Counter Cultural

I DON'T LOVE JESUS AS I OUGHT

2012-05-11T14:20:00.000-05:00

My life today has been marked by a thought that I need to process. I don’t love Jesus as I ought. It’s wrong and it’s right; it holds me back and it drives me. Let me explain.

First, it’s wrong for me to say that I don’t love Jesus as I should. Every fiber of love I have for God is a gift from God. Apart from Christ and His salvation for my soul, I have no love for God. I can feign whatever I want, but the fact remains that any true affection I hold in my heart of God is a gift from God. So it’s wrong for me to say, “I don’t have enough love for Jesus,” because every ounce of love I do feel is a free gift from Him.

Second, it’s right for me to say I don’t love Jesus as I ought. He gave me everything with the promise of a joyous eternity; the degree to which I embrace that is the degree to which I’ll experience it. As The Wonderful Cross puts it, “Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.” Too often, I find myself giving God less than what He deserves (Francis Chan calls it giving God our ‘leftovers’). Yet apart from the love of God, He still deserves my everything. He is holy.

What does this reality of my love for Jesus drive me to? First, it can wrongly hold me back. I pain and I wrestle because I realize that I will never perfectly love God on this side of eternity. There’s no way I can ever love Him like He deserves, so why try to live the best life if I know I’ll fall short?

Answer: Because He is a gracious God. He knows I’ll fall short. The very one who demands perfection from us (Matthew 5:48) knows that we’ll never measure up (Romans 3:23). His grace equips me to love as I ought.On my own, I’m weak. With Christ, I am strong. And that drives me to love as Christ loved.

2 Corinthians 12:9

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

I want to live like Caleb

2012-04-10T19:00:00.000-05:00

In my journey through Joshua, I ran upon the story of Caleb. Caleb was one of the twelve spies in the days of Moses who went into the land of Canaan to investigate. Caleb and Joshua were the only spies who told the people to go and take the land. Because of the discouragement of their ten fellow spies, these two were left to wander with the people of Israel for forty years.

Caleb was forty when he spied out the land. Now, forty-five years later, Caleb finally receives what the Lord promised him. I don’t know about you, but I’ve never waited forty-five years for anything! I can only imagine how discouraged I’d be as an eighty-five year old man, wondering if God would ever come through for me.

Yet around verses 10-12 we hear this: “And now, behold, I am this day eighty-five years old. I am still as strong today as I was in the day that Moses sent me… so now give me this hill country of which the Lord spoke on that day, for you heard on that day how the Anakim were there, with great fortified cities. It may be that the Lord will be with me, and I shall drive them out just as the Lord said.”

Two things inspire me from this passage. One is Caleb’s fearlessness. I might question what God will do in my life; Caleb said, “It may be that the Lord will be with me.” It’s only a chapter later that we see Caleb charge into a city and take down three giants! Caleb was fearlessly determined to pursue the promises of God.

Perhaps what I admire even more is what I referenced above—Caleb’s faithfulness. What a vision for life. I’ve heard stories of people who go through times where they forsake God in their college years, in their 30’s, or even later in life. I want to be like Caleb—I want to turn old and grey and still be able to proclaim, “My God, I have trusted you every day of my life!”

Lord, give me a fearlessness and a faithfulness like Caleb.

Pray Boldly (How Not to Pray)

2012-04-08T15:31:00.004-05:00

Sometimes life gets rough, and we’re not able to see what we should do between two options. So we pray—pray for wisdom to see God’s will from ours. A few days ago I was seeking God in prayer and caught myself praying this: “Lord, if nothing else…”

I stopped myself; it didn’t seem right.

When has prayer ever been about bartering with God? Honestly, who do I think my God is? Is the Lord stingy, that He should hold back goodness from me?

Romans 8:32—He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

This is the message of Easter. This is the message of prayer. Not that we are able to handle all our situations, much less that we can redeem ourselves. Yet God is faithful, even when we are faithless.

So what’s your attitude toward prayer? In the New Testament, we see two models of prayer:

Luke 18:1—“And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.”

James 1:6—But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

Two models. Asking in faith and refusing to lose heart in the promises of God, or doubting what we ask. I catch myself far too often in the latter. God is found in the former.

To everyone out there who is seeking God: keep seeking. Don’t let your prayers move from bold to comfortable just so that you’ll feel more at peace if it seems the Lord doesn’t answer. My God is mighty to save. He gives wisdom to all who ask, and strength to him who is powerless.

The Next Step

2012-04-03T23:02:00.004-05:00

Joshua is a lot like you and me. We can look back and see his entire life and think, “Man, Joshua had it easy—God was helping him every step of the way!” Let’s not forget that even Joshua followed the Lord one step at a time, just like you and I. Take Jericho, for instance. Here's a passage that recently struck me:

Joshua 4:13-15
13 When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?” 14 And he said, “No; but I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, “What does my lord say to his servant?” 15 And the commander of the Lord's army said to Joshua, “Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.

This might sound funny, but one of the first things I realized is that VeggieTales has it all wrong. In the vegetable production of this encounter, the commander of the Lord’s army told Joshua what the Lord wanted Josh to do to conquer Jericho. However, reading over the passage, that’s not what it seems to say at all.

Look at that last part. “What does my lord say to his servant?” Let’s face it—whether our roadblock is another school assignment, an issue of sin, or the city of Jericho, we’re all looking for what God has to say to us. This is the right place to be. However, don’t be surprised at God’s response.

“Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.”

Joshua was looking for direction, and God told Joshua to worship Him. It was after this that the Lord spoke to Joshua and told him what to do. Honestly, if it hadn’t been for that encounter the previous night, I don’t know if Joshua would have listened to God. I don’t think I would have. Yet there’s something about worship in the midst of questions that’s so fitting. There’s something about saying, “Not my will, but Yours be done” that’s wisdom outside this world.

So what are you seeking God for? I humbly suggest that you start by taking off your sandals. You’re in the presence of the Holy One, and He’s looking for your heart to be turned to Him before He speaks.

Christian Community

2012-03-22T19:07:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I’m jealous of the community I’ve seen among Christians on secular campuses. I attend a Christian college, but I’ve had the privilege of seeing many Christian groups on secular campuses through my friends and my work. Let me go on.

At a secular university, to be a Christian means something. To be involved with a campus ministry means tying yourself to a group of people and taking a stand with them against the darkness.

A friend I heard recently spoke from his personal experience. He shared how he used to always be cautious about what he would say around his non-Christian friends because he knew that he was a model of Christ to them. A few years later, he was shocked by how lax he seemed, even joining in on some of their crude joking. His friends noticed the change, and it was because of how lax he had been at a Christian college.

Two conclusions. First, live ready to light up the world. If we claim to be the body of Christ, then we better act like Christ and go on mission with Christ. Don’t use a college, church, or small group as an excuse to do otherwise. Second, guard yourself. In 1 Corinthians 10:12 Paul writes, “Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.” Going to a Christian college (or ministry) doesn’t make you a Christian. Our choice to obey and treasure Christ makes us Christians.

If you’re reading this from a secular school, stand strong. You’re there to be a light. Value Christian friendships, and go after your school for the glory of God. If you’re reading this from a Christian school, take heed lest you fall. You’re there to be a light. Build each other up, and hold yourselves to a higher standard than the world.

Camden

Forty Days of Water

2012-02-21T22:46:00.001-06:00

All Tuesday morning, I was asking the Lord, "What might I give up for Lent?" I haven't always observed Lent; in fact, this might only be the second year that I've participated. It's an opportunity, a time when Christians can say, "Let's choose to fast, together!"

Pop, cereal, movies, social media; they all have a "Been there, done that" feel. Instead, I settled on an option I think I'll appreciate at the end of this whole shebang: 40 days drinking only water.

I love milk more than any other drink currently. I enjoy a good cup of coffee or an occasional pop. I started getting hooked on flavored water in the cafeteria. Now I'm dropping all of that for water--and only water--for 40 days.

This leads to a great question. Why?

My friends at Blood:Water Mission started a campaign a few years ago based off this idea of drinking only water for Lent (so really, the credit of the idea goes to them). As I thought about it, I wondered, Why not do this for Do: Living Water? Why not give up all but water for my passion to dig wells?

Seeing no solid reason opposed, I've decided to do it, and with slightly different stipulations. My goal isn't to give a certain amount of money, talk to a certain amount of people about it, or write a certain amount of posts. My goal is simply to pray, everyday during these forty days, for Do: Living Water. Donations, opportunities, and inspiration, yes. But instead of me trying to force the Lord's hand in these times, let the Lord do what seems good to Him.

I'm looking forward to updating you on this fast as I get it started tomorrow.

40 days to fast. 40 days to pray. 40 days to see God move. That's a good investment.

Camden

Reflections from Fasting

2012-02-06T22:01:00.002-06:00

In the past month, I think I’ve fasted more than in any month in my life. Whether it’s food, media, or anything else, I’ve consistently felt called to give certain things up for a time to seek God. It’s pretty cool in the midst of this that God should teach me a lesson about fasting, and what it’s really all about.

I hope if you’re a Christian that you’ve fasted from something before. It’s not just a good idea; it’s something that Jesus expects of us (Matt 6:16). But why?

The issue comes down to satisfaction. What are we seeking to satisfy us, to fulfill a desire in our hearts? We know that food isn’t bad—1 Corinthians 6:13 says, “'Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food.’” Yet the second half of that verse says, “God will destroy both one and the other.”

So we should ask a question: What’s our source of satisfaction? We’ll be sorely disappointed if we base our satisfaction on a temporal substance that will be destroyed (like food, video games, or people’s opinions of us).

On the other hand, if God is good, then the only One who can truly satisfy our souls wants us to realize the emptiness of everything else. To fast doesn’t mean you stop eating or declare that Facebook is evil, it simply means that you surrender something temporal as a way to satisfy your heart with the Eternal One.

Isaiah 55:1-3

Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,
and your labor for that which does not satisfy?
Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good,
and delight yourselves in rich food.

Camden

When our Dreams Outweigh our Means

2012-01-17T23:07:00.002-06:00

I’ve always enjoyed that my family sponsors a child through Compassion International. Yet recently I’ve had a burden to sponsor a child myself. God’s put the burden on my heart, and that burden has grown over the past months. While my family sponsors a child, I want my faith to be my own, my sacrifice to be personal.

But there’s a ~~slight~~ problem. See, I’m a college student—I know that God has called me to college, so I want to be faithful to pay for college (my last payment drained my account from a few thousand to $40). I talked with my mom about it, and she concurred—right now my obligation lies in paying for college.

Whether sponsoring a child through Compassion, hosting a carwash for clean water, or pursing a life calling, what do you do when your dreams outweigh your means?

First, trust. God has those desires in you for a reason, and He’ll work out His purpose in His due time. Often, He simply asks us to wait—not passively, but to be faithful with what we have so that He can entrust us with more (Luke 16:10).

Second, hope. Having the foundation of knowing God will work all things out for our good (Romans 8:28) allows us to hope in Him, an expectation of something not yet present. By its very nature we cannot hope for what we already see, so our result in hope is patience (Romans 8:24-25). Hope drives us to prayer; dependance. "And hope will not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us" (Romans 5:5).

Whatever you’re waiting on God for, know two things: you are insufficient, and He is sufficient. Trust, hope, and He will make a way for your good and His glory.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

And lean not on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He will make straight your paths.

Camden

What If I Died Tonight?

2011-12-30T21:27:00.004-06:00

It’s a good question to ask, right? I’ve gone to church, missions trips, and a Bible college. I’ve led a fundraiser earning thousands of dollars for building wells in Africa, and work for an evangelistic ministry.

Yet all of my effort, all my deeds, and all my accomplishments are like dirt before God. According to His holy justice, I’m condemned because of my sin—the only sentence that fits His perfection. Yet this same God who will send sinners to hell in justice came in the form a child so He could take the punishment for our sin.

At the cross, the dark tsunami of God’s wrath swept straight into the bleeding man nailed to two pieces of wood. What did I receive? The righteousness of Christ. Incredible.

If I died tonight, I would be carried home into the arms of my First Love, Jesus Christ. I have strived to live for Him. I have not wasted my life. I have pursued the lifestyle of doing hard things. I have lived boldly and listened to the daily pleadings of my King—not perfectly, but by His grace always improving. With Him at the helm, I have won great battles against sin, shared the light with unbelievers, and encouraged many friends. And at the end of the day, I realize that it’s the sacrifice of Jesus Christ that has brought me peace with God.

This year, the victory goes not to me, but to my King. His eternal love and wrath are overwhelming to me, and I love Him for them. All I can do is fall before His feet, trembling at His Word in fear, awe, and thanksgiving.

Thank you, King Jesus, for 2011.

One Minute in the Life of the World

2011-12-21T08:05:00.001-06:00

Sometimes we move through life without thinking. We become routine. We’re only snapped out of our schedule when something throws off our personal lives. I’m reminded about how self-centered my life is when I judge the day as good or bad depending on my circumstances. Meanwhile, over 950are reported dead today after a typhoon hit Mindanao in the Philippines. Over 250 are reported dead in a Syrian massacre. Tens of thousands of refugees are short of food and supplies in South Sudan. The Eastern Bedawi Bedouins of Egypt have a 0.00% evangelical rate.

Here’s the scary thing: I found all these facts in a minute.We’re so bombarded with news that we reach the point of numbness for anything beyond ourselves. Please, don’t feel guilt—feel conviction. Even in America, I think about how many people sincerely believe that today marks one year until the end of the world. If they’re not looking for answers about life now, they will be shortly. Who will give them the answers?

¹⁴ "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. ¹⁶In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

Start with prayer. Pray for the Philippines, for Syria, for South Sudan, for the Eastern Bedawi. And pray for Christians like you and me, that God would awaken us to action. The dawn is almost here—don’t let your light go out now.

Ephesians 5:13-16

Camden

Surrender Again

2011-12-19T22:48:00.004-06:00

You’ve probably heard it said that the Christian life is like a journey. If you think about it, that’s a pretty bold statement. An entire life compared to one journey?

About six years ago, I went on a camping trip to the Cumberland Mountains in Tennessee. It was one of those experiences that I had never approached before, and it pushed me to new boundaries in many areas physically—not the least of which was hiking. To a twelve year old, a 4.5-mile trip through winding mountains with a thirty-pound backpack is a big deal.

If that relatively short journey through the mountains was so hard for me as a twelve year old, why should I expect my Christian life to be easier? In fact, how can I even expect to make it through this life with all the ups, downs, and burdens I can pick up and carry?

We can’t do this journey alone. Period. You need to realize that whether you’re at a resting point, an easy walk, or a hard struggle this Christmas, Jesus wants to be your strength. It’s not about doing things our way, but daily looking to Him to see how He would have us live. The same God who said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Lk. 9:23) also says, “My yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Mt. 11:30).

It’s about surrendering to God—not that one-time dealeo you said with a prayer (though that’s important), but daily surrender. This Christmas, surrender again to the God who surrendered all so that He could be your strength—everyday.

Camden

John 1:9-14

2011-12-14T10:30:00.001-06:00

He comes now softly, hidden in the night,

The Lord, the King, the only true Light.

He comes to rescue his people enslaved,

To deliver them now from the hold of the grave.

Though he beckons with haste for his people to come,

They stand there aloof, paralyzed, numb.

He shines forth his light to invite them in,

Yet the people he made still hold to their sin.

The people, the blind, do not recognize,

The voice of their King in a new baby’s cries.

Yet not lost completely in the shadows of death,

A few are awakened by the life in his breath.

Shepherds, wise men, those humble in heart,

Hearing Good News, his fame they impart.

For those who came, for those who he called

He gave them the right to be children of God.

The word became flesh, it’s more than a story,

In this life we beheld, wells of infinite glory,

Look to him now, look this child in the face,

For so came our King, full of truth, full of grace.

Finals: A Reality Check

2011-12-11T22:36:00.001-06:00

It’s almost here. The freedom is almost tangible, the relaxation almost palpable. In a few short days, I’ll proclaim “I’m done!” and probably blare loud Relient K Christmas music in my dorm — all well and good.

Soon finals will be over and Christmas break will ensue (sorry for those of you who have more to go!). But what happens when break hits? Suddenly allthepressures of school are gone and we’re left with boatloadsof free time. Like it or not, that time will be filled with something. In my own life, I know that often I want space so that I can do what I want to do with my free time. ~~I earned it, right?~~

Maybe this Christmas season, we should look to the One who gave up everything for us so that we could give up everything for Him, even on Christmas break. That doesn’t mean that you can’t relax. Yet often I feel most relaxed when I know I’m using my time as my heavenly Father would want me. Instead of trying 101 ways to satisfy and fill our time, let’s get to the heart of the issue and be truly fulfilled this Christmas break.

Ecclesiastes 12:13

The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.

Camden

Mighty to Save: Perspectives from the Stage

2011-11-08T23:21:00.000-06:00

Traveling this past weekend to Winona, MN and Milwaukee, WI, I thought I had a good idea of what I'd be doing. Pulse, the ministry I work for, was on the road in Winona, MN and Milwaukee, WI. However, through a long series of conversations, I eventually discovered (mind you, about half an hour before the first concert started) that my role was no longer required. Unsure of what to do, I stood awkwardly backstage, looking for something--anything--to occupy my time.

"Do you want to be my cable-guy?" I turned to see the man next to me, the lead shoulder-camera operator for the night. Unsure, I asked him the protruding question in my mind: What's a cable guy? "You just feed me the cable for my camera when I run across the stage, and you pull it back when I return so I or the band don't trip on it."

I accepted my role with uneasy confidence. As the show started, I mounted the five-foot stage behind a large amplifier, hidden outside the spotlights. The concert ensued, bands playing heavy rock beats and my arms waving wires wildly as I allowed the cords to keep pace with the camera-operator.

Sitting quietly on the edge of a stage looking out on two thousand faces can make an interesting impression. I know that they've come for a rock concert, but I realize that they're about to get so much more. Two thousand souls filling the school gym at Winona State University. Two thousand souls filled the Milwaukee Theatre the next night. I knelt, this night in front of the amplifier, as rock and rap artists brought their loudest beats to the excited crowd. There I was, ears nearly numb with the waves of sound in the amps, hearing the audience sing, shout, and laugh as a unit at the entertainment in front of them.

Before the headliner bands for our shows took the stage, a man takes the stage with his Bible in hand. His name is Nick, and he's about to share the greatest news in the world with four thousand people. As he begins talking, the room quiets. This is what we are here for. This is why we would spend months planning a huge event. We can't always see the miracle happen, but it's there.

Sometimes I wonder if all the effort I give to pursue God is really worth it in my life. Can I do anything to really leave a lasting change in the world? The answer is fully, assuredly, unequivocally yes. The doorway for a friendship can start with a simple conversation. Even a huge outreach requires roles down to the guy who reels in the camera-man's cords. So I can rejoice. I can rejoice for the friend who I reconnect with after six years with a simple phone call. I can rejoice with the one thousand souls who responded to the Gospel at the Pulse Events in Winona and Milwaukee. I can rejoice, because I know that God was able to use even my small efforts to work in the big picture of His rescue mission.

Make no mistake, my God is mighty to save.

Keep Running

2011-10-23T23:05:00.000-05:00

As my business teacher likes to say, it's when we're placed under pressure that we figure out who we really are inside. I've seen this principle tied directly to my priorities. For example, if I'm swamped by midterms, work projects, and ministry activities, what am I going to move in order to accomplish these tasks? Unfortunately, my answer has often been to remove God's Word from my schedule. I'll skip a morning reading or (worse) I'll skim through the chapter without thinking about it.

Sometimes the pressure keeps pushing. Soon our attention has been taken from Jesus and fixed to our problems, burdens, or responsibilities in front of us. Even a good thing can crowd out our daily refocus on Jesus. So what do we do about it?

Hebrews 12:1 has been one of those verses that has consistently applied to my life. The words in this verse show an unwavering hope in God and a call to persist. Nothing that I write can compare to the Word of God, so here it is:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us

Interesting, isn't it? This passage doesn't just say to rid ourselves of sin. It says, "lay aside every weight, AND sin". As I said, even things that are good in themselves shouldn't hold us back from running after God. We have a race, and the spectators are all those who have finished successfully. They're calling for us to run. When school assignments stack up, we're called to run. When work or even ministry gets stressful, we're called to run. As C.S. Lewis put it in the Chronicles of Narnia, we're called "further up, further in." That call to pursue God in our lives is for now and for all of eternity, where we will know God unhindered in the perfect country. Lewis put it pretty nicely himself:

"I have come home at last! This is my real country! I belong here. This is the land I have been looking for all my life, though I never knew it till now. The reason why we loved the old Narnia is that it sometimes looked a little like this...Come further up, further in!"

Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. Keep running.

Camden

God's Calling, Now

2011-08-19T08:02:00.000-05:00

There's a lot of important questions that we begin to ask ourselves in high school and college. For nearly everyone the question arrises, "What do I want to do with my life?" If you're a Christian, I hope you're asking, "What is God calling me to?" Most of you are in the high school or college age range, so I'll assume here that you can relate.

And you might just be able to relate to the problem as well. See, it's not wrong to ask, "What does God want from my life?" As a college student, I've been asking myself what God is calling me to over and over again. The issue is that I look too often at my future, not at my present situation. I hear students talking about wanting to "get on with life," to move beyond homework assignments to find "God's call." What they don't realize is that God doesn't wait to call us, He's calling us now.

How is God calling us? If you're a student, the answer is quite simple. God entrusts us at different stages of our lives with different tasks, and with students, one of those trusts is with school. I don't see enough students who feel like education is God's calling on their lives. God has given us the privilege of twelve years in school to prepare us for what He has for us next.

If you really counted the next nine months as the call of God on your life, how might that change your perspective on life?

Not only with school, but how else might God be using what you count as "everyday life" as a calling to be faithful to Him NOW?

Camden

Life: Temporary. Eternal.

2011-08-12T21:07:00.001-05:00

Being away from blogging for over a month gives you a lot of thinking time. Work has pressed hard, school is looming only a few weeks away, and I'm helping my sister move to grad school while prepping myself for the college transition in fourteen days. Yet in the midst of summer business, God remains.

And life remains. I remember reading a book when I was twelve years old called "One Thing You Can't Do In Heaven" by Mark Cahill. In it, Mr. Cahill explained the vital importance of sharing our faith with others, not only because their eternity rested on it, but because this was the mission God has called us to. As I was convicted by this book, I've also been convicted recently with other realizations. See, there are actually a lot of things "You Can't Do In Heaven." You can't give water to the thirsty. You can't care for the broken. You can't love your enemies.

This summer has given me more opportunity for ministry than any summer past, mostly because of my job with an evangelistic organization. In the midst of ministry (even through computer work!), I've been praying for God to keep my eyes fixed on eternity. I think he's answering my prayers.

This life is so short. Too short. We have a few short years to shine God's glory from these fragile clay pots called bodies, and then we hit eternity. If the word "ministry" intimidates you, scratch it. You have the opportunity to impact the world in practical ways. Whether it's caring for orphans or unloading your kitchen dishwasher, you have an open door before you to "count others more significant than yourselves" (Philippians 2:3), and it's not open for long.

I've heard too many people say that ministry isn't "their thing." The problem is that no one is born with the desire for ministry. Nine times out of ten, we have to take the step of getting involved in serving others before we have any inkling of a desire for it. Yet serving others in humility (seeking nothing in return) is one of the greatest and most fulfilling acts you'll ever experience in this life.

This life is temporary. This life is eternal. Live it for Christ. You won't be disappointed.

Camden

Memorization

2011-07-07T21:39:00.000-05:00

Here's a topic that's been close to my heart for the last few years. Memorization. Specifically, memorizing the Bible. Maybe I'm not the right guy to write on this. There's a lot of people, my age and younger, who have memorized more Scripture than me. But this post isn't about them -- it's about everyone else.

About two years ago, I listened to a sermon about memorizing scripture that shook me up. In a word, I was inspired to memorize scripture. For all you who I'm writing to, I'm assuming that you count the Bible as pretty important, and I'm assuming you think memorization is a "good" thing, whether or not you do it. I want you (and ME) to do it more.

So here's a secret that I've learned -- we pursue that which we count essential for life.

That's right. If you think memorization of the Bible is good, you might memorize it. If you think memorization of the Bible is ~~good~~ essential, you will memorize it. Here's three reasons I heard that convinced me that memorization is so important:

1. Memorizing Scripture gives us meditation and strength against temptations when we don't have a Bible in our hand.

2. We take the one weapon God gives us with His armor (see Ephesians 6:10-20) and we make it "wireless."

3. In this world of media, we're bombarded a hundred times every day with world-views that disagree with Christianity and the Bible. A mind of discerning is a lot easier if you don't have to search for what the Bible says every time you're crossed with world-views.

Okay, one more point. The first disciples of Jesus treasured His words, and Bibles were chained to the wall in early century churches. Today, Christians in persecuted nations treasure God's Word and will memorize whatever they can get their hands on. What is it they've figured out that we haven't? God's Word is life-changing. Life-giving. Life-protecting. Life. Period.

As my Sunday school teacher told me around this time, "If you didn't memorize Scripture as a child in AWANA, you probably never will." I've spent the last two years trying to disprove that sad fact, and I hope you'll join me in choosing to be counter cultural.

Camden

Do: Living Water -- NEW!

2011-06-28T07:22:00.001-05:00

Between work, VBS, and other activities, I'm amazed that I'm actually getting this posted. Yet I had to post on here to give a very important update on Do: Living Water. I won't waste too much of your time but to say that the new website is up! Go to the web address and see the site for yourself -- Do: Living Water**. I'm keeping this post short and sweet so I can get any level of feedback from you on the new site in terms of layout, design, or any other aspect of the site. Much thanks!

**And lest any of you think I'm THAT artistically talented -- credit for the design and creation of the website goes to Hannah Nicole Designs (who some of you might know better as Hannah at Aspire).

Camden

Sovereign

2011-06-18T08:24:00.002-05:00

There I was, driving down the interstate. I was in the middle of three lanes, trying to keep at 70mph with the rest of traffic. Off to the right, a car sped along as it merged into the flow of traffic. Not wanting to get caught behind a large and rather stout truck in the right lane, it cut behind the truck, immediately merging into the center lane -- where I was.

Honking my horn, I did the first thing that came to mind. I swerved my car into the left lane to avoid getting hit. *Thankfully* there wasn't a car in the left lane, and this true story has a happy ending. But as instances like that have the tendency to do, you start thinking about life a little harder.

Maybe you've had a "near-death" experience before. I want to argue the opposite. "Near-death" is what happens when you're the victim of your circumstances. "Near-death" occurs in a universe ruled by chance. "Near-death" exists in a world without a sovereign God.

Yet our God is sovereign. Not only does He know every hair on your head (Matthew 10:30), but He is the giver of every breath we take (Job 12:10). He didn't watch me swerve the car out the way and wipe his brow, sighing, "That was close!" He is so totally in control of my life -- maybe that's why Jesus tells us to not worry.

Sovereign. That's who my God is.

Camden

The Cure

2011-06-09T08:09:00.000-05:00

Though I never officially announced the series, these "Sinful Symptoms" posts have really helped me to see areas in my life at a deeper level. Why do I really do what I do? Whether an activity is blatantly good, bad, or at any site in between, why is it I act the way I do? What's the motive? Yet as of now my posts in this series have been negative, like reading a diagnostic book of deadly diseases. Today, as I wrap up the series, I want to show you the good news. The Cure.

In the book of Romans, Paul talks about this challenge we all face. As humans and even as Christians, we're subject to these Sinful Symptoms. At the very simplest, these symptoms are the desire for satisfaction outside of God. But then, if we really understand the sin as that, then isn't the answer right there? I'll let Paul give the news:

Romans 7:24-25a

Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!

The answer is Jesus! Part of me wants to jump back at this and declare, "That's just too simple!" Part of me thinks about that answer as some theologically shallow answer, like a five-year-old would hear in Sunday school. Then again, maybe those little-kid Sunday school classes are onto something. Maybe, when Jesus says we must have faith like a child, he means it.

We can try method A-Z, but if Christ isn't in the equation, you can be sure the answer won't work. Here in America we have oodles of self-help books, volumes of psychological advice, and an endless plethora of good sermons given through the ages on how to overcome these sinful symptoms. But they're just that -- symptoms. At the heart of it, at the very DNA of sin itself, these symptoms erupt because we take our eyes, our attention, our desire off of Jesus.

There's too many people run to Jesus and say, "Lord, help me to overcome my Sinful Symptoms." But when God doesn't instantly zap them with power to beat up sin, they figure that they did something wrong, that God's not strong enough, or that He's maybe just too busy. Perhaps it's because God doesn't want to be merely a cure for us, but a Father. Perhaps God wants to test our faith -- perhaps He wants to see how much we're willing to desire Him (think about that for a moment).

The people who overcome Sinful Symptoms in their lives aren't those who start with intimate fellowship with God. Like a human relationship, if you only talk to one another in passing, of course you're not really going to get to know each other. The overcomers and the conquerors are those who have come to understand God's incredible love for them and have decided to run after it with all they are. Too many people give up before the race even begins.

But He is the cure. His grace is enough. His desire is for your life to be only satisfied by Him, by understanding His love. It's time we man up enough to take a spoonful of reality. It's time we kick Sinful Symptoms with a dose of Christ. He is the cure.

Camden

Cowardice

2011-06-04T16:14:00.002-05:00

I want to start off by saying that there was some great feedback on my last post covering gluttony. The major consensus was that it's not just with food, but really that with anything (even good things), too much is bad. The issue of gluttony really was a blind spot for me until pretty recently. However, an even greater blind spot in my life has been this Sinful Symptom, cowardice.

On the wide swing of the spectrum, I fall somewhere near the middle of the introvert / extrovert personality, yet I'll admit that I tend towards the introverted side. Because of that, I figured that our biology was really what determined how extroverted, outgoing, bold, and even courageous we lived. Then I read this verse:

Revelation 21:8

But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.

Did you miss it? Let me abbreviate.

But the cowardly...will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.

Now I realize that this isn't the positive encouragement that most Christian radio stations and trending Christian bloggers post on, but sometimes the most loving action is opening our eyes to reality. God doesn't just call the extrovert to be bold, He calls everyone to be bold and courageous. That step of faith might very well look different between a home-shooled introvert from Minnesota and the extrovert from a big city. Yet both are called.

What I find cool is that God works with us to do these amazing feats of courage. He equips us to do what He's already called us to do. He'll give you the boldness you need -- and when the situation seems impossible, too nerve-wracking, or you just feel too cowardly, that's when your action allows Christ's light to shine brightest.

For being one of the most popular scriptures from the OT in Christians circles, I think it's time we start living by the words of Joshua 1:9--

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.

Camden

Gluttony

2011-06-02T08:13:00.000-05:00

Today I get to write on something I've never written on before. I suppose I could try and build the suspense, but you already see the topic in the title, so there's not much point to that. Today I'm writing on gluttony.

To tell you the truth, this topic hasn't really stirred in my heart until the last couple weeks. I've been thinking on this list I've compiled of various sins that both Christians and non-Christians are subject to face. Even more than that, I've come to realize that there's too much in our society that culture has come to look on as "normal." If everyone's going 10 over the speed limit, it must be okay, right? If everyone else is immature, why is it such a big deal that I be mature? If Americans currently rate as the most consumer-driven nation in the world, is it really a problem for me to join in? Yet we see in Proverbs that God condemns gluttony, and the early Church had gluttony on the list of 'seven deadly sins.'

Now I want to be careful of two things. First, not all obese people are gluttons. Although there's a significant link there, biology plays an important part in metabolism. The second point is just the opposite: even those that are biologically in shape can be gluttons. In fact, I would wager that it's a lot harder for these people to come to grips with this Sinful Symptom.

I think Paul points it out well in Philippians 3:19, where he says, "Their (people of this world) end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things." Some translations change "belly" to "appetite." Now, that refers to a larger context, but why not plug in this literal context into the larger meaning. That is to say, Paul is talking here about people indulging in whatever they believe will satisfy them. Yet if we seek to find our satisfaction outside of Christ (i.e. in food), we're sinning. Let's face it -- more than once I've eaten a snack because I was bored and wanted something to satisfy me. It's not culturally aligned, but by what I can see in the Bible, that's sin.

Truly, I understand that this issue doesn't seem quite as black and white as some of my previous posts, so I want to open it up for discussion. What do you think of this issue? All opinions welcomed.

Camden

Immaturity

2011-05-29T21:11:00.000-05:00

Lord, let my thoughts be honoring to you and my words aligned with Your Word.

I think for a lot of Christians, maturity is defined by culture. Hey, I'm more mature than 99% of my friends, so I must be doing good. We see our own behavior over other's behavior, not over God's command. We compare. If I may quip, I think that this is one cause of immaturity. Let's face it. We'll probably only act as mature as those around us. Bad company corrupts good morals, and the companion of fools becomes foolish himself (1 Corinthians 15:33; Proverbs 13:20).

Here's the issue. Once we've acknowledged Jesus as Lord of our lives, He's in the business of working to make us more and more like Himself. More holy. More righteous. It's not anything we can do, but it's His working that results in changes in our lives. The bigger word for it is sanctification -- God taking our broken and twiSted image of Himself and working us into His image.

In my own life, I've seen a pattern of activities that have lost their flair. Video games, many movies, and even games with friends. I believe there are appropriate uses of all of these, but too often I miss out on the Christian fellowship that would truly build me up in the name of fun, pleasure, and entertainment. Don't get me wrong -- we glorify God by enjoying the gifts and company He's given us. But I think an excess of even "Christian fun" results in an unproductive lifestyle, less than we've been called to be. <-- Immaturity

I don't want to sound self-righteous, but let's realize what precious time God has given us. Time to be used to learn more about our God.

Luke 8:14
And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.

1 Timothy 4:12
Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

Camden

Selfitis

2011-05-25T13:26:00.000-05:00

Now for the kicker. For every sin you have the ability to trace a path back to this Sinful Symptom. According to medical terminology, adding "-itis" at the end of a term suggests that it's swollen. If you have tonsillitis, that probably means your tonsils are swollen. Appendicitis = swollen appendix. So, follow the course of reasoning and you'll come to see that "Selfitis" is a swollen sense of self.

I heard it said by my pastor that selfishness can actually be a good thing. As he went on to explain, there's no real reason we would try to seek out God but for our desire to satisfy ourselves. It's no sin to seek satisfaction, it's only sin when we seek that satisfaction outside of God. Yet, like the book of Judges mentioned in the last post, we have a horrible tendancy to look for satisfaction in other ways. This can be idolitary, it can lead to the idea of insanity, but ultimately it's all traced back to a selfish desire to be satisfied outside of God.

There is no man or woman and no youth or child that doesn't seek satisfaction out of life. But as to where we look for satisfaction, that's what really counts. Looking to the world for satisfaction? That's a lot easier, but always ends in failure. Trusting in God for satisfaction-- that's hard, yet it always pays off.

James 3:16
For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.

Psalm 24:3-6
Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD?
And who shall stand in his holy place?
He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not lift up his soul to what is false
and does not swear deceitfully.
He will receive blessing from the LORD
and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
Such is the generation of those who seek him,
who seek the face of the God of Jacob.

Camden