I Love My Church!

In recent years, "The Church" has taken a bad rap. Books such as Quitting Church: Why the Faithful are Fleeing and What to Do about It and So You Don't Want to Go to Church Anymore? remind us that many people don't think too highly of "The Church."

I want to go on record of saying that I LOVE my church (which is one of a multitude of local expressions of "The Church"). And I am not alone. Jesus Christ also loves my church. One of several New Testament metaphors for "The Church" is that of "the Bride of Christ." Jesus loves "The Church" (and therefore each local expression of "The Church") because "The Church" is HIS bride! He died for her and He is at work in her "to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless" (Ephesians 5:26-27). Did you catch that? "The Church" (and again, read here - my church as one of its local expressions) is not perfect! Jesus Himself is working on her so that one day yet future she WILL be perfect. But until that day "The Church" will not be perfect - but rather a "work in progress!"

So bottom line, my church is not perfect. I know this to be true (for starters, I am part of my church and I know far too well that I am FAR from perfect!). But I still love my church -- warts and all. I hope you love yours, too because Jesus surely does!

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

Buddah? God? Or Something Else?

Ram Bahadur Bamjan sits quietly in the jungles of southern Nepal. But he doesn't sit alone. In spite of being only 18 years old, Bamjan has attracted thousands of followers. And just what is it about this teen with the flowing locks and white robe that has garnered the adoration of so many? The crowds come because they believe him to be the reincarnation of Buddha. But for many - he's even more! Here is what a few of his followers have said about Bamjan:

"I got a chance to see God today. They say he is Buddha, but for me he is just God."
(Bishnu Maya Khadka, a housewife)

"I have no doubt in my mind he is a God." (Meg Bahadur Lama, a local farmer)

So what are these people basing their judgment about Bamjan's identity upon? Just what is the evidence they cite for making such a claim? They believe Bamjan has been meditating without food and water since he was first spotted in the jungles of southern Nepal in 2005. Wow! That's about three years (or 1095 days). If true that would be quite the feat, especially considering that Jesus only went 40 days without eating! I wonder if he is under observation 24/7/365. My guess is he is sneaking in food and water when no one's watching!

So really - who is this guy who many believe to be a reincarnation of Buddha or even God? I don't know. But I do know who he is NOT. And he is neither Buddha reincarnate nor God. Concerning reincarnation - the Bible clearly states that "man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment" (Hebrews 9:27). So according to God's Word, it's once and done when it comes to the life we live on this earth. And concerning the deity of this teen, only one individual who ever walked this earth could make a legitimate claim to deity - and his name is Jesus (for an excellent article on the evidence for Christ's deity, see: http://www.leaderu.com/orgs/probe/docs/deityofx.html; also for a briefer read see: http://www.equip.org/site/c.muI1LaMNJrE/b.2548425/k.82B9/Deity_of_Christ.htm).

I am saddened by this spiritual darkness that manifests itself in the belief that an 18 year old man is a reincarnated "holy man" or even God! But we can be encouraged that Jesus Christ is the Light of the World -- and light always conquers darkness!

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

The Fragrance of Gratitude

Years ago an incident occurred on the Metro in Washington, DC in which a crowded subway train stalled on the tracks. Before stalling, the riders were dozing, reading or just "zoning out." But once the train stalled (and stayed stalled) - the harried commuters, all anxious to get to their homes, exploded. They noisily vented their anger and frustration. They blamed the driver, the Metro authorities, the federal government and anyone else that came to mind for this irritating disruption of their day. Somewhere in the midst of this growing bedlam, a woman holding a number of bulky bags from her day of shopping, dropped one of them containing a bottle of perfume she had purchased. The bottle shattered, releasing into the air the perfume's pure, luxurious fragrance. As this sweet smell made its way through the crowded car, the people sniffed, smiled and then relaxed. They began to laugh about their situation. What was once seen as horrible was now "no big deal!"

As followers of Jesus walking through the crowded moments of life, we can do the same as this woman who dropped her perfume. People all around us are frustrated and angry with the irritating circumstances and details of life. By being positive (and not in a Pollyanna sort of way!) we can release a sweet fragrance of hope that people need to smell. And one of the greatest ways to release such a fragrance is to work on being thankful. Far too many Jesus followers (and I count myself among them) tend to complain about life -- when we of all people should be thankful about life! After all, the author of life is our Lord, our Saviour and our Friend. So -- spread the fragrance of hope by cultivating an attitude of gratitude in your life today!

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

Back in Town with Some Random Thoughts

I am glad to be back in Lancaster! My time in Indiana was VERY productive. Grace College/Seminary are alive and well ... but are facing some challenges given the current recession in which we find ourselves. But with great leadership at the helm and God on His throne - I am optimistic concerning the future of Grace Schools.

Since I am still digging out of the pile of work that accumulated while I was gone, I thought that in lieu of a regular posting - I would post just a few random thoughts that are floating around in my head.

1. Seeing that today in Veterans Day - please take a moment to thank a vet and pray for the men and women in our military. Sharon and I gave a card to our son-in-law, who served in Iraq. We enjoy our freedoms in part due to the sacrifice of our service men and women.

2. Offering hospitality is a great way to demonstrate the love of Jesus (which is why we are commanded to do so - see Romans 12:13 and 1 Peter 4:9). I was on the receiving end of some very gracious hospitality during my time away in Indiana (thanks, Pat, Leslee, Alex and Ed!).

3. Relationships are so precious! I was reminded of this upon arriving in Indiana and spending time with some people I love for the first time in a long time. I was reminded again when I returned home to a hug and kiss from my best friend (a.k.a. my wife!). All of us could enrich our lives by making the relationships in our lives a greater priority (a quick read of the New Testament will affirm the same!).

4. In spite of the turbulent times (or probably better said, "BECAUSE of the turbulent times") - the opportunity to advance the gospel is growing! People are frightened and anxious about tomorrow. What a great time for us to come along and point them to the ONE who holds tomorrow in His hand!!!

I hope to get back to some "regular" spiritual meanderings tomorrow. Until then ...

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

On My Way to Indiana

Today I catch a mid-morning flight to Indianapolis. I am heading out to Indiana to attend the Board of Trustees meetings of Grace College and Grace Theological Seminary. The two schools are located in north-central Indiana, in the small resort town of Winona Lake. The Board is made up of about two dozen men and women from across the United States (and one member lives in Germany). We meet twice a year (March and November). Now I take this responsibility very seriously. The Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches (of which our church is a member) has entrusted the direction and well-being of these two schools to our Board. That is why we are called a Board of Trustees. We have been put in trust for these two schools. I also serve on the Board of Trustees of Hebrew Christian Fellowship. HCF is a board which focuses on reaching Jewish people for Christ. Again, our Board has been entrusted with the oversight of this mission.

In a similar way - every single follower of Jesus Christ has been entrusted with many things. But the most important is the GOSPEL. In 1 Thessalonians 2:4 we read, "On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts." So how are you handling this trust? Are your striving to live the gospel? Are you seeking to share the gospel?

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

PS - I will do my best to post from Indiana ... but the schedule is quite full so I may not be able to post until I return. I would very much appreciate your prayers for me and my fellow Board members. Thanks!

Today is D-Day!

Today millions of Americans will go to their local polling place to cast their vote (I just got back from voting). That means that more than likely by the time we all wake up tomorrow, we will know who will occupy the oval office for the next four years (We will also be able to say "good-bye - and good riddance! - to all the annoying campaign commercials that have flooded our television screens for the past year plus!). So today is Decision Day!

Now - no matter who wins the election, keep in mind that the ultimate King still rules. That's right. No matter who lives in White House, God remains firmly entrenched on His heavenly throne. And from there He is actively orchestrating the ebb and flow of human history. This is made clear in Daniel 2:21 where we read, "He (God Almighty) changes times and seasons; He sets up kings and deposes them." So the bottom line of today's election? Whoever wins - does so by permission of God Himself. God has a plan .... and he is working that plan! And as people of The Book - we have read the final chapter of God's plan which tells us that HE wins!

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

November's Here . . .

It might be hard to believe but I just confirmed it by looking a the date on my wrist watch - today is the third of November! And as I look out the window of my home office, I can see a carpet of golden leaves on my back lawn that says, "Ditto - it's November!" Personally, I think November is a great month - for many reasons. The football season is in high gear (football is my favorite sport) and the autumn colors are often spectacular. But the biggest reason that I like November is that it contains one of my favorite holidays - Thanksgiving Day.

As we approach Thanksgiving, you will probably find me posting some thoughts on the topic of gratitude. Giving thanks to God is probably the most underrated spiritual "discipline" in the toolbox of spiritual disciplines. It is simple to do yet profound in its affects. For starters, consider the following quote about the giving of thanks:

"Being thankful is not rocket science. Though the topic of gratitude goes as deep as the grace of God, it does not require tough biblical exegesis or advanced degrees to practice it. It just requires obedience. . . When we really give God thanks in everything, we are acknowledging that He is sovereign and that we trust Him. And we find that it changes us."
(Ellen Vaughn in Radical Gratitude, pp. 43-44)

Am I thankful for YOU?

You know it!

pj