We Need Each Other

Ethan and I after running the Turkey Trot year before last. He has gotten a little taller since then.

A while back, Ethan and I started running together. Later we began working out together at our local YMCA. And I gotta say, we work well together. Without each other, neither of us would be where we are. You see, Ethan and I both have difficulties in working out. Ethan has a problem with mornings. Well, he probably wouldn't mind them if they started at like noon. So it works well that I make sure he is awake for workouts. I have my own struggle as well. I tend not to push myself. I hold back. But Ethan? He pushes it. Just this morning, he led me to add ten pounds to a lift. It might have been the male competitive spirit or something, but because he pushed himself, I stepped up too. So I get him up, and he pushes me forward.

We need each other in life. You and I have weaknesses and blind spots, and we need people who will help us see and deal with those areas. We also need to be in the lives of others, challenging them to grow and make progress in the faith. Without others, we will drift. The author of Hebrews says:

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:24-25)

This speaks to our need to be in the lives of others, so that they will not drift from the faith. But we must be aware even of our own tendency towards drift. Again, the author of Hebrews nails it: 

Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. (Hebrews 3:12-14 ESV)

You and I are prone to drift. Sin is deceitful and blinds us to the reality of our condition. That's why we need people speaking into our lives and challenging us to keep pressing on. The Christian life is meant to be lived with others. Alone we cannot do it. We need people building into us and we need to be building into others. That's how we grow as followers of Christ. 

Who is building into you?

Who are you building into?

Turning Anger Into Action

When the news broke about Penn State and Jerry Sandusky sexually abusing boys he met through his charity, The Second Mile, I was livid. My anger burned hotter as the story and the cover-up surrounding the scandal unfolded. How could so many people turn the other way? How could people not do something? Earlier this year, I read the book Silent No More about Aaron Fisher's (victim one) fight for justice. Thankfully, in this story, justice was served and Sandusky will spend the rest of his life in prison.
But story after story floods the news nightly. Teachers seducing students. Pastors preying on children. Each incident is met with outrage and public cries for justice. And yet it still continues.

Would you Turn Your Back on Your Own Daughter?

King David was a man after God's own heart. Yet he was far from perfect. Fresh off the heals of his sin with Bathsheba being exposed, his son Amnon rapes his daughter Tamar (2 Samuel 13:1-22). Verse 21 reveals David's reaction:

When King David heard of all these things, he was very angry.

And rightly so. Stuff like this should anger us. Especially when it happens to our own children. What's curious is that the Bible says nothing else about David's response. Some versions include the words "But he would not punish his son Amnon, because he loved him, since he was his firstborn." So here we have the king, having the authority to see that justice was done, who then does nothing. Maybe it was because he cared about his son (as some versions indicate). Maybe he still felt guilt over his own episode with Bathsheba (which likely involved coercion as well). Maybe he just didn't want people to think less of him and his family. But the fact remains the same. He. Did. Nothing.

Joining David in Passive Anger

Turning a blind eye to abuse of any variety is to join David in his failure. But it is not much better if we do nothing to prevent it in the first place. Often times we see the news, we are outraged, justice is served, and then we go on with life as usual. It's now a thing of the past.
But abuse is very real. And it's happening everywhere. Schools. Sports. Churches. Homes. Nowhere is exempt. No one is exempt. Abuse is nondiscriminatory - it happens in all classes, races, genders, etc. Yet so often, we see it on the news and think that's an isolated incident. That couldn't happen in my family or community. So we do nothing to prevent the crime from continuing.

Moving to Action

The stories we see on the news are a call to all of us. Will we sit idly by while abuse destroys lives? Will we, by our silence and inaction, let it continue? How are we going to protect our children from it? What are we doing to end it?
The Church of God should lead the way in this area - in protecting and fighting for justice. After all, we have the command of the Almighty God to lead us in this fight in Micah 6:8:

He has told you, O man, what is good;

and what does the Lord require of you

but to do justice, and to love kindness,

and to walk humbly with your God? (emphasis added)

We know that God is a just God. He is righteous, and he will do what is right. God will let no sin go unpunished. Even when God shows mercy to sinners, he does not compromise his justice. Jesus died for the penalty of sin so that we could be forgiven. God is just in everything that he does, even when he forgives.  As his image-bearers on the earth, we should likewise seek to live justly in the world, even as we show mercy.
Let us be angered when we hear about abuse happening in our communities, and let that anger drive us to action. Let's work together wipe out abuse.

Facing the Epidemic

In my college days, I frequented Waffle House. A lot. They generally knew my order when I walked through the door. So it made sense that when I had to do a survey for my evangelism class that I would likely be able to ask one of the waitresses there. It was a short list of questions, but I only remember the last two, and her answers to them.

Q: What would you tell a family member who was dying how to get to heaven?
A: I don't believe in God or any of that stuff.

She was the first atheist I remember meeting (or at least the first who admitted to atheism). So naturally, I was interested in what her next answer might be (and also planning to defend the existence of God).

Q: Why do you believe what you believe?
A: Because too many bad things happen to innocent people.

And in that moment I knew something. She hadn't said anything about herself at that point, but she didn't have to. She had been abused. I could just tell by her answer and the way in which she said it. I didn't know what to say next, so I thanked her and she went and did other things. I told my friend who was with me what I thought, and we both silently prayed that she would come back and talk to us (we were the only customers in there).

It wasn't long before she came and sat with us and asked us where we were from and why we were doing the survey. I explained that we were from CIU and that the surveys were part of our class we were taking. Then she began opening up. She told us that her father had abused her and then asked a question that was a shock to me: Why do you believe in God? I began to tell my own story, how God had used sexual abuse in my life to bring me to him. We talked to her for a long time, and I did my best to portray the gospel to her as we conversed. I don't know what ever happened to her, but I still think of her often. I hope that the Lord softened her heart and claimed her as his own. I hope that she found hope and healing at the foot of the cross.

We Are Not Alone
This young woman's story is not an isolated case. My own story is not an isolated case. Consider the following statistics from ChildHelp.org:

• A report of child abuse is made every ten seconds
• More than five children die every day as a result of child abuse.
• Child abuse occurs at every socioeconomic level, across ethnic and cultural lines, within all religions and at all levels of education.

Abuse has become an epidemic in our society. As Christians, we are called by God to not put anything in the paths of children that would hinder them coming to Jesus (Matthew 19:14). For this young woman, and for many children and adults, abuse is just such an obstacle.

A Call To Action

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. While many of us are caught up in the busyness of life or in the political arenas, children are suffering abuse and neglect. Let's work together to act against this epidemic in our country and in our world. Let's work together this and every month to end child abuse.

Here are some links that will help you get started in preventing abuse:

• Child Welfare Information Gateway
  
• ChildHelp
  
• Stop It Now!

Promise Promotes Practice

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. (1 John 3:1-3)

I was raised thinking that, even though salvation was a free gift, it was something I had to work to keep. And if I didn't obey Jesus, didn't do things right, then I would lose my salvation and go to hell forever. As a teenager, this led to a very insecure view of my standing before God. I would constantly find myself begging God not to cast me away, but to have mercy on me and forgive me. I promised him all the time that next time I would do better. Next time I would try harder. Next time I would obey, if he would just give me the chance.

I didn't believe in eternal security back then. I was always told that people who believed in eternal security (or once-saved-always-saved) made lazy Christians. They would live however they wanted because they couldn't lose their salvation. I've come since to see that believing eternal security in fact promotes the opposite - because God has saved me and will not let me go, I cannot continue living how I want to. The passage above from 1 John is one of such passages that have helped me see how this works.

Our Position Before God
Verse 1 tells us that, as Christians, we are God's children. This is not so for everyone. Only those who have received Christ, who have trusted in Him alone are called children of God (John 1:12). We are children, adopted by the Spirit, who have the right to call God, "Father" (Romans 8:14-17). God has called me his child; through Jesus Christ, He has made me his son.

God's Promise to His Children
Verse 2 points us to the tremendous promise that God has made to us: we will see and be like Christ. When Christ returns in glory, we will become like him. How? John says that it will happen by our seeing him in his glory, we likewise will be transformed. This same idea is what Paul refers to in 2 Corinthians 3:18 when he says that as we behold his glory, we are being transformed into the same image.

John tells his readers that we will be like him when we see him. This is God's promise to his children: we will be glorified. We will make it to the end. And though we do not know what that will look like, we can know that it is sure for us as believers. Paul tells us that all those who are justified, and therefore saved, will be glorified (Romans 8:30).

How the Promise Affects the Way I Live
This is a tremendous promise, but it's not something that John says so that I will not change. John means for this promise to impact how I live my life. John says that everyone who hopes in this should be changed by it. Now when the Bible speaks of hope, it's not an uncertain thing, like saying "I hope it doesn't rain today." The Bible speaks of hope as a confident expectation. It's something we bank on.

So, what should I do if I expect to be glorified like Christ at his return? John says that since we know that we will be made like him then, we should purify ourselves like him now. Believing in the surety of my salvation in God's hands should encourage me to continue to break free from the sin that seeks to destroy me and to pursue living a life of love towards all.

How Does This Work?
Today, I was tempted to get angry and yell at someone. But in that moment, I recalled these verses, and reminded of these truths, I turned away from anger and responded rather in a more appropriate way. The Spirit reminded me of the promise and moved me to respond with God-honoring practice.

We must strive to keep God's truth before us. When we firmly hold to his promises to us, we will be better equipped to glorify him with our beings.

Christmas in July?

I'm not a big fan of Christmas. And the idea of celebrating it in July has always struck me as stupid.

But this week, we have been with the Quechua people in the Andes Mountains of Peru. We have set out to teach over 4 days the Life of Christ. That started yesterday when we shared the birth story of Jesus. I couldn't help but think of the irony later. We are, in essence, celebrating Christmas in July. We are celebrating the Word-become-flesh (John 1:14), who came to live our obedience, die our punishment, and redeem some from every tribe (Revelation 5:9), including the Quechua.

I have taught the adults the past two days, and have covered significant events of Christ's birth and life on earth. Tomorrow, we will be explaining the crucifixion and resurrection and what that means. And my heart aches for these people. I pray that God will give them eyes to see and ears to hear. I pray that I will be faithful to the Gospel of Jesus. I pray that they would believe on Christ and be saved.

I celebrate the "Christmas in July" with a heavy heart and a burden for people to turn to Jesus. Pray with me that God will save these people. That he will take the blinders off so that they can see Christ as glorious (2 Corinthians 4:4-6). Pray that they will see, know, and believe the Gospel. Pray that by the Holy Spirit they will come to God. Let's make in this July a Christmas worth celebrating!

Going Back to Peru

Last year, I went with my church to Hauraz, Peru, for a weeklong trip to work with the Quechua people of the Andes mountains. The Quechua people are "harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd" (Matthew 9:36). Our mission was to share the Good News of the Good Shepherd with them. God moved me deeply for these people. I felt gut-wrenching sorrow for these people and found myself wanting to scream out "Believe in Christ!" I hated to leave, but I rejoice that God is giving me the opportunity to go back.

We are returning to Peru on July 15-24 of this year. Our team will be doing some VBS activities with children in a village, as well as some teaching with the adults as well. Also, we are going to be helping our host family, the Rockwells, with some repairs and work needed around the Center (where they live and work from). We are also planning a conference for pastors, to help them better learn how to shepherd.

God has been incredibly good in providing this opportunity for me again. I look forward to all he will do in and through our team this year. I hope that you will join us on your knees for this trip. Here's how you can pray for us:

UNITY - There will be 12 people going on this trip, from teenagers to senior saints. There will be planning issues, personality differences, and various other trials that will test our strength. Pray that God would cause us to love one another so that we will demonstrate Christ well to the Quechua people (see John 13:34-35)

SALVATION - The Quechua need to believe in Jesus, and so be saved. Pray that the Quechua will be thirsty and look to Christ for drink (John 7:37). Pray that the Holy Spirit would cause many of them to be born again (John 3:3-8).

PROVISION - The cost of this trip will be about $2100 for each person. This money is coming entirely from donations. Pray that God will supply all of our needs (Philippians 4:19).

If God is leading you to give, you can make checks payable to WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. For the memo line, write Peru: Charles R. Higham. Checks can be mailed to 230 Alice Dr., Sumter, SC 29150. No gift is too small to give.

Thank you in advance or your partnership with us as we seek to take the gospel to the Quechua!

God Meant It For Good: Celebrating My Spiritual Birthday

As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. (Genesis 50:20)

Today, June 18, I turn 15 years old in Christ. And looking back over my life, though it hasn't all been pleasant, God has been in it, working for my good and his glory. So I thought it would be fitting today to share some of God's working in my life. I pray that you would be encouraged by my story and that you would celebrate God's gift of salvation with me on this important day.

Genesis 50:20 is a verse that has taken me years to understand. In fact, I still don't grasp it in all of its fullness. But God has graciously shown me that I am where I am today in spite of the evil done to me because of his good intentions amidst the evil.

You Meant Evil Against Me
This is probably one of the hardest blog posts to write. In fact, I have been struggling with writing it for months. But I feel my story needs to be told for two reasons. First, so that others who may be in the same place may be able to see God's grace in the midst of it. And second, because it's a reminder to me how God has been faithful despite everything that has happened. What I'm writing here is something that few who know me actually know. I will not recount my whole life story, but rather focus on one thing: a great evil done to me.

From the ages of 11-16, I was sexually abused. I will not name my perpetrator here, nor will I give much detail. It took me years to understand that what was happening was indeed abuse. And I didn't tell anyone until several years later.

The time of being abused was very difficult for me. I felt ashamed. Guilty. Like I had done something wrong. I was confused. Devasted. It left me without a sense of who I was, and I came to doubt that God cared for me or could even love me. I became bitter and depressed, lashing out in anger often. When I was 13, I was near suicidal, contemplating whether or not I should continue to try in life. I hated everything. I had reached the end of myself, but had nowhere to turn.

But God Meant It For Good
God had great mercy on me during this time. He set it up so that I would go to church camp the week of June 17-21, 1996. That Tuesday night, June 18, I realized that I needed God's forgiveness and that Christ died so that I could be saved. I also realized that my life was a mess and that Jesus looked better to me than the ways I had been managing. I asked Jesus into my life, and for the first time I realized that God did in fact love me.

There was a dramatic change in my life. I was lashing out less and less in anger. I started doing well in school. While depression remained, I didn't see suicide as an option. Instead, I saw more and more that God was walking with me through the pain and confusion I was dealing with. He was leading me to where he wanted me to be.

The abuse still continued for a few more years, as did the guilt, the shame, and the silence. I am having to learn what forgiveness is and how to go about it. I still struggle with identity and my sense of self. Some of the painful effects remain to this day. But I no longer face it alone. I may not know who I am, but I know whose I am, and that makes all the difference. I am a child of God. And the truth that he speaks over me is more important than the lies of a thousand evils done against me. I am learning to trust my heavenly Father as he leads me into all the good that he planned from the start.

I may be 28 years old, but today, I am 15 in Christ. He saved me, gave me new life, and made me his own child by the blood of his Son Jesus, who loved me and gave himself for me. Praise God for his good work in me!