Sunday, June 27, 2010

Weekend Warriors







Our day around the city was another wet one. We seem to have brought Washington's weather over this valley for as long as we are here! It was powerful to stand on top of the city's highest building and pray for this wonderful city. As I mentioned in another post, we continue to feel a spiritual heaviness when we go to pray. I literally feel a tightness in my stomach when we pray here in public places. I am the first to admit that I don't always sense spiritual dynamics, but something is going on in the spiritual realm here. On the one hand it is very exciting to enter into this through prayer, but on the other hand, it also feels discouraging. You know how in some places, you just feel like praying? I would say Sarajevo is the opposite! If feels like some force is preventing us from prayer. Please keep praying!

We enjoyed a meal together, and then went to a movie. It's a bit of trip watching a movie in English and then seeing all the Bosnian subtitles. Oh- and they have assigned seating! Better get there early.

Today I got to preach at two of the local churches. Having each sentence translated makes the flow of a message very difficult, but it was such a tremendous honor to preach here. I feel like God was at work in the messages- I believe He can communicate in any language. The one picture here is taken from the very back of the room- yes, it is very small!

One more day to go and visit Mostar tomorrow. If you want to know what we'll be experiencing, google "stari most" bridge. We should have some good photo ops there!

It won't be long and we'll be touching down in the States again. Can't wait to see you!

Nick

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Camp Ends






Yesterday was the final day of our English Camp as well as the open house program in the evening. I can't imagine a better end to our week! We were truly overwhelmed by the response. Every kid and at least one parent came back to the program. It was evident in so many ways that this week had meant a great deal not only to the kids, but also to the parents. We had numerous families asking, "When will you be back? When will you do this again? Why are you leaving?" A few parents had even gotten together and bought us gifts! This week made a deep impact here and we believe it created many, many connections with Sarajevans that the Byroms and others will be able to follow-up on.

We also gave our high school helpers some gifts to thank them for all the time they spent translating for us. You would have loved to see their reactions. They exclaimed, "This is too much! Why would you do this for us?" They were shocked that we would have gifts for them. I think they felt that we were doing them a favor by letting them work with us on their English. But we would have been lost without all their translating help. I think our team has left a lasting impression with them that we hope will lead to spiritual fruit in their lives.

Today we are off to pray our way around the city. Please pray for me if you get a chance- I have been asked to preach at two services tomorrow. Pray that God will give me the right topic and the right words to encourage the believers here. I am honored by this opportunity!

Our trip is winding down, but God is still at work! Thanks for your partnership with us-

Nick

Thursday, June 24, 2010

English Camp: Day 4





The English Camp continues to go incredibly well. The kids are having so much fun, and each day we see more and more joy on their faces. It will be difficult to say good-bye tomorrow! Today we handed out free shirts with the Center's new logo on them. Hopefully this will get the name out there and people will recognize the Cultural Center as a great place to go and learn English. Thanks for supporting our team- your support enabled us to bring these shirts!

One of the best parts of the camp has been having our team interact with four Bosnian teenage girls. They have been our translators in many situations and have been a huge help. Today I wanted to invite you to be praying for them. They are Bosnian Muslims who really want to see their country have a better future. We are hoping that they will see in us a true difference that might lead them to truth. Their names are Mary, Anni, Dina, Nelly.

Michelle and I did English speaking practice with two of them tonight. They are so great- we would love to bring them home with us as exchange students! Not going to happen, but we really connected well with them.

Tomorrow is the big day- connecting with parents in the evening will be very crucial for the Byroms and Eikosts. Please continue to pray for us!

Nick

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

English Camp: Day 3






We have successfully reached the mid-week point of the English Camp! Everything continues to go very well, and every single kid continues to come back. Each day, they seem more connected and open to us. It is such a joy to watch them get a little more animated each day.

We see a big part of our trip being our opportunity to encourage people here. Tonight, we "forced" Mark and Debbie to go out on a date while we hung out with their girls. Before you get too impressed with this 'sacrifice', you should realize that we spent the night playing card games and eating donuts! Their girls are great and we were glad to give Mark and Debbie a break from us. :-)

A big prayer request right now is the Friday night program. We are inviting all of the kids back with their parents to perform their drama and sing some of the songs. This is a new approach for the Byroms, so be praying that families feel compelled to come back. We are hopeful that this will lead to many, many open doors for future ministry.

Thanks for being a part of the team with us-

Nick

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Why We Pray

One of the common themes we are running across in our time here, whether we are talking to missionaries or to local believers, is that this is a very difficult place for the gospel to advance. People are very unresponsive to the message of Jesus. While this issue prevails across much of modern Europe, Sarajevo is the first city with which I have had personal connection. I would like to share with you what I am sensing from God concerning this city.

From my perspective, the issue in this city is NOT a lack of missionaries. As I have said elsewhere, we've met as many missionaries as believers. There are Christ-followers on the University campus, Christ-followers working in the city, Christ-followers working with the poor. All report the same experience: little to no response. The issue in this city is NOT a lack of a clear message. The pastors here are passionate preachers of God's word, and they handle Scripture accurately and in ways accessible to anyone. The issue in this city is NOT a lack of passion. The believers here are crying out for their city. They want to see God change this city with the love of Christ. The worship is powerful. And these passionate people are making repeated, creative attempts to reach people. Yet the result is the same: little to no response.

From my perspective, the issue in this city is almost entirely spiritual. For whatever reason, Darkness has a grip on this city and for whatever reason the Light has not YET penetrated. And I know of only one way to enter into a spiritual battle: PRAYER. We could easily give more money, send more people, or offer more ideas and encouragement. But none of these are lacking. What is lacking is a true move of God's Spirit in the hearts and minds of the Bosnian people.

So, may I plead with you? Become a prayer warrior for Bosnia. If you give money, give as much prayer. Our money is needed, but until the spiritual battle is won, it will continue to have little return on our investment. How can you pray?
1)Pray that spiritual darkness and oppression in this city will lift.
2)Pray that the enemy will have no power to hold people in bondage and oppression.
3)Pray that hearts and eyes would be opened to the love of Jesus.
4)Pray that God would miraculously and supernaturally be revealing Himself.
5)Pray for spiritual breakthrough.
6)Pray that God would empower and strengthen His people here.
And finally...
7)Pray that the LIGHT of CHRIST would shine in this city and that God would win the victory!

May God convince each one of us deeply that prayer is not the prelude to the work, but that prayer in and of itself is the work we have been called to do.

Blessings-
Nick

Kid's Camp: Day 2






The second day of our English speaking camp went very well. The kids came back excited and with seeming anticipation for the fun they knew they would have. Everything has gone so smoothly and it really feels like everyone, kids, adults, and helpers alike, are all having a great week. So far, our energy levels are good and we are staying healthy. You can be praying for Jocelyn, Mark and Debbie's second daughter. She came down with something today and has felt rotten all day.

I will add another post of a spiritual perspective in a moment, but for now I thought you might like to see some of the fun moments of today!

1)The hokey pokey is popular here in Bosnia, too.

2) The kids work on their surfing drama.

3) Mark Byrom having a little too much fun.

4) Surfin' Sam. I do not know this man.

5) The river flowing through the middle of Sarajevo, swollen with rain that just won't stop. Ah, feels like home.

Thanks for all of your prayers! We can feel them-
Nick

Monday, June 21, 2010

Kid's Camp: Day 1



Today was the beginning of our long-anticipated English Camp for kids. We ended up having 19 kids show up today, which was a great size of group to work with. We divided them up into two groups for most of the day and rotated them through music, drama, crafts, and recreation. Everything seemed to go SO well- we are off to a great start. The kids seem interested, attentive, and enjoying themselves. They have been encouraged to invite friends, so we'll see how many show up tomorrow! Here's what the team had to say about today:

Michelle: My highlight was seeing how excited the kids got when Surfer Sam came into the room. (played by Nick in a long, blond wig.)

Mike: I was moved out of my comfort zone and had a great time with the kids today.

Caleb: I am the youngest member of the team. Still. Ha, ha, ha! It's exciting to be carrying the presence of God into this dark place. Our connection with the kids was capital.

Bob: The rain is wet here. But kids love playing games at the Center.

Chris: I enjoyed our high school helpers, who enjoyed the crafts as much as the kids did! (We have three Bosnians helping us.)

Jason: Just call me the little drummer boy. (Jason played a tupperware tub for acoustics during music time.) It was also fun to see some escargot in their natural habitat.

Nick: Teaching kids drama is difficult in English, and even more challenging when the kids speak Bosnian. But it is very satisfying to watch the kids have fun with us. Fun is a universal language. So is love.

Laura (Mark Byrom's daughter): My favorite part was EVERYTHING!

Take 4 minutes here and enjoy our day in a Slideshow.

Keep us in your prayers- tomorrow night we will begin taking turns at the cultural center as Bosnians come in to practice their English. The three guys go tomorrow night. (Jason, Mike, and Caleb)

Peace-
Nick

The Global Body






Yesterday was a time for us to visit some of the local Bosnian churches. In the morning, our group split into two and participated at two different locations. Michelle and I visited a church in the East part of the city that Mark and Debbie Byrom attend regularly. Caleb and Mike also join us. I had the privilege of preaching a "mini sermon" before the real sermon. Evidently, they do this every week. My message was 7 and 1/2 minutes long, and that's with translation. I know, most of you are shocked by this. Mike and Caleb helped Mark teach Sunday School for the older kids. All I know is that there were bagpipes involved.

Bob, Chris, and Jason attended a church in the West part of town that Mark and Kathy Eikost regularly attend. Jason played on the worship team and Bob was given an opportunity to share about our team. He took the opportunity to also share his testimony. Way to go, Bob!

In the evening, our whole group attended the Malta church, which is where the guys are staying in a dorm. This is a very hip church- they've made some worship CDs and have audio/visual equipment on par with churches 5 and 10 times their size. We enjoyed worshiping with them even in Bosnian. Jason played guitar (again) and Caleb helped out on drums. All 7 of us wore headphones to hear the sermon translated in real time. I didn't want to take a picture mid-sermon, but we were quite a sight.

The churches averaged 25-30 people, and that's being generous. Almost half of the attendance was foreign missionaries. It is stunning to think that we may have met half of all the believers in Sarajevo. The messages were all very powerful. God is definitely at work in these churches and in the hearts of these pastors, but for some reason they are making very little progress into this city. But I was very encouraged by their passion and their words of encouragement to live out our faith. I think in a city like this, the Bosnian believers are very aware that preaching the gospel won't be enough- the gospel must be seen in action!

Be praying for these churches! They are such a minority, but they are truly believing God for big things. In this place, 1 out of every 4,000 people are believers. Pray for Pastor Slavko, Pastor Zelko, and Pastor Sasha. They need our help!

Blessings-
Nick

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Seeing the City, Catching God's Heart








We spent our first full day in Sarajevo taking a brief tour of the city and enjoying some local cuisine. The cevapi (small veal sausages in pita bread with creamy butter) is really excellent! A young couple from one of the local churches gave us a tour. They are both native Sarajevans (is that a word?) and have some unique perspective having lived in the city during the years of war and siege. (1992-1995) Unfortunately, we seemed to have brought the rain to Bosnia with us. We had our umbrellas up off and on all day. We stood on the spot where World War I began, visited a local mosque, and walked through numerous markets.

We also went up to the Cultural Center and saw the progress there. The place looks great- they have completely renovated it and are now opening it up to the public. The location is truly amazing- the street below is more like a courtyard. When we walked through yesterday, there were hundreds of people milling about at cafes, drinking coffee, and watching soccer. We canvased this area, as well as several other areas within walking distance, handing out fliers for the English Camp. Even though we spoke different languages, most people seemed very open to receiving the information. Please continue to pray for more registrations to the Camp!

As our team spends time around this great city, we are beginning to sense God's incredible love for this people. It is a very religious culture, with mosques, cathedrals, synagogues, and churches dotting the landscape. But for most, religion has actually become something that keeps them distant from God. Religion and culture are tied together, so to be Bosnian is to be Muslim, regardless of actual heart belief. Pray that God will continue to break through this barrier so that people can discover His true love for them.

Peace-
Nick

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Friday, June 18, 2010

On the Ground






We are in SARAJEVO!

Our lengthy 22.5 hour trip over here went off without a hitch and we are enjoying our first full day here in the capital of Bosnia.

Mark Byrom met us at the airport and ferried all of us and our bags to the various places where we are staying. After everyone was settled, we met up at the Byroms for a little Bosnian pizza and orientation. It was rather humorous to look around the room as Mark shared some material with us, because various team members kept nodding off. Pillows were thrown and legs kicked in order to keep everyone conscious. Most of us had been up over 28 hours at that point and fighting off sleep was a real challenge. But these mean missionaries forced us to stay awake until 9 PM so that we would be sure to get a full night's sleep.

I have to hand it to the Byroms- they are wise! After being forced to stay up until 9, I slept a full night. We'll get together with the rest of the team in a bit and hopefully their experience was the same. Today will be spent getting a feel for the city, visiting the cultural center, and then passing out advertisements for the English Camp tonight in old downtown Sarajevo.

Please continue to pray for group health. Also, pray for great responsiveness to the English Camp invitations. This is the first time the Bosnian team has done an English Camp in Sarajevo, and so it has been more challenging to get people interested. Pray that we could shine the Light of Christ in this place. Finally, pray that we would be a great encouragement to the Bosnian Team here.


Blessings!
Nick

(All the pictures are from Mark and Debbie Byrom's balcony)

European Travel





Howdy folks! So far, so good! We are sitting in Vienna, Austria, just a few short hours away from a departure to Sarajevo. It is hard to believe that by this evening we'll be sharing a meal with Mark and Debbie Byrom in their apartment.

If you're checking this blog, thanks for tracking with our team! Please take a moment and pray that God would use us to be a light in Sarajevo!

More to follow-
Nick

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

One Step Ahead

When Jesus said, "Come, follow me!" he was serious.

Too often, we hear this as an invitation to study and learn the historical life of Jesus in order to replicate how He lived. But I get the feeling that Jesus had more in mind. I think He actually wants us to follow Him now- to look ahead, get a sense of where He's going, and set our feet on the same path.

As I prepare for this journey to Bosnia, I can't help but feel that as a church, we are doing just this. From the first days of our partnership with Bosnia, we have sensed God at work. God has been orchestrating and arranging things in a divine way before we even become aware of it. I have had a strong feeling all along the way that He is always one step ahead of us.

And so this trip has at its source real inspiration from God. I have been mindful of this as I undertake the mammoth amount of tasks that go into a costly international expedition. Whenever I have been tempted to think the trip is too much work, or too much money, I remind myself of where God has been in this journey. Always a step ahead. We haven't been praying and asking God to bless our efforts- to join us where we are at. No, we have been asking God to give us the courage to follow Him!

He is leading us to Bosnia. Why? I am not exactly sure. And I'll bet that the first disciples of Jesus had similar feelings. They knew he was calling, they could see where he was leading, but they had no idea what was about to happen to them. It was a risk to follow into such unknowns, but their faith was rewarded as they walked with the King of Kings.

I hope that you, at least in some small way, can feel connected to our trip. It really isn't about us- God is going to use it for far more. We'll find out together exactly what that is!

May you find that on your journey, Jesus is always one step ahead of you. And may you have the courage and the strength to follow Him.

Peace-
Nick

Monday, June 14, 2010

Bosnia, not.

From my stay-at-home perspective, it is beginning to feel like I am missing the party. As the Bosnia missions team prepares to leave this Thursday, our offices have been buzzing with plans, meetings, and last minute to-do lists. I realized this weekend as we prayed for the team how much I love each of them and will miss them while they are gone.
So yes, I am feeling a little sorry for myself, staying home, holding the fort, lonely beacon remaining behind. My suitcase is still on the top shelf of the closet, my passport is non-existent, my day planner looks normal. So though I willingly chose to skip this trip, I don't want to miss the party.
I know that each of these guys and gals, who you will be hearing from on this blog format in the next ten days, are exactly the right people to be Bosnia-bound, that they will return full of new enthusiasm and vision, and that they will share it with all of us.
Is it too soon to begin planning the welcome home party?
~Pastor Ann

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Are We Obligated to Obey the 10 Commandments?

What a great question! This gets us to the heart of the Old Testament/New Testament tension. Now that Jesus has come, we struggle to know if the Old Testament is irrelevant, or still applicable for us today.

I think a key to answering this question lies in our understanding of the word "obligated." Many believe that ancient Israel was "obligated" to obey the 10 commandments in order for God to love and accept them. This isn't quite true. God had already declared Abraham, and conversely Israel, righteous because of their faith. God had established a covenant with Israel, and much of the Old Testament law that we read was the parameters of this covenant. In other words, Israel didn't follow the 10 Commandments so that God would find them righteous; they followed the 10 Commandments because God had already declared them righteous. The 10 Commandments taught them how a righteous people would live. So, in this sense, even the people of Israel were not obligated to obey the 10 Commandments- they did so out of their relationship, their covenant, with God.

So, fast forward to the New Testament. Many statements of Jesus and the apostle Paul would suggest that the Old Testament and all its laws have been done away with. We are now under the law of love and the law of Christ. We are free from the Old Testament law! But, and this is key, we are still servants of Christ. If we are following Him, we have submitted our whole lives and our whole selves, all of our actions and activities to Him. We live to please Him. Which brings us to an obvious question- what does it look like to please Christ? How will someone who has devoted their whole selves to Jesus actually live? Ah, now we come to the purpose of the Old Testament in our lives. While the laws and regulations are no longer necessary to forgive sin or make us right with God, these commands do teach us how a Christ-follower will live.

So, when we turn to the Old Testament, and the 10 Commandments, we are no longer looking for a path to peace with God or to personal righteousness. This is only through the blood of Christ. But we do need to ask, "How will a person who loves Jesus express that love in their day to day life?" At this point, instructions such as "Do not lie", "Do not commit adultery", etc., can be tremendously helpful, because in them we come to understand how God views humanity and the world. When we know what is important to Him, we can't help but want to live that way.

You are free...free to do what pleases God. Scripture, the whole thing, offers a great guide for how to do just that. But it is always the relationship, not the laws, that must come first.

May you find incredible joy in that relationship today!

Nick

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Do Animals Go to Heaven?

Although there are references to some specific animals in the Kingdom of God, there is nowhere in scripture that says that animals go to heaven when they die. This is because the Bible is written for human redemption, and not animals, and therefore is silent on this particular issue. There are segments of scripture that say that all of creation shall be redeemed. But these refer to the renewal that will take place when God creates a new heaven and a new earth. For an animal to die and then go to heaven it must have a soul. Souls are eternal, and they continue to exist after the passing of the physical body. And if an animal has a soul, then there must be a means of salvation for it to enter heaven, for every soul on earth is subject to sin. And if there is salvation, then pets must therefore have a choice in the matter; and no one wants to think about cute little fluffy being burned to nubbin in hell because she made the wrong choice. (I had a cat once that I'm pretty sure was possessed!)

1Cor 15:35,39 "But someone will ask, "How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come? For not all flesh is the same, but there is one kind for humans, another for animals..." Paul continues to say that man will be raised with a new body, one that is imperishable. The Bible doesn't speak of animals having a soul. And it is a man's soul that goes on into eternity when his body has died.

I know many people get attached to animals like they would a family member. And it is really hard to think about being separated from the pet. So it's a natural response to wonder if they will go to heaven when they die. What we must realize is that death is a part of this life, and separation with it. God gives us animals and pets in this life so we can enjoy this life here on earth. They are gifts for the "now" just as we will be given new gifts "then" in our ressurrected state.

The Bible does speak of animals being in heaven, however. And these are animals not ressurected from earth, but created by God for that realm. In Revelation 19, it tells how the armies of heaven ride out on horses following Jesus.

In the new Millenium, when we rule with Christ on earth, it speaks of

Isa 65:25 "The wolf and the lamb shall graze together; the lion shall eat straw like the ox, and dust shall be the serpent's food. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain," says the LORD.

Ultimately, the Bible is silent on the issue. But if you are one of those tied to pets, I'm sure God has something even better in store for us when we enter our heavenly home than we could ever imagine.


Pastor Caleb

Monday, January 18, 2010

Ask Anything: What does the Bible say about reincarnation?

We all like a second chance, a do-over. Maybe that is why someone came up with the idea of reincarnation. This concept has been around for hundreds of years. It basically states that the human soul will progress through a series of lives (some think this will include plants and animals) and eventually will merge with God. Along with the belief in reincarnation comes the concept of karma, which teaches that how we live in this life will effect our future lives. Hindu and Buddhist belief systems embrace reincarnation as a central concept.

So, what does the Bible say about this? It is pretty straightforward that the Bible gives absolutely no room for such an idea. In Hebrews 9:27 we read, "Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people."

Remember when Jesus was on the cross and the criminal who was crucified alongside Him said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Jesus did not suggest that he live his next life better and therefore improve his chances to enter the kingdom. His answer was very simple: "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."

The apostle Paul writes in a letter to the Corinthians (II Cor. 5:6-10) that being out of his body would mean being present with the Lord. And that is true for every Christian. We can be as confident as Paul in knowing that at the moment we take our last earthly breath, we will be in the presence of our Savior.

So our do-over does not come from a long string of reincarnations, but from the grace and sacrifice of Jesus. He provides our new life. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16).

Friday, January 15, 2010

The Mark of the Beast

A question was turned in for our Ask Anything series that simply stated, "What's the mark of the beast in Revelation 13 and 14?" While this topic has been debated (often badly) for centuries, I think we can make a few observations that are helpful.

First, it is useful to know more about the book of Revelation. As odd and foreign as some of the language sounds to our modern ears, this type of literature was quite common in the early centuries. It was a genre known as "apocalyptic" literature. This type of writing was known by its high use of imagery and symbolism. Often, apocalyptic literature was used as a method for criticizing the powers-that-be without directly using their names. Another feature of this genre is its "already/not yet" use of language. This simply means that apocalyptic literature had a dual purpose: it addressed a current situation, but also pointed forward to a coming time when similar events would occur or prophecies would be fulfilled.

This basic understanding of Revelation is useful because it helps us see that the author, John, was writing about a very real beast (Rome) in his day. And while we do believe that the words of Revelation give us great insight into what might be in the future (the "not yet"), Revelation is best understood in the context of 1st century Rome. The Mark of the Beast at that time was very likely (although this could be disputed) association with what was called "the emperor's cult". The emperor of Rome at that time would literally set himself up as a god and expect to be worshiped. Those who did could be said, in a sense, to be "marked" for the emperor and they enjoyed great freedom in the Roman empire. This is why Christians (and Jews for that matter) had so much trouble in that era- their system of belief put them in direct opposition to the ruling religion, which often resulted in persecution and even death.

A second helpful observation is the meaning and purpose of the mark. In Revelation 13, it is quite clear that the mark of the beast would set someone apart as having chosen to follow the beast and his rule. What this means for us is that the mark of the beast, should something like this occur in our lifetime, is not something you can get by accident. From time to time, I hear people warn about different products or technological innovations as being a potential mark of the beast. Don't buy that for a second. Using a credit card is not the sign of the beast. Owning an ipod is not the sign of the beast. Even if they begin inserting electronic chips into our hands as a way of doing banking faster, this will not be the sign of the beast! How can I make such a claim? Because Revelation 13 so clearly associates the mark with the beast himself- those who chose his mark knew clearly what they were doing. No one was tricked into being marked. Should we ever see a current "mark of the beast", it will be a clear decision to reject God and embrace a different rule in our life. Until I see that choice being forced, I won't worry about it!

So, what is the mark of the beast? I have no idea. But I do know that in Revelation 14, there is a whole different group of peope who don't have the mark of the beast. Rather than having the name of the beast on their forehead, they carry the name of the Father. They have set themselves apart for Him. As we watch our culture and wonder if the end times are near, this is the best thing we can do- to be "marked" by our love and devotion to the Father. If we continually bear this mark, we have no reason to fear the mark of the beast.

Blessings!
Nick

Monday, January 11, 2010

Ask Anything: Why Should I Go To Church?

OK, I know Pastor Nick said at the weekend services that we should not read our Bibles (If you want the context of that radical statement listen to the message online), but I am reading my Bible anyway. I have been reading through the book of Acts and it really speaks to this question. In the stories told in Acts we find the birth of community for God's people.

Acts 2 says, "They joined with the other believers and devoted themselves to the apostles' teachings and fellowship, sharing in the Lord's Supper and in prayer." And after a difficult circumstance recounted in Acts 4 we read, "...Peter and John found the other believers...then all the believers were united as they lifted their voices in prayer."

It is evident that the followers of Christ were finding value in being in community, even as they were persecuted and began to scatter all over the world. I believe that being in community is not just a good idea, I believe it is God's good idea.

Why don't people go to church? Here are a few reasons we have all heard:

I'm too busy
My kids are in sports
My house/yard/garden needs work
It's my only day off...give me a break

Church isn't really for me
The bible is too hard to understand
I don't know anybody there
The church is full of hypocrites

Yeah, I know...I've heard them too. But when we focus on these reasons (or excuses!) we miss out on seeing what God has for us as we rub shoulders with other Christ-followers.

Church is not just another appointment; it is the time when we can learn truths that will transform our thinking. It is also a place to use our God-given talents and abilities to serve and bless others. And it is a place where we can find safe accountability. It is a way to acknowledge the power and importance of God in our lives and homes.

Looking for more? Looking for better? Make time, make room, make it a habit to go to church. And look back at how the believers in Acts are described: "A deep sense of awe came over them all..." Now wouldn't that be worth rearranging your schedule for?

Am I being too simplistic here? Am I missing something? What do you think?

BTW, I totally agree with Pastor Nick's statement about Bible reading and meditating on the word, just for the record!

Thursday, January 07, 2010

What's Wrong With Pornography?

Did you know that the most visited sites on the internet are pornography sites? More than Google, Yahoo, or Wikipedia, Pornography sites draw millions and millions of viewers daily. And did you know that the revenues of the sex and porn industry in the U.S. are bigger than the NFL, NBA and Major League Baseball industries combined? The No. 1 search term used at search engine sites is the word “sex”. And while even the word “pornography” stirs up such vivid pictures and emotions in our minds, its influence on the average churchgoer is astounding. It has shaped our culture and our relationships with each other.

I was given a magazine in 7th grade. It was my first encounter with playboy. I remember hiding it in my room and sneaking to look at the pictures when I knew my parents were away. After every time I was filled with such a sense of shame that after a few weeks I told my parents (an unnerving endeavor for a 7th grader) and I embarked on an accountability quest with my father to strive after purity.

All of us, male and female are exposed at some time to pornographic material. From a young age, this can either become a thorn in the flesh causing constant guilt and temptation, or an area of victory. In ministry, I have not encountered one man or youth who has not struggled to some degree in this area. We are all exposed.

Pornography is drawing satisfaction from the physical body of another person that is not your spouse. It is the act of lusting after; and Jesus says in Matt 5:27-28 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Jesus takes it seriously.

Did you know that:

  • 87% of university students are having sex over webcams, instant messenger or the telephone
  • 38 percent of adults believe it is ‘morally acceptable’ to look at pictures of nudity or explicit sexual behavior
  • In a recent survey, 70% of Christians admitted to struggling with porn in their daily lives.
  • As of a recent study: 50% of all Christian men and 20% of all Christian women are addicted to pornography. 60% of the women who answered the survey admitted to having significant struggles with lust; 40% admitted to being involved in sexual sin in the past year
  • In a survey of over 500 Christian men at a men's retreat, over 90% admitted that they were feeling disconnected from God because lust, porn, or fantasy had gained a foothold in their lives.

Now, I know these statistics can be staggering, but what is crazy are the numbers in the “Christian communites.” Lust and pornography is a huge issue… and for a vast majority, it is the elephant in the room that is keeping them from experiencing all that God has for them.

Our society not-so-subtly communicates to women that the relational part of sexuality depends on the visual. Just look at the huge emphasis on appearance in the media today.

In Movies, music, TV, and Commercials:
- Sexy is confused with beautiful.
- Image is valued more than character.
- Morality is treated as a private matter.
- Intolerance of another’s values is despised—no matter how unhealthy or destructive those values are.
- Getting my needs met is the name of the game.

This is what our media tells us.

And you know what I hear all the time? “It’s not hurting anyone. If I look at this picture or video of a naked woman, that’s my business and it’s not really hurting anyone.” What we need to realize is how much it actually does hurt us and the people we look at. To look at a woman just for her body is to degrade her to nothing more than “eye candy.” Would we look at that woman differently if we knew she was God’s daughter, His special creation, and his divine fingerprint?

The Root Problem

Masturbation, pornography and lust are not the source of the problems in in our lives. Rather, they are symptoms being fed by something else. In fact, there is a root which feeds and keeps sexual immorality alive. This holds true for all who face sexual struggles. The root cause is a desire for intimacy. We are each created with a need for intimacy, and when that is not met, we turn to where we feel like we can get it fast and cheap. But it’s not real. It’s an illusion. It is not real intimacy at all, only an imitation. And it never satisfies. That why people keep going back.

Until people realize that there is only an intimacy that God can fill, they will try to fill it with other things. This is why porn is so attractive. It has all the appearances of intimacy without commitment. But what it leaves is a person feeling hollow, empty, and filled with shame.

If you are struggling through the mess of pornography, or are having trouble bridling your passions and thoughts, we at East Hills would love to talk with you and help you work towards purity and help you set realistic goals.

Make A Commitment Now
God is calling you right now to put aside selfishness and pride and to follow Jesus Christ! If you have been sexually impure, go to Jesus right now. No matter what your sexual sin, He is faithful and willing to forgive and purify you

1John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Verses to help…

1Co 6:18-20 Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Rom 12:1-2 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Psalm 119:9-11 How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.


Peace,

Caleb