Why Ask Why? Read The Word

Romans 10:17, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

Through this time in my life it would not shock anyone if I went through a time of asking “Why me?” The problem is up to this point I have been counseling and teaching, and many times about sin, discipline, and struggles even the righteous go through in their walks with God. I kept saying to those I taught and those in discussion, instead of saying “Why me?,” shouldn’t we be saying, “Why not me?” Seriously, I start to wonder where we came up with the right to ask such questions as we go through trials, tribulations and whatever God deems necessary at the time.

Now, don’t get me wrong, as I fail at this all the time. I would love to have the answers as to why God sees it necessary to have me go through my current struggle, as it not only impacts me, it impacts my family and friends as well. I see and watch my wife go through hurt and shock. I watch my mother try to be strong, though I can see the hurt in her eyes. My father tries not to cry on the phone, and even friends have no idea what to say. What can be said? I may not remember anyway in a few years if the doctors are correct. Of course, like my senior pastor, Gino, has said many times, they have all been wrong before.

When the doctor first told me that I might have early onset Alzheimer’s or Frontal Lobe Dimentia, I did not know what to say. I walked to the parking garage trying not to break down in front of anyone. As you read I lost control of my emotions and cried, but what I did not tell you was that I asked why. I called my wife and asked, why would God take away the one thing that I used the most in my life, the one thing many times I of course took to much pride in, which is my mind. God has gifted me over the years in my studies and application of them and now I am looking at losing that, and I asked why.

But, did I have the right, was it “natural” or was it sin. For me God was showing me in one way something I held way too high, which was my intellect, so in part it was sin. If I completely belong to God, then He has control even over that, and I think we try to hold onto this aspect too much at times, whether it is intellect, looks, or whatever. We tend to have this “one” thing that we do not want God to touch, but if we are His, then He can touch what He wants.

Romans 9:15-16 says, “For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.” So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy.” If God is in complete control, and He chooses/allows this course for my life then that is what it is; God’s. Not mine, my wife’s or any other family member, but His. If He heals me through His mercy, or takes me home, I will follow, because He is in control. This earth is going away and a new one is coming. We all are going to leave this planet one day, either through death or rapture. We all have to carry our cross till that time, some have different ones to bear. But the one thing we cannot do, is try to tell God He is wrong, or waste too much time in the “Why,” but move forward and continue on until He takes us all home.

For me, God has shown me through Romans that it is not my place to ask why, but to serve Him. If He heals, praise Him, if He allows dementia, praise Him. Reminds me of a song: Praise Him in the morning; Praise Him in the noon time; Praise Him, Praise Him, Praise Him when the sun goes down down down!!!! That is my goal. To Praise Him!!!

Romans 9:18-20, “Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens. You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?” But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, “Why have you made me like this?”

JUST ANOTHER DAY!

Philippians 1:21, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

As many of you know who read this, I had to return from India due to medical issues and have been going through tests to figure out what is wrong. It has been an interesting journey to say the least. Many of you also know that I was going for more testing, though many do not know what kind, and I am still going to keep you in the dark on that one for now.

I was in a good mood, as church was great, as the church I am attending, Calvary Evangelical Free, is an awesome church and the pastor really preaches to challenge and help us grow as believers. This past Sunday was a great sermon on how to live it out daily in our lives. Then I had the pleasure of being part of a great discussion with an awesome bunch of college students and young adults. Sunday was a blessed day, and typically is one of my favorite days because of the above mentioned.

On the way down to my next round of testing in Pittsburgh, I was listening to a sermon that was talking about Philippians and how our joy is not based on circumstance, but on Christ the object, and happiness is based on circumstance. The pastor was talking about complaining in our circumstances, and then comparing them to Paul’s situation he was in while writing Philippians. Paul was in jail and soon would die while writing this great letter. It would turn out to be quite an interesting sermon to listen to for what I was about to hear shortly.

Going into my appointment I had these two sermons in my head: living out my faith intellectually, as well as testimonial, as I believe one can’t really have a testimony without knowing who Jesus Christ is anyway. Anyone can just be nice, but I digress. Either way, I had heard two great sermons that were about to challenge me in so many ways that I did not realize.

After my testing, I asked the doctor what he thought, as I already knew I was crazy, I was looking for more substantial answers. What he told me was something I was not expecting, as the main two he mentioned would ultimately take my life and though there is medicine to shorten it, it still would not stop the ultimate end, death. Not what I expected to hear!! A literal shock to my system.

I made it down to my car and called my wife right away, and as soon as I heard her beautiful voice, I lost control of my emotions and cried for quite a while. How could this be the cause? If true, I may not see my youngest graduate high school. Again, it is not absolute yet, but they are testing for them. It makes you think of those things. After I gained composure, I left and put on some worship music, as I needed comfort from the One true source, Jesus Christ. I listened to Casting Crowns and just let myself think upon God.

I asked why. Who wouldn’t, right? He actually answered in a whisper, or bringing to mind different things, but either way God just brought to mind a few things.

He brought to mind all the things He has allowed to be done through me and my wife. He told me how I was used to work with nearly a hundred at-risk youth, and even to the point of some living with us. He spoke to me how I was allowed to work in the church and mentor and disciple many men and women of God. He sent me to India many times, and even for a year to teach church planters who will go into communities where the Bible has yet to be taught. Where churches do not exist yet, and will someday, because God allowed me to be part of His plan. How Awesome is that? Then He even allows me to counsel those that are hurting and help to heal their relationship with Jesus and those they love.

I have been blessed. What can I complain about, as God has used me in huge ways. Ways that I never thought I could be used, or even dreamed of, or could imagine. My mother told me from a young age that God was going to use me in great ways by God. He showed me today that He has done that already. Maybe there is more yet, but if not, I know that what my mother said has already come true.

God has been so gracious to me and has allowed me to be part of His plan in so many ways. If the diagnosis is the worst earthly diagnosis, I can live it out and continue to be the witness of His Grace, Truth and Love. I pray they are wrong, as they have been many times before, but as stated above, “to live is Christ, and die is gain.”

Philippians 2:14-16, “Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.”

Not Just Anyone!

2 Timothy 4:3-4, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.”

If you walked into a Neurosurgeon’s office and on the wall you saw that her degree was a Master’s in Computer Science, what would you do? But what if they told you they did a lot of reading on medical stuff about the brain and they have gained a lot of knowledge and stayed at a Motel 6 last night as well. Would that make it better? Probably not, right? You would be out of there in no time flat, because they have not been trained properly for what they are doing.

What if you walk into a church and the Senior Pastor has an education degree, or a political science degree, but no Biblical training whatsoever? What would you do then? They tell you they also read a lot and study hard, and maybe even they have stayed at a Motel 6. What would you do? Would you stay if the sermons were entertaining and sounded great? Why would you run from the Neurosurgeon who holds temporary life in your hand and not the other who holds eternal truths in his hands? One just messes with your brain, while the other messes with your eternal soul and what is taught from Scripture.

Sometimes I wonder how seriously we take the men who are preaching from the pulpit and what they have been taught. What are their credentials for being able to stand up there and teach the church as a whole the Word of God? How many of you have asked your pastors what they believe about the Bible, and whether or not it is inerrant? How many have asked their Christian leaders to defend the faith they propagate? I am even talking about youth leaders training up a new generation. This should not be a training ground for pastors, as the youth can be molded much easier and slid into heresy much quicker by their leader than many adults.

Lately, I have been talking with many students, both college and high school, and it is amazing to me what they say about their youth groups as a whole in our churches. There are kids who do not understand the resurrection, yet claim to be Christians. How is that possible when that is part of salvation; that He died and resurrected for us to be saved? They tell me when they ask the tough questions they do not get answers, but redirection, why? They are told to just live it out and be an example, but how can they do that if they do not believe it, nor have faith that it is true because their questions go unanswered and ignored by leadership.

My charge to you teenagers and college students is challenge your leaders with the tough questions about the resurrection, the validity of Scripture, atonement, and Jesus Christ and all that it pertains to and if they cannot give you answers then find a church that can. I can suggest one if you want, just contact me, but if all you are being taught is “fluff” and playing games then run, and run fast and find a Biblical solid church. Don’t sell your faith short, nor let anyone make you believe your questions don’t have answers, because Christianity is an intellectual faith and there are answers.

Please if your pastors, youth pastors, elders, or leaders cannot, do not, or will not give you answers regarding the questions above then move to a church that will give you those answers, as they are out there. It is our responsibility to ask the tough questions and make sure that our leaders are accountable and that they are qualified to be teaching what they are teaching.

You would not let a Verizon salesman operate on your baby, so why would you let an untrained Pastor, Youth Pastor or Leader tell you about eternal truth. A perfect example is Brian McClaren and the heresy he has now taught at his church and written in his books, and those not trained to ask questions have fallen into his snare.

Just a Note for Lay Leaders: Make sure you are under the leadership of some type of church and person above, as they will help you as you teach Bible Studies and Sunday Schools, but you are also responsible for what you teach, so make sure you are preparing to the best of your ability.

Here are some areas to make sure your leaders (not lay leaders necessarily) can answer:
1. The resurrection
2. The substitutionary atonement
3. Jesus Christ’s death
4. The role of the church and its importance within the body
5. The role of discipline
6. Be able to give the reason why they believe in Jesus Christ themselves
7. What is faith and how it fits within our walk with Christ
8. Their belief about Scripture, whether or not it is inerrant

If they cannot answer these questions or answer them in a fashion that does not line up with Scripture then you need to find another church home. To stay is to sit under sin and is wrong.

Zechariah 7:11-12, “But they refused to heed, shrugged their shoulders, and stopped their ears so that they could not hear. Yes, they made their hearts like flint, refusing to hear the law and the words which the Lord of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets. Thus great wrath came from the Lord of hosts.”

Verum Venatus Website Is Up!!

The Verum Venatus (Truth Game) website is up. Please check it out. We will be adding more information and products in the week ahead. All the proceeds will go to support gaming events, and outreach events through out the collegiate and young career (18-30) community. www.verumvenatus.org