Where's my allegiance?

There's a great New Testament theme that sadly we miss as a result of our Americanism. You see within the early church there was a great divide between the Jews and Gentiles. The Jews believed they were God's people and after the captivities and judgment that had taken place in the 8th and 6th centuries B.C. there was a strong sentiment among Jewish people in the 1st Century to strictly adhere to the Law, avoid peoples of other nations, and follow the traditions of their elders. And with those feelings came arrogance, resentment, and distrust towards those around them. When Jesus established the church this divide between Jew and Gentile seeped into it as well. In Acts 6 Hellenistic Jews are upset because their widows are being neglected. In Acts 8, a Samaritan village has a revival and receives the Holy Spirit amid Jewish skepticism. In Acts 10-11, a Gentile household receives the Lord and the Holy Spirit comes upon them as well. All the while there are Jewish Christians within the church unsure of what to think of these Gentiles coming to faith in Christ.

As Americans we can't possibly understand what the big deal is over this debate in the Early Church, nor the statements that we are all one in Christ (Gal. 3:28). So if we don't have a similar experience in terms of how we look at one another based on race or ethnicity is their a comparison?

Growing up I had teams I rooted for and teams I rooted against. Those teams changed as my dad got a new job or his friends moved to other schools or teams. I certainly have cheered passionately for and against teams throughout my years on this Earth. But I've been pondering something of late. Is it right for me to feel so strongly against them? Is it okay for me to be consumed with seeing them lose, to be angry when they beat my team, or feel slighted by God after they win again? This year with the Bedlam game I took the following approach; I went in optimistic, but realistic that this is Bedlam football we are talking about (I won't put down the overall series record for your sake and my own). At the end of the game I smiled and shrugged it off muttering the words OSU fans live by, "we'll get 'em next year," and went to bed. No hard feelings, no angry thoughts, or prayers to God about the game. The reality is in heaven I highly doubt the Bedlam series will be etched in gold, nor will the Packers-Cowboys World Championships comparison be on the walls of New Jerusalem. They won't because these things are temporary and won't matter. Sadly, I make them a bigger deal than they should be too often.

Now I'm not saying I won't cheer for or against a team anymore. I'll always cheer for Green Bay and against OU. What I'm saying is that Christians of all people should be able to keep a level head and proper perspective on sports, knowing that despite what may divide us, the One who unites is where our ultimate allegiance lies. If that is our ultimate destiny, should that not also be our aim while on this Earth as well, that we live in unity despite our differences because of the One who makes us new. This idea doesn't just work with our rooting interests, it also works well with our denominations. God desires unity in the midst of our diversity.

Perhaps that's what is so wonderful about Revelation 5 where it states, "for You were slain and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation," and what's wonderful about the passage is the promise; despite what you were and how you identified yourself and the divisions that existed prior to being identified in Christ, now those are gone and you are united with one another because greater is He which unites you, than that which divides you. Just so long as nobody yells Boomer I think we'll be okay!

Top 10 of 2010

Years ago I started making a top 10 list at the end of every year. Its a good time to reflect on the past few months and the ways that the Lord has worked to bring about His glory in our lives. Our society moves so quickly that I think there is a danger that we don't take enough time to simply think back on what we have been through before pushing on to the next project or year. In some cases it has been people, experiences, possessions, or even character development. This year we are going to add to this tradition by picking out a few memorial events, etc. and write them on these wooden blocks that Hudson got for his birthday. Its an idea that a friend from church used and we loved so that in the years to come we can remind Hudson and Athan of the great things God has done for us in the past, and encourage them to trust Him in the present and future. And all of that discussed as we are building a castle for their GI Joe's to raid! So here's the list;

• This past May we graduated a wonderful group of Seniors. Many of the students will always be very special to us as we spent countless hours together on Mission Trips, lock-ins, Ski Trips, and Bible studies. As I've spent the last six years in youth ministry I've realized that God so often uses our students to teach me more about Himself and my own faults in His eyes. These students were often the pawns God used in those lessons and I thank God for them. This group remained faithful to the Lord during their time in High School right up until the last Sunday that they could come to youth. Jen and I are excited to see where He leads them from here and are thankful for the part we've gotten to play in their development.
• This past August somehow I got the bright idea to go ahead and begin my Greek classes online! Three iphone apps, atleast two nervous breakdowns, and doing Greek paradigms in my sleep all accompanied this semester of New Testament Greek 101. As difficult as it has been (I probably averaged around 12 hours a week on that one class), it has been as rewarding as any class I've taken. Nothing is more fun than to be able to read our passage b as I'm following along in the Sunday morning service in my Greek New Testament, or identifying a perfect verb and knowing all that accompanies that tense. Seminary continues to be a blessing to my spiritual life.
• In July, Jen and I traveled up to Colorado for my brother David's wedding. We were unsure if we would be able to go because Athan was only three weeks old but we agreed it was an event we could not miss. On July 17th David and Lauren were married. Its such a wonderful blessing to see two followers of Christ, commit to love each other for their lifetime with the intention of serving the Lord no longer as individuals but now as a couple. I use them too often, but they are a modern day Priscilla and Aquila and we are so thankful for Lauren. We are thankful that she keeps David humble, and that we now see his teeth again when he smiles. God is good. And by the way, Athan hasn't slept well since that weekend!
• In June I led a crew of teens, college students, and adults to Del Rio, TX to work with a ministry called RAM and some local churches doing work along the border with Hispanics. Serving alongside my students is one of the great benefits of my job. I absolutely love watching them tirelessly consider the needs of others. Our students make it easy as they serve cheerfully and maintained great unity throughout the entirety of the trip. At the end of the trip our host, Rick, commented to one of our group members how unique our group was. They got along together, looked out for each other, and loved each other. What better testimony can our students have to the world around them?
• We arrived back from that trip on a Friday evening and on Monday morning Athan Lane Felker was born. The pregnancy was filled with ups and downs about his health, and trying to schedule an induction date around our busy summer schedule. In the end everything worked out and he is such a joy to Jen and I. After the loss of Eliot our fears were so real and flooded our minds for nine months and yet God has provided more than we could have hoped for. Athan is very different from Hudson as his sleeping patterns were and are still difficult, he's got dark hair, and is a big baby! For the most part he is happy while awake and pretty laid back. Our two bedroom house is crowded with clothes, toys, and cribs, but each evening as I go to bed I am humbled by God's goodness as I pray that, "He would bless Athan and keep him, that You would cause Your face to shine on Him."
• This fall I started meeting with a group of Junior High guys on Friday mornings at 7 at Chick-fil-A. After a time of Bible study and a tray of Chicken minis they pile in my car and I take them to school. It seems strange to enjoy waking up early, but this is my favorite time of the week, I mean we are combining God's Word and Chicken minis! Those are two of my favorite things! These guys are committing to something extra, not because its easy or without sacrifice, but because they want to grow closer to Christ and want to make a difference in their school, on their teams or in their band. Meeting with them energizes me and challenges me to do the same with neighbors, strangers or others I come into contact with.
• Every year around August I end up adding new leaders in the youth ministry. Some take on roles as a Sunday School teacher or Small group discussion leader. These youth leaders are always Godsent. Jen and I spend time talking about the holes we have and praying for God to provide the right person for those spots. We treasure their service and pray for their growth and for God's direction in their lives. This year our leaders have once again been a tremendous answer to prayer and we thank God for their willingness to reach out to the students and the passion they have to see these students walking with the Lord.
• Whenever you bring another child home its always interesting to see how the older sibling will respond. In my case I asked my parents when we were taking my younger brother David back to the hospital! I can honestly say I don't think a two year old could respond any better to a baby brother than Hudson has. He is so proud of Athan and wants people to know that Athan is his baby brother. He likes to hold him (with our help), and he has been agreeable to being quiet while Athan naps. There have been no feelings of resentment or jealousy. We pray most nights for their relationship to be strong through childhood, adolescence and adulthood and thank God for the way He has answered that prayer thus far. By the way, I did take a liking to David after that initial set back!
• I sometimes find myself comparing my job with that of a college football coach (it should be understandable since that's what my Dad has done for his entire life). In the same way that kids leave early or graduate while new kids come into the program, so in a youth ministry you have students who graduate or move away while others promote up to Middle School. As a result each year can be drastically different with a different dynamic based on the students in the ministry. This year the ministry has looked very different from this past May. We are much younger with the Junior High and Middle School groups being much larger than our High School (this past May our High School was just as big as our Junior High group). Its taken some getting used to again, but we have loved seeing these younger students having to get older and take more leadership positions within the ministry.
• Lastly, this past year God has really taught me how lacking I truly am. In many ways 2010 will be a year in which I have been humbled. I told a group the other day that while I was in college I used to think where I would be five years down the road and I always assumed I would have quit certain sins, mastered specific spiritual disciplines, and started others. What I've come to realize is that in many ways the life of faith can be a crawl. That may seem discouraging to some, but I've taken heart in knowing that my growth and sanctification is not based on me, it truly is a work of the Spirit in one's life. I'm thankful for the change He has made, and more than ever reliant upon His work to transform me ever more into the likeness of Christ.

Shining as Lights

For those who grew up in my generation, who were fans of Contemporary Christian music as a teen, I could probably start this quote off and you would be able to finish it,

"The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians who acknowledge Him with their lips and walk out the door and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable." The quote is by Brennan Manning and was placed on D.C. Talk's Jesus Freak album.

I've recently spent a great deal of time in Bible studies and in meetings with individuals talking about how we as Christians stand out as different or holy in this world. I've asked myself and others the question, "Is there any way we can avoid the conclusion that Manning makes that we as hypocritical Christians are the greatest reason people deny the existence of God? And honestly, is there anyway we can avoid being frauds in their eyes?"

Looking at history doesn't encourage my spirit about the possibilities of living holy and blameless in contrast to this world. In the Old Testament the people of Israel seem to live very similarly to the nations around them. The Patriarchs seem no different from their neighbors as they lie about the relationship to their wives (Genesis 12), steal birthrights (Genesis 27), murder a whole village (Genesis 34), or swindle a father-in-law (Genesis 30). Looking at the period of the kings, even under the good kings the nation usually still had the high places where they worshipped false gods (Josiah and Hezekiah appear to be different, but even under Solomon these high places were used by Israel, see I Kings 3). After the captivity Nehemiah pulls his beard out because the people are intermarrying with other nations and raising their children according to the customs of other religions (Nehemiah 13). In the New Testament the Corinthians are an absolute mess doctrinally and morally. The Thessalonians are guilty of sexual impurity (I Thess. 4), the Colossians and residents of Galatia have major doctrinal flaws they are wrestling with, and the churches mentioned in Revelation 2-3 each has major issues.

Even now the church struggles to be salt and light as we are commanded (Matthew 5:13-16). I was confronted with this issue this past week as the story came out about Auburn's quarterback, Cam Newton along with his father seeking $200,000 in exchange for him attending school. The problem is that his father is a pastor and by all indications was the one demanding the money and making the decisions. Sadly, whether this is true or not people will conclude that the father is a greedy fake no different than themselves and as a result will look down upon our Lord and His church.

All this to say, here's my response to Manning's quote and the questions I've been wrestling with the past few weeks.

• In many ways, there are those who are not Christians who are searching and seeking for evidence proving they are correct in their assessment that we are no different and that Christianity is a fraud. I don't think we can do anything to change their minds. So every time they see on the television about the pastor who cheated on his taxes, or the minivan with the Christian bumper sticker who cuts them off, it just provides more fuel to their assertions that we are no different. In that way Manning's quote is correct. As a result...
• We should be people who always have God's grace upon our lips. We are always ready to give an answer (1 Peter 3:15), and quick to declare that we are Christians not because we try to be, or because we agree to live by a set of rules, but simply by His grace. C.S. Lewis asserted that it was quite possible an unbeliever who was a moralist would actually live better than the Christian because the moralist believed his good behavior would someday merit some form of reward or arm-twisting before God whereas the Christian knows they are hopeless and lost if not for God's grace. Therefore they aren't saved because they do good, go to church, give their money to the poor, etc. but these are done expressing appreciation for what God has done for them. Our words have to be communicating that our deeds don't make us better before God than our neighbor, but simply are the revelation of our thanksgiving for what He has done for us. Tim Keller did a wonderful job of conveying this point in The Reason for God.
• Finally, we as Christians have got to see that in order to be salt and light we don't just have to avoid the "big sins." The one time in history that comes to mind when God's people were living transformed lives that made a difference on their culture was shortly after Pentecost. These believers were selling their possessions and sharing the proceeds with the poor, they were sacrificially loving one another. Consider Stephen's martyrdom and the effect it must have had on the Apostle Paul as this man is being stoned unfairly, but in the midst of such unfairness drops to his knees and prays that the Lord would forgive his murderers. The genuine love that these believers had for Jesus spilled over into love for one another and even for their enemies. Don't you know that's why many of the Jewish priests got saved (Acts 6:7)? Rather than focusing on not committing the big sins, I think we would do well to consider are we loving one another as Christ has loved us (John 13:34-35)? Are we speaking words of encouragement that are positive and true (Acts 11:23)? Are we forgiving even those who don't deserve it because Christ has forgiven us even when we didn't deserve it (Matthew 6:14)? Those sins of omission are often overlooked, yet sadly reflect so much the life of a transformed believer.

Manning may be correct in his assertions about the life of the believer, and that's why its essential that I speak of God's grace often as the only means by which I can come to God, and that I focus on loving others in the way I speak to them, as I forgive them, and interact with them because someone may make conclusions about Christ based on my behavior and I want my behavior to testify of His grace and the power of His Spirit working inside of me...

Tiling Observations on Sin

Tomorrow I will begin a home improvement project that I've put off for way too long. I'm going to tile the walls around the bathtub in our hallway bathroom. This is the third tiling project I've done and I must confess I actually enjoy the work! I've had dreams of tiling our entry way and doing a renovation of our other bathroom, but I know neither of those projects will happen in the immediate future. In my last project (the kitchen backsplash) I had some observations as I finished the project.

You see as I got to the end I noticed that one of the tiles that I had set moved slightly. It was just one corner that slid down just a hair. If you looked at it today you wouldn't notice, nor would you think it was a big deal, but it caused some problems as I set the other tiles around it. You see once that tile moves even slightly it effects every other tile around it. Its essential that these tiles remain square and if one of them moves and is no longer square the other tiles around it have difficulty being square as well.

I couldn't help but think about the effects of sin as I finished up the project. Our sin always has consequences and we're foolish if we don't see that we are not the only one's who feel or experience those consequences. Those close to us are effected by the consequences of our sin. Going all the way back to Adam, his sin effected every individual who has come after him. Abraham chose not to trust God's promise and to listen to Sarah and have a son through Hagar, for all time the descendants of Ishmael and Isaac will fight as a consequence of that bad decision. David is another example, where the sins mentioned within Scripture effected the lives of others (think of the lives that were lost because of David's sin of adultery with Bathsheba or when David was tempted to number Israel and the 70,000 who died from pestilence).

Here are some specific ways that others feel the consequences of our sin;

• They are led to commit the same sin. A good example would come from Galatians 2 where Peter shows racial partiality by refusing to sit with Gentile Christians when Jewish leaders were around. Barnabas saw Peter's example and rather than seeing it as sin, likely because of his respect for Peter, instead followed Peter into the sin himself. This is why Paul warns in Galatians 6:1 that only those who are spiritual should go to restore a person who is caught in sin because of the temptation they will experience to fall into that sin as well.
• They are treated differently because of your sin. Using the same story of Galatians 2, those Gentile Christians in Antioch were treated as 2nd class citizens by Peter and Barnabas. The text said that these men, who were leaders of the church, even apostles of Jesus, were refusing to sit next to a Gentile brother in Christ because they valued the favor of the Jew more than being impartial as God is. Often times I have teens ask why lust or anger is all that bad, saying, "Its not like it would hurt anyone if its just in my heart." Jesus' equates the two in Matthew 5 because the feelings in one's heart effect our perspectives, our words, and our deeds (Jesus later expounds on this point in Matt. 15:18-20). Anger is sin and when we engage in it the effects can harm other people as it will effect the way I treat those individuals and others as well.
• They experience a break in fellowship and unity. Sin always causes a breakdown in fellowship, not only between us and the Lord, but also between ourselves and fellow believers. In this case, Peter's partiality caused a major split within the church upon racial lines. It was an issue the church repeatedly dealt with in its infancy. Sadly, his sin caused division rather than promoting unity that Christ had prayed for (John 17). The Christian teen who gossips about a fellow believer breaks unity and loses fellowship with their brother or sister in Christ. The Christian husband who has an affair not only has a breakdown in fellowship with the Lord, but also with their wife, their children, and those brothers who have walked alongside them. The Christian who decides to forsake the assembling of the church not only loses fellowship with God, but with those that the Lord has placed in his/her life to exhort and encourage them.

Like those tiles that each relied and were effected upon one another so is the Christian. When one brother or sister sins we each feel the effects. Hopefully this causes us to consider just how essential it is for us to strive for holiness, knowing others are hurt when we reject the Spirit's leading to forsake temptation. Seeing sin for what it is should also cause us to realize just how far reaching our sin truly is and when we do we can't help but have a high view of sin and of the darkness, desperation, and hopelessness we were and are in. This correct view of our depravity should cause us to see God's grace as much more grand and live as expectant and longing children for the day when sin no longer will be in our presence and we will exist in perfect peace and holiness with the Lord forever.

Complaints and grumbles

Recently, as I've been reading through Numbers, I've felt highly convicted. You see I can probably complain with the best of them. "My fries are too soggy, my house is too small, my son won't sleep, I didn't get to watch the highlights of the Packers because I had to watch Thomas the Train." Despite how wonderful my life is, I've noticed that I spend a great deal of time complaining (Its pathetic when you think how great my life really is).

As I read in Numbers the other day I came to the realization that if I am serious when I say, "complaining is a sin," and I am, then I must repent and seek the Lord's work in that area of my life. What got me to wake up and see this is Numbers 14. In Numbers 14 the Lord has had it with the nation of Israel and as a result of their grumblings and complaints the Lord promises that the generation of complainers will all fall in the wilderness and not receive the blessing of entering the Promised Land. Notice, its not because of a sin that we might consider "a biggy" like adultery, murder or rape (thanks to Prof. Bingham for this insight!) God tells them that because of their complaining they aren't going into the land (this should certainly cause us to pause before ranking sins in our mind as a way to pat ourselves on the back for not committing what we consider the top 3 or 5). I don't think I'm off base at all by concluding that God is serious about complaining. But why? What's so bad about complaining about my mpg's in my car, about our school system, or price for cable television? Here are a few thoughts;

• In Philippians 4 we see a marvelous revelation from the apostle Paul as he admits that the secret to his life is contentment. He wholly trusts that in any situation that he endures or encounters he trusts he will make it through because of the strength found in Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:13). God desires people who are looking to Him, focused on Him and trusting in Him and His plan for their circumstances.
• On the flip side, complaining ultimately is doubting God's sovereignty. When we complain in essence we are second guessing God's plan and God's placement of us in these particular circumstances. Our words may not be so clear, but really we are saying we think we could do better. This is evident in Numbers as the Israelites consistently complain that they shouldn't have left Egypt and their life was so much better in Egypt. What they're saying is, "we know best, and this Promised Land idea isn't what we want, we want to be back in Egypt."
• Finally, complaining focuses far too much of our thoughts and words on our circumstances rather than on the Lord's purpose behind them.
• Sometimes our negative circumstances our given as a lesson for us to learn. When we complain we fail to see the lesson God has given to us.
• Acts 8 is a great example of a man who refused to focus on the circumstances and focused instead on working in them for God's glory. Philip very easily could have complained about leaving Samaria for a desert road. He had done a great work in Samaria, things were happening, and he was a central reason for the revival. In the midst of the Lord's work in Samaria Philip is called out of that place for a desert road leading to Egypt. Can you imagine the disappointment or the temptation to sulk, moan, and complain? Instead, Philip seizes the opportunity that God planned by approaching the Ethiopian Eunuch and converting him to Christ.

Returning to the Numbers passage and the children of Israel who complained forty years in the desert until the last of their generation passed away, its good for me to remember how serious God takes sin, especially sin I so often commit. It's humbling, but at the same time it gives me a fresh taste of God's grace as I remember even now how selfish and sinful I can choose to live, and the forgiveness and mercy I can receive as I come to the throne of God asking for forgiveness. I'd encourage you not to make lists, God seems to flip them on us to remind us of His holiness and just how badly we need the Spirit's refining work in our lives...

The Christian Citizen

I hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July and were able to celebrate with family and/or close friends. I'm sure most who read this blog spent time on Sunday morning at church. If your church is like mine, you probably enjoyed some patriotic songs during the worship service. I've always been a bit hesitant about singing "God bless America" in church, not because I don't love my country. There's no other place I would rather live. My reasons depend more on the history of the church. For example, I can't imagine this taking place in the 1st Century church under the rule of the Roman Empire or during the Middle Ages, as Luther wouldn't have spent time in church singing for God to bless the German state or Calvin to bless the Swiss/French state. Their focus in church was on Christ and singing and exalting him, not a secular state however Christlike that state may be. No doubt our nation's values at times align very strongly with Judeo-Christian values and many of our founding fathers were Christians (although many were Deists as well). I just prefer to think about Christ at church, and the nation I dearly love while watching fireworks or a special on the history channel.

I did, however, really enjoy spending time thinking about the perspective Christians should have towards their government. I've come to the conclusion that Christians (I use that word to describe those who have believed in Christ and are seeking to follow Him with their lives), more than any other religious group or block in this country, should be appreciative of the freedoms we have as citizens of the United States. Here are my reasons;

1. Christians have a connection to individuals of other nations Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians that there is one Body of Christ, and all who have believed in Christ are united together. As a result, God does not see many different churches, but One. The Spirit connects us to those who live in Africa or Asia, as we are one Body with them, indwelt by one Spirit who share one calling. Paul elsewhere uses the image of a family to describe the relationships we are to have with fellow believers. In light of this truth, we are united with brothers and sisters in Saudia Arabia or China who experience grave persecution because of their faith in Christ. We also have family members in Vietnam singing with whispers in apartments in fear that the secret police may find them and arrest them because they confess Jesus as Lord. The blood that unites us as family is not that which flows through our veins, but the blood that was shed for us at the cross as our Lord offered Himself as a sacrifice for our sins. Across the world millions of Christians do not enjoy the freedom to worship Christ openly and without fear of repercussion as we do here in the United States. Should we not be thankful for our country and the freedoms it provides to us in view of the situation many of our brothers and sisters in Christ find themselves in on the other side of the globe?
2. Christians have a connection to individuals in the past. Our churches can never forget our spiritual heritage as a small band of Jewish fishermen, dedicated to the cause of a carpenter, were able to overthrow the Roman Empire. Christianity became the official religion of the Empire in less than three hundred years. In those first two centuries it was a religion persecuted as Nero charged the Christians with setting Rome on fire, or later when Christians were thrown to the lions or used as street lamps. The Church father Tertullian saw this persecution not as a wholly negative experience as he said, "The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church." Our spiritual fathers in the Roman Empire, in France, in Moravia, in England were persecuted for their faith and were not given the freedom to worship the Lord openly without fear of death or persecution. Calvin said the church is the spiritual body of all believers of all time. In essence, the Holy Spirit unites us with those believers who have come before us, just as it does with those who currently live on different continents presently. We have a connection to our spiritual ancestors unlike any other belief system offers. Can an atheist fully appreciate the freedoms they possess here in the United States without any connection to those who have come before them?
3. Spiritual Freedom allows us to fully enjoy National Freedom. Those who have believed in Christ have been set free spiritually from the Law, the power of sin, and death. The book of Galatians was written to remind believers of those freedoms and to exhort them to greater faithfulness in light of such freedom. You've probably heard it said, "freedom isn't free." This past Sunday in church we also observed the Lord's Supper. I spent a great deal of time thinking about the high cost that Christ paid to set me free. He left the glories of heaven, came to this earth, lived a perfect life, died a death He didn't deserve, rose victoriously on the third day, and ascended to heaven to the right hand of the Father. All of this He did to set me free. His love and mercy leave me speechless and humbled. I don't think we can express our appreciation for such undeserved love. At the same time, this sacrifice for my freedom changes my perspective. All of a sudden having experienced spiritual freedom and new life in Christ, I can fully comprehend the depths and cost that freedom demands. I understand that great sacrifice and selflessness are required for freedom to be gained. I know this not because I have made that type of sacrifice, but only because I have reaped the benefits of One who did. Having reflected on the spiritual freedom that Christ purchased for me, it gives me a greater appreciation for the sacrifice and selflessness that our servicemen and women display in order to provide me with national freedom. They are examples of Jesus' statement, "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends."

Christians should love their country, not because its perfect or God's kingdom on earth, but because of the many freedoms we enjoy that others do not. We also should be ever grateful to those who have sacrificed so much to defend our freedoms, knowing their sacrifice has, in some small way modeled that of Christ's.

Family Resemblance

With the birth of a new baby there typically are a number of different questions that are always asked. For example, the "are you getting any sleep?" seems to be a favorite right now (And to answer that question, Athan is sleeping really well right now. I'm tempted to say he may be a better sleeper than Hudson was). The second topic that always seems to come up is the "who does he look like?" conversation. Its always fun to watch grandparents, uncles, and aunts stare at a child and discuss whether that nose was Grandpa Tingle's or a Harrison nose. Each part of their little faces is diagnosed and discussed. During the conversation last week regarding Athan, my Dad in a way that only he could, just stated that he thought Athan looked just like him when he was a baby. He even pulled out old baby pictures of himself to bolster his argument!

No doubt Athan will have features that are distinctly his own, but as I've seen with Hudson he will look like Jen at certain moments, or play like me at others. Their personality, temperment, and look resemble their family.

As I listened to that conversation in the hospital it made me think how much joy I get when I have someone tell me that Hudson looks like me or acts like me. I think we as parents enjoy seeing that resemblance in our own children (at least when its a positive trait!). It also made me reflect on whether I resemble my Heavenly Father in my interactions or words to others.

As Christians, the Bible tells us that we are adopted sons and daughters of God (Romans 8). We are born again when we come to faith in Christ and this new birth is a birth into the family of God (John 3). We are to look to the Lord as our Father, even calling Him "Abba". We are part of the family of God, and are to view fellow believers not only as partners in ministry, but as spiritual brothers and sisters (1 Timothy 5).

As God's child there should be some family resemblance. John says in his first epistle, "By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, or the one who does not love his brother." John is arguing that God's children are going to love their brothers and sisters, they are going to practice righteousness. This doesn't mean I will always behave in those ways just as Hudson or Athan won't always behave as I wished they would. Just because they don't behave as I desire them to wouldn't mean they would forfeit their sonship. What it does mean is that God's children, living in God's Spirit reflect God's character.

So do I resemble my Heavenly Father by serving selflessly as Christ did, or are my own selfish interests secretly at heart? When others see my interactions with a bad cashier at a store, do they see love and compassion conveyed? In many respects, just as Athan has a hair line that looks just like mine, so our character should reflect that of our Heavenly Father.

I can think of nothing our Father would desire more, than for His children to live in the power of the Holy Spirit, seeking to t reveal their family resemblance with the Maker and Creator of all that exists. By doing so not only do we bring our Father joy, but we fulfill the responsibility He has given to us, to testify to others of His goodness and grace...

Athan Lane Felker

Well as I sit in the hospital room watching my beautiful wife and new son fall asleep I wanted to jot down some of the details from the past 24 hours. We checked into the hospital last night at about 8:30 for an induction that was to begin early this morning. Around 10:30 Jen received her epidural and the first scare took place. The first epidural hit a blood vessel and the anestheseologist said she would only try it one more time and if it didn't work Jen would have to go with no drugs. It managed to work that time. Jen progressed at a rapid pace and by 11:30 was ready to push but her doctor was in surgery. We were both worried and concerned, but by 11:45 he made it and after a few short minutes Athan had arrived!

Athan weighed 7 pounds and 2 ounces, which wasn't bad for a baby three weeks premature. He was 20 inches long and had a head full of black hair (which fits him well with his Greek name!) In many ways he reminds me a lot of Hudson in the face, but I'm sure over the next few weeks he'll begin to have his own look. As for now we are so very humbled by God's grace. After last years loss I feel so very blessed to have a baby boy to hold and even change!

Athan's name is a bit unique, but something we spent time praying about and researching. I had always liked the idea of naming my children after great men or women of God particularly in Church History. I wanted to be able to tell my kids that they were named after a great man or woman of the Lord and my prayer is they would imitate such devotion in their own lives. My favorite two names were Hudson and Eliot. When I found out we would have another little boy I didn't have many ideas.

Years ago I had heard of a story about a young man named Athanasius, who managed to sway the bishops of the Byzantine Empire from following the newest fad and unbiblical teaching of Arianism, and instead to accept orthodoxy. He did so through his great writings on the Incarnation of Christ as the central tenet of our faith. Its possible he was even the author of the Nicene Creed, and all of this he did before the age of 28! From the time he was 30 until his death he served as the bishop of the great city of Alexandria as he pastored the cities' churches. He was banished five different times, his life was threatened by emperors and even assassins and still he held faithfully to the Bible's teachings on Christ's incarnation.

A man who stood for truth in the face of persecution, who studied diligently, and shepherded wisely was surely someone worthy to be an example not only to me, but to all believers. My prayer is that Athan would come to know the Lord early, and model these habits of Athanasius in his own lifetime.

Rocks of Remembrance

A few weeks ago I was fortunate enough to get to preach on Sunday morning. I chose the passage in Joshua 4 where the Lord brings the Israelites across the Jordan River on dry ground and commands them to setup a memorial that would testify constantly of God's goodness to them. This memorial of rocks was to remind them of what God had brought them through and spur them on as they sought to take the promised land. The memorial was to be a teaching tool for the Israelites to use as they instructed their children and grandchildren about the Lord. It also was to be used to proclaim to the nations that the Lord God of Israel was to be feared by all nations and peoples. One of the principles I sought to emphasize is that as people are reminded of what God has done in their past, they will be more likely to rest in God's sovereignty and goodness with their present trials and circumstances. In that regard, our past can have a significant impact on our spiritual formation in the present and the future.

My challenge for the congregation starting with myself was to reflect on my past and identify significant events, people, and even places that the Lord has used to impact the path I am now on and the man I am today. Secondly, after identifying those "rocks of remembrance" its my responsibility to share those with others. I believe God does not bring people or events into our lives for our benefit alone, but so that we can in turn share those with others and they can benefit from our experiences as well.

So here are a few of my "rocks". Some of these I shared from the pulpit, while others I came up with as I reflected on my own life.

• God's provision as we moved- I had a number of moves as a child and adolescent. It seems like I would get adjusted to a situation, make friends, get comfortable and we would be moving again. In some cases my Dad took a job where he was able to balance his time between work and home more so. Those years were wonderful as he was able to coach little league and spend more time with me, being that Godly example I needed. Other moves meant he was taking a job that prevented him from being around as much. In many cases those moves will serve as rocks for me as each time I became dependent on the Lord to provide (especially if Dad lost his job), but also to be that "friend who sticks closer than a brother." Those moves also made me closer to my brothers and parents as I looked to them as more than family, as friends.
• Jen- Our friendship began as seniors in high school and has had a monumental impact on the man I am today. Her authentic faith challenged me and my relationship with the Lord. We often have talked together about Priscilla and Aquila. Each time the married couple is mentioned they are mentioned as a team. Its also interesting to point out that Priscilla is always mentioned first, perhaps expressing her as the primary minister of the couple. Jen is my Priscilla.
• Countryside Church-In the spring of my freshmen year I had still not found a church home and was struggling to get plugged in anywhere in Stillwater. My dad encouraged me to try out Countryside and the next Sunday I did. From that point on this has been my church home. The love for God's Word and opportunities to serve forever changed the path I was on.
• Harry Layden, Butch Simmons, and JB Bond- These three men are a few of my role models. Men I love, I admire, and have been instruments God has used to mold me. Harry has been a friend, a man who married Jen and I, whose family I truly do love and respect. Harry was wonderful in pre-marital counseling in emphasizing communication between Jen and I. I'm not talking about the weather or the latest episode of "the Office." I mean real communication, turning off the radio on the way to Mississippi and just talking. Its something that I still feel we seek to practice in our marriage. Butch has been a wonderful role model of grace, of humility, and a man whose life oozes Christlikeness. I spent a summer in Starkville and got to know him for a few months. For reasons I can't quite figure out, he has continued to seek out our friendship and taken an interest in me. JB has been more than a boss, he has been a terrific up close example of faithfulness and dedication to the Lord. That example constantly challenges me to imitate those traits as well. His passion for God's word is contagious and I caught it soon after hearing him. I've thankful to have each of these men as rocks in my life.
• Jen's Job-Shortly after getting married Jen had still not found a job in Stillwater. The plan was for her to get a job while I finished school (she graduated a year early, I was not late I was right on time!). She tried everything, she even went to do a few random jobs for a temp agency. Bills were coming due and we were both concerned. I remember her calling me at work to tell me that a man who was looking to hire a secretary had called to tell her she didn't get the job because she was over qualified. She was crying and I felt terrible for her. She went home and a half hour later she called back and the job she had wanted, that was closest to her field of study, had called to offer her the job. In God's perfect timing He provided exactly what we needed and Jen wanted.
• New Orleans Mission Trip #1- The trip took place the spring after Katrina. We took a relatively small group down to New Orleans with the sole purpose of gutting and cleaning up from the disaster. The trip was monumental for Jen and I as we witnessed devastation that we had never seen before. It also gave us an opportunity to serve alongside one another and alongside our students. From that point on, I knew I wanted to take mission trips with our students. There is nothing more rewarding than serving alongside those you minister to.
• Senior Class 2010-Too often there seems to be a focus on the teacher, the pastor, the writer, or the shepherd as the one whose life is a blessing to others. In my experience in ministry, my life has been seriously impacted by those I minister to. They have been a blessing, a comfort, and an encouragement to me in ways I could not express. The 2010 class has been special to Jen and I. Many came to the hospital when Hudson was born and have loved him (even when he screamed all through Kansas) as he went on Mission trips and ski trips with them. They cooked us a meal in New Orleans on Jen and I's anniversary. They went to the middle of nowhere in SE Oklahoma with us as 8th graders! Other kids and classes will be special as well, but this groups dedication to the Lord has been such a challenge to me and I will always think of them as rocks in my life.
• Eliot's Comfort-It may seem unique to have a trial listed as a rock. In many ways losing Eliot may be the low point of my life thus far. I've described the whole situation as "silence" because that word better than any other describes that time in my life. In situations like that all you have to cling to is the Lord. His comfort and peace have surpassed my understanding. More than that, I don't know why it happened, but its brought tears to my eyes to see good come from that situation. To know that his little life cut short, in many ways has still blessed the lives of others. I believe we are more equipped to comfort another having experienced heartache ourselves (that's Paul's point in 2 Cor. 1:3-8).

I could name others, but I think this is good for now. Thanks for reading, I encourage you to consider what your rocks would be too. Until next time...

J

Shadowing-Part 2

  Yesterday while mowing my grass,  I noticed once again Hudson watching my every move and trying to follow it.  It was pretty comical really.  If I put on sunglasses, he did.  If I pushed the mower with one hand, he pushed it with one hand.  Everything I did he sought to emulate.  

I think one of the most difficult things about leading, whether that's in the home or the church is that people are not just going to seek to do what you say, and the good example you try to set.  They also are going to take note of those traits that you don't like about yourself.  If your sarcastic, don't ask where they got it from.   Often times their behavior can be a reflection of yours; good and bad.  There are always exceptions, but the longer I've been in ministry the more I've had to look at things that may frustrate me about our students and realize that I may be the problem.  If they aren't reaching out to to their friends and seeing the importance of evangelism, is it possibly because I am not emphasizing evangelism in my own life?  

I think its interesting that sometimes the way the Lord chooses to teach us may be by showing us another person's shortcomings.  Its a lot easier to see errors and sins in another.  The challenge that we as followers of Christ face is to see that and reflect if we are contributing to that problem by doing the same in our own life.  Leading isn't easy, it has a host of challenges that come with it, but I love the way the Lord constantly uses those I minister to in the home and at the church to refine me...

Shadowing

Its been some time, but I figured I would post a short reflection I had the other day. I've been in the process of trying to get my yard back to the color it should be this time of year. Its kind of a long story involving painting the exterior of our house and treating the weeds with some weed killer that made our grass glow in the dark for a week and then killed everything!

As I was mowing the other day and finding white paint chips scattered all over the yard, I became obsessed with getting them off of my grass. Initially I thought the lawn mower would pick them up, but it didn't and I began to get frustrated with the look of white paint chips everywhere so I began picking them up by hand as I saw them.

After some time I noticed Hudson (who all the while had his toy lawn mower out and moving in circles behind me) began stooping down and picking white leaves up and putting them in his pocket.

He was watching my every move, he imitated how I pushed the lawn mower, and had picked up my obsessiveness with picking up paint chips and putting them in my pocket and began to do the same.

As I watched his effort at imitating his father, it reminded me just how serious my role with him is to be taken. He is always watching, imitating, and shadowing. He wants to walk like me, talk like me and in essence be like me. Martin Luther said much about the character refinement that takes place as a result of a family. I'd have to agree, nothing in this world convicts more than to see his eyes as they study my face when I lose my temper, or to hear him sweetly talk of, "Dad being angry with Bailey (the dog)." My role as father is not only to be the authority in his life, to love and discipline him, but its also to serve as a testimony to Him of the Great God I serve. Hudson will make reflections on Jesus and the Bible based on my faith in action. That's why each day I must fall before the Lord asking for His grace to transform my life so that what Hudson see's and hears will attract him to shadow Christ.

Until then, I must seek to live in a way that testifies to Christ, loving and directing him in his steps and gladly accepting His efforts at picking up paint chips and mowing the yard for me! I'll try to update next year about some stones in my life as I'll be preaching from Joshua 4 on May 23rd...

Independence & Dependence

Last week we took our annual Youth Ski Trip to Keystone, Colorado.  It was a wonderful trip with no real injuries, and good times with some great students.  

Jen and I had decided before the trip that we would try to let Hudson ski while we were there.  We really didn't know what to expect, Hudson is two and a half and most experts recommend that kids start skiing when they are three.  We decided to rent the ski's and helmet the last day.  The plans was that I would take him up the conveyor belt lift and hold him as we ski down together.  The two days prior to his "big day" skiing he was obsessed with the skis, the boots, and the poles that all the students had.  He even practiced in the condo with one of the student's ski's.  I figured we would go down a couple times and he'd get scared or bored and want nothing more to do with it.  To my surprise, he absolutely loved it!  His favorite part was actually the conveyor belt lift, and in fact very quickly he began getting on it without my assistance.  Soon after he began  pushing my hands off of him while we were skiing because he wanted to do it by himself.  

So often we hear in Christian circles the similarities between the relationship of parents/children to God/believers and we should that comparison is Biblical.  As I reflected on my two year old skiing I thought that this step of independence is just one in a process for him.  He will forever be growing independent from Jen and I.  In contrast, my relationship with the Lord is not one in which I am to become independent from Him.  The opposite is in fact the truth.  My relationship to Him is one in which I  am constantly looking for His hands to guide me, in which I am dependent upon Him, knowing on my own I am hopeless incapable of living for His glory or in the abundant life He desires for me.  

Perhaps, that is one of the challenges the Christian life provides that unlike our relationship to our parents, our relationship to our boss, or our relationship to a teacher/coach where we prove trustworthy and gain independence, growing in our relationship to the Lord is growth towards dependence upon the One able to change and renew us in the likeness of His Son.  

All you need is love...

Years ago, while watching Everybody Loves Raymond regularly, I remember seeing an episode where Debra borrowed a recipe from Marie of one of Raymond's favor dishes. Debra kept getting upset because it didn't taste the same and she couldn't figure out why. Marie's response was that she cooked with love, and that Debra was missing that very key ingredient! (If I remember correctly, Marie had actually switched the labels on one of the seasonings) Certainly I have heard the expression that you must cook with love, but never did I think that it was Scriptural!

Recently, as I read through Proverbs I noticed 15:17 where it says, "Better is a dish of vegetables where love is, Than a fatted ox served with hatred." Now the author's intention seems to go back to v.16 where his point is on contentment. He is trying to show that having a little can be better than having a treasure if trouble comes with the treasure. In the same way in v.17, the author is showing that a small meal of vegetables made and served with love is much better than a home where there is a plethora of food but hatred.

As a former vegetarian my wife probably would have switched the phrases in v.17! In thinking about the verse I am blessed to come home to a place where love is ever present. My wife is the reason for that. I am blessed to say she makes our home one of joy, love, and contentment. She loves Hudson and I as she tirelessly cooks, organizes and spoils us! Thank you Jen for the love in which you live each day, even if you are serving us boys broccoli!

Do you serve God for something?

Lately, I’ve been spending a great deal of time studying the book of Job. Its a wonderful literary work that got me to thinking...

In chapter one Job is described as a righteous man who was very wealthy, he had many servants and a large family (v.3). All these things were blessings from God. Satan comes and appears before God. God mentions Job’s righteous living and Satan responds, “Does Job fear God for nothing?(v.9)” The basis of Satan’s accusation is that Job certainly did fear God but he did because of what he could get from God. In v. 11 he makes his accusation against Job, that if God will allow Job to be afflicted and his things taken from him, “he will surely curse You to Your face.” So God allows not only all that Job possesses to be taken, but Satan has his children killed, and Job’s good health fades. From chapter 3-37 Job and friends discuss why God would do this, and in chapter 38 the LORD answers Job’s cry for an answer to his trials. God does not explain why these things have happened, but instead asks Job a series of questions about the Creation and Sustaining of all that exists. God shows Job His sovereign rule over every creature that exists (chapter 41 shows even the mighty crocodile is under His power). He shows His goodness and mercy as He allows rain to fall on the wicked and righteous.

The message of the book of Job is that man should not worship the LORD because we are promised riches, or a large family in this life. The basis of our fear and service of the LORD is that God is our Creator, He rules over all that exists, and in His goodness and sovereign plan, He controls all that takes place.

I've enjoyed digging into this book recently and reflecting upon my own motivations for fearing and serving the Lord. Do I fear Him with my hand out expecting some blessing in exchange? I think we often times reflect more of the retaliation mindset that Job's friends argued for, instead of living a life of faith. A life of faith is not easy, in reading the book of Job it can be downright scary, but we must fear the Lord and serve Him not with an expectation of personal gain, but instead as a response to the revelation that He alone is awesome, worthy of our service because He is our Creator, the One who controls all that exists. In His care of the Universe He rules it with goodness, justice, and mercy. We should trust His plan even when we don't understand it, . Just something to consider...