Redefining Femininity: It Makes Me Secure

Hello all,

By this time our regular readers are growing well acquainted with the work of Rebeka Fry on her 'Redefining Femininity' blog and specifically her series on materialism. Today, we've got another excellent post from Rebeka as she continues her series on materialism, this one dealing with the issue of security and possessions.

It Makes Me Secure

In the Western world, poverty seems to be unimaginable. We have every resource at our finger tips, whether it be technology, education, health care, entertainment; whatever we call for, the butler delivers. In the parable Jesus told about the rich fool, the times were plentiful, abounding with riches and prosperity. This time of plenty was from the hand of God. But the Lord doesn’t prosper us just to give us a life of ease; His blessing can become a test – a test as to where our trust lies. Tragically, the rich fool failed the test epically.

"So he said, 'I will do this:
I will pull down my barns and build greater,
and there I will store all my crops and my goods."
~ Luke 12:18 ~

Now, some may look at that and say, "He was being resourceful! What's so wrong with that?" The problem with his statement follows in the next verse.

"'And I will say to my soul,
"Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years;
take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry."'"
~ Luke 12:19 ~

This statement reveals a problem. It reveals where his trust was found - in himself and his material gain.

Too often, I've heard stories of Christians from other countries who have come over the United States (or another Westernized nation), whether it be for business, medical school, or for long-term immigration. While they were in their home country, they stood firm in their faith, disregarding distractions and wealth. Arriving in the West, however, they found a new world that was enchanted by Hollywood, cutting-edge technology and plentiful entertainment, accessible education, and many other delights. And while these things aren't inherently evil in and of themselves, for a person from a third-world nation, it became a potential hazard for their faith in Christ. One Romanian pastor said,

"In my experience, 95 percent of the believers
who face the test of persecution pass it,
while 95 percent of the believers
who face the test of prosperity fail it."

Isn't that so true? As I read through Foxe's Book of Martyrs or a "Voice of the Martyrs" magazine, the stories always amaze me. Those Christians stood and are standing firm in their commitment towards Christ, their legacy of unbending faith resounding on to this generation and those that are to come. But the Westernized church has become distracted by the world, letting its pleasure dazzle the eye and trifle the heart. Our confidence is very weak or maybe not even in the glories of the cross. It has been sabotaged by the outward veneer of covetousness.

While we may put God to the test and say, "Go ahead - bless me!", if the rich man failed the prosperity test, what hope do we have to do better? We have no hope in ourselves. But, thanks to the cross, we can stand with confidence in the fact that where we failed, Christ was obedient. Where we stumble, He completed the race, setting a new record. When we are tested with the riches of this world - the new iPhone 4, a new car, the new house - we have a refuge we can find shelter in. We can go to the Savior who secured a place for us with God through the cross.

Some scriptures that came to mind as I read this post are as follow:

Luke 1613 - "No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other You cannot serve God and wealth."

Matthew 6:19-21 - "19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; 21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Hebrews 13:5 - Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU"

Many thanks to Rebeka for sharing!

God bless!

The Resurgence: How to Fight Clean Over Doctrine

Hello all,

So, how do we conduct ourselves in discussions and interaction with people who hold different theological views than we do? Dustin Neeley has some simple yet effective and important pointers for those of us that need them (I'm sure I don't need them :-P ). I'll just stick to posting his introduction and four points without his added commentary, so if you want to read his entire post (I recommend you do) you'll have to hop over to The Resurgence and read the rest there. :-)

How to Fight Clean Over Doctrine: pursue humility with the same passion that you pursue clarity

Roommates

Meet Tim and Ted, brand new, computer-selected freshman roommates at the local Christian college.

Tim became a Calvinist about six months ago. He reads Reformed books, listens to Reformed podcasts, talks incessantly about Reformed theology, and just got a “Soli Deo Gloria” tattoo. Tim is obnoxious.

Ted, his roommate, is not Reformed. In fact, he actually doesn’t like Reformed people very much. He listens to Southern Gospel music on tape and is against all tattoos of any kind. Tim is equally obnoxious.

It’s going to be a long semester.

Were we to listen in on their conversations (significant disagreements) throughout their short journey together, we would likely hear several things: first, we would hear two young men who are equally passionate about what they believe; second, we would hear that they actually agree on much more than they disagree on, but are usually shouting too loudly to hear it themselves; third, we would hear that they are not very different from those of us listening in.

Intramural Debates

Over the years, I have seen “intramural debates” over minor issues, such as the end times and spiritual gifts, become major problems. I have seen people get fired up over secondary issues, and all the while, the gospel was obscured, the mission was sidetracked, and the body of Christ injured in the process.

So what is the alternative? Just skip doctrinal discussions because they could be potentially divisive? Hardly. How about we just find a way to “fight clean” over doctrine? Consider these suggestions:

1. Keep the cross at the center of your theological system.

2. Ask yourself some uncomfortable questions.

3. Remember that you probably held the other position not long ago.

4. Pursue humility with the same passion that you pursue clarity.

Be sure to read the rest here!

God bless!

Elyse Fitzpatrick - Submission Is Harder Than You Think

I was tremendously blessed and challenged today by this post, written by Elyse Fitzpatrick, that I ran across while perusing The Gospel Coalition website. She begins her post...

As a Christian woman and a wife, I’ve heard a lot of teaching on the topic of submission over the years. I assume that most women who attend good churches have, too. I’ve also had disturbing conversations with egalitarian women who think that submission is mutual in marriage: husbands and wives equally submitting to one another. Gallons (drums?) of ink have been spilled over the roles of men and women in the home and the true definition of what it means for a wife to submit to her husband. Yes, submission has been a hot topic in Christian circles for years.

From this point in her post she shifts from a more woman specific perspective on the issue and more broadly identifies what true Biblical submission means for both men and women. I won't re-post the entirety of her post, but allow me to select a few of the passages that I believe cut most deeply and directly to the heart and matter of her post.

But there’s one form of submission that Paul speaks of that I’ve never heard anyone discuss—at least not in those terms. Here’s Romans 10:1-4:

Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For, being ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

Isn’t that the difficulty with true Christianity? It forces us all, women and men, to subordinate ourselves—to bow low beneath the truth that if we want to be righteous we must give up all our efforts at righteousness and submit to his.

I ought to rejoice that “Christ is the end of the law for righteousness,” but I’m not sure that I always do. Yes, of course, when I’m in my right mind, I exult in the truth embodied in those words. But there are other times, and far too frequently, when I find myself relying on my obedience to the law so that I can assure my own heart and beg to squirm out from under the total submission he’s demanded of me. You mean I can’t rely on myself at all? Really? Can’t I just craft a little something to hang on to when I start to doubt whether grace is enough? This feeling of freefalling into someone else’s mercy and righteousness is really quite unnerving. Sometimes grace gives me the shivers.

I’ll admit that wifely submission is difficult. But this kind of submission, submission to an alien righteousness, a righteousness that I do not deserve and don’t really even always want, is utterly impossible. I will never, and I mean never, give up the moral high ground on my own. God must humble me and change my heart by his Spirit, compelling me to bow the knee at Calvary, or I will always remain a proud Pharisee.

I don't know about you, but I feel thoroughly chastised, exhorted and empowered. :-) Be sure to read the entirety of her post here.

God bless, and as Mrs. Fitzpatrick says to close her post, "Let’s pray today that the Lord may grant us all, women and men, the grace to submit ourselves to his righteousness and stop seeking to establish our own . . . no matter what form that might take."

Godz Dancers: A Call to Courage and Endurance

Hello all,

Tabitha has posted a great call to courage and endurance on her blog, Godz Dancers. It definitely got my attention and left me nodding my head vigorously in agreement. :-)

"Arise, O Lord, and let your enemies be scattered."
-Numbers 10:35

We are in a battle, dear Christian. We are soldiers of Christ fighting each day in His name, sustained by His strength. In time of peace, soldiers do not rest but continue to train, submitting to long days of hard labour so that they will be prepared when the battle is upon them. But unlike the soldiers who fight for the sake of temporal things, our battle is a spiritual one. Still we need training, preparation, and protection. Each morning when we wake, we ought to plead, just as Moses did; 'Arise, O Lord, and let your enemies be scattered.' If we ask, and if we are willing to give all of ourselves for the sake of gaining all of Him, He will fight for us. Christian, the greatest Soldier is on your side; do not fight in fear.

"Onward Christian soldiers
marching as to war,
with the cross of Jesus
going on before"

The call to "arise" and to "take up our cross daily" (Luke 9:23) is counter to the expectations placed on youth by today's society. But, by God's grace we can overcome the shackles of low expectations and be mighty warriors everyday.

Please pop over to Tabitha's blog and leave her a comment if you appreciated her post! :-)

God bless!

Redefining Femininity - It Makes Me Important

Hello all,

This is another post from Rebeka Fry's series on materielism. In this post, she addresses the deception of "importance" delivered by materielism.

Some may be wondering why we keep posting these posts on materielism, and if you are wondering why, here is a short answer. Materielism is a worldview and mindset that seeks to replace God with things. It's pretty much that simple; and for that reason and the fact that our nation seems gripped by the stranglehold of materielism, we believe this is an extremely important issue. We can't say how glad we are that Rebeka agrees with us and has provided us with all these greats posts. :-)

It Makes Me Important

"For all that is in the world -
the desires of the flesh and the
desires of the eyes and
the pride in possessions -
is not from the Father
but is from the world."
~ 1 John 2:16, ESV

Remember our twin, Mr. Stock Broker, from Luke 12? His life was consumed with his life. Each action was to build up his esteem, taking comfort in the pleasures of this life. Every statement he uttered dripped with self-glorification. The rich fool lived in the world of All About Me.

There's another name for the "it-makes-me-important-" chain; God calls it the pride in possessions. A quote from the New Bible Dictionary inserts a very insightful thought about this verse.

"The two dominant characteristics of 'this world' are pride,
born of man's failure to accept his creaturely estate and
his dependence on the Creator . . .
and covetousness, which causes him to desire and possess
all that is attractive to his physical senses."
~ R. V. G. Tasker ~

If I'm truly at the center of everything (pride), then stuff exists to serve my cravings (covetousness). And if my identity comes from stuff (covetousness), then the amount of stuff I attain makes me important (pride). The dual chains of pride and covetousness always snake around the person who find self-importance in material possessions. The intertwining of the two are as inevitable as they are destructive.

We've all heard the advertisements. "Use this shampoo and your hair will give such a shine that your neighbors will be jealous." Or something like that. It's always a point for advertisers to make us feel that we will somehow be better than our friend if we just buy their product. But pride is never satiated. When we obtain our desire, we then feel superior, sinfully assuming that the product makes us wonderful. Our purchases become a sacrifice to the one we worship - ourselves: "Look at you, you great chum! Here is you much-deserved offering of love!"

Or, in other words, my stuff makes me important.

Thanks very much, Rebeka! If you didn't read her post about materialisms false promise of "happiness," then be sure to follow this link and check it out.

God bless!

Redefining Femininity - The Unseen Chains of Materialism

Hello all,

We are back with another challenging and thought provoking post on the issue of materialism from Rebeka Fry and her 'Redefining Femininity' blog.

Enjoy!

The Unseen Chains

"Then He spoke a parable to them, saying:
'The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully.
And he thought within himself, saying,
"What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?"
So he said, "I will do this:
I will pull down my barns and build greater,
and there I will store all my crops and my goods.
And I will say to my soul,
'Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years;
take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.'"
But God said to him,
"Fool! This night your soul will be required of you;
then whose will those things be which you have provided?"
So is he who lays up treasure for himself,
and is not rich toward God.'"
~ Luke 12:16-21 ~

This simple tale is comprised of two short parts and two characters, the first being the rich man. Apparently, his fields produced a bumper crop and he needs to consider storage upgrades. Needing a professional opinion, he calls upon the most trusted advisor he knows of – himself. Building bigger barns is the most logical solution and, inspired by his own genius, he comforts his soul and prepares himself for a long retirement.

Enter the Divine Stock Broker. The rich man’s number has come up and it’s time for the great accounting of his investments in heaven, but that only leads to a startling surprise. In the one audit that eternally matters, this man’s portfolio is bare! Standing on the brink of a damnable eternity, he falls bankrupt with nothing to show but debts he cannot pay.

Look around you. No, I’m serious, look around the room you’re in. How much of it will matter in heaven? Everything on this earth is confined to this earth. And in the end, it is all left behind.

The ancient Egyptians had a certain burial tradition they practiced when someone of honor died. They would fill that person’s tomb with treasures they would “need” in the afterlife. For instance, if a captain of an army died, they might fill his grave with a chariot or weapons of war. In November of 1922, the world-famed archeologist Howard Carter made history by unearthing the tomb of the renowned pharaoh King Tut (or “Tutankhamen” for the historically adept). What made this discovery even more newsworthy was the fact that most of the treasures were still in it. Dismantled treasures, chariots, even thrones – all the things a king would need to satisfy him in the afterlife were there. But King Tut was a fool. Thinking he would keep all his earthly possessions, they (the tomb preparer people) loaded his tomb up with earthly trinkets. But while he may have left the building, his treasures stayed behind.

Like these two men, we can become fools ourselves. Powerful lies can begin to shape our world and, like an unholy blacksmith, they can become as forged chains around our souls and stake our life to this passing world. This story Jesus told about the foolish rich man was meant to free our eyes to see these chains, and to look to Him as the ultimate source of provision. These next four posts will address some of the common lies that come with in the package of materialism.

If you appreciate Rebeka's work, please pop over to her blog and leave her an encouraging comment!

God bless!

Dye2Live4Christ - Heart Check

Hello all,

It's easy in the rapid paced life that most of us live these days to forget the truth contained in Jeremiah 17:9. It says, "The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?" There is a strong tendency in most people to follow their heart and to a great extent this is a good thing because the Holy Spirit works through the heart. But as Jeremiah 17:9 points out, we can't trust our heart. We need to frequently evaluate our hearts by the light of God and His Word if we are to stay on a path that is of God and honoring to God. As Jeremiah 17:10 says..."I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give to each man according to his ways, according to the results of his deeds."

Samuel Dye, on his blog Dye2Live4Christ, shared some great thoughts on this matter. His post offers a great challenge to those who want to love the Lord with all their heart

Wednesday 9-29-10

"He did right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah had done. Only the high places were not taken away; the people still sacrificed and burned incense on the high places. The LORD struck the king, so that he was a leper to the day of his death." 2 Kings 15:3-5

As I read this it struck me that Azariah could be so blind to his sin. In chapter 12 and 14 we see two other Kings of Judah do the same thing. They lived right before God, only they did not remove the high places. And as I pondered how either blinded he must have been, or he didn't truly care. I was convicted, how many times has and does God show me my sin and yet I continue in it. It seems to very well coincide with what I was reading in Proverbs 29 today, it says: "A man who hardens his neck after much reproof Will suddenly be broken beyond remedy." God is so merciful, it honestly boggles my mind that time and time again I sin against Him, and I right now the wrath of God is not bearing down upon me. Even more than that, Christ took the wrath of God for me, I sinned I deserved God's wrath, Jesus died and took that wrath and punishment for me! But let me not "presume" upon grace, for Romans 6:2 says that we who are dead to sin are not to continue therein any longer.

I will be the first to admit, I've been deceived by sin, by my own lusts. In fact the natural man is nothing but deceived, because his mind is set on the flesh and not God. Satan is called the deceiver of the world in Revelation 12. We are not called to complacency or conformity with this world but rather to the renewing of our minds (Rom 12:2), that we might have that mind which was also in Christ Jesus (Phil 2:5). We are also called to encourage, exhort and even reprove other brothers (and sisters as the case may be) in Christ, that we would become hardened by the deceitfulness of sin (Heb 3:13). However if we attempt to not be deceived in our own strength and have the mind of Christ by our own doing, it will fail. We see in Jude 1:24 that it is only Jesus who can keep us from stumbling and present us spotless and without blame before the Father. And ultimately it will be worth it all because one day we "we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is." (1 John 3:2)

Amen and many thanks to Sam for his post! If you don't follow Sam's blog yet I highly recommend that you do. It's a great expositionally oriented blog and I am always blessed by his updates.

God bless!