It's NOT about the "fish"

“We think of missionaries as God's ‘super servants,’ Jesus’ Navy Seals. The word ‘missionary’ is never used in the Bible, however, not even once. That’s because all of God’s people are sent; all of God’s people are commanded to go. There is no ‘special class’ of sent ones.” J.D. Greear

 

  Okay, I’ll confess. I’m not a bumper sticker person. Hopefully this won’t offend you, but I’m also not a Christian t-shirt person. It’s just that I know myself. Too often my actions and tongue are in motion far ahead of my brain and heart. I’m still working on the sanctification of my right foot. While I’m not what’s dubbed an aggressive driver, I’m an offensive one. I learned to drive in Chicago…sometimes it still shows. And I don’t wear Christian t-shirts because my mouth can leap ahead of my heart.

  My family still remembers the time that I’d had enough of a guy giving me grief and I called him in front of God and everybody, a “Twit.” It wasn’t my finest hour. Later I apologized to him for losing my cool.

  Maybe you know of it happening, but I’ve never heard of a motorist being flagged down by another driver who was convicted by the sight of a fish on the back bumper. Nor am I aware of anyone who asked the wearer to tell them about Jesus because they saw their Christian t-shirt. More than we want to admit, we’re bad advertisements for Jesus instead of good ones.

  Please understand, as Christians, we’re not perfect. The Bible is clear though that if we know Jesus, we should be very different from those who don’t know the Lord (2 Cor. 5:17) There should be areas of our lives, that to a non-believer, are totally unexplainable. Let me suggest three.

  Peace. Peace is an increasingly rare commodity in our raging world, yet everyone wants it. Many spend lots of time and money attempting to somehow artificially manufacture it. A quest for peace is the motivation behind the addiction epidemic. Everyone wants true peace, yet few have it.

  When others see it, it makes them curious: How could you sit there and just take it? Doesn’t that scare you? Don’t you hate her? You forgave him? Aren’t you worried? Do you realize what’s at stake? How do you sleep at night? You’re going to sue, aren’t you? How can you be so calm?

  Being a person of peace always stands out. While peace and joy are benefits of being a believer, they’re not just for our benefit. They’re beacons in our lives that create curiosity, causing others to pause and wonder. Peace and joy demonstrate the authenticity of our faith. God brings dark circumstances in our lives to give peace and joy an opportunity to shine brighter than normal. Most folk around us pursue “happiness.” Peace and joy are God’s gifts freely bestowed on us at salvation. We don’t pursue them. We accept them as gifts from our Heavenly Father. Because we have peace and joy, we can be okay on both the outside and inside.

  So, how’s your peace these days? Would others want the peace and joy that you have? Would they know that you know the Prince of Peace?

  Healthy Relationships. Ours is a relationally challenged world. Very few couples or families know how to, much less have, healthy relationships. Many have relationships with cyber friends, yet continually bicker with those with whom they share physical space. Dysfunction abounds. People are disillusioned and desperate relationally. They squeeze those around them for as much love and acceptance as they can, but still come up very short. But then, they see a husband and wife who love each other with a healthy marriage. A loving family stands out, one where siblings actually get along and adult children enjoy and long to go home for the holidays.

  It forces them to ask questions: Why them and not me? How did they get there? What’s their secret? Are they for real or is it a façade? They’re so lucky? I wonder what they’re like behind closed doors?

  It’s why it’s vital that we seek to live biblically and problem-solve in our marriages and family. Strong marriages are rare. Loving, healthy families are a sad exception. All of the trappings of success – a huge house, nice car, lots of toys, out of this world vacations – never bring soul satisfaction. Being a big deal at work with bad relationships at home is a vacuous life. Those with healthy relationships often find that others are watching. Others notice when relationships are robust and want to know what you have.

  Character. A shrinking minority know what character is. Few have actually met or observed someone with character. Instead, everyone is suspect. When the average person meets someone who appears to have character, they’re suspicious…cynical. They assume there’s duplicity or a hidden agenda. Character is rare and it’s hard to believe that it’s authentic.

  Character is who are you are when no one is looking. It means doing what’s right, as God defines right, regardless of personal cost. Because character is so rare, it makes some feel uncomfortable. They don’t know how to handle it. It goes against the amoral, non-absolutism of our society.

  A Christian is to be a person of character. To be blunt, you can sleep around and still be a good surgeon. You can cheat on your mate and have little trouble continuing to practice law. You can be a successful salesperson and cheat on your taxes. But you can’t do those things if you’re a Christian and continue to enjoy God’s blessing. Compromise makes us unblessable. Christians are to have character. When it’s real, others notice.

  If no one is wondering what makes you different, maybe it’s because you’re not. Being a “missionary” means letting God’s light shine through you. It would be good if Christians started praying something like this: “Father, let my light shine before others in such a way that they may see my good works, and glorify my Father who is heaven” (Matthew 5:16)? It’s time for Christians to stop only asking God for His blessing and protection. We must get back on mission and ask God to use us and to shine His light through us. Pray that He’ll shine His light through you, and your marriage and family! Others are watching. Hopefully, they see peace, healthy relationships and character. Hopefully, they see Jesus in you! 

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address. 

R-E-A-D!

“It seems odd that certain who talk so much of what the Holy Spirit reveals to themselves, should think so little of what He has revealed to others.”  Charles Spurgeon

  To many (including me), the thought of curling up by the fire with a good book sounds like an ideal way to while away an evening or a rainy day. Yet, according to recent studies, about one-quarter of American adults would sooner throw a book — or themselves — in the flames than ever crack the cover.

  The words of Pastor Brad Bigney of the Grace Fellowship Church are very insightful. Oftentimes when Pastor Brad is counseling someone, he will encourage them to read some book which he believes will help them with the issue they are having difficulty with and came to see him about. Many times though the counselee will respond, “But I don’t read.” To which Pastor Bigney responds, “You do now. You’re a Christian!”

  It is nearly impossible to grow spiritually and not read. Being a Christian non-reader typically results in one of two extremes. You end up succumbing to worldliness because you have no idea what the Bible and other good Christian books teach, so you’re stuck in spiritual infancy with minimal growth. Unfortunately, much of what you ingest mentally is from a godless worldview. A key part of spiritual growth and maturity is thinking, being stretched. It’s difficult for that to happen to a non-reader.

  Or, you succumb to Legalism. One of the attractions of Islam is rules. Someone tells you the rules, you do them and you’re a good Muslim. It’s no accident that some 40% of Muslims are illiterate. A large percentage of Muslims are dependent on others to do their thinking for them. Yet, a Christian who will not read might as well be illiterate. What is really the difference between not being able to read and refusing to read?

  Sadly, our educational system is the often the source of a distaste of reading by so many. As students in school, they were forced to read many books which were irrelevant and boring. To add to the repugnance, it was often labeled with that four letter word, home “work.” Pleasure, fun and satisfaction was associated with recess and sports, not reading or academia.

  Just an important side note for parents. If you want to help your children be readers, encourage them to read books which are enjoyable to them, not necessarily educational. The same is true for adults who have fallen off the reading wagon. If they would begin reading again by reading something they truly enjoyed, it would help them grow in their love for reading.

  It’s a bit like eating vegetables. At one point in my life, I despised asparagus. Now that I’ve had asparagus cooked tastefully, I actually enjoy it (I’m still working on cauliflower J). We develop a taste for reading. And reading quality Christian books helps us grow more Christlike.

  Yet, many of us feel we are far too busy to read. What can we do to improve our own reading practices and encourage a culture of reading in our church and family?

  Make time for it. If we’re honest with ourselves, we know we always make time to do what we like. If we begin to cultivate a love of reading, we’ll find each day contains some time to read. If you start with easier books and start by reading during times ordinarily spent watching television or “vegging,” you’ll have an easier time making reading a habit.

  Begin with books which are interesting to YOU. Most non-readers are avid TV or movie watchers. There are certain sports, shows or movies they prefer. Consider reading Christian books which fall into categories which already interest you. For example, if you love chick flicks, consider reading something like Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. Is your TV stuck on ESPN? Read a book by Christian coach, Tony Dungy. Do you love documentaries? Read a good Christian biography. Are you starting out in marriage or childrearing? Read a quality book on those concerns. I’d suggest ones by Leslie Vernick or Gary Thomas. Even if you love hunting and fishing, there are interesting Christian books written by committed believers about their own experiences of hunting and fishing. Is there an area where you’d like to grow spiritually? Find a quality book in that area.

  Read good books. All of us have watched a movie and wondered as the end credits roll, “Why did I even watch that? What a waste of my time!” I believe I learned this from famed movie critic, Roger Ebert. If a movie doesn’t catch my attention in the first 15 minutes or so, I walk out or turn it off. The same is true with a book. If you read a chapter or two, and it’s not clicking, find another one. Now I find I rarely go to a movie that turns out to be a “turkey.” Do you know why? I rarely will watch a movie without first reading a review on the movie. And I do the same with books.

  For most books, Amazon.com has reviews of the book. They also let you take a look inside of the book at the table of contents and the first few pages. Because books are expensive, I often request a book from our local library, have them secure it for me on library loan. When it comes in, I peruse it to determine if it’s a book I actually want to read or own. In other words, I often “test drive” a book before I buy it.

  I look for books my friends are reading and recommend. In fact, the book we’re reading for our summer reading, The Gospel by J.D. Greear was first recommended to me by a friend

  Make reading your default setting. Unfortunately, smart phones have become our default setting today. If someone is waiting at the doctor’s office or in a restaurant, they immediately look at their phone. Get disconnected. Always keep a book on hand. I don’t go anywhere without a book. If I’m stuck with a train or waiting for an appointment, I have something to read and stretch my soul.

  A charge made by a lost world of Christians is we’re bunch of ignoramuses. Sadly, sometimes it’s true. We haven’t invested the time to read and think through the issues. If we look at the great world shapers of the past couple of centuries, each of them were readers: Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Gandhi, William Wilberforce, etc. It was said that Theodore Roosevelt read a book a day while serving as president! Of course, if we want to look at the history of Christian thought and influence the list is endless: Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Wesley, or C.S. Lewis. They read the Bible but they went beyond Scripture to read some of the greatest books of history, both fiction and nonfiction. They were avid readers and God used them to impact the Church because of that! Do you want to make a significant difference? You must be a reader! So book it…start today! 

Looking for quality used Christian books and other types of books at prices lower than even Amazon. Check out our family's online used bookstore at resurrectedreads.com or visit our store at the Waterford Unique Antique Market at 209 North Milwaukee Street in Waterford, WI --  262.534.3500.