I have been presented with a few opportunities that I have been mulling over the past month. My last post on contentment was spurred on by my current situation of bewilderment on what to do.
Opportunity #1: I have seriously considered a career in law enforcement for sometime now. It has always been an attractive job to me for many reasons. Long story short, I am in the applicant process for Rialto Police Department. Over a month ago I passed the written and three weeks ago I passed the agility exam (with flying colors I might add). The big day, however, is May 4th. That Tuesday is the Oral Board Examination. From what I understand, this will consist of department heads questioning me about my life, interests, skills, knowledge, intentions; essentially, everything under the sun regarding my character and my interests in the job. I am nervous just thinking about it. Pass and I enter the academy which the city will pay for me to attend. Good deal.
Opportunity #2: English. China. 10 months. I have been offered a teaching job in China that would last for 10 months (September '10- June '11). Teaching English at a private school in the capital city of Hebei not only sounds dreamy, but it would give me that oppurtunity to travel (and live!) abroad; a dream I have always held ever since I drank my first Thai Ice Tea. Mmm. The pay isn't great but I would get free room and internet. What else could I need? :-p The catch was that I had to make a decision by a few days ago. However due to my situation, which I explained dutifully to my Chinese contact, she has granted my till May 9th to give my yes/no. Most people think it would be a great opportunity for me, but they may just be saying that so I leave. I can't tell. As of now, it is my fall back choice. If I pass my oral board, then most likely I will stay right where I am.
Opportunity #3: If all else fails, I tryout for the Senior Photography department at Lifetouch. The Senior department would mean longer hours (though less traveling), a very small pay increase, more portrait photography (my absolute least favorite form), and no life. All in all, it wouldn't be too bad.
In the meantime, I have been studying for the oral board exam, reading up on Shijiazhuang, China, taking hundreds upon hundreds of school portraits, playing video games, and desperately praying to God for direction. I would appreciate your prayers too. There are more details that I decided to spare you from. If you are truly interested, you know my number.
I have learned, in whatsoever state I am in, therewith to be content.
Philippians 4:11
These words have been near and dear to me recently. Contentment is something that is easy to speak of in the abstract, but its actual attainment is something radically different.
My first step has usually been to realize under what circumstances the apostle Paul wrote these words. He was not just "in bonds" (Phil. 1:13, 14) but we learn in Ephesians that he was a "a prisoner" (4:1). Locked away as a prisoner, Paul relayed these words that often make me shutter with contempt for the Almighty. I must continually ask myself: would I be willing to endure Paul’s infirmities, and share the cold dungeon with him, if I too might by any means attain his faith?
Now, there is a vast difference between precept and practice, between the ideal and the realization. But in the case of the apostle Paul contentment was an actual experience, and one that must have been continuous, for he says, "in whatsoever state I am." That in itself covers every physical, emotional and temporal state that we could ever face. But what Paul said prior we should take careful attention. "I have learned..." he states. It becomes equally plain that contentment is not an outcome of natural disposition or temperament. Rather, it is something we attain in the school of Christian experience.
The primary way Paul learned contentment was by learning the value of Christ. According to verse 13, what Paul found in Christ strengthened his soul to be content regardless of his circumstances. And God inspired and preserved Paul's words so that we, too, might experience the same contenting depth of riches in Christ.
The world has a very discouraging way of contentment. The world encourages materialism, independence and other self-fulfilling pleasures. Epictetus, a Greek philosopher, said this about being content:
“Begin with a cup or a household utensil; if it breaks, say, ‘I don’t care.’ Go on to a horse or pet dog; if it breaks, say, ‘I don’t care.’ Go on to a horse or pet dog; if anything happens to it, say, ‘I don’t care.’ Go on to yourself, and if you are hurt or injured in any way, say, ‘I don’t care.’ If you go on long enough and if you try hard enough, you will come to a stage when you can watch your nearest and dearest suffer and die, and say, ‘I don’t care.’”1
Is contentment just the ability to not care? I must confess I fall under this sin of this Stoic philosophy at times. This is spiritual lethargy. This is not boasting in Christ!
Christian contentment remains a mystery to those on the outside and can only be learned from the inside by those who put all their faith & trust in Christ. In truth contentment is a quiet secret known by a few. Paul learned it over a period of time- part of his spiritual growth, part of sanctification.
Lastly, remember and stress these Truths in your daily life- lest we forget:
1) God has promised to never leave us nor forsake us. Therefore, contentment begins with trusting that God will provide for all your needs. -->Hebrews 13:5 2) Be satisfied with what you have. Remember- don't confuse your wants with your needs. -->Philippians 4:10-12 3) Don't let your circumstances influence whether you are content or not. Believe that God is sovereign and He has a perfect & Holy plan. -->Philippians 4:11-12; Romans 8:28 4) Lastly, it is Christ who sustains & strengthens us; therefore we already have more than will will ever need. -->Isaiah 40:31; Colossians 1:28; Galatians 2:20
It is very difficult for me to depend on others; it is my nature. But if we believed that God is who he says he is, will do what he says he will do and loves us as much as he says he loves us, it’s debatable whether we’d ever have even one moment of discontent.
Ponder this and read Ephesians 3:14-19.
Now it's time for me to be content that I am nowhere to be found on next weeks work schedule...
1. Quoted by William Barclay, “The Letters to the Philippians, Colossians and Thessalonians.” The Westminster Press, Philadelphia, Penn. P. 104.
When I wake up in the morning I often feel guilty, guilty because of yesterday's ugliness. Ugliness leads to sorrow hopelessness; hopeless in expectation of tomorrow’s failure. This sad fact has recently led me to a realization: I don’t like who I am. I am selfish, extremely sarcastic, frivolous in attitude, envious, antisocial, harsh, cynical, stubborn, dubious, judgmental, weak-willed, timid, a self-martyr, peevish, and often times quite megalomaniac(ish). Shortcomings or character flaws riddle my everyday. My current state of self-realization has led me to one conclusion: Oh, what a worm am I! I have failed more than I have succeeded. I have crawled more than I have walked. I have gasped more than I have breathed. More than ever, I find myself needing to rest in the sovereignty of the wisdom of God, come what may. Then I read the following Psalm:
Psalm 73:21-26 When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you. Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
The only strength that really matters in life is the strength of heart that comes from feeding on grace and trusting in grace. All the way through life, it is not money, physical strength or a perfect character that God delights in. The Lord takes pleasure in those who hope in his grace (Psalm 147:11).
This analogy from John Piper is beautifully assuring:
The lesson of Jesus' life and the lesson of the Psalms is this: every cave that you're in—wandering along, feeling the rocks, stumbling, stepping, bumping your head—every cave that you are in is a tunnel that opens into glory. It opens into a day like today in Heaven, with the sun shining, and the grass green, and the waters flowing—as long as you don’t sit down in the cave and blow out the candle of faith.
One of the recurring messages in Psalms is quite clear: Christians shouldn’t be an anxious people; a people who are worried or fretful about things that threaten life and happiness: economic adversity, satanic opposition, guilt-laden consciences, deteriorating health, and character flaws. All these fears are real and mine. The mark of God's people, however, is not incapacitating fear, but rather a contrite courageous confidence in God. As the Psalmist states above, “my flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” What a beautiful portrayal of casting ones burdens on the Son of God. My heart will be strong, and I will be able to carry on another day. Such is the glory of grace in the Christian life. My failures, hopelessness, discouragement, and flaws all fall away before the throne “for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace.” (Hebrews 13.9)
"From my perspective, the Holy Spirit is tragically neglected and, for all practical purposes, forgotten...There is a gap between what we read in Scripture about the Holy Spirit and how most believers and churches operate today. In many modern churches, you would be stunned by the apparent absence of the Spirit in any manifest way. And this, I believe, is the crux of the problem." This passage is taken from my most recent read, Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit [see author’s video at: http://forgottengod.com/]. It is within this book that author/pastor Francis Chan proposes his reader to sit down, reflect and simply consider our lives in relation to the Holy Spirit.
Is your relationship with the Holy Spirit all that it ought to be? Chan asks, "Has anyone ever been amazed by your peace? Love? Joy? Have they ever envied your self-control? Have you ever prayed that God would so fill you with the Spirit that people would know that the change could only be empowered by the Spirit" For those who have not thought about the Spirit for a long time, this book may serve as a good wake-up call. It is far from an exhaustive treatment, but that is not its purpose. Rather, Chan sets out to get his reader to think critically about his spiritual life: "that by keeping in step with the Spirit, we might regularly fellowship over what He's doing rather than what He did months or years ago." It is about living a life dependent on and surrendered to the Spirit, about seeking how we can live faithfully here and now. And this he accomplishes well.
"I don't want my life to be explainable without the Holy Spirit." Isn't this what every Christian desires to live? A life that can only be explained by the power of God? After all, is not the fullness of what it means to be a follower of Christ lost without the presence of the Holy Spirit?
A day after I finished this book, I watched a compelling movie called Goodbye Solo. This unique and powerful film is about how two average men deal with the most complex elements in the human equation. The movie begins as it ends: unsettling. Solo is a gregarious and larger than life taxi driver who befriends a crusty, foul-tempered old man with the meter running. Without hesitation, Solo is instinctively disturbed by this mans plans of suicide (which is only implied throughout the film). Solo barely knows William, but something about this unspoken plan causes Solo to act impulsively. What attracted me to Solo was something that most American Christians lack: a Calvary-type love. Solo tried every technique he knew to save Williams life, though at times, with reckless abandonment.
Why aren’t all Christians like this? Why aren’t I like this? A man so friendless, alone, and bitter at life was something that Solo could not gulp. How much more should I be involved in the life of my neighbor? Are we called as Christians to evangelize and interfere in others lives, even if in reckless abandonment? I rarely have the answers, but what I do have is the Gospel. Solo had a cultural sense of the way the world should work. We as Christians, however, have an obligation. We have the Gospel! This movie is void of a God and ends true to that form. I am not.
What does is say when Calvary-like love is something that the secular world often displays more sincerely….and frequently?
"The light of the American church,” Chan states,“is flickering and nearly extinguished, having largely sold out to the kingdoms and values of this world." Give me someone who says America is a Christian nation and I will give you the most greedy, selfish, and idolatrous people in the world (this would be an instance where I point a finger only to have three pointing back at me).
I have come to sympathize with much of Chan's claims and beliefs regarding American Christianity –its ease, wealth, and comfort. Chan's dominant theme is not only consistent, but also stimulating: the Holy Spirit is not about leading us straight to self-glorification and self-centeredness; rather, the Holy Spirit leads us to the cross and to sanctification so that Jesus is the one glorified. In this affirmation, Chan teaches a theology of the cross that is at odds with the current trends of Western Christianity.
So this is not a book on doctrine or strategies. It is a desperate cry for us reflect, see how lost we are living in our own strength while giving lip service to God, and repent and turn to Him. At worst, this book will help you to reaffirm what believe and how you live. At best, it will challenge you as it challenged me. Do you want to live a radical faith beyond anything you can dream up with your mortal imagination? Chan sees the Holy Spirit not as the key to "your best life now," but to a lifestyle that promises to be "radical and terrifying," one that brings not comfort to ourselves, but glory to God. If you seek more doctrine, see Calvin.
This book has its flaws. The book is similar to a college paper of mine: no clear-cut direction. The seven chapters of the book are only loosely connected by their perspectives on the Holy Spirit. Frustratingly, he fails to discuss charismatic gifts; seemingly out of fear of addressing anything controversial. The depth and breadth of the authors work is not phenomenal, but his heart for the church and love for God is quite obvious.
Chan argues compellingly that the fullness of what it means to be a Christian is lost without the presence of the Holy Spirit. "Pray that God would empower us so radically that we would get no glory. That people would see our works and glorify God." Amen.
If I were to start a small group, would anyone be interested? I think this movie and book would be a great starting point.
The above clip is from our friends at Calvary Chapel. The real befuddlement came from what one of the speakers said in the last 30 seconds of tape:
"Calvinism is Christianity without Jesus because they leave Jesus out of the equation. They just take certain statements of Paul and then, of course, read their own theology into it."
You should listen to the clip, but if you do not here is the summary. Chuck Smith and two other men attempt to answer a caller who asked for an exegesis of Romans 8:28-29 as she is trying to refute her friend who has become a Calvinist. The go into some of their 'proof' texts that prove election/limited atonement wrong.
For beginners, they completely misinterpreted their verses. Take Matthew 23:37 for example. Most laymen understand that the Bible must be read and interpreted by itself, that is, in its context. Reading the whole chapter of Matthew 23 one would see this passage comes in the context of a fierce rebuke of the religious leaders of the Jews. We need to note who the pronoun "you" refers to in verses 33-35. It is the killers of the prophets being described; they are the ones being laments over. One would be hard pressed to make "Jerusalem, the city...your...you" be anyone other than the scribes and Pharisees that Jesus has been rebuking. Scripture is not referring to the salvation of mankind here.
Their misinterpretation of Scripture is mournful; it is incredible that these men who are leaders of such a large movement could be so simplistic. They know very little about what Calvinism is as their ignorance is hard to ignore. I was listening to the famous White Horse Inn interview with Robert Schuller not too long ago. Even though some of his statements were heretical (ie the Bible is not infallible), he did/does have an understanding of the reformed position.
I pray that the woman who called up does her own reading and praying regarding the issue. It really perturbed me when the hosts told her that she should not converse with this Calvinist friend of hers. 'Being sort of cultists, Calvinists are difficult to argue with.' How appropriate that they guide her away from having a serious theological conversation with this friend; after all, ad hominem arguments are so much easier!
Aren't Calvinists the ones who are actually saying that Jesus doesn't try to save, but saves by doing the will of the Father? The Arminian god is both weak and evil, is he not? Sacrificing his son, he wills all people to be saved, but he has made himself helpless to save all by allowing man's freewill to override his will. He is a god that who allows Satan and sinful men to override his will in salvation. Also, is Christ not the center of Pauline theology? You don't have a consistent substitutionary atonement in any other worldview. If you don't have Jesus you don't have a substitute; this is Calvinistic theology!
I think the words of Spurgeon are most appropriate here:
"The most infamous allegations have been brought against us, and sometimes, I must fear, by men who knew them to be utterly untrue: and, to this day, there are many of our opponents, who, when they run short of matter, invent and make for themselves a man of straw, call that John Calvin and then shoot all their arrows at it. We are not come here to defend your man of straw — shoot at it or burn it as you will, and, if it suit your convenience, still oppose doctrines which were never taught, and rail at fictions which, save in your own brain, were never in existence."
I honestly believe that much of the underlying troubles come from ignorance and misunderstanding. If I thought that someone believed that God just damned men for the sheer pleasure of it, without any reference to their sins and depravity and so forth, then I would get pretty uptight as well. But before I would speak out against it, I would seek to find out as much as I could, ever remembering the famous words of Oliver Cromwell to the to the synod of the Church of Scotland: "I beseech you in the bowels of Christ, think it possible that you may be mistaken."
But, as Calvinists we must also remember to be humble.
When speaking to those who do not agree with Calvinistic doctrines, it makes more sense to show them (live them out) our doctrines than beat them over the head with them, which shows zero understanding of humility or God's sovereignty.
This begins by loving those who disagree with us; by living out what we know to be truth.
"For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6
My dedication by Chuck Smith proved not to be harmful after all :-p
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Bertrand Russell once stated, "I am an accidental collocation of atoms." On the intellectual level, he purported to view himself in a sheer materialistic way. However, in his daily life did he act like a random collocation of atoms? Did he not eat, drink, sleep, take his place in society, communicate through speech & written word, and demand rationality of a reality he claimed to be non-rational?
Did Russell have some sort of delusional disorder?
His intellectual beliefs, one could argue, seem more consistent with the gibbering psychopath who is no more rational than the physical world which 'accidentally' produced him. One could expect such a person (if behaving consistently) to be more likely to behave in a manner that was random, chaotic, and meaningless. That could be the same type of person who goes on a killing spree culminating in suicide. Or perhaps the person who obliviously sits in the corner all day and honestly believes himself to be a radish.
Well, frankly I praise God knowing that I have a purpose. I praise Him that I was pulled out of the muck & mire of sin. I praise God that He, the Creator of all things, called my by name.
As a believer, the despair and futility of Russell are swept away in the revelation of Easter Sunday.
"If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. . . . But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead" (1 Corinthians 15:17-20)
Russell argues that the main reason that people believe in God is because they have been taught to from early infancy. The second being one's need to feel secure, to feel that someone in power is watching and protecting. This is not a new or original argument 'under the sun' by any means. Frederick Nietzsche was and remains as one of Christianity's most voracious critics.
Nietzsche's famous slogan ("God is Dead. He remains dead. And we have killed him!") can be interpreted as an attempt to say that God as an object for human faith is dead. Some scholars will argue that Nietzsche was describing 19th century Europe where people no longer saw fit to believe in God, where faith in God did not fit into a viable worldview. But "God is dead" also seems to imply not only that it is impossible to believe in God, but that there is no God. As G.E. Morgan writes: "Beyond question, the major premise in Nietzsche's philosophy is atheism."
Fundamentally, atheism does not require that one adopt some form of materialism, ethical skepticism/relativism, or nihilism. In some ways the connection between nihilism is valid but in other ways it is not. From personal experience, I don't think I have met one atheists who had not adopted (consciously or subconsciously) one form or another of ethical nihilism. Ask an atheists their thoughts on death and I doubt they are as joyful about it as you and I who are believers.
Richard Dawkins contends that raising one's offspring in one's religion constitutes child abuse. Christopher Hitchens states that "religion spoils everything." Sam Harris argues that "every scientific domain — from cosmology to psychology to economics — has superseded and surpassed the wisdom of Scripture." The problem with atheists is that few of them are interested in making serious metaphysical or epistemological arguments against God's existence. How often is anger rather than rationalism the primary motivation for atheists?
"But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God..." Ephesians 2:4-8
Only because of God's love and mercy do we have any ground for salvation.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
After a very enjoyable time in Kansas visiting family this past weekend, I experienced the most joyous and convicting flight home. While flying, I have a tendency to want to talk with the person beside me but I will almost never begin the conversation. Call it shy or polite or whatever you will but this flight I was greeted by a very lovely woman filled with the Holy Spirit.
After we talked about each others background and family, we began discussing more spiritual matters. It was not long for both of us to discover our similar beliefs. We were both FIVE-point Calvinists (to distinguish from those petty 4 & overachieving 7 pointers *cough*Piper*cough*...which we joked about). Though she admittedly was a 'closet' Calvinist, it was for the best. I was excited for this fact after she told me that she taught and lead womens bible studies and wove in Reformed teachings throughout.
It was about mid-flight that she caught me off guard. "So Elijah," she says, "what are you struggling with spiritually?" I weaken and crumble at such direct questioning. Though innocent of the crime, if interrogated I will confess; bottom line. Anyone who knows me is aware that I will smile or smirk if I am accused of doing something, especially if I didn't actually do it. It is like multiple sneezes; I cannot help myself. Anyways, I told her the truth and we went on from there. Though it began awkward, the funny thing is I wanted to tell her all my problems, worries and concerns. She quickly went from a stranger to a sister in the Lord. The only problem was it was only a 2.5 hour flight.
Then I was severely convicted. She began telling me of her recent proficiency in memorizing Scripture, by the book. And her memorization partner was an 80 year old women. I flashed to thoughts of my Bible memory and quickly became ashamed. Though I gave her an excuse, I knew the truth. I knew little because I tried little. We touched down at LAX with me reviewing her xeroxed pages of the Book of Hebrews as she relayed to me the first 2 chapters - word for word.
Oh Lord, please help me to overcome my spiritual lethargy so that I may be a disciple better equipped for furthering your Kingdom and Glory!
Beverly - Thank you! You and your new baby granddaughter are in my prayers.
I have been presented with a few opportunities that I have been mulling over the past month. My last post on contentment was spurred on by my current situation of bewilderment on what to do.
