So here's my dilemma - for more than three years now I've been writing these journal items as God teaches me through them. I also share them with you because I believe this is what He's asked of me, but the truth is they're really designed as a means to help me work out all my issues as I grow in my knowledge of this magnificent Creator/Savior. There's something very impacting, for me anyway, in writing out my beliefs, feelings, experiences, etc. And all of this was rolling along comfortably (okay maybe the personal growth has been a bit painful, this I'll admit) until this past November when the "big bang" occurred. I'm finding that God seems to have a way of crashing through my makeshift thatched hut of comfortableness, shaking up my tiny little village of peacefulness, and turning my world of innocence upside down when my focus wanders from His message. Ever experienced this? I'm sure you have at some point in your journey.
What happened in my life was this; For whatever reason I stumbled onto a video of a sermon preached in 2002 at a youth rally in Montgomery Alabama by a young minister from Muscle Shoals. I typically like to listen to a variety of sermon styles and contexts, as I'm what you might call a “cherry picker” of sorts. I find it helpful to draw out the so-called good in a lot of different varieties of ministry work. I don't find that I agree totally with very many, but I find common ground when the Bible is taught or preached within the true context of it's writings. In other words I don't have the patience to listen as someone distorts God's word completely in order to fit their own agenda, (and trust me there are many, many examples of this out there) yet if they're even remotely close, I can find gems in their message that helps me gain a better understanding of who He is in my own life. I'm open-minded as they say.
That being said, I'm very thankful God has given me the ability to discern. I don't have to hide my head in the sand or stick my fingers in my ears every time someone gets to teaching or preaching in a manner that opposes my beliefs. My God is more powerful than that, and thus my faith is in Him. I don't have to hide from or ignore opposing views as many (what I call) fundamentalist do. I'm not scared of those with wrong interpretations of the Gospel and I don't find the urge to shout anyone down. Instead, I simply pray for theirs as well as my own enlightening to the real truth, then move forward. For many, that may seem to be a very dangerous thing to do, but My God has faced these types of opponents throughout history, so why should I worry! He'll set straight the crooked ways of men, I just have to be true to His word. Now let me stop some of you right there, my approach is totally different than a “all roads lead to the same place” mentality, so don't even go there!
Anyway back to this video message I witnessed in November. The fellers name is Paul Washer and you can view his message by clicking on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuabITeO4l8
but let me warn you, it's almost an hour long - so set aside the uninterrupted time to view it. Today he's in, or near his early forties yet I've found nothing to suggest that his message has changed since this youth rally eight years ago. It's not a youth message – it's a message of truth for all who claim believer status! I believe it's a message that requires response in one form or the other by anyone who listens to it. I know one thing, I've not been able to erase it from my mind's recorder.
As I listened to what he had to share I realized that even as radical as it was, it was the same message the Holy Spirit had been implanting in my heart and mind for a couple of years now. I sat in silence for I don't know how long afterward trying to get a grip as to the magnitude of the message and how I was to respond to it. It's a message that I know to be completely in-line with God's truth, yet it's one rarely if ever shared from the pulpits across American. It's a message that cuts through all boundaries of age, denomination, and gender to the heart of the issue at hand. It attacks false-teachings head on and faithless, fruitless living in a way they should be exposed. It was a message I needed to hear that day, but just as importantly, it's a message I need to be sharing this day. A hearer only of the Word is a worthless student, yet also a guilty accomplice to the crimes committed against a lost and dying world.
Since that day, my attitude has changed. The seriousness in my mind and heart has been set straight as to the urgency in which we should minister to others, as well as the changes needed in my own life. My writings since have become much more focused on His word, and less entertaining as you already know. I struggle to find words and stories that are merely appeasing to others, for I know that our time is running short on opportunities to share His gospel in order that hearts and lives can be changed. I've moved most of my recent writings from this blog page (to the other one, which wasn't meant to be entertaining and overly personal in nature) as this one set out to be.
A couple of weeks ago I traveled half a day to attend a Christian men's conference for two reasons; One, it was to be a financial support vehicle for my friends at KARM, and secondly Dr. Voddie Baucham from Houston, Texas was scheduled as one of the key speakers. Voddie is one of those guys I tagged “Bucket Heads” long ago, for I've found he isn't nearly concerned about popularity as he is with professing God's truth. Though I knew well in advance I would hear something “good” that day, I never suspected I would hear almost the exact same message as I had heard in November in the video by Paul Washer.
Though the words were different and approaches not the same – the message was identical. Voddie sees the issue as being, the damage we've received from the growing acceptance of “Folk Theology” and Paul Washer calls it, “self-deception.” Both are exactly right - the lives and religious beliefs for so many so-called Christians today are based upon Folk Theology and self-deception and not on the true context of God's word. I'm currently working at finding a link to download or hear Dr. Baucham's message. I refuse to try and share his message in my own words, for I know my limitations. If I can find a link to the message he shared that day I'll add it to this page as soon as it's available. I know you'll find it as challenging and refreshing as you will Rev. Washer's if you choose to listen to either.
So, back to my dilemma; How do I write about anything else at this point? All the things that are happening in my life are obviously important to me, but do I share these stories at the expense of not sharing something much more valuable – the true Gospel – the true message of Good News about Christ? Many things of late have come to my mind as to what would be very good journal items to write, but my spirit just hasn't been in it. I want to talk about true repentance, true salvation, true redemption - about Christ and Christ alone, not about me and me alone.
Many if not most of my past journal items have been, as intended, to share stories about others and how Christ has used their circumstances to teach me more about His will for my own life. I've learned much about love, grace, mercy, charity, and passion through the lives and events of others, and suspect I will continue to do so. I'm trying to find a way to continue sharing those experiences in writing, yet stay true to what I believe I'm also being called to do which is to share in my own way the message that Dr. Baucham and Rev. Washer have shared with me. Yet, do it in a way that is not redundant and overly dry in nature. I don't want anyone to miss hearing the true message simply because they get bored with the messenger, I guess is what I'm saying. I'm open for suggestions. I ask that you continue to pray for me, as I will for you as well.
I hope to write again soon. In His love, doug
No comments:
Post a Comment