Steadfast Hope

"'I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.'" ~John 16:33

One thing we all need in order to survive and endure trials is hope. Desperate times can make people do crazy things or just drive them into a deep, endless depression. Only through hope in Christ can people spot the light at the end of the tunnel and keep persevering day after day.

Today in the trailer park we opted to utilize our time by going to various individuals who had given their lives to Christ back in November to see how they were coping. Many of the people were in need of encouragement and a reminder of the power of the Holy Spirit within them. There was one couple that my heart just broke for because of the situation they are stuck in. Mold has overtaken much of their trailer, the furnace doesn't work, their pipes burst in the cold snap so they have no hot water, and there are cracks in the roof which allows rain into their home during every storm. The living conditions have really impacted their health, with the one guy battling laryngitis every morning, along with constant wheezing due to the mold irritating his asthma. What amazed me, though, was the fact that neither one of them were angry. Their response was pretty much, "It is what it is." They admitted to being frustrated and Jim tried to remind them that their hope was in Christ and that He would provide a way to a better situation. The only saving grace is that they have a car, so they aren't completely trapped in their trailer.

Another couple that we visited were struggling with limited mobility and no form of transportation. I honestly think that the woman has only been outside a handful of times in the past four months because she is in a wheelchair. She is hoping that a ramp will soon be installed so she can at least go around the trailer park and enjoy the fresh air, rather than just sitting inside and staring out the window. We asked how her heart was and she admitted that she was dealing with some depression because she couldn't get the thought of a fight she had with her mother before she died out of her head. I liked the spin that Jim put on it, though. He asked how many years they had spent together and she said 64. Jim then said that she should focus on the happiness within those 64 years as opposed to the 5 minute fight she was choosing to dwell on. Honestly, it's all a matter of perspective, and the only reason you fight with someone is because you love them.

It was amazing to see God working today and utilizing us to provide hope in a broken community. God can overcome any hardship and any disaster that befalls our lives if we just open up to Him and communicate through prayers, allowing the Holy Spirit into our hearts. 1 John 5:4 states that, "For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith." We must never forget that by our faith in Jesus Christ we have the power to tackle any obstacle along our path through life. Satan can try his best to wear us down and whisper lies to us in our despair, but through the power of our faith in Jesus, anything and everything can be conquered.

The Benefit of Close Proximity

For those who are unaware, I'm currently living in an RV in the Vanguard Trailer Park in Moonachie, NJ, so I'm learning about the numerous facets of close proximity. For instance, right now, I happen to be laying on my bunk and my head is literally about six inches from the ceiling, so I will be refraining from any sudden movements. I'm staying in this RV with my "adopted" parents (Jim and Jeni), which allows for some wonderful fellowship time when we aren't busy working on installing insulation, walking the dogs, or ministering to others in the park. Across the street lives Scooby, who has been kind enough to open his trailer for Bob to bunk there for a couple weeks as we all work together in Vanguard doing what we feel God has called us to do. On top of that, the first job we are working on, which will involve re-insulation, new drywall, and new floors, is literally right around the corner from where we are currently living. This all outlines the physical benefits of close proximity, but we learned tonight about the spiritual benefits of close proximity.
After dinner this evening we hosted our first Bible study. A handful of people had been invited, but we weren't quite sure how many to expect. Right before it was supposed to begin, though, it began to rain. With the coming of rain, we were skeptical about whether anybody would show up. A little after 7pm, though, there came a knock on our door. It was A (I'm choosing to use initials rather than names) who lives right next to Scooby. He said he had heard about the Bible study from Scooby and would be right back with his wife D. About five minutes later they came over and introduced themselves, but prefaced it with, "We can't stay long because we haven't eaten dinner." We were understanding of that fact, but wanted to get to know our new neighbors and a bit of their story. D was very excited about us being here and immediately launched into a story about how earlier in the week she had been praying to God to reveal some type of service to her, much like the past fifteen years. She shared that she felt God was listening because the bus driver that day was singing Gospel songs as she drove her route. On top of that, today on the walk home from the bus stop with A, they apparently launched into a discussion about whether they were first seeking God's kingdom (Matthew 6:33), and low and behold, when they got home, Scooby told them about the Bible study we were hosting. D has a strong desire to be on fire for Christ again, and I believe A does too, but is more low key about it. This evolved into an hour and a half discussion about how we need to have a personal relationship with Christ and imitate His ways in order to serve Him. They both have a desire to serve, which is a blessing to us because we are in need of people with drywall and painting skills, which is something A and D have experience with. I really like how D phrased it when she said, "Being a Christian and being able to serve God is the greatest honor and calling." Her favorite verse happens to be Isaiah 6:8, which states, "And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?' Then I said, 'Here I am! Send me,'" and she is absolutely thrilled by the opportunity to live it out. She doesn't want to be sitting around waiting for help, but wants to be one to go out and help others.
Another take home point from the evening was the fact that there needs to be a catalyst to bring a community together and that sometimes we all need another Christian brother or sister to reach out to us and guide us. The reason that we all returned to Vanguard is because we sense the need in this community for salt and light. We need to illuminate this darkness and do as Jesus told Peter in John 21:17 and "feed His sheep." Many accepted Christ into their hearts back in November, but had no clear direction afterwards, and many probably need more indepth teachings as to why they truly need a Savior. Our purpose in the next month is to not only help provide the physical needs of re-insulating and rebuilding, but also to provide spiritual nourishment for those who are lost and searching for hope.
One more interesting twist to this proximity discussion is who A and D are good friends with. Back in November, there was a woman that we interacted with almost daily during our last week who had some troubles with alcohol. She was staying with another woman who was struggling and her boyfriend, G. A and D happen to be good friends with G and want to invite him to tomorrow's Bible study. We were all amazed and astonished at the intricacies of God's plan and how we are finally seeing some of it unfold. We all can't wait to see what He has in store for us and how he might use us in the coming weeks. One thing is for sure, we are definitely benefiting from our proximity within this community.

The Importance of Being Sober-Minded

"And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit." ~Ephesians 5:18 

Before anybody is up in arms about this post, I assure you that the point of it is not to condemn anybody who drinks alcohol. I agree it's nice to be able to have a cold brew with pizza, or a glass of red wine with dinner. Heck, Jesus is even known for turning water into wine at a wedding feast! Also, I believe those who call for abstinence from alcohol stray into legalistic territory because nowhere in the Bible does it say, "do not drink." Rather, the emphasis is put on not getting drunk, thus the reason for the title of this post.
I think it's important for followers of Christ to be acutely aware of how their actions impact others and should always assume that somebody is watching them. Like one song states, "You're the only Jesus some will ever see," so it's important to walk in a righteous manner in order to keep outsiders from making blanket assumptions about Christians. I had a real wake up call myself about a year ago. I lived about a quarter mile from a dive bar and went there one Saturday night with my roommate to play pool. We spent a couple hours there and by the end of the night, I'd had too much to drink and was stumbling through the snow back home to our apartment. I didn't feel well the next morning so I skipped church. Throughout the day I was debating about whether to go to my Bible study, but I ended up choosing to go. I think I felt the need to make an appearance and repent to a fellow Christian about how I missed church because of a hangover. It's definitely not something I'm proud of, but I've definitely learned from my mistakes and have curbed my drinking ever since in order to live out a better testimony for those around me. That's not to say I've shunned drinking all together, but I just do so in moderation to keep myself from getting into an uncomfortable predicament.
I find it very interesting that the time was taken to actually outline what drunkenness looks like. Clearly it must be important if this was included in the wisdom that was imparted to us. If one reads Proverbs 23:29c-35, the following is depicted: "Who has redness of eyes? Those who tarry long over wine; those who go to try mixed wine. Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly. In the end it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder. Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart utter perverse things. You will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, like one who lies on the top of a mast. 'They struck me,' you will say, 'but I was not hurt; they beat me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake? I must have another drink.'"
For anybody who has not gotten drunk, I suggest that you absorb this passage and decide if it's something you ever want to experience, and hopefully that answer is no. When drunkenness is laid bare like this, it is my hope that it will turn people away from excessive consumption of alcohol. Who would want to voluntarily take part in something that causes you to lose inhibitions, speak perverse things, and causes you to lose control in any manner of ways? I surely don't and one of the main reasons I avoid excessive drinking is due to the long lineage of alcoholics on both sides of my family. I've heard enough awful stories about how alcohol perverted certain relative's personalities and actions that I've vowed never to be like them.
I believe the most important reason to maintain sobriety, though, is in order to meet spiritual warfare head on. If alcohol clouds our minds, the devil will gain a foothold in our lives. When our inhibitions are compromised, it's easier for the devil to take advantage of us and drag us down. He wants nothing more than to fill our minds with fear and doubt about our relationship with God, and if we are not sober-minded, we aren't in the mindset to pray or deny him access. 1 Peter 5:8 is very blunt in stating, "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." We need to be keenly aware of the sneak attacks the devil unleashes on us in order to protect ourselves from being completely devoured and dragged down into the pit.
My take away point is that by maintaining a sober mind, you not only preserve your physical wellbeing, but also your spiritual wellbeing, which is of the upmost importance. One must have a clear mind in order to be utilized by God and in order for one to use discernment through the Holy Spirit. We must be on guard at all times because the spiritual warfare will not cease until the return of Jesus Christ. So rather than being filled with alcohol, be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Applying Luke 6:28 to Lance Armstrong

"Bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you." ~Luke 6:28

I had no interest in watching last night's broadcast of Lance Armstrong's interview with Oprah, mainly because the crucial aspects of the interview had already been leaked and confirmed earlier in the week. Lance Armstrong finally admitted to doping and lying for over a decade. What's hard to swallow is how he thought it was okay to do that, and also sue those who were telling the truth this whole time. If I were any of those people who got thrown under the bus by Lance, I would have a bitter taste in my mouth and question the motives behind his admission now. It's easy to want to hate him, revile him, slander him, and desire revenge, but that's not what this post is about. 

Anybody who knows me well knows that I can't stand liars. I would rather somebody punch me in the face than feel compelled to lie to my face because at least I can trust the person who punched me. I would find it hard to forgive Lance Armstrong for his lies, manipulation, deceit, and strong arming for over a decade, but forgiveness is what needs to be extended. It shouldn't occur over night, but those wronged by Lance must forgive in order to move on and get on with their lives. As hard as it is to fathom, we are called to forgive and pray for those who have wronged us. The mercy that God has extended to us is the same mercy that we should extend to others. It is my hope that those hurt by Lance Armstrong, and the list is lengthy I'm sure, can get to a point of forgiveness and will pray for him. 

The Most Beautiful Thing

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled and unfailing, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation to be revealed in the last time." ~1 Peter 1:3-5

I am very blessed to be chosen by God for salvation. I am thankful that He called out to me and that I heeded that call. To Him be the glory for the mercy that He has shown me because without Him, I would not be born again into the Holy Spirit.
Not only do I rejoice in my own salvation, but also in the salvation of others. I believe the most beautiful thing is bearing witness to someone's salvation and actually watching that transformation of the soul unfold. Most poignant in my mind is the salvation of one of the most resilient, if not the most resilient friends that I have. I have known her for the past five years, bearing witness to all of her struggles and taking note of her grittiness and refusal to give up, even when it seemed like life and everybody else gave up on her. During the past two years, I would intermittently share the Gospel with her and invite her to my Bible study. She came twice, but never really felt comfortable.
This past spring, though, she began attending a Bible study with some coworkers and in June I received a text that was the biggest blessing and gift. She texted me to tell me that she gave her life to the Lord and she was getting baptized that night! Needless to say, I was ecstatic, and to this day, I'm still thrilled that we're sisters in Christ and can "kick Satan's butt together." Each time I get a text from her reminding me to pray about an issue in my life, or to trust God, or that she has been praying for me, I get a big grin on my face and tears in my eyes because I'm just so thankful that she is saved and blessed to have been able to bear witness to her transition and progression from nonbeliever to follower of Jesus.
I think the reason this is so fresh in my mind is because I started Monday with a text from this friend. All it said was Colossians 3:15 ~ "And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called to one body. And be thankful." It was just so refreshing not only to be encouraged by her, but to have that reminder from the Lord that anything is possible when we allow the peace of Christ to rule our hearts. Christ can calm the turmoil in anybody's life, and when the overwhelming tumults of life blow in, we must turn to Him and trust.
I definitely needed that reminder on Monday as I embarked on a 9 hour trek to North Carolina to visit friends and scope out the area for a possible move. I need to keep peace in my heart and let Christ rule it so that I can handle whatever situation life presents. Without that solid foundation of the Holy Spirit within me, God the Father above, and Jesus sitting at His right hand, I will flounder in the chaotic waves. But with Christ and the Holy Spirit in my heart, I can discern what is best when a decision has to be made. He will guide me through it all, for He took the time to knit me together in my mother's womb and share His grace and mercy so that I might enjoy eternal salvation once my job here on Earth is complete.

Outlook 2013

Well it's a new year finally. Some might approach it with apprehension, while others might be excited for new prospects. No matter how you feel about the coming of 2013, a piece of Scripture to keep in mind as you tackle the new year is Isaiah 41:10, which states, "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." It is a good reminder to know that whatever the year brings, God will be with us every step of the way.
Personally, I'm not sure how this year will go. I hope that full time employment is in the cards for me. I do know that I am trying to be faithful to God and taking advantage of opportunities that have presented themselves. Some friends of mine that I met through my volunteer work with Samaritan's Purse have invited me down to North Carolina so that I can check out their area to see if I would be willing to move if a job presents itself. At this point, it can't hurt, and the fellowship will be an added benefit to the roadtrip.
Another hope of mine for this year is that I'll recapture my love of running and exercise. I have a degree in exercise physiology and I used to run a lot in high school and college, but I've had my moments of being frustrated with the sport and with exercise in general. Recently, though, I wrote out a program for a friend of mine and I have also tried to provide her with motivation and encouragement. My goal is to utilize my own motivation and encouragement to bring back my desire to run. I'm trying to remember to start slow, though. Today I ran a half mile, just down to the end of my road and back. Enough to get my heart rate up and feel like I accomplished something, but not too far that I exhausted myself and refuse to try again tomorrow. I figure by slowly building up my mileage, I will be able to once again enjoy running the long distances I tackled in the past.
No matter what your fears or goals are for this year, remember that God is with you every step of the way. There won't be a single situation in your life that He isn't in control of. That should bring comfort and confidence as you make your way through 2013. If you begin to feel overwhelmed, trust that God is right there next to you and completely understands what you're going through.

Celebrate the Silent Night

For Sunday school at Saucon Bible Fellowship Church this month, we have been doing what's called hymnology for particular Christmas hymns. Hymnology is the scholarly study of religious hymns and songs, and I found it to be quite interesting because I love history and I'm a nerd at heart. My goal for this post is to examine the origin, historical significance, and Scripture behind Silent Night.
I'm currently sitting with my feet propped up on a coffee table and listening to my new favorite recording of the hymn by The Glass Child, who is a Swedish musician now residing in Bristol, in order to get in the right mindset for typing these words. The simplicity within the recording, along with the power of her vocals give me chills almost every time I listen to it, especially on the line, "Son of God, love's pure light." It's as if she is bringing the majesty of that moment to life out of the silence of that night so long ago.
Silent Night, or Stille Nacht, actually dates back to 1816. It was originally written in German by Joseph Mohr in 1816, but the music composition by Franz Gruber didn't develop until 1818. It was first sung at the 1818 Christmas Eve service in Oberndorf, Austria. It's popularity soon spread with the help of traveling musicians, being published as a hymn in 1838, and being translated into the English language in 1863. It has since become a Christmas staple for people around the world.
A surreal moment in history where Silent Night stands out took place during The Great War, specifically in 1914. It was a war that many thought would be over by Christmas, but alas, both sides were still heavily entrenched on the Western Front come Christmas eve of that year. Remarkably, on that evening, it is said that the Germans began lighting candles and make-shift tannenbaums while singing a stirring rendition of Stille Nacht. The British couldn't believe their eyes and ears, but soon both sides were singing, each in his own language. A truce was suggested, and leaders from both sides entered no-man's-land to shake hands. For that Christmas, enemies became friends, sharing pictures and gifts. Time was set aside for a soccer match, but more importantly, to bury the dead. Though it only lasted for that day, it's considered a miracle that such a truce was even possible during such a fiercely fought war. I would definitely recommend that you all watch the French film, Joyeux Noël, which depicts that miracle from 98 years ago and the moving rendition of Silent Night that took place that night.
Now I think it's time to begin a methodical dissection of the lyrics and the powerful meaning behind these carefully crafted words. The first verse goes as follows:

Silent night, holy night

All is calm, all is bright

Round yon virgin mother and child

Holy infant so tender and mild

Sleep in heavenly peace

Sleep in heavenly peace

This verse mentions key points, such as the mother being a virgin and her child being a Holy infant. This clearly points to Luke 2:6-7, which states, "And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn." Earlier in Luke 1:26-38, it is revealed that Mary is with child, even though she's a virgin, because she was blessed by the Holy Spirit to conceive the Savior of the world. Not only was this a miracle, but it fulfilled the prophecy revealed in Isaiah 7:14 that said, "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."
Verse two continues with the following:

Silent night, holy night

Shepherds quake at the sight

Glories stream from heaven afar

Heavenly hosts sing Hallelujah

Christ, the Savior is born

Christ, the Savior is born

Immediately, I take note of the fact that the shepherds were uneasy about what had been revealed to them from heaven. This imagery lines up perfectly with what is written in Luke 2:8-9, which reveals that, "And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear." The angel does reassure the shepherds to not be afraid and that they come bearing good news from heaven about a Savior being born in a manger. The angel and heavenly hosts were extremely exuberant, which is outlined in Luke 2:13-14 ~ "And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!'"

The third and final verse goes as follows:

Silent night, holy night

Son of God, love's pure light

Radiant beams from Thy holy face

With the dawn of redeeming grace

Jesus, Lord at Thy birth

Jesus, Lord at Thy birth

When analyzing this verse, one must first turn to John 1:9, which says, "The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world." This statement was describing Jesus as the true light, much like the "love's pure light" from the verse. Continuing through the verse, the "dawn of redeeming grace" clearly points to the words within Romans 3:24 that say, "And are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." The light of the world is also our great Redeemer; through Him our grace is found. One must also not forget that Jesus was the Lord upon birth, which is depicted in Luke 2:11 ~ "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."

In light of the link to Scripture, we should remember that God fulfilled His promises to the people of Israel on that silent night with the birth of Jesus in that lowly manger. God blessed us with His Son in order to save us. Upon the birth of Jesus, the world was blessed with a Lord, Savior, and Redeemer. The words of this simple hymn really drive this point home, and it is my hope that more people will examine the powerful meaning behind the lyrics as they sing them. They tell part of the most important and lifesaving story that exists.
This Christmas, be in the mindset of Relient K. In their song, I Celebrate the Day, they ponder the true meaning behind the birth of Jesus. They question whether He felt the impact from His own birth into this fallen world. It's profound that they say the following:

And the first time

That You opened Your eyes did You realize that You would be my Savior?

And the first breath that left Your lips

Did You know that it would change this world forever?

Even more profound is how the song ends with these lyrics:

And I, I celebrate the day

That You were born to die

So I could one day pray for You to save my life

During Christmastime, instead of dwelling on the stress of shopping, writing cards, baking cookies, and trying to make plans to visit friends and family, focus on the magnificent miracle of the birth of Jesus. Celebrate His coming into the world in a humble manner so that He could be your Lord and Savior. Without Jesus as our Redeemer, we have no hope of eternal life. Christmas is a time to celebrate the great impact of Jesus on that silent night over 2000 years ago. Take the time to concentrate on that fact the next time you listen to a rendition of Silent Night.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!

Resources:
Origins of Silent Night
The Center for Church Music, Songs, and Hymns
The Truce of Christmas, 1914 by Thomas Vinciguerra