Consuming Love

So I ran across this quote from David Shibley the other day. Not sure where I read it, but I hung on to it and have been processing it for a good while now. "God is not calling us to win the world and, in the process, lose our families. But I have known those who so enshrined family life and were so protective of ‘quality time’ that the children never saw the kind of consuming love that made their parents’ faith attractive to them. Some have lost their children, not because they weren’t at their soccer games or didn’t take family vacations, but because they never transmitted a loyalty to Jesus that went deep enough to interrupt personal preferences.”


To be honest, family life and ministry life has always been an interesting and challenging combination. I have been doing ministry quite a bit longer than 'family', so I knew there would be a definite adjustment factor for me. Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 7 speak about it being good for a man not to marry. Most theologians have traditionally interpreted the first two verses of the passage to show that Paul is suggesting celibacy as a higher calling than marriage. The usual explanation - especially for those in ministry - is the greater opportunity to dedicate themselves entirely to the Lord. The church fathers taught this view and it impacted the Roman Catholic Church as they forbade their clergy to marry, so as to not keep them from their higher calling.

This explanation has always been troublesome because at the beginning of time God said “it is not good for man to be alone” and in a sinless world instituted marriage. Since then it would seem that marriage has been the norm for Christians.

But there is little doubt in my mind that a life lived on mission can quickly and easily be distracted... by so many things, family being just one of those. Yet the calling to mission includes the family and I would say even goes out from the family. How can I lead others to do what I'm not leading my family to do?

I desperately desire for my wife and children see the consuming love I so often preach about. A love for Christ that compels my life and calling as a husband, father and pastor to go into the world with the love of Christ.

Caught rather than taught... it's a great teaching principle that has to be applied to how I live out my faith before my family and those around me. Words become meaningless devoid of action. God asks for the faith He has given us to be expressed through a life of selfless devotion to the cause of Christ and for the sake of the Gospel.

Jesus trained His disciples in an amazing way for the work He would have them accomplish following His departure. He did not gather His disciples in a formal classroom and begin to lecture. Instead, Jesus did His teaching “on the way” (and thus explaining why the early Christians were called "Followers of The Way"). The roadways of life was Jesus' classroom. He communicated His principles, values and mission right in the middle of daily experiences. The real beauty of our Lord’s teaching is that He taught and led by example. He fleshed out in His own life what He expected His followers to do.

Shibley's final sentence, "A loyalty to Jesus that goes deep enough to interrupt personal preferences"... even family life is so incredibly challenging. But if I want my three boys to 'get it' than I have to 'live it'... only by His grace and solely for His glory!

We want A king... not THE KING!

So I realize I haven't been as active in the blogging world as of late. It probably has more to do with the addition to the family, ministry responsibilities and other things that would make a pretty long list, but I'll spare you. And I don't ever write feeling I have something to say that others need to read, as much as I write because I need to read! This serves as my online journal I guess.

Anyhow, I was reading in 1 Samuel 8 the other day and was really struck by the request of the people... God's chosen people for leadership. In verse 5 the elders met with Samuel and said, "Give us A king to judge us like all the other nations have." Seems an innocent request at first glance. We want to have a king to rule us, and why not, everyone else does.

But then Samuel's reply, "Samuel was displeased with their request and went to the Lord for guidance." I just have to wonder why the elders from all the tribes didn't do this in the first place. For generations, God had spoken to, led, provided for, instructed and cared for His people. Yet the lure of "having what everyone else had" became too great, yet again, in their life. God answers Samuel by saying, "They don't want me THE King any longer. So give them what they want."

Before I get to critical of the Israelites, I had to do a little soul searching. How many times have I said - verbally or non-verbally, intentionally or non-intentionally - "I want A king, not THE King!" So, thousands of years later, not only does the pattern continue among God's chosen people, but it is even evident in my own life. It is so tempting to look around and see what the world offers and desire their king(s) over the one and only King.

For as much as we all push against authority, we're still always asking for it. As much as we want freedom, we ultimately by our choices end up as slaves. But the distinction isn't in having authority - it's being able to select what authority we fall under. Do we live in humble obedience, a life pleasing to THE King? Or are we out looking to set up our own kingdom with our own king? It doesn't matter what king we are bowing down to - the king of popularity, power, prestige... the list goes on and on and on.

As that passage continues you can hear the heartbreak in God's response. He basically recounts His faithfulness and love for His people and their continued fickleness, abandonment and downright rejection. How it must break the heart of God when we decide we would rather have a king over the King of kings!

Welcome to the world Cole Hunter!

Well allow me the "proud papa" moment to share the exciting news. At 1:24pm we welcomed into the world Cole Hunter Veleber. He weighs 6 lbs 12 oz and is 19 inches long. What a blessing from the Lord! Here's some pics!

Time

Four letters that make up the word 'time'. A pretty small word with pretty big implications. I guess the word time has hit me this morning due to circumstances. I woke up with no real schedule today, no giant to-do list, having some goals for today and in a different city. I'm writing this sitting in a Starbucks in Vestavia Hills, Alabama after taking a cool journey down memory lane last night with a good friend of mine here in Birmingham.

It is perplexing to me, yet refreshing at the same time. I had some great time in the Word this morning continuing looking at the life of Job - which by the way, I had an awesome opportunity to preach on in church on Sunday. If you're interested in hearing what God put on my heart, click here: http://www.wildwoodpca.org/230444.ihtml

The title of my sermon was "Comfortable Suffering" an oxymoron I guess. Yet so much of what my heart desires when I think suffering. Remember God brought me on this journey after reading the words of Paul in Philippians 3, "I once thought all these things were so very important, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I may have Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own goodness or my ability to obey God's law, but I trust Christ to save me. For God's way of making us right with himself depends on faith. As a result, I can really know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I can learn what it means to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that, somehow, I can experience the resurrection from the dead! I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection! But I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ Jesus saved me for and wants me to be."

I must say it is pretty difficult for me to get away from this concept of suffering when you look at the life of Christ, his followers, early church fathers and really the rest of the world (outside America) where authentic Christianity is lived out. God is still teaching me and speaking to me through this passage, but more on that later.

Back to time. I really believe God called me to get away this week. I do have some things to do... I'm taking a class on the Westminster Confession back at Beeson with Dr. Bray. I'm using this week to study for my ordination exams. UGH. But I really believe it will (and already has been) more than that.

God's been calling me to some unhurried, uninterrupted (as you could imagine is pretty difficult in the life of student ministry and even at home with 2 boys and another on the way) with Him. Jesus journeyed into the wilderness for some intense time of prayer and fasting with His Father. He often retreated to the mountain for times of reflection and prayer. Retreat. Renewal. Refuge. And then this 't' word... Time.

I must say that this journey has been difficult so far, but very refreshing to my soul. I've seen God sustain me in ways I haven't in awhile. I've heard Him speak to my heart more clearly. His Word has come alive to me in so many ways. Ultimately I've rediscovered my need for Him and to be with Him. And I say rediscovered because it's not like I didn't know that before, but you know how that goes.

My prayer today is that "we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18)

The Journey

God has called me to follow Him a journey this New Year. Not that I haven't always been on a journey with Him, but I guess to travel down a new path. I've been sensing the calling and restless for a little while now, but in my true, typical nature... trying to out-think and maneuver things on my own. But God even this morning confirmed that He wants me to go. I don't know much beyond that, but am excited about what He is calling me to and hope to be able to share more as the journey continues.

This New Year, God put before me Paul's words in Philippians 3:10-11, "I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead." I haven't been able to move from the thoughts of what it means to really know Christ and can't even really get my mind around the idea of sharing in His sufferings. I think that is in part to being an American Christ-follower.

And I've had to face the natural trepidations that come with the idea of going on this journey knowing the word "suffering" is potentially on the path. Then in doing a little more exploring God led me to an earlier passage in Paul's same letter where he said, I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. (1:20-24).

Ah, much more comforting... moving from suffering to simply facing death. I read passages and statements in Scripture like these and sometimes have to wonder if the modern church, average Christian or closer to home - even myself can even grasp what it means to follow Christ. I almost said to follow Christ at that level, but realized for Paul it was just following Christ they way Jesus intended and even modeled for us Himself in His relationship with the Father.

But the journey starts with the first step... so, off I go.

Germany Mission 1

Well I've made it over here to Germany and have finally adjusted after being awake for about 30 hours or so. The time change was pretty killer and the plane ride was not all that relaxing. But God has been so faithful so far in giving us opportunities to praise His name and share the Gospel. The context for being a pastor here seems incredibly difficult. Many small churches and seeing a convert not only takes a huge commitment of time, but from what I hear are few and far between. Tomorrow we sing in the Cologne Dom which is an incredible privilege. Not many groups get the opportunity to sing in such a historic place. I'm praying it will generate some good conversations afterward, but I'm finding my German to be pretty rough since the last time I was here was about 4 years ago.

The weather is freezing and it has been snowing off and on since we have been here. I've taken some great pics, but forgot my USB cable to do some uploading so I could post them. Maybe I can find someone else with one. If you are reading this, say a quick prayer for me and our team that the Gospel would go forth whether in word or song and we would be faithful laborers to sow the seeds of hope! Prais sei zu Gott

The Pursuit

Everyone wants to be a hero... to make their life count... to do something with their life. I'm no different. I tend to dwell on this theme of significance, as does this generation that I'm tasked to minister to. There is something God-given and God-inspired at our very core that desires to matter.

Sadly we search for significance by pursing pleasures in this world, gathering 'toys', seeking prestige, positioning for power and the list goes on and on. We miss that our significance is found in Christ alone - in a person, but I would argue in our pursuit of Him as well.

In 1 Timothy 4:10 Paul writes "For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe."

That verse is incredibly challenging to me in my journey. My pursuit of Christ will not be easy! Living a life that matters will be filled with toil and strive. Why do I do the things that I do? Why do I want my life to matter?

I continue on in the pursuit because in it is this unbearable weight of His presence. This overwhelming thought of being found in Christ and made like Christ makes me want to smile, cry, rejoice, feel crushed, rejoice and mourn all at the same time.

The thing that is disturbing to me about making our goal = significance is that our very attempts to matter and achieve oftentimes fight against the very simple truth that Christ simply wants us to pursue Him. Period. Be found in Him. Period. I'm learning that it isn't that He doesn't care about the results or the goal, but that He is the result and the goal!

A lot of our heroes of the faith that loved our great God and King and were obedient beyond the norm didn't quite get the goal they were probably hoping for:

* Moses spends his whole life with grumbling, whiners and dies without getting to walk into the promise land.
* Samson suicide bombs the Philistines and when the dust settles he is dead and the Philistines still rule over Israel.
* David's son rapes his sister and leads a rebellion against David, dethroning him for a season.
* Jeremiah ends up in exile with the rest of the country after repeatedly getting beaten for preaching what God commanded him to preach.
* John the Baptist is beheaded by a pervert who gives his head to a 15-year-old stripper.
* Peter is killed, reportedly crucified upside down.
* Paul is killed in Rome but only after he spends his life (with thorn intact) being beaten, rejected, lost at sea, and consistently dealing with people coming in behind him and destroying what he built.

I read it this way recently, "If your hope is set on anything other than Him, how do you survive when it goes bad? If He is the goal, the treasure, the pursuit, then those things are fuel that presses you into His goodness and grace all that much more. I am not saying they are pleasant or enjoyable but only that if He is your goal you will find your faith sustained."

My I be found obedient and passionate in the pursuit of a God who is more faithful in pursuing me than I ever could be in pursuing Him! Soli Deo Gloria!