Move Us

A sculptor was looking up at the beautiful Venus statue in the Louvre museum, with tears running down his face. Someone walked by and said, "Don't you like this statue?" and the man said, "Yes I do, but what is the point of all that beauty when it is marred by such impotence? She has no hands."

Sadly the church en masse today can identify. The church is beautiful: a rag-tag motley bunch of fools and beggars that have been summoned and pardoned by the King, given new life, hope, an inheritance, and a future marked with rich rewards and boundless promises. What once was wretched is now glorious and attractive. But what is the point of all that beauty when we are marred by impotence, with no hands to reach out to a dying world?

Casting Crowns became a Christian household name after writing their controversial and convicting song, "If We are the Body", challenging Christ-followers to use our hands and feet to reach out and affect change in this broken and fallen world. Most of us liked the beat to that song but ignored the message intended in it. It's hard enough reaching across the aisle to offer an obligatory handshake and half-smile, let alone across a generational, socio-economic, or racial divide in our city!

Art enthusiasts who frequent the Louvre all come across the statue of Venus, and a nagging question attacks the forefront of their mind: what happened to her hands? If the church will not be on mission the way Jesus was, the same thing will be asked about us. Israel was disqualified because they grew damningly comfortable in their salvation, no longer being heralds with good news to those around them. Is it any different with us? If God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.

Move us across the aisle, across the street, across the county, across the world, across the fear and discrimination and poverty and injustice and suffering and emptiness and sorrow. God, move Your people, please.
-Pilgrim

What Does Legacy Look Like?

If you were to be singled out for a new reality television show called, “Leaving a Legacy”, where video crews followed you around 24/7 to capture your life on video, so that your kids, or the next generation, could follow in your footsteps, would you hesitate? Would there be any area of your life, whether word, thought, or deed, that you would be embarrassed to have displayed for all the world to see?

The Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 11:1, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ”. In context Paul was asking the ‘spiritually free’ Corinthians to imitate his lifestyle in reference to others in the body that were watching and had the potential of stumbling over something they saw in another Christian’s life. We all learned a game in school called, “Follow the Leader”. Someone would get chosen to be the ‘leader’, and would then do a series of hand gestures or facial expressions, or physical exercises, and everyone else in the class would mimic exactly what that person did, down to the detail. Paul says that in the exact same way, believers should have someone to look up to model their behavior and lifestyles after.

Recently I asked the middle school students to list one person that they would like to be like when they grow up. This would be the one person who they look up to more than anyone else, doing whatever they had to do to imitate their lifestyle and behavior. I was somewhat shocked by the results. Many of them put a father or mother, a sister or brother, a grandfather or uncle or other family member, which was completely encouraging! A few put the name of one of the youth leaders, which made me proud, even though my own name didn’t make the list:)! A majority of them put pop icons, including Lil Wayne, a rapper on the top of the charts with questionable lyrics, which was a little discouraging! But a few listed names of people in this fellowship that they weren’t even related to. That surprised me.

When Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:2, “…the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others”, he was writing to the one who had already been entrusted by Paul (1:13-14). Paul was expecting the pattern of discipleship to continue with Timothy to others. Are you obeying the command of Jesus to make disciples? To whom are you saying, “follow me as I follow Christ”? As Pastor Carl has taught us, the legacy we are leaving behind is the life we are living today. There may never be a reality show with your life displayed on camera, but your life is certainly being displayed to your friends, family, coworkers, neighbors, children, and the young people in this church. Leave a legacy that will make an impact in eternity!

-Pilgrim

Just a Sample, Please

I only want a sample. That was really hard to say. Not a portion; that’s too much. I don’t want it any other way. I want just a taste, nothing more, nothing less. See, I know how to confess! I want to dabble, try a bite. Not too heavy, not too light. I want life to be a breeze. No decisions, no commitment. I’d like just a sample, please.

I’d like glory, I need grace. Let me see Your radiant face. Just a glance though, not a stare. Just remind me that You’re there. Don’t come knocking, don’t intrude. You should learn to not be rude! I will call You when I need You. Don’t remind me to beseech You. I don’t get down on my knees. I’d like just a sample, please.

Can You rock me fast asleep? Don’t You have promises to keep? I want comfort and delight. I prefer to walk by sight. That was tricky. This is hard. I don’t want to walk that far. There is no room for affliction. Entertainment’s my addiction. You are here to bring me ease. I’d like just a sample, please.

It’s not evil. You should try it. It’s really not that bad. Everybody seems to like it. Why are You getting mad? No matter what You call it, it goes by a different name. It’s appealing, it’s alluring, why don’t You look at it the same? It’s not sin, not at all. Why treat it like a disease? I won’t go out and buy it. I’d like just a sample, please.

Change the channel, try a hobby. Make a resume of sorts. I’m a spectator of sports. I walk the sidelines, dream a dream. I am never part of the team. I will never be a member. I leave my money in the bank. I won’t rise to higher rank. Mountains aren’t for me to climb. Practice is a waste of time. I won’t go back to that again. I try to spread myself real thin. Do it all, but just a little. Make sure people know I’m fickle. Stay alone. Stay at home. I don’t invite the neighbors in. Let them think that we are friends: just enough to give a tease. I’d like just a sample, please.

No commitment, no repentance. I’m not into heavy stuff. Something lighter, something nicer. I don’t like a path that’s rough. I think I’ve had enough. Only Sunday, maybe Wednesday, let’s not push this thing too far. Here a little, there a little. I don’t want to set a bar. Nice impressions on the outside. Only what a person sees. I don’t want to push the limits. I’d like just a sample please.

Rugged cross? I’m at a loss. I thought this was about me! How can You ask me to be free? Let me change it. Rearrange it. It won’t damage it at all. There’s no sin, so there’s no Fall. Now it’s pretty, now it’s clean. Not offensive, never mean. Take it up, and follow You? I’m not sure what You are asking. I’m not good at multi-tasking. I don’t want to walk that path. Dip my feet, not take a bath. This is not what I signed up for. Not the life that I’m designed for. I don’t want a God who bleeds. Cursed and dying on a tree. Just a genie for my needs. I’d like just a sample, please.

-Pilgrim Benham

How Our Leaders Can Be “Better Than Ezra”

One of the most overlooked men of scripture is a profound leader named Ezra. After Israel had been taken captive by Babylon for 70 years, God turned in mercy and allowed the people to return to their homeland. They were unfamiliar and curious about their surroundings, as well as the Word of God. After all, they had spent an entire generation in the Babylonian life: the most notoriously ‘worldly’ civilization in history! After the rebuilding of the temple, this incredible man of God named Ezra comes onto the scene.

Some things that we learn from Ezra are that above every other trait, he is known as a man who had the hand of God upon him (Ezra 7:6, 7:9, 7:28, 8:18, 8:22, 8:31). Israel desperately needed leaders at this point in their history; it was corrupt leaders that had led to their captivity in the first place! Nothing is more important in any ministry or church than the hand of God being upon the leaders. Leaders are called in scripture to be overseers, shepherds, servants, and ministers. They should be skilled and gifted in their talents but more important than abilities or aptitude is anointing. Leaders of any ministry should above all else be CALLED.

Ezra was also known as a well-versed teacher who was devoted to the study, observance, and teaching of the law (7:6,10). God has entrusted the leaders of this church with His Word, and we are exhorted to preach the Word, to correct, rebuke, and encourage (2 Timothy 4). This requires us to study the Bible to show ourselves approved unto God. We not only should be faithful to study, but like Ezra, be faithful to observe the commands of God. Leaders should be men above reproach who will face a stricter judgment for their position and teaching. Leaders must be COMMITTED to the Word of God.

Ezra was also brokenhearted for the things that break God’s heart. He mourned and grieved over the sins the people had committed, by marrying foreign women and corrupting their society. He confessed and interceded for the people, and had courage and support from his other leaders to do what was right, confronting sinners and standing for the truth without compromise (9:3; 10:1,10) . Church leaders are shepherds and overseers, and when the wolves of false teaching, worldly philosophy, and sensual indulgence begin to reek havoc on the flock, we should be men of prayer and purpose, and defend the sheep. God wants men, not boys, to stand up and be COURAGEOUS leaders of His church.

Finally, Ezra was humble and penitent before God. His prayer in chapter 9 reveals that He knew who God was, and wasn’t slow in admitting who Ezra wasn’t! Leaders are servants, not slave-drivers. We must be men who stand alongside the sheep, not in positions of authority above them. True men of God are CONTRITE in their attitudes and relationships with others.

Are you better than Ezra? You can be! Ezra had yet to see Messiah lifted up and bringing reconciliation to all men. We now have that complete message, and the world has yet to hear! God is raising up for Himself a generation of called, committed, courageous, and contrite men and women who care more about the glory of God than their own lives. And He has empowered us with His Spirit to be with us, to ensure the job is done right, in His strength and power. Is anyone following you? Then lead them like Ezra!

-Pilgrim

Teen Pregnancy--Why Wait?

This week I watched in disbelief as Bristol Palin, the daughter of the spunky former vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin did an exclusive interview to talk about her teenage pregnancy and her new advocacy role for teen abstinence. The tragedy for me wasn't that a teen got pregnant, albeit the daughter of a popular conservative Christian politician. Teen pregnancy doesn't surprise me, a proverbial scarlet letter in a hypocritical system that mocks abstinence as being unrealistic, but then on the other end condemns teens who reap the consequences of their actions. "Let kids have sex!" is the mantra, but shame on them if they happen to get pregnant.

We did a survey of our middle/high school students at Calvary Chapel, and here are the surprising results:
Are you a virgin?
YES: 90%
NO: 10%
WHY are you waiting for marriage?
Among many GOOD responses, these concerned us:
“because it is not right"
"cuz, I am"
"cuz I am 11 and its gross!!!" (that was just funny!)
"because I want my first to be my best and all I know"
"because I’m 14 (a lot of kids put this)"
"my parents"
"because I have principles I want to keep”
(read more of this survey by joining the "Parents of Teenagers" Unifyer Group)

My frustration was that Bristol had supposedly learned her 'lesson', and the wisdom she proceeded to share should have been a 'been there, done that, got the t-shirt' nugget of wisdom that all teens should pay strong attention to. But her microphone lost volume and her platform reduced to a worldly stump when she uttered these words, "I think that kids just need to wait 10 more years. If I had just waited ten more years, things would be a lot better".
There was no remorse over sin, no sense that she had been breaking God's commands or violated her marriage covenant with whoever her future spouse might be. Instead of an exhortation to remain abstinent because it pleases the heart of God, yields obedience to His command, and preserves the purity and intergrity of the marriage bed, she actually said in as many words that "abstinence just doesn't work". Then she explained that pregnancy would be easier in 10 years.

Bristol, didn't your mom raise you to understand WHY abstinence not only works, but is biblical and possible if you walk in the Spirit of Christ who dwells within you as a born-again believer in Jesus? In the face of her pragmatic worldview, the only thing that didn't work for Bristol was birth control, or for that matter, self control.

-Pilgrim

Michael Phelps

We never like to see a fallen hero.
The romance of the unconquerable athlete who never winces at pain, overcoming impossible odds, along with cancer, blindness, a debilitating handicap, all while speaking ex cathedra and feeding small orphans in Kenya is intoxicating.
But then they come crashing back to Earth and reality and we are all shocked, dismayed, and relieved to remember their humanity weighs them down like it does the rest of us who can't run a 4.5 in the 40 yard dash.
Some are upset that Phelps got caught. Others are disappointed that such a role model would behave so irresponsibly. Either way, the scales have fallen off our eyes.

The only redeeming point in this tragedy is that we can relate. We read of the failures of the Old Testament saints, the bumbling disciples, and the folly of our forefathers in church history, and we are comforted with a glimpse of familiarity. These aren't cliched metaphorical characters, they are you, and they are me. Show me an infallible man, and I'll start the stopwatch. It's only a matter of time! The Bible tells us that if we think we are standing firm...watch out!

Welcome to Earth, Michael. It's a rough landing, but at least you hit the water.

Hope

“There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.” Proverbs 23:18

If there was ever a time in my short and reflective thirty years of life when people needed to hear, understand, and cling to hope, it is now. We are living in dark days of uncertainty and fear, a time of economic instability and worldwide emptiness and despair. Job security is a distant memory, excessive spending a lost commodity, and dire projections a stark reality. It seems like the hidden question the whole culture is secretly asking is, “What is going to happen next?”

I believe we as Christ followers have an unequivocal opportunity this year. We have the hope that presidents and pundits dream of offering. We alone stand as a light in the darkness of uncertainty and fear, and Jesus said we should not hide our lamps under a basket. Biblical hope is not wishful thinking, but a resolute certainty in our God and His Word that never changes. True hope doesn’t get bogged down in the circumstantial swing of trials, problems, and inconveniences. True hope keeps a watchful eye on the horizon knowing at any moment the winds can change. True hope is genuine and can’t be conjured up with false pretenses. It comes from the God of hope. Paul said in Romans 15:13, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

God doesn’t just want us to hold onto hope as if tucked away somewhere in our spirit there is a small candle, fragile in the wind, almost able to be snuffed out by the smallest gust. God wants us to OVERFLOW with hope, by the power of His Spirit!

Peter tells us that we should always be ready to give an answer to unbelievers, explaining why we have hope. I recently spoke to a pastor in Florida who said this is a tough time to do ministry because people are hurting financially and they can’t support churches like they did in the past. I said in rebuttal, “This is a wonderful open door for effective ministry!” In people’s hurts and financial struggle, they remove their hope from riches and place it back in the Living God!

If you place your hope in politicians, corporations, relationships, or 401Ks, you will soon be let down. But if you place your hope in God, Isaiah 49:23 says, “those who hope in me will not be disappointed”.

No matter what the headline news is reporting, we as Christ followers can, with confidence, overflow with hope so a hopeless and haunted culture can be drawn into right relationship with their Heavenly Father.

I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you… Ephesians 1:18

-Pilgrim

Inauguration

This week we watched, along with probably over 1 billion people, the changing of the guard of chief executive of our country. With fervor and excitement, almost drunken stupor, the crowds of millions stood in the cold and chanted and cheered, awaiting the arrival of their newly pronounced leader. And then he appeared, and his demeanor took me off guard. Obama stood resolute, jaw-clenched, with almost a look of ominous sobriety, walking with what seemed weighted steps, as the reality of his surely impossible duties loomed ahead. No smiles or softness; he had his face set, and had counted the costs, as he stepped onto the platform.
I can't help but think of Jesus, when this scene unfolded. The crowds gathered, singing "Hosanna, save now!" and waiving their palm branches, only to turn in fickle disregard when their king wasn't Who they elected Him to be. Jesus's face must have revealed a sense of weight that maybe only the disciples saw, that may have surprised them when He entered Jerusalem. And was Jesus's task not infinitely greater? The weight of our sins bearing down, eventually taking the form of a Roman cross upon His back, eventually brought even our Lord to His knees. The sacrifice He gave was given with joy, because beyond the cross Jesus saw glory, and your face and mine. Jesus stepped onto the platform and His speech wasn't smooth, but humble, forgiving, desperate, compassionate, and somber.
May our hopes be placed not in human hands or government systems, but in the Living God, who did not spare His own Son.
Let Him rule and reign in your heart today!