence.
And is it any different for someone who ministers? I’m not only referring to those who do so as their occupation, but to everyone who is a believer in Jesus Christ, freed from the penalty of sin by faith in his death in their place. Because the Bible teaches that every member of the body of Christ is called to ministry. I’ll continue in Part 2.
I used to work as a professional chef. I later sold food and cooking equipment, and taught people about cooking. I mention these things to merely point out that as I share a philosophy and comparison of mine, you may consider me qualified to do so. If not, perhaps read on further and contemplate anyway.
One role and responsibility of a chef, the most important, is that of a cook. You see, a chef is a managerial, leadership role. A cook, not necessarily so. A cook must know how to do exactly that - cook - and execute his station with passion and proficiency. If the second violin doesn’t come in on cue and in tune, the entire orchestra (kitchen) suffers. It’s the makings for an ear wrenching symphony.
You can go to school to learn to be a professional cook. It’s certainly possible to excel as one without formal training. So one cook trains at a great school, works her way up the ladder in many restaurants, becomes a superb cook. Another works his way through a few great books on cooking, labors on his own at the stove, and has a better way around the kitchen then the average cooking school grad. He may arrive at the same level as the schooled cook in a fraction of the time. Perhaps a “foodie” has a natural knack for the knife, whisk, and stove and is able to jump right into the fray of a commercial kitchen after much less experience than most. Whoever the person passionate for food, and whatever the culinary path they walk, a few things are certain.
The cook’s desire has to be fueled by passion. First, you must have the longing to take quality raw food ingredients and create a dish pleasing to both eye and palate. But to bring that desire to fruition, you must have a strong, solid foundational knowledge of foods, cooking techniques, and what happens when you combine the two. This foundation is not only built in the mind, but by hands-on experience - tasting, smelling, touching as a one progresses. What happens when sugars are exposed to certain degrees of heat? Why can fish dry out, even though totally submerged in a poaching liquid? So, the knowledge is honed through experience and executed with excellence.
And is it any different for someone who ministers? I’m not only referring to those who do so as their occupation, but to everyone who is a believer in Jesus Christ, freed from the penalty of sin by faith in his death in their place. Because the Bible teaches that every member of the body of Christ is called to ministry. I’ll continue in Part 2.
Friday, October 3, 2008
a Thank You to My Bride on Our Day
Sixteen years ago today, the most incredible woman in the world pledged her love and life to me and I to her. It has been a fantastic and fascinating journey every day since. I can honestly say that my Nancy is the finest person that I know. Over the last decade and a half plus of our years united in marriage, and for those preceding that, she has demonstrated to me time and time again the love of Jesus.Baby, thank you for making me such a happy man. Thank you for showing me everyday in so many ways what it is to love someone more than you love yourself by the things you do and the way you do them. Thank you for taking this adventure with me. How in the world did a guy like me manage to get to have a girl like you? God is so very good. Happy Anniversary, Nance. I love you.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Soul Surfing
I'm proud to call myself a surfer. No, not the web kind. The wet kind. I've been a fan of the wave since I was too little to really handle them. I'm not very pumped to say that I'm not a very good surfer, but that will come in time.
A long time back when I used to subscribe to Surfer magazine, I would often read about friction between two distinct camps - the "pro surfer" and the "soul surfer". You could be a member of both at one time, but that wasn’t likely, plus it could create internal and external conflict.
The pro surfer was a "shredder" who traveled the world on the pro tour circuit, making a living doing what he or she loved; sometimes making more than a decent amount of clams. He had all the right moves. A technically fine-tuned riding machine. But he also had to deal with the pressure to get and keep those telephoto shots in the magazines, and the clothing, flip-flop, and board sponsorships. The beauty of the pristine barrel would gradually disappear in the blur of bucks.
And then there was the soul surfer. Maybe he could rip, maybe not. Maybe he was an older guy on a duct tape patched longboard, riding the nose at a nice waist-high break, the sun setting warmly on his shoulders. He knew he just belonged out their in the lineup, waiting for the next set. Or paddling out with just a buddy or two, enjoying a secret spot that only they and the dolphins knew about. He’d take the time to teach somebody the art of wave riding. It didn’t matter that the world didn’t see him ride. He was on cloud nine even though standing on fiberglass. He was made to be out there.
Sometime the pro would yurn for the sponsor-free days of soul, recalling riding for the sheer delight of it. Maybe he'd drop off the tour scene and reconnect with a lost love. Sometimes a talented soul guy would get tired of missing a good day of waves shackled to the desk or counter, and would go on the search for wave fortune and fame.
I’m honored to call myself a pastor. I don’t mean that in an egotistical way; I consider it a privilege to be engaged in the work of Jesus in this capacity. I think there are soul pastors and pro pastors. Let me make a couple of things very clear before I continue. I think it is Biblical for a pastor to be financially compensated for his work and every church needs to make sure they are on the same page as God when it comes to this area of stewardship. But I’m not talking about that. I’m referring to the individual pastor’s heart and mind. His motivation. And the character behind that motivation.
I don’t believe Jesus ever intended the pastoral call to look like some of the ways we see it played out in the everyday “workday” of “professional clergy”. I’m not saying that it’s wrong for a pastor to have an office, a schedule, an assistant, and the many other things that are borrowed from the corporate structure of the western business world. But many pastors have disappeared into the CEO hole and have dropped their staff (the shepherd kind). Taken their eyes off the sheep. Lost their pastoral soul. They’re walking a career path, not a sheep path. Where’s the next opportunity for advancement? How are my numbers in the pews and with the budget? Do I have enough quality sermon material for a book?
Let me make another disclaimer here, at the risk of breaking my stride. I don’t want to be misunderstood. There are many who have answered God’s pastoral call and sacrifice daily in ways you can’t imagine. I’m not talking about them. I’m just letting you know I know they exist.
For the surfer, in my opinion, if you ain’t got soul, you ain’t the real deal. Whether you pay the bills that way or not - doesn’t matter. You've missed it, lost it, or never had it. Same for the pastor.
I’ve been playing in the water of the Outer Banks of NC since I was 11 years old. I remember a few years later, as a young man, wanting to be out on one of those surfboards being ridden by those guys. Remember, surfing wasn’t nearly as popular out East as it is now. They would just do such cool things. Rip it up. Get some air. Ride the lip.
And then there was Delbert. An old guy (shoot, he was probably only in his early 30’s tops). He had a very well maintained beer belly. His board was long when that wasn’t the rage. And he just rode in with a classic pose. Maybe walking up on the nose. Didn’t wear the latest fashionable board shorts. I can still see him in my mind’s eye. Delbert was just authentically cool. There was a sense that he had forgotten more about surfing than most of the guys around him knew. At least he was in-tuned to the important stuff. He had soul.
I never met Delbert, but I saw him out there many times over a few years. I really regret not ever talking to him. My guess is that if God had called him to be a pastor, he’d have made God smile alot.
A long time back when I used to subscribe to Surfer magazine, I would often read about friction between two distinct camps - the "pro surfer" and the "soul surfer". You could be a member of both at one time, but that wasn’t likely, plus it could create internal and external conflict.
The pro surfer was a "shredder" who traveled the world on the pro tour circuit, making a living doing what he or she loved; sometimes making more than a decent amount of clams. He had all the right moves. A technically fine-tuned riding machine. But he also had to deal with the pressure to get and keep those telephoto shots in the magazines, and the clothing, flip-flop, and board sponsorships. The beauty of the pristine barrel would gradually disappear in the blur of bucks.And then there was the soul surfer. Maybe he could rip, maybe not. Maybe he was an older guy on a duct tape patched longboard, riding the nose at a nice waist-high break, the sun setting warmly on his shoulders. He knew he just belonged out their in the lineup, waiting for the next set. Or paddling out with just a buddy or two, enjoying a secret spot that only they and the dolphins knew about. He’d take the time to teach somebody the art of wave riding. It didn’t matter that the world didn’t see him ride. He was on cloud nine even though standing on fiberglass. He was made to be out there.
Sometime the pro would yurn for the sponsor-free days of soul, recalling riding for the sheer delight of it. Maybe he'd drop off the tour scene and reconnect with a lost love. Sometimes a talented soul guy would get tired of missing a good day of waves shackled to the desk or counter, and would go on the search for wave fortune and fame.
I’m honored to call myself a pastor. I don’t mean that in an egotistical way; I consider it a privilege to be engaged in the work of Jesus in this capacity. I think there are soul pastors and pro pastors. Let me make a couple of things very clear before I continue. I think it is Biblical for a pastor to be financially compensated for his work and every church needs to make sure they are on the same page as God when it comes to this area of stewardship. But I’m not talking about that. I’m referring to the individual pastor’s heart and mind. His motivation. And the character behind that motivation.
I don’t believe Jesus ever intended the pastoral call to look like some of the ways we see it played out in the everyday “workday” of “professional clergy”. I’m not saying that it’s wrong for a pastor to have an office, a schedule, an assistant, and the many other things that are borrowed from the corporate structure of the western business world. But many pastors have disappeared into the CEO hole and have dropped their staff (the shepherd kind). Taken their eyes off the sheep. Lost their pastoral soul. They’re walking a career path, not a sheep path. Where’s the next opportunity for advancement? How are my numbers in the pews and with the budget? Do I have enough quality sermon material for a book?
Let me make another disclaimer here, at the risk of breaking my stride. I don’t want to be misunderstood. There are many who have answered God’s pastoral call and sacrifice daily in ways you can’t imagine. I’m not talking about them. I’m just letting you know I know they exist.
For the surfer, in my opinion, if you ain’t got soul, you ain’t the real deal. Whether you pay the bills that way or not - doesn’t matter. You've missed it, lost it, or never had it. Same for the pastor.
I’ve been playing in the water of the Outer Banks of NC since I was 11 years old. I remember a few years later, as a young man, wanting to be out on one of those surfboards being ridden by those guys. Remember, surfing wasn’t nearly as popular out East as it is now. They would just do such cool things. Rip it up. Get some air. Ride the lip.
And then there was Delbert. An old guy (shoot, he was probably only in his early 30’s tops). He had a very well maintained beer belly. His board was long when that wasn’t the rage. And he just rode in with a classic pose. Maybe walking up on the nose. Didn’t wear the latest fashionable board shorts. I can still see him in my mind’s eye. Delbert was just authentically cool. There was a sense that he had forgotten more about surfing than most of the guys around him knew. At least he was in-tuned to the important stuff. He had soul.
I never met Delbert, but I saw him out there many times over a few years. I really regret not ever talking to him. My guess is that if God had called him to be a pastor, he’d have made God smile alot.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
The "Nines" and Bumper Wisdom
I'm a bonehead. Yeah, that's me. A bonehead for Jesus. Being a bonehead can sometimes be an endearing thing; sometimes I'm just a pain in the neck. Just ask my wife. There are days I need to walk around with a sign around my neck that says "I'm sorry; I'm just a bonehead saved by grace." And then there are those days when life has just kicked me around like a soccer ball.
On those days, whether I'm the culprit or the victim, or perhaps a tad of both, I can always count on one thing. When I arrive home and open my front door, two delighted pairs of eyes, accompanied by happy wet noses and smiling tails of high wag velocity are there to greet me and remind me that to them, I'm the greatest thing since rawhide.
The "Nines" ( short for canines) as I affectionately refer to them, greet me with doggy shouts of
"Gee dude, we missed you!" , "Don't ever go away again, we can't do without you around one second.", and "Nobody - not anybody, has the job of loving you like us; sit down and let us show you." That's, of course, if you understand caninese, which I and a few others are privy to. Oh yeah, I forgot one of my favorites from Jake & Sophie: "We could care a less about what you've done wrong, lick, slurp!" Ah...unconditional terrier love - with a bit of fuzziness to boot.
You know how every once in awhile, you're treated to spotting a fantastic bumper sticker? I recently caught one, after a long great bumper sticker dry spell. It read: "Lord help me to be the person my dog thinks I am." Enough said.
On those days, whether I'm the culprit or the victim, or perhaps a tad of both, I can always count on one thing. When I arrive home and open my front door, two delighted pairs of eyes, accompanied by happy wet noses and smiling tails of high wag velocity are there to greet me and remind me that to them, I'm the greatest thing since rawhide.
The "Nines" ( short for canines) as I affectionately refer to them, greet me with doggy shouts of
"Gee dude, we missed you!" , "Don't ever go away again, we can't do without you around one second.", and "Nobody - not anybody, has the job of loving you like us; sit down and let us show you." That's, of course, if you understand caninese, which I and a few others are privy to. Oh yeah, I forgot one of my favorites from Jake & Sophie: "We could care a less about what you've done wrong, lick, slurp!" Ah...unconditional terrier love - with a bit of fuzziness to boot.You know how every once in awhile, you're treated to spotting a fantastic bumper sticker? I recently caught one, after a long great bumper sticker dry spell. It read: "Lord help me to be the person my dog thinks I am." Enough said.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
"O brothers, here art thou!"
Last week I had the extreme pleasure of attending the Innovate Church Conference at Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA, with my two fellow pastors, Donnie and Ryan. What a phenomenal time! Absolutely incredible. Before I even continue, my thanks once again to Donnie, who was kind enough to take us there.
Two incredible areas of blessing come to mind as I reflect back on last week. One, this was the first get-away for the three of us since God has joined us together as a pastoral team. It was an intimate and fun time for us to get to know each other better, to grow and learn together, and to just plain laugh at and with each other, which we did quite alot of. Some of the main events took place in the worship hall and more than once I made the comment, amidst much laughter mind you, that we were probably going to get bounced out of there. We didn't. God loves a good laugh. I will always treasure those personal times with two great guys. I trust it's only the first of many.
Secondly, this conference was so full of events, speakers, workshops that it was almost impossible to not be blessed. I was in wonderful ways. There were times of great worship. To hear from the likes of prominent church leaders such as Rick Warren, Chuck Colson, and Jim Cymbala were incredible. Some of the guys in the workshops were inspiring to hear from too. Two major areas were reinforced to me through these men of God.
One, the work that God has called me to, no matter what the size of the tasks at hand, begins and depends of the health of my own soul before God. It starts at virtual home central, in my heart. The health of my ministry and leadership is directly proportional to my very own spiritual health. So, Stevie-boy, stay very close to Jesus. Thirst after the things of God. Always be a man after God's own heart.
The second area of significance was of being entrusted with God's truth. Of guarding it. Of effectively, unswervingly communicating it to a world that doesn't recognize truth anymore. A society that no longer places significant value on truth. A culture that believes that there is no absolute truth; that has ripped its definition out of the dictionary and thrown it away in the garbage bin. To many people, perhaps most, in our western post-modern culture, all truth is relative and not even up for grabs, it matters so little or not at all.
In contrast, here we are, the church of Jesus, the body of Christ, entrusted with the Holy Scriptures of the Most High, ambassadors to that very world that rejects the Absolute Truth. We need to ask God daily to write his Word on our hearts, transform us by the renewing of our minds, and share it with a community, a country, a culture, a world drowning in a sea of lies. What a privilege for us. What a daunting task. Only by the grace of Jesus. Pheeew! Thank you, Lord. And thanks for the great time with my brothers last week.
Two incredible areas of blessing come to mind as I reflect back on last week. One, this was the first get-away for the three of us since God has joined us together as a pastoral team. It was an intimate and fun time for us to get to know each other better, to grow and learn together, and to just plain laugh at and with each other, which we did quite alot of. Some of the main events took place in the worship hall and more than once I made the comment, amidst much laughter mind you, that we were probably going to get bounced out of there. We didn't. God loves a good laugh. I will always treasure those personal times with two great guys. I trust it's only the first of many.
Secondly, this conference was so full of events, speakers, workshops that it was almost impossible to not be blessed. I was in wonderful ways. There were times of great worship. To hear from the likes of prominent church leaders such as Rick Warren, Chuck Colson, and Jim Cymbala were incredible. Some of the guys in the workshops were inspiring to hear from too. Two major areas were reinforced to me through these men of God.
One, the work that God has called me to, no matter what the size of the tasks at hand, begins and depends of the health of my own soul before God. It starts at virtual home central, in my heart. The health of my ministry and leadership is directly proportional to my very own spiritual health. So, Stevie-boy, stay very close to Jesus. Thirst after the things of God. Always be a man after God's own heart.
The second area of significance was of being entrusted with God's truth. Of guarding it. Of effectively, unswervingly communicating it to a world that doesn't recognize truth anymore. A society that no longer places significant value on truth. A culture that believes that there is no absolute truth; that has ripped its definition out of the dictionary and thrown it away in the garbage bin. To many people, perhaps most, in our western post-modern culture, all truth is relative and not even up for grabs, it matters so little or not at all.
In contrast, here we are, the church of Jesus, the body of Christ, entrusted with the Holy Scriptures of the Most High, ambassadors to that very world that rejects the Absolute Truth. We need to ask God daily to write his Word on our hearts, transform us by the renewing of our minds, and share it with a community, a country, a culture, a world drowning in a sea of lies. What a privilege for us. What a daunting task. Only by the grace of Jesus. Pheeew! Thank you, Lord. And thanks for the great time with my brothers last week.
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