Following Christ

"Something is wrong
when our lives make sense to unbelievers."
- Francis Chan

Ick! I'm lukewarm.

I have the privilege of working with some young girls on Wednesday nights who have joined in whole-heartedly ministering to those who are impoverished. This "Child 2 Child" ministry of New Hope is making a difference.

At present they're making very cool craft items which are offered for sale to church members. The monies last month went to kids in Haiti while this month the proceeds of the sales will go to buy milk for babies in Guatemala. Now, these aren't kid type crafts, but have been very nice items. We put a "suggested donation" price on them and New Hope has been awesome about supporting the ministry.

JoAnn, Mary, and I are working hard to make sure the kids realize not only the impact their work will have on the lives of children living in poverty, but also on their own lives. We spent time tonight trying to explain one aspect of why and what the difference is between good works done through community/school organizations and good works done in Jesus' name.

I really felt like it was enough, and maybe for these young girls, it is - at least for now. But, while reading Crazy Love tonight I came across this:

Lukewarm people are moved by stories about people who do radical things for Christ, yet they do not act. They assume such action is for "extreme" Christian, not average ones. Lukewarm people call "radical" what Jesus expected of His followers.

"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." (James 1:22)

"Anyone, the, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins." (James 4:17)

I could easily turn this into "we" or "New Hope" because I'm sure it would be just as truthful, but this is really about me. Egad! I've said jokingly so many times, "And, we all know it's all about me" when I was being facitious. This time I have to admit, it is all about me, because I'm not doing what I should. I'm not taking those hard steps of obedience.

I recognized myself as being one of those lukewarm people. It's past time for me to "do" instead of "listen" to the words of Christ. There are no excuses that are valid.

From Crazy Love:

As a pastor, I'm often called upon when life "vanishes like a mist." One of the most powerful examples I've seen of this was Stan Gerlach, a successful businessman who was well known in the community. Stan was giving a eulogy at a memorial service when he decided to share the gospel. At the end of his message, Stan told the mourners, "You never know when God is going to take your life. At that moment, there's nothing you can do about it. Are you ready?' Then Stan sat down, fell over, and died. His wife and sons tried to resuscitate him, but there was nothing they could do - just as Stan had said a few minutes earlier.

...I was asked to share a word with everyone gathered (at the home). There were children, grandchildren, neighbors, and friends. I opened my Bible to Matthew 10:32-33: "Whoever acknowledges Me before men, I will also acknowledge him before My Father in heaven. But whoever disowns Me before men, I will disown him before My Father in heaven."

I asked everyone to imagine what it must have felt like for Stan. One moment, he was at a memorial service saying to a crowd, "this is who Jesus is!" the next, he was before God hearing jesus say, "This is who Stan Gerlach is!" One second he was confessing Jesus; a second later, Jesus was confessing him!

It happens that quickly. And it could happen to any of us. In the words of Stan Gerlach, "Are you ready?"

I've just begun reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan. David knows my attention span for "Christian" books is extremely short, but he says this one is different.

The forward by Chris Tomlin says:

As Francis so brilliantly illustrates, the life that Jesus calls us to is absolutely craziness to the world. Sure, it's fine and politically correct to believe in God, but to really love Him is a whole different story. Yeah, it's nice and generous to give to the needy at Christmas or after some disaster, but to sacrifice your own comfort and welfare for another may look like madness to a safe and undisturbed world.

I'm only in the first chapter, but have already appreciated how Chan has a website that goes along with the book. And with chapters entitled "You Might Not Finish This Chapter" and "Your Best Life...Later" - well, I have to say I'm intrigued.