There's A Hope

I've been thinking a lot about lately about being broken at the foot of the cross and finding healing there. The amount of people that I see an interact with on a daily basis that express their brokenness and need for healing is truly remarkable. So many people are unashamed in proclaiming the many ways that they are broken. However, most of the time, it isn't in a search to find healing or comfort, but more a proclamation of how they believe that they have overcome this brokenness on their own, or how they stand even though life seems to be trying to destroy them every day. I'm constantly seeing people who are single parents, clinging and grasping to every bit of what they see as hope, a life built differently through their efforts to achieve an advanced degree. I see those who believe that if they can just fulfill their parents desires, then they can make them proud, proud enough that they don't need to happily live, but merely scrape by with family approval. For losing that approval would result in a sort of disowning. I see students that believe higher learning is the path to leading them to all their wildest dreams; the fancy job with the great salary, the beautiful spouse, the house that no one else can afford, the joy that they believe those people have. I see people who merely scrape through life, day by day by day. Just trying to make it to the next, hoping that it will be different than the day before, never understanding how their thoughts and beliefs impact this mindset. I see students crushed by student debt, unable to eat for days on end, only desiring to continue the quest to become someone who has achieved the "American Dream".

Everyone is broken. Broken in such a way that there is really no cure or fix that can be found by man. All of these people that I see every day live each and every day hoping that they will find a cure doing something. However, that cure doesn't exist. There is no cure procured by man for the brokenness seen all around me, but there is a hope. A hope that stems from the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Because He lived perfectly, we have hope. Because He died perfectly, we have hope. Because He was buried perfectly, we have hope. Because He rose perfectly, we have hope. Man cannot make his way to the peace received only in Christ, it must stem from Christ reaching out and grabbing hold of that individual and drawing him unto Himself.

Those who believe in the Lord, must rely on Him solely. This is how we offer hope to those around us. Not by claiming to be perfect unblemished people, this never works, for everyone knows how broken and in need of something more they themselves are. When Christians live in such a way to take all the strife of life and yet continue to be joyful, that is noticeable. When joy comes from suffering, people want to understand why. They want to learn what they need to do in order to leave their brokenness behind, to experience hope each and every day.

Christians don't have perfect lives, but we do have One who mediates on our behalf, upholding and sustaining us every step of the way. When we experience someone who is broken, we should rejoice that we have hope to offer, that we have been given a gift that we could never have achieved, a gift that is not available to the natural man. Every person that receives this gift must be born again, receiving a new heart and mind. One that seeks after God, for the natural man can never seek after God. We should take courage that though we may be afflicted, we no longer fight alone.

Today, if you encounter those who are broken, which you are sure to do, do not feel sorry for them and move on afraid to speak about their pain, it will exist whether you talk about it or not. Instead, live your life in such a way that God works mightily through you to bring the Gospel to them, offering hope and joy for those without any. You never know when God will use you to bring another of His children into His kingdom, so never turn away an opportunity to speak about why you are filled with hope, for there is nothing that can be done to you that your Father who is in Heaven will not sustain you through.

This song by Hollyn has truly been speaking to my heart, offering hope and healing to all who run to the cross. I pray that it speaks to you as well.

Dort, A Rich Heritage Celebrated

On November 13, 1618 over a hundred men assembled in Dordtrecht of the Netherlands. Their main purpose was to examine and rebut the heresy of Arminianism. It was called Arminianism because it was linked to one of the men who espoused its doctrines most abundantly, not because it originated with him. Rather Arminianism was merely a restated version of Pelagianism, which had long before been condemned by the church as a heresy. Arminianism was presented as different from the teachings of Pelagius, though in reality it based its teachings from those of Pelagius with very little to distinguish itself as being set apart, merely a re-purposed ideal. After about six months of deliberations and examinations, on May 9th in 1619, the Canons of Dort were born.

Not only are the canons the greatest defense given against Arminianism, they also provide a context and background for the length of time that this controversy was examined. It was not something that was examined lightly and then pushed aside. It was not an issue that these men gathered so that they could figure out how to manipulate the truth. Rather, it was a sacrifice of love for the truth that led these men to examine this issue for such an extended period of time. Men (mostly pastors) were called from most corners of Europe to convene together about this issue. This was not something that these men were able to go home every night, sleep in their own beds, and be with their families. These men sacrificed for half of a year in order to best present the doctrinal position of Scripture in regards to this issue.

Personally, this means a lot. To step away from everything that would be normal, to pray, discuss, even argue the varying issues at stake, would have taken a deep reliance upon God for strength and mercy. Knowing this background is what leads me to so deeply appreciate the work that my 10th great-grandfather (Herman op den Graeff) took part in. He was one of the several delegates to join the synod from Germany. Through his actions and those of his descendants, God worked to preserve the truth of Scripture. Not only through their lives and actions, but through the working of the Spirit in leading several of his descendants to join him in pastoring God's flock.

I do not take pride in my 10th great-grandfather the man, for he would have been the first to proclaim that he on his own was unworthy of any praise. Rather, I take a deep pride in knowing that God has been at work since at least the early 1600's in my family to shine His truth and light to others. I pray that if one day I need to make a sacrifice like Herman did to stand for the truth, that God would give me the strength to do so. The way that America is currently headed, I could see that coming sooner than later.

It is when thinking about my ancestral heritage that I begin to think about one of the biggest issues of our day, the murder of millions of unborn children. I think about Herman and the stance that he made to make sure that the Church understood that all people are born with a sin nature, completely depraved. I think about the fact that so many children have been torn to pieces before they could ever hear the Gospel preached to them. (I do not believe that every child murdered in the womb faces hell and eternal destruction, for God may work in the hearts and minds of anyone of any age.) To think that God still works in these situations amazes me. He takes the hateful, sinful actions of men and uses them for His glory. Thankfully, God is sovereign over all. Not just some, but all.

Even though He uses abortions for His glory, He does not leave those committing the sin of murder unaccountable. For them, there are two options. The first is that they will be held accountable for the life they have taken and will be destroyed for all eternity in hell for what they have done. The second option, is one wherein they receive mercy. Jesus has already paid for their sin and forgiven them, for they are His. These are the only two options that exist. Knowing that Herman helped to preserve this truth brings me joy. Knowing that God is the One to uphold His Word, brings me strength and courage, the same that I believe He gave to Herman. If we are unwilling to stand against sin, then we have failed in the very calling given to us. We cannot make disciples if we are not leading and standing for righteousness. If we back down from the popular opinion, we will abdicate everything that we claim to believe in.

If we look to our past, we can gain great insight into the actions that we should and should not take. I am thankful to God that many of those in my ancestry fall within the 'actions that should be followed' category. Some of the very first and greatest abolitionists in our country are among my family tree, many pastors, city officials, and even royalty. But my family tree is not what gives me faith, or the ultimate example to follow (there are many in my tree that were horrible people). My hope is in Christ alone. This is what Herman and the other men met at Dort to determine and produce. A knowledge that no matter how horrible a person you are, there is hope found at the cross. At the cross one may lay down all of their worthless baggage and kiss the feet of He who was hung for their transgressions. Mankind is evil, by every definition. But we do have hope. However, it is only through the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus that we find this hope. It can be found by no other means.

T

U
L
I
P

Five simple letters. Yet, months were spent to make sure they were formatted correctly to reject and repute the teachings of Pelagius/Arminius. My hope and prayer is that we may find the time and courage through leaning on the Holy Spirit to reject and refute any considerations for the murder of unborn children. I truly believe that it is only when a high view of God is held that we may begin to see real change in our cultures and world. It is when God is seen as Almighty that His Word is seen as valuable. If we do not stand upon His Word, then nothing we do will hold any weight.

Let us have hope in the One who lives. Let us live for the One who suffered. Let us suffer for the One who brings life. And let us bring life to those who are helpless.

Peace In This Place: A Poem

My sins You already know

And yet You call me to confess them so

I lay them down at Your feet

As I lay on the ground and weep

Your love is written across the sky

Bidding me to come and die

I’m only a sinner saved by grace

So give me the peace that fills this place

You came to earth and died

All I can do is constantly hide

A crown of thorns You did not pass

So all my sins You’d pay in their mass

Your love is written across the sky

Bidding me to come and die

I’m only a sinner saved by grace

So give me the peace that fills this place

Your law revives my soul

How could You die to make me whole

Your love was displayed on the cross

So all my sin could be counted as loss

Your love is written across the sky

Bidding me to come and die

I’m only a sinner saved by grace

So give me the peace that fills this place

Written: 10/2/2010

His Splendor: A Poem

© On Lincoln Drive

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His Splendor

The grassy fields and flowery meadows Show the peace of God when you rest in His shadows The mountains high and rolling hills Show the greatness of God when you follow His will So sing with all that you have For nothing on earth will ever last Store up your treasures on high Looking to the One whose coming is nigh The gentle breeze ruffling the leaves Shows the tenderness of God when we come on our knees The flowing river molding the rocks Shows how a lump of clay can become something that sparks

So sing with all that you have For nothing on earth will ever last Store up your treasures on high Looking to the One whose coming is nigh The deer dancing in the field Show the grace of God and what it’s like to be healed The sunset in all its array Shows the beauty of God when His love is on display

So sing with all that you have For nothing on earth will ever last Store up your treasures on high Looking to the One whose coming is nigh

Do You Build Walls or Bridges?

One of my favorite songs recently has been "Walls", by Derek Minor. I think that he nails a lot of the issues going on in our country right on the head. You can find the song on just about every music site; itunes, youtube, spotify, etc. Below are the lyrics for the song, and I would highly encourage you to look it up to listen as well.

[Chorus: Jordan Frye]
We build walls
All around us, all around us
Try to keep what we don't know
At a distance, at a distance
We don't listen

[Verse 1: Derek Minor]
Now if I stood on a corner and asked you for $2 for a Whopper
Would you let your cynicism stop you? Would it stop you? Would it stop you? I mean would you?
I mean we spend $9.99 on Spotify, but hearing my stomach rumblin', not worth a dime?
Not worth a dime? Not even one?
Look, or if I had suit and tie, maybe I’d be worth your time?
Only money on your mind, cuz we are so selfish
Jesus walked with the poor
Are we too good for that?
Kissing up to God in our prayers to get a promotion
To make more money and buy more things, that we don’t need
That we just buy to show off for the next guy and still feel poor inside
Still feel homeless as the person that we just denied
By the way, how have you treated the least of these?
Pride and money, are you a slave to them?
Cause you ain't gotta be black to pick cotton off a shelf of an
H&M

[Chorus: Jordan Frye]
We build walls
All around us, all around us
Try to keep what we don't know
At a distance, oh, at a distance
We don't listen

[Verse 2: Derek Minor]

Pray to God for the day that we can
Put our guns down and see Him in all of our faces
Can't you see with the hands of the master we made?
But we don't enjoy the creation of art on display
So blind when we look at each other
I don't want you not to see my color
See our differences are not the weakness
And in this puzzles we gon' need the master's master pieces
Feel like we all conceited thinking you'd be better if you was more like me
Not knowing it was God that made you more like you
Made in His image, we are all His kids
So if I look down on you, I look down on Him
I'm a sinner, you a sinner, what's the difference?
We all need love, joy, Jesus, and healing
We got a lot in common if we would just listen
Instead of building more walls, let's build more bridges
Let's build more bridges

[Chorus: Jordan Frye]
We build walls
All around us, all around us
Try to keep what we don't know
At a distance, at a distance
We don't listen

Allegiance

As July 4th approaches, I have been thinking a lot about what it means to be loyal or to have allegiance to someone or something. My mind continues to return to a piece of Scripture, Mark 12:13-17. It is here that we see Jesus' response to being asked if people need to pay taxes. But this passage speaks to much more than this. It helps us to see that whatever country we belong to, that country only deserves the things that are theirs. They are not owed the things that belong to other nations, or peoples, or are God's. They do not have the right over our thoughts, desires, and hopes. Whichever country we are a part of deserves to get what it is due, but not everything that we have and are.

When we look at what the Bible has to say about who Christians are called to be, we do not find instructions on how to be the most loyal subject or on how to hold allegiance to our country (though both of these things may be done when we are living out godly lives). However, what we do find is beautiful and simple, while also being deep and complex.

In Matthew 22:34-40 (just following the events from Mark 12) we see the Pharisees ask Jesus about what the greatest commandment is. His answer is very simple, but also so complex that He covers everything that could be thought of from the OT commandments. Jesus said, "[37] You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. [38] This is the great and first commandment. [39] And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. [40] On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” (ESV)

Now, one may wonder why I would bring up these two passages when speaking about loyalty and allegiance. The answer is quite simple. If we as Christians do not have our priorities straight, we end up making an idol out of something else. If we do not love God first and foremost, then we are commiting idolatry. If we do not love our neighbors and fellow man second, we are failing to live in a Christlike manner.

We can love our countries and the unique aspects that they each have. We can spend the 4th of July celebrating the beginning of a land that tries to exemplify freedom and justice, though many times fails to do so. There are many times when our country shakes its fist at God and declares that it knows better than He does. It is for this reason that we must hold the first and second greatest commandments above our allegiance to any land or place. Before we pledge allegiance to a country, may we first and foremost devote our lives to the service of the One who instilled our country's claimed values in the minds of its founders. The ideals of liberty and justice are not merely the social foundations upon which this country has been built, but are rather divine truths taken from God's Word. God is just, and because of His justice, we should strive to see justice reign among all situations. God sets the captives free from sin and lives of misery, and only He can sustain freedom. Therefore, we should strive to bring freedom to those who do not have it, in any situation or experience, even if their experience and situation is not our own. God creates all people, and therefore we need to live in such a way as to reflect that truth. There is no one on earth that has been created less than another. We are all created equal. Not in the eyes of a country, but in the eyes of God!

This July 4th, my hope and prayer is that the Church in America would begin to reflect and display the glories of Christ that are uniquely written into our constitution. Not because our country is the fountain of these glories, but because those that wrote it saw the beauty and majesty of a God who redeems those who are unredeemable and frees those that are dead in their chains. To care about our fellow man is not politically based propaganda, it is the second greatest commandment given to us by God. And it can only be done when we are fully committed and faithful to the first commandment.

May the Church rise to the occasion and shine light upon areas of darkness and bring hope to those who have none.

Happy 4th!

I Will Give You Rest

What does it mean to rest? To live life contentedly? What is it that causes one to rest? Such simple and yet deep questions. The very thought of which can cause one to ponder and become lost in thought for hours at a time. Or, one may simply glance at the question and become bored with the realization that they do not rest and have no idea how to achieve it.

To rest, something that most people refuse to do even on the most basic of levels. They would rather be on the go continuously, rather than provide for a physical rest; even for a mere moment. However, physical rest is just the beginning. It is when we rest physically that we can begin to rest emotionally and spiritually. We cannot rest in the knowledge that those who have been called by God are firm held by His love and mercy, if we believe that our physical actions will carry us further and more true than God has already promised. How foolish are we. God declares that He will give us rest. Yet, so much of the time we spend trying to gain rest on our own. We fail to truly understand what it means to be firm held by the Savior.

[28] "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. [29] Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. [30] For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” ( Matthew 11:28–30, ESV)

If we live in such a way to be content with every situation that we are placed in, would we not learn to trust God more? If He is the One who has planned our entire lives, knowing everything about us and forming us in the womb, should we not rest in His plan for us?

[11] For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. [12] Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. [13] You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. [14] I will be found by you, declares the LORD, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the LORD, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile. (Jeremiah 29:11–14, ESV)

However, the reason that we cannot rest is because we do not believe/trust in God's promises. He has promised to never leave or forsake us. Yet, we seem to refuse to believe this simple truth, even in its most basic forms. We doubt that we will be provided for, loved, nurtured, and even live another day. If God has not called those who love Him to His side, then He will provide for, love, nurture, and sustain us every single day. Many times we refuse to believe this, but its not because we do not see the evidence for it, but rather because we want to control our lives instead of surrendering everything that we are to our Savior.

[25] “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? [26] Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? [27] And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? [28] And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, [29] yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. [30] But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? [31] Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ [32] For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. [33] But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. [34] “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." (Matthew 6:25–34, ESV)

The only rest that can be found in life is through belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. It is only through this simple surrender that hope, joy and grace may be found.

May we all surrender who we are in favor of resting in who He is.