MY CHOICE | A Missionary’s Poem

This poem was written by “Smiling Bill” McChesney. He was a missionary from the US that ministered in the Congo in the early sixties. At that time, the Congo was a volatile and dangerous place for foreign missionaries. He was killed by an angry mob in 1964. 

 “I want my breakfast served at eight, with ham and eggs upon the plate; A well-broiled steak I’ll eat at one, and dine again when day is done. I want an ultramodern home and in each room a telephone; Soft carpets, too, upon the floors, and pretty drapes to grace the doors. A cozy place of lovely things, like easy chairs with inner springs, And then I’ll get a small TV- of course, “I’m careful what I see.” I want my wardrobe, too, to be of neatest, finest quality, With latest style in suit and vest: Why should not Christians have the best? But then the Master I can hear in no uncertain voice, so clear: “I bid you come and follow Me, the lowly Man of Galilee.” “Birds of the air have made their nest, and foxes in their holes find rest, But I can offer you no bed; no place have I to lay My head.” In shame I hung my head and cried. How could I spurn the Crucified? Could I forget the way He went, the sleepless nights in prayer He spent? For forty days without a bite, alone He fasted day and night; Despised, rejected- on He went, and did not stop till veil He rent. A man of sorrows and of grief, no earthly friend to bring relief; “Smitten of God,” the prophet said- Mocked, beaten, bruised, His blood ran red. If He be God, and died for me, no sacrifice too great can be For me, a mortal man, to make; I’ll do it all for Jesus’ sake. Yes, I will tread the path He trod, no other way will please my God; So, henceforth, this my choice shall be, my choice for all eternity.”

a handy little church history chart

 

Here is an interesting chart I came across in Wikipedia..Take a glance at it, and feel free to let me know if you have any questions..After looking at this chart, I’m sure Jesus Himself might have some questions for us!

The Spread of Major World Religions

Check out this video pilgrim! It put’s some history in perspective:

Words from Irenaeus

Irenaeus, the Bishop of Lyons in the ancient Roman province of Gaul, is one of the early church fathers from the second century who’s writings still survive and hold relevance..

Here are some of his thoughts on “a life well spent”:

 ”The God, therefore, who does benevolently cause His sun to rise upon all, and sends rain upon the just and the unjust, shall judge those who, enjoying his equally distributed kindness, have led lives not corresponding to the dignity of His bounty, but who have spent their days in wantonness and luxury.”

Tithing vs. Giving

Recently I was asked if I could write a controversial post on tithing. Realizing that this is something that could get me in trouble, I’ve decided to take up the challenge.

There are many different perspectives on the Christian responsibility of tithing. Some say it is indeed a New Testament discipline and a command to all believers.  Others affirm that it is strictly an Old Testament ordinance, but must be observed as an essential principle for new covenant believers.  Some Christians  teach, that tithing is strictly an Old testament law and there is NO obligation to observe it in light of the new covenant, and that tithing is actually a form of religious bondage.

Before we look at this matter, let’s get a working definition. What is tithing? Simply, a tithe means: a tenth . A 10% portion of an income, possessions or lands.  Tithing is certainly not only a Judean-Christian practice. The Babylonians, Islamic, as well as Sikhs have tithed since ancient times.

Biblically, the first mention of the concept of tithing is found in Genesis 14:18-19.  Here Abraham meets the mysterious figure: Melchezedek, who is a king of Salem, and a priest of the Most High God. He is also described as having no natural birth. Some scholars propose that this was an angel of God, some say it was Noah’s son Shem. I suspect that it was the pre-incarnate Jesus Christ. Nonetheless. We see Abram offering this priest, a tenth of all of his spoils.

There are also several places in the Pentateuch where tithing is mentioned.

Deuteronomy 14;22-27, Deuteronomy  26:12-14, Numbers 18:13-14

In the context of the Mosaic Law, tithes and offerings were a combination of ceremonial offerings, but a specific percentage essentially served as a type of tax. This tax served two chief purposes. To finance and support the temple and Priesthood, and to provide for the poor among the people.

Later, the early Catholic writer Francis Plowden wrote about tithing as “A divine ordinance and an obligation of conscience.”

Although most modern Biblical scholars agree that tithing IS NOT a direct command given in the New Testament many Catholics church leaders have cited Matthew 23:23, arguing that Jesus in fact instructed that tithing was essential.

Lastly, the common scripture used to define the act of tithing in most protestant churches today comes from Malachi 3:8-10.

This scripture eloquently describes the heart and principle of giving to God. It portrays that the failure of the Jewish people to observe it in the past was a clear sign of their lack of faith, and would now incur a curse upon them. It also showed that those who are faithful in giving to God in tithes and offerings, would be rewarded with divine provision and blessing. This scripture in Malachi is often referred to as command. Although the passage does show a great truth, it is erroneously taught as an Old Testament  command that must be observed. This proposes a doctrinal problem. Why should a New Testament believer, who is supposedly not under the “old law’, observe an obscure principle mentioned in the Prophets, but, be shunned and labeled as a Judaizer or Legalist if they decide to observe the Feasts or Festivals of Yawheh, or observe the levitical dietary laws, let alone the entire Mosaic law. In short, my tough question is: Why do we insist that our congregations obey this single Old Testament law, but encourage them that they are free from all of the other 313 laws? I think we all know the answer to that. Because the church’s need money.

Do I think it is wrong to tithe? Absolutely not! I encourage it, and practice it myself. Do I think it is a direct command that all Christians have to give ten percent of their income to the local church? No. Hermeneutically, that would be a convenient assumption. I will share my favorite verse that I use to teach my children about Christian giving and provision:

2 Corinthians 9:7 “So let each one give as they purpose in their heart to give. Not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.”

Notice God didn’t say He loves a religious giver, or a punctual giver, or a consistent giver. He said He loves a cheerful giver.

 

Here are my conclusions on tithing, they may sound controversial, and even a little contradictive, but, here they are:

• Why tithe when you can give? When you give 8%, you may feel guilty…. when you give 10%, you may feel satisfied…….. when you give 12%,  You feel “spiritual”.    This is not a good perspective on charity. The law was designed to show sin and act as yoke,(obligation)  leading us to Christ (joy).
• Tithing is good. It is never a sin.
• Give money, give lots, give regularly
• Give to the local Church and give to pastors who bless you
• Finances can be given to increase our faith. Every financial offering is a seed sown.
• If money, and fear of lack has a grip on you, the best way to break that spirit, is to give hilariously.
• Give because you want to
• Give because God has blessed you
• Give because you trust God
• Don’t limit yourself to ten percent. Give in proportion to your faith, and joy.
• Generosity releases revival

I hope you all enjoyed this post. Please let me know if you have any questions..

 

Shalom

Pastor Darrell

Theodore the Sykeote | a piece of church history

 

I should like to write a book one day about the Body Of Christ. I should like to call it “Crown Of Jewels”, and use it to explore all of the beauty found in the mosaic of the denominations and diverse sub cultures within the church. There has certainly been plenty of constructive, and destructive criticism to the Bride Of Christ (of which I am guilty of both). But I should like to take an attempt to reveal the things that are right and good within each member. My research has begun, and I plan on even using this blog to organize and channel my learnings from Protestant, Eastern Orthodox, and Catholic doctrines and traditions.One of my learning strategies is to study the various Liturgical Calendars of the church. This include feasts, fasts, observances, and assigned days for specific saints and martyrs. I have copied the different calendars into my own, and I plan on doing much of the scripture readings, and keeping some of the observances in my own way to, in essence, experience what many of these church fathers seek to experience.  Some of you may think I’m going  a little wacky, but, that’s up to you!    

Anyway, I learned that today, for the Eastern Orthodox Church, is a day that they observe a specific Saint called Theodore. (note:  I want to stress one thing about the rigorous observing of the liturgical calendar. Even though it may seem cold, traditional, and may even be misunderstood as Saint worship, I need to credit it for the fact that it brings its followers through an intentional cycle of church history, doctrine, and deep meditations on scripture passages and bible stories)  

April 22 | St.Theodore the Sykeote    

 Saint Theodore was born out of wedlock in Sykeon, a village of Galatia in Asia Minor. From his childhood, he was under the protection and guidance of the holy Great Martyr George, who often appeared to him, and was as it were his trainer in the hard ascetical discipline which he took upon himself all his life. After a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, he became a monk in his native Galatia. About 584 he was ordained Bishop of Anastasiopolis in Galatia, where he shepherded his flock for ten years. After this, he asked to be allowed to be relieved of the duties of governing the diocese. His request was granted but he was commanded to retain his rank as bishop. Saint Theodore was a great worker of miracles, and also received from God the power to cast out even the most obstinate demons, who called him “Iron-eater” because of his stern way of life. Having passed throughout many regions, worked numerous miracles, and strengthened the faithful in piety, he departed this life in 613.

Ancient Odes

I thought it would be interesting to give a snapshot to all of you pilgrims of the “musical life” of the early church. We don’t exactly know what early services looked like, but through the writings of historians and ancient church fathers we can get a clear glimpse into the devotional language of the early believers. Christ himself sang a hymn at last supper, and on the cross, he quoted the opening lyrics of Psalm Twenty-Two. This psalm ends with a promise of deliverance for a ”people yet unborn”. It was in this spirit, that the early Christians began to sing.

Paul and Silas sang a hymn while imprisoned in Phillipi

As I mentioned, early church gatherings included singing. And, in two of his letters, Paul exhorts us to sing. Records tell us that early church song collections included canticles. Three of the well-known ones are from Luke’s Gospel:

The Magnificat (1:46:55)
The Benedictus (1:68-79)
The Nunc Dimittis Simeon (2:29-32)

All three of these canticles are still sung by some congregations, and are making a come back in such contexts as the Liturgical Revival, and the Ecumenical Movement.

Bible Scholars discern hymns in parts of the Epistles. In fact, it is likely, that Philippians 2:6-11 was a song written by a member of the church.

Early collections of ancient church music have been preserved and handed down to us.  One such collection is known as The Odes of Solomon, Likely recorded in the late fourth century. This song book consists of forty-two psalms and is very articulate and beautiful in both syntax and description. I will leave you with this selection from Ode #16

4 For my love is the Lord, and therefore I will sing unto Him:

5 For I am made strong in His praise, and I have faith in Him.

6 I will open my mouth and His spirit will utter in me the glory of the Lord and His beauty; the work of His hands and the operation of His fingers:

7 The multitude of His mercies and the strength of His word.

8 For the word of the Lord searches out all things, both the invisible and that which reveals His thought;

9 For the eye sees His works, and the ear hears His thought;

10 He spread out the earth and He settled the waters in the sea:

11 He measured the heavens and fixed the stars: and He established the creation and set it up:

12 And He rested from His works:

 

Some puzzle over the rapid spread of Christianity, but it is possible that it can be somewhat attributed to the hymns that were sung, loved, repeated and heard with wonder..

shalom|pastor darrell

God Is Near

As a minister, the most important thing that “keeps me going” is knowing that God is near. The Bible is filled with descriptions of this nearness:
 
“In Him we live and move and have our being”

“Nothing can separate us from the love of God”

“I never leave you or forsake you”

It is often tempting, when we feel “off”, to assume that God is “far from us”.
There may be many reasons for these emotions that deserve to be dealt with:
Wrong attitudes about God, unconfessed (un-repented sin), physical or emotional exhaustion (often our own fault), or limited practice of spiritual disciplines (reading the word of God, prayer, worship, fellowship) When we speak of God in spacial terms, we quickly find ourselves on the threshold of one of the great mysteries of God.  We see biblical examples of God being everywhere, but also, at times here or there occupying a specific space. Some may say: “If God is everywhere (omnipresent) how can He be anywhere?” My answer is as simple, and silly sounding as the question: “If God is in everyplace, He can certainly be in any place” The mystery of the Holy Spirit, is that He can. (And always is) inside you and yet He can come upon you. Back to my point now. God is always present, always with you, never as “far” as He may seem.

Here is a wonderful passage from an A.W. Tozer from 1959 that sheds a great deal of light on the subject:

 In spiritual matters we think correctly only when we boldly rule out the concept of space. God is spirit and spirit dwells not in space. Space has to do with matter and spirit is independent of it. By the concept of space we account for the relation of material bodies to each other. We should never think of God as being spatially near or remote, for He is not here or there but carries here and there in His heart. Space is not infinite, as some have thought; only God is infinite and in His infinitude He swallows up all space. “Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord.” He fills heaven and earth as the ocean fills the bucket that is submerged in it, and as the ocean surrounds the bucket so does God the universe He fills. “The heaven of heavens cannot contain thee.” God is not contained: He contains.

Taken from Nearness Is Likeness, Born After Midnight, by A.W. Tozer 1959

So there you go pilgrim. God is on the scene, on the case, large and in charge. He is where He is, and He is what He is. He is immoveable in this attribute. Our aim, is to endeavor to grow ever deeper in relationship with God, not so much in terms of spending time ‘with’ God, but spending time ‘like’ Him. May you be blessed today on your pilgrimage. Shalom

Pastor Darrell

The Great Tradition

What do I think the church is doing right in 2010?

 

This is a question that a WordPress pal of mine asked at the end of one of his posts: http://www.seansabourin.com/?p=871   This is a good question indeed, especially since most take a critical aim at the ‘blushing bride’ of Christ more often than commend it for anything!

At great risk of appearing controversal, I submit that ‘one’ of the good things happening within the Body of Christ is running in the same vein as what has come to be called the: ‘Ecumenical Movement’. This movement brings mixed reviews. Some hailing it as a great pilgrimage of repentance, and others (mostly fundamentalists) accusing it of being a sort of ‘unitarian apostacy’. In terms of the official movement itself, I subscribe to neither review whole heartedly, but i want to highlight some of the characteristics therein that i feel are of great benefit to the Church.

Latley we are seeing a return to liturgy. Christians everywhere are showing signs of a yearning that the post-modern church, or emerging church, can’t quite seem to satisfy. We are seeing a growing interest in The Great Tradition. I see it in the new books being written. I see it in the blogosphere. I hear it in the music and liturgy Sunday mornings…What is this Great tradition of which i speak? Lets back up a bit…

The church that was birthed in the New Testament account of Pentecost enjoyed a relatively schizm-free existence from its inception. this continued right through the Roman persecution (and after the Roman legalization in 313 AD under Constantine),  right up till about 1054 AD. Besides the outbreak of two or three notable splinterings (Nestorians, Mar Tomas) the church remained in relative unity. After nearly half a century, three major fragmentations began to happen. The three major branches are: Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Reformed Protestantism.

Western Protestantism (Lutheran, Baptist, Anabaptist, Pentecostal, Methodist, Reformed, etc, etc) is what dominates the religious population in North America today. There are well over two thousand denominations within Protestantism alone. And these denominations include sub groups such as fundamentalism, liberalism, post-modernism, liturgical, etc, bla bla bla.

One can look at all of these fragments of the Body of Christ with scrutiny, and rightfully so. I have taught on the subject of denominationalism and I have expanded on its cons, and it’s pros, but, I have a hard time picturing Jesus being thrilled about division that happens every day. don’t get me wrong, i am not being a pluralist in saying that all “religions” should be unified. Not only would that be un-biblical, but a great philosophical impossibility. What i am trying to say can be best elaborated on by a quote from Walter R. Martin, author of the classic Kingdom Of The Cults. On matters of doctrine and practices withing the Church, he said:

“In the essentials; there ought to be unity.

In the non-essentials; liberty.

In all things; love.”

I believe it is time for the church to get back to its roots. There are so many gems found in studying the Great Tradition. But if we are careless, we may miss them. History holds a tutorship quality that will help us prepare for our future. In essence, we can learn about our future by looking to our past. Studying the great traditions of the early church, the lives of the martyrs, and the growth of the church has been a great source of interest to me ltely, as well as a well spring of wisdom. My admonition to the Church is to look to the past as well as the future. What were the early Christians like? what did they value? What did they believe and why? What action did their beliefs influence them to take? How did they live? What did “church’ look like to them?

Food for thought//pastor Darrell