Over the last several months the elders have wrestled through an issue that we believe is extremely important to the health of our church body.  It has become more apparent that our body needs someone who can lead and continue to develop our BASE Camps which is our small group ministry.  This is a vital part of our body for it is one of the main places that “real life” as we call it takes place on a consistent basis.  This is a place of ongoing discipleship, connection, ministry, and more.  As our body continues to grow in depth and size, we need more camps, more BASE Camp leaders, and leadership that can help care for the BASE Camp leaders.  Equipping people to lead this ministry is a significant ongoing task.   In addition, we believe the body is in need of another teacher who could be a part of the preaching team on Sunday mornings.
 
Through much prayer, a long process, and many discussions – we believe God has led us to this place where a hard yet important decision has been made.   Beginning at the end of September, Mike Pirkle’s job as Community Life Minister will be phased out as a staff position.  This position is needed but through much prayer and time, we believe it is vital that we hire someone who can lead our growing small group ministry and join the preaching team.  This is a reduction in force, reducing one staff position to fill a vital need in another position.  We brought Mike into this process several months ago and have been helping him process through this transition from staff minister to lay minister.  Here are a couple of things we want you to know about the process.
 

• First, Mike has been a part of this process and it has been a long process.  
• Second, Mike has had time to process the transition.  As the decision became more clear, we took the opportunity to send Mike to Philadelphia to meet with a career counselor.  The feedback was good, and Mike will share more about his plans for the future at ROCC rally.
• Third, Mike and his family are financially being taken care of by this body as he secures new employment.
• Finally, this decision was based on the needs of the church.  This is a reduction in force, reducing one staff position to fill a vital need in another position.

 
On September 24th at ROCC Rally, we will have a town hall type meeting to discuss, share, and pray over Mike and his family.  Every question will be answered and Mike will be there to share his heart and what is next for him.  Mike’s plan is to continue being a part of this body, leading his BASE Camp, and working alongside you as a fellow deacon and church member.  He has communicated his desire to see more of you sign up for the 5k which he will continue to oversee.  
 
We strive to be up front and open with the church body.  We brought this before the body when it became appropriate to do so and we will answer all your questions at ROCC rally.  Until that day, we would ask that you:
 

• Pray for and encourage Mike and his family.

• Mike has a teaching certificate in Arkansas, and he is in the process of updating it to Missouri.  If you have the ability to help or encourage Mike in this process that would be appreciated.
• Be patient and wait until ROCC Rally if you have detailed questions.
• Direct your questions to an elder or Mike prior to ROCC rally.

 
Finally, unity in the bonds of peace is God’s plea for his body in Ephesians 4.  Pray with us for this as God continues to grow this place of frail people, learning to desperately trust in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
 
Pray with us …

• For those of you who are wondering – “where in the world is John”? Well, here is a link to the place I am at so you can get a closer look if you care. [http://www.cefeurope.com/kz/index.htm]  The place where I am staying is called Kilchzimmer which means “church rooms” in German. Kilchzimmer is the European Headquarters for Child Evangelism Fellowship. (By the way their US Headquarters are in Warrenton, Mo and our very own Marshall Pennell is the Executive Vice President. It is because of his kindness that I am in this wonderful place.) This place stands where a monastery built in the 1500’s once stood. Not much of the original building is still here (and for that I’m glad) but I can tell you there are some trees right here that have been around that long. The trees, the hills, and the mountains are mind boggling beautiful. 

• Out might window is the grandeur and beauty of God in case you have not got that point yet.  Matter of fact as I type this both my windows are open (it is 65 degrees) and I'm staring at Mt. Baulchenflue at 3700 ft.  Kilchzimmer sits on a hill at around 2500 ft. Everywhere you go from the front door of this place is up or down in extremely steep grades. I am in the mountains and I love it. I feel like I have been on a forever stair master since I have been here. Needless to say everything is a “hike”. 

• (WARNING: What I am about to say here may offend you – if so lighten up.)
  

  Have you ever been to your grandmother’s home and she has those cute wind chimes that sound so cool out on the porch the first day you get there. The second day they are still amusing but you realize you can hear them at night. The third day you want to find a 12 gauge shot gun and blow them off the porch because that is all your ears can hear at night – ALL NIGHT! Well, there are cows EVERYWHERE in this part of Switzerland. It is great pasture land (so I am told.) They have a quaint tradition here of putting real cow bells on their cows. I’m talking real cow bells like Garth called for in Wayne’s World and that every 70’s rock band used. It allows the ranchers/farmers to know where their cows are at all times. When, you first get here and hear it – “it is cool”. The second day they are still amusing but “you realize you can hear them at night.” The next day “I wanted to find a 12 gauge” and shoot them off their neck.  Oh man – it is all you can hear everywhere! 

• Speaking of cows – I read this the other day on line. Be amused – seriously laugh!

• I have always loved the mountains and man does this place satisfy that place in my heart. I have hiked to four peaks in this area and will get to a few more before I go. What stuns me is the guys and girls on mountain bikes who are on the same trails I walk and sometimes jog a little. They are highly esteemed in my book and also highly crazy. I saw one the other day walking down his bike with half the skin off his left shin gone. That will leave a mark!

• I have a new found distaste and disdain for horse flies. They are everywhere and man those suckers hurt when they bite you.

• Switzerland has not been involved in any kind of armed conflict as a nation in over 300+ plus years. And, from what I hear around here from the locals they have not been invaded in longer than that. Yet all over the mountain ridges where I am staying there are old WWI and WWII bunkers and fortifications built in case of attack. Based on the terrain I know why no one has invaded this country. It would be a nightmare to try and attack, much less navigate an army through. In my hiking I came across a bunker atop a 3500 ft mountain that has a great vantage point for defense. It is abandoned now and just offers great views for hikers. On top of this bunker, there is a steel turret made for machine guns and the steel is marked by many large caliber bullet pocks. I attached a picture of this bunker and the view from atop this mountain.  Spectacular. Who shot this up and why? This wasn’t the work of a handgun or simple rifle. Big daddy gun did this. One of the locals told me the Swiss army got bored one day and had live drills on their own emplacements and shot them up. Things that make you go hmmmmmmmmm! 

• There are more bees here than I like. There are beautiful wild flowers growing everywhere and over 40 of them are protected by the Swiss Government as “endangered” (hmmm). Every time I step on one in the pastures or land as I walk I giggle. Now I don’t do it on purpose – I’m telling you they are everywhere and some are tiny. And, with that many flowers comes one of my least favorite of God’s creatures – bees. I have seen no less than 6 different types of bees. (I’m sure they are protected as “endangered” too.) There are the normal size bees there that are brown and yellow. There are the black and yellow classic bumble bees. There are these large nuclear looking black furry bees which really scare me and then there are these little bitty tiny bees which I don’t know whether to be scared of or ignore because they are the size of tiny flies. I do have new found understanding for the phrase “busy as a bee”. All the “gatherer bees” do is fly from little flower to flower ALL DAY! Man what a job. All of you who love insects and animals of all kinds will be happy to know I have only killed one bee in my time here and that one was in my room. He had to go! 

• Final random thought. I went into the little town of Langebruck which is the closest town to the place I’m staying. There is one store, one cool alpine sled ride called Solar Bob (which is fun), and one church. The church is pastored by a lesbian who lives with her lover. It is called Christ’s Church I believe. Now understand – I have no hate for homosexuals. My sister is homosexual and while I disagree with her lifestyle, God has been teaching me how to love her as He does. However, it breaks my heart to know there is one church in this town and it is led by this misguided blinded woman who speaks for God. August 1^st was Swiss National Day and it is soemthing like our 4^th of July. I was here for the celebration and it was good fun. I learned something that day. The Swiss flag is a simple white cross on a solid blood red background. It was chosen as the flag because the three men who united the country back in the 1300’s wanted the white cross and blood red background to be a reminder to all of the gospel - that the blood of Jesus through the cross is what makes all men and women clean (white) before God. Switzerland has a great past in following Christ. The Reformation of the church which changed the history of the Christian church saw Switzerland as the home to Calvin, Swengli, and other great church fathers who helped remind the church of the true gospel of Jesus Christ. 700 years later Switzerland is one of the most unchurched countries in Europe. Switzerland has become a place that worships creation according to one local. There is much new age and spiritualism all over this country. Right up the road is one of the biggest centers of Metaphysical and New Age Healing. I look around and see the beauty of creation in this place and I’m stunned by our Creator. Yet today, many here look around at the beauty and worship the creation.  Stunning ...

High School Camp Day 2 Update

Covenant College: Lookout Mountain, Georgia

As I type this we are starting our last full day of camp for the summer…although it will definitely feel like a full day of camp tomorrow as we leave the mountain and drive 7 ½ hours back home, but I guess that is beside the point. It has been a fantastic week so far and I am excited about where God has us for today. Yesterday was the 3rd day of camp which we like to call melt down Monday, but I am glad to say it was a pretty tame meltdown day. It was absolutely an incredible day of weather for sure. A storm blew through bringing a nice cool front in time for an awesome sunset on the mountain. I really think our students are having a great time. We got to hang out with Cris and Chuck who just happened to be in the neighborhood. It was good to see them. This is the first year of camp in a long time that they have not been a part of. Adam Robinson, the camp pastor this week, has been teaching from Matthew 5-7 this week. We call it the Sermon on the mount. That is pretty cool since we at the Summit have been going “the wonderful words of life”. If you have a chance this week read through Jesus’ sermon I encourage you to do so and see the incredible practicality to our lives and see Jesus’ heart for people. I know we hear this all the time, but how amazing is it that Jesus loves us unconditionally and unfailingly?

Thank you for praying for us this week. Pray that today would be an amazing day. Please pray that God would protect us from the enemy that wants to steal, kill, and destroy. Pray for energy for some tired leaders and even some tired students. Thank you for your continued prayers for Angie who is doing great and looks like little Kaelyn will swim around for a while longer so I can get home for her arrival. We leave tomorrow around 10:00am (Eastern Time) will get back around 5:00pm (Central Time). See you then.

High School Camp Day 2 Update

Covenant College: Lookout Mountain, Georgia

Well, we survived the 2^nd day of camp.  After a LONG day of travel and unpacking, and finding the buildings we were supposed to be at we are already finding ourselves halfway through camp.  Wow.  Yesterday was great. I don’t think any of us had too difficult a time going to sleep Saturday night.  We slept in until 6am and headed to breakfast.          The view from the mountain here is awesome.  Even being tired doesn’t hide the fact that God is good and He is perfect creator.  The mountain side is beautiful; the clouds that rest here on the mountains make it an incredible sight.  My prayer for our students as well as for leaders has been that we would meet with God here. That we would be broken for what breaks His heart.  Brokenness has been the word resonating in my heart and mind lately as I pray for our high schoolers.  We live in a self absorbed world that pours into a self absorbed generation of high school students.  We would be in denial if we didn’t think it would affect our students here at the Summit.  It is a good thing God is Love.  We are loved not because we are lovely but because it is what God IS.  He is LOVE-I John 4:8.  At our church group time last night we talked about things that keep us from who we need to be.  Things the bible calls idols.  Our students had some really good things to say.  One idol is fear and a lack of faith.  We don’t believe God to be good or to be worthy of our worship which pushes us to worship something or someone else.  We were created to worship and we WILL worship something.  Hurt is another thing that one of our girls said that keeps her from God.  Past hurts that cloud her desire to get connected with God and other believers. I think my favorite thing that one of our guys said was that his biggest idol in his life was himself.  WOW that is profound and probably more universal than we would like to think.  We are selfish people and we keep ourselves from going to the king like HE calls us to.  I think that brokenness needs to happen in many of our lives here at camp and I am really looking forward to seeing what God does today in our lives.  So please pray that God would be the awesome revealer to us here on the mountain.  That this week would be a spring board of lots of conversations in the weeks to come. 

            We really are having a great time.  There has been much laughing which is great for my heart.  Meals are one of my favorite times here at camp…not because I love to eat (which I do) but because we are all around each other…breaking bread together, talking about life, connecting, and LAUGHING….ALOT.  It is incredible.  I love to see our students smile and laugh and let guards down.  God is good and can’t wait to see what He does today.  Remember go to Studentlife.net and follow links to summer camp at Covenant college to listen to the worship service live and streaming.  It starts 7 Eastern Time…so for those of you like me who don’t pay attention to that sort of thing.  It means that streaming starts at 6 O’clock.  You can also email our student from student life’s website.   I think it is www.studentlifeforparents.com .  We hope you guys are having a great start to your week.  Angie is doing great.  Keep praying that little Kaelyn Joy holds off until after this Wednesday to come into our lives.  I can not believe I am going to be a dad so very soon.  Big Pappa Bam!  WhoHOOOOOOOOO!

High School Camp Day 1 Update

Covenant College: Lookout Mountain, Georgia

Number 1.  WOW 1:45am comes early.  Especially when you are a night owl youth minister who doesn’t normally get in bed much earlier than that.  I got to bed about 9:30 Friday night and woke up about 12:30 then laid around until 1:45 am when I got up and got ready to go to CHS.  I am proud to say that this year we accomplished something that we have never done before going to High School camp.  Not only did we leave on time…We left 15 minutes EARLY!  YEEHAW!  So props to all you parents who made sure your kid was up at the school on time.  Pretty smooth trip up here.  I can’t tell you how pretty it is here so look at Covenant College’s website for some awesome pictures.  The van ride up was pretty quiet because most were asleep.  I looked in the rear view mirror after one of our bathroom breaks and it looked like the atom bomb of all sleep bombs had exploded in our van.  We have some funny pictures of sleeping beauties.  There is one of Alyssa D. that makes me laugh every time I see it.  As you know we have asked the students to leave their cell phones in their room during camp and like nice law abiding students that we are were able to send 16 text messages at one time to Angie telling her how much we miss her and are praying for her. 16!  Meaning the rule of leaving your phone in your room is going swimmingly. 

            Jeremy Riddle and his band are leading us in worship and after just 1 night I can tell we are going to have a great week of worship.  In fact every night this week the worship services will be streamed live on  http://camp.studentlife.com/experience/?cn=08COVE05 follow links for camp or text Angie at 636.634.6278 and she can tell you how to get there.  I am sorry I do not have the exact location of the website.  I think you will enjoy hearing what our students are hearing this week.  I am encouraged about the theme this year.  We are talking about THE WAY and how it is not easy and few find it, but broad is the path that leads to death… this week is about our choices, our allegiance, our passion.  We are talking about the self absorbed world we live in and how we are affected by it.  I am excited to see how God moves in the lives of our students this week.  Thank you for your continued prayer for us as we hang out here.  Thank you for continuing to pray for Angie to stay pregnant until Thursday at least.  We are also still looking for 1 scholarship for a student who came with us and added late so if you are interested in helping with that or want to contribute to our gas fund it would be greatly appreciated.  You can make a check out to Summit community church and give it to me or put it in the offering next Sunday and put “For Youth Camp” in the memo line.  More updates to come.

Be still and know that I am God - Psalm 46:10

Every once in a while I have an experience that I find hard to put into words.  I had two this week and they took place near the same place just outside of Edinburg, Scottland.  God has many aspects to His nature and as a guy I think one of the things I love most is the ruggedness and power of God.  This land is a great picture of that ruggedness and power.  The landscape and weather is awesome.  It moves me and makes me want to scream "FREEDOM" (that's a Braveheart reference for the uninitiated).  Back to the experience that left me speechless.

On Monday, about six of our party hiked up a hill/mountain in an area called Arthur's Peak.  We reached some cliffs that overlook Edinburg and it was phenomenal.  The climb was great and the views were stunning.  The land we were standing on was just so powerful.  It was rocky and forbidding with a sea of heather blowing in the Scottish winds.  Seriously, I expected to see Conner McCloud come over the Highland Ridges (that is a Highlander reference).  On Tuesday, it got even bettter.  Will, Cade, and I got a little "Wild at Heart" and went after the highest peak - that is Arthur's Peak.  It was an incredible hike and climb to the top.  We shimmied, scurried, laughed, climbed, and hid ourselves in a crevace at one point as God's breath about blew us off the mountain.  The wind was earth moving.  I want to try and describe to you what was going through my mind and heart.  I want to try and relay to you what I'm feeling now - but it is difficult.  There are times when words seem so shallow and frail to communicate something so powerful.  I can tell you this.  Tuesday is a day I will never forget and I hope my boys will never forget.  I asked God to meet me that day and HE DID!  Now I am not sure why that shocks me but I can honestly say that I don't always experience God like I did those two days.  Maybe, I need to ask Him to meet me more often and then get outside and be still.  I am truly at a lost for words - so I will simply say this - I met with God and it was good!

Every once in a while I don't know what to say.  That is rare for a preacher who often can't shut up. That is why this entry is short. It is a good thing when we find ourselves speechless in the presence of God and His people.  Wish that I could be still ... and KNOW that He is God more often.

john

A couple of stories.

First, I was listening to this song on my I-pod as I was running through the streets of London yesterday.  Kind of seemed fitting to be listening to U2 in the UK and what a song.  Like all songs it means many things to many people and since it is not scripture I won't debate its deeper meanings here.  Suffice it to say that it spoke to me as I ran.  One, I love the music.  But two, I did want to hide at that moment and that is why I was running.  I jog or run to relax, excercise, and get away from it all.  I have been in England now for 5 days and it has been a blast to put it mildly.  I can't tell you how thankful I am to be here and what a downright stunning thing it is to wake up here each day.  I still am in shock.  But, my days have been pretty full these first 5 days and I was ready "to hide, ...to run, to tear down the walls".  I have run three times now along side the Thames the major river and centerpoint of London.  Jogging past Big Ben, Parliament, the London Eye, and other landmarks is surreal.  It is a great way for me to relax, recharge, and meet God.  As Eric Liddell said in Chariots of Fire, "I feel His pleasure when I run."  I'm not an Olympic runner but I do feel the pleasure of God when I run.  I meet him in the solitary moments of running in the country or in a city on the streets of which I do not know there name.  It was great.  It was simple.  It was a divine moment I did not plan.

Second, I hope this does not cause you to stumble but I really feel I need to share this story.  I am over here for the first three weeks of this trip with my wife's family.  There are 11 of us all together in London and it has been fun as I have said.  But, it has also been great to get away with Fran.  Friday night we stole away and found a neighborhood pub near our hotel in the Bloomsberry section of London.  It is a real live old fashioned neighborhood pub.  It is quiet, locally owned (which is rare), and full of common working class local neighborhood people.  We sat together for two hours and just enjoyed the quiet, each other, and some good conversation.  I had one light bulb moment during that day I shared with her.  But mostly, we just talked, laughed, and enjoyed each other.  I was in a good place.  It was great.  It was simple.  It was a divine moment I did not plan.

Third, later that night I walked Fran back to our hotel and came back to the pub with my journal.  It was quiet and they were playing 70's soft rock guitar music like America, Cat Stevens, The Eagles, Bread, and so on.  My stuff and it was just to great a moment to pass up writing a few things down.  So, I went back and wrote.  For about an hour I wrote and just enjoyed the moment talking to and listening to God - in a pub.  After an hour, a man my wife and I had met much earlier named Padraig called me to the bar.  He asked me to sit with him and bring my journal.  I did and we talked - for two hours.  I was in a good place.  It was great.  It was simple.  It was a divine moment I did not plan.  God spoke to me through Padraig even though Padraig is probably a man who is not a Christ follower.  Funny how God can speak through His Word, in prayer - AND - through a job, through your wife, and through a stranger named Padraig.  While he may not know Jesus - Jesus knows Him and He spoke through this man's lips.  He is a simple man who works hard.  He is from Ireland and has no family here but the people at the bar.  He is not married but he is an honest man who just wanted a little conversation. God reminded this night that He (God) loves the Padraigs of the world.  He loves them not because of what they know, have to offer, or even because they follow Him.  He loves them because He made them in His image.  He reminded me that I have a love for the Padraigs of the world too. It use to be much greater.  I prayed as I crawled into bed that God would again fan my love for those He loves.  It was great.  It was simple. It was a divine moment I did not plan.

john

Day 3 Middle School Camp

Well we have started the last full day of camp.  I am always amazed at how fast this week goes.  We have had great camp so far.  There has been a ton of laughter, connection…and…we made it through meltdown Monday without incident.  For those of you who are not familiar with meltdown Monday it is the day about half way through camp that tiredness and ill informed decisions to stay up too late culminate into an eruption of emotion usually onset by the smallest of challenges.  We usually laugh these off but we always get excited about the absence of them.  I can’t tell you how awesome the weather has been so far here at camp.  We wake up at  6 am and and walk to breakfast and it is cool enough so there is fog coming off the lake.  Now the 6 am thing…not so fun…the fog on the water and cool morning air…yup I dig that.  Right now there are 6 girls hanging over my shoulder at breakfast to see if they are going to make it into the blog. Well I guess they did.  Look at that. 

            The question we talked about yesterday is out of Matthew 16:13.  Who do people say the son of man is?  WHO DO YOU SAY THAT I AM?  Make sure and ask the students you see that went to camp to tell you who they say the Son of Man is.  Hehe.  You will see that “wow you are putting me on the spot” look.  Just sit there and stare at them until they answer.  Well any way…It is almost time to go hang out at quiet time. 

            Awards for the day:

1. Most energetic- Randi Hawkins
2. Most over used joke- Jay McInroy
3. Baldest- Bam and Dave
4. Closest to meltdown- Stacy Cody
5. Most NOT punctual- Earon T.
6. Muddiest- Jesse Roy and Kraemer

Funny moment of the day-  We had mud day yesterday at Rec.  I mean…MUDDDDDDD day.  Jesse roy was more interested in getting muddy than actually playing the game.  Absolutely covered in mud.  Now the cool thing is his mom is his small group leader.  Jesse runs straight at her  and right before tackling her and getting her incredibly muddy…she spots him and is off to the races.  AWESOME!  Lorri Roy sprinting across the playing field running from her 4ft 11 son chases after her chanting “mama mama mama”…Lorri finally concedes and Jesse plasters her with smelly mud….HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHa.

Thank you again for your continued prayers.  We will be home tomorrow around 2:30.

BAM

6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, … (Philippians 1:6-7 / ESV)

As I get ready to leave the US for Europe, many things are stirring in my heart – adventure, unknown, excitement, new sites, history, a little fear, a lot of hope. I will board a plane at 3:30 pm today and head off to London with my wife and two boys and my wife’s immediate family. All total there will be 11 of us on the first part of this trip. After three weeks, my wife’s family will head home and then we (the 4 of us) will spend some time in Normandy, France and then in Kilchzimmer, Switzerland. The last three and half weeks in Kilchzimmer will be at CEF’s (Child Evangelism Fellowship) International Training Center. It is a beautiful place that God has provided. As a matter of truth, God has provided all this or I would not be heading off to parts unknown. I think that is a small hint at what it means to be “partarkers with me of grace”. As I leave, I want to share a journal excerpt from this past week in Colorado.  I was at a pastors and wives retreat with Acts 29.  This is the group we have come alongside to plant churches and coach church planters.  While I was reading one day, the mountains, the wind, the trees, and one really LOUD stream became the speakers for God's Word from Philippians.  I hope it brings courage to you as it did to me. It will give you a good picture of where my heart is and where it is heading – I hope!

I believe I will trust You more Lord. I believe I will know You more thru all this. I believe You are and will continue to change me into Your image. I believe – but I need more belief – more trust! Help – give me more! I claim these truths from Philippians 1:6-7 today against every partial lie, little lie, and full lie that raises itself up against the knowledge of Christ. (II Corinthians 10:5)

1) God – You have begun this life changing eternity lasting work in me thru Christ. Help me embrace that this is Your work and not the result of anything or anyone else.

2) God – The work You have begun is GOOD! Good for You and life-changing good for me. Even when it doesn’t feel good or seem good – help me trust that You are good.

3) God – You are faithful and will be faithful to keep Your Word. You WILL completely complete Your work in me.

4) I am hoping and trusting that the current condition of my heart and mind are for this purpose.

5) Lord – I am surrounded by Your body that I love and cherish who is praying for me and is similarly going through things that will change their lives forever. Thank you for these friends and family who go to war for me in the midst of their own war. Thank You that together, we get to taste Your grace through Jesus and Your Spirit which You have poured out within us.

LORD – help me embrace these truths.

I will write more soon. Talk you from across the pond! - john

Day 2 Middle School Camp - Windermere

         Well, day 2 come and gone.  What a great day yesterday.  It started very early as I awoke at 4:30am to what I thought was an earthquake.  Earthquake 2 still can’t figure it out…boom.  Earthquake 3.  Oh no they didn’t.  BAM figures out what is going on.  Our middle school guys, whose spiritual gift is NOT common sense, have decided to stay up late…LATE…4:30!  Well angry BAM went to visit said middle school boys and inform them of his utter disbelief and chagrin.  I think I saw a vein in his bald head pop.  The guys did end up beating us to breakfast which amazes me.  They made it through the day without crashing, although I expect one melt down today since it IS melt down Monday. 

            We are talking about The Way this week.  Talking about how Jesus said that few will find it.  That is a very difficult but VERY rewarding WAY.  His GRACE, His MERCY, His LOVING KINDNESS, becoming sin for us so that we could live with Him.  Four of our students have started conversations with us about THE WAY.  More to come on that later.  Spur58 has been leading in worship and they are doing a great job.  I think the students have really enjoyed them so far.  I look forward to today and tomorrow as we worship together even more.  Please pray for us today as the third day is usually the day where tiredness sets in and the enemy can wreak havoc on students and leaders alike.   As I spent time with God yesterday I asked the question, “Do I really believe God can change the lives of those here with us?”  “Does He still change lives at all?”  Yes I absolutely believe He wants to and will change lives of students here this week.  I am not sure what that will look like but I take comfort in Philippians 1:6 that He who began a good work in us will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.   Make sure and ask a student what happened at camp when you see them in the next few weeks. 

            Funny stories of yesterday….  A smack talking Meelie Watson walks away only to slip in the mud and fall…ON CAMERA.  I have convinced a few of the girls that “Pflaffidin” is an actual word.  They are attempting to learn the definition and correct spelling of it….Good times.  Bree has become friends with her Recreation leader and has overwhelmed him with her “energy”.  Randi Hawkins was part of a game last night in front of the whole camp where she had to race to put on a huge tuxedo...Very funny.  Seth went on stage to defend the honor and awesomeness of the guy’s team against a weak girl’s team.  We are having a great time.  Thank you for your prayers.  See you guys soon.

Brandon

Well we made it.  If  you were at the school before we left, you remember that there were several LARGE monster drinks being imbibed.  Well that made it very fun to torture them with prolonging the bathroom stop.  Ask Bree about it when you see her.  We had a lot of fun on the road but it is always nice to get to our destination.  There are 1400 students here this week.  The band leading us in worship is Spur58 and Wade Morris is Camp pastor.  The theme this week is “the way”.  We talked about there being 2 ways in this world the right way and the wrong way.  We are praying for the wisdom and revelation that Paul talks about in Ephesians 1.  There have already been decisions made.   Students are listening to God’s calling in their lives.  Please pray for our students as they seek God. Pray for energy for our leaders as they pour into students here.  I will keep you updated on stuff at camp.  Funny thing of the day-  probably had to be here to find this funny…but nick dave and I were talking to Jesse roy and Jesse wanted to know what the air freshner we had in our room smelled like…so I used the spray like you would a can of mace…thinking that he would at least flinch.  Nope. A cloud of sweet smelling Potpourri engulfed his tiny head.  He was blowing some awesome smelling boogers for hours afterwards.. hehe =)

Brandon

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. - Romans 15:13 (ESV)

It doesn't seem like it has been three weeks since my sabbatical began - but it is.  I wanted to write a short note and let you know how things are going before I leave the country for a while.

First, thank you for allowing me this time.  I cannot adequately express my thanks - but again I will say it - thank you.

Second, many of you are probably wondering - "how are you doing"?  Well, again, I do not know how to adequately express what I'm thinking or feeling.  The words above from the book of Romans are a good place to begin - "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, ..."  This has been my prayer for a while.  I want you to know one thing - my desire to know my God and follow my God has not changed.  I am not mad at God or frustrated with Him.  My prayer through all this has been - to stay focused on my God.  For this reason, my prayer has been - to know Him more. This verse begins with a truth about God - HE is "the God of hope".  Here is where my hope lies - He (God) is my hope.  There is no other place to go.  I think one thing I am sure of is that I do have hope and I know that my hope is not in me, others, time, rest, or counselors.  All these things are good and needed but my hope - my confidence that things will be different, better - rests in God and God alone.  If you want to know how to pray for me during this time, use this verse and pray that I would know God and the hope that rests in Him and Him alone through the power of His Spirit as I trust in Him.

Third, I am excited about leaving the country.  For those of you who don't know.  God has provided in great ways for us to be in Europe for a while.  It has been good to be off and God is doing many things in my heart and mind.  However, I think a change of scenery will help even more during this time. 

I will be writing further blogs during the summer so check back here.  I will write one more before I leave the country on June 30th.  Again, thank you and know that I covet your prayers during this time.

In Christ alone - john

John’s Heart 5/9/08

The past several months have been really tough.  My head and heart have been in some heavy turmoil the likes of which I have never known.  It has left me feeling a lot of things I can’t even begin to describe but one word does begin to capture it – “overwhelmed”.

In II Co 7:5-6 Paul said this – “For even when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted at every turn—fighting without and fear within. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us …

For some reasons that I can’t even begin to explain – I find myself at this place.  Yes, my own sinful flesh, real attacks of the enemy, and the wear of 20 plus years in ministry and 10 here have all contributed.  But there is no one direct obvious cause at this point. The biggest question in my heart is this – why is my soul downcast?  “Why so downcast oh my soul” the writer of Psalm 45 says.  I see good company in the scripture and around me  of men who dealt with being “downcast” or depressed.  (From the scriptures David, Paul, and even Jesus in the garden where “downcast”.  Other pastors of the past and present who have dealt with this are Luther, Spurgeon, Cymbala, and Piper. It is a comfort in one way but it doesn’t make it go away.  That is my biggest question?  Why am I down and why do I feel so beat.

Some things God has clarified in the last few weeks. I am not feeling ambivalent about my job or calling or doubting what I’m supposed to do.  I don’t really think what I have done with my life has been a waste.  I don’t look back or ahead and think – “oh man – what now?”  I don’t want to make a difference “some day” – I believe God has done that in me and thru me – I’m “just … overwhelmed right now.” 

I do have hope.  Through the elders, other friends, and my wife – God has encouraged me greatly. I believe the prayers of many are waging war against the enemy’s words.  I see truth and my heart is reaching to embrace it.  Last thought for you...

I don’t know if I have lost heart or not, but what I feel right now is that my heart is just sad and beat up.  I still want to go on preaching and shepherding I just no I can’t go on like this.  (Sorry for the Elvis reference – “I can’t go on.”)  I do find comfort in David who obviously dealt with this.

2  Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing; heal me, O Lord, for my bones are troubled.
3  My soul also is greatly troubled. But you, O Lord—how long?
4  Turn, O Lord, deliver my life; save me for the sake of your steadfast love.
5  For in death there is no remembrance of you; in Sheol who will give you praise?
6  I am weary with my moaning; every night I flood my bed with tears; I drench my couch with my weeping.
(Ps 6:2-6).

Again – Psalms 42:5 echoes my heart …
Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.

But I find the most comfort in these words from God through Paul.
16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. 17 For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,
18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. (2 Co 4:16-18)

I hope in Christ and Christ alone and I know this one thing for sure in the midst of some huge questions within me – “this … is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.”

Elder Thoughts

As an elder team we have been listening to John and waling with him over the last two months.  In the midst of this we have also been discussing what pastoral care looks like for our church.  The work of a pastor is one that flows from the truth of God's work and from the heart.  The work is wonderful but very difficult.  Through prayer and discussion we believe that providing a sabbatical is needed for John.  The biblical foundation for this is found in Leviticus 25:1-7.  God instituted a rest for the people and for the land.  This would remind them that it was God that was their provision and not the land.  It was also very practical as we need rest. 

1) Through prayer and discussion – we feel an immediate Sabbatical is needed for John.  
This is overdue but the need is now.  Wednesday, May 28 at ROCC Rally, we will discuss more about pastoral care for all our pastors and John will be there for us to pray for him and hear his heart before he leaves.

2) What will this sabbatical look like?

John will not preach from May 25 through August 24.  August 31st will be his first sermon back from Sabbatical.
He will not be involved in any duties as an elder here at the Summit from June thru August.
That means…
1-No work cell phone.  So – don’t call him on that number.
2-No work e-mail.  So – don’t e-mail him on that e-mail.
3-No work of any kind.

He will spend the rest of this month working on what this Sabbatical will look like.
1-He will be working on his heart with his wife, with a counselor, and with God.
2-He will be in contact with friends and the elders.
3-He will be going away to rest and get with God.
4-He will be sending occasional e-mails during the month to communicate with the body for
    prayer.
5-Again, Wednesday, May 28 of ROCC Rally we will probably have some more info about this.

3) What can we do as a body?  What can you do?
Pray – for John, his heart, his wife, his family and his time away and how God will grow him to look more like Christ through this time.
Pray – for this body – how God will grow us – you through this time.
Stay connected and be here through the summer – we have many quality men of God who will teach us through the summer.
Ask God how you can step up and play the role God has called you to play in this body.  This body is not about John – it is about Jesus and this summer we have a chance to put our actions where are words are.
We would ask you to encourage John and his family. 
Please honor this time by refraining from bringing work items to John.  Please feel free to speak with John, but try to let your time with him be one of encouragement on what his time in ministry has meant to you and your family.

We have faith in our Lord and Savior that He will use this time to restore, renew and stretch John as only He can.  We want to reiterate that this is not the result of secret sin.

If you have any questions please seek out the elders, staff, basecamp leaders and deacons.  Please do not speculate, ask your questions.  ROCC rally on May 28th is an excellent time to come out and hear more about what we can do as a body to care for our Pastors and more specifically John and his family during the Sabbatical. 

17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him,  18having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, (Ephesians 1:17-18 ESV)

"I hope she calls me back?" "I hope we win!" "I hope you don't mess up."  "I hope you don't throw up all over the plane when we take off."  Usually, when we use the word hope it means we have a desire and a wish - but not a ton of confidence.  When Paul, God's messenger, penned these words to the tiny church in the midst of the huge city of Ephesus, he had a different meaning altogether for the word "hope".

Hope here means a confident expectation.  It is not about a wish or a dream - it is a confident expectation of something that has not yet happened.  In our language - trust is the word we will use.  Hope is - really knowing when you are little that your big brother could bail you out of any jam.  You were not absolutely sure he would, but you "hoped" he could because he had.  Hope is - the anticipation of your grandmother's home made rolls.  You haven't tasted them yet and this could be a bad batch, but based on experience and the smell - you "hope" these will be a delight!  Hope is - seeing eight inches of snow and "hoping" they will cancel school so you can sled all day till your nose is so frozen it doesn't even drip snot.  Hope is - bending on your knee to propose to the girl of your dreams.  You have talked about this for months and even picked out a ring, but now - on your knees - you "hope" she says yes.  Where God the Author of your rescue is concerned, "hope" is a confident expectation in who He is or what He can do.

I saw hope in the eyes of a little boy named Benji in Guatemala.  He is physically and mentally handicapped. He lives with Peter and Carolyn.  They are his parents - his mom and dad now.  I saw hope as he walked through HIS house.  I saw hope everytime HIS name was called.  I saw hope as he was disciplined.  I saw hope as he sat on HIS mom's lap.  I heard hope as Carolyn talked about how much they love him.  I heard and saw hope as he dance to the worship music one night. I realized I was not wishing for God to do or be something in his life - God already was.

Paul said, God is the "Father of glory,".  What a claim.  "Our" Father Jesus called Him (Matt 6:9).  Not because we own him but because we are His children. "Ours!"  "Father".  What a messed up concept these days.  You don't have to travel to Guatemala and hang with orphans to get this.  Walk across your street.  Visit a junior high.  Hang out with a teacher for one day and ask any of them what is the biggest obstacle most kids face.  They will tell you.  It is not money, self-esteem, drugs, or an over-sexed society - It is - will their male parental unit be a father - a dad?  We have a Father to the fatherless in God our Father (Ps 68:5).  That means all of us have a perfect Father in God.  But, what is most significant in this line is the word "glory".  Our father is a father of "glory".  The word means the overwhelming nature of something.  Who God is when He is completely revealed to us (this by the way is what Paul is praying for here in these verses) is overwhelming, stunning, awesome GOD!

I saw hope in Benji because of what Jesus is doing all around him and in him.  And, as I saw this hope, I believe I caught a glimpse of the glory of God.  Why?  Well - first, I was overwhelmed and I'm overwhelmed thinking about it now.  Second, I wasn't just overwhelmed by the emotions of this boys life, I was overwhelmed by what God is doing in his life and through his life to those around him.  Bottom line - God was made to look great through a frail boys life.  Wow!

"The eyes of your heart" will be enlightened when you see the real hope of your calling in Christ.  I glimpsed mine in Benji.  It is not my appearance, gifts, talents, or ministry that are my hope.  None of these things are what I was called to be in Christ.  I was called to HIM - to know Him and His glory and to make His glory known.  That is our hope that we can be confident in.  Sometimes - often, it takes a child to remind us that we all need a father - "Our Father of glory."  And in Him, lies real hope.

^{Ephesians 1:17} that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, ¹⁸ having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, ...

Many of you have asked, "What is House of Hope and who are People for Missions?"  Here is some information that I hope will be helpful as you learn about who we have teamed up with in Guatemala.

Casa de Esparanza in English is "House of Hope".  "House of Hope" is a large campus that is home to many ministries under the banner People for Missions a non-denominational missions organization based in Florida.  The campus of "HOH" contains two family houses with Amercian parents who have created a home for  30+ orphans.  Peter and Carolyn Bell parent one house and Sam and Michelle Waddell parent another.  These parents provide love, food, discipline, a home, a family, and most of all the living picture of Jesus in action.  There are two more houses ready for orphans.  The problem - house parents are needed.

In addition, "HOH" contains a school where Christian leaders teach and pour the life of Christ into over 150 Guatemalan students K-6 grade.  Erin Cole leads the school as principal where she guides and disciples many young teachers.  This ministry is reaching many with the gospel in Zacapa. 

"HOH" is also home for the mountain pastors Alex, Josue, and German.  These three men weekly travel into the mountains of Guatemala where they encourage and teach nine mountain pastors in local village churches.  They have helped start many of these churches and regularly preach at these churches and minister in these villages.  They do all of this without a vehicle.  They uses buses and their feet.  These guys could use a truck.  This would cost anywhere from $3000-$5000 for the purchase and about $200 a month for gas and up keep.  Be in prayer for these guys.  This kind of gift would allow them to triple or quadruple their efforts in the mountains.

"HOH" is also home for pastor Wilmer and his family.  Wilmer is the new pastor of Mission Zoe.  This church was begun by People for Missions in Zacapa to reach the younger generation.  Danny Brooks the former pastor went back to the states to go to seminary about six months ago.  This church is reaching a segment of Zacapa that has never been reached with the gospel.

Every summer "HOH" hosts 9-12 weeks of mission teams from the USA who come to minister in and through these ministries.  We have a team going this August (see the Missions page on this site for more info).  Shane and Jen Gerber who live in the "HOH" lead the ministry to these teams.  Shane plans and coordinates the ministry of these teams who get a wide taste of missions on their trips.  These teams regualarly do construction at "HOH", make a trip into the mountains with the mountain pastors, minister in public schools through dramas and music, and help in mercy ministries in the surrounding towns.

Our own Stacy Akers will be moving to Zacapa in May to begin working as a missionary with House of Hope.  She will be serving in the school, Mission Zoe, working with teams, and helping in the mountain ministry.  Our body will be giving to her monthly financial support.  If you wish to know how you can do more to help or pray for Stacy, please contact someone on the missions team or Stacy herself.  (See the Missions page for more info.)

"House of Hope" is home to many missionaries and many ministries that are living out the gospel of Jesus Christ in word and deed.  These men and women are from several countries with two different languages but they have one desire - to some how be used by God in His mission to bring the HOPE of the gospel of Jesus Christ to Guatemala.

We do not know humility if we have never been humiliated.   I know this but I cringe at the thought of asking God to further humiliate me.  I'm stuck in a dilemma of eternal proportions - "I want to look like Jesus, but I don't want to go through the surgery required."  In spite of my wishes and yours, God seems to do the surgery required over time to bring this humility into our lives.  It is part of having the Spirit of Christ rest within you.  Humility comes in various forms but they all end up smelling the same - we look less like us and more like Jesus.

This past week - Dean and Ami Pyle and my wife Fran and I were in Guatemala equipping and encouraging full-time missionaries.  I believe I was humiliated because I sensed this weird sadness that I only know too well.  It only comes when I lose a part of me.  It only comes when, a part of John that is rotting and does not look or act like Jesus is ripped from me.  That happened this week as I encountered men and women whose very lives humbled me.  This happened this week as I stared into the face of orphans who have met Jesus because some American parents gave up their comfortable lives to raise Guatemalan orphans.  This happened as I saw Guatemalan teens that live in a city of crime and sexual perversion worshipping without their parents push or pull.  This happened as I tried to teach three men who hike miles into the mountains to preach the word every week - how to preach better.  This happened as I encountered the gospel in living color in 3-D in Guatemala.  Suddenly, complaining about setting up at 7 am for 9 years seems - well a little humiliating.

We have a growing relationship with a group of missionaries who work through a group called People for Missions in Guatemala.  They are many people and they do many things.  They feed the poor and care for orphans with parents who raise them in the things of Christ.  They start churches in the mountains where the gospel is rarely if ever heard.  They start churches in towns and reach a younger generation few are reaching in Guatemala.  They have a school with dedicated caring Christian teachers who are pouring out the life of Christ into hundreds of kids and families.  In short, they are living out the gospel as Christ commanded.  They realize the Gospel is speaking the good news of Jesus and living the good news of Jesus.  It is sharing how we can know Christ to the uttermost parts of the earth.  It is feeding the poor and caring for the orphan that no one cares for.  It is doing and saying what Christ said - the Kingdom of God is here - speak it and live it.

During the week, we led a retreat for 20+ missionaries and then we taught four pastors more about preaching the gospel.  God moved and that is why I think I was humiliated.  My wife put it best - "I don't know how to put these emotions into words."  That happens when one gets humbled.  We were humbled because God moved and we know it had little to do with us - maybe nothing - but we got to be there and be a part and somehow in some small way be used.  I will never be the same.  We will never be the same. I like that.  But, I will be honest - humiliation hurts and I wish I could say "BRING IT ON!"  But, I can't.  I can say I was honored and privileged to see the gospel in 3D.

⁷ In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, ⁸ which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight ⁹ making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ ¹⁰ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

   You may also download a PDF document of the following entry.

THE MISSIONAL CHURCH

June 2001

TIM KELLER

In the West for nearly 1,000 years, the relationship of (Anglo-European) Christian churches to the broader culture was a relationship known as "Christendom." The institutions of society "Christianized" people, and stigmatized non-Christian belief and behavior. Though people were "Christianized" by the culture, they were not regenerated or converted with the Gospel. The church's job was then to challenge persons into a vital, living relation with Christ.

There were great advantages and yet great disadvantages to 'Christendom.' The advantage was that there was a common language for public moral discourse with which society could discuss what was 'the good'. The disadvantage was that Christian morality without gospel-changed hearts often led to cruelty and hypocrisy. Think of how the small town in "Christendom" treated the unwed mother or the gay person. Also, under "Christendom" the church often was silent against abuses of power of the ruling classes over the weak. For these reasons and others, the church in Europe and North America has been losing its privileged place as the arbiter of public morality since at least the mid 19th century. The decline of Christendom has accelerated greatly since the end of WWII.

The British missionary Lesslie Newbigin went to India around 1950. There he was involved with a church living 'in mission' in a very non-Christian culture. When he returned to England some 30 years later, he discovered that now the Western church too existed in a non-Christian society, but it had not adapted to its new situation. Though public institutions and popular culture of Europe and North America no longer 'Christianized' people, the church still ran its ministries assuming that a stream of 'Christianized', traditional/moral people would simply show up in services. Some churches certainly did 'evangelism' as one ministry among many. But the church in the West had not become completely 'missional'--adapting and reformulating absolutely everything it did in worship, discipleship, community, and service--so as to be engaged with the non-Christian society around it. It had not developed a 'missiology of western culture' the way it had done so for other non-believing cultures.

One of the reasons much of the American evangelical church has not experienced the same precipitous decline as the Protestant churches of Europe and Canada is because in the U.S. there is still a 'heartland' with the remnants of the old 'Christendom' society. There the informal public culture (though not the formal public institutions) still stigmatizes non-Christian beliefs and behavior. "There is a fundamental schism in American cultural, political, and economic life. There's the quicker-growing, economically vibrant...morally relativist, urban-oriented, culturally adventuresome, sexually polymorphous, and ethnically diverse nation...and there's the small town, nuclear-family, religiously-oriented, white-centric other America, [with]...its diminishing cultural and economic force....[T]wo nations..." Michael Wolff, New York, Feb 26 2001, p. 19. In conservative regions, it is still possible to see people profess faith and the church grow without becoming 'missional.' Most traditional evangelical churches still can only win people to Christ who are temperamentally traditional and conservative. But, as Wolff notes, this is a 'shrinking market.' And eventually evangelical churches ensconced in the declining, remaining enclaves of "Christendom" will have to learn how to become 'missional'. If it does not do that it will decline or die.

We don't simply need evangelistic churches, but rather 'missional' churches.

The Elements of a Missional Church

1.      Discourse in the vernacular.

• In 'Christendom' there is little difference between the language inside and outside of the church. Documents of the early U.S. Congress, for example, are riddled with allusions to and references from the Bible. Biblical technical terms are well-known inside and outside. In a missional church, however, terms must be explained.
• The missional church avoids 'tribal' language, stylized prayer language, unnecessary evangelical pious 'jargon', and archaic language that seeks to set a 'spritual tone.'
• The missional church avoids 'we-them' language, disdainful jokes that mock people of different politics and beliefs, and dismissive, disrespectful comments about those who differ with us
• The missional church avoids sentimental, pompous, 'inspirational' talk. Instead we engage the culture with gentle, self-deprecating but joyful irony the gospel creates. Humility + joy = gospel irony and realism.
• The missional church avoids ever talking as if non-believing people are not present. If you speak and discourse as if your whole neighborhood is present (not just scattered Christians), eventually more and more of your neighborhood will find their way in or be invited.
• Unless all of the above is the outflow of a truly humble-bold gospel-changed heart, it is all just 'marketing' and 'spin.'

2. Enter and re-tell the culture's stories with the gospel

• In "Christendom" it is possible to simply exhort Christianized people to "do what they know they should." There is little or no real engagement, listening, or persuasion. It is more a matter of exhortation (and often, heavy reliance on guilt.)
  In a missional church preaching and communication should always assume the presence of skeptical people, and should engage their stories, not simply talk about "old times."
  To "enter" means to show sympathy toward and deep acquaintance with the literature, music, theater, etc. of the existing culture's hopes, dreams, 'heroic' narratives, fears.
  • The older culture's story was--to be a good person, a good father/mother, son/daughter, to live a decent, merciful, good life.
  • Now the culture's story is-- a) to be free and self-created and authentic (theme of freedom from oppression), and b) to make the world safe for everyone else to be the same (theme of inclusion of the 'other'; justice).

• To "re-tell" means to show how only in Christ can we have freedom without slavery and embracing of the 'other' without injustice.

3. Theologically train lay people for public life and vocation

• In 'Christendom' you can afford to train people just in prayer, Bible study, evangelism--private world skills--because they are not facing radically non-Christian values in their public life--where they work, in their neighborhood, etc.
• In a 'missional' church, the laity needs theological education to 'think Christianly' about everything and work with Christian distinctiveness. They need to know: a) what cultural practices are common grace and to be embraced, b) what practices are antithetical to the gospel and must be rejected, c) what practices can be adapted/revised.
• In a 'missional' situation, lay people renewing and transforming the culture through distinctively Christian vocations must be lifted up as real 'kingdom work' and ministry along with the traditional ministry of the Word.
• Finally, Christians will have to use the gospel to demonstrate true, Biblical love and 'tolerance' in "the public square" toward those with whom we deeply differ. This tolerance should equal or exceed that which opposing views show toward Christians. The charge of intolerance is perhaps the main 'defeater' of the gospel in the non-Christian west.

4. Create Christian community which is counter-cultural and counter-intuitive.

• In Christendom, 'fellowship' is basically just a set of nurturing relationships, support and accountability. That is necessary, of course.
• In a missional church, however, Christian community must go beyond that to embody a 'counter-culture,' showing the world how radically different a Christian society is with regard to sex, money, and power.
  • In sex. We avoid both the secular society's idolization of sex and traditional society's fear of sex. We also exhibit love rather than hostility or fear toward those whose sexual life patterns are different.
  • In money. We promote a radically generous commitment of time, money, relationships, and living space to social justice and the needs of the poor, the immigrant, and the economically and physically weak.
  • In power. We are committed to power-sharing and relationship-building between races and classes that are alienated outside of the Body of Christ.
• In general, a church must be more deeply and practically committed to deeds of compassion and social justice than traditional liberal churches and more deeply and practically committed to evangelism and conversion than traditional fundamentalist churches. This kind of church is profoundly 'counter-intuitive' to American observers. It breaks their ability to categorize (and dismiss) it as liberal or conservative. Only this kind of church has any chance in the non-Christian west.

5. Practice Christian unity as much as possible on the local level.

• In Christendom, when 'everyone was a Christian' it was necessary (perhaps) for a church to define itself over against other churches. That is, to get an identity you had to say, "we are not like that church over there, or those Christians over here."
• Today, however, it is much more illuminating and helpful for a church to define itself over against 'the world'--the values of the non-Christian culture. It is very important that we not spend our time bashing and criticizing other kinds of churches. That simply plays in to the common 'defeater' that Christians are all intolerant.
• While we have to align ourselves in denominations that share many of our distinctives, at the local level we should cooperate and reach out to and support the other congregations and churches in our local area. This will raise many thorny issues, of course, but our bias should be in the direction of cooperation.

Let me show you how this goes beyond any 'program.' These are elements that have to be present in every area of the church. So, for example, what makes a small group 'missional'? A 'missional' small group is not necessarily one which is doing some kind of specific 'evangelism' program (though that is to be recommended) Rather, 1) if its members love and talk positively about the city/neighborhood, 2) if they speak in language that is not filled with pious tribal or technical terms and phrases, nor disdainful and embattled language, 3) if in their Bible study they apply the gospel to the core concerns and stories of the people of the culture, 4) if they are obviously interested in and engaged with the literature and art and thought of the surrounding culture and can discuss it both appreciatively and yet critically, 5) if they exhibit deep concern for the poor and generosity with their money and purity and respect with regard to opposite sex, and show humility toward people of other races and cultures, 6) they do not bash other Christians and churches--then seekers and non-believing people from the city A) will be invited and B) will come and will stay as they explore spiritual issues. If these marks are not there it will only be able to include believers or traditional, "Christianized" people.

     You may also download a PDF document of the following entry.

Below is an article from an essay entitled “Christianity and The Enquiring Mind” by Louw Alberts, a South African Physicists who happens to be a devout follower of Christ.  World renowned and a member of the Royal Academy of British Scientists, Alberts has much to offer in this discussion from a scientific standpoint.  I offer this article not as “the truth”.  I do not agree with all of what he says.  He is not a theologian but a scientists who does believe the whole bible is true.  To that end, I offer this to expand your view and knowledge of this discussion.  Remember, the who and why are the main thrust we must hold firm.  God created (who) a people who would have relationship with him and reflect his glory (the why).  See the blog “genesis 1 – glory, light, and screams” where this is discussed more. The how is discussed here. - john

Genesis and the Advent of Man

The first chapter of the Bible is truly majestic in style and presentation. It conveys a vital message to mankind.

The interpretation and reading of Genesis 1 in the Christian world varies from literal acceptance of every statement to a view that it must be read as mythology, certainly with a divine message. No attempt will be made here to delve into the various presentations of God as creator throughout the Old Testament, or the various creation stories that were told in the ancient world, and whether or not they had any influence on the first chapters of Genesis. The reason for accepting that the whole Bible is God’s communication to man has been dealt with in the third essay, and in considering Genesis 1 we will proceed on this basis.

Recognizing that the words were penned down a long time ago by a scribe who had to work in terms of his language and idiom, one faces the daunting question: What is God’s intended message for us in those introductory chapters? How must they be read and interpreted? In this essay the three most important approaches will be discussed.

Firstly, the literal reading. God created, in six consecutive days, the whole cosmos. Furthermore, assuming that the names, births and ages of people mentioned represent the sum total of human history up till the birth of Christ, the date of Creation is taken back to six thousand years ago. It is interesting to note that this approach was not very prevalent in the early church, but really took off after John Lightfoot, Rector of Cambridge University in the mid 17th century and a contemporary, James Ussher, Anglican archbishop of Ireland, published their calculations on the Creation date.

To this very day, there are very many Christians around the world who hold this view. It finds a great deal of support from the Creationist Movement which started in the early sixties in the United States. The essential thrust of this movement is simply this: God’s Word must be read and accepted as given to us. Taking other sources of information into consideration when we read and interpret the Bible, can lead to error and undermining of faith. Publications and statements from the various fields of learning, including the natural sciences that support the literal approach are acceptable. Otherwise, they are to be discarded.

It must be accepted that the Christians who actively follow and participate in this line of thinking are generally committed evangelicals whose sincerity cannot be doubted. They vehemently oppose the philosophy of evolutionism and feel that accepting the age of the earth to be six thousand years, will completely exclude all theories of evolution, since the latter requires vast periods of time. In other words, an old earth as opposed to a young earth can lead to accepting one or other evolution model. There are several serious criticisms against the above approach to Genesis 1.

•  One does not need a young earth in order to discard the philosophy of evolutionism.  Science in its own right, can deal with the merits, or lack thereof, of the various evolution models even if the earth is 41/2 billion years old.  See below:

Darwin’s theory has been severely criticized on scientific and philosophical grounds over the past few decades. Some of the main counter arguments run as follows:

1. It is not a scientific theory, but rather a metaphysical one because it does not lend itself to falsification or disproof. This criticism emanates from the views of probably the greatest living philosopher at the time of writing, Sir Karl Popper. This displaces the theory from the realm of science to that of belief. Moreover, the concept of survival of the fittest asks the question: What is the definition of the fittest? The answer has to be: The fittest are those that survive. This circular argument is called a tautology and hardly warrants a place in a scientific theory.

2. The theory postulates gradual transition from one group to another. The fossil record in no way supports gradualism. This is one of the severest shortcomings in the Darwin model.

3. Mutations are generally negative, which simply means that when the genetic code does change because of some accident of chemical or physical origin, the result is a weaker offspring, not a stronger one.

4. Mathematicians, physicists and engineers are amongst the severest critics of the Darwin model, simply because this category of scientists like to put numbers to a theory, and their general view is that the mathematical chances of the necessary mutations taking place are so small that planet earth is far too young to provide the necessary timespan for development from molecules to men.

5. The unraveling of the structure and function of the cell, including the genetic code, gives no indication of a gradual ascent from the simpler species towards the complex. The DNA molecule in the cell contains an unimaginably vast store of information. Information content cannot just increase fortuitously, no more than new books can appear in a library without any cause or explanation.

6. Traditional biological classification (phyla, classes etc.) fits in with the Darwin model. A modern new system of classification called cladism has been developed in recent years. Cladograms deal with relationships amongst living and fossil species, but make no room for any common ancestors. The logic of this new approach cannot be faulted, but it is alien to the Darwin model.

7. The Darwin model, and in fact every other evolutionary model, cannot explain the so-called big bang in biology, that occurred some 600 million years ago. As mentioned earlier, for nearly 3 000 million years earth was inhabited by simple creatures such as algae, bacteria and plankton. Then suddenly in a short space of time, some 10 million years, there came into being a vast array of more complex multicellular creatures. This burst of creativity is still something of a mystery from a scientific point of view.

8. There is no successful laboratory demonstration that establishes the Darwin model. Such a situation is foreign to the scientific approach.

•  Most cosmologists and biologists are not willfully mean, anti-Christian people. They are simply scientists trying to find answers to questions that one faces as you probe nature. Disdain towards their efforts can only estrange them from the Christian message and that in turn, can and does lead to ridicule of Christianity. After all, the church in past centuries did hold the view derived from simplistic reading of the Bible that the earth was in the centre of the solar system. Prior to that, the earth was even considered to be flat.

•  The problems associated with a six day creation viewpoint are not recognized, ignored or covered up with some strange explanations. For instance: Where did the creation take place? After all, when it is day in South Africa it is night in Australia. Did the creation progress from continent to continent as the earth rotated about its axis?

Where did light and darkness come from on the first three days if the sun only came into existence on the fourth day?

Why did God not go on creating overnight? Surely He does not require light to act.

Why did God establish a vocabulary from the very first day onwards?

Why did God rest on the seventh day? It would be vast impertinence to suggest that He became tired.

Why do the accounts in Genesis 1 and 2, of the order in which the creation acts took place, differ so significantly?

It must be noted that nowhere does the text state explicitly that a certain entity was created on a given day. For instance, it does not state: On the third day God created grass, plants, trees etc., but rather, the passage reads: “? … Let there be … ?” … God saw that it was good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the third day.

Finally. Did God create the whole universe, including planet earth in six days, some six thousand years ago, and build into it an appearance of age, that would make it look billions of years old? Why would He do that? Surely not to fool scientists because that would not be in keeping with the character of the God of the Bible.

Let us now turn to the second approach in the interpretation of Genesis 1.  Simply stated, it runs as follows: The six “?days?” of creation described in Genesis 1 can be read as six eras of time, each of which can be billions or millions of years long. This approach is probably held by the majority of Christian leaders in the world today. It is dealt with in excellent manner by Hugh Ross??. The arguments in favour of this view depend very strongly on the translation of the word yowm in the original Hebrew text. This term can also legitimately be translated as a day or an epoch or age. Moreover, the words for morning and evening can be read as the onset and closing off of such an epoch. Further support is given by the fact that the Bible clearly indicates that God is not limited to an experience of time, as is the case for humans. Verses stating that a thousand years are like a day and a day like a thousand years for the Lord (Ps. 90), substantiate this understanding of God’s approach to time. Rest on the seventh day can be read as an introduction to an era of rest in a spiritual sense, that has not ended as yet, because there is no evening attached to it.

Questions such as the presence of light during the first three epochs with the sun coming into being in the fourth epoch, are answered by regarding the earth as being enveloped by a translucent atmosphere, such as clouds, which allowed light to come through while the sun and moon remained invisible. The atmosphere became transparent during the fourth era with the concomitant appearance of the heavenly bodies.

Finally, the order of events as viewed from this interpretation of the first seven days fits in satisfactorily with the findings of science on the origins of the universe and the solar system. The marked difference in the order of the creation events in Genesis 1 and 2 is ascribed to the view that in the first chapter, the physical creation of the universe is described, whereas in the second chapter a spiritual view, with man’s position in the cosmos, is presented.

Of the two views presented above, the second one is certainly the more valid and satisfactory. It can be reasonably well accommodated in terms of scriptural interpretation and the findings of modern science. The words “reasonably well” are deliberately chosen because this writer does not feel too comfortable with what might be called a rather complicated explanation of a beautiful, yet simple passage. One cannot avoid the conviction that the author of Genesis 1 had ordinary normal days in mind when he penned down the momentous revelations contained in the chapter. This leads us to the third interpretation of Genesis 1.

The first chapter in the Bible is not a record of history but a revelation of the majestic creative activity of Almighty God. This view was expressed in the early 1950’s in the presence of this writer by the Dutch philosopher, Herman Dooyeweerd. The arguments in its favor had already been written by P.J. Wiseman in the mid forties. The reader must be warned that this approach is presented with a considerable measure of enthusiasm because the writer finds it the most satisfying of all studies relating to Genesis 1. However, it is readily conceded that it is one of several possible interpretations. The challenge is to reconcile the valid findings of science that, as previously described, the universe and planet earth came into being over billions of years, with Genesis 1 which speaks of seven days.

The concept of creation in six days is taken from passages such as those in Exodus 20 where we read that in six days the Lord made heaven and earth. The Hebrew text omits the word “in” and literally it reads: For six days the Lord made heaven and earth.

The Hebrew word for “made” is asah. It implies action and the root meaning is “to do”. It occurs about 2 500 times in the Old Testament and is translated in context by words such as show, offer, prepare, keep, deal, commit, work etc. It would be perfectly legitimate to translate the above text as follows: In six days God showed or revealed heaven and earth.

Picture the scene. The beautiful earth with trees, flowers, animals, birds, etc. is already there. The Lord calls the author of Genesis—let us assume it was Moses—and reveals to him on six consecutive days how He brought the whole of Creation into being. All the problems previously referred to, fall away. There was no overnight activity because the scribe had to sleep. Vocabulary was built up from the first day in order to make the record meaningful. The order of revelation does not have to follow the order of the actual creation. This means one does not have to stretch the exegesis as to why day and night were discussed before the sun. Of course the sun had to be there from the onset, but it does not have to be referred to at the beginning. The reader has to be reminded that a revelation is akin to describing a picture. One does not do it by starting on the left hand side and working your way across, centimeter by centimeter, to the right hand side. By way of illustration, it would rather be done as follows:

There is a house surrounded by grass and trees. To the left of the house is a pond with ducks on it. The house has a red roof and white walls, etc. What do we notice? An obvious feature such as the house is mentioned first, then several other features are considered and after a while, more information on the first mentioned feature is presented. The order of significance is dominant.  There is now no need to try and square the Genesis chapter with the findings of science, because the revelation is not meant to give a chronological scientific account of creation. It is intended to reveal that God is responsible for it all and that He was satisfied with the results. It is left to science—the reading of the created word, remember—to find out how God did it over the aeons.

The problem around the seventh day now falls into place. God did not rest because He was tired. He ceased the revelation exercise after six days and a break was taken for the author’s sake. Jesus himself stated that man was not made for the sabbath, but rather that the sabbath was instituted for man’s sake. Again, the difference in sequence of events in Genesis 1 and 2 can now be viewed in perspective. The first account is a revelation of God’s involvement in the physical creation. The second account deals with man’s involvement in creation. There is no reason why the two accounts should be compared or required to correspond.

Lastly, we want to face the question: Who was Adam? How was modern man, homo sapiens sapiens, introduced on planet earth?  Anthropology is a scientific discipline which, inter alia, concerns itself with tracing the origin of man. The vast amount of literature concerned with the description of the fossil remnants of the ancient human-like apes and ape-like humans will not be dealt with here. Names such as Australopithecus (which has nothing to do with Australia by the way), Homo habilis, Homo erectus, Neanderthal, Cro-Magnon, Homo sapiens and Homo sapiens sapiens will be familiar to some readers. The associated fossil remains go back approximately 4 million years. The collective name used for the ancient specimens is hominids. Several main principles emerge from these studies. Most of the various groupings that dispersed over planet earth have died out. It is enthusiastically assumed by many researchers that the grouping that resided in Africa, eventually gave rise to modern man. One has to face the reality that at this point in time we do not have a long continuous chain of evidence with the odd missing link, but rather chains of missing links with the odd element of evidence available. There is no direct evidence relating modern man to any of the hominid predecessors, but in all fairness to anthropologists it is reasonable, from a purely scientific point of view, to want to do so. It is also worth mentioning that brain size, as deduced from the fossil evidence, remained small and constant over millions of years and only in relatively recent times, say about a quarter million years back, did brain size begin to develop towards that of modern man.

The Christian, who believes in the Bible, now faces a choice. God made Adam out of the dust of the earth according to the Scriptures. How he was formed out of the dust, the Bible does not tell us. It is reasonable to believe that God started off with a brand new species, not derived from any previous one. This would be a divine miracle. Alternatively, one might believe that God took one of the primitive creatures and “breathed” into him a spirit of God-consciousness. In other words, in the latter case God took the body that had developed over many years and performed the miracle of turning him into a being that bore the image of God with the associated spiritual, intellectual and emotional capacities. Please note that the word believe is used in both cases. No one can claim to know by any other means than belief. Both avenues depicted above imply unequivocally, a miraculous act of Almighty God. How do we accommodate Biblical statements such as … sin entered the world through one man … (Rom. 5:12)? Was Adam the one and only human being by whose actions mankind’s relationship with God was broken, or was he the first person to have a covenantal relationship with God, representing the human race, and whose actions subsequently led to catastrophe? Again in terms of our present understanding, either of these approaches would be reasonable.

There is another challenging verse. “From one man he made every nation of men …” (Acts 17:26). Does this not state that the whole human race has one single human father? Logic tells us that originally there had to be one parent. It is inconceivable that two or more totally independent individuals could each give rise to offspring that turn out to be the same biological species. Very recent publications?? have cast some interesting light on this issue. A study of the Y-chromosomes of 38 males around the world indicated one common male parent, mathematically estimated, to go back 270 000 years but with a lower possible limit of 27 000 years. Clearly this rather stunning result will receive a great deal of attention in the foreseeable future. At this stage it must be regarded as a preliminary conclusion. It does, however, support the Biblical statement referred to above. One can, with conviction, retain confidence in the Scriptures. A human being is the outcome of a divine plan.

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    You may also download a PDF document of the following entry.

 

SCIENCE, GOD, and FAITH – Everyone Believes

Genesis 1 - Creation

 

It is apparent to every one living on this earth that there are many disagreements over how things began and why. In the essay below we will look at three key areas to show that in truth, everyone has some element of belief in their view of creation. In addition, we will take a current look at the truth that science has not proven false the idea of creation by a supreme God, and the truth that there are many credible scientist who believe in creation by a supreme God.

 

1)  There are three basic beliefs about the beginning of all things.

 

      1 – Everything created in this universe happened by chance. 

This is an atheistic view (there is no god) that puts all the weight on chance and fate. The Expanding Universe Theory, the Big Bang Theory, and Darwinism all fit into this category.

 

      2 – There is no way to know how it happened so why argue about it.

This is an agnostic view (not sure if there is a god) that says live and let live. Let’s focus on the here and now and what we can know for sure. There are many theories that fall into this category but the leading proponent in this area is an idea called cladism. A view of classifying the biological species, it takes the emphasis off chance and off God and places it on a simple way to speak of what we do know.

 

      3 – A pre-existent God created all things as we know them.

      This view called creationism puts the focus on an all powerful all knowing God. Even within this view               there are three distinct views which will be looked at in an essay called “The Creation Debate”.

 

2)  All three of these positions inherently begin with an element of faith.

The atheist position must BELIEVE without sure evidence that all things happened by chance.   All scientists agree that no one can explain the moment of creation. It just happened. In addition, the scientists who hold the view of “Darwinism”, hold their view with religious fervor against everyone who does not agree. Their faith in their way even attacks those who may not be creationists but still are not Darwinians. See these two excerpts from an article below.

 

In the early eighties a group of scientists of the British Museum of Natural History, by way of a public display, advocated a technique for the classification of biological species, called cladism. The details of this particular systematic approach need not concern us at this point. The system, however, does put a question mark on the validity of, or necessity for Darwinism, the latter being, to date, the most widely accepted model by evolutionists in order to explain the origin of species. The then editor of Nature??, a very reputable science journal of long standing, responded in an extended editorial with expressions such as: “?The trouble with agnosticism (with respect to Darwinism) is that, however justified logically, it can be carried too far?”, and “?whatever the philosophical position, there is no way of denying that people’s emotions are engaged by the strengths and weaknesses of theories.?”

 

The attack against cladism was not based on facts or reason but simply by the issue “they” did not agree with “us”. This is often what Christians are accused us. The point – all sides in this issue begin with a point of faith and even carry it into their defense of their view.

 

Francis Crick, who received the Nobel prize for his famous work on the genetic code, makes the following dubious claim in a book entitled Life itself, its origin and nature, viz. that most modern scientists do not subscribe to any of the doctrines attributed to Moses, Jesus Christ or Muhammad. Crick states further that a scientist has an almost boundless optimism concerning his ability to forge a wholly new set of beliefs, solidly based on both theory and experiment. It is doubtful whether many scientists share Crick’s enthusiasm and confidence in the scientific method, but his attitude and approach are certainly based on a pretty dynamic faith in the so-called scientific method.

 

The agnostic position must begin with this BELIEF – “there is absolutely no way to know anything about this for sure.” The problem with this view is that every year new discoveries in science obliterate the notion that we can know nothing for sure. They are betting – or should we say “believing” that we will never know the truth. This is the age old debate against God. The argument sounds like this – “one cannot know for sure anything about faith and spiritual things, so why argue and why do you state your convictions so firmly.” Again, the problem with this faith based argument is they are not arguing against faith but science and yearly they lose somewhere in the debate as more and more discoveries are made.

 

Obviously, the creationist position begins with faith. Hebrews 11:3 says, “By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

 

3)  Most people believe all science and scientist have proven creation could not have happened by a pre-      existent creator. This is not true.

 

1 – Not all scientists are atheists. Renowned South African physicists Louw Alberts, recently reported in a recent survey by the Royal Academy of British Scientists that less than 1/3 of the scientists in the Academy were avowed atheists. The majority were agnostic in belief with just less than the amount who claimed to be atheists claiming to be Christians.

 

2 – While “theories” abound concerning the beginning of all matter and life, no theory explains how the process began. The Big Bang could explain the process of creation, but the question remains for all scientists who or what caused the bang and where did the first piece of matter come from. Something cannot come from nothing according to the laws of mass and energy. And more importantly, what or who caused the “bang” to begin with. Listen to the frustration of secular scientist Steven Weinberg at the end of his book The First Three Minutes:

 

“?The more the universe seems comprehensible the more it also seems pointless. But if there is no solace in the fruits of our research there is at least some consolation in the research itself. Men and women are not content to comfort themselves with tales of gods and giants, or to confine their thoughts to the daily affairs of life; they also build telescopes and satellites and accelerators, and sit at their desks for endless hours working out the meaning of the data they gather. The effort to understand the universe is one of the very few things that lifts human life a little above the level of force and gives it some of the grace of tragedy.?” So much for the conclusions of a leading scientist who believes it all just happened by itself.

 

3 – Atheistic scientists can acknowledge there is some element of faith involved in there initial beliefs. 

However, they will say their process is then based on logical steps. Once true, the development of science has seen this belief become less true. The discovery of the complexity thecell, DNA, and the smallest of matter in the body have made their leaps more faith based than ever. Listen to Nobel Peace Prize winner and British Academy of Scientists member Louw Alberts.

 

When Oparin envisaged in 1924 that the first living cell was born spontaneously in a pond of organic soup, it was difficult enough to believe in terms of what was then known about cells. In the light of what science has since uncovered, such as the information embodied in the DNA molecule, the necessary leap of faith becomes impossibly great.

 

In the book “More Than Meets the Eye”, Dr. Richard Swenson, physicists and doctor writes this about the complexity of human DNA.

 

The human body contains tens of trillions of cells that begin very inauspiciously as on single cell - tiny,

minuscule, microscopic, … Within this tiny first cell, measuring mere microns, is the blueprint for building an entire human body with a complexity that is incomprehensible. Think about it. Let’s do a comparison: I am a grown adult with a sophisticated education including degrees in both medicine and physics – but I can’t even figure out how to set the clock on my car radio. On the other hand, here is a single fertilized ovum, smaller than the period at the end of this sentence, that with apparent ease directs the proliferation and differentiation of tens of trillions of cells, as various from each other as the retina is from the toenail. As I said, think about it. … Sometime within the first couple of weeks, in addition to dividing, the cells also begin to differentiate. Even though we start out with cells that look identical as the single cell first splits, after the process of differentiation one cell goes off in the direction of the retina and the other goes off in the direction of the toenail. This is one of God’s highest quality tricks and many world-class biologists would give up tenure just to know exactly how He pulls it off. The secret of this differentiation – which will eventually result in over 200 different kinds of tissue and organ cells – is somehow mysteriously locked up I the DNA.

What is apparent in any in-depth research is this: the more science learns and does seem to answer many questions (the answers to which could be debated), they still don’t know the who and why of creation. This frustrates some scientist and thrills others. In addition, the more science discovers the more they realize the biggest question of how it began cannot be answered. Where did the matter come from that sparked the initial bang? What sparked the bang? Bill Bryson in his book entitled “Bill Bryson – A Short History of Nearly Everything” makes a stunning statement. Mr. Bryson is an agnostic (not sure there is a god) who devoted much of his life to studying how things work from a scientific method.   In it he comes to this conclusion after three years of researching the science of creation, biology, physics, and more. 

If this book has a lesson, it is that we are awfully lucky to be here – and by “we” I mean every living thing. To attain any kind of life in this universe of ours appears to be quite an achievement. As humans we are doubly lucky of course: We enjoy not only the privilege of existence but also the singular ability to appreciate it and even, in a multitude of ways, to make it better. We have arrived at this position of eminence in a stunningly short time. Behaviorally modern human beings … have existed for only about 0.0001 percent of Earth’s history.   But surviving for even that little while has required a nearly endless string of good fortune.

This man spent three years looking at hard facts, science, and the truth as we know it – his conclusion – we are lucky. Luck – chance if you will is the great force behind all we know. I am not sure where your head and heart lie on this issue, but I believe we can say one thing for sure – all roads to some view on this matter begin with a large amount of faith. If we trust science – we are TRUSTING – believing in something that says – we don’t know but we sure are lucky. Yes there are facts there but there is a lot of trusting. If we go with the agnostic view – we still have to trust that we will never know. For those of you who claim Christ as Lord and Savior, listen again to the writer of Hebrews in chapter 11 verse 3 - “By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

1.     DAVID L. BLOCK. Our Universe: Accident or Design? “?Starwatch?” P. O. Box 60, Wits 2050, South Africa, 1992.

The author is a university lecturer and researcher in the area of theoretical astrophysics. This publication deals in spectacular fashion with the findings of modern cosmology and the necessity of accepting design. The photographs are beautiful. The approach is pro-theistic and pro-Christian.

2.     R.E.D. CLARK. The Universe: Plan or Accident? Paternoster Press London, 1961.

This book deals with the origins of the universe, planet earth and biological life. While it obviously cannot contain the scientific findings of the last three decades, it is an outstanding example of clear reasoning on the religious implications of modern science. Pro-theistic and pro-Christian.

3.     PAUL DAVIES. God and the New Physics. Penguin Books, 1986. The Cosmic Blueprint. Simon and Schuster, 1988. The Mind of God. Penguin Books, 1992.

Davies is a well-known and highly respected author of popular books, especially in the realm of cosmology. Because this Professor of Theoretical Physics is also an outstanding scientist, his books carry a clear ring of knowledge. The three books listed here show a progressive line of thought towards theism.

4.     MICHAEL DENTON. Evolution: A theory in Crisis. Burnett Books, 1985.

The author is a molecular biologist and in this book sets out, on a purely scientific basis, the weaknesses of the Darwin model of evolution. It presents no pro or anti-religious bias, but certainly contains a most comprehensive collection of scientific evidence demonstrating the shortcomings and failures of the Darwin model.

5.     WILLIAM GARNETT. Heroes of Science. London. Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 1885.

Garnett, an engineer and former Fellow of St. John’s College, Cambridge, has gathered in this book the biographies of a number of famous physicists, such as Robert Boyle, Michael Faraday, James Clark Maxwell and several others. The purpose of the book is to demonstrate unequivocally that in the world of classical physics, many of the leading figures were committed Christians.

6.     FRANCIS HITCHING. The neck of the giraffe, where Darwin went wrong. Ticknor and Fields, 1982.

Hitching, as an exponent of popular scientific writing, has written a book in layman’s language printing out the failures of the Darwin model. He obviously investigated the field thoroughly and presents his case well. The book indicates no religious bias one way or another.

7.     STEPHEN HAWKING. A brief history of Time. Bantam Press, 1988.

Hawking, Professor of Physics at Cambridge University, is known world wide, partly because of his successes as a scientist and partly because he so bravely overcomes his physical disabilities. The book deals with the origin and development of the universe from the author’s theoretical perspectives. It is very well written and informative. The book refers several times to God, but in a general hypothetical way.

8.     R. HOOYKAAS. Religion and the Rise of Modern Science. Eerdmans, 1972.

Hooykaas, as Professor of the History of Science, is eminently suitable to demonstrate the role Christianity played in the development of science. Moreover, the book is rather typical of the profound philosophical approach of Dutch writing in the area of science and belief. This book is pro-theistic and pro-Christian.

9.     FRED HOYLE and CHANDRA WICKRAMASINGH. Evolution from outer space. Dent and Sons, 1981.

Fred Hoyle is a world renowned astrophysicist. Together with Wickramasingh, Professor in Applied Mathematics, the book represents a very strong attack on the Darwin model, especially as seen from a mathematical perspective. The authors reintroduce the concept of extra terrestrial influence in the form of organic matter transferred to planet earth under the direction of what one might call a universal theistic intelligence.

10.     PHILIP JOHNSON. Darwin on Trial. Intervarsity Press, 1991.

Johnson, a professor of law at the University of California Berkley, takes the position of a judge assessing all the evidence for and against the Darwin model, and comes up with an extremely well reasoned negative verdict. It is one of the most telling recent publications in the field. The author refers to himself as a philosophical theist and a Christian.

11.     JACK J. LISSAUER. Planet Formation. Annual Review Astronomy and Astrophysics, 1993.

This is an extensive review discussing the most recent developments in the theory of how the solar system came into existence. It is a purely scientific publication devoid of any particular religious views or bias.

12.     SIR NEVILLE MOTT. Can Scientists Believe? James, 1991.

Mott, a famous physicist and Nobel prizewinner, edited this volume containing the approach to religion of fifteen well-known living scientists. The views vary from general theism to profound Christian commitment.

13.     JOHN POLKINGHORNE. One World—The Interaction of Science and Theology. SPCK, 1986.

Polkinghorne is a well-known physicist in Britain who has become a minister of religion in a traditional established church. The essential thrust of the book is to establish that we need not compartmentalize our thinking on science and theology. The book is clearly pro-theistic and pro-Christian. Orthodox Christians may find some of the views somewhat liberal, but the sincerity comes through very clearly.

14.     E.K. VICTOR PEARCE. Who Was Adam? Paternoster Press, 1970.

Pearce is a well-known evangelical in England, originally trained as an anthropologist. The book provides a great deal of anthropological evidence that supports the historic soundness of the first chapters in the Bible. It may be controversial on some points, but as a source of relevant information, it is valuable. It is clearly pro-theistic and pro-Christian.

15.     HUGH ROSS. The Fingerprint of God. Promise Publishing Co., 1989. The Creator and the Cosmos. Navpress, 1993. Creation and Time. Navpress, 1994.

Hugh Ross has a doctorate in astronomy and did astrophysical research for a number of years, after which he became director of an institute called Reasons to Believe. All his books are highly recommendable. His writing is well researched and clear. His books can be regarded as some of the very best publications illustrating how modern science supports belief in a Creator God. They are Christian in approach.

16.     P.A.J. RYKE. Evolusie. Potchefstroom University, 1987.

Ryke, a well-known zoologist in South Africa has written a book, in Afrikaans, giving an objective and sober exposition on the evidence for evolution, and expounding the various models that attempt to explain the observations. The book’s closing chapter is clearly theistic in approach.

17.     JOHN MAYNARD SMITH. Evolution Now. A Century after Darwin. MacMillan, 1982.

This book contains a number of chapters by different authors dealing with the various aspects of evolution. The writing is mainly evolutionist and pro-Darwin in presentation, except for the chapters on cladistics and Gould’s chapter spousing punctuated equilibrium.

18.     P.J. WISEMAN. Clues to Creation in Genesis. Marshall Morgan and Scott, 1977.

This book deals with the nature of the ancient writings. Its primary contribution is Wiseman’s interpretation that Genesis 1 should be read as a six day period of revelation and not as a historical account. It is pro-theistic.

19.     STEVEN WEINBERG. The First Three Minutes. Flamingo, 1977, 1983.

Weinberg, a world renowned Nobel Laureate, gives a brilliant and fascinating account of how the birth of the universe developed in the first three minutes of its existence. However, the very last paragraph of the epilogue ends rather sadly, displaying the unconvincing grasp for satisfaction in life without faith in God.

20.    BILL BRYSON. Bill Bryson - A Short History of Nearly Everything. Broadway Books. 2003.

If you took a survey in the market place today which description of the church do you think most people would choose.  Would they say the church more resembles the "Princess Bride" or "Bridezilla".  The latest surveys say the world sees the church more like "Bridezilla."  If you have ever seen this reality show ("Bridezilla"), you understand the picture.  The church is viewed as selfish, obnoxious, loud, high maintenance, and irrelevant.  This is probably not what Jesus had in mind when he likened Himself to the bridgroom and the church as His bride in Matthew 9:15.   What has gone wrong?

Titus is a letter from the Bible that contains a wealth of God's truth that would heal much of what ails the church today.  One statement in paticular is the foundation of God's design and desire for His bride - "for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness," ...  

God wrote this for the "faith" - the sake of those who have trusted their life and eternity in Christ.  Those who have been chosen by God to be His.  Those who have no other hope but Christ.  For these, these words were written.  This is the church - God's chosen.  Those who by God's choice and Christ's work have come to "faith" are the church.  For our ability to further trust Him - these words were written.

Our "knowledge of truth" is a loaded phrase.  Let's unpack it for a moment.  This word for knowledge means to know something in three ways.  First, to know by receiving the information.  We call this book-knowledge.  Second, to know through experience.  Third, to know fully the information and experience of a truth.  We often have information from the Word about a certain truth God longs for us to know.  But, we do not know this truth by experience.  Often, we have an experience, but no truth to attach it to.  Truth is known fully when what is given us through God's word (information) and what we experience through obedience, trials, and the such - come together through the power and working of the Holy Spirit of God.  There is no formula to this. However, the Word must be the standard by which all experiences are measured and evaluted.  Understanding truth must flow from the Word to experience and never the other way.  When we allow experience to be the beginning of truth, we are in danger of ending up in some crazy and untruthful places.  We have all seen cases where people misuse the Word to validate their action or experience.  The beauty of the Word combined with experience gives us the fullness of the knowledge of truth that is implied in this term "knowledge of truth".  What does this fullness of the knowledge of truth lead to - godliness.

The result of knowing fully a truth is that it changes us into the image of God.  It is the Word which transforms our lives.  It is in obedience to commands that we learn the fullnes of the knowledge of truth.  The word here says this accords (leads to) godliness.  What is godliness?  It means to be like or look like God.  We were created to reflect the image of God (Genesis 1:26).  We were created to glorify our Maker.  What is the purpose of the church? - the same!  Ephesesians 3:21 says,  "to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen." What is the purpose of the church - to glorify God through Christ Jesus forever.  In other words, the purpose of the church is to relflect the overwhelming greatness of God in all we are and do.  We do this as we become like God or Godly.

Whats wrong with the church today?  Why are we more like "Bridezilla" than "Princess Bride"?  We have forgotten our purpose.  It is not about how big, how fast, or how much?  It is about making much of the greatness of God.  And, in this passage, this is done as we come to the full knowledge of the truth's of God.  Why do we look more like "Bridezilla"?  When we stop listening to the voice and words of God, we cannot be changed into the image of God.  We will look more like us (selfish, loud, high maintenance, etc.) and less like Him.  Many churches today treat the Word like one of many sources of truth.  It is the illustration for great truths that are gleaned from the stories of men's lives.  When the "truth" of God stops being taught and known, we stop looking like God and ultimately we not only forget our purpose.  We have no way of living it out.

The Word is not a textbook for better living.  It is not an optional add-on.  It is not a source of tips and it is not your owner's manual.  It is God's voice - living and active.  It is God's TRUTHS for today, yesterday, and tomorrow which through His Spirit change us into His image so we can reflect His greatness to the world.  Open it and listen ... He is speaking and His desire and design has and will always be for you to reflect His image.  What a deal!  What a beautiful bride we can be!

^{Mark 14:35} And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. ³⁶ And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

When we first learn how to pray - it is simple.  We are talking to the Father - so we just talk.  Over the course of time, as we begin to learn to pray, we are often made aware of wrong ways to pray.  For instance, we learn that lying to God is not good.  We also watch bad teachers on TV and we learn that just because we believe something doesn't mean God has to do it.  As we grow, we learn more and more about prayer.  This is good.  However, if we are not careful, all our learning can keep us from praying how God intends - as Jesus prayed.  The more we learn it seems that praying honestly is hard.  Really praying and knowing how to simply come before the Father, can become so complicated.  If we are not "careful" - our learnedness - can paralyze our prayers.

Jesus taught his disciples a model prayer (Matthtew 6:9-13) but it was how he modeled prayer that truly taught them and us how to pray.  One of those examples - is in the garden the last night of his life.  Here in this grove of olive trees, He comes to the ultimate crossroads of faith.  Will He follow the will of His Father and trust Him fully?  Or, will He allow fear and what if to move His trust from the Father to His flesh.  We come to this same crossroads fairly often.  And, what's most amazing - our Father in heaven has given us prayer for these occasions to increase our faith and trust in Him.  However, if we "learned prayers" are not careful - our "careful" prayers can keep us from having to trust our Father in heaven.   Look at Jesus as He prays ...

"he fell on the ground" ... He is undone and physically throws Himself on the ground.

"the hour might pass" ... He prays for this "hour" to pass even though He has looked forward to this hour His whole ministry (John 2:4; 7:30; 8:20; 12:23, 27; 13:1).

"Remove this cup" ... He asks for His becoming sin (II Cor. 5:21) and the consequences of this (His suffering, death, and separation from God) to not happen.

Jesus is brutally honest.  He does not hold back. He lays out a very risky and non-careful prayer.  However, as we examine His whole prayer we see that He teaches us how to pray in faith, trusting God, fully risking - yet submitted ultimately to the Father's will.

As we grow, we learn that God can do all things.  This is a truth Jesus prays - “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you."  As we grow, we often learn that His will must come first.  This is a truth Jesus prays - "Yet not what I will, but what you will.”   However, as we grow, we often unlearn how to pray honestly.  Why do we unlearn this?  Let me give you my reasons.  Some may apply to you.  

I don't want to get disappointed when God doesn't "come through" the way I wanted Him to.  I don't want to get hurt when He doesn't seem to do what His Word says He longs to do.  [My wife and I prayed for years that we would get pregnant (seemingly God's will in Genesis 1:28, Ps. 127:3) yet we could not.  This hurt and seemed that God was not fulfilling a promise.  I mean, we were not asking for a Hummer - just a kid.]  There are other reason we fail to pray honestly.  We do hear false teachers saying "if we believe then we will receive it.  It is a fact!"  We know scripture and experience does not validate this teaching.  Over time, I have learned to pray something like this for needs - "God you can do all things even this - however, not my will but yours."  This is a good prayer and a prayer with biblical support.  However, it doesn't appear to be how Jesus taught and modeled prayer for His disciples and us.

His prayer went like this - "God you can do all things - please do this - please do this! Your will Lord, not mine.  My prayers - maybe our prayers have become too safe.  They sound like this - "Lord you can but if you don't that's ok because Your will is what matters."  If we never risk our hearts when we pray are we faithing God?  Jesus taught us to pray in faith and this is echoed in James 1:6-8.  ⁶ But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. ⁷ For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; ⁸ he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.   Wow - we are commanded to pray in faith, honestly - believing He can and even that He will if it something His Word oks or does not prohibit.  What happens when He doesn't answer our prayer this way?  Are we setting ourselves up for disappointment and not trusting God?  Let me ask you a question God has asked me recently - "Has praying safely increased your faith in Me (God)?"  My answer - "no".  It has made me not want to pray for things honestly.  Here's why I think God asks us to pray honestly - in faith.

First, when we pray honestly and in faith, we are being obedient.  It is just how God said to pray.  He does not promise we will always get what we want.  But, when we pray in faith He does get what He wants - you and I more dependent on Him.  Hebrews 11:6 says - And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.  Our life in Christ is all about trusting Him.  That is how we come into relationship with Him - by faith.  It is how we grow in our relationship with Him - by faith.  It is how we live in Him - by faith.  If it is all about me trust God more - why can't I see that prayer is an avenue to increase my total dependence on God.   Second, when we pray in faith, we trust God not just with getting our way but with the protection of our heart and mind (Phil 4:6-7).  We are saying "God you can - please do this - your will over all this because I want to trust you more.  If you say yes - let me see you are my only provider.  If you say no - let me see your are all wise and your plan is for your glory foremost.  If you say - not now - let me wait patiently trusting you will protect my heart and mind in Christ Jesus.  Bottom line - we will never be moved to more trust in God if we are always giving God an out in our prayers.  He doesn't need an out - we do! 

Jesus prayed honest - gut wrenching prayers.  He did not pray safe "may the best team" win type prayers.  In doing so, He was forced to trust His Father in the most crucial crossroads of His life.  It led to obedience and it led to God's glory being displayed on the cross and in the life of those He has redeemed.  Aren't you glad He was honest in His prayer that night.  Go ahead - give it a try! - john