Deter's World

It's a Girl!

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Deter) — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 07:24:00 +0000

Kristina and I found out that we are going to be having a baby girl...Hailee Marie Deter.

Sheep Among Wolves

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Deter) — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 07:36:00 +0000

On Sunday, I led a study through Matthew Chapter 10. In Matthew 10, Jesus tells his disciples, "I am sending you out like sheep among wolves..." What an interesting illustration that Jesus leaves us with here. The thought of sending out innocent defenseless sheep to go be among a pack of (I can only imagine) hungry wolves. What a dangerous place to be, but this is the life Jesus is calling his disciples to live. To his disciples, Jesus commanded them in the previous verses to go from town to town, preaching the good news, healing the sick, casting out demons, and ultimately they are called to extend the ministry of Jesus himself throughout the nation of Israel.

What then does this mean for those of us today who live our lives under the Lordship of Jesus Christ? For us then, we need to embrace the dangers that come with the life of a disciple. A disciple of Christ is not called to live a sheltered life that is hidden form any and all dangers. No the disciple is to live a life of an innocent sheep, who is blameless before all men, but is still in danger of being attacked by those whom they live in the middle of. Throughout Scripture the picture of a sheep would commonly be used to refer to the chosen ones of God as well as maintaining close parallels to the sacrifices found in the Old Testament.

If we focus on the latter reference we can note that a sacrifice that is meaningful to God is one that blameless. When a disciple lives in the company of wolves they must also be blameless (not perfect) in the eyes of their peers. So why then is it so dangerous? Jesus later in chapter 10 tells his disciples that the message they are preaching will be so polarizing that it will tear even families apart. But if we can live in such a way that we are being lights in a dark world, as Jesus says earlier in Matthew, maybe by some small chance we point a few towards the teachings of Jesus.

Evangelicals against Torture

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Deter) — Sun, 25 Mar 2007 06:43:00 +0000

Evangelicals for Human Rights has put out a document speaking against the use of torture. They claim that every one is entitled to their rights. Take a few moments and read through the document. They make a strong and powerful case against the use of torture. Here is the link
An Evangelical Declaration against Torture

War in Iraq

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Deter) — Sun, 25 Mar 2007 06:20:00 +0000

I have been struggling recently about where I should stand on the war in Iraq. My studies over the last few years are leading me to believe that we as believers in Christ should be proponents for peace not supporters of war. However, as I look at the situation in Iraq I start to wonder what would happen if American troops are pulled out of Iraq. Would we be causing a bigger mess than we started or would we be doing the right thing? My fear is that if troops are pulled out because of we are now realizing it is a "bad" war to be in, will we be doing a bigger injustice to the people of Iraq? I am left wondering what is the right thing to do and which side I should stand on.
If being asked whether or not Americans should be there I would support peace over war on any day. But on the other side if mistakes are made someone needs to take responsibility for those mistakes and do what is ultimately right. Maybe it is time for someone to own up to possible mistakes that have been made and make a stand for doing what is right for everyone. If more Iraqis than US soldiers lose their lives because of an ensuing civil war that could be a result of our departure then we would have caused more harm then good by pulling troops out. If there are more US soldiers that lose their lives than Iraqis then troops should be pulled out.
My opinion is that as a country, responsibility needs to be taken for having the best interest of everyone in mind. If as a country (right or wrong) we have gone to war with Iraq to make "improvements" then we need to what is best for everyone. I leave the decision to which side would lose more lives to others who have better access to information than do I...then again that is what got is here.

Reflections from Amos

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Deter) — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 04:29:00 +0000

I have recently spent a considerable amount of time studying the book of Amos for a paper I was righting. Those who have studied Amos would be familiar with the way Amos rebukes the rich in Israel for their exploitation and oppression of the poor. This exploitation of the poor and the weak continues in our world today. In California where I live, my peers and I have little to no hope of owning a piece of property without risking overextending ourselves. Gas prices continue to skyrocket, but oil companies are taking in record profits. Increasing health care costs makes you wonder where all the money goes, as pharmaceutical companies and medical device companies continue to thrive. AIDS continues to become more of an epidemic in Africa; coffee workers in South America are exploited. The injustice that Amos talks about still exists today. But I ask my question where do I start. How do I speak up fo the weak and exploited? Will my voice make a difference? Whatever I end up doing, I know that I will struggle with what to do until I find it. My heart is changing for the better; every day I better understand that I must take responsibility for what I see going on in this world.

World of Change

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Deter) — Fri, 26 May 2006 05:10:00 +0000

It is funny how quickly things change. Over the past month, I have planned a wedding...Actually Kristina planned most of it, went out for a job interview in HOT Arizona, and am leaving a ministry in which I couldn't be more proud of where we took it. Actually that is the last few weeks.

The last couple days have left me thinking of the pain of not seeing life go the I had planned. 3 years ago I left a good ministry job to plant a church that never happened. The last three years have left me dealing with the pain of what I saw, and maybe at times, still see as failure. When I arrived in Arizona, I was hit with the reality of the situation. There was no a good possibility (or opportunity) to get back into ministry. I found myself afraid...Afraid that there was the possibility of that I would have to take a step of faith that could lead me down the wrong road. Contemplating this reality over the last few days have brought me to a point, where I see that it is my fear that is holding me back. My fear is getting in the way of me taking hold of my call to be a pastor.

This realization leaves me with a restored confidence and faith that maybe I need to walk away from my fear and trust that where I am is where God will want me to be. That even if I don't make the perfect choice, I can make a good choice leading me to a place where God can use me to bring glory to his kingdom, allowing his will to be done through my life.

These last few weeks have also seen more of a transformation in my ministry philosophy. I want to be apart of a ministry where I can teach others to radically love their community and take responsibility for their world. Part of the problem is learning how to do this better myself. A large part of me can't wait to get settle in the next phase of my life so that I can begin to practice some of this radical love within a community, or city, where I know I will be for a while. As for now maybe God will let me take some small steps in this area so that I can be prepared for what is next. For more on this read "The Irresistible Revolution" by Shane Claiborne

John with New Eyes

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Deter) — Thu, 13 Apr 2006 16:55:00 +0000

I have been reading through the book of John this last week...It amazes me the different faces scripture has when we change the lighting around it. This time through I am focusing on Jesus the Rabbi, upon reading Velvet Elvis and listening to some teaching on Jesus the Rabbi. As I read through chapter 4, the woman at that well. I realized for the first time that the disciples did not make any comments or question Jesus as he was talking to this outcast woman. Instead, I picture them as talmidim...listening and learning from their Rabbi. Following without question to be the one covered in the most dust of their Rabbi.

How many times do we just take for granted the stories of Scripture? We read through them so many times and we find that we never change the light. Scripture then becomes stale and dry. But to change the light just a little, to be challenged by a new idea and then to see things just a little differently can move you forward when you have felt stuck for sometime.

Find a way to change the light...then open up the story of Jesus and be renewed.

Velvet Elvis

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Deter) — Wed, 12 Apr 2006 04:19:00 +0000

I just got done reading through Rob Bell's book, Velvet Elvis. Got to get it. It left me with a thought in my own life...how am I doing? Am I living the type of life that a "talmidim"? As a disciple, am I covered in the "dust of my rabbi"? Upon reflection, I am falling short. My rabbi expects more from me than just to believe.

Recently I was challenged to read more about my rabbi. To begin to engross myself in the teachings and life of my rabbi. If Jesus is my rabbi, then I must do everything in my power to learn about my rabbi. Peter, James, John and the rest had it easy so to speak. Think about it they got to go everywhere with Jesus...they watched him...they ate with him...they heard him...they lived with him. The best any of us can now do is to absorb the life of Jesus in the writings we are blessed to have. I would like to say that I have been doing a good job with studying my rabbi. The good thing is there is still time.

Getting Started

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Deter) — Fri, 10 Mar 2006 23:19:00 +0000

Finally a place to put my thoughts!