Preface: If you're a new believer, this post won't make as much sense to you because you practice what I am talking about more naturally than those of us who have allowed our relationship with God to be tamed by religiosity. Just keep preaching the gospel to yourself... and hopefully you won't ever need this post. :-)
So... you know how sometimes you know something... and then... you KNOW it? Like, you really, truly understand. Those are great moments.
I feel as if I'm really coming into one of those moments lately (though I'm certainly not there yet). I guess it would even be a contradiction to say that I'm coming into it, because the truth is that it (or He) has really come to me. It's hard to write about because I realize that for the million-plus times that I've heard it before, I didn't really hear it... but it's also something that I can't keep inside... it's just so great! ... and... well... that's the point.
Enough rambling.
The reality is that Jesus has set us free. Not somewhat free or mostly free, but completely free.
How free? So free that I'd audaciously claim His freedom is from every single weight that binds us.
Some of us have been chained to obvious sin. We're addicted to food or stuff or sex.
Some of us have been chained to less outwardly noticeable (but inwardly apparent) sin. We're ridiculously prideful and always seeking the approval of others. We're addicted to glory and pleasure.
But some of us have been chained by one of the most deceptively sly sins in existence. It is freedom from these chains which I am beginning to revel in tonight even as I write this.
This is freedom from one kind of piety (devotion)... that leads to true piety.
We see it all around us, and we believers experience it every day: Guilt because I didn't spend enough time in devotions (or do my devotions at all). I prayed without getting on my knees, or I listened to too much secular music. I didn't witness to enough people this week or go on a mission trip this year... and I certainly didn't make enough disciples... oh what will God think of me?
All the while... without even realizing it... we have created a righteousness for ourselves... a new standard of right-standing before God... a righteousness that has no need for real grace, a righteousness that only needs a few obvious, ugly, embarrassing, former things to be nailed to the cross... and a righteousness that only needs a future resurrection from the dead. It has no need for rebirth, new creation or the indwelling of the Spirit because it is self-sustaining.
Being in youth ministry gives me a particularly potent perspective on this type of piety. It is the yearly cycle of Summer Camp high, Fall kick-off with a vengeance, the mid-semester slump, somber Christmas reflection, first of the year "where'd everyone go?", Spring retreat reboost, graduation shuffle and start it all over again. Some have compared the spiritual life of a teenager in youth ministry to a roller coaster. I'd rather compare it to doing drugs. Those who stick around long enough to see graduation are getting a hit just often enough to make it to the next one. By the time we get to this next spiritual high, we feel near spiritual death. (please note the pejorative nature of this description... anyone who knows me knows that I wouldn't spend my life doing anything else besides navigating these timulutuous and wonderful, beautiful times with youth)
So, the answer I've always given students to break free of this madness is to develop their personal disciplines and become active in the church. This is SO RIGHT! ... but what I never truly understood was that those things are the result of something else... they are not the main thing.
Jesus says, "If you love me, you'll obey me." (John 14:15).
And so, love and obedience are inextricably related. If you love... you'll obey, and you can't obey if you don't love. Yeahp... you can get up at 4 AM and read the Bible and pray until you're blue in the face, but if you don't love the God You're seeking, you should've slept in.
But how? How do I conjure up this love?
I guess I can't absolutely tell you how to grow in your affections for Christ... there are many facets to this subject (like daily rehearsing the gospel and developing dependent humility)... but I can share with you something that has helped me.
Realizing that I'm free.
When I realized that I didn't have to read my Bible one more time for God not just to love me but to LIKE me, I started wanting to read my Bible more.
When I realized that I didn't have to pray like all of my heroes of the faith in order for God to be truly and utterly pleased with me... yes, to delight in me... I wanted to talk to Him and hear from Him more.
When I completely let go of my personal piety as a means to get any sort of approval from God... which actually lead me through a time when I intentionally neglected these disciplines for the sake of having my motivations reoriented... I think I found true devotion in freedom.
So... when I get up in the morning and my initial thought is, "I have to do my devotions this morning or God's gonna be mad at me or He's not gonna bless my day," I remind myself that I've, in some way, denied the very essense of grace. Then I say to myself, "I don't have to do anything because Jesus already did everything for me." And the cool thing is... many times it is at this point that you'd have to fight me to keep me away from the light and the life that is found in His Word and in communion with Him through prayer.
Yes, I'm convinced... this freedom from one kind of piety leads to true piety because true piety is always found in a true love for God.
I hope with all my heart that these thoughts are helpful to you.
I truly do believe that the gospel is the power of God unto salvation (Rom. 1:16)... and the gospel is the reality that God the Son laid aside His privileges to become a man, live a sinless life, die a sacrificial death on our behalf, and rise from the dead to bring us live here and now and for eternity.
In Christ,
Andy
Monday, November 28, 2011
Thursday, August 18, 2011
My Moldovan Journal: Part 3 - Babylon
On the second day of camp in Moldova we were discussing the topic of sin. In my devotion group we began to list sins that seem prevelant around us and sins that we struggle with. Our attention turned to TV, music, fashion, and movies. After I had beat up on these media outlets in a fairly self-righteous way for a few moments, one of the kids looked at me and said, “But all of this stuff comes from America.”
He could have just as well stood up and punched me in the gut.
Immediately I was reminded of Revelation 18: “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! … For all the nations have drunk the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality.”
Has there ever been a time in history when it was possible for the whole world to look upon one nation and follow her into all kinds of sin? Has there ever been a nation in history that has spread sin so infectiously. Rome's influence was vast... as was Greece's and Persia's before it. But no nation on earth has ever had the impact that the US is having today. Almost the whole world desires to emulate Hollywood and NYC.
The point of this post is not to argue that the US is the Babylon of Revelation but rather that the spirit of Babylon which influences the entire earth is most certainly here. So, what are believers to do? The prophecy continues, “Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues.”
In my opinion, this is not necessarily a physical coming out (at least not at this point) but rather a decision-making process by which we choose to flee from the influences of the spirit of Babylon. And while it would be just as simple for me to begin naming TV shows, songs on the radio, and movies that I believe are unrighteous, I think a question is more appropriate for this generation:
If you really believe that the Lord is OK with your intake of these influences, at what point is enough enough? How much immorality is too much? How much of the spirit of Babylon is ok to stay in?
I pray that His people will come out of her. In my personal walk with the Lord, I have found that there is a direct correlation between my joy and contentment in the Lord and my willingness to deny myself the pleasures of Babylon. So, when we come out of her, we're really not giving up anything at all! We're gaining the greatest joy in heaven and on earth! As Piper says, “We're like little children who are content to play in mud pies while a day in the beach awaits us” (paraphrase).
Blessings on you as we learn together what it means to take up our cross daily and follow Jesus!
In Christ,
Andy
He could have just as well stood up and punched me in the gut.
Immediately I was reminded of Revelation 18: “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! … For all the nations have drunk the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality.”
Has there ever been a time in history when it was possible for the whole world to look upon one nation and follow her into all kinds of sin? Has there ever been a nation in history that has spread sin so infectiously. Rome's influence was vast... as was Greece's and Persia's before it. But no nation on earth has ever had the impact that the US is having today. Almost the whole world desires to emulate Hollywood and NYC.
The point of this post is not to argue that the US is the Babylon of Revelation but rather that the spirit of Babylon which influences the entire earth is most certainly here. So, what are believers to do? The prophecy continues, “Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues.”
In my opinion, this is not necessarily a physical coming out (at least not at this point) but rather a decision-making process by which we choose to flee from the influences of the spirit of Babylon. And while it would be just as simple for me to begin naming TV shows, songs on the radio, and movies that I believe are unrighteous, I think a question is more appropriate for this generation:
If you really believe that the Lord is OK with your intake of these influences, at what point is enough enough? How much immorality is too much? How much of the spirit of Babylon is ok to stay in?
I pray that His people will come out of her. In my personal walk with the Lord, I have found that there is a direct correlation between my joy and contentment in the Lord and my willingness to deny myself the pleasures of Babylon. So, when we come out of her, we're really not giving up anything at all! We're gaining the greatest joy in heaven and on earth! As Piper says, “We're like little children who are content to play in mud pies while a day in the beach awaits us” (paraphrase).
Blessings on you as we learn together what it means to take up our cross daily and follow Jesus!
In Christ,
Andy
Monday, August 8, 2011
My Son's First Communion
Last night was my son's first experience in "Big Church." We had a time of testimony about the missions efforts of our church this summer, and we thought it would be good to have him be a part. I was so proud of how well he sat and listened, sang the songs that he knew, and bowed his head during the prayer time.
Half-way through the service we took communion; and while we had discussed this ordinance with Ethan a few weeks ago, we neglected to give him a pre-game refresher. As the bread was passed I motioned to the deacon to skip my son (for he has not yet made a profession of faith). He was devastated. He immediately began crying, and I could tell he was also embarrassed. Everyone else around him was getting a piece of bread… why wasn’t he?
It was a difficult moment for me as a parent. Part of me thinks, “What could it hurt?” But, then I remember how valuable this teachable moment really is. You see, reserving communion for the regenerate alone is a beautiful witness to those among us who have not yet received the body of Christ broken for them the blood of Christ poured out for them. It symbolizes in a very real way their spiritual need.
Modern parenting experts would say that my actions most likely caused psychological trauma to my son, but I would have to disagree… depending on what they mean. If they mean that our Father, in his grace, provided my son an opportunity early on in life to see his state of lostness, perhaps they are correct. If they (or you) are worried about my son feeling affirmed in spite of his being denied communion… worry not. This was also a wonderful time for me to pull him to my side and kiss his head and whisper, “I promise we’ll talk about this later. I’ll explain why you couldn’t have a piece of bread.” Now comes another opportunity provided by my Father to bring my son along in his discipleship process.
Thank you Father for these holy moments. May I have eyes to see them each and every day, especially with the precious children you’ve entrusted to me.
In Christ,
Andy
Half-way through the service we took communion; and while we had discussed this ordinance with Ethan a few weeks ago, we neglected to give him a pre-game refresher. As the bread was passed I motioned to the deacon to skip my son (for he has not yet made a profession of faith). He was devastated. He immediately began crying, and I could tell he was also embarrassed. Everyone else around him was getting a piece of bread… why wasn’t he?
It was a difficult moment for me as a parent. Part of me thinks, “What could it hurt?” But, then I remember how valuable this teachable moment really is. You see, reserving communion for the regenerate alone is a beautiful witness to those among us who have not yet received the body of Christ broken for them the blood of Christ poured out for them. It symbolizes in a very real way their spiritual need.
Modern parenting experts would say that my actions most likely caused psychological trauma to my son, but I would have to disagree… depending on what they mean. If they mean that our Father, in his grace, provided my son an opportunity early on in life to see his state of lostness, perhaps they are correct. If they (or you) are worried about my son feeling affirmed in spite of his being denied communion… worry not. This was also a wonderful time for me to pull him to my side and kiss his head and whisper, “I promise we’ll talk about this later. I’ll explain why you couldn’t have a piece of bread.” Now comes another opportunity provided by my Father to bring my son along in his discipleship process.
Thank you Father for these holy moments. May I have eyes to see them each and every day, especially with the precious children you’ve entrusted to me.
In Christ,
Andy
Thursday, August 4, 2011
My Moldovan Journal: Part 2 - Walking
"Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see." -John 9:25 (ESV)
"Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they have been with Jesus." -Acts 4:13 (ESV)
There's something about going to a country and culture far from home. A place where routine and comfort are removed. It is in this place that I have seen the Holy Spirit move most mightily in and through me. I have often asked myself "why?" Why does it take such circumstances to bring me to a place of great usefulness to my Lord? I am thoroughly convinced that God only uses those who realize their desperate need for Him.
Oh, it's not as if I can't recite the theological truth or sing the hymn declaring my need for Him each hour, but when human energy is spent, resources are few, and desire is focused (on the gospel alone), GREAT things happen.
I am certain that this is the case because God alone receives the glory in such situations. When I have much to bring to the table, He allows me to do my thing... in my own power, unfortunately. When I realize that anything of any eternal value is impossible to accomplish short of a divine act of grace, then I am ready to see Him work.
I want to walk with Jesus like this all the time. Not just in the big youth events where I am begging for a great move of the Holy Spirit. Not just in the crises where I suddenly see my inadequacy. But every day. I want to say with the man born blind that, "He has made me see." Not just once when I was nine years old... but every single day. Lord, help me to see with Your eyes and trust in Your strength.
I want others to look at my life and take note that I have been with Jesus, not because it's a nice boost to the ego but because things are happening around me that can only be explained by an Almighty God... things that bring Him glory alone!
I want to walk with Jesus today, and every day... in utter dependence upon Him. There is nothing so important on my list of things to do this day that should keep me from communing with Him. Lord, help me remember these things.
In Christ,
Andy
"Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they have been with Jesus." -Acts 4:13 (ESV)
There's something about going to a country and culture far from home. A place where routine and comfort are removed. It is in this place that I have seen the Holy Spirit move most mightily in and through me. I have often asked myself "why?" Why does it take such circumstances to bring me to a place of great usefulness to my Lord? I am thoroughly convinced that God only uses those who realize their desperate need for Him.
Oh, it's not as if I can't recite the theological truth or sing the hymn declaring my need for Him each hour, but when human energy is spent, resources are few, and desire is focused (on the gospel alone), GREAT things happen.
I am certain that this is the case because God alone receives the glory in such situations. When I have much to bring to the table, He allows me to do my thing... in my own power, unfortunately. When I realize that anything of any eternal value is impossible to accomplish short of a divine act of grace, then I am ready to see Him work.
I want to walk with Jesus like this all the time. Not just in the big youth events where I am begging for a great move of the Holy Spirit. Not just in the crises where I suddenly see my inadequacy. But every day. I want to say with the man born blind that, "He has made me see." Not just once when I was nine years old... but every single day. Lord, help me to see with Your eyes and trust in Your strength.
I want others to look at my life and take note that I have been with Jesus, not because it's a nice boost to the ego but because things are happening around me that can only be explained by an Almighty God... things that bring Him glory alone!
I want to walk with Jesus today, and every day... in utter dependence upon Him. There is nothing so important on my list of things to do this day that should keep me from communing with Him. Lord, help me remember these things.
In Christ,
Andy
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
My Moldovan Journal: Part 1 - Hope
Two days ago I left a piece of my heart in a small country in eastern Europe known as Moldova. Its countryside is magnificent and its people humble and welcoming. While there, God gave me the blessing of being able to speak into the lives of several students whom I will not soon forget. Needless to say, their effect on me was just as signifcant, and I wish to write about my brief journey as a way to internalize the deep lessons that the Lord taught me. There is literally a pain in my heart at the thought that I would forget any of these spiritual truths that have been so life-changing.
Almost 10 years ago I was on a plane flying across the pacific ocean with similar thoughts in my head and feelings in my heart. After spending 5 weeks at a local school in the heart of China, my team and I boarded a bus to head to the airport. It was in this moment that I was struck by a scene that will never leave my memory so long as I live. As our bus pulled away, more than fifty students surrounded the vehicle with tears and good-byes. One particular student pressed his face against the glass of the window, and, for a moment, time stood still. On his face was a look of despair and hopelessness, sadness and emptiness. I knew that this young boy had little chance of ever hearing the gospel again, and I shared in his despair because I knew I was leaving him alone.
Now, please don't misunderstand me. I know that God is sovereign, and I know that He can draw this boy by any means that He wishes. He can provide many more opportunities for him to hear the gospel and accept it. But such truths are much easier to embrace and hold on to in a classroom than in a moment like this, especially for a 19-year-old who has yet to see much of the blackness of this fallen world.
Back to two days ago. This time it was the students leaving on a bus, headed back to their hometown... back to their lives, school, families, and friends. But, this time there was a difference from 10 years ago. Yes, tears were shed, hugs were had, and parting words were sweet. The difference between leaving my students in China and leaving these students is profound.
You see, in the same town to which these students were returning, there is a church. Oh sure, there are many religious buildings, but I know for sure that there is at least one church. And this church is lead by two godly men who desire to see their city won for Christ. They labor tirelessly in the fields of harvest each week, seeking out the lost and preaching the gospel.
Yes, my parting with the Moldovan students was difficult and sad, but in this case, I have great hope! The hope of the nations is Jesus Christ and His good news, and the means by which He has chosen to share that good news and live it out is His body, the church.
I pray that we all realize how this principle applies directly to each one of us, whether our home is in the poorest country in Europoe or the wealthiest country on earth. Jesus is the hope of the nations, and His body lives and breathes that hope!
In Christ,
Andy
Almost 10 years ago I was on a plane flying across the pacific ocean with similar thoughts in my head and feelings in my heart. After spending 5 weeks at a local school in the heart of China, my team and I boarded a bus to head to the airport. It was in this moment that I was struck by a scene that will never leave my memory so long as I live. As our bus pulled away, more than fifty students surrounded the vehicle with tears and good-byes. One particular student pressed his face against the glass of the window, and, for a moment, time stood still. On his face was a look of despair and hopelessness, sadness and emptiness. I knew that this young boy had little chance of ever hearing the gospel again, and I shared in his despair because I knew I was leaving him alone.
Now, please don't misunderstand me. I know that God is sovereign, and I know that He can draw this boy by any means that He wishes. He can provide many more opportunities for him to hear the gospel and accept it. But such truths are much easier to embrace and hold on to in a classroom than in a moment like this, especially for a 19-year-old who has yet to see much of the blackness of this fallen world.
Back to two days ago. This time it was the students leaving on a bus, headed back to their hometown... back to their lives, school, families, and friends. But, this time there was a difference from 10 years ago. Yes, tears were shed, hugs were had, and parting words were sweet. The difference between leaving my students in China and leaving these students is profound.
You see, in the same town to which these students were returning, there is a church. Oh sure, there are many religious buildings, but I know for sure that there is at least one church. And this church is lead by two godly men who desire to see their city won for Christ. They labor tirelessly in the fields of harvest each week, seeking out the lost and preaching the gospel.
Yes, my parting with the Moldovan students was difficult and sad, but in this case, I have great hope! The hope of the nations is Jesus Christ and His good news, and the means by which He has chosen to share that good news and live it out is His body, the church.
I pray that we all realize how this principle applies directly to each one of us, whether our home is in the poorest country in Europoe or the wealthiest country on earth. Jesus is the hope of the nations, and His body lives and breathes that hope!
In Christ,
Andy
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
The Hardest Part About Youth Ministry
I get picked on sometimes... because apparently, as a youth minister, I spend most of my time (I've been told) planning "ski trips" and "lock-ins" and other various fun activities. Now, I realize that most people do not really believe that's how I spend my life/career/ministry, but I guess it's possible there are a few out there who wonder just what a youth minister does. I won't go into my weekly schedule, but I would like to give you a glimpse into our world.
Children's ministers get to nurture and love children who adore them and look up to them as superheroes. I know this because I was one, and it's an amazing feeling to be so loved by these little ones. Adult ministers serve a group who have made their decision to be a part of the church, mind you, for various reasons I'm sure. Many have chosen the wrong path in the past and now desire to "atone" for their mistakes or simply want to avoid further damage to the lives God has given them. Many have seen the destructive ways of the flesh and choose to stay away from this kind of life. This makes for an interesting ministry to adults, but at least you usually know what you're getting... parents or singles who have chosen of their own volition to be there.
Now, I would never want to downplay either the roles of children or adult ministers, but youth ministry does seem, to me, unique in some ways. It's like we took all of the above, thew it in a blender, and added extreme social/peer pressure, some parents requiring church attendance, and the appeal of energetic and exciting programming. Discerning reasons for why students attend youth ministries seems sometimes a fool's errand. Even if you were to peel away the layers of presumption and ask a student honestly, "Why do you participate in church" the students themselves would be hard pressed to give you a coherent answer.
Why do I even bring all of this up?
Well... because... I believe that the most difficult thing about youth ministry is that there are so many men and women out there who love God and love students and want to see students love God and love others but at the end of the day must ultimately leave the students' true commitment and level of belief in the hands of as Sovereign God.
A student whom you have the highest hopes for may wreck his or her life. A fringe student or troublemaker whom you never thought would amount to much in the Kingdom may turn out to be the next David Platt or Francis Chan. The most difficult part about youth ministry is that in the end...
... it is their choice to make...
... not yours...
...as much as you'd love to make it for them.
Father, help me to trust you to guide the students you have entrusted to my care. Help me to trust that no matter what I see with my fleshly eyes, you look at the heart.
Amen
Children's ministers get to nurture and love children who adore them and look up to them as superheroes. I know this because I was one, and it's an amazing feeling to be so loved by these little ones. Adult ministers serve a group who have made their decision to be a part of the church, mind you, for various reasons I'm sure. Many have chosen the wrong path in the past and now desire to "atone" for their mistakes or simply want to avoid further damage to the lives God has given them. Many have seen the destructive ways of the flesh and choose to stay away from this kind of life. This makes for an interesting ministry to adults, but at least you usually know what you're getting... parents or singles who have chosen of their own volition to be there.
Now, I would never want to downplay either the roles of children or adult ministers, but youth ministry does seem, to me, unique in some ways. It's like we took all of the above, thew it in a blender, and added extreme social/peer pressure, some parents requiring church attendance, and the appeal of energetic and exciting programming. Discerning reasons for why students attend youth ministries seems sometimes a fool's errand. Even if you were to peel away the layers of presumption and ask a student honestly, "Why do you participate in church" the students themselves would be hard pressed to give you a coherent answer.
Why do I even bring all of this up?
Well... because... I believe that the most difficult thing about youth ministry is that there are so many men and women out there who love God and love students and want to see students love God and love others but at the end of the day must ultimately leave the students' true commitment and level of belief in the hands of as Sovereign God.
A student whom you have the highest hopes for may wreck his or her life. A fringe student or troublemaker whom you never thought would amount to much in the Kingdom may turn out to be the next David Platt or Francis Chan. The most difficult part about youth ministry is that in the end...
... it is their choice to make...
... not yours...
...as much as you'd love to make it for them.
Father, help me to trust you to guide the students you have entrusted to my care. Help me to trust that no matter what I see with my fleshly eyes, you look at the heart.
Amen
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