Walking in Grace

Rewards for a faithful life

2006-01-30T10:59:00.000-05:00

In Matthew 20:1-28 Christ tells his disciples what on can expect for being a faithful worker in the kingdom of God. One can expect to get the same reward as everyone else no matter how long they have been faithful, as seen by the parable of the laborers in the field. Christ does not promise any special seating in heaven as James and John found out by the denial of the mother’s request by Jesus. In fact what we can expect is mistreatment by the world. Jesus told his disciples that they could expect to drink of the same cup he was about to go through (though not exactly like his). What one must do however to be found in favor in the Kingdom of God (here and now as well as in the future) is to be the servant to all, just as Christ came. This shows the superiority of humility over pride and how God blesses the humble. Psalm 25:8-10 shows how God blesses the humble with instruction and in what is right, loving and faithfulness, all of which are the ways of God. I must be humble in my ministry in the church while not expecting any favors from God. God is not one who owes me anything. It is hard for me to think that since I have been a good little boy for most of my short life and have answered the call to serve the church by going to seminary. Yet all that is just fine to God, but nothing deserving special merit. God is the source of all the good in me and the ways that I faithfully walk are not my own but his ways that He has taught me. I have no bargaining power with God, in fact I am merely his servant. I am expected to therefore be a servant to my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. A small little caveat to that is that I should not expect great payment from the church for my services. I am merely a servant and all I should expect is enough to live on and that God is in control of not me. I am merely his servant and trust in him for sustenance.

A life lived in Faith

2006-01-26T12:51:00.000-05:00

Very closely tied to the the last entry is today’s on faith. Faith allows a person to take hold of hope and live it out. Today I read of Moses’ call by God in the wilderness and of Jesus calling his disciples to faith. Both Moses and the disciples must exhibit faith in order to obey God. Moses and the disciples have no resources of their own to give them reason to believe they can carry out their Master’s orders on their own. Moses is a has been who is out in the insignificant desert hunted by the Egyptians. The disciples are a bunch of rag tag men of little education and little worth in the world’s eyes. Yet called called both of them to do mighty deeds and lead His people. This I believe is my situation. I have no significant experience in ministry. My thoughts and words get confused in my writing... (i.e. my blogs!!) How can I accomplish what God want me to do lead men and women in His church? I do it by having faith in Him to supply my needs and give me the direction and tools I will need to do the job. In fact apart from Him my work would be fruitless for until God works in the hearts of those I am ministering to, I will have no fruit in my ministry. My faith must rest in Christ and my prayers must be fervent in order to be found faithful in God’s eyes. I must rely on God and his resources to do the job to which He has called me.

Living a life that holds on to Hope

2006-01-25T16:44:00.000-05:00

In my quiet time readings today it struck me how the Christian life is run in hope of the promises of God. For instance Joseph did not want his final resting place to be in Egypt where his life was secure in worldly goods but that it was to rest in the final place that God promised to Jacob's sons. This life lived in view of hope can be clearly seen in the way that Jesus calls his disciples and how they are to trust in Him. For we look in hope of gaining our life through the promises of Christ that we will have life only if we deny ourselves. I live by finding peace of mind and finding my identity not in posessions of this world nor in the success and money I have from my job, but in the following of Christ and finding my identity in his approval and his love. There my hope can be assured as the Creator of this world and all powerful sovereign reign and sees my hope become reality.

Christ the overpowering adversary of Satan

2006-01-18T12:20:00.000-05:00

18th January 2006 Matthew edits chapter 12.22-45 in such a way to place Christ as superior to Satan and the self-righteous who unknowingly align themselves with Satan. Christ stands opposed both in both superior power and authority. Those who oppose him do so out of blindness. The self-righteous try to make Jesus look like a magician who is trying to impress people by casting out demons to impress people of his seeming power over Satan. Jesus’ power is not just seeming for Satan is no ally of his and in fact his overt opposition to Satan proves this rather than a sham. Those who are allies of Satan look like Satan and prepare others for further infestation of Satan’s minions. I can tend to emulate these self-righteous allies of Satan by allowing myself to give into worldliness and gradually move away from the truths of Scripture after I try to rid myself of my present sins and accompanying frustrations. Definitely I am not in the same position as those who opposed Christ in such an overt way. But it should make me take notice to not rely on self aggrandizing methods of curing myself of my soul’s ills but walk in humility toward Christlikeness instead. Looking to give Christ the glory and not to make myself look like a spiritual warrior.

Well the semester is coming to a close...

2005-11-16T23:15:00.000-05:00

I sit here in my friend Brian's living room and am experiencing a sense of relief for the major load of the semester is over and I can just get a few things done tomorrow. I have been looking forward to this day for a long time. Yet I think it is appropriate to recap on some things that I learned this semester. I believe that I have been far too dependent and centered on material things, but most of all I have been far to godless in my thoughts. I could honestly say for the first month or two of this semester I had few thoughts where God was even in them period. My focus was on me, material stuff, and future plans.... but no God. I must say that was a low discovery. I am as base a man as any out there, I am laid bare. A second thing I have learned this semester, and yes I am posting this for the world to see, my wife's suggestions about what I should do or understanding about me is 99% right. the other 1% is currently debatable. I am tired of telling her she is wrong and then coming back later and telling her that I was an idiot and did not listen to her... grrr. A third thing, I have an anxious personality and from that I try to find safety in worldly ways. It gets too deep to put down here but suffice it to say, God again gets the back seat and someone else steels the seat next to me. Anyway... If this made no sense and you would actually like to understand it please email at the email address you know I have. I do not check the comments section since no uses them or maybe no one even reads my blog... LOL. Either way email.

Time for a new picture

2005-11-16T22:58:00.000-05:00

Sorry I have no other way to get a new pic with out posting it. Yes I did get burnt. Yes this is old I have not been out to get serious sun for five months now. Apparently I am inept at applying a new pic so the old one is going to have to stay until I can get my wife to fix it for me.

My Brother is Hitched!

2005-08-23T22:38:00.000-04:00

The dude got married and I had a blast being a part of it. Here are some pics. An honest word about my feelings as I watched the video of them meeting, their mutual desire for missions as well as the ceremony as a whole, it all hammered in the notion to my heart that their desires to go on the full time mission field were real. I could not help but feel as if I was loosing them. The relationship my brother and I have had has been really close and we talk about all sorts of things in life deep and shallow. We look forward to seeing each other knowing that the next time is just around the corner. If they move off to another continent, possibly africa, I will loose all that. It was not as if Angela, Keith's wife, was stealing him for they both had a mutual desire to do that. It was God. God is calling them and whether He finally takes them to the mission field in a hand full of years or not, I must now let my grip go and trust in the Lord's sovereign care. I must not try to hold on to the moments that could be here on earth as I look to the future, but look forward to the ones to come in eternity in heaven and on the new creation. May God bless you bro... you are in my prayers and will always look forward to our next meeting.

My New wife and our honeymoon

2005-08-23T21:47:00.000-04:00

Well friends here we go here is me and my beautiful wife on our wedding day. I found a photo that would not freak out the server. It was a happy day, and I find happiness in our relationship every day. We had so much fun chilling out. I would recommend our resort El Dorado Royale if you are looking for a great time and do not want to worry about a thing. Just go when it is not close to hurricane season. Too much rain.

Great pic

2005-08-18T23:53:00.000-04:00

This is my groomsman a great bunch. Well I will try to get a pic of me and my bride some time... having trouble right now.

A quick update

2005-08-16T10:32:00.000-04:00

I have been thinking through things and following some job opportunities. The result has been a decision to go back to school and continue what I am doing. The simple fact is I do not know what to do besides do what I am doing. The key I am learning is the trust God for the provisions I will need down the road, because He is leading me where I should go. I have to keep crucifying self everyday in order to submit to his trustworthiness and goodness and sovereign control.

Not just negative thinking

2005-07-29T02:54:00.000-04:00

Well this needs to be added to the previous post. Another thing has been happening that really brought my doubts from a smoldering coal to a burning flame. I have been in my quiet times been very unsettled about my lack of direction because as I read in 1 Cor 7 about how a man who is married is not just concerned about pleasing the Lord but also his wife. I have been praying that the Lord would help me see clearly what to do and to not let my passion for more junk or trust in myself be a factor in my decision making as well as giving me direction on where to go. The Lord has seemingly been with holding that peace to stay in the ministry. I know that if He wants me there He will provide, but I also know that He will lead me in the path he wants me to take. Removing that desire to continue and not allow it to flourish is very disconcerting to me as to the full time ministry being my goal.

Rethinking my life

2005-07-29T02:45:00.000-04:00

Well this is going to be a perety sobering post. I am rethinking my direction in life. I have for a while been very unsure how my desire to fit counseling into my life would work out. I have also been seriously shaken out of my life of dream land as a single guy. I have for a long time been thinking that I can go to any church and handle what ever they give me since I was a single guy. I also thought that a long time in seminary is not big deal because I am single. Well... I do not see full time ministry as a counselor going to work in my life. The reality of such a job in a church that would allow me to just do counseling is rather slim to none and to also do counseling on the side in an outside clinic would take more time, money and school. After already been in seminary 5 year (2 already and 3 to finish a MACC). I am not into taking a long time to do a bunch of classes that I feel is not very beneficial to me as a counselor which my seminary requires me to do. I also am thinking about how to feed my family... on a pastor's salary it will be very hard. I must be honest with myself and know that when I get out the churches that will want me will be small and pay little to nothing. I cannot feed my family on that. I am not willing to do that anymore. I know that if I start in a counseling practice outside the church it will be small and a bit of a hastle to say the least to get people to pay me. (And that is if the church will let me counsel on the side!) I am very happy with helping out in the counseling ministry that i am in now, all I need to do is be able to have my thursday nights free. I am thinking it is time to start looking for some other job out in the real world. I am beginning to ask some other folk that work in a more corporate business setting about other possibilities for myself. It would be fun to hear what you all think. -----Russ

The blogging begins

2005-07-27T11:41:00.000-04:00

My friend Dave has been telling me to get a blog and start blogging for some time now and I have just put it off. But today I did not want to get going on my day so fast and slowed down and set up my blog. If anyone as a better name for my blog a suggestion would be greatly appreciated.