I'm Back!

Sorry to all my loyal blogger fans. The three of you have been very patient. I have not been very diligent in my blogging effots over the past couple of weeks. I promise to try and do much better in the coming days, God willing.

I have been sidetracked with my efforts to complete my final clinical rotation (done!), find a job (still not done, but working on it) and prepare for my boards (doing, but will never be done-until the boards come May 14th). It seems God has allowed me to be under a great deal of stress during this time. More than I can remember being under in a long, long time. And the fun isn't over yet.

I have been challenged to trust God more over these weeks than I have in quite a while. To be honest, I have been failing miserably. There have been times that I have made myself sick with worry, nearly to the point of throwing up. So you may be wondering, "Dave, what is going on that has got you so upset." Well, I will sum it up in this-a lack of trust in God to provide for my family. I have allowed my circumstances beyond my control to master my emotions. Unlike Paul, I have not learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am (or fear I may be).

I came across Philippians 4:4-20. It has been an encouragement today to trust in God who will supply my peace. I have even been challenged to thank God for these trials (still working on that, but getting there). I have also realized that it is not me who supplies the faith to trust God, but God Himself. All I need to do is ask.

Pray that I will trust God to meet our needs. Pray that He will indeed supply all our needs just as He promises. And pray that God will be glorified by these trials and produce in me the result He desires.

Dave

From the mouth of Zach...

Angie has done a great job keeping a calandar with all the kids milestones and funny things they have done. I thought you guys would enjoy a post of some of the things Zach has said and done in the last few months. That kid comes up with some winners, here are a few:

1. After hopping in the shower with me "I've got my bootie on and my clothes off."
2. I like milk. Milk is smart.
3. When watching Angie feed Sam "You're a good feeder momma"
4. After Angie dropped some paint. "I'm sorry for your mistake momma."
5. While trying to unzip his jacket "Cooperate, PLEASE!"
6. After falling in the pot "Don't flush me 'cause I'm too big."
7. When bringing in Christmas presents "Is it Jesus time?"
8. After throwing up "That vomit is crazy."
9. Mama why is my clothes all getting too little
10. After diarrhea "There is poop slobber on the potty seat."
11. After seeing Braden baptized "Will you pray to Jesus so you can ask Him to come in my tummy so I can be bathtized."
12. When asking him what Marcie's name was "EVIL"

What a funny kid. I'll keep you updated. There is always more.

Why is he mediocre?

In the past few blogs I mentioned some of the struggles Christians have which make us more like the "Mediocre Samaritan" than the "Good Samaritan". It is key that we understand what is holding us back from doing the things God commands. I thought we could try to look into the life of the Mediocre Samaratin to find out what could be holding him back. Likely we are struggling with the same things.

I think the Mediocre Samaritan, let's call him Sam for short, might be struggling with understanding what the command means or how to live it out (love your neighbor as yourself). Compassion ministry is not always easy to put into practice. Sam could easily be questioning how much of of his time and resources he should give?

I mean, how much free time and should we have? Should I ever take a beach vacation while others are without a place to live? Should I ever spend money on unnecessary things (pez dispensers, eating at Outback, unleavened bread, etc.) while other people are going hungry? Where do we draw the line? Is there a line to be drawn?

Fear can also play a part. Sam could be afraid that he is being taken advantage of by the guy lying on the road. I mean what if he got himself into this mess? Maybe he was afraid he wouldn't know how to comfort him. He isn't particularly good at that kind of thing. Maybe he was afraid that he could get hurt by the same group that left this guy for dead.

It can be scary to step out of our comfort zone. Most middle class white folk don't feel comfortable going into poor black communities to minister. We also have the thought people could be out to take advantage of us. We are skeptical, fearful that we won't do the right thing.

Selfishness prohibits most of us from compassion. Sam could easily have had somewhere else to be. Commitments he needed to keep. This guy would slow him down, then once he was better this guy would want to be his pal. That's all Sam needed. One more shmuck to keep up with who would likely need or want something else later down the road.

We are reluctant to give up our free time. Who wants to be helping the elderly lady with yard work when you could be playing disk golf (sorry Ronnie)? Why would I want to give money to the family at church trying to adopt when I need that money to buy new clothes? I don't want to invite that family over for dinner, they are "different" and it would be awkward.

Apathy. Maybe Sam just didn't want to think about it or think it was necessary. The problem is too big and besides he serves in the children's ministry. Compassion is not for him.

What other ways may be holding you back?

understanding compassion

In my last blog, I began the argument that compassion is not optional. Although, I doubt that many of you would have argued with me on that point, I think we fail to live it out to the extent which we are called. Christians don't have a stellar reputation for loving their neighbor.

You may say that you love your neighbor and likely you do to a degree. But I think we don't truly understand the meaning of compassion. If we did, we would see that we fall well short of the mark. There is much to learn if we want to overwhelm our communities with compassion like the early church.

So, it's not necessarily a lack of desire to follow the command of Jesus, but a lack of understanding the command. I hope to share with you what I am learning about the meaning of compassion. Check back.

Compassion: Who's responsibility is it?

I recently read a good definition for compassion ministry: " To be witnesses of the gospel by opening our hearts to the suffering of another person coupled with the desire and action to relieve it." So who's job is it to do compassion ministry?

Is it ok to say that compassion ministry is not for me? I mean, after, all I'm not cut out for that sort of thing. It just doesn't come NATURAL. Aren't there special roles in the church for those with the gifts and talent for them? It's obvious that not all people are cut out to be worship leaders (just watch American idol). Not all of us have been given the gift of teaching/preaching. So can compassion ministry be delegated to those with the gift and heart for it?

Keller says in his book, Ministries of Mercy, "Mercy to the full range of human needs is such an essential mark of being a Christian that it can be used as a test of true faith. Mercy is not optional or an addition to being a Christian. Rather, a life poured out in deeds of mercy is the inevitable sign of true faith."

I happen to agree with Timothy Keller. Mercy/compassion is not optional for Christians. It's not a role for SOME in the church, but ALL in the church. We are ALL commanded to love our neighbor as ourselves. It may be difficult to do, and it's ok to say that compassion doesn't come naturally...it comes supernaturally. All Christians are being transformed and sanctified through the power that God provides.

The poor and needy are a test; a test I often fail. If you are like me and fail in this area ( I think we all do), pray earnestly that God would give you the ability to love your neighbor. Only by God's strength can we do what He has called us to do.

A Pez Movie

This is a clip from a full length movie on Pez collectors. What's sad is that I know what they are talking about.

Dave

Ministries of Mercy

I've been reading a book entitled "Ministries of Mercy" by Presbyterian pastor Timothy Keller. I haven't been able to put it down, which is unusual for me. I have this bad habit of "reading" 5 or 6 books at a time. I'll get through the first couple chapters of a book and then find another one that catches my attention. I'll read a couple of chapters from that book and then find another, and so on, and so on. The cycle continues until I finally get back to the original book. By the time that happens, it has been so long, I have to start back at the beginning of the book.

Dr. Keller covers why we are called to be merciful, what mercy should look like, who we should show mercy to, and why we should be motivated to do it. It is challenging and practical. I think it is an excellent resource for all Christians, especially those who want to be involved in mercy ministry. Soon I'll be sharing my insights, but right now I got to get back to the book.

Dave

Robert Murray M'Cheyne: Part 2

Now dear Christians, you pray night and day to be branches of the true vine, made over in the image of Christ. If so, you must be like Him in giving. Though He was rich, yet for our sakes He became poor.

Objection: But my money is my own. Answer: Could Christ not have said, “My blood, body, and life are My own” and then where would you have been.

Objection: The poor are undeserving. Answer: Christ might have said “I will only give to the deserving.”

Objection: If I give charity to the poor, they might abuse it!” Answer: Christ might have said the same but with far greater truth. He knew many would trample His blood and make His grace an excuse for sinning more, but still He gave His own blood.

My dear Christian, if you would be like Christ, give much, give often and freely to the vile and the poor, the thankless and the undeserving. Christ is glorious and happy, and so will you be. It is not your money He wants, but your happiness

-Robert Murray M'Cheyne

I'll share my thoughts on this and other things in the coming days.