RANDY CHRISTIAN

Minister. Leader. Writer.

Jesus wept, and I know why.

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Since my diagnosis I have maintained a fairly positive outlook.  I still have not prayed for healing (though I am well aware many others are:-)).  Instead, I pray for faithfulness, that whatever I encounter in this process, I would faithfully serve my King.  Overall, I have found this keeps me centered, and keeps things in perspective in such a way that I am able to handle some pretty heavy emotions fairly well.

But not always.  This morning I found myself irritated and short with Donna. (Last week Donna broke her “good” foot, and is now unable to walk at all.  So, now I am back in the caregiver mode for her–and not always feeling gracious about it.)   Surprisingly (he said sarcastically) I actually communicated this somehow.  When she pointed it out, as she is wont to do, I had to step back and realize some things.

The threat of my death is hanging over us.  While we both look forward to the resurrection, the separation and grief is still real.  Even Jesus wept (John 11:35).  The reason?  He was watching a family grieve the death of their brother.  EVEN THOUGH HE KNEW HE WAS GOING TO RAISE THE MAN IN A MATTER OF MINUTES.  He felt the pain that is grief–a pain we were not intended to experience at creation.  And he wept.

So, in the midst of handling things well, from time to time, I weep.  I wept when Donna and I were holding each other and she told me “I don’t want you to leave me”.  I told her I would never leave her, but I couldn’t promise I wouldn’t be taken.  And I wept.

I wept when she told me she wanted input for a Christmas present she was planning to by me. We had agreed not to buy gifts for each other this year, and put that money toward our visit to Texas before my treatment.  When I asked her why she was doing this in spite of our agreement, she became very quiet, and then said “I realized I may never get to buy you a Christmas present again”.  And I wept.

I wept when I decided we should send photo Christmas cards this year to family.  We don’t do Christmas cards, and I insisted on sending them individually to each of our grandkids, because it is remotely possible that this will be the last time they can get a Christmas card from Grandpa (yes kids, that’s why I did that:-)).

There are other things that, from time to time, make me weep about this process.  None of them about me, or what I’m going through (though I admit I’m not jazzed about some of it:-)).  I weep because of the pain death causes–the separation it creates that was not intended to be.  I weep because the sting of death is sin (1 Corinthians 15:55-56).  Death is because of sin.  Mine, among other others.

So, while I intend to fight the disease and look forward to remission, I acknowledge the reality that I can’t control the outcome.  Death is inevitable.  And with Jesus, I weep–especially as I see the pain in the eyes of my family, friends, and congregation.

But that weeping isn’t the final word.  I am faithful to Jesus in my imperfect way for one reason only–HE is faithful to me.  He has defeated death, and promised me that mine will only be temporary.  So, while I weep, I also know that, in the end, he will remove the very source of the tears (Revelation 21:4) from those who belong to him.  The answer to the tears is our King.  The answer is Jesus.

Have you ever wondered what you will do when you stand before Jesus?

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Recently I have been thinking about what it will be like when I am finally standing before the Lord in the flesh.  One of my favorite songs ponders how we will react:  “I Can Only Imagine”.

Many people speculate about this.  Some talk about the questions they’ll ask him (whether out of curiosity or the belief they are owed an answer).  Others believe the joy they feel will overwhelm them, and they’ll jump on him and cling to him.  Some believe they’ll find themselves dumbstruck, standing before him and not able to say a word.

I have felt each of these at one time or another.  But the more I consider this as a real possibility in the near future, the more I realize there is only one answer to “how will I react to Jesus?”:  I’ll hit the dirt.

Peter experienced the same thing.  When it sunk in to Peter that Jesus was more than a rabbi–or even their idea of the Messiah–he did what I believe I–and everyone else–will do.  He fell on the ground and begged Jesus to turn away from him because he was unworthy (Luke 5:8).  And he was right.

I have thought about it a lot, and I see it clearly.  I stand before the King of the Universe, and I am immediately aware of who I am before him–unworthy, a sinner, an imperfect and bent version of the image of God I was created to be.  And I know I will hit the dirt.  Not because I don’t believe in the loving Jesus.  Not because I fear his anger.  Not even because I wonder if he could actually love and forgive someone like me.  But because he is God who became flesh–the creator of all things, the author of authority and the final judge.  Perfection–even Existence itself.  And I will be so overwhelmed, so awed, so amazed, so obliterated with his majesty there will be only one rightful place for me.  Face down at his feet.

Don’t misunderstand me.  I know and trust our King.  I know I will bask in his love and forgiveness and glory.  But that will be because of his action.  I can see him reaching down and picking me up.  Holding me–because I would not be able to stand in front of him otherwise.  I can hear his voice telling me I have finally found a home, and that all along it is he to whom I have belonged.  I can almost feel the freedom and refreshment of my spirit as he assures me of my forgiveness.  And I dream of him adding one more thing:  “Randy, you did good”.   I can’t wait to stare into his face, knowing I am seeing something I have never seen before–total and utter innocence, power, love and righteousness–joined together in limitless quantity.

But first, I will hit the dirt.  Not to show him I understand, or express my worship, but because that’s where I belong.

I can only imagine–and the more I do, the more overwhelmed I am at the very anticipation of that moment.  Jesus is King!  Today, I do not get to see him with my eyes, or stand in his physical presence.  But today, he has given me life, and I live it joyfully–my greatest hope that I will bring a smile to the face of my King.

Christians and American Politics–Get off the plane and represent the King!

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Anyone who is paying attention has noticed the rise in the rhetoric of politicians–all of them trying to capitalize on tragedy to push their agenda and/or candidacy.  I understand and accept that.  That’s what they do.  They are part of a worldly system and they are acting like it.

But Christians aren’t.    We have a different–and not entirely compatible–allegiance.  We belong to the King, and we represent him (Paul calls us his ambassadors) to the world.  Notice–we represent HIM–not ourselves.  We do not represent a political party, an ideology of the world, a worldly cause, “rights” we fear we are losing, or even the cause of our own safety.  If representing him calls for saying and doing things that anger the world, so be it.  We speak the truth in love, but we speak the truth.  We do not ally ourselves with worldly movements.  Which means, if you belong to the King and are on the left wing or the right wing of American politics–you are on the wrong plane!

The truth is, the American political scene today is not compatible with the values our King has called us to.  We do not hate, we love.  We do not oppress, we strive for true justice.  We do not retaliate, we turn the other cheek.  We do not bend the truth, we speak honestly.  And we do not disobey the King because something that is destined to be lost and destroyed is in jeopardy.

With all that said, may I humbly suggest a few things ambassadors of the King should be saying and doing now:

  1.  Focus on the Gospel.  Our priority is the reconciliation of those who are separated from God (meaning anyone who has not accepted the Lordship of Jesus) to God.  Each of us should ask ourselves who we have shared the gospel with this week–and most of us will be disappointed in our own answers.  We need to ask ourselves if anything else we say or do is detracting from the gospel.   Before opening our mouths (or typing a word) we need to ask:  “Is this going to further the gospel, or detract from it?”
  2.  Love all men and women.  The verb is “agape”, which means to do whatever is best for the other.  So, when we talk about our rights, our values, our country (and why would a subject of the King refer to America as their country?) we have shifted the focus from God’s agenda to ours.  Our life isn’t about us, our families or our country.  It is about sharing the love of Jesus with those who do not know him.
  3.  Repay evil with good.  Our King, and those he commissioned to teach us how to live, universally condemned retaliation.  Jesus taught us to turn the other cheek.  He meant it, and he lived it–as did his followers for centuries–until they began to believe they could be BOTH citizens of a worldly country (Rome) and of Heaven.  Paul told us not to return evil for evil.  SUPPORT OF ANY CANDIDATE OR AGENDA WHICH IGNORES THE TEACHING OF THE KING AND HIS REPRESENTATIVES IS, BY DEFINITION, REJECTION OF THE KING.  So, we need to call people to peace, and focus them NOT on worldly conflicts, but on the one conflict which could result in their eternal destruction–the conflict between the unforgiven sinner and God.  Believe me, when you face the possibility of your own death, you realize how little the rest mean.
  4.  Reach out to the people the world rejects.  Jesus said it is not the healthy who need a physician, but the sick.  The fact that someone is of another faith–or no faith, or is practicing sin in the world, does not earn our enmity.  It means they are the ones who need the Lord the most.  Ask the Lord to give you practical ways to show his love to these people.
  5.  Speak the truth (literally live “truthing”) in love (agape).  That means calling sin (terrorism) sin, and admitting reality without trying to bend it to our purpose.

There are also some things followers of the King should reject.

  1.  Reject bigotry.  All Muslims are sinners–just like Christians.  All Muslims need Jesus–just like everyone else.  Some Muslims are terrorists–and many Muslim extremists are.  But not all Muslims are terrorists, or even support terrorism.  Rather than supporting the bigotry of fearful jingoists, we should be a voice of reason–and if necessary, a shield to protect these people for whom Jesus died.
  2.  Reject retaliation and war-mongering.  The sword is given to the government to protect–not dominate.  I don’t claim to be a military strategist, but I know evil people hide behind innocent people.  There is a legitimate government objective in removing a military or paramilitary threat.  But to do what many politicians are now suggesting would require an amazing cost in “collateral damage” (which translates to murdering large numbers of people).  We would not think it reasonable for a police department to shoot everyone in an apartment building to be sure they stopped a murderer.  It is no more reasonable when applied to people in another country and of another faith.  This also means Christians must reject the idea that we have freedom of speech.  I may feel like killing someone, but telling everyone that–and encouraging it–is unfaithful to the King.  When I feel such things I need forgiveness and cleansing–not a platform to infect others with my sin.
  3.  Reject lying, and stop ignoring lying.  President Obama, Hillary Clinton, George Bush, Donald Trump and many others are lying.  Do not believe lies.  It is not hard to fact check and identify those lies.  Stop repeating lies–even if the person saying them agrees with you on other positions.  And stop supporting liars–anyone willing to lie to you and the world about something now is going to be willing to lie to you about other things later.  
  4.  Reject fear.  I can’t afford to respond to you–or anyone else–based on my fear of what you might do.  I can be watchful, and I don’t have to hand you a gun and say “shoot me”.  But I’m not going to point a gun at you either.  No one said representing the King would be safe.  But we can’t be faithful to him while focused on our own safety.

A lot of people claim to belong to Jesus–and according to Jesus himself, many of them don’t.  It is possible the same can be said of followers of Islam–but that isn’t my problem.  I belong to Jesus, and I am talking to my fellow subjects of the King.  If we allow ourselves to be co-opted by the world–especially at a time of such significance–we lose our ability to represent the King.  We have to get off the plane, and represent Jesus.

 

 

Attitude and Gratitude

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In the past few weeks I have been fascinated (picture Spock raising and eyebrow and saying “fascinating”:-)) by people’s response to me.  I keep hearing that I am an inspiration:-), that people are so encouraged by my attitude, that I have–just by having this disease, and having the attitude I have–already helped some others.  And I am blown away that they see me that way.

To be clear, this is not false modesty.  It’s just that I know who I am–and who I am not.  And I know I’m not a spiritual giant.  I always wondered how I would actually react if I got the kind of news I saw others wrestle with.  Then I got a phone call telling me I have a rare and incurable form of cancer.

I talked with the Lord immediately–as the doctor was talking with me.  I said, “Ok, Lord, here it comes.  How can I be faithful in this (not a rhetorical question!)?  And my mind shifted.  It isn’t about my faithfulness.  It is about his.

So, I remembered.  All the things over my life he has given me.  And all the things that could–and probably should–have happened that didn’t!  I was so struck by his faithfulness that I was simply grateful.  It didn’t mean I liked what was happening to me.  It just meant I saw it differently than some others do.

Then I started thinking.  This is big.  This isn’t just about crisis.  This is about mundane, everyday life.  So many of us struggle with out attitude about our lives.  We’re “bored”.  We’re depressed (not just the clinical, medical issue).  We’re frustrated–and angry.  Because it is so easy to look at what might have been and isn’t.

But do we see clearly what is?  The Hebrew writer said:  “since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe” (Hebrews 12:28, NASU).  Such a huge statement–and so easily missed.  I confess I have read this–and even taught it–dozens if not hundreds of times before this sunk in.  Why do so many of us struggle with our attitudes?  Because we are focused on ourselves, and our disappointments, instead of what God has given us–a relationship with himself!  Why do we struggle in life to maintain that sense of reverence and awe before God?  Because we aren’t grateful.

The good news is, this is correctable.  The problem is, we usually start with the second of a two-part process, and skip the part that makes certain we achieve that gratitude.  So, here’s my recipe:-).

Part 1–Focus on what you really deserve, and what you don’t.  I am a sinner.  That isn’t just an academic realization–it is a horrible fact I become more aware of the longer I serve the King.  I deserve destruction and punishment–period.  I do NOT deserve to be: forgiven; given the opportunity to have a new life; given the chance to work alongside my King, even though he could do everything better himself; given the love and loyalty of the wonderful woman who has shared my life since we were 18, or the children, children-in-law, and grandkids he has given; and certainly not the promise of being a co-heir of the eternal Kingdom of God.  And I don’t deserve the friendship I have with many of you.

Now I am ready for the good stuff!

Part 2–I have not been given what I deserve (that’s mercy), and I HAVE been given all the things I don’t deserve (that’s grace) I listed above.  So, I remind myself of those things, and I stand in awe at what the Lord has done.

And everything else that happens in my life becomes small before him.

I hope you you will join me in these two steps.  God has given me life today, and I live it for him!

Life Isn’t Safe

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Years ago I had a poster which warned anyone who has been born, or is about to be born, that research has shown 100% of people in these categories die, therefore anyone who has been born or is about to be born should contact their doctors or attorneys.

They have a point.  Life isn’t safe.  But recently I have seen a pattern that makes me wonder if we really understand–0r believe–this.  The world expects everything to be safe.  If it isn’t, they file lawsuits, lodge complaints, stage protests.  And I understand that–if I was of this world I would want it to be safe too–after all, it’s all they have.

But those of us in the Kingdom have something else.  It doesn’t render safety irrelevant, but it certainly changes it in order of priority in our lives.  Let me give you an example.  Yesterday I was talking to a woman who was part of our congregation before she moved.  She was telling me about serving in her community, and how someone in her new congregation told her she shouldn’t be doing that–it wasn’t safe.  She thought about it, and even shared it with her small group, when someone asked her:  “Where did we get the idea we are supposed to be safe”?

In order to faithfully serve our King, we have to be willing to risk our safety.  We don’t do it uselessly or without reason–but we do it.  Jesus told us “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.  For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.”  (Matthew 16:24-25 NIV)

Somewhere along the line we have forgotten this–or rejected it.  We have come to see personal safety as the first priority for any service to the Lord.  We have even broadened this to include emotional and relational safety.  As though what we are protecting is more important than the Kingdom–or the King.  So, we don’t risk sharing our faith because it might make someone mad or uncomfortable.  We don’t maintain scriptural standards in the church out of fear for what the community will think or do–or God forbid, the IRS (I have no political affiliation–am NOT Republican or Democrat–I just don’t think we should be concerned about these things).  And we make decisions about helping others based not on whether they need the help, but on whether we can do so and stay “safe”–physically, emotionally, etc.

Could this be why the newest generation of adults believes they have a right to not be offended, or upset by what the church teaches?  Could it be why so many in the world question whether faith is relevant to life?  Could it be why we who claim Jesus as King don’t experience the peace he promised?  Because we have put “safety” above faithfulness in our lives?

Life isn’t safe.  But that’s OK.  I am dying.  So are you.  I don’t know when I will go.  I don’t know when you will go.  I do know that God has given me life today–and I choose to live it faithfully to Him–even if it isn’t safe.  Join me.

 

Essential Tithing

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I’m a day behind on my entries on the Essentials–those things God built us to need and to have in our lives for spiritual health and growth.  We’ve talked about the first five:  Worship (individual and corporate), Prayer, Bible Study, Service and Relationships.  Today is the one I used to have the hardest time with–tithing.

Yes, tithing.  For Christians.

For years I dodged this topic by saying things like:  “Tithing was an Old Testament Law–it isn’t for Christians.”  Or, “I don’t want people to see me as ‘after their money'”.  Both true.  Both irrelevant.

Before addressing these, let’s define tithing. Tithing is the giving of the FIRST (“firstfruits” is the agrarian term) 10%, off the top of our gross income–whether it is monetary or in goods (like crops in the Old Testament) to God.  It is an expression of worship in which we acknowledge that everything we have comes from God.  It is the first of our giving–“offering” is above and beyond the tithe.  So, no one “tithes” 5%–they are in actuality only giving half a tithe.  No one gives an “offering” of $50 when they aren’t tithing.

But then, this is the Law, it isn’t for Christians, right?  Wrong.

The first Christians were Jews.  They didn’t stop being Jews because they became Christians.  They tithed to the temple, as Jews did.  But they also gave to the Church.  AND they gave to special needs, like Barnabas giving for the benefit of those in the Jerusalem church who didn’t have means of support.

In other words, for the early Christians, tithing was the LOW bar.  The starting point.

But we don’t want to be after other peoples’ money, right?  Right.  But, of course, the only people this applies to are those who don’t belong to Jesus.  If someone does belong to Jesus, “his” money is actually the Lord’s.  So we aren’t after someone else’s money.  We are after faithfulness with the Lord’s money.

I believe there are only two reasons Christians don’t tithe–selfishness and fear.  Neither is a way for Christians to live.  So I issue a challenge to Christians in our congregation (without knowing what–or if–they give):  If you aren’t tithing, start now.  If you just don’t want to, do it anyway.  If you are afraid, ask the Lord for the faith to trust him.  And if you think this is being said so NOCC can get more money, write the check to another church.

Assessing our tithing is simple.  Two factors enter into the assessment.  First, am I tithing (10% of our gross income off the top)?  Second, am I doing it with what Paul describes as a joyous attitude?  If I am only giving 5%, I can’t rate myself more than a 5 on a 1-10 scale.  However, if I’m giving 5% and doing it grudgingly, I am probably more like a 3.

One more note.  We need to be careful not to believe that once we give 10% the rest of “our” money is for us to spend on ourselves however we like.  “We” don’t have money–we belong to the Lord.  What we have is actually his–we are only entrusted with managing it.  Some of us barely get by on the remaining 90%.  Others have a lot more than they need.  I challenged one family to give 50% of their income (10% tithe, the other 40% to be given as God leads them).  I don’t know exactly what they give, but I know they are the most giving family I have ever known–and not co-incidentally one of the only wealthy families I have ever known to be faithful to the Lord.