What is it that allows me to submit to my leaders? I have had disagreements with Bush, and I will have disagreements with Obama. What allows us to submit to them, respect them, and pray for them? Eph 1:15-23 tells us in part: “His incomparably great power is for us who believe, even the power which God exerted in Christ by raising him from the dead. Christ has been raised far above all rule and authority, power and dominion."

We have that same power (in Christ) and will be raised and seated with him. Yet this is not just a future but also a present reality (v. 22?)! It is as if while we are under earthly authorities at the same time we are seated with Christ, hidden in him, far above all rule and authority on earth.

Tonight little Benjamin woke up scared. We have a relatively small house, but it seems like such a long walk across at 3 a.m. I comforted him, patted him on the head, and made the long trek back. Right when my head hit my pillow I heard his cry begin again. I thought, "A pat on the head won't do this trick. This is a job for a midnight snack."

In one way we are like Benjamin—as soon as we receive comfort for one ailment, we are busy complaining about another. I have my own little problems that seem so big to me—jet lag from India, another cold-turned-infection, perhaps brought on from the travel. Lower back pain—strangely tied to fighting off the infection, and now a sleepless night thanks to my son—and perhaps the caffeine of chocolate cake.

1 Thessalonians teaches us, "Be joyful always, pray continually, in everything give thanks, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." It was that "in Christ Jesus" that caught my attention this morning as I was reluctantly reading Scripture while feeling sorry for myself.
How in the world can I be joyful right now? Because I am in Christ Jesus. Why should I pray? Because I am in Christ Jesus. And how can I be thankful to God—even for my suffering? Because I am in Christ Jesus. Being in Christ Jesus is like having a bubble of protection surrounding you. Anything that gets in can only get in by God's explicit permission, and that which gets in can only be for your good if you are in Christ Jesus.

Where is the Power?

I read Acts 1:8 this morning—“…and you shall receive power.” I thought, “God, why don’t I feel this power? Actually, some days I feel downright weak and worthless.” I thought of a friend who recently told me he generally thinks very poorly of himself. He is probably also wondering where this power is. But I was also reminded of how Christ experienced this power. He who is God incarnate was homeless, scorned by many, and abandoned by friends late in life. Jesus was fully human—could it be that he was even tempted to wonder where the power of God was, as he was deserted and led to the cross?

I thought also of Martin Luther, one of the fathers of the reformation. He did so much for the church, but I’m sure that in his lifetime he did not feel like much of a hero. Who knows what problems he suffered from—depression, for one, I am sure. He locked himself in his room for days on end, he once went more than a year without changing clothes. I am realizing that this power given to believers will not always (or often?) come to us in the form we desire. This is God’s economy. He who is last shall be first. What seems down is up. What seems the road to humiliation will lead to exaltation.

In a strange way, when we feel poorly about ourselves it is actually an expression of pride—as if to say, “What I think of myself is more important than what God thinks of me.” And this is where faith comes in. It is not easy to believe in that which we do not feel and that which we cannot see. While God rejoices over us and counts us as holy and blameless, we experience insecurity, addictions and fear. But the amazing thing is that he never quits and he never gives up on us. I believe in his love a little bit one day, a lot the next, not at all the next…then I realize he is still there. I confess my unbelief, try to bask in his love, while praying at the same time that he would help my unbelief. I am so glad that it is not the strength of our faith, but the presence of our faith that matters—no matter how weak at times.

Americans are always looking for…something else. If we have an apartment, we want a house. If we have a house, we're looking for a bigger one. A better job, a more exciting boyfriend or girlfriend, a longer vacation. I’m struck by how often we look to the government (or a particular party) to provide for us. I’m old enough now to look back and see how the pendulum often swings in government—to this party one year, to that party another, always looking for something better, something different, something else. I wonder if the opposing slogan in four or eight years will be “change.”

Some people today are ecstatic and shedding tears of joy over Obama, others have a deep sense of dread and despair. Either way, Psalm 146 can help temper either our excitement or dread: “Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save. When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing. Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them-- the LORD, who remains faithful forever.”

In a sense, there is nothing new under the sun, every leader in history has come to the same end (except one), the pendulum swings again, and he or she is replaced with another. So, whether you are elated or dejected today, look to the one who remains constant, who will not let you down, who is creator of all and is sovereign over all.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. - Hebrews 13:8

I Will Build My Church

“Thou art the Christ,” said Peter, in answering his Lord who he believed He was. “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven…and I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church” (Mt 16:17-18).

As exciting as India was (you will find some pictures to the right), it would be easy to get discouraged . I saw with my own eyes over 100 congregations being impacted through Biblical training for their pastors, in many cases the first formal training they have ever received. One could wonder, however, how many more churches are there without trained leaders? How much false teaching is going on in such a massive country with over a billion people? How can anyone come to believe in Christ in such an environment? Jesus gives the answer: It is not dependent upon man, it is not dependent upon perfect doctrine; my Father will reveal himself to whomever he chooses, and I will build my church.

This is a good lesson for me here in the US too. My effectiveness in ministry is not dependent upon my skills, and gifts, and oratory ability. God will reveal himself to whom he chooses, and He will build his church—not me. And if God is for me, and with me, who can be against me?
God, help me to trust completely in you. Help me to gladly step aside and simply point others to you in confidence—knowing that you will accomplish your purposes in every single facet of every relationship I have with others.

India Update #5

• Yesterday afternoon we watched the fishermen come in with their spoils, help each other pull their boats up on shore, and carry their trophy fish up the hill to the fish auction. Many were large, one was huge and went for $120, one was an octopus, flies were everywhere. They are hard workers and seem to enjoy what they do.
  
  But as Bangalore had shanties made of cardboard and metal siding, Muttom has homes made of woven palm fronds. You can imagine how long they lasted in the Tsunami. Many have been rebuilt in the absence of another place to stay, and after having looked in several today, I would rather live in my Coleman tent.
  
  And so Homes of Hope has built over 400 small but solid homes for villagers in Muttom and surrounding villages. Over 100 more are currently under construction, and we witnessed ceilings being poured (concrete) and walls being painted today. Right in the middle of this Roman Catholic stronghold, this evangelical group is still building homes. They say many secular aid groups have come and gone, but now comes the true test of showing the love of Christ—the long haul.
  
  The plan is that in the very near future a church planter can come down to follow up, reach out, and shepherd these people who have heard the gospel, and received homes.
  
  Almost time to fly home. Let me summarize the situation and needs for prayer for my church, other churches, and other individuals who may want to get involved through prayer and action:
  
• There is a need, of course, for funds. There is a never-ending stream of street children in need of love, homes, food, and the gospel. House parents are needed to love and care for these children, houses need to be identified or built.
  
• There is a need for interns to come love these children for a month, or semester, or year.
  
• There is unbelievable opportunity to organize, mentor, and train pastors in the southern 2/3 of India. I can not stress this enough: I saw 100 young pastors this week who are hungry for training, passionate about their work, and unafraid of potential persecution. Local resources are vastly insufficient, and for the time being, teachers are needed from the US.
• Women are also needed to come alongside the less educated wives, trained men are needed to teach seminars for one or two weeks at a time. What a great ministry it would be for a pastor in the US to say, “I’m going to let God use me, and learn what God is doing around the world, by committing to travel to India for one or two weeks each year to teach these men, as long as there is need.
  
  Pray that God would send laborers into his harvest…and maybe you are one of them.

India Update #4

Bangalore was massive--the stalls, shops, and rickshaws simply went on and on and on. Religious tension has steadily grown there. The Presbyterian church started a children's club for 30 children in town. In a short time it was shut down simply because the children were not allowed to come--whether through direct or indirect pressure from Hindu leaders.

The southern fishing village of Muttom, in contrast to Bangalore is sleepy, quiet and peaceful (we arrived here late last night). Still, an American jogging through the village this morning in tennis shoes and a headband woke many of them up. Eight out of ten simply stare, one frowns noticeably, one waves. Religious tension here takes another form. This southern tip is 99% Roman Catholic, and if someone converts to Protestantism, they are ostracized from the village. At the same time, new jobs and improved prosperity has decreased the importance of the village, and some are sensing a new freedom to think for themselves.