Pastor's Perspective - Dead in the Water

I’ll say it loud and proud – ‘Kiefers love cruising!’

I have personally been on three cruises in my half a century existence and I’ve adored every one of them. My wife Michelle and I have sailed throughout the western Caribbean and up to Alaska. The last one we took was as a family down to the Mexican Riviera, made famous by Doc, Gopher and Captain Stubing. Dollar-for-dollar, there is no better way, in my opinion, to have tons of vacation options while enjoying a sense of adventure than on a cruise ship. The entertainment and service are first class, and the sense of disconnection is priceless. Did I mention the food?!

The last cruise was on the Carnival Splendor, a massive 950-ft liner that takes fun and luxury to a whole new level. After booking our tickets, my nerdy ‘current events junkie’ mind sent me a memo – “Steve, that ship is the one that had an engine fire a couple of years back and had to be towed back to port.” Wikipedia confirmed the memo! But, I thought, ‘These things rarely happen, and I’m sure the problem has not only been fixed on Splendor, but on all of the Carnival fleet’. Gratefully, our excursion down the coastline was trouble-free. However, history has a way of repeating itself, doesn’t it?

As I peck this, tugboats in the Gulf of Mexico are towing into Mobile Bay the disabled Carnival Triumph. What was supposed to be a 4-day ‘fun cruise’ has turned into a week-long nightmare for the 4,000 on board! An engine fire disabled the great ship’s major systems – including propulsion. Reports indicate that people are sleeping on decks to keep cool, raw sewage is everywhere, food is scarce, nerves are frayed, and conditions are declining rapidly. What began with fantasies of mai tais and buffets has turned into lukewarm tomato sandwiches and inoperable toilets! Naturally, the cruise line is doing all it can to buffer the blow by reimbursing the passengers and getting them home as safely and comfortably as possible.

Then it hit me.

Something designed for adventure – absolutely dead in the water – drifting.

Did you know that the Splendor and the Triumph represent our lives?

The New Testament tells that sin has separated us from God and that the consequence of that sin is death. Though our lives were divinely designed for relational adventure with the Lord, we used our gift of freewill to mutiny against Him. The result? Our lives are as dead in the water as the ships I’ve referenced.

Powerless.

Hopeless.

Drifting.   

Dead.

Then, on the murky horizon, when all seemed lost, a light appeared – a heavenly light of love, grace and mercy! Paul described it beautifully – ‘But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved.’ – Ephesians 2:4-5.

The Bible tells us emphatically that without God’s grace exclusively through His Son Jesus Christ applied to our lives - we are all dead! - Not sick - not injured - not broken - not weak – morgue-gurney dead! That every life (no matter how ‘good’)  that does not receive the divine resuscitation of God through the completed redemptive work of Jesus Christ on the Cross is dead, drifting and on their own.

Remember, the gospel is not ‘good news’ – its great news! We once we’re declared ‘dead’ by the Great Physician; but now through Him, we are eternally alive in Him.

Now that’s Splendor!

Now that’s Triumph!

Pastor's Perspective - Two Brothers

‘Super Sunday’ is almost here!

For those many of us still shining in the afterglow of the Giants’ amazing World Series triumph, a 49ers Super Bowl appearance is the proverbial cherry on the cake. Our ‘City by the Bay’ is showing the world that we are indeed worthy of a new name - ‘Championship City’!

Besides the gazillion dollar commercials and the half-time show hype, there are many interesting story lines interwoven in today’s big game. One is the rise of second year quarterback Colin Kapaernick, who was just supposed to fill-in for the injured starter then pick his clipboard back up; but instead ignited his team, taking them as deep into the post-season as you can go. Another is the swan song of the inspirational leader of the Ravens, linebacker Ray Lewis. Whether you like him or not, his presence on the field for many years could never be ignored. But, perhaps the greatest sub-story is the match-up between two brothers – Coaches Jim and John Harbaugh – a first-time novelty in the long history of the NFL.

Over the years many players have played against or alongside their siblings. Growing up in Tampa, I remember the Bucs featured brothers Leroy and Dewey Selmon together on the defensive side of the ball. Other high-profile combinations include Peyton and Eli Manning, Ronde and Tiki Barber and many others. Likewise, many coaching brothers have faced each other in the league over the years, but never have two head coaching brothers faced-off in the spectacle-of-all spectacles – the Super Bowl.

As a local pastor, I cannot help but think about famous brother rivalries in the Bible. There are several to be found. My favorite was between Isaac’s sons - Jacob and Esau. These two completely different boys struggled against each other from birth – literally!

Esau was the firstborn. His name meant ‘red’ or ‘hairy’. He was a bona fide ‘daddy’s boy’ and an avid outdoorsman and hunter. In other words, as a hairy hunter he was Duck Dynasty before there was a Duck Dynasty! He was brutish and he lived impulsively for the present and temporary.

On the flipside of the pancake was his younger twin Jacob. His name meant ‘he deceives’ – a huge red flag! He chose manicures over hunting trips. He was a ‘momma’s boy who enjoyed the inside of the tent. There he religiously watched the Food Channel and raced to the mailbox daily to see if his subscription to ‘GQ’ had arrived (attempt at humor mine). Unlike his hirsute brother, he was a patient plotter and a schemer with an eye always fixed on the future – his future. In other words, Esau and Jacob were polar opposites – rivals in the big game of life.

One day Esau returned to the family tent after a hunting trip with a huge appetite - absolutely starving! Living up to his name, Jacob saw an opportunity to pry from his big brother’s hand something of great value – his birthright. Back in Bible days, the eldest son was given the cherished birthright. This entitlement offered a trifecta of enviable privileges. First, the birthright insured that the eldest would get twice as much of the inheritance. Next, the birthright gave the eldest total authority over the surviving family. Lastly, the birthright somehow secured God’s blessing over his life for a lifetime. Esau had it and Jacob wanted it!

Knowing his older brother lived impulsively only seeking to satisfy his temporary appetites, Jacob offered him a bowl of his homemade blue ribbon stew in exchange for Esau’s coveted birthright. Scandalously, Esau agreed! In my mind’s eye I imagine as Esau ate, Jacob quietly smirked. In less than five minutes Esau’s belly was full and his dirty bowl empty. And in a reckless moment on his brother’s part, Jacob became wealthy and powerful beyond his dreams.

Friends, how often have we impulsively and recklessly let go of God’s very best for our lives by living impulsively? How often have we regretted what we could have had if we would have said ‘no’ instead? How often have we released the meaningful for the meaningless? How many times have we laid something genuinely good and pure on the altar of the temporary? How often have we mindlessly gorged on worldly solutions as the devil smirks approvingly?

Face it! We all have appetites. We are born with them! And our appetites only know one word – “More”.

As a pastor, I find the biggest regrets people have that I pray for and counsel, are God-given appetites that were satisfied in ways that God never gave or endorsed – impulsively, improperly, prematurely.

So, what is your bowl of stew? What is that thing you want so badly that it consumes your short-term thinking?

The enemy of your soul knows our individual appetites. He, like Jacob, is the one who patiently plots and schemes, looking for an opportunity to defeat and destroy real lives by offering temporary no-waiting solutions that only lead to deep regret.

Esau lived only for the present and the temporary and it caused him huge problems throughout the rest of his life.

Don’t give up what will satisfy you eternally for that which only satisfies temporarily.

Friends, it is those who maintain an eternal perspective who walk away with the blessing.

Enjoy the game!

Pastor's Perspective - Imagine They Were Right

Imagine they were right.

The Mayans are the ‘they’ I’m talking about.

Imagine if they accurately identified the termination date of the world.

Now, we know the truth. Jesus Himself said twice (Matthew 24:36; Mark 13:32) that no one knows that day or the hour when life as we know it will end. Likewise, theologically speaking, it’s highly unlikely that God would have revealed this kind of global revelation to a polytheistic people who routinely exercised child sacrifice in their worship. Though they were an impressive civilization, they weren’t exactly singing off of God’s hymn sheet!

But, imagine they were right.

Imagine the world was ending, as they predict, just one week from today.

How would that affect the next seven days in your life?

Would you make some overdue phone calls? Would you send out an apology email or two? How would your Facebook posts read? Would you be in church this Sunday? What would your family-time look like? Would the pages of your Bible be turned with greater urgency and interest? How would your conversations with the Lord sound? What would you do with all of the things you’ve accumulated? How would you view the reality of life after death?

Stop and think about it.

Imagine they were right.

Pastor's Perspective - Come Forth As Gold!

A radio preacher said something during a broadcast that has stuck with me for a few days now. He stated in a very matter-of-fact tone, “God offers the choice to every member of the human family – ‘You can burn now, or, you can burn later.’” 

We all know about the elusion to burning later he made. That’s a reality for the unrepentant; those who choose to give God’s gracious invitation through Jesus Christ the Heisman trophy stiff-arm. However, it’s the ‘burning now bunch’ I seem to be counseling the most lately as a minister. Maybe you’re one of them! You’re one of those ‘real people’ we celebrate and open our proverbial arms to here at First Christian. You’re a person who seems to be going through it – and by ‘it’ I mean the confusing, turbulent, disheartening sequence of life events that has left you wondering if God is watching and if He even cares. If that’s you, meet Job!

The Bible describes Job’s life as one blessed beyond compare. He has a wonderful family, wealth, and a stellar reputation, grounded in his high values and adoration of God. But, you know the story. One day everything changes. The benevolent baron from the land of Uz loses everything – almost his life. Gone within a few messengers’ reports is everything in which he found his stability, pride and greatest joy. 

In his torment, his friends come to visit him. What begins as a model of good pastoral care quickly ignites into finger-pointing cross-examination! Surely there is a cause for Job’s disaster. There is a reason Humpty had a great fall. Yet, after forty-two chapters and a special cameo by the Almighty Himself, no reason is ever identified.

As humans, we are meaning machines! We want everything to make sense. We claw at the ‘whys’ of life and long to wrap our craniums around reason and blame. But, in this ancient narrative, one never appears. Leaving us all to wrestle with the facts – God is not like us – He sees a bigger picture – He does whatever He wants whenever He wants with whoever He wants without asking permission first!

As we persevere through the unpredictable  tsunamis  of a fallen world, our thirst for understanding may never be quenched. However, we can hang on to hope – the kind of hope that comes through knowing the true character of God. Listen to Job’s hope – “But he (God) knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. (23:10)

Job knew that being an authentic follower did not mean an exemption from hardship. Instead, he knew that in order for God to truly transform him, that the painful fire of trials were necessary. That in order to purify Job and mold Job into a vessel God could use, heat was uncomfortable but essential. God was fully aware (‘knows the way that I take’), and testing, according to Job himself,  wouldn’t last forever. 

How about you? Are you going through it? Hanging on by your fingertips? Wondering when the ‘Broil’ setting will be turned off?

 Hang in there! Rejoice! You are not alone. God has got you! He knows what He is doing. Trust. Surrender. Believe. The Master is burning away the impurities and shaping you for your good, the benefit of others, and ultimately for His glory. And when He is all done, you’ll come forth as gold!

Pastor's Perspective - A Child's Pain

Is there anything worse than seeing one of your children in pain? 

It really doesn’t matter the type of pain – physical – emotional – it’s all just so heart-wrenching to watch as a parent. 

Last Saturday afternoon our 14-year-old Emma was concluding her 2012 soccer season by playing in a ‘Fun Tournament’. At the very conclusion of her very last game, the Fun Tournament lost its fun. Emma, while going for the ball, rolled her ankle and lay writhing on the turf in tears. The side of her foot immediately began to swell dramatically. She was carried off the field and into our minivan for the short drive to the emergency room. As I drove I watched her wince with every bump in the road. Playing soccer all during my youth, I had had many similar injuries, but witnessing my child endure it was a whole different story.

Upon arriving at the ER an x-ray was taken revealing a badly sprained ankle. She left the hospital about an hour later with a new pair of crutches, a prescription and a handy-dandy ice pack. This week she has been a model patient. However, my heart still breaks watching her hobbling along. She’s my child.

Yesterday as I taught my mid-week Bible study on Luke, we talked about the historic ‘Last Supper’. In the infamous upper room, Jesus revealed many things to His friends – the announcement of His betrayal, another’s denial, the secret of ‘greatness’. But, most revealing and revolutionary were His words, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you” (22:20).

As God-fearing Jews, Jesus’ followers had grown up under the existing (‘old’) covenant; as had their ancestors for almost 1,500 years. It was all they had ever known. Given directly by God to the legendary law-giver Moses, the covenant was sacred ground; something they had all grown up learning about, memorizing, quoting and attempting to live by. During the last Passover meal Jesus would eat with them, He announced the old was ending and the new had come – exclusively through His blood – an anticipated Messianic embodiment of all the Passover event, festival and meal represented – Jeremiah’s prophecy (31:31-34) come true!

As I taught yesterday, I was reminded and shared that the Law (the old covenant) was like Emma’s x-ray on Saturday. It was useful in diagnosing the injury; however, it had no ability to provide the remedy. The law only provided the straight edge of God’s righteousness; thus allowing the people to see in contrast how crooked and broken they really were. It was useful, but, it simply wasn’t enough! What was needed was a better covenant built on better promises, offering better benefits – a remedy and not just an x-ray.

Helpless to cure ourselves of our sin injury and distance from God, the Lord Himself had to provide our remedy and ultimate reconciliation. The only way to satisfy His arm of justice, display His love, and pay the death penalty our rebellion warranted – was to offer up Himself personally - a fully-human substitutionary representative willing to receive the full frontal assault of God’s wrath; yet, a fully-divine perfectly sinless representative to be acceptable. That uniquely qualified person was Jesus Christ – fully man and fully God.

Emma’s injury and my reaction to her injury triggered many thoughts. I wondered..

As God’s gracious remedy for you and I winced and writhed, suspended between earth and sky just outside the Jerusalem wall, what was that like for our heavenly parent?  What emotions did He experience? As His Son’s innocent blood was pouring out on the cross, establishing a new covenant, how His great heart must have broke. Is there anything worse than seeing one of your children in pain?

By His injury we are reconciled.

By His blood we are cleansed.

By His stripes we are healed.