What Christmas is ABOUT

Remember that Christmas is NOT about presents, it's not about lights, it's not about family, it's not about food, it's not about shopping, not about gold, tinsel, silver, wrapping, bows, Santa, reindeer, or snow. No it's not about any of these things. IT'S ABOUT THE KING OF KINGS.

It's about a baby in a manger, born as a King. It's hard to describe the King, but here goes anyway:
He's the King of the Jews.
He's the King of Israel.
He's the King of righteousness.
He's the King of the ages.
He's the King of Heaven.
He's the King of glory.
He's the King of kings and He is the Lord of lords.
He's enduringly strong.
He's entirely sincere.
He's eternally steadfast.
He's immortally graceful.
He's imperially powerful.
He's impartially merciful.
He's God's Son.
He's the sinner's savior.
He's the centerpiece of civilization.
He stands alone in Himself.
He's honest.
He's unique.
He's unparalleled.
He's unprecedented.
He's supreme.
He's pre-eminent.
He's the grandest idea in literature.
He's the highest personality in philosophy.
He's the supreme problem in high criticism.
He's the fundamental doctrine of proved theology.
He's the carnal necessity of spiritual religion.
He's the miracle of the age.
He's the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him.
He's the only one able to supply all of our needs simultaneously.
He supplies strength for the weak.
He's available for the tempted and the tried.
He sympathizes and He saves.
He's strong God and He guides.
He heals the sick.
He cleanses the lepers.
He forgives sinners.
He discharged debtors.
He delivers the captives.
He defends the feeble.
He blesses the young.
He serves the unfortunate.
He regards the aged.
He rewards the diligent and He beautifies the meek.
He's a King of knowledge.
He's the wellspring of wisdom.
He's the doorway of deliverance.
He's the pathway of peace.
He's the roadway of righteousness.
He's the highway of holiness.
He's the gateway of glory.
He's the master of the mighty.
He's the captain of the conquerors.
He's the head of the heroes.
He's the leader of the legislatures.
He's the overseer of the overcomers.
He's the governor of governors.
He's the prince of princes.
He's the King of kings and He's the Lord of lords.
His office is manifold.
His promise is sure.
His light is matchless.
His goodness is limitless.
His mercy is everlasting.
His love never changes.
His Word is enough.
His grace is sufficient.
His reign is righteous.
His yoke is easy and His burden is light.

I wish I could describe Him to you, but He's indescribable.

This post is in honor of my King Jesus! Praise His holy name!
(Credit to S.M. Lockridge and the sermon "My King")

The Story

Learn how it all began and how it will never end...

Two opposing prescriptions for happiness

Source

SELF-SAVING vs. SELF-GIVING prescriptions for happiness:

SELF-SAVING: “I will be happy when I can get others to love me the right way how I want to be loved.”
SELF-GIVING: “I will be happy as I learn to love others maturely.”

SELF-SAVING: “I will be happy when I accumulate enough things for my own self-enjoyment.”
SELF-GIVING: “I will be happy the more I use my things for the well-being of others.”

SELF-SAVING: “I will be happy when I get enough time for myself to do what I want to do.”
SELF-GIVING: “I will be happy as I learn how to use most of my time to serve other people.”

SELF-SAVING: “I will be happy when I get circumstances going my way.”
SELF-GIVING: “I will be happy as I love others regardless of my circumstances.”

RESULTS: Jesus promises that the SELF-SAVING life always results in emptiness for everyone who pursues it, while he promises that the SELF-GIVING life always results in true happiness for everyone who pursues it. Is this true? Look at our world today. Let's break down what SELF-SAVING and SELF-GIVING really means:

1. SELF-SAVING: Dissatisfaction. You may experience a temporary sense of happiness when you get some of the above—but it is fleeting—you need more next time to get the same lift, and it leads to long-term emptiness.
   
   SELF-GIVING: Increasing contentment with what you have in the above areas—because you know that’s not what makes your life full and meaningful anyway. You often experience short-term excitement from giving to others—and definitely experience a long-term deepening sense of satisfaction that you have helped others.
   
   
2. SELF-SAVING: Relational failure. When people try to build a relationship based on expecting the other person to love them the right way, relational problems are bound to follow: usually either breaking the relationship off to find someone else who loves you better, or negotiated selfishness and parallel lives.
   
   SELF-GIVING: Relational success. When even one person becomes committed to self-giving, it radically changes the dynamics. And when both people focus on how to give/serve (Rom. 12:10) rather than on expecting/demanding, the relationship ripens into something that, while not trouble-free, becomes more and more stable and enjoyable as the years go by.
   
   
3. SELF-SAVING: Emotional problems. Because your happiness depends on things you can’t control, this leads to a lot of anxiety about losing the things you have, lots of effort to control people and circumstances to get a sense of security, frustration and anger and bitterness when people disappoint you or block you from the things you want, increasingly chronic depression, etc.. And this gets worse as people get older.
   
   SELF-GIVING: Growing emotional health. Because we are fallen and a sinful race, none of us is ever completely free from emotional problems. But we do see people who truly sell out to this get substantially free from anxiety and need to control and bitterness and depression—progressively delivered from unhealthy self-centeredness to wholesome other-centeredness.
   

Read Isa. 58:9,10 as a picture of the self-giving life and its results. When you make happiness your goal, it eludes you. But when you turn away from this and make serving others your goal, happiness finds you.

The self-giving life requires access to God’s love

But how can this be? It is counter-intuitive and seems crazy for one simple reason: Who is going to take care of me? What’s going to prevent me from being used up? That’s a fair question, and this is why the self-giving way of life is crazy unless the God of the Bible exists—a personal God who loves you and who will take care of you and who can indwell you as an inexhaustible source of love to give to others.

See what Jesus “knew” that enabled him to wash his disciples’ feet (Jn. 13:3,4). He knew that he was secure in his Father’s love (destiny; ultimate authority), and on this basis he could focus on serving his disciples even when he was in great need himself. So it is with us—and this is why Jesus called the disciples to love one another “as I have loved you” (13:34). This means not only that he set an example for them, but that they could depend on his ongoing love for them. Through our relationship with Jesus, we can know that our destiny is secure (Rom. 8:1), that God’s sovereign and loving hand is on all of our circumstances (Rom. 8:28), and that nothing can separate us from his love (Rom. 8:37-39).

Read 1 Jn. 4:16-19. We are able to love others because God first loved us. As we come to understand and choose to believe the love that God has for us, we are perfected in loving others.

Even Matt. 16:25 presumes a love relationship with Jesus (“for me”).

So this is God’s wisdom—only the self-giving life brings true happiness, but you can live the self-giving life only when you have personal access to God’s love. And there is only one way to gain this access—through receiving Jesus Christ. This is what Jesus claims in this wonderful invitation (read Jn. 7:37,38). Have you made the decision to receive God’s love through Jesus Christ?

Do not live in fear!

I knew a man once named Mike who was afraid of everything. I mean, literally, afraid of EVERYTHING! He was afraid of getting sick, of getting injured, of losing his job, of strife in his marriage, of giving into immoral desires, of being poor--and on top of all that he was afraid of what people thought of him with the smallest self-esteem of any person I have ever known. I asked him boldly one day, "why are you so afraid of everything?" His answer is what I expected. He answered, "I am afraid of what tomorrow might bring because I am not worthy of anything good." Wow. This guy was afraid of good things happening to him because he believed that they would be taken away. He was living in the past and never looked to the future or to any other source for joy and hope.

There are many people in our world today like Mike. Many people, especially the U.S., have hope in things that have no value. They measure their own value by the things they have, or the friends they associate with, or things they are "good" at. But those who have hope in these things must live in fear. If I put all my trust in these things I would be fearful too! But I do not fear anything. Why? Not because of my own strength and self-control. Trust me, NOT because of that! It is because there is a greater power at work within me that gives me strength every day to continue on. This power gives me hope for a future and I know without any doubt in my mind, that this power at work within me will be with me for the rest of my life and I will do things, say things, and experience things that are beyond what I can hope or imagine. This trust I have is not in things that will rust or get eaten away by moths. This hope is not in a career or status in society. No, it's an understanding of things to come, a knowledge that there is a greater power than myself and my circumstances.

I do not fear because Jesus died for my pitiful, selfish, sinful, deceitful self and gave me a new life, one full of hope, love, and confidence. I am confident God put me here on this planet in this time period for purpose and that he has done that for every other person in this world. Fear is only from those things that oppose God's plan. If we are to claim what God has purposed us for then we CANNOT live in fear. Fear is straight from the Liar and Deceiver himself, Satan. Do you have strife in your life? It is because of fear. Do you have uncertainty of what tomorrow might bring? It is because of fear.

READ the Word of God. The Bible is the best selling book of all times, not because of it's popular messages (in fact it is hated by many). It is called the Living Word because that is exactly what it is! It not merely a book with words in it. When read, the words are given power, literally. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17).

When you are hungry, do you eat? You feel hunger pains and your stomach growls. Are you feeling pain in your life? Is your body and/or your circumstances "growling" at you? We are given warning signs for purpose. If we did not feel hungry we would not eat and we would starve. As well as nourishing your body, you need to nourish your soul. In Scripture, King David declared God's Word to be sweeter than honey (see Psalm 19:10), and Job said that he treasured God's Word more than his necessary food (see Job 23:12).

Franklin D. Roosevelt said, "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself." That statement has profound wisdom if looked upon in a spiritual sense. Do not let fear control you. Get into the Word of God, study it daily, keep a journal, and pray daily for the Lord of All to show you an abundant life free from fear.

A just God draws the line in the sand

People have asked, “If my God is so loving and kind, why would He allow some people to go to heaven, while letting others go to hell?” I respond by saying that I do not believe that God has a scoring system for rating “when good is good enough to go to heaven” and “when bad is bad enough to go to hell.” God knows that all will fall short of the standard created by His Holy nature. Rather than thinking in terms of a wall between “good enough” and “bad enough,” think of it as everyone’s sinful nature being “incompatible” with God’s Holiness.

Jesus is God’s “line in the sand,” so to speak. Those who seek the light of His true nature and immortality will stand with Him. Those who prefer the darkness of the world’s lies will not. Although God wants an eternal relationship with everyone, He only makes the offer, we must make the choice. (Matthew 19:17)

Another question that relates to this last comment is this: “If my God is so loving and kind, why would He allow suffering and torment on Earth?” He ultimately wants us to seek Him. But He gives us free will so that we will follow Him willingly. Those who do not follow Him and serve the other side (the absence of light is darkness), cause this suffering and torment. For example, who do you suppose terrorists serve, a God of love or a god of suffering? It’s apparent it’s a god of suffering. That’s not my God.

In our fallen and sinful world there is decay. This decay goes through every living thing, including our own bodies. Those who fall to illnesses do so because of sin, the original sin of Adam and Eve, not because God caused it or because someone “deserves” it - there is no such a thing. But for those people who do suffer in this way, God’s ways and will is perfect. There is a purpose in it and it CAN be used for God's glory...

Chance at a new life

Recently I have been reflecting on how I came to be a Christian and what that means. I chose to remind myself frequently of my past because I want to remember what Jesus has done for me, not just in the "spiritual" sense, but literally. I don't dwell on the past, as that would not allow me to move forward. But remembering who I was before I met Jesus, before I gave up my stupid ways, reminds me who I am living for. If you are a Christian, do you think about this? It's important because without our past we would have no witness or example at all as to why the heck we would put all our faith into this unseen person, Jesus.

It has taken several years (a decade in fact) to get to the point that I am at today. I lay my life at the feet of Jesus for him to take me and mold me into the man HE wants me to be. I was once heavily into alcohol and loved the party scene. Going to clubs, hanging out in the most obscene places. That was my life in my teens into my early 20s. Although I accepted Jesus and the fact that I believed he was and is truly God at age 19, I struggled to live out my new faith. After years of living as I did before I knew Christ, I realized one day that something needed to change. I was not going down the road I wanted to, struggling with my marriage, my job, everything. So with my wife, we decided to make a real change. The year was 1998. We started attending church regularly and eventually found a "home" church that we would go to every week for the following 8 years.

Fast forward to today, two mission trips to India later, a leader of an international surfing ministry, ministry partner with several evangelists, going to an incredible mission-minded, spirit-led, praying church, and working for a Christian college. Not to MY glory, but to God alone. I am willing. I am ready. To live is Christ, to die is gain - dying to myself (Phil. 1:21).

Want to know more about who Jesus REALLY is? Not what you see on TV. Not what you typically know of at church. The REAL Jesus. He IS real and he has changed my life. I have seen him work in amazing ways. The things I have seen are not explainable in human terms, only spiritual. I'd love to talk to you about your walk in life and experiences. Give me a call or email: 503-320-4814 / corey@ckwells.com.

Encourage someone today

"'Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad.'"
-Proverbs 12:25

The nineteenth-century writer Walt Whitman struggled for years to get anyone interested in his poetry. During his discouragement he received a life-changing note from an admirer of his work. The note read, 'Dear Sir, I am not blind to the worth of the wonderful gift of Leaves of Grass [one of Whitman's recent writings]. I find it the most extraordinary piece of wit and wisdom that America has yet contributed. I greet you at the beginning of a great career.' It was signed by Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Whitman enjoyed a long career and is now considered one of the giants of American literature. But when times were tough he needed encouragement to keep going. And he's not alone. When we're on the brink of failure, the right word at the right time can keep us in the game. When we're too tired or discouraged to keep going, an act of compassion can give us new strength. Encouragement is one of the central themes of the Bible:

• 'Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad' (Proverbs 12:25).
  
• 'Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees' (Isaiah 35:3).
  
• 'For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, 'Fear not, I will help you'' (Isaiah 41:13).
  

Encouragement doesn't deny the problem; it enables us to overcome it. It doesn't validate stubbornness or stupidity; it simply corrects and guides us in the right path. It doesn't leave us alone to carry the burden; it lets us know that God is present to help and strengthen us. So today, encourage somebody!

I pray you are encouraged by this...

What is your identity?

Who are you? What do your closest friends associate with you? I have been thinking about this as I pray and read in my quiet time with the Lord. Recently family that I had not seen in many years came from the east coast and we caught up on the past 15 years. I was talking with some of them about what I liked to do as far as a hobby and surfing came up. I don't consider myself a great surfer, yet when they heard I surfed, it raised curiosity and my position with them. Funny thing about this is my parents also mentioned to them that I was a big time surfer. Is that my identity? Do I want to be associated with being a surfer?

This got me thinking about the different positions that people in the Bible held. Jesus was a carpenter, Peter was a fisherman, Matthew was a tax collector, but were they looked upon with this identity? Before they knew Jesus and laid down what they did to follow Him, yes I think they did hold these identities. It makes me wonder if my identity is where it should be. When people meet me and get to know me, will they know me as a surfer or something else? Or that guy who is sold out to Jesus?

I want people to remember me as someone who is wholeheartedly seeking the Lord. Surfer? Maybe. Jesus used many skill sets as examples (or parables) to relate to others about the Kingdom of Heaven. So surfing has its place; using it to relate life to one of faith following after the Lord, seeking His wisdom. But that is not what I want my identity to be solely. I want people to know that I love the Lord with all my strength and might. I want them to know that the greatest purpose for living is to please the Lord, glorifying Him in all we do. Of course this comes back to who we are, what we do. But do not to let WHAT you do supercede WHO you are; let WHO you are direct WHAT you do.

Rethink how you think

Here is a link to a great Q&A article by Rethink Magazine, a local Christian perspective mag in my area. The interview is with Francis Chan, pastor of Cornerstone Church. He poses very good insight into how we must rethink the way we think of ourselves as missionaries in the world around us.

rethinkmonthly.com

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The Least of These - Part 2

On the last day, Jesus will say to those on His right hand, "Come, enter the Kingdom. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was sick and you visited me." Then Jesus will turn to those on His left hand and say, "Depart from me because I was hungry and you did not feed me, I was thirsty and you did not give me to drink, I was sick and you did not visit me." These will ask Him, "When did we see You hungry, or thirsty or sick and did not come to Your help?" And Jesus will answer them, "Whatever you neglected to do unto one of these least of these, you neglected to do unto Me!" (Matthew 25:31-45)

Jesus died for you and for me, and for the leper and for that man dying of hunger and that naked person lying in the street... Jesus insisted that we love one another as He loves each one of us. Jesus gave His life to love us and He tells us that we also have to give whatever it takes to do good to one another. And in the Gospel Jesus says very clearly: "Love as I have loved you."

Jesus died on the Cross because that is what it took for Him to do good to us - to save us from our selfishness in sin. He gave up everything to do the Father's will - to show us that we too must be willing to give up everything to do God's will - to love one another as He loves each of us. If we are not willing to give whatever it takes to do good to one another, sin is still in us. That is why we too must give to each other until it hurts.

It is not enough for us to say: "I love God," but I also have to love my neighbor. St. John says that you are a liar if you say you love God and you don't love your neighbor. How can you love God whom you do not see, if you do not love your neighbor whom you see, whom you touch, with whom you live? And so it is very important for us to realize that love, to be true, has to hurt. I must be willing to give whatever it takes not to harm other people and, in fact, to do good to them. This requires that I be willing to give until it hurts. Otherwise, there is not true love in me and I bring injustice, not peace, to those around me.

It hurt Jesus to love us. We have been created in His image for greater things, to love and to be loved. We must "put on Christ" as Scripture tells us. And so, we have been created to love as He loves us. Jesus makes Himself the hungry one, the naked one, the homeless one, the unwanted one, and He says, "You did it to Me." On the last day He will say to those on His right, "whatever you did to the least of these, you did to Me, and He will also say to those on His left, whatever you neglected to do for the least of these, you neglected to do it for Me."

When He was dying on the Cross, Jesus said, "I thirst." Jesus is thirsting for our love, and this is the thirst of everyone, poor and rich alike. We all thirst for the love of others, that they go out of their way to avoid harming us and to do good to us. This is the meaning of true love, to give until it hurts.

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The above is an excerpt from a speech given by Mother Teresa in February, 1994, at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington D.C. It plainly states that we, as believers in Christ Jesus, must treat one another, our neighbors who are those all around us including the homeless, the overlooked and the oppressed, with the same love that Christ showed us by dying on the cross. Are you living your life as one who is convinced that you are doing all you can to show the love of Christ to your neighbors?

I have been bombarded lately with a burden for those people who do not know who Jesus is. When walking by people I wonder, "Do they know Jesus? And him? And her?" Because if they don't and if I don't do all I can to share the hope that I have found in Jesus with them, will anyone ever?

It's not only the fact that putting faith in Jesus will secure a place in Heaven when they leave this earth (God does not know sin and you cannot enter His presence with the guilt of sin - Jesus is the answer for our sin and he bore it on the cross and enables us to be in God's presence). It's the fact that living here on earth without Jesus creates hopelessness. It creates a false sense of security in the things that our world says is security - money, possessions, sex, success, etc. And why live life with a blindfold on when you can live it with a renewed view of the world? In this world we live in today, I cannot in my lifetime remember a time when the world has needed more hope. Markets are failing, money is worthless, jobs are scarce...

What have you done to those who have nothing? If you have a job in the U.S. you are among the richest 2% of the worlds population. So don't whine about not having anything or not having the perfect job, or best car, or nicest neighborhood to live in. You are blessed. But why? To bless others!

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I am your:
brother
sister
father
son
mother
daughter
friend
neighbor

I AM

Jesus and Mohammad Compared

Here is an interesting comparison (with references) between Jesus (of Christianity) and Mohammad (of Islam).

Muslims around the world putting their faith in Jesus Christ

I was recently emailed an article that really caught my attention. As one of my regular prayers, I ask my Lord to work in the hearts of the many people around the world who do not know Him. I especially pray for the Muslims and Hindus as they have a special place in my heart. The article below was written by The Revelation Files.

=================

Jesus said in Matthew 16:18, "I will build My Church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it." (KJV). Guess what? He wasn't kidding. You rarely hear about it on the news. You rarely even hear about it in churches in the West, in the East, or even in the Middle East. But the big, untold story is that more Muslims are coming to faith in Jesus Christ today than at any other time in history.

After criss-crossing the Islamic world over the last several years and interviewing more than 150 pastors and ministry leaders operating deep inside the most difficult countries for Inside The Revolution, I can report that in Iran, more than 1 million Shia Muslims have turned to Christ since 1979. In Pakistan, there are now more than 2.5 million followers of Jesus Christ. In Sudan, there are now more than 5 million followers of Christ. Not every country has seen millions leave Islam to become adherents of the New Testament teachings of Jesus. In Syria, there are between 4,000 and 5,000 believers, but this is up from almost none in 1967. In Saudi Arabia, there are about 100,000 followers of Jesus now, up from almost none in 1967. But overall, the trend has been dramatic and largely unreported.

For many Muslims, despair and despondency at what they see as the utter failure of Islamic governments and societies to improve their lives and give them peace, security, and a sense of purpose and meaning in life are causing them to leave Islam in search of truth. Some have lost their way entirely and become agnostics and atheists. Others, as we have seen, have sadly turned to alcohol and drug abuse. But millions are finding that only Jesus Christ heals the ache in their hearts and the deep wounds in their souls.

For other Muslims, it is not depression but rage that is driving them away from the Qur'an and the mosque. They are seeing far too many Muslim leaders and governments and preachers both advocating and acting out cruelty toward women and children and violence even against fellow Muslims. Not all of these find Jesus in their journey away from Islam, but millions do, especially since the 9/11 attacks against the United States. In fact, while this backlash against the theology and practice of Radicalism has been building since 1979, I first began to detect it during my travels in Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East soon after 9/11. Again and again, I would meet people who had long been devout and traditional Muslims who told me that they had watched with horror as Arabic television networks constantly replayed the images of commercial airliners hijacked by radical Islamic jihadists flying into the World Trade Center.

First they found themselves weeping. But then they saw other Muslims cheering, and their sadness turned to anger as they asked themselves, "Is this who we really are? Is this what it really means to be a Muslim? To fly planes into buildings and kill thousands of innocent civilians? Because if it is, then count me out. How could I possibly be part of a religion or a political movement that glorifies and celebrates death?"

That said, what intrigues me is not simply that the Revivalists say the greatest spiritual awakening in the history of the Middle East is under way. What intrigues me is that Islamic leaders are worrying in public that a Christian surge is taking place in the region.

In 1993, a Saudi sheikh by the name of Salman Al-Odeh delivered a sermon entitled "Christian Missionaries Sweeping the Islamic World." He argued that "in Spain [Christians] have the biggest center of missionaries to Africa. They are trained really well, and their efforts lead many Moroccans to convert." He then cited the World Christian Encyclopedia- which he described as a "dangerous survey" - and warned his fellow Muslims that "the number of Christians in Africa was 9 million only in 1900 AD, or . . . 9 percent of the whole population. In the year 1980 they became 200 million! . . . They jumped from 9 to 200 million in 80 years [and the survey's authors] expected them to reach 390 million in the year 2000, or 48 percent of the whole population of Africa."

Eight years later, in December 2001, Sheikh Ahmad Al Qataani, another significant Saudi cleric, appeared in a live interview on Aljazeera satellite television to confirm that, sure enough, Muslims were turning to Jesus in alarming numbers. "In every hour, 667 Muslims convert to Christianity," Al Qataani warned. "Every day, 16,000 Muslims convert to Christianity. Every year, 6 million Muslims convert to Christianity."

Let me give you an example.

I met "Shakir" during my first trip to Iraq in February of 2008. Another fearless and effective evangelist, church planter, and pastor in his war-torn country, Shakir (pronounced "Shah-keer") has a tremendous passion to care for the poor and needy, preach the gospel-especially in villages and rural areas-and help young converts from Islam study the Bible and become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. But this was not always the case. Indeed, how Shakir became a Christian and entered full-time ministry is one of the most fascinating testimonies I have personally had the privilege of hearing firsthand. What's more, spending time with him helped me understand more fully the theology of the Revivalists.

Our journey to a humanitarian relief project we were doing together was long and dusty and required our little team, traveling in an old Chevy Impala, to pass through numerous military checkpoints, each manned by heavily armed Iraqi soldiers and policemen checking passports and asking questions, all on high alert for members of al Qaeda and the Mahdi Army. Along the way, I found myself staring out at a landscape that was often as barren as the surface of the moon, covered with rocks, nearly devoid of vegetation, and only scarcely populated. During a lull in the conversation with an Iraqi in the car whom I had known for several years, I asked the meek-looking and mild-mannered Pastor Shakir how he had become a Christ follower and a pastor.

"Were you raised in a Christian home?" I asked through our translator.

"No," he replied quietly. "I was raised a Muslim."

"Really!" I said, a bit startled. "What did you do before becoming a pastor?"

"I was a jihad cell commander."

I gulped. You don't say, I thought. He certainly had my full attention now. "Please, tell me your story," I said eagerly, pulling out my notebook. Shakir graciously agreed.

He explained that he was born in 1975 to a devout Sunni Muslim family and that as he grew up he became deeply religious. Even at an early age, he loved going to the mosque regularly, and by the age of seventeen, he had joined a secret Radical Islamic movement. He studied hard and learned quickly, and before long he was teaching the Qur'an in various mosques.

"My leaders then sent me to a military training camp where I was trained to use light weapons-pistols, machine guns, and RPGs [rocket propelled grenades]-against the infidels," he told me. "I was so excited because I wanted to do jihad for God. I was fully convinced that the Shias and the Christians were blasphemers and that if I killed them I would be blessed."

After successfully completing "Terrorism 101," Shakir was made a jihad cell commander and was ordered to quietly recruit other jihadists. "I soon had a group of my own followers," he explained. "I would put them through this military training and then help them get jobs in different government offices and other shops and businesses so they could spy for me and be in position to do great damage when we launched the overthrow of Saddam and his regime."

One day, one of Shakir's Radical Muslim disciples came to him and said that someone was distributing Bibles to everyone in the machine shop where he worked. The disciple was very angry and told Shakir that he had cursed out everyone in the shop, collected all the Bibles, and promptly destroyed them. All but one.

"He brought one Bible-a New Testament-to me and said I should read it and see how to react to it and counter it," Shakir explained. He said he praised his disciple for acting quickly and decisively. Then he sent the disciple away and took the Bible home, and that night he began to read the Gospel according to Matthew.

"I read the book very fervently to find all the blasphemies and corruption," Shakir said. "But I discovered the words started affecting my mind, and my heart started changing. These were powerful words, not human words. They seemed to me like God's words. But I thought, 'How could this be?'"

Shakir became deeply troubled. He kept reading through Matthew but was ashamed of himself because rather than finding fault with these Christian Scriptures, he found himself completely intrigued. He had so many questions. But whom could he ask? He couldn't very well start discussing the life and teachings of Jesus with the members of the terrorist cell group he was leading. He couldn't very well ask questions of the terrorist leaders above him. He didn't dare seek out any Christians. So night after night he kept reading the Gospels, searching for answers. The more he did, the more troubled and anxious he became.

"After reading the Bible in a deep way, I began comparing it with the Qur'an," he told me. "I was so confused, and in my confusion, I began pleading with God, 'Please show me Yourself.' I begged God, 'Please, show me the right way-is it the Qur'an or the Bible?'"

This went on for several nights.

"One night," he said, "I was really pleading with God fervently to show me the true, straight path. And that night I had a dream. I found myself standing on the side of a road. There was a large crowd gathered on both sides of the road, and they were cheering and very excited. And I realized that they were awaiting a parade to go by. So I looked down the road to see who was coming, and I saw many prophets riding on horses coming towards us. Suddenly Jonah was riding by. And then David. And Abraham. And Moses-riding on high, strong horses. Everyone was cheering and I was cheering. It was so exciting to see these prophets."

Shakir kept waiting for Muhammad to come riding by as well, but Muhammad never came. He was not in the parade of prophets. Instead, Shakir said that "at the end of the procession, I saw another person riding, but He was riding on a donkey instead of a horse. He was wearing a white robe, and His face was covered by a white shroud. When this person approached, for some reason I heard myself calling out to Him and asking, 'Are you Jesus?' Like I said, His face was covered by a white cloth. So I couldn't really see His face at that moment. But when He heard my question, the man pulled the cloth away from His face and smiled at me and nodded yes.

"Something came from His face that filled me with a joy I had never felt in my whole life. I started shouting, 'I saw Jesus! I saw Jesus!' I was so happy and so joyful and I was laughing. But as soon as I woke up, I realized that my pillowcase and my sheets were all wet around my head. I realized that at some point during my dream I had been crying-sobbing-in shame for all of my sins, for all of my hatred."

Shakir said he found himself overcome with the realization that he had been so wrong about God, about Islam, about terrorism. He also found himself incredibly grateful and humbled that Jesus would come and rescue him and forgive him of all of his sins and set him on the true path to heaven.

"I felt a strong joy, and I wanted to find my Muslim disciples and tell them that I loved them and that Jesus loved them," Shakir explained. "After that dream, my life was completely changed. I was eager to evangelize-to tell people about the love of Jesus Christ. I couldn't hide that joy. The more I read of the Gospels, the more I felt I had to tell people about this love of God, even people that I had hated. This was not easy. I was mocked and persecuted by many. Once I was beaten by eight people. I was nearly assassinated three times. But it is okay. Since I came to know the Lord Jesus as my Savior, I am ready to put my life-and my family-as a sacrifice for Jesus."

What a remarkable transformation, I thought as Shakir finished his story. He seemed to be thinking the same thing, for when our time was up and the interview was over, Shakir stood up, looked me straight in the eye, and without any expression on his face said, "Joel, you are very lucky." "Yes, I think that's true," I said. "But why do you say it?"

He took a deep breath. "Because if I had met you in 1993, I would have killed you immediately."

My pulse quickened, and then he added, "But now you are my brother in Jesus, and I love you!"

A huge smile flashed across his face. He threw his arms around me and gave me a bear hug. I breathed a big sigh of relief, and-laughing-gave him a hug as well.

In Inside The Revolution, five core convictions held by all Revivalists are described. Here is the first - GOD LOVES ALL OF MANKIND.

Each and every one of the Revivalists I interviewed-including Shakir-noted with deep conviction that according to the Bible, God's defining character trait is love. The Bible teaches that God loves every man, woman, and child on the face of the earth-regardless of race, nationality, tribe, or language.

God loves all of us with an everlasting love. He loved all of us before we loved Him. He loves us so much that He wants to adopt us into His family as His children and let us live with Him in heaven forever. He loves us so much that if we let Him, He will be a Shepherd to us, guiding us, providing for us, protecting us, giving us rest, and taking care of us in every possible way. He loves us so much that if we follow and obey Him, we can actually become friends with Him and develop a personal, intimate relationship with Him.

Here are some of the verses the Revivalists point to in describing the love of this incredible God:

"God is love." -1 John 4:16

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." -John 3:16

"I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness." -Jeremiah 31:3

"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His lovingkindness is everlasting. Give thanks to the God of gods, for his lovingkindness is everlasting. Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his lovingkindess is everlasting." -Psalm 136:1-3

"We love, because He first loved us." -1 John 4:19

"See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God." -1 John 3:1

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." -Psalm 23:1-6

The Least of These

This post has been copied from a blog I recently read. It was so impactful to me that I needed to share it here. Visit Least of These blog to read more.

God is Shuffling Along
He didn’t lift his feet, he slid them, as if skating on the concrete sidewalk.
Maybe he was old, but I couldn’t tell because he looked like a cave man, and it’s hard to read a cave man’s age.
Eyes looked out from sunken pools in his head, down at the ground where he shuffled.
And wild, long hair stuck out from all directions on his head. Some of it was matted.
I don’t know if he had lips. His beard had crept up his cheekbones almost to his eyes and crawled back down his face, past his neck, until it disappeared into his ragged coat.
From behind the wildness he mumbled.
I think he must have been saying, “Someone help me. God is in here somewhere, but no one can’t find him no more ‘cause he’s all crusted over and hid.”

God is Running Scared
Something was chasing him from up in the sky. Demons I guess.
He ran with a look of terror, and I thought in this heat that can’t be healthy because he’s old.
He was panting and sweating and grunting in terror.
He tripped, lost his balance and touched the ground with his hand. He didn’t fall, just stumbled and kept running.
Good thing, because I’ll bet those things in the sky chasing him might have caught up to him.
When he ran past I looked up to see what was terrifying him, trying to run him down so mercilessly.
Just blue skies. ‘Cept maybe those things from his memory. Demons from some war. Vietnam? Korea? Boyhood abuse?
I don’t know. But they had him running scared.He was too scared to talk, but I think he probably would have said, “Someone help me. God’s prints ha’ been swallowed up by all this fright and that terrible thing what happened to me long ago.”

Jesus Likes the Big Mac Value Meal
I once prayed walking to the McDonald’s in Santa Monica, “Jesus, I’d like to have supper with you.”
I stepped up to the counter to order and I saw him.
He was really skinny and ragged, but he did have that long hair, beard and mustache I had always imagined. Though I never imagined the body odor.
He was ordering just a cup of water.
“Would you like something other than water?” I asked.
“Sure.” He said. “I’ll have a Big Mac Value Meal. It’s number one.”
I knew this guy was Jesus because when we sat down to eat together he said right away, “You know, I’m sorta like Jesus. ‘The foxes have holes and the birds have nests but the Son of Man has no where to lay his head.”
I smiled.
“I have schizophrenia” he said, which is something I never knew about Jesus.
After dinner we tried to find him help, but it’s hard to help someone like that.
He’s alienated himself from everybody because he gets spooked by people easily.
“You can’t get close enough to see Jesus in me.” He says as he slips away, throwing me a suspicious glance. “He’s hidden here, and I don’t want no one to steal him.”

Then they also will answer, 'Lord, when was it that we saw you mentally ill and shuffling or scared or hungry, and did not take care of you?'

Matthew 25:45 (NRSV)
Then he will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.'

Culture vs. Spiritual Oppression

Why do you want to change their culture?

This is a question that I have been running across lately while exploring how missionaries have gone out into the world to share Christ with those who not have heard. Why do I want to change their culture by sharing Christ with them? What most people in this world do not understand is that, in most cases, "culture" is the special packaging that the world-centered view puts on spiritual oppression. Hinduism is a prime example of this. India's religion is mostly Hindu. And do you think it is a cooincidence that India has the largest number of people groups in the world who have never heard of Jesus? Not only that, but the fact that the Hindu religion have over 3 million gods? The rules and regulations that are in place for those gods, not even mentioning the oppression of society that comes from it, are enough to send an entire nation into spiritual darkness forever.

So why do I hear this question? Ignorance? Most likely. Most people in the world (i.e. the United States as that is our mindset as Americans) do not have a clue as to what Hinduism and other world religions do to a society of people.

A simple analogy: I live in the Pacific Northwest and there is a lot of moss and mildew here. Why? Because there is a lot of cold rain and darkness. If there was less rain there would be less darkness because of lack of clouds. Where the sun is, mildew and moss cannot survive. The same can be said of world religions. "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through the me." -Jesus (John 14:6). Without the son darkness prevails and oppression flourishes. Are the people at fault for denying Jesus? Maybe, maybe not. I would say that most have never even heard his name, and of those who have they do not know the significance of his existence.

Bottom line is I love people. "Hate the sin, love the sinner" as it's been said. I have looked into the eyes and faces of many, many Hindu people. How can I walk by them without sharing the hope and love that I KNOW in my heart of hearts will change their lives for eternity? I cannot. In my eyes, to do so would be to condemn them to hell. Maybe someone else may tell them... but I can't take that chance. I want to share my hope with as many people as I can because I know that hope is real.

The Message in Art

Kind of going off track of where I normally go with my posts, I wanted to put up some artwork that I think speaks volumes to our culture today and some to our past. Some of the images below may speak differently to you than to me. I'd like to hear your comments on them so please leave me a message if you feel moved to do so.

"White Crucifixion" by Marc Chagall 1938, Art Institute of Chicago
Chagall is a Jewish artist - he painted this in response to anti-senisism and the plight of the Jewish people. Little did he know that his painting would have a much different meaning to those who follow Jesus, prominently centered in a beam of light and anchoring the chaos around him.

"Dream of Solomon" by Luca Giordano ca. 1693, Museo del Prado, Madrid
Take close note of the images and icons around Solomon and the image of God.


"Tower of Babel" by Pieter Bruegel the Elder
Take a close look at the focal point, the tower. Notice the crumbling foundation, yet the top is new and still being built. There is a slight to the tower to the left - notice the city in that direction. Also notice the group of people in the lower left that appear to be following a figure in a white robe, bowing to him and holding spears.


"The Calling of Saint Matthew" by San Luigi dei Francesi, ca. 1599, Rome
This painting has an obvious message in it. Jesus (extreme right) calls upon Matthew (behind the table in the middle) to join him. Matthew, then Levi, is a publican, collecting taxes for the Romans, by no means a popular profession. Everyone is astonished. There is light on Levi's face. Jesus' finger is reminiscent of Michelangelo's spark of life for Adam in the Sistine Chapel. On the right, in front of Jesus – Peter.

And now to more modern day icons:

Mural of Statue of Liberty with a skull face in front of an American flag, former US Embassy, Tehran, Iran. Photo speaks for itself. This is typical anti-American propaganda initiated by Muslim extremists. This photo does not show it, but the red stripes turn into barbed wire down the wall.

Notice in this version the small cross on the upper lip of the face (click to enlarge).






And just for fun (but not very funny):
The 2018 White House lawn...


The hidden meaning to this post? To show that throughout history man has been called to serve God and that Jesus has been the center of this calling, from the tower of Babylon to the missionaries of today. Who is a missionary? You are! Every Christian man and woman IS a missionary. We are ALL commissioned to "go into all the world" and "make disciples."

More importantly, Jesus came to offer forgiveness to the world, including those who are raised from birth to learn hatred as a way of life (Jihads), by living a sinless life and dying on the cross. Did you know Jesus fullfilled all Bible prophecy in the Old Testament to the coming Messiah (over 400)? A Muslims' search for God (or any person for that matter) can be found in Jesus Christ. Once realization has been made that although God serves different functions through the trinity, He is one and only God. This is what is so hard to grasp for Muslims and Jews alike.

I pray that the God of peace and justice will soften the hearts of those who hate him so much.

Sold Out?

Are you sold out to Christ? If you claim to be a Christian, you should be. What does being "sold out" mean? It means doing what Jesus commanded us to do (a mandate) when he told us to go into all the world and make disciples (Matthew 28:9-20). Esther 4:14 tells us that "such a time as this" is the best time of all to tell others about Christ. "Do the work of an evangelist" is what we are told to do by Timothy (2 Timothy 4:5). Don't just merely believe in Jesus. Tell others! As a follower of Christ, you should know that those who do not know your savior Jesus, will be condemned to hell for eternity (Mark 16:16). This life is short and God gives us many opportunities to share our faith in Him with others.

But are we willing to listen? Are we willing to lay down our agenda and plans for His? Are we willing to pick up our cross and follow Jesus? What does that mean? It means you would die for Christ. It means that telling others about Jesus would be the most important thing in your life! If you don't, you are not sold out. You are lukewarm. Do you know what the Bible says about "lukewarm Christians?" Jesus tells us that we will be "spit out" (Revelation 3:16). Think in your head for a moment the kind of imagery that puts across. The Bible also tells us that in the last days (which have been occurring since the church was established in the first century) many hearts will grow cold. Hearts that have followed Him at one time... read on.

If you feel you are one of these people who calls himself or herself a Christian, but knows deep inside that your money and lifestyle comes before Christ, if you know that there is never any time to pray or have fellowship with God because of the time it takes to earn your money, party, play with all the toys that money can buy, read/watch pornography, enjoy R-rated movies, or just sit in front of the television for hours, then you are a "lukewarm Christian," and it's time to make a turnaround, before Christ spits you out, which I think means, you may be on your way to Hell.

God doesn't want us to just live. He wants us to LIVE! Living out loud, sold out to Jesus. Telling others, people we care about and love, what Jesus has done in our lives. Showing them by our past that He has made an eternal difference in our lives and showing that transformation in our lives. Live out your faith and tell others about Jesus. Show them that you are sold out to Him.

Artwork credit: Dave Kinsey © 2008 Check him out - incredible, sometimes disturbing visuals

Discipleship

Discipleship, by definition, involves following and obedience. In John 14:23 & 24a, Jesus clearly says, “If anyone loves me he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching.” Our western way of thought quickly rebels against this word. We are not legalists. We do not live by rules to be obeyed. How dare Jesus equate obedience with whether or not we love him! Oh, I suppose Jesus can do that – HE IS THE TRUTH!

Actually, it is quite simple. If we love God, we trust God. We believe he desires the best for us and that he knows what is best for us. Therefore, if we love him, it would be foolish to disobey. We don’t have to understand everything; we do need to obey. After obedience, not before, we learn that God’s instructions are way cool, and they actually protect us from having a painful and messy life.

• “God, I don’t understand why you aren’t healing Lucille, but I will still pray for her healing.”
• “Lord, it is hard for me to love my enemy, but I will act good toward them.”
• “Jesus, I can’t afford to give tithes and offerings right now, but I will because you told me to.”
• “Father, I am so busy! Still, I will come and worship you and dedicate a portion of my time to ministry.”

Did you notice the promise that is given to those who obey? “My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” I want that!

RUB OFF – RUB ON
We are witnesses of God’s love and guidance only when we are obedient. Through obedience we reveal to others the truth and ways of God. The unbeliever sees you acting so unworldly, and you are either ridiculed or you create wonder and curiosity in those around you.

• “ What’s wrong with you? You never take things from the supply closet?”
• “How come you never join with us when we’re telling jokes? Don’t you think they’re funny?”
• “Why won’t you tell us what you think of her new boyfriend?”
• “Why don’t you just call in sick if you want to go to the party?”
• “Come on, take it, use it, do it! No one will ever know!”

I will know, and my Lord, who I love, will know. My life is good because I love and obey him, and I would be a fool to think I knew better than God!

IN THE MIRROR
For some odd reason, disobedience has become a common response in our lives, and is often considered not to be a big deal. Here is the truth:

• “Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.” James 4:17
• “We know that we have come to know him (Jesus) if we obey his commands.” I John 2:3
• “The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives for ever.” I John 2:17

Too often we, like John’s audience, over-spiritualize stuff. We do not connect our daily life with our relationship with God. We borrow money, but we refuse to pay it back, or are late with payment. Is this the good thing to do? We think our homework is boring, so we blow it off. Is this the good thing to do? We are supposed to work our shift, but we call in with excuse after excuse. Others have to double up or come in on their days off. Is this the good thing to do? Our parents tell us to do something. We don’t like it, and we do what we want to do instead. Is this the good thing to do? The movie we rented is foul. We spent $3.49 to rent it, so we have to watch it! Is this the good thing to do? No, no, no, no, and no! And those acts of disobedience are sin because they damage others, yourself, and your witness for God.

Parents, it is of great importance when your kids disobey. If you do not punish and discipline when they disobey they will learn that disobedience is no big deal. Obedience is a big deal! Teach them consistently the truth of God: “Discipline your son, and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul.” Proverbs 29:17

Live it out! Obedience is a matter of life and death for you and your children.