peace, not cynicism
Had a tough weekend. Recovering from the breakup is taking longer than i expected, and... yeah. The struggle on in ministry without a partner in the Gospel has been lonely and frustrating at times. Most times, really. While its been liberating to an extent, the hardest part really has been not having someone whispering constantly in my ear, "Go on, buddy, keep plugging because it's worth it, persevere because Kingdom work lasts for eternity, work for the Lord and not for man..." Argh. Yet my hope should never be in S, or the most ministry minded partner i could ever have (which maybe she was), or the most wonderful wife, or mentor, or role model...
In Christ Alone, my hope is found... Firm through the fiercest drought and storm. My Comforter, my All in All, here in the love of Christ i stand. No guilt in life, no fear in death, this is the power of Christ in me. From life's first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny. No power of hell, no scheme of man, can ever pluck me from His hand; til He returns or calls me home, here in the power of Christ i stand.
A part of me i really need to keep in check these days is my disappointment, or rather cynicism, of other less bible-believing churches. While loving the Word of God and being passionate about teaching and singing truth is a good thing, lording it over other people and making cynical jibes isn't. I've found it so hard, especially these days without S around, to have someone to share the frustrations of ministry and the shocking half truths, lies even, that christians these days are exposed to in churches who don't take the Word of God seriously. Oh, that God would raise up men and women who desire to know God intimately and passionately from His Word, spoken through the Bible authors, and found complete and perfected in Jesus Christ. Let them rise up all over the world, teaching and proclaiming the Gospel faithfully and clearly, so that people may reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden ALL the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I pray that people won't be taken in by plausible arguments or human precepts and teachings which have an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made(shall we say, self-help) religion... which are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh. Col 2: 2-4, 22-23.
And that i may be filled with the grace and truth that is found in Jesus Christ. He was never truth without grace, nor grace without truth, and God forbid that i should consider myself greater than anyone else, crusading truth but having no grace or love in speech or action. Apologies to Lydia, and Kate, and Pa and Ma, who regularly face my vents of sharp, unloving, sarcastic, cynical attacks on fellow believers and churches. I pray that my correction and guidance may always be preceeded by love and grace.
For you and for me...
Col 3: 12-17
Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
In Christ Alone, my hope is found... Firm through the fiercest drought and storm. My Comforter, my All in All, here in the love of Christ i stand. No guilt in life, no fear in death, this is the power of Christ in me. From life's first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny. No power of hell, no scheme of man, can ever pluck me from His hand; til He returns or calls me home, here in the power of Christ i stand.
A part of me i really need to keep in check these days is my disappointment, or rather cynicism, of other less bible-believing churches. While loving the Word of God and being passionate about teaching and singing truth is a good thing, lording it over other people and making cynical jibes isn't. I've found it so hard, especially these days without S around, to have someone to share the frustrations of ministry and the shocking half truths, lies even, that christians these days are exposed to in churches who don't take the Word of God seriously. Oh, that God would raise up men and women who desire to know God intimately and passionately from His Word, spoken through the Bible authors, and found complete and perfected in Jesus Christ. Let them rise up all over the world, teaching and proclaiming the Gospel faithfully and clearly, so that people may reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden ALL the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I pray that people won't be taken in by plausible arguments or human precepts and teachings which have an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made(shall we say, self-help) religion... which are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh. Col 2: 2-4, 22-23.
And that i may be filled with the grace and truth that is found in Jesus Christ. He was never truth without grace, nor grace without truth, and God forbid that i should consider myself greater than anyone else, crusading truth but having no grace or love in speech or action. Apologies to Lydia, and Kate, and Pa and Ma, who regularly face my vents of sharp, unloving, sarcastic, cynical attacks on fellow believers and churches. I pray that my correction and guidance may always be preceeded by love and grace.
For you and for me...
Col 3: 12-17
Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
posted by elliot at 11:33 PM
3 Comments:
You've already said it - 'Go on, buddy, keep plugging because it's worth it, persevere because Kingdom work lasts for eternity, work for the Lord and not for man...' You're so right. It is hard without that partner, but as i recall you saying back at Conference, it's the right thing. Keep on keeping on. Lots of great Kingdom stories coming up!
Hang on brother... I know you are not an easy time. Sorry to learn about it. Stay focus on Christ and the gospel. Keeping you in my prayers...
Hey do hang in there and persevere.. I used to think time will heal all wounds, which is true but ultimately it is God who heals all wounds.. suffering produces perseverance and perseverance, character and we know that our hope is in heaven! and really 5 years down the road, when u look back, u will realise that God gave u this period of trial and suffering for a greater reason and purpose.. will pray for u!
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