Stewards of The Earth
Posted: May 20, 2010 Filed under: Religion | Tags: environment, stewardship Leave a comment »We have but only one earth, one home. When we die, the earth remains. We are only visitors in a place. We have been entrusted to keep this world by God until we leave. Let us not fail Him.
When I am asked about my position on the green movement, I would usually respond that we need to do our best to live as environmentally friendly as possible. As I see it, living green is very simple. It is also a more simple way of life. To be honest, people live with too much stuff. They need as much as the next person. They are always looking to the next new movie release, the next paycheck, the next whatever. They cannot wait for anything, and also, they will do anything to get to the front of the line, both literally and metaphorically. When you ask a person what the most impo
rtant thing is in their life, if they are being honest, they will say themselves. They believe themselves to be the most superior.
It is a new religion. It is a selfish way of seeing everything. Those who follow it, which is sadly many people, create two spheres or religiosity, the sacred of God and the secular of the World. These two spheres are now seen as divided in the modern world. This is what environmentalism is trying to combat. It wants to show that business is not just a secular way of living in which one need to defend their way of living as if their salvation depended on it, but it is sacred. John Calvin was one of the primary theologians who focused on the idea that the priests were not the only ones in a God-ordained position, but that the laypeople have also been put where they are for God’s purpose. This also means the business man and the factory worker need to see their work as holy, not just a means for the next paycheck.
Nearly all Native American tribes have a very sacred view of nature. While most Christians see them as “land worshipers,” or naturalists, there is a little bit of truth in their religions. The world was created by God. God, after creating the world and everything in it, said that it was good. Who are we to say that what God has called good, we can call it bad, or nothing. I don’t simply mean reduce pollution, but also a conservation of the beauty of the Earth. I am sometimes saddened when I go outside, even at my father’s farm, and cannot see the stars because of light pollution. It is sad that, if we continue expansion, continue needing more stuff, even if all that is new has been declared “green,” we still keep our expansionist and materialistic ideals.
This world is not our earth, but it is God’s earth. We are by no means entitled to use what is the earth in order to make an extra dollar. We should respect our gift of a beautiful world and understand that we need to be frugal with what we are given and how we live. People quote Genesis and say that we have dominion over the world, but what God also is implying is the responsibility to keep it. A landlord has dominion over his property, but also has a responsibility to keep the building running and the tenants happy. We are not entitled to destroy what God has created, but we are entitled to protect and keep it thriving.
On Relationships
Posted: February 23, 2010 Filed under: Religion | Tags: relationships, women 1 Comment »If you ask anyone of my friends, I am a man who wants a partner in life, a wife, a girlfriend. But I have been recently thinking about Paul and his advice in his first letter to the Corinthians. He advises us not to marry, for it will lead to anxiety and worry for another other than God. He says that a married man has a dual focus, to his wife and his church. So many times, in context of ministry, I have heard that their wife comes first and the church second. How amazing would it be to be married to the church and the church alone? Married to Christ alone?
Also, I wonder what a protestant ministry would look like with a single man as the minister. So many ministers are married men, usually right out of college they are married. Maybe even more “scandalous” but what would a dating pastor look like? What kind of new viewpoint would that bring? How would the church react? I will not be married anytime soon, and I don’t even expect it for a few years, maybe more. Yet I will be heading into the ministry withing the next few years, and my guess it will be before I am married.
It interesting, but I know very few people in ministry, not necessarily as pastors, who are single, in fact only one or two come to mind of the countless I can think of. Coming to the end of my college career, i begin to have a strange feeling of victory leaving as a single man. I feel that now my life will be full of new opportunities and new people, and I don’t have another to worry about. Yet how long can I keep this up before I get too lonely. Occasionally I do get lonely, and I have struggle with that, yet I feel strong, more independent. I can live my life how I want to without worry of another.
I say this not as a cynic, but as someone who truly wants a wife, yet sees an advantage to heeding Paul’s warning. I have always loved the allusions to the marriage of the church to Christ, and even of the individual to Christ. Our love to Christ needs to be almost a jealous love, a love that we may think no one else has, something special and personal, like the love of a husband and wife.
When Grace was easy to forget…
Posted: December 3, 2009 Filed under: Religion | Tags: Five iron frenzy, Grace, Jesus Leave a comment »Seems hard huh? To forget the awesome grace of God? Yet I did. I just wanted to live my life, to be satisfied. I wanted only to live for myself, to be happy. But I wasn’t, I was annoyed, lonely, tired. Yet tonight, I heard Him. Though I have never actually heard God speak to me in words, I heard something, a thought, a memory, whenever you want to call it, but i heard something that I had forgotten.
What I had forgotten is that I am justified. I have been made righteous by God, through the faithful Messiah. I have a new status, a righteous status. I am still a sinner, and I am no more moral than before, but God still loves me.
I thought of Christ on the cross. A man who had never sinned is now damned to the worst penalty for a criminal. He took the pain on himself, and as he hung there, He looked over to me and said, “Evan, I love you, and I am dying because I love you and I want to vindicate you from sin. I want to spend eternity with you. I want you in my family.”
jesus does love me, and I am righteous. I am a sinner. I am broken. And I am justified. Thank you Jesus.
“Your Grace is enough” Let me not forget ever again.
Babel Your Morals
Posted: September 9, 2009 Filed under: Religion | Tags: Justification, Karl barth, Morality, N.T. Wright 3 Comments »
What keeps you from God? What is your, as Karl Barth puts it, tower of Babel? What is a stronghold of pride and vanity for you? I recently read Karl Barth’s essay “Righteousness of God” in his book Word of Man, Word of God. In this essay, Barth calls to our attention our need for “morality.” How many of you would call yourself “moral”? It is a difficult question for some, but also some simply say, “Yes.” Of you did answer yes, I urge to ponder why you should be considered a moral person, and by whose standards you are being judged by. If you say by humanity’s standard, then you may be right in saying that you are moral. But where does justification come from. It is from humanity? No, justification comes from God. Justification means to be made right before God. If we claim that we are right before God simply because we are moral, then that god is not the true God, but a god that we created, a god that we think can be reached by building a tower to heaven. It is not through anything we do, but through our faith that we are justified, however, N.T. Wright recently published a new book entitled Justification, and in it, he would claim that Justification is so much more than a question of salvation. With this I would agree. Yet, it is more, not because of what we do, but of what God does. I have yet to read this book, but I have read a couple summaries and have a general idea. I feel that Barth would also agree that faith is more than a simple belief. We are saved by faith alone, but our faith is proved by works. When I speak of works, I am not talking of this concept of morality and conscience. Works is living out God’s Kingdom. Morality, as I think most understand it, is not about what you do, but what you abstain from doing. This is good, but the idea of the Kingdom is removed. You simply have to not screw up. In the words of Martin Luther, “Sin boldly.” This means do not get wrapped so up in morality that you never go out of your shell to help people. Don’t be afraid to screw up, because you will, that is human nature. However, there is another part of that saying. ”Love God more boldly still.” While you will have to leave your comfort zone and enter hostile and questionable territory, never forget that God loves you and you love Him. God is always with you, and He is why you are doing these works. Not to bring you clout or “brownie points” to God, but because of love and because the Spirit moves within you as a child of God. Niether by works nor by morallity will you ever be right before God. It is only through proven faith in Christ that He died so that we may live with God once again.
Headin’ Back
Posted: August 20, 2009 Filed under: God, Religion | Tags: back to school, college 4 Comments »Well, tomorrow I head back to Central and start my senior year. I feel a lot of pressure for this year. I will be a leader in IV, a Sunday school teacher, and a senior. I will have many people looking at me this semester, more then ever. I wonder how they will see me. I know how I want them to see me, as a follower of Christ. So that is my prayer for this semester, that I live as an example of Christ in everyday of my life, and that when people see me, they do not see a broken sinner, but a repentant one, who is truly following the LORD. I know that this will be a hard task, thankfully, Jesus will be with me. I trust in His strength alone, and not by mine, that I can succeed. And even when I fail, I know that forgiveness is waiting when I ask. I also pray that my patience will keep. I will be dealing with many people, and at times tempers may be short.
Despite all my worry, I have a good feeling about this semester, and I hope that I am right. I feel that Jesus will be doing big things on campus, and I know that I will be part of this. May God bless this upcoming semester and all of the returning and new students, that they will see the Light of Christ shining through the Christians on campus. May HIS Kingdom come, on earth as it is in heaven.
Amen
He is Risen! So answer Him!
Posted: April 11, 2009 Filed under: Religion | Tags: easter, Jesus, resurection 2 Comments »Yes, Easter is a day away and now we must think on this. The biggest question we must ask is “Why did Jesus have to die?” Many people are satisfied with “because He had to order to save us and He loves us.” And that is just fine. Even I can be content with that answer, but there have been times when I have been faced with the question, “If God is all-powerful, then why couldn’t have saved us in some other way? Why didn’t he just say. ‘Poof, you are in clear.’” And so I begin to ponder this. The reason is simply this; God is justice. Because of who God is, there must be payment for sins. Think of it like this, if you get a parking violation, and you find a way to get by it, you would do that right? But lets say someone offer
s to pay it for you, you would accept, right? However, with the latter option, there is somewhat of an obligation to pay that man back, or to return the favor. This is like the parable of the unmerciful servant that Jesus told (Matt 18:23-35). This is what Jesus did, but obviously on a much larger scale. As with parking ticket, the law was broken, and someone had to pay. Because if you simply forgive the crime, it doesn’t cut it. With that scenario, God gets gypped. So there must be a payment, but why then Jesus?
It was Anselm of Canterburry who said that Jesus must have been man and God in order to pay the price. ”If it be necessary, therefore, as it appears, that the heavenly kingdom be made up of men, and this cannot be effected unless aforesaid satisfaction be made, which none but God can make and nine but man ought to make, it is necessary for the God-man to make.” Only God had teh means to pay for our sins, but only man should pay it. If God simply forgave our sins without satisfaction for the loss of Honor and Glory that we stole in our sins, then He would cease to be God, so therefore there must satisfaction, the satisfaction found on the Cross in Christ.
Therefore, because Jesus chose to die, and it was not forced or required of Hm, but He did it completely out fo Love for us, what then do we owe? The answer is everything. Christ chose to pay our price because of his Love and God’s Justice, and therefore, Jesus desire us to walk with Him. If we simply walk away, so will God. He will not abandon us, by no means. Jesus forgave us, and commands us to forgive others. The satisfaction is not passive or a one time deal. We must continually work to give to God and Jesus what is His and that is our lives.
Jesus loves us, and wants us to be closer to Him. He gave us His life and suffered for us. Why won’t you listen and follow? Jesus Lives! Now live in Him!
Family Guy insulting? A Couple Thoughts…
Posted: March 9, 2009 Filed under: Religion | Tags: Family Guy, homosexuallity 2 Comments »I am starting to be very annoyed by the idea that Christians hate homosexuals. In the last Family Guy entitled 
“Family Gay,” Peter turns gay, and they have the classic idea of Christians beating gays and thinking that they are an abomination. That should be far from the truth. Sadly, it can be an accurate stereotype. I wish that LOVE was what Christians lived by followed closely by Justice, but NOT judgement. Matthew 7 starts with Jesus teaching us not to judge others, lest we be judged. It seems that people miss this picture and justify their own judgements by saying, “At least I’m not as bad as that guy.” It is so easy to do that, but what we need to understand is that we all fall short of the glory of God. Yet we live in Christ. Not because we are straight or republican or protestant, but because of Love are we considered righteous or even saved. And that is the Love for Christ and for each other. When Christ came to earth, He didn’t beat the people, such as the whores and beggars and, though it is not said so, probably gays. I wish we could just spread the love of God to all people and not just the “good people.” Too many people see Christians as right-wing nut-jobs or pacifist wimps. God has not called us to exterminate evil with bombs or stop all war with peace, but to love each other and endure. I encourage those who claim to be Christians to read the Bible, and then talk to someone about it, preferably your pastor or someone who has studies the Bible. For it is not a book of “don’t” but more so a book of “do.”
Now that no man is justified by the law before God, is evident: for, The righteous shall live by faith;
(Gal 3:11)
Live out your faith through the Word of God and not by anything else.
Carry the Cross
Posted: February 27, 2009 Filed under: Religion | Tags: cross, Jesus 1 Comment »
Do not walk in the darkness, but follow the Light of Christ. Live by His life and die to your own life. This life is temporary and passes away, for we are only visitors, aliens to this world and our home is His home in Heaven. Jesus has called you, yet you don’t answer. His words are precious, listen to them well. His words bring consolation is the greatest of turmoils, and all is well within the soul when Jesus is there. That is not to say that turmoil in the mind and body will vanish with Christ, nay, they may even increase when Christ is in you for Christ is against the world and our bodies and minds are for this world. It is the great contradiction. For you have heard that the spirit is willing, but the body is week. So true is this statement. Yet with a strong spirit, all ailments may be overcome. Jesus is the source of the strength so take joy when pain comes and depression hits, for that is when Christ may enter and show you truth. If you die upon the cross and Jesus does, you secure salvation. For you may not enter heaven upon your own strength, but only through the power of Christ. You must be willing to carry the cross, for it will take you to your desire goal which is found only in Christ. All other successes and triumphs are fake and deceptions, for it is only in Christ can we find true purpose. And at the goal will there be no more suffering, but here there shall be suffering and turmoil. If you attempt to avoid this pain of today, you will only find more tomorrow. No man can escape the pain of death except through Christ, and through Christ is the death that bring us life. You must lead a dying life for when you die to yourself, you live in Christ.
He Gave. Reynosa Reflections
Posted: February 24, 2009 Filed under: Religion | Tags: giving, Jesus, mexico, poor, reynosa 2 Comments »This Christmas break I went to Reynosa Mexico on a mission trip with Campus Ministries here at Central.
I can truly say that it was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had. I saw God in the most amazing places. The main place that We worked was with a man named Hector who ran a Christian shelter for deportees and the like. Most of the people there came into this community with absolutely nothing. Yet they created for themselves everything they needed. They had homes and bathrooms and in the past year the community had community showers and bathrooms with running water.
Now it has been a long while since I started this blog, and the trip has still affected me. God has been telling me to be more content with what I have and give more away. It is not so much an appreciation thing. I don’t want to say, “God thanks for all you have given me now that I have seen those with nothing.” There should be a clause at the end there, “… and I can give all that you have blessed me with to those who need it.” Jesus called for unconditional giving, and I am still trying to get to that point. All I can hope is that I can detach myself from my belongings and give more then ever. We need to rely on God to give us what we need just as those in Reynosa did.
Now I am back in the “swing of things” but I am trying to keep a fresh heart and not get stale with everyday life. Prayer is something that I used to be very frequent about, but now it seems few and far between. I think time is something people have the most trouble giving, for money we get back but time we do not. Prayer is the most important part of out relationship to God for that is were we talk to him, ask for forgiveness, forgive others, give praise, and listen for what he says.
“For God so loved the world that He gave.”
I challenge those who read this to give. Whether it be time for money, but just give. Talk to you church about trips, there are also many websites that give information about ways to give. One that I give to is World Vision, and they do have many causes to give to. Even if it is a small amount, it is appreciated. I just encourage you not to just give so you can say that you gave, but really give from the heart.
“What you do to the least of my brothers, you do to me also.”
Jesus has called use to the sick and the poor and oppressed. And it is our mission to bring the kingdom and minister to these people. We need to get out of our little shells of security and begin to really look at what is going in the world, and even your own town or state. There are many broken people everywhere, even in your neighborhood. Just do something!
You have a choice.
Posted: November 13, 2008 Filed under: Religion | Tags: abortion, choice, homosexuallity, Rush Leave a comment »So…. What is important to you? What issues get you all uppity?
The classic “Christian” issues are gay marriage and abortion. Yet Christians never say anything about the poor or the environment. To me, it seems that all Christians want to do is sit on the sidelines and say “This is what you can and cannot do, but I don’t do them so I’m okay.” They never want to take responsibility. I have heard a story about a teen who had gotten pregnant. Now the pastor said it was her choice whether to keep it or not. Many of you reading this might say “That’s a bad pastor! He can’t give her the choice!” That really doesn’t even make sense, and that’s what the congregation said. Now the pastor replied and told them that she’ll keep it, yet everyone has to chip in, because this girl was going to finish high school and go into college. So he put a sign up sheet in the back. Guess how many people signed? NONE! They were all pro-life, yet they didn’t want to do anything. How sad is that. Now on the issue of abortion, I am pro-life, yet i think laws that make it “pro-choice” are not evil. It simply puts more responsibility on the people. You still CAN make the right choice. I feel that we shouldn’t attack people for being pro-choice, we should help people who need to make the choice and offer ourselves to take care of the child. Maybe not adopt, but help pay for diapers etc… We shouldn’t make judgement calls one how the person got pregnant or anything like that, we should simply offer to help. I think with this new abortion law, we as Christians need to step up and offer ourselves in order that people will make the right choice, and also we should not condemn them for making “the wrong” choice. As Rush says, “Even if you choose not to make a choice, you still have made a choice.”
I will also say that Jesus always talks of love and that we need to support those that we “hate and despise.” Even if they make awful choices.
