In response to Kristie’s proclamation, it seemed somewhat pompous to declare that “she” has it wrong and “I” had it right.   If truth does not matter, or if it is determined in my our own minds, how could I say that my opinion is any more righteous than her opinion – or vice versa?   Even though I had previously tried, it was impossible to have a relevant discussion about Jesus, until we establish that there is a universal truth established by a universal God.

However, if absolute truth exists outside of our minds, then there cannot be seven billion different interpretations on this earth.    If truth has an origin outside of my opinion, then and only then, can I say a certain belief or action is right or wrong.   In that scenario, I am not assuming my opinion is better, but I am being a messenger for a pre-set and self-existing standard of truth.  In that scenario, the paradigm has shifted from being a journey of ‘self-discovery’ to one of ‘God-discovery’.  In order to make such a declaration, I must have a few things in place.

1. External evidence of truth which transcends a Mexican standoff of opinion equality.    (Scripture itself and Creation in general)

AND

2. An attitude which does not exalt my opinion above her opinion.    (Genuine love and compassion)

One of the taglines of In Focus has been “Truth in Large Doses”.   It is essential that we seek truth, not as defined by ourselves, but as defined by the Creator of truth (Genesis 1-3).    Furthermore, it is possible to mentally understand truth, while failing to live and communicate truth.    How many times have the most bold proclamations of gospel truth been lacking love and compassion and consistency?   In other words, how many times have we proclaimed the right message in the wrong way?   I see a few possible dangers at this point.

1. We can berate the lost with Scripture as our weapon under the guise that Scripture will not return void.
2. We can try to become so ‘loving’ and so ‘compassionate’ that we fail to adequately declare truth at all.

Both of these responses are wrong when we are trying to be right.   We must confidently give an answer of our Hope, without elevating ourselves with pride.   Becoming ‘unashamed of the gospel’ is an Art not a Science.   It is an Art that the Holy Spirit teaches, not one that is ‘canned’ in a 4 step gospel tract.

My spiritual conversations with Kristie have been ongoing for several years.    The nature of our relationship is one where these conversations will continue.   I have no idea whether the Holy Spirit will lift the veil on her eyes so she can see truth.   However, I do pray for this.    I also pray for God’s wisdom for not only the right message, but also the right medium.   I ask that you would join me in praying to this end.

Blessings

- JC

The Inner Twirl

1.  It should be normal in the body of Christ to confess our sins to one another (James 5:16).  Why are we reticent to admit that we are struggling with sin in our lives?  Mothers may struggle with a complaining spirit.  Dads may struggle with self-discipline.  Teens may struggle with fears.  No matter who we are we all stumble in our daily walk and need one another’s help to get up again.  The Greek word used in James 5:16  for “confess” means to acknowledge something that is already true.  The fact that all of us have to fight against sin in our lives is true so why don’t we stop hiding our secret battles and speak up about our needs?

2.  It should be normal in the body of Christ to encourage one another (2 Corinthians 13:11).  Encouragement means taking another person’s concerns seriously and giving her “courage” to keep doing what God wants her to do.  When I acknowledge the validity of my friend’s struggle and come alongside her with God’s truth in word and action, I hold her hand in the battle against the world, the flesh and the devil.  And I hope she will do the same for me.

3.  It should be normal in the body of Christ to read the Bible together.  Paul commands corporate Bible reading in 1 Thessalonians 5:27, but reading the Bible together doesn’t have to be limited to formal church gatherings.  Bible reading can happen at backyard barbecues too.  Opening God’s Word, reading a few verses and discussing them together ought to be as natural to Christians as talking about State of Origin football.

4. It should be normal in the body of Christ to pray together (James 5:16).  How often do we tell a brother or sister  “I’ll be praying for you” when we could just bring it before the throne of grace together on the spot?  One of my most tender recollections of spiritual encouragement was when our family was on missionary deputation.  Discouragement and insecurity must have been written all over my face as a grandfatherly figure approached me in the midst of the Sunday morning crowd.  Putting his arm around my shoulders he simply prayed for me, committing my family and our needs to the Lord in prayer.  Two minutes later he was gone.  But that shaft of heavenly light warms me to this day.  Prayer like that should not be unusual amongst the family of God.

Let’s leave our awkwardness and Aussie bravado behind.  Let’s open our hearts to encourage and be encouraged.  Let’s turn those coffee dates and backyard barbecues into moments of heavenly fellowship.

** Aussie Barbecue photo by Ladymaggic at Flickr

What should a Bible-believing Christian do when he or she finds himself or herself attracted to a person of the same sex?

The Gay Christian movement answers, “If you have feelings for that person, go for it.  There is nothing wrong with a monogamous loving relationship regardless of sexual orientation.”

But that conclusion ignores the plain meaning of Scripture when it says, “Male and female He created them.”

Aussie Bible-Believer, who commented on my last post on this topic declares: “There is NO verse to prove that God loves Sodomites . . . give them some hell-fire preaching which they and the rest of this country needs [sic].”

However, “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son” clearly has no exception clauses—either for “Sodomites” or for those who hate them.  God’s love for the world covers the most obscene and the most seemingly benign of sinners.   Aussie Bible-Believer has forgotten that “fornication and lewdness” (not just the homosexual variety either!) is listed with “hatred and outbursts of wrath” in disqualifying us for the kingdom of God.  In the book of Proverbs pride is listed multiple times while homosexuality is not even mentioned.  If mere cowering at the wrath of God were enough to purge homosexual feelings, same-sex attraction wouldn’t be such a hot topic.

So what should a man do when his feelings for other men just won’t go away?  Or what should a woman do when her feelings for other women persist?

Take a look at this website:  http://www.truefreedomtrust.co.uk/

 True freedom Trust (TfT) is a confidential Christian support and teaching ministry for men and women who accept the Bible’s prohibition of same-sex practice and yet are aware of same-sex attractions, or struggle with other sexual and relational issues. We also offer support to families, friends and church leaders of those who face these issues in their lives.

 Based in the UK, TfT offers help for both homosexuals and those who want to help them.  Clearly taking the stand that “any sexual relationship outside of marriage between one man and one woman falls short of God’s plan for His creation”, TfT also questions the assumption that healing for a person with same-sex attraction means replacing it with opposite sex attraction.  TfT contends that “contentment and wholeness are found by trusting and following Jesus Christ, rather than being defined by the absence of same-sex attractions.”  The fact that the ministry was founded in 1977 by Martin Hallett, who himself lived a homosexual lifestyle until Christ radically transformed his life in 1972, lends real credibility to the message of TfT.

I don’t know of any ministries like this in Australia, but perhaps some of you do.  Please let us all know in the comments section.  Helping a brother or sister who struggles with sexuality is following the command to “bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

I didn’t fully understand it then – but I do now.  My mother was modeling and teaching truth every day.  Only a servant would spend two hours in the car each day driving back and forth from school.  She used that time to share her faith and to encourage me to ask the big questions of life.  She showed me how you could rise above the immediate trouble and see God’s purpose.  She helped me to see the preciousness of others.

To my own mother – I love you and I am thankful for you.  To mothers – know that your children are learning from you every day.  Before they can talk and read they have the opportunity to learn about God through your reactions and through your actions.   Above the tears and the sleepless nights – your children will rise up and call you blessed (Proverbs 31:28).

~ Jeremy

“You’d have to be blind not to see it!”

“The fact that you can’t see your wrong is worse than the wrong itself!”

These are the kinds of thoughts that sometimes go through my head as I interact with a person I believe has wronged me or hurt me.

In the home, in the church, in the workplace—we all have situations where we are absolutely sure that the other person is wrong. We can see it. Others can see it. But the person themselves simply cannot see it… or won’t.

It’s frustrating. It’s disheartening. We might be tempted to just give up on the relationship and walk away… but then there’s the gospel.

The patient Father

We don’t do this type of thing to God, right? Go for days, weeks, or even years totally blind to the ways in which we are wronging him? Unable to see our wrongs… or unwilling to?

Of course if you’re a believer, you have already admitted that you, like me, do exactly that. Yet the Father patiently bears with us, gently teaching and at times chastening.

The patient Son

Jesus Christ was patient with us as well. In fact, his work on the cross was immediately preceded by thirty odd years of living with us rebels. Throughout the entire process of his atonement work, we were there demonstrating our defiance at every turn as if to rub his face in the shame of the sin he was bearing in our place.

But he patiently taught, gently rebuked, and loving restored us time after time, all the while his face set steadfastly toward the cross.

The patient Spirit

Perhaps more striking than either of the above is the Spirit of God who lives in us and bears with our spiritual insensibility day after day. How we must grieve him as we move through our days with repeated manifestations of our inner rebellion.

But the Spirit is patient with us. He bears with us. He gently convicts and patiently reminds us of the truth time after time.

Living it

It may take time for others to see things that we see clearly. It may take time for others to realise the ways in which they have wronged us. Even when people admit wrongs against us, there is no guarantee that it won’t happen again.

Living the gospel means being patient with others just as God has been patient with us.

May God help us to live this grace.

Written several years ago while watching a family interact in a busy airport terminal.

Parental love is firm. It rebukes and confronts in spite of personal discomfort. It rebukes again.

Parental love is patient. It explains that which should be obvious. And then it explains again.

Parental love is gracious. It forgives the failure that bespeaks hopeless stupidity. And it forgives again.

Parental love is understanding. It stoops to soothe the irrational fear. It bothers to comfort the petty hurt. Over and over again.

Parental love is the realm of the pastor, the parent, the counsellor, the mentor. Parental love is undeserved and usually unacknowledged.

Of all things the human heart may experience, parental love is most God-like.

Grace to you.

The name was unusual. I’ve seen some interesting and even bizarre names in all of my teaching years but this one really surprised me. Her name was Precious.

 Precious. What does that word mean? My dictionary says “of great value, costly, of great non-material worth, beloved”

It made me think on the circumstances for parents to name their daughter, Precious.

I wasn’t to know or even ask the details but it gave me cause for contemplation. Maybe they had troubles leading up to the conception of their child, or complications during the pregnancy, or a difficult birth. Maybe even a family death or drama at the time of her birth. Maybe the circumstances weren’t anything extraordinary. Maybe she was just wanted and her parents were eagerly waiting for her to join the family.

Whatever it was- she was named such, because of her parents’ view. They knew what they knew and to them – she was precious. Maybe they knew what God knows- that every child is precious.

All of us have children around us- whether we are parents, teachers, coaches, pastors, Sunday School or Youth Group workers. We all have opportunities to live our lives in the presence of children.

Parents- mothers and fathers…. When’s the last time you looked into the eyes of your children and saw how precious they are- not just look at their outward behaviour or their attitude that needs working on….but look at them as a human being, created by a good God who gives good gifts?

Those who teach and minister to children… when did you last look at those children under your instruction and then act in a way that demonstrates that they are precious?

If we did this, I’m sure it would change how we train, discipline or spend time with them. It may change the way we go about giving instruction. We might even lose some of our tense and uptight “adultness” and slow down a bit.

Enjoy the years. Enjoy the time. Enjoy the moments of spilled milk, falls off bikes, more paracetamol for a coughing child or teaching that lesson yet again. Enjoy them.

Parents, ask any person who has lost what you have and you will know what it means to see your child as precious.

You don’t have to name your child, Precious. He or she just is.

Your job is to treat them like they are.

 “By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.” Proverbs 24:3,4

You can broach just about any subject with me and I’m willing to listen and consider other perspectives… usually.

There’s one thing that tends to get in the way of my open mind. That’s when someone has a go at someone I love. Don’t get me wrong. I’m still willing to talk about those things and I try to still keep an open mind. But it’s different.

If I were discussing yesterday’s weather, I’d be willing to abandon my preconceived notions and consider any evidence and any theory with an open mind. You could say there’d be about a 95% openness to alternate conclusions.

But when I’m discussing something closely connected to a personal relationship, it’s different. While I’d still be willing to consider any evidence and any theory, I would do so with a certain reserve. You could say there’d be about a 5% openness to alternate conclusions.

In other words, I’m still honest with myself. And I love truth more than my current views. But on the other hand, if you want to convince me to turn my back on those I trust and love, you’ll have to build a fairly solid case before I’m going to make any adjustments to my views.

Why? It’s simple. Relationship.

Of relationship

My relationships construct a zone of solidity in my world. That’s not to say I’m closed minded in regard to them. It’s just that I’m much more guarded once I’m inside that zone.

This reality is not lost on modern society. Sociologists and psychologists tend to recognise and affirm its validity and even necessity. Philosophers and Academics tend to spend their lives wishing it weren’t so. But what about theologians?

Firm belief

One theologian argued from this position when he said to his protégé “continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it.”¹

Paul appealed to Timothy based partially on relationships. The action he defended was to “continue.” Don’t change. Why? Because this is a category of ideas that is “firmly believed.” This firmness of belief is the result, Paul argues, of the relationships through which these things were learned.

What relationships are these? Well, I suppose Paul and Barnabas, his mother and grandmother, the elders in the church there, etc. But ultimately, all of these linked directly back to a relationship with one person—Jesus Christ. And this is where we’ve been headed.

The open minded Christian

I’m open minded. I’m honest with myself. And I love the truth more than any position I hold. But if you begin to question the core, fundamental teachings of Jesus Christ,² you are in the zone.

I will consider your views. I will consider them carefully. After all, I could have a mistaken understanding of the message of God’s Word. But I will consider them with a level of reserve. Why? Because there is a personal relationship in the picture here. There is loyalty.

This throws a spanner in the epistemological works. The rationalists have never quite known what to do with it. The calm discussion about ideas is completely upended by the the personification of those ideas in the person of Jesus Christ.

We walk by faith

Loyalty may skew my objectivity, but there is a word for that—faith. Not an irrational, blind faith. Rather, a rational faith that gives sight to blind eyes. A faith in a historical, real, living person.

In our quest for objectivity and academic integrity, let us not forget the person of Christianity. It is this person who makes Christianity what it is. Without this person, we are lost. But with him, we not only have the joy of friendship with Jesus Christ, but we also have a living defence of the faith.

Continue.

.

We sat at an outside table at a restaurant somewhere in North QLD.

At a table next to us was a family with two young boys, they couldn’t have been more than 3 and 4 years old.

Things started out very pleasantly (as they usually do).

The next thing I hear (I promise I wasn’t trying to listen, it was impossible not to hear) was the father telling the older boy ‘Just have a sip of beer, that’s all‘.

A few minutes later the father said ‘That’s enough beer. You can have some more at home.’ This was followed by some protests from the child.

As the night wore on the boys became more restless and despite the father’s empty threats and raised voice, there was no correction or firm action on his part. The kids did what they pleased. At least the food arrived so that gave them (and us) a temporary distraction.

All the while my 16 month old Michael was looking on. He was riveted by the exchanges of our fellow diners.

The family next to us were well dressed and affluent. They were not alcoholics and no doubt loved their children. In the father’s eyes a sip of beer was not going to inebriate his four year old or do any harm.

But the cycle of child-focused, ‘give them whatever they want’ parenting philosophy had reared its ugly head.

There were some benefits to us witnessing those little exchanges. In fact we saw a microcosm of that family’s daily relations and interactions, let there be no doubt.

In truth, we learned a great deal.

It reminded me to remain vigilant as a parent. The most loving thing I can do for my son is to set boundaries for his temporal and eternal good. Most of all this pleases God, regardless of the results of such parenting.

I did however feel sadness for the world the parents were creating for those two little boys: shifting boundaries that change as long as I keep demanding my own way.

Our God, the Heavenly Father is not weak, but is strong. He is not absent, disinterested or too busy for us. He follows through on His promises and warnings, and will actively chasten or reward, depending on our responses and the circumstances we find ourselves in.

God does not bend the rules to fit our rebellion but gives grace to obey His expectations and to live within His framework if we are willing to bow the knee.

When fathers lovingly lead their children they are actually preparing them to enter a relationship with the Heavenly Father through His Son Jesus Christ.

So don’t send your children conflicting signals about who God really is and what He is really like. God is not weak, inconsistent or reckless with us. He is loving, firm and always dependable.

So reliable you can trust Him with your soul.

All human fathers are prone to such weaknesses of character, habits or choices. But the redeemed ones have divine resources to make up for the difference.

By Robert Apps