Solving the riddle of Biblical tension that has riddled the Church for 2000 years.

I was born into a a family of avid fisherman.


                However, I was different!

(That's me on the far right)


I'm sure that being forced to choose between having bamboo shoved under your fingernails and fishing I would choose fishing. Other than that, there are few things I like less than fishing.


Jesus said “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men” (Mk 1:17).

I'm just not wired for fishing. If you enjoy fishing like my father or brothers then odds are in your favor that you are not certifiably ADHD. I told my brothers that if they could put pole in my hands while I'm water skiing behind a speeding boat then there is a chance that they might have me hooked (that is a pun - of course). Although, fishing literally hurts something inside of me―the metaphor of fishing, however, is not lost on me.

What I do understand from fishing helps me to answer the biblical dichotomy between "rest" and "work."

You've have likely seen the plethora of bumper stickers that have to do with fishing. 

 

and the classic 

Okay, I might not like to fish... but I get it! 

What I do get is that most true fishermen―like my dad and brothers LOVE TO FISH. 

They set out with great expectation of catching fish, but love everything about it even when they don't catch fish. Whether sitting on the shore of a river or on a boat or standing knee deep―the WORK is relaxing, it is therapeutic, it is does something that refreshes the soul. 

Fishing is WORK and REST at the same time!  The terminology that Jesus used "just so happens" to be perfect metaphor for our Christian walk of faith. When He said "enter my rest" "you will be fishers of men" and that you are created "for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them" solves the tension between the seemingly polar opposites of the works and rest debate that seems to get everyone bent out of shape.

When we are bent into His shape...transformed more and more in His image (Rom 8:29; 2 Cor 3:18), the more we long to be out fishing and the more we are refreshed in our inner-man as we engage in the activities that we were created for. 

The good news we don't ever go fishing alone. We sit in the boat right next to our heavenly Father. We draw closer and build intimacy with Him as we put our lines into the water...sometimes quietly―sometimes in conversation―but always together. 

This is work that is filled with hopeful expectation and that brings great joy. It is relaxing, it refreshes and it also means that we will eventually catch something if our line is in the water long enough ―i.e. bear fruit!  

As fishing was a lifestyle for those initial fishermen called by Jesus - being a fisher of men should be a lifestyle for all who are called by Him and bear His name: Christians. 

It's not complicated. Simply toss your line in where you live, where you work, where you go to school, and where you play. Live the gospel intentionally in front of others as the bait that draws people to Jesus.   

Have Fun! 

It is not out of compulsion but done out of love for God that works it way into loving others!

You are called!
You are perfectly positioned!
You are supernaturally outfitted!   

(Dad baiting hook for 6 boys off of the Santa Monica Pier)

The 14 Forgotten Words of Scripture

"Finish the Sentence for Pete's Sake"

I had a friend growing up who did everything he could to avoid work.

Basically he was lazy. He made all kinds of excuses and ironically worked hard at not working. For example, we would dig a ditch in the backyard or attempt to tame the encroaching bamboo and he decided it was easier to watch than join the work party. 

He decided that he would be much more comfortable under the shade of the pepper tree and would then proceed to carry one box of junk after another from one corner of the yard to the other―stacking them just right in order to build himself a “cardboard box” chaise lounge. 

By the time we were done working, he ended up working about twice as hard as any of us, working up a sweet―all with the goal in mind of avoiding work. 

I marvel at how many Christians are like my friend who put themselves through undo machinations and theological gymnastics as they wrestle against scripture. Ironically, the passage of Scripture I have in mind is 2 Timothy 3:16. This is one of those verses most Christians should have some familiarity with. 

    

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.”  

Leading Evangelical Commentators say, “2 Tim 3:16 [has] been foundational for our understanding of the nature of the divine inspiration of Scripture.” 

When people challenge our beliefs and ask, “How do you know the Bible is true?”

2 Tim 3:16 is our apologetic “go-to” verse when it comes to defending Scripture as the very Word of God―θεόπνευστος theopneustos―God breathed! AND, most Christians have a very reverential respect for the power of God’s Word to change our lives. 

After all, it is useful for “teaching” check―yep, it certainly is useful for teaching. 

"Rebuking" check―I can certainly testify to that. 

 

“Correcting”  OUCH, but okay, check. 

And for “training in all righteousness” Yay…less painful, probably more difficult, but bring it on―check that one off!

Look we have all the boxes filled in. We did great. I trust that Scripture is the very breath of God check!  

I can trust in God's Word to have impact in my life check! I know it will be a difficult process, but I’ll trust God’s Word to supernaturally effect my life. “I’ll submit to its authority and see the impact on my life; I’ll look more like Jesus. I desire to grow and to be more like Him.” 

There you have it. We made it through one verse. The only problem is we didn’t even make it through one sentence. WE QUIT READING AT THE COMMA and conveniently leave off the remaining 14 words that specifically tells us what effect the Word of God is to produce in us.

“Finish the sentence for Pete’s sake” (Technically Paul's sake), but you get the idea).

All four things, mentioned in verse 16, work together “SO THAT [ἵνα hina]...” Paul writes (under inspiration of the Holy Spirit), “the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

R. C. H. Lenski puts it this way. “The [ἵνα hina] clause denotes the contemplated result and is to be construed with all four phrases…and thus all these “so that…” he who belongs to God may be fitted up as having been fully fitted for every good work. There is nothing wanting in the Christian’s outfit for work, in his equipment for what God expects him to do.”

I find it so ironic in our land that flows with milk and honey, in a culture that values hard work that Christians find loop holes; and offer a clever theological work-around to explain away the equipping of God’s Word that equips us to do good work.  

It is at though “work” is a Christian four-letter word. We will work hard for advancement and self-improvement. We have no problem in working for financial reward, in climbing the corporate ladder and expend all kinds of energy at the gym in body building and becoming better athletes. 

We have a mantra of “No Pain. No gain” We have the willingness to work hard in a culture that provides opportunity for success. But when it comes to Christianity it is as though we get spiritual amnesia when it comes to these 14 “So That” words of 2 Tim 3:17 that are part and parcel to verse 16.   

Here is one such clever rationalization, "I don’t dare want to apply them to my life for fear that someone should accuse me of a “Works-Righteousness” theology."    

Serious?

Most Christians who have a basic understanding of Scripture and salvation know that we are not saved by works. We cease from striving in the work of our own self-righteousness and rest in the work of Jesus Christ on the cross that we receive as a free gift of grace.

And yet, we forget the purpose of the Word of God in our lives is to thoroughly equip us for every good work and like my friend we actually work harder at avoiding the very work God has ordained in advance that we should walk in (Eph 2:10). Like my friend, we spend a lot of time and energy defending a theology of personal laziness―when in reality we are busy doing everything else.

With great enthusiasm, we often point out 2 Timothy 3:16 professing our complete devotion and trust in God’s word, yet in the same breath deny the power of God’s Word to bring about the intended effect in our lives. 

Maybe, this is why "The Prince of Preachers," Charles Spurgeon, was prompted to say, "Do something! Do Something" Do Something!" 

So let me remind you in case any of us have forgotten those 14 words. 

You are called by God.

You are uniquely and supernaturally equipped by His Spirit.

You were created for good works.

You are perfectly positioned for the work of ministry that makes Him known and brings Him Glory. 

Stop defending your right to be lazy and Do Something. With lives impacted by the grace of God and the Power of His Holy Presence―

                                                              GO MAKE A DIFFERENCE! 

Q. By the grace or God and the empowerment of His Word and of His Holy            Spirit at work in you - guess what?   

A. YOU CAN DO IT...   "Have the vision, make the decision"  Mark Dahlin

   

I Prayed and Charlie Died: The Greater Miracle.

Meet My Neighbor Charlie

Charlie had a terrible accident that broke his spine 35 years ago. Confined to a wheelchair, he had grown to become resentful and crotchety. He was in constant conflict with his family and was highly suspicious of anyone he felt might be trying to take advantage of him. 

My mission was to show him the love of God and live the gospel in front of him. This was not a haphazard plan of random kindness, but required sacrifice of time and resources. 

My family and I had made a decision to be very intentional in this relationship.  For about a year it was just, “hellos” and “goodbyes” and “can I help you with your mail, with your groceries or with your trashcans?”  He was a tough Norwegian and prided himself on his independence and felt it was weakness to rely on anyone else. 

Then the ambulance came and took Charlie to the hospital. In addition to being a paraplegic, Charlie had cancer that he had beaten years before, but this time the doctors gave him 5 days to live. There was a battle between hospice and Adult Services and they required that someone look after Charlie in order for him to be released from the hospital. 

This was the opportunity for me to die to self and to show the love of God. With my wife’s blessing I moved in next door for his last few days in order to take care of him as his family members were too busy or flat out refused to help. 

Charlie made another miraculous recovery - Prayer? Maybe! Why not?

During this new time he had left on earth I had a chance to earn his trust and quite possibly became his closest friend. We played dominos and watched programs on the history channel together. After he got stronger, I moved back home next door. Each day I went over and helped him out of his bed into his wheelchair and again in the evening helped him back into his bed. I helped him with his oxygen, with meals and by emptying and cleaning up the urine and colostomy bags (what makes this story even more interesting is that I had a very bad back and a very weak stomach). 

This outreach was not just a solo event.  

Not only was my family fully invested, but it also included other faithful members of my church. Nurse Nancy had come by and helped attend to hygiene needs, others committed to sitting, visiting and reading with Charlie and a family who was close, pinched-hit when I had to be away.

It had become a real community effort.

Seven months later

When things were looking grim, I told Charlie that I was worried about his eternity. He let me share the gospel with him. He prayed an earnest prayer of salvation.

His family had no explanation as to the change of his personality. He rewrote his estranged sister back into his will. His nephew wanted to know what had happened and why Charlie hadn’t cussed him out for walking into his room unannounced.

Charlie was a different man and everyone who knew him witnessed the change and began to ask me what had happened. This was my opportunity to tell them that Charlie had prayed with me to accept the Lord and that they had witnessed the power of God to change his heart. When I told his sister that I held his hands and prayed with him every night she couldn’t believe it. Charlie was not a touchy-feely guy and I told her that the highlight of his day was when we prayed together.

One Monday, a new hospice team showed up and told me that Charlie was as healthy as an ox and would most likely live another 10 years. I didn’t think so and on that Monday night my daughter and I went over and put him to bed praying his name into Psalm 23 and laid him down with the promises of God, “…and Charlie shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Amen.”

   

I went over in the morning and discovered that my friend had indeed passed over into glory. Ascertaining the time of death it turned out that Charlie may have died within minutes of that prayer. Not only was I sad that I had lost a good friend, but also felt blessed that God had allowed me the opportunity to be a part of that transformational encounter through intentional surrendered living. 

I discovered the simple truth that this is what faith is all about. Not that I had to move to China, Malawi or India, but be moved wherever I am by the love I have for Christ.  

I Hope this Ministry can create the vision and thirst for Christians to look upward – stare into the face of Christ and begin to embrace the high call in the small things of everyday living.   

 This type of outward living to glorify God does not happen by accident, but must come from the vision of having hearts and minds fixed fully on Christ and allow Him to move you into the world to which you are sent. Before anyone engages the divine purposes of this high call, we must have our hearts in touch with God’s heart and understand the glory for which He has called us as members of His church. 

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Eph 3:20-21

With the radical numbers of decline of those professing to be christian we have failed to make impact in the culture. it is time to get back to the basics and make the decision to say, “Yes” to all that God has for us as His “set apart” People.  In His conversation with the Samaritan woman Jesus said, “a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks" (Jn 4:23).  

Worship is our response to the overtures of love from the heart of the Father. Obedience coming from a heart of worship is never out of compulsion nor will it ever be joyless drudgery.   

I make no promises that this type of intentional Gospel-informed living will be easy, but I guarantee that when you say, “yes” to God, your life will never be boring again. 

It doesn't take rocket science or being a rock star... only simple obedience to the Great Commission that is demonstrated in the Great Command...  LOVE GOD...Love others!