Friday, December 18, 2009

The 'getting your feet wet' Guide to Navigating Life Skillfully (Part II)



The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.
                                                                   Deuteronomy 29:29

This text teaches two aspects to the human understanding of God’s will. There is the revealed will. They are the things revealed and written down in scripture like the 10 commandments and the teachings of Christ. Then there is the secret will God’s knowledge of what will happen absolutely. While we have glimpse of the secret will as a general rule it is understood to be unknown to us.

It follows that when we make a ethical decision, because we don't know the secret will of God, we often don't know the consequences of our actions (like an ethical version of the butterfly effect). No matter how well-intentioned we may need to guard against hubris (pride). We should always understand a little error to be in our good works. A person who knows there need for forgiveness and assume some wrong in the doing of good is the person who will never stray far from the gospel. And hubris, as the ancient Greeks taught, can destroy us. We need only look at the Pharisees.

Reinhold Niebuhr prayer was for this kind of humility. The prayer was longer than just what is often used. The whole prayer is a deeper look into wisdom, courage and serenity as outlined in the life of Jesus. Take a moment to jump into the prayer you just might find yourself in a ‘calf deep’ puddle of the presence of God. 
    God, give us grace to accept with serenity
    the things that cannot be changed,
    Courage to change the things
    which should be changed,
    and the Wisdom to distinguish
    the one from the other.

    Living one day at a time,
    Enjoying one moment at a time,
    Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace,
    Taking, as Jesus did,
    This sinful world as it is,
    Not as I would have it,
    Trusting that You will make all things right,
    If I surrender to Your will,
    So that I may be reasonably happy in this life,
    And supremely happy with You forever in the next.
The will of God our aim in navigating life skillfully, sometimes it can be a daunting task. We desire to do wrongs sometimes other times we forget to do right. In the end, we can’t be sure of those things clearly laid down in scripture. One theologian’s description of politics is telling as to how this difficult task can feel. ‘Politics is the art of finding approximate solutions to basically insoluble problems.' Ethics can feel like ‘finding approximate solutions to basically insoluble problems.”  But like all Christians we are sure God will help us in our journey if we understand the biblical mandates (revealed will) and give our whole selves in worship to God. Paul explains it as a reasonable response to Christ’s work of redemption.   In Romans 12:1-2, he writes:

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. 


So to know we must grow. As we journey with God through this world we are transformed and equipped to test and approve God’s will. We are transformed into the image of Jesus. Jesus is our picture of one who navigated life skillfully yet that disturbs me because he got killed! What that tells me is the will of God is a dangerous place but a place where resurrection life also dwells. This brings me to three thought on the life of Christ that can form our hearts to know the ‘deep magic’(as C.S. Lewis would say) of the secret will of God

1. Jesus’ prayer life was humble and honesty how much more should our prayer life. In praying “God, give us" we imply that we understand we can not do it alone, replete in the word "give” is a humble acknowledgment of the emptiness of our hands and the limitation of our reach.  In prayer we give recognition before God and go on record against ourselves that we have failed and need help. Confessing we truly have natural limitations and spiritual weakness, that our actions have been wet with pride and stained through by sin. In this way, Prayer is a testimony against ourselves where we give witness to our spiritual pride and go on record that we have committed the treason of self-sufficiency.

2. Wisdom in the life of Jesus is seen in his God-soaked vision of the world. Wisdom also called Prudence stands with justice, fortitude and moderation as one of the four cardinal virtues in Christian ethics. This virtue is the exercise of sound judgment in practical affairs, a sound judgment that comes from the fear of the Lord. In Proverbs 1:7 and 9:10, the fear of the Lord is called the beginning or foundation of wisdom. Fear to the Hebrew did not mean terror but more respect and awe. the modern idea of hero worship comes closes to the Hebrew idea. So fear or heart felt respect for 'who God is' is the begins of wisdom. This implies a new perspective from which we see the world and our lives. Wisdom then is seeing our lives and the world by the light of God.

If we compare 'prudence' and its worldly counterfeit 'cunning' we can gain some clarity. The difference between the two is found in the way one sees the world. The Christian understanding of the world includes the existence and nature of God, moral order of the world and moral implications of human actions. In this context, prudence is different from cunning in that it takes into account the supernatural good. For example, take the decision of persecuted Christians to be martyred rather than deny their faith. A Christian considers the choice prudent. From the point of view of a non-believer pretending to deny their faith could be considered prudent but it is only cunning. Some have supposed that the wisdom a person possess can measured by some basic criteria.
    * A wise person has self-knowledge.
    * A wise person seems sincere and direct with others.
    * Others ask wise people for advice.
    * A wise person's actions are consistent with their ethical beliefs.

Wisdom brings with it a "spiritual clarity” about life that gives discernment to know what we can change and what even with all our best effort we can not change. 

3. Jesus prayers were deeply theocentric. Loving God is good. Being devoted is better. Seeing all things in light of God is best. it is interesting to note that all three virtues, wisdom, serenity and courage can only be functional if God is at the center. Serenity is only possible if God is seen as sovereign and in control. Courage is sustained in the face of adversity when our confession is “if God be for me who can be against me.” In wisdom it is clearly in seeing God for who he is and how he made the world to work that we gain the discernment to know when to act with courage and when to accept with serenity. 

The 'getting your feet wet' Guide to Navigating Life Skillfully (Part I)


There I stood calf deep in water. How did I get there? Let me rewind. It was a rainy Tuesday morning. I was a senior in college and had just finished one of my last finals. The sun was just coming out after a week of muggy weather. It was like a scene from a Disney movie minus the talking cartoon animals. The burden of papers and tests gave way to the freedom of no more deadlines and the open hope of tomorrow. I felt as if I could breathe again and with each breath I became as light as air. Had I been in a Disney movie I would have broken into song that this point but I restrained my Disney drama until I saw the small puddles of water. The lightness of freedom tickled my sense of social decorum till I was overcome by joy. I dropped the keys to my will and my inner child came out to play. As I walked I kicked and splash in the puddles. Then it happened, with a hop I planted both feet in the middle. *plump* of a Calf deep puddle!

--------

God, give us grace to accept with serenity
the things that cannot be changed,
Courage to change the things
which should be changed,
and the Wisdom to distinguish
the one from the other.

This little prayer is well-known for its use by 12 step programs like Alcoholics anonymous. It is more than a 12 step program but a door into how to navigate life skillfully. It was written by theologian and ethicist, Reinhold Niebuhr. In reflecting on this prayer, I found it was like my puddle much deeper than I thought. Let me take a moment to air out some of thoughts.

Reading a prayer remind us of our needs this one is no different. It teaches three needs we should always bring to god if we wish to navigate life skillfully. The first is the need for wisdom. Modern man struggles with his addiction to power. No matter the flavor it takes, physical, sexual, political, relational, and intellectual; we live in an age when power and the striving for it define the collective consciousness of a generation. I think most people understand the necessity of distinguishing between the courageous and the foolish uses of power. Because of this I think we are reluctant to recognize that power can bring about necessary change, but that it can also have brutal unintended consequences. We intuitively know we need wisdom to distinguish the changeable from the unchangeable. Wisdom brings with it a "spiritual clarity” about life that gives discernment to know what we can change and what even with all our best effort we can not change. It is an insight that brings clarity to a situation. This insight comes from God but is very much practical and always ethical.

The second is the need for serenity amidst powerlessness. Life, by definition, is bigger than us all, naturally experienced as a mystery. It is the human experiance to live within a world that often over takes us. Moments when the systems and movements of this world are bigger and stronger than we can control. Yet in the filing cabinet of our egos we often loose this memo. No man can slow the tide nor spread their arms wide to stop a wave. They are bigger than us just as life is bigger than us. Many posture themselves as if that can capture the wind or fight the rotation of the earth. It is good to remind ourselves some things just can't be changed.

Serenity is God's gift to the powerless. What is serenity? Serenity means quite simply a state or quality of being serene. Serene is from the Latin serenus meaning "clear, cloudless, untroubled" Serene is a word used to describe a person marked by a utter calm and unruffled repose. When we accept things with serenity we accept them because of the beleif that God is acting in the bigger than us event to make us a better person. It is not cliché to say we can let things make us bitter or better. The key to such an acceptance is vision; seeing God as big and people, your situation, all other things as small. To the degree the sovereignty of God plays into your vision of the world is the degree you’re free from despair and anxiety.

While being powerless is no fun, hope in the middle of a powerless moment is liberating. Living in serenity opens us to know our true size and slowly brings us to feel at home in our own skin. Acknowledging with serenity the 'greater than us' things of life and resting our life in a greater sovereignty than our own is a path back to ourselves. In a day of technology and modernization, human accomplishment and ingenuity, accepting with serenity the inevitable of life in light of a sovereign God can be a path to remain authentically human in a plastic age.

The third need of every soul is courage that comes through the power of faith. Personally, I know of many that lack the courage to change. We live in a Prozac nation. Where people choose drugs over courage in the hope that power can be prescribed. While the proper use of medication is needed, even in the psychological community. We should never think that such means are ends in themselves. The better prescription is a little courage that rises from faith.

When things can be changed where is the courage needed to take hold of the moment? It comes from within the deep places of eternity through the grace of God and rises out of the human heart. Courage is a moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty. Rabbi Abraham Heschel called courage born of faith a notion of "spiritual audacity," and Niebuhr considered it a “touch of daring”. As both men saw biblical faith requires an element of courage. Faith needs courage for without courage faith is history repeating itself ad infinitum. Without courage convictions are useless. Without courage communion is lifeless. Without courage life is as predictable as it is questionable. Why do something again and again if you have no clue to its meaning? And what does something really mean if you have no clue to its purpose in your life. Sometime the courage will lead you to go against the grain and cultural trajectory of the present moment. Calling into question what men have set in stone. I pray my faith has a touch of daring and is expressed as a spiritual audacity in the face of injustice and even in the mirror. For the most courageous act we can do is look honestly at our hearts. We need courage to make such honest appraisals of the self. It is hard to judge the heart but not impossible. We can when we place God's standard before our eyes (the bible, Jesus example, 10 commandments), put our ego in timeout, and love truth more than comfort. Such times of reflection are painful and take on the character of a funeral dirge but like every funeral Jesus encountered it to will end with a resurrection.

On the day, I made my faithful leap people all over the world were making leaps of their own. Some made their leap in stating 'Hi my name is', followed by the words, 'I'm an addict'. Some with courage fueling the way leap into Thai sex dens to steal back children caught in the illegal sex trade. Some leap to there knees and for the first time in a long time confessed, 'I can’t do it on my own.' In the midst of pain and loss, some leap to grab hold of God's healing love the only things rich enough to sustain a wondered spirit. In all the leaps there is hope and hope can light any path darkened by powerlessness. As, I walked home with wet socks and a smile. I thought the day was special not because of my silliness nor the sunshine but the way knew life was worth it even in the rain and joy was worth it even with wet socks. So I prayed a simple prayer "Thank You, God! I'm alive!"

Tuesday, December 08, 2009

The Realtionship Between Doctrine and Ethics

In “The doctrine of God and theological Ethics,” a collation of papers from a conference held at King’s Collage, London. In the introduction editors Alan Torrance and Michael Banner (No! Middle name is not Bruise) give an analytical framework for doctrine and ethics. They outline four ways of understanding the relationship between Doctrine and ethics (synonym categories includes, “Theology and Morals" or "Beliefs and Behaviors").

The first is a relationship of doctrine and ethics. This view assumes that ethics are prior to theology. Following Kant, it holds that what we do informs what we believe. The most extreme form clams that theology ultimately collapses into ethics because "statements about what God is and what God does are really to be treated as statements about what we should be and do" (p. 2). Such thinking assumes a humanistic view of religious knowledge thus theological thinking goes from reality to God.

The second view is a reversal of the first, in this view doctrine is prior to ethics. Following Bonhoeffer and Barth, ethics is an elaboration of doctrine and "no autonomous ethical principles can function as determinants of doctrine's character and content" (p. 3). Theological thinking goes from God to reality. Doctrine is understood as the systematic and logical articulation of revelation and from they description of the world doctrine gives ones ethic in the world can be discerned.

The third view understands the independent nature of ethics and doctrine. They are not prior to or subordinate to one another, but as having quite different spheres or concerns, with no necessity of conflict.  In doing theology and doing ethics different questions are asked. They can be complicacy in there conclusions but think through questions from different perspectives. Ethics is rooted in reason and theology in revelation. God gave doctrine and God gave the law, both are revelation but law is a retelling of the natural law. This view is represented variously by quietism, pietism, and some natural law theorists (pp. 3-4).

The fourth view is the most open. It observes the relationship between doctrine and ethics is a messy one. It affirms the validity the above three view and clams that in reality, the way doctrine and ethics relate to one another is more complex than the prior three views hold independently. Doctrine and ethics are interdependent and interrelated at varying points. Thus the challenge of this forth position is to extend beyond a mere criticism of the other three positions, and to deliver positive content (p. 5). This position clams that in reality all three above views make valid points. 1.) Behavior does readily and reinforces beliefs. Further that on occasion some doctrines can be seen to have context exclusively rising from reason and experiance. 2.) Logically and cognitively understood, beliefs direct behavior. If God is a God of relationship then doctrines informs ethics. 3.) Beliefs and behavior can be contradictory. Behavior does not causally follow as a way of necessarily ones beliefs. Beliefs only act as categories of discrimination.

We can understand this relationship by using an analogy to the marital relationship.
  1.    Ethics to Doctrine is like matriarchy. Wife to husband.
  2.    Doctrine to Ethics is like patriarchy.  Husband to wife.  
  3.    Doctrine and Ethics is like egalitarian relationship. Husband and wife think independently of one another but can come to the same conclusions.
  4.    Reciprocal relationship between Doctrine and Ethics is like complementary relationship. Husband and wife are different and compliment each other in different ways.

I Think My Wife is a Calvinist

"I think my wife is a Calvinist"




This is a funny little ditty but a little long.. 

Your VIDEO feed of the month.

The theme this month is fun side of Idolatry! Particularly the  American church's focus in ministry! AND how American culture makes being a christian more about getting a church-tan. (Remember this is all for fun and conviction)





what iF worship were like an NBC game?


Church ministry in America

Sunday, December 06, 2009

A Testamony Fresh oil: the Christian’s PHD

I shall be anointed with fresh oil.
Psalm 92:10b (KJV)

Imagine if you will a picture of a sun scorched land. Made arid and parched by the wind, dry and deselect by the ever consistent gaze of the sun. A picture so captivating just gazing on it makes your mouth dry. This is the picture I have found my heart in. Not by way of the Spirit’s discipline or the Son’s illusion of distance but as a kind reminder of the one thing I crave to live in. The one thing I have known in the shadows of days gone by. The only thing that makes me possible, that me that I know I can be, that me I am called to be. That one thing – and I have lived without it for what seems like so long.
The other day, I spoke with a friend in this conversation one phrase echoed in my heart. It reminded me of this lost reality. Like a doctor, his statement cut to the core diagnosing my heart’s deepest want and need. “That had oil on it!” My heart has ached and longed for wet days, to many words dry and brittle, too many sermons fueled by everything but fire! I want to read Ephesians again and cry like I did when with wet heart the truth of God’s choosing of me shook me to the core. He chose me, a poor boy who openly defied him. A bastered was called son. A broken useless pot called a precious possession of God. Yes, and I cried tears of unspeakable joy, with “how” on my lips and oil on my heart.

Many do not know nor do they understand, “Dawson can not be explained without the presence of the anointing.” Many see a brain – but they do not know the little boy of 19 reading on an 8th grade level. A little boy in love with God’s book but agonized over it, phrase by phrase, sentence by sentence. Frustrated and needy, a boy prayed, “Lord help me to read!” and in one year, reading one book, I found myself reading like a college freshman. I really am nothing without His help. When it’s not there it’s like working double for half the results. Many see a personality - A quick wit and charming banter can cover up much when life gets to close. Others see a jokester – to this one I say, “Hale to the clowns, for their masks are the laughter of others.” Anyone can cover up weakness, with the paint of a quirky way. Anyone can paint a smile on there face just to hide the weakness of there soul. I have learned that all three: intellect, personality, and entertainment are all counterfeit anointings, and seductive ones at that. They promise power but stop just short of fulfillment. They are to be channels for the anointing, tools we use not idols we follow, for they will never give the power needed. Many church bow at their alters, pay homage to their priests. When all the while God is waiting for people to just be themselves, week and needy, and find grace where grace can be found. Where are the artisans of life? Where are the people who have learned the art of being themselves?

I know me, I know the tortured soul I am me. I know the deep depths my sin can dive too. I know the pain and chaos I can stoop too. I also know, by way of a gracious God, the journey I am to live. Only in glimpses, mine you, but glimpses that keep me moving on.

I will say it. I want to be somebody but not as the world measures it. Some may call it dilutions of grandeur. I call it faith, not the faith to be famous on the contrary I only want to be known of in heaven and spoken of in hell. In the words of an old Cammen’s call song, “This world has nothing for me, and this world has everything, all that I ask for and nothing that I need.”
Honestly I have put in too much time! I can’t stop now! I am motivated by a force outside myself. Grace moves me! If I’m good at something, it is because I have worked my butt off to take hold of it! Yet, to take hold of anything it must be with oily hands. His grace must be present for me to accomplish anything. I am not even determined without him – I have learned in resent days that determination without the anointing is like a blast of hot air from opening an oven. It dries out all in its path. And so I long for the sweet oil, fresh and new. I long to see hearts changed and barren lands burst forth with life. I long to see a nation set free! I will live again in his anointing and not have to be given the hard reminder of a dry heart.

This is my education, My Christian PHD, which means POOR, HUNGRY and DRIVEN. I like how Paul, explains the place where His heart and God’s anointing intersect.

1 Cor. 15:10 (KJV)
But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

I like how the message translates it.

1 Cor. 15:10 (MsgB)
But because God was so gracious, so very generous, here I am. And I'm not about to let his grace go to waste. Haven't I worked hard trying to do more than any of the others? Even then, my work didn't amount to all that much. It was God giving me the work to do, God giving me the energy to do it.

That verse brings me to tears – every time I read it. I jump right in the words and find myself lost in its pages. When the work looks daunting, when I feel my brilliance burn bright as a 10 watt bulb, when quiet whispers fill the room as I read aloud, I will confess to myself, “by the grace of God I am what I am” For he fills my heart with fresh oil and uses the foolish things of this world to confound the wise!

Remember fresh oil is for all, but it is not free, freely given but at a cost. May we all see our hearts softened by its tender application! The cost is a journey to ZION – that is a journey of trusting in only the LORD’s provision and relying on only the LORD’s protection. What I am saying is just this; I dare you to live dependant. Only then we will be the people of Jeremiah 31:12 and he will be our God.

Jeremiah 31:12 (MsgB)
The people will climb up Zion's slopes shouting with joy,
their faces beaming because of God's bounty—
Grain and wine and oil,
flocks of sheep, herds of cattle.
Their lives will be like a well-watered garden,
never again left to dry up.

Practically Spiritual : Breathing Prayer

Practically Spiritual : Breathing Prayer
The brilliance of a candle when the night is dark, the radiance of the moon in full illumination, these are some things that are best known in contrast. Our hearts are the same. We often do not recognize the subtle ache of its call until in utter hunger we are turned to hear. The echoes that call from the inner caverns of our heart are of another’s voice. A wholly other calling us to come and see, sit and eat, to enjoy a moment of sweet fellowship. This week I was reminded of the call as I talked with a new friend. She spoke of her morning ritual. A holy rite bought by blood, and given by grace. She told me that before she began the day she sat in silence, only for the time it took her to drink a slow cup of coffee. She would just sit with coffee in hand and just breathe. Those moments for her were special for she did not sit alone. Abba was near. As she spoke I was reminded of the 14th century eastern orthodox monk E. Kadloubovsky, who wrote that we should “have memory of God in place of breath.” Her breath made rich and caffeinated memories.

Many in this day do not take time to breathe and be near. This simple exercise is actually an ancient method of praying. Some have called it being prayer others call it breathing prayer. Paul states we should “pray all the time, asking for what we need, praying in the Spirit on every possible occasion.” (Eph 6:18 jb) The word “Spirit” which refers to the Holy Spirit is the Greek word punuma literally translated breath or wind. This shows us a fundamental aspect of His ministry to us. He helps us breathe prayer and be prayer. As we sit with Abba he fills us, he fills the air we breathe and we for an instant experience life. That rejuvenating moment that prepares us for a day of unknown possibilities. We are positioned to pray all the time with a heart that has already gained the fresh air of grace. I have found that when we take that moment to be prayer and abide with abba the day is transformed. Not all at once but in little movements. Our hearts become accustom to this life giving fresh air and long for it throughout the day. At a stop light, while waiting in line, when you become upset or impatient, we gasp for it. We must train ourselves to “just breathe” as you did that morning. Train yourself to know the light of life and be filled with his breath even as your enemies are posed to still your hope. Just breathe and know that grace is already given for every possible occasion. Hope is present, breathe it in and be filled with the light that expels darkness.

Heyschius a 5th century teacher wrote, “ceaseless prayer keeps our mental air free from the dark clouds… and when the air of the heart is pure, there is nothing to prevent the divine light of Jesus shining in it..” remember, the song we all know from childhood. Its truth still rings true even today, “this little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.” The secret to shining throughout the day is breathing in the morning. I know this to be true for my friend has an indelible weight of glory resonate in her. I have come to learn and respectfully honor that it is “the divine light of Jesus shining” in her. We should all take a lesson from her example. Tomorrow as you rise from your slumber and prepare to meet the day, pause, fill your lungs with grace, and Breathe.

Jesus on the free range nature of prayer


Imagine the disciples listening in on Jesus’ prayers. Did they burn to pray like he did? Did they experience a new reality of God’s presence due to being privileged in hearing the Living Word pray? Did they become hungry to join with him in his access to heaven’s ear? Who knows? But what I personally know of prayer’s affect on a soul has made me sure that they where drawn to enter a conversation with God! 

I have learned that when you pray with others amazing things happen. You find yourself learning the heart of the other. You find the space that is so prevalent between people begins to shorten till no space remains. On the edge of life’s indirect wonder peering into the veiled depths of another’s soul. This is what happened to me in Macon Ga around 1997. Paul and Eric two boys I knew as friends became bothers when in one night of Spirit infused our hearts and our prayers. That night of prayer was an experience of “prayer in the spirit” galvanizing our hearts together. I came away knowing them in a genuine and real way.  I found myself profoundly connected to them. Our friendship became stronger than steal and flexible as plastic! I believe this is what the disciple’s experienced with jesus and it drove them to ask “Lord, teach us to pray!

So Jesus taught them to pray and Matthew 6:5-15, we see this teaching in its entirety. This passage reminds us, how we pray, who we pray to, what we are to pray for. Jesus begins with how we are to pray (v.5-8)

I.  How are we to pray – with Sincerity and Thoughtfulness

"When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.
 6 "But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.7 "And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. 8 "So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.
                                                                                                               Matt 6:5-8 (NASB)


Having a secret relationship with the Father
Hear we see Jesus using his favorite whipping boys, the religious leaders of his day, as an illustration of what not to do. They loved the spotlight like puff-daddy loves “bling".  The religious leaders lived for, as Jesus states, “that they may be seen by men.” Every time they prayed it had to be like the red carpet, bulbs flashing reporters gabbing, or they saw no need in praying.  That can be understood to mean that they loved having people think they highly of their prayers.  That is about as insincere as one can be. So Jesus contrasted it with one that has a secret life with the Father. He pleads with them to cultivate a secret life with God. A life that smiles quietly when the news of a healing or miracle is all over the community knowing that the tears and sweat in secret were rewarded. A life that rejoices with others but never gives in to the compulsion to take a piece of the credit. A Life of sincerity before God, as one comes to God. The sincere prayer is one where the person praying speaks truly about their own feelings, thoughts, and desires. Such prayer is risky for the ordinary walls used in everyday life are demolished and one is open to the outside world.

Thoughtfulness in praying
Jesus continues by reminding how not to pray. Jesus states don’t pray like the heathens do. First, this prayer is described as a manipulative marathon prayer. The over abundance of speech and length was only an attempt to manipulate God into doing some thing they wanted him to do. Second, it is described as a “bla bla” prayer. These are prayers with no personal meaning for the words have been said so many times they have lost there meaning to the speaker. The Heart is empty, the brain is dry, but the mouth is in motion. Jesus states don’t pray – with phrases that have become empty. Today I still hear these prayers roll off the lips of my lazy tongue. You may say it but you don’t understand what you are saying. Here are a few I have caught myself saying.
·         “lead –guide – direct us!”
·         “strengthen me with the power of your strength” (I still don’t know what I meant by that)
·         “if it be thy will” (when you “KJV It” that’s a dead give away)
·         “hide me in the cross”
·         “Cover me in your grace”

I had to learn to think through what I prayed. I would encourage you to make the words you use in prayer resonate with personal meaning. Fully and with open understanding speak to The Lord in words so rich to your soul that they move you. Years ago I began a meditative practice of thinking through the word and phrases I used and over used in prayer. Words like redemption, blood of Jesus, power, love, and even faith. It was through this practice that emotion came back to my prayer life, like fresh dew on dry ground I was infused with new life. This was because meaning had been restored to my prayers. For me to pray, “cover me with your blood”- came with fresh realization of redemption. And I was moved! 

II. Who we pray to (v9)

9 "Pray, then, in this way: 'Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. - Matt 6:9 (NASB)

1.  FATHER GOD
Who are we praying too – We pray to a loving father. I could meditate with heart filled glee on the nature of the Father. Hear Jesus reminds us in subtle ways who we are praying too. First – look at the name itself, “Father”. He is Father. A holy and loving father: One different, better, and utterly unique than anything we know on this earth, A Father of loving concern for your hurts and needs.  When you speak – he stoops. When you cry – he turns a concerned ear! Then you look heavenward to expose your heart bare and find a father gentle and with meticulous care ushering you into his council. That is the Father God we worship!

2. OUR FATHER

The Spirit showed me one time how jesus spoke of the father as our father. I had never seen that before. He said “OUR father as to say Father God is a father of many children.” When we pray, we enter into a reality shared by many. Many languages, many hearts in a singular expression, it is great that God’s ears are big enough to hear us all at once. We are children all sitting at the feet of one so great. This reality lets us in on a secret of heaven- Our Father is the father of many children.  This should rap us up in unity - a unity at his feet, under his care, and in his love. 

3. A Father full of power
When we speak of God as father that does not weaken him as Lord it intensifies the connection. He is our father imminent and near but also in heaven transcendent and in control. That is why Jesus added the “in heaven” part. He is our father in heaven. We can have confidence our God is not powerless but a well meaning God.  He is not a good But week father, not a dad that is a wimp but a warrior Father! One who has the power to make the sun to stand still! One who with a mere word set the stars in the sky and the oceans in the deep! This Power is only equaled by his love and only comparable to His greatness. So let us have confidence in our powerful father!


III. What are we to ask from God

 There are 6 petitions in the rest of the Lord’s Prayer. I will only look at one. The first petition is an interesting one and often over looked. It is top of the list for a reason. It carries in it the resonate promise of the new covenant. That is why the first in this case is the most important and I believe at the heart of Jesus teaching us to pray. 

Hallowed be Your name
Hollowed is from the root word holy, a word with an important meaning in theology. Between the H and the Y of holy there is a deep well of understanding waiting to be mined. For the sake of time we will just say that holy can be understood as “different or unique”. The word “name” implies God’s character. So to say “hollowed be your name” is not just a statement of worship though it is a great one and it is a call to worship. Its message is saying, “Lord, may your character be unique and different in this world!” It is saying, reveal yourself Lord, and unveil your glory to the nations. Be known as I know you Lord; be known in your fullness as Father, Son and Spirit! It is a prayer that God would pour rivers of revelation on humanity! This is a God obsessed prayer; A God-centered prayer – A God-purposed prayer. It is a personal prayer for More of God and a corporate prayer for a move of God! So we can understand this prayer in two movements. First, to pray “holy be your name” is to pray for more of God. That he would come and pour the abundance of his life, power and love into you. Second, to pray “Holy is your name” with others is to pray for a move of God! That is to pray the knowledge of God would invade the land and shake the earth.

So ask your father to make his name holy among the nations, with sincerely and thoughtfulness fill your cup only to spill it out as a drink offering.

Saturday, December 05, 2009

Hope and The Prophetically Gifted


Have you felt like God is moving the furniture around in your heart?
Do you long for change?
Has life seemingly been throwing you curves?
Do you want to be a voice crying in the wilderness of today, “Prepare the way, of the Lord?”

The letter of 1 Peter was written to people whose hearts resonated with these questions. In Peter’s day, Christians throughout the world suffered under the persecution of Nero. Peter took the time in the first part of his letter to impart hope to the people, a hope bubbling with expectancy for a kingdom that is already but not yet here.  A hope that was grateful to live in the days God had given them. This hope was the Hope of there salvation, a truth the old testament prophets has searched for, yet only found in part. In this study we will look at the hope peter wished to cultivate in the people making particular application for those flowing in the prophetic.

1 Peter 1:10-12 (MsgB) 
    The prophets who told us this was coming asked a lot of questions about this gift of life God was preparing. [11] The Messiah's Spirit let them in on some of it—that the Messiah would experience suffering, followed by glory. They clamored to know who and when. [12] All they were told was that they were serving you, you who by orders from heaven have now heard for yourselves—through the Holy Spirit—the Message of those prophecies fulfilled. Do you realize how fortunate you are? Angels would have given anything to be in on this!

Peter understood how the first century Christians identified with the prophets of the old covenant. In verses 10-11 he writes of the prophet’s intensive search for a full understanding of God’s redemptive plan. The prophets did not get a complete answer but peter reminded the people that we did. We too can see how fortunate we are and that truth should impart hope to the core of our being.

I Peter 1:13 (NIV)
Therefore, prepare your minds for actions; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.

The Holy Spirit highlighted this verse in my study time and showed me how it relates to people of the prophetic. It tells us of the three arenas of life that are most in need of preparation, the mind, the flesh, and the encounter. I would also include this is for any Christian that wishes to live from the hope of their salvation.

 For prophetic people hope is a key element. It empowers in many ways. It is the currency of encouragement, the foundation of prophetic flow. All and all it is important for prophetic people to remain high in hope. Like the verse above speaks we will always take about things we do not fully understand. We will always prophecy in part, imperfectly if you will, therefore hope is like a shield. Look at Elijah after Carmel first fire from heaven the he runs to the deserts. Why? He let down his hope then fear and depression filled the void. 

Two preparations for prophetic people
1. Prepare your minds for action.  – The prophets in verses 10-12 had to do this. This seeking after God is not a passive thing. We are to love God with our minds. Most of the prophets where from the priestly rank implying that they had been in the Hebrew Scriptures more than the jiggle is in jello. The principle her is simple – what you put in you will come out. Feed on the written word of God like a sugar deprived child eats on a Snickers and out of you will come fresh words from God. Why? For when a revelation comes into the mind it will be properly understood by the person who has trained his mind in the truth of God’s word. Also, It is the bible that gives a sure hope to build on and it is the bible that gives us a boundary in which we prophecy from. Those that prophecy full of the written word will bring no compromise or contradiction to it in there words. If you are prophetic I challenge you!  Know the word, deeply, lovingly, truly, honestly, spiritually, systematically, exegetically, hermeneutically, grammatically, historically, and if you don’t know those words look them up and learn!

2. Prepare your flesh for taming. – The Greek word for self-control can be better translated as self-discipline. If hope is growing in you then you desire change to start in you. The prophets of old where the same way as we will see later. Self- discipline begins with self- analysis.  We need to judge ourselves so we will not be judged (1 Cor11:31). I would much rather spank myself rather than have God do it. The hand that made the moon hurts when it hits my rump. This self-discipline is nothing more than learning balance and timing. We should not become unrestrained, thinking every unction is of God or become legalistic where no unction moves you at all. Balance is finding the middle ground between the two being abandoned but controlled in one movement. Timing is understanding what is needed at the moment for the greater good of all. Sometime we need to learn to put a power break or pad lock on our tongue just to recalibrate our hearts to God’s timing. Learning and giving new room for prayer and cultivate dependence on God.  In the prophetic, I desire a Samuel life. He had sure timing for his word never failed. His tongue was set to God's clock.

This taming of the flesh is for one central point; People encountering God in your gift.  The misrepresentation of God is tied to not taming our flesh. If  our highest honor is to speak  what God gives then it is our greatest obligation is to not misrepresent God. Nothing should be more painful to the heart of a prophetically gifted person. personally, I want God to be glorified through me not embarrassed. Bottle line tame the flesh or run the risk of misrepresenting GOD!

The objects of Hope

Hope must be set by the mind. we should set our hope in the Lord. He is our object of hope. He alone is the hope we are to trust in. Peter adds an interesting perspective on this focus. He reminds us that such hope, while focused on the person of God also waits for the power of God’s manifest presence that alone can change us. We are to hope for His transforming presence. Peter writes “set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.” First peter is not talking about the second coming of Christ but of a personal revelation of Christ in the life of a believer that will change the believer forever. A moment in the transforming presence of God is worth more than 10 years in therapy. It is the grace for change that we are to set our hope on and not the encounter itself. Hope for the grace of transformation, which will make your life brighter, your vision clearer and your words purer. This kind of encounter happened to a prophet of the old covenant. This is his encounter.

Isaiah 6:1-8 (KJV) 
In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. [2] Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. [3] And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. [4] And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.
[5] Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts. [6] Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: [7] And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged. [8] Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

Isaiah had been a prophet for some time before he had this encounter. In Isaiah 1:1 it reads, “during uzziah’s reign” implying he started his ministry during his reign. Then in 6:1 it reads “when king uzziah died,” implying a time after Isaiah had started his prophetic ministry. He had known God’s voice but had not encountered God’s holy presence. It was not until after this encounter did his ministry skyrocket. It changed him and his ministry.

The First Affect on Isaiah is in verse 5 “woe is me.” God’s holiness dives deep into Isaiah’s consciousness making him scream, “ woe is me!” In Yiddish (a type of slang Hebrew) The phrase “Oh, woe is me” is “oy vey iz mir”  “Oy Vey” is used often to explain a deep dread or shock one experiences. Think of the old man after getting bad news slapping his head and saying “Oy Vey!” So we see that the first effect of God’s holiness is in a forced self-evaluation and consequent sense of judgment. It is forced self- evaluation, a full inventory of the soul. Isaiah experienced the fullness of God’s holy presence and it fell on him in judgment as it turned his eyes inward. He knew his sinfulness for he experienced God’s holiness. In God’s holiness Isaiah knows the severity of his imperfect lips. Lips that had prophesied the word of the Lord, now wanted pure words to pour past them. He relived time when he misrepresented God. Time when his words where not the Lord’s but were called the Lord’s. He hurt and cried woe is me. The up side of Isaiah’s experience is his eyes did not say on himself for long for they turned back to the one that would cleanse him.

The second affect: disintegration and discontinuity.  Isaiah states, “I am undone.”  In Isaiah’s woe we see Isaiah acknowledging this bad news of his state in comparison to a holy (different from him) God. In his “I am undone,”  Isaiah is saying, “Compared to God I just don’t have it together!” Baker's Evangelical Dictionary states When Yahweh appears to his own there is the requisite reminder of the essential difference between Creator and created. This discontinuity results in awesome wonder at his majesty and power.”  When we see the holiness of God our integrity is undone. We experience disintegration: the knowledge that we don’t have it all together, the knowledge of our true neediness. This is the experience of extreme humility. It is the only path to a heart of respect and reverence for God for we know our great neediness but drawn to focus on God’s sufficiency and the beauty of his holiness (v7-8).

The third affect: fascinated and forgiven.  Fascination begins when we look to him and see in him the supply for all we lack. He is the source of our supply. This fascination is a path to ecstatic praise and wonder, when our eyes look up from ourselves and gaze of the great majesty of a holy God! You’re fascinated by God’s beautiful holiness.  Also he realized the level of purity he was called to talk in. The prophet gained clean lips and even cleaner words from God. It is in his presence we are cleaned and called to a purpose (v7). Isaiah had the raw honesty needed to realize how much he really needed God. In this place of raw honesty God is ready to forgive, restore and commission all that come (v8). This is the greatest need of prophetic people to encounter the holiness of God in Christ. In the end, it was up to Elijah to take what he had been given and cultivate the experience.  He had to make it his own, “I will GO!” and live it out. And he did for 60 more chapters! This is way, Isaiah is often known as the Prophet of Hope.

A Learning Church



Did you know that Spurgeon taught the church has something to learn from unbelievers (see Lectures to My Students, p. 211)?  He learned it from Jesus.  Jesus even held that there is a measure of wisdom to be found among unbelievers (ala Luke 16:8). The sons of this world can be savvier than the sons of light and I totally agree.

When I was ten I enjoyed my Saturday morning cartoons. I would watch them and slowly eat my bowl of Caption Crunch. One morning I awoke to find my mother laying out my close and telling me to get ready. We had to go to the doctor.
"Who is going to the doctor?"
"You are! Silly!"
"What’s wrong with me? I'm fine! I have MY cartoon to watch!!"

My mother realizing I had no idea of my problem. She told me I was getting a wart taken of my back. I cringed at the thought of an alien like mutation growing on me (I watched to much SiFi as a kid). Seeing my expression, she showed it to me in a mirror and a day later it was gone. 

While my mother is no unbeliever, like my mother, unbelievers can see our warts when we are blind to them. If we take some time to look at why they don’t like us we may find a wart we have never seen. Sometimes our greatest enemy’s can help point out the warts that we just can not see. Sometimes we can learn from the sons of this world.

A good example is everyone’s favorite atheist 'Friedrich Nietzsche"  He often raises his sarcastic and unbelieving head to say many lost but profound statements. Like so, much of Nietzsche’s writing he is great at diagnosis and poor an offering an answer. It comes from that atheism thing. Human wisdom can be insightful but often stops at the diagnosis. Without God, humanity finds itself full on questions, clear on the problems, but starved for any answers that satisfy. In the quote below, good old Nietzsche gives an insightful thought on how people misunderstand what is profound. In this little snip, he writes about two groups: the crowd and the speaker.  Nietzsche musses:

Those who know that they are profound strive for clarity. Those who would like to seem profound to the crowd strive for obscurity. For the crowd believes that if it cannot see to the bottom of something it must be profound. It is so timid and dislikes going into the water.

Another translation of the same passage reads:

Whoever knows he is deep, strives for clarity; whoever would like to appear deep to the crowd, strives for obscurity. For the crowd considers anything deep if only it cannot see to the bottom: the crowd is so timid and afraid of going into the water.

Nietzsche point is to remind us not to fall prey to the sway of the crowd and the cunning of those that manipulate the crowd. Old Nietzsche cuts to the heart of the problem: Human’s can confuse shallow thought for deep thought. We have the tenancy to see the unclear as mysterious and call it profound. 
                
In a day of cultural ignorance and media manipulation we need of keeping our wits and not loose sight of the need for clarity.  We live in a culture of spin. The political experts have learned that there is not much difference between Nietzsche’s crowd and the crowd today. In our culture dishonesty has moved from a vice to a job in public relations. The experts teach a speaker to sound “deep”  through being unclear but speaking with conviction and certainty.  I actually heard a politician publically say, “I don't believe in reincarnation, but I did in my past life." He was not making a joke. His intent was to “appear wise,” but for the discerning hearer he was just talking foolish.  This is possible because people in general do have the wrong concept of spiritual wisdom – thinking of it as something mystical and not to be fully understood. Something that produces the “woo that’s deep,” affects. But Nietzsche places the blame on the crowd, “ the crowd is so timid and afraid of going into the water.”  This is because the crowd wants it easy. They do not want to dive into truth. Truth can be hard to understand, and assimilate, but we are to be diligent so we can understand clearly.  He is showing that people generally will not work to understand. Humorously, it is clear that the Bible agrees with Nietzsche. The Hebrew idea of spiritual wisdom is not ever separated from clear practical wisdom. They are one and the same. Proverbs the book of spiritual wisdom is extremely practical and clear. The book of James, the New Testament equivalent, is just as practical dealing with issues like what we say, how to treat people and how to work your faith. 

It may have been Nietzsche’s experiance as a preacher’s son that led him to make such a statement. How many times have we given up on a sermon thinking "I don’t get it, that’s too deep for me."  Have you ever sat in church irritated and thinking, “What is that guy saying? He is making about as much since as tobacco flavored yogurt or an interstate highway in Hawaii.” We have all been there.

So what is the solution to this problem? How to we get rid of confusion and gain clarity? Is there a seminar we need to go to? For the church the answer is refreshingly spiritual. It comes in the form of two duties: the obligations of the speaker and the obligations of the community of faith. I asked myself, what does it take to be a learning church? What can the speaker do to gain clarity?  I have thought through what I think are some helpful guides. 

The obligations of the speaker:
1.                  Get out of your own subjectivity – Do not be so selfish that you assume your way of understanding some truth is going to be clear to others. First I would say, have dialogues with Believers that you know think in different ways from you. Learn new ways to say the same thing. Second, know your audience. Learn how to speak to people in terms they get. Such as using general terms and categories that people can grasp. My dad gave me this advice that sums this point up well. He told me to “K.I.S.S. them” Keep It Simple Stupid.
2.                  Study the word with great diligence –when you study, and reflect on what is found, clarity will come. This is because the Spirit promises to help us if we are diligent and committed to the process.
3.                  Pray for the anointing –With the anointing comes great clarity. The Spirit is the Spirit of truth. He will enlighten people to your information. He is the great equalizer. Truth can be hard to understand but when you get it, it gets you and clarity is released by the spirits power. Paul speaking of His ministry and how his teaching ministry was affective in laying a doctrinal and spiritual foundation, “According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation” [1 Cor 3:10 (NASB)]. Paul’s usage of the phrase Grace of God is one way he speaks of the anointing. The anointing is empowering grace. Many think getting the anointing on your ministry is passive. If you have faith God will move and trust. Not so! You need faith but that is not all. The anointing is not easy to obtain. Church history and the biblical record tell us that it costs. You have to want it, pray for it, plead for it, and God brings it.

Also I believed the crowd has an obligation. For the crowd I also have some applications
1.      Seeking hearts will draw the anointing. Truth is clear and not misty when the oil of God is present. If you want your preacher or teacher to have a divine clarity stir yourself to a desire for God to speak in that time.  This faith will stir the ministry of the Spirit for longing hearts are wet with fresh Oil. So Pray for your worship time, and the one speaking.
2.      Stir your passion for God through worship. Blaise Pascal one wrote, “Clarity of mind means clarity of passion, too; this is why a great and clear mind loves ardently and sees distinctly what he loves.”
3.   Seek to understand. Be mentally active engaging your mind in the activity of comprehension. Do what you can to understand the terms your teacher is using. The first line of communication is being clear on your terms.



Tuesday, December 01, 2009

Being Humbled by the Shadow of a Friend


When I lived in Adana Turkey, my roommate was a Turkish man about the same age as me named Kamil Kiroglu. From the moment, we met I liked him. He is the kind of person whose laugh is contagious and rarely do you see him without a smile. His genuine humility was convicting and his open nature taught me about being a friend.

I have fond memories of our conversations and his vain attempts to better my Turkish. I remember trading stories and being versed on the 'do's and don'ts' of Turkish culture. We bonded over our common desire to one day ‘get married’ and have a ‘family’. After a particularly honest conversation, he lamented, “Dawson, you have a better chance than I do! You have hundreds, thousands, of woman to choose from - I have 5!” He was not complementing me on my 'Zack Morris meets Gary Busey' good looks but was stating a fact of turkish culture. Turkey is a country of 75 million people [mostly Muslim] and only around 3000 Christians in the whole nation. In short, the dating pool is slim.  We laughed, a good deep laugh, ending in the way a laugh ends when the joke is a little to real. The day I left for American he put his hand on my shoulder and said, “See you later, My brother! Jesus watches over you till that time.” We hugged and I was off, looking back as i shut the door I caught a moment i still enjoy reliving. Kamil's back was too me. He began fixing some papers scattered on the table. As the door slowly obstructed my view, I heard him laugh and say something to himself. All I could make out was, 'Tellemek Isa' translated it means 'praise Jesus'. It was as if God and he had a little inside joke we were not privileged to, some secret enjoyment meant for him. That is the last memory I have of Kamil.

Kamil taught me that the only things we take with us to heaven are the relationships we make on the earth. From time to time, I have wanted to find the money and some random excuse to go visit. More often, when I am quite and the silent call of the night stirs my soul to memories of those I have shared life with, like Kamil. The people for whom neither time nor space can sever the connection I feel. People I call friend. In those moments as faces flash in my mind I often ask, how are they doing now? What are they like? How has life happened for them? How has it made them? No answers: Only awe and silent wonder in the hope that all is good.  

Recently, I was reading up on some old “International Religious Freedom Reports” from the US Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. I came across a 2007 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices from the Secretary of Democracy and Global Affairs it read:

The [Turkish] government generally respected the human rights of its citizens; however, serious problems remained in several areas. During the year human rights organizations documented a rise in cases of torture, beating, and abuse by security forces... Non-Muslim religious groups continued to face restrictions on practicing their religion openly, owning property, and training leaders... Attacks on those practicing Christian faiths continued. On June 19, the [Turkish] Ministry of Interior issued a circular to all [Turkish] governors that acknowledged an increase in individual criminal actions and attacks against non-Muslim citizens and their places of worship.

There were some 20 examples in the report one caught my eye.

In January 2006 five assailants severely beat Protestant church leader Kamil Kiroglu in Adana. One attacker with a knife threatened to kill Kiroglu unless he renounced Christianity. The government did not investigate the incident or make any arrests for the second consecutive year. [1]

I paused and felt the dread of uncertainty. I did not expect to be reading about a friend. The hunger to know more griped me. I had lost Kamil's email on my trip home and did not have a way to get in touch with him. So I did what any self-respecting writer does! I cracked my knuckles and used my ‘Yoda-like’ research skills to get some more information. And the force was with me. In a back issue of 'Voice of the Martyrs' I found a report. VOM reported that Kamil Kiroglu was now a pastor of Adana Protestant Church (One of only 4 in a city population 2 million). He was beaten unconscious outside his church but he was alive!

The five men that attacked him clammed association with Al Qaeda. The presence of Al Qaeda was not totally surmising to me. I had known that recruiting cells existed in Adana and they had exploded some scare bombs in another part of the town, during my time their.

VOM also published Kamil’s personal testimony. I have posted it below in full. The call to follow Christ is a difficult one; there are many trials that we go through, here is someone's story of what following Christ required of them.

Dear friends and brethren,

My intention is to inform you all about what exactly happened to me and my church on Sunday, January 8, 2006.

As some of you are already aware, my church does not meet for Sunday service in the morning, but instead at 2:00 p.m. Therefore, we open the church and welcome people from 12:00 p.m. onwards. That Sunday (January 8, 2006), at about 1:15 p.m., five young men came in and introduced themselves, and added that they were newly converted Christians. They were expressing their desire to learn more about Jesus Christ and Christianity, and requesting from us (church leaders) private teaching and conversation time after the service-after everyone left the church. They were asking us very insistently-again and again-for such a private lonely conversation time after everyone was gone. Although this request of these five young men was a little bit strange and abnormal, none of us could imagine what their actual evil plan was.

They were five young men; one of them was from 24 to 27 years old and was claiming to be from Turkmenistan. His appearance and manners resembled that of a Russian. Also, he was speaking both Russian and Turkish fluently. The other four men were around 18 to 20 years old, and they were claiming to be from the cities of Gaziantep and Mersin. The younger men were apparently recognizing the oldest man as their leader. These five men attended our Sunday service. They were present with us in our church building from 1:15 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Although they behaved a little bit strangely, they showed a great deal of interest in the Bible and our faith.
 
After the Sunday service was over, everyone left the church building. As one of the leaders of the church, I was the last one in the building to turn the lights off and shut the door. But these five strange men were still there in the building, insisting on me to tell them more about our faith and God. However, I had an appointment to meet; therefore, I could not sit and spend more time with them. I politely told them that I had to go and proceeded to turn the lights off, while at the same time asking them to leave the building.

At the moment I realized that these five young men were whispering amongst themselves and trying to remain in the building with me alone, I was terrified. I quickly went to the door to look outside for help, and thank God, there was one of my fellow brethren there. So I called him in to try to send these five men out. When they saw this other brethren of mine, they realized that I was not really alone anymore. Therefore, they were reluctantly going out and still asking me to tell them more about Jesus. By this time, I was sure that their real intention was not to learn about Jesus, but something else. That's why I politely told them to go.

Afterwards, they started to whisper amongst themselves about a package they left in the church building. When I heard that, I asked them to come back and take their package; but they refused and said, “It is a surprise gift from Al Qaeda, and soon you will discover what it is!” Then they quickly moved away. After I heard the things they said, I thought that they might have placed a bomb in the church building; therefore, I closed the church door and left the building.

I was trying to call the police, but these five young men returned suddenly and saw me making a phone call. As soon as they saw me making the phone call, they started to run towards me to prevent me from contacting the police. My other brother and I tried to run away, but they caught me and started to beat me. They asked me to deny Jesus and become a Muslim. Thanks to God, and by His grace, my response was, "Jesus is God," and they beat me even more. The more they beat me and asked me to deny Jesus, the more I shouted out, "Jesus is God." The more I shouted, the more they beat me-until I was unconscious.

After a while, I did not even remember what happened, and then I woke up and tried to run away, but they caught me again. They were continuously beating me while I was lying in blood. Suddenly, one of them put a big knife to my belly and asked me again to deny Jesus and become a Muslim. He said that if I do not deny Jesus and accept Islam as my religion, he was going to cut me into pieces. Only by the grace of God, I did not do what he said.

He was ready to slaughter me, and asked me again to deny Jesus. I thought that I was going to be killed at that very moment. I began to think that my journey on this earth was coming to an end. Again, I did not do what he said. At that moment, I felt a shockingly painful hit on my head and spine, and everything around me became dark. I started blacking out, and the next thing I remember was someone trying to wake me up.

When I woke up, they were gone. I could hardly stand up, and started to run for the closest police station. The police helped me a lot and they took me to a hospital and made sure that I was secure. I also told police about the package in the church building. They sent a team to our church building and looked everywhere. Thanks to God, there was not a bomb.

Now, more then a week has passed since this incident, and I am still recovering. They have beaten and tried to kill me just because I believe in Jesus. But my God is Almighty. God miraculously saved me from their hands. After this incident, God reminded me of Psalm 91.

Today I am praising God. I am praising God not because He saved me from death; but I am praising God because I have been beaten and almost killed for the sake of my Lord and God Jesus Christ. I am praising God because He helped me not to deny Him in the shadow of death.

I consider this as an honor. I feel like God has honored me through this attack of Satan. For sure, I know that I do not deserve such an honor; therefore I consider this as grace from my Heavenly Father. I am honored because the prophets of my Father, who were before me, were persecuted in the same way.

Please keep praying for all the believers and the churches in Turkey. Pray that the children of our God will be brave, wise and remain faithful. May our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ bless your life and ministry even more abundantly.

Your brother in Christ,

Kamil Kiroglu

Writer’s note - After reading Kamil’s letter, I smiled with satisfaction knowing the answer to one of my questions in the night. I just paused, a holy pause, and all I could say was 'Tellemek Isa'!



[1]  Two Other disturbing examples from the Report: 1.) “In February 2006 an assailant shot and killed Catholic priest Andrea Santoro in a church in Trabzon. On October 4, an appeals court upheld the prison sentence of 18 years and 10 months rendered in October 2006 to the 16-year-old defendant charged with the murder. 2.)  In July 2006 a Catholic priest in Samsun was attacked and suffered knife wounds. Authorities announced that, prior to the attack, the assailant, who was later arrested, had filed complaints against the priest for "Christian propaganda."

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