Monday, August 29, 2011

A Lesson From Apocalyptic Literature: .... .... ....


Today’s reading: Revelation 3:19-22 NASB
SCRIPTURE
10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently....” -Revelation 3:10 NIV
19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. 21 To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” -Revelation 3:19-22 NIV
OBSERVATION
The Book of Revelation is the final book of the New Testament. The title came into usage from the first word of the book in Koine Greek: apokalupsis, meaning "unveiling" or "revelation" (an interesting historical side point: the author himself did not provided the title). It is also known as the Book of the Revelation of Saint John the Divine or the Apocalypse of John, (both in reference to its author) or the Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ (in reference to its opening line) or simply Revelation, (often dubbed "Revelations" in contrast to the singular in the original Koine) or the Apocalypse. The word "apocalypse" is also used for other works of a similar nature, and the genre is known as apocalyptic literature. Such literature is "marked by distinctive literary features, particularly prediction of future events and accounts of visionary experiences or journeys to heaven, often involving vivid symbolism." The Book of Revelation is the only apocalyptic document in the New Testament canon, though there are short apocalyptic passages in various places in the Gospels and the Epistles.  Revelation brings together the worlds of heaven, earth, and hell in a final confrontation between the forces of good and evil. Its characters and images are both real and symbolic, spiritual and material. Revelation's cryptic nature makes the book a source of controversy among scholars who try to interpret its meaning and its message. Nevertheless, it has not only endured, but captured the imagination of generations of Bible students, both professional and lay readers alike. The author, named John, has traditionally been identified with John the Apostle, to whom the Gospel of John is also attributed. Historical-critical scholars, however, generally conclude that the author did not also write the Gospel of John. Most scholars think that Revelation was written near the end of the 1st century.
Almost every time, I read this finial book of the New Testament: Revelation.  I pause and pray.... ....  Why? The material, symbolism, and confrontation between good and evil are enchanting!  The text of Revelation enthralls, engrosses, and almost hypnotizes my mind with questions and fascination - that’s why I pause and pray.  I need God to guide and direct me.  I need Him to keep me from going down a miscellaneous rabbit trail - this is where Revelation 3:10 & 19-22 stood out.  Scripture interprets Scripture: A.K.A. What within Revelation symbolism verifies God’s Word?   
10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently....” -Revelation 3:10 NIV
19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. 21 To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” -Revelation 3:19-22 NIV
APPLICATION
  1. “.... you have kept my command to endure patiently....” -Revelation 3:10 NIV
  • To holdfast to God’s commands with “post cross” ramifications:
    1. “You (Trevor) shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” - Matthew 22:37 NASB
    2. “You shall shall your neighbor as your yourself.” - Matthew 22:39 NASB
    3. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28: 19-20
  1. “endure patiently....” - Revelation 3:10 NIV
    1.  3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 5 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. 6 If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 7 And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. 8 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters,[a] about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, 11 as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many. 12 Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity[b] and godly sincerity. We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom but on God’s grace. 13 For we do not write you anything you cannot read or understand. And I hope that, 14 as you have understood us in part, you will come to understand fully that you can boast of us just as we will boast of you in the day of the Lord Jesus.” - 1 Corinthians 1:3-14 NIV
  1. “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.” -Revelation 3:19
  • Scripture interprets Scripture: A.K.A. What within Revelation symbolism verifies God’s Word? 
    1.  “4 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,
         and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
      6 because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
         and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” 
      7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? 8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! 10 They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” - Hebrews 12:4-11
PRAYER 
Jesus, thank you for taking the time to speak to my heart & engage my mind.  I find myself grateful that you meet me where I’m at.  I’m amazing at the simplicity and priceless work You accomplished on the Cross.  Thank you for speak directly to my heart.  It seems that as I slow down to read Your read - it reads me.  Help me daily make time for that which is most important - TIME W/ YOU.  Continue to refine and guidance my heart & mind - thank you for being a God that daily gives me great life lessons. ThankYOU. - Trevor
1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we[b] boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we[c] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
 6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! 10 For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.” -Romans 5:1-11

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Cultural Relevance & Faith


Why does faith seem to miss the mark, when it come "cultural surges.”  
First things first, let’s discover what a “cultural surge” is.  
According to Wikipedia the term “cultural” is, 
  1. relating to the ideas, customs, and/or social behavior of a society
and the word “surge” would be defined as,
  1. a sudden powerful forward or upward movement by a crowd or by a natural force such as the waves, or,
  2. a sudden large increase, typically a brief one that happens during an otherwise stable or quiescent period.
This defining the term “cultural surge” as the idea, custom, and/or social behavior seen within a power forward or upward movement by a crowd.
From an early age triathlons captured my attention.  Why?  Why not?!? The sport embraces the ongoing element of change positively; while, breaking through physical, mental, and emotional limits!  Have you not seen the Ford Ironman Triathlon Championship and not been inspired?  It’s not just about how hard I can hit something, how fast I can do, or if I can handle it - the world of a triathlon embraces a variety of aspects.  Changing disciplines, transitions, and environments.  It is multi-sport event involving the completion of three continuous and sequential endurance events. While many variations of the sport exist, triathlon, in its most popular form, involves swimming, cycling, and running in immediate succession over various distances. Triathletes compete for fastest overall course completion time, including timed "transitions" between the individual swim, bike, and run components.  
I remember my first Sprint Distance Triathlon. I had been inspired and encouraged by my brother “Rock,” a friend Jordan Schick, and the Ironman Championship to pursue a dream.  I showed up and was intimidated by the environment—two elite Ironman athlete's were recognized, about a dozen professionals stepped forward (all riding top of the line time trial bikes), and then in the midst of my feeling small I found comfort in seeing other “weekend warriors” alongside me.  Yes, I had completed my training, but had very little concept of what the triathlon race culture was all about.  After several hours, three triathlons, and continuing to engage within the triathlon community my eyes began to see other’s overwhelmed, fearful, and hesitant as they joined this “cultural surge.”
Lance Armstrong said, “If children have the ability to ignore all odds and percentages, then maybe we can all learn from them. When you think about it, what other choice is there but to adapt and hope? We have two options, medically and emotionally: give up, or Fight Like Hell.”
Change and growth create life; while, mediocrity and complacency eventually bring death.
John Dickson from Sydney, Australia spoke at the 2011 Willow Creek Leadership Summit.  He academically touched on two historical aspects of the church: 1) Change. 2) Cultural Surges.  His discussion was based around the principle that “a leadership’s strongest tool is humility,” he continues to say, “it intensifies credibility.” Although change and cultural surges were sub-points of Mr. Dickson discussion, it got me thinking though the implications of those elements.

Why not capture both: Cultural surges / current style; while, embrace tradition and authenticity?
Okay.  What did Jesus do?
Jesus broke all kinds of traditions while embracing individuals right where they were at through-out Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.  We see Jesus embracing cultural surges (social philosophy within diverse groups) and challenging tradition in order to make God known.

I will admit that some of my own personal decisions have been in reaction to cultural influences - what’s wrong with that - and honestly who hasn’t made a decision based on a cultural influence?  Have you ever consumed a bottled product? 
What if Jesus cared so much about people that He was willing to reach them right where they are (couch, clubs, movies, business, media, internet, classroom, etc...)? 
Was Jesus focus more about building a big church or building big people?  
People sometimes assume that I’m a progressive 30-year-old who enjoys to push back just for the reaction, that I must want a super-hip church—which boasts “an awesome worship experience,” a fair-trade coffee bar, its own iPhone app, and I look like a Jonas brother.  Ya, some of that maybe true; however, it all underlined by a desire for people to genuinely know & follow Jesus. 
While none of these features are inherently wrong (and can of course be used by good people to do good things), these days I find myself longing for a church with a social relevant factor of about 7.

That’s right.

I want a church desire to be apart of a church where the term, “come as you are” is truth.  I desire to be apart of a church that’s socially relevant where individuals are transformed as they cultivate a genuine relationship with God. 

Does that mean the Gospel story is always accompanied by a fog machine and light show.  No, but it can be.  
Why do so many church desire to be part of an “uncool” / “socially un-relevant” disconnected church?  
Some reply that, “they want to be part of a community that shares the reputation of Jesus. To not be of the world.” Like it or not, Jesus’ invested his time and energy into people.  Meaning he went after people: CEO’s and unemployed - misfits and scholars - broken and healthy.
Why not follow in the footsteps of Jesus verses swing to one side of the pendulum or the other.  Let’s be like Jesus relevantly - connecting with people right where they are within their culture and stop the friendly fire.  Honestly, one person maybe distracted while another is engaged - one maybe inspired while another is overwhelmed - at my first triathlon their was probably both in the crowd.

Some of us wear our brokenness on the inside, others on the outside and Jesus see’s our heart.

We’re all in need of Him.

We’re all in need of a Savior.

So let’s be people who are the church - outside and inside a building - where the good new is proclaimed in such a way that those who are far from God draw near and those that are mature followers of Christ are being transformed through a genuine relationship with Jesus.  Why?  Because cultural relevance and faith go hand in hand.
Cultural Relevance & Faith by Trevor L Drinen

Monday, August 15, 2011

A Sons Prayer

Today’s reading: John 17 NASB
SCRIPTURE
“....I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.” -John 17:20-21 NASB

OBSERVATION
As I read Jesus’ prayer this morning - I visualized an intimate conversation between a Son and a Father about me (us).  This morning, I find myself once again honestly amazed at the love Jesus has for me (us)!

“I (Jesus Christ / God’s Son) have made Your (God) name know to them (me / you / humanity), and will make it known, so that, the love with which You (God) loved Me (Jesus Christ / God’s Son) may be in them (humanity), and I in them.” - John 17:26

Jesus wants me to know & experience un-tampered, un-twisted - genuine pure love!  Not only does Jesus want me to know & experience it - He desires to this love to “be in” me!

Questions?
1) Why was this particular prayer recorded / documented and not others?
I don’t know. How could every single prayer Jesus said be recorded?

2) How is this prayer relevant to me today?
An individual(s) (God & Jesus) heart reviled through a relational conversation.

“.... to all (humanity: you & me) whom You (God) have given Him (Jesus Christ / God’s son), He (Jesus Christ / God’s son) may give eternal life.” - John 17:2 NASB

3)  What is eternal life according to the text?
“This is eternal life, that they (humanity: you & me) may know You (God), the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You (God) have sent.” - John 17:3 NASB

Bottom line: Eternal life is ‘knowing God.’

4) How does Jesus “give eternal life”?
“I (Jesus Christ / God’s son) glorified You (God) on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do.” - John 17:4 NASB
Jesus accomplished his assignment from God daily & through his death.
Daily: 1) Obedience established through a genuine relationship / love.
Through his death: 1) Fulfillment of Old Testament. 2) Establishment of New Way.
What is this “New Way”?
Grace based faith mixed with obedience founded through relationship / love.

5) How is does Jesus communicate “eternal life” to others?
“.... the words which You (God) gave Me (Jesus Christ / God’s son) I have given to them; and they received them & truly understood that I came forth from You, & they believed that You sent Me.” - John 17:8 NASB
First, Jesus learns from God.
Then Jesus communicates things verbally to others.  A.K.A. Shares HIs knowledge via life.

APPLICATION
This morning, I find myself reminded of the importance of slowing down to listen.  Allowing God’s word to read me verse merely checking it off my “to do” list. 

Why is it important to slow down?
Time is a critical element in listening to a story, processing a story, responding to a story, and effectively communication a story to another.

Is my time with God priority / valued?
Where do I spend my time?  Where is my money being spent?

PRAYER
Jesus, thank you for taking the time to speak to my heart & engage my mind.  I find myself grateful that you meet me where I’m at.  That you speak directly to my heart & situation.  It seems that as I slow down to read Your read - it reads me.  Help me daily make time for that which is most important - TIME W/ YOU.  So that, You can refine and guidance my heart & mind. Thanks G. - Trevor

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Questions in the midst of pain


Today’s reading: John 11 NIV
SCRIPTURE
When Mary arrived & saw Jesus, she fell at his feet & said, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.” - John 11:32
OBSERVATION
The situation was not looking very promising for a man by the name of Lazarus. He was ill, & there were no doctors, treatments, or medicine that could remedy his ailments. It appeared as though his condition was worsening, & it was only a matter of time before this sickness would ultimately take his life. 
His two sisters, Mary & Martha, had seen Jesus heal others, so they sent word to him in hopes that something could be done. I’m sure that in this urgent situation they hoped Jesus would drop everything he was doing & come to Lazarus’ aid immediately, but we find him staying where he was for two more days. 
Didn’t Jesus care? Didn’t Jesus value Lazarus? Why would he delay? Doesn’t he realize the urgency of the situation? 
Lazarus died before Jesus returned to Judea, & Mary & Martha were devastated. From their perspective, it appeared as though Jesus had failed them, as all their eyes could see was Lazarus’ death, all their ears could hear was the absence of his voice, & all their hearts could feel was the hurt & pain of their loss. 
We find Mary responding, as I would have.... in the midst of pain - questioning, hurting, & frustrated. 
I thought you cared? I thought you considered him a friend? Why did you delay coming?  Why did you allow this bad thing to happen? 
Mary saw an insurmountable obstacle, & Jesus saw an impending opportunity to bring glory to God. Jesus, the Giver of Life, entered the tomb that had held Lazarus’ dead body for 4 days, called out to him, & Lazarus rose in life & strength. The on-lookers encountered the Divine that day, & many believed, transforming their eternities.
APPLICATION
Have you ever had questions in the midst of pain?  Have you ever questioned God? 
I know I have. 
There have been times of heartache where I’ve asked God “WHY!?”, times of disappointment where I’ve questioned His plan, & times of frustration where I’ve questioned His timing. 
It’s human nature to allow what we see with our eyes & the emotions of our heart to dictate our perspective. Which ultimate breeds doubt & fear. 
God had a perfect plan far greater than what Mary & Martha understood.  This plan was founded on flawless wisdom & outside two sisters optimal timing. 
Last night was able to watch the movie “The Soul Surfer”.  The movie tells the true story of Bethany Hamilton, a teenage girl with a love of surfing in her heart & a passion for God in her soul. Following a devastating shark attack, her arm was lost. She would live, but life would never be the same. The tasks which were once effortless now seemed impossible, & she found herself having troubles peeling an orange.  Bethany eventually hit bottom emotionally & started asking difficult questions.  “Why God would allow this to happen?” “If He works all things for good - where is ‘good’ in her loosing her arm?” The pastor shared that she didn’t know his plan.  
Bethany persevered & has won a junior surfing championship & been used by God to inspire millions of people. 
Why would God allow this to happen? 
John 11:4 gives us a hint, “…it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.” God receives great glory when his children stand in faith & obedience in the face of difficult circumstances. 
My default should be trusting our God who is in control of everything, which breeds hope & joy. He is more than able to handle any, & every, circumstance that I’m. Beyond that, He is love, & He cares for me more than I will ever comprehend. 
We serve a God who is worthy of our faith & trust, as His plans are perfect, His wisdom is flawless, & His timing is optimal at all times! Because of this, I will choose to stand in hope & trust no matter what comes my way.
PRAYER 
Jesus, despite my confusion, my frustration, my anger I find myself grateful that you meet me where I’m at.  For the last few years, I’ve felt as if I wiped out surfing and was caught underneath the wave - tumbling - flighting - bouncing off the ocean floor. God, help me relax & trust... Help me float to the surface & paddle out once again to boldly ride a wave once again.  - Trevor

Monday, August 8, 2011

Anger & Stones Require A Response

Today’s reading: John 10 NIV
SCRIPTURE
“.... picked up stones to stone him.” -John 10:31 NIV

OBSERVATION
As I visualize this setting - I see a group of local church members emotionally moved to the point of physical aggression over a statement. 

Why were these individuals angered to the point of possible murder? 

33 “We are not stoning you for any good work,” they replied, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.”

Jesus replied to them, “Why do you accuse me of blasphemy? Because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’? 37 Do not believe me unless I do the works of my Father. 38 But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.”

Why, are religious individuals so quick to take up arms?  Why, is it that religious individuals are often the quickest to unleash judgement?  Why, are these individuals so closed off to Jesus’ words? 

What is Jesus physical response in the midst of a heated situation?

”39 he escaped their grasp. 40 Then Jesus went back across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing in the early days. There he stayed, 41 and many people came to him. They said, “Though John never performed a sign, all that John said about this man was true.” 42 And in that place many believed in Jesus.” - John 10:39-42
APPLICATION
God what do You want me walk away with?

Discussions with closed minded religious individuals are not beneficial (which I can not exclude myself f/ being).
Be mindful of people’s statements & body language within communication.
Wisely choose your battles.
Know when to withdraw.

Sometimes I’m so right I’m wrong.
Always be willing to learn.
Ask good questions (internally & externally).
Internally:
Why is it so important to prove my point?
Why am I so angered by these responses / questions / statements?
Externally (listening, processing, & responding):
Listening - The most important apart of being able to ask a good question.
Processing - Seeing things from their perspective & then forming a question.
Responding - Not out of an emotional state, but in response to the question at hand.
God is still God no matter how the discussion ends.

PRAYER
Jesus, I find myself grateful that you meet me where I’m at.  That you speak directly to my heart & situation.  It seems that as I slow down to read Your read - it reads me.  Help me daily make time for that which is most important - TIME W/ YOU.  So that, You can refine and guidance my heart & mind. Thank you for surrounding me with a few key individuals over the past several years (Aaron O., Brett H., Kiha P., Ben H., Pastor Wayne C) to assist me in processing Your truth in the midst of it being hard to hear. Thanks G. - Trevor

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Anyone listening - Unanswered Prayers - Pt2

Psalm 4:1-2 NIV
SCRIPTURE
 1 Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer.
OBSERVATION
Have you ever felt as if God is not listening?  As if you’ve been rejected by Him for some unknown reason? Reflecting on a personal journal entry from 2002; in which, my wife and I journeyed down the road of pain and disappear - as our second child’s heart ceased - I wrote the following, “I had never wrestled with the will of God to the point of anger, rage, pain, and disappear. Now it’s not only my life that is affected by what Your allowing but my wife’s!  I had always thought that You could and would do anything if enough people prayed—but in the midst of our prayers You seemed to choose to remain silent and distant. Are you there? What good are You God - if you will not show up and save the innocent? ..... ...... ...... Where are You to be found in the midst of pain and suffering?” - Trevor L Drinen
During the follow days I attempted to take a global viewpoint on my questions.  This experience led my wife and I through a journey of pain almost to the point of turning away from our faith and to stop believing in the existence of a God that pursues us. 
Many people throughout the world struggle with their faith because of God’s silence and apparent impotence when they cry out to Him in their time of greatest need. What makes these unanswered prayers even more disturbing is the fact that some Christians claim God regularly answers their prayers for things that seem of no consequence. I think of the individuals who prayed to find a parking space as they entered the mall parking lot and,“Thanks be to God!” a space opened up on the front row. Or the professional athlete who points to the heavens after catching a touchdown pass. Or a surfer who patiently waits for the perfect wave.  Does God answer prayers for parking spaces, touchdown passes, and ridable waves, but not for those who have cancer or whose unborn children will die without a miracle?
It was at the low I turned and began to look at Jesus’ outlook on prayer.  It was in the midst of my journey that I discovered that my personal disappointment was the result of unmet expectations. I expected God to save!  I expected God to heal!  I expected God to move on my behalf! .... .... and so have countless others through out time (Example: Jews).
APPLICATION
In the case of prayer, our expectations are shaped in part by Jesus’ words in a handful of passages like Matthew 21:21-22: “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt ... even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ it will be done. Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive.”
At first glance Jesus seems to be promising here to do whatever we ask, provided we have faith. We read this and other promises like this on the lips of Jesus, and we cannot help but be confused when our prayers go unanswered. When we pray for a friend who is dying or for the safety of our children or for a job to open up for us, we are left confused when our friend dies, we go for months without employment or something happens to our children. Some Christians explain the reason these prayers go “unanswered” or “fail” has to do with the individual praying.  Yes, they placing the blame on you.  Others have gone to the extent of listing several common reasons why prayers may go unanswered.
- You have unconfessed sin in your life - You pray with improper motives - You lack faith
I find this list obscene and offensive! To say that God would have answered our prayers for our unborn child if only I had more fully sought to please God, or if I had confessed my sins, is not only unbiblical, misguided, and cruel. It does not line up with God’s character!  Did blind Bartimaeus, whom Jesus healed outside of Jericho, seek to please the Lord in everything? Did he stop to confess his sins before asking for his eyesight? Yet Jesus healed him (see Mark 10:46-51). Jesus heals because He is holy, not because those He heals are holy. To explain that God does not answer our prayers because we are not holy enough is unbiblical and does not aline with faith built upon grace!  At the foundation of a Christians faith is a Savior gave His life for us “while we were yet sinners” (Romans 5:8), and which teaches that we are saved by God’s grace.
What about faith? What about the power of prayer?  Prayer is an action faith. Faith is the act of trusting that God hears, that God cares and that God is able to act as we cultivate a genuine relationship with Him through prayer. Jesus asks that we pray with faith, that we trust as we pray.

If then unfulfilled prayer is not the result of my failure to live for Christ, unconfessed sin in my life, or inadequate faith.  Then what are we to make of the fact that our prayers are sometimes unanswered? 
Perhaps the answer is not found in what we do wrong when we pray, but in our failure to understand what Jesus meant when He said that we could move mountains and have whatever we ask for if we pray with faith. When Jesus spoke, He almost always did so using a figure of speech called hyperbole. Hyperbole is an overstatement or exaggeration to make a point. This was the language of prophets and first-century teachers. Our problem maybe within reading His words “hyper-literally” when we need to read them hyperbolically. To read them hyperbolically means we take Jesus seriously, but not always literally.  “Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive” (Matthew 21:22). Were these words a promise to be taken literally and mechanistically, or are they a hyperbolic statement inviting Jesus’ followers to pray boldly and with faith? This is the same passage in which Jesus tells His followers that by faith they can move mountains; that might help us to see that it is the latter way in which we are meant to read this passage.  Jesus’ hearers understood that Jesus was speaking hyperbolically when He said, “Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive.” I think they understood that Jesus was saying, “Go to God with your burdens! Be bold when you pray! Trust that God hears your prayers! And, in ways you don’t fully understand, God will see you through this situation you face.”
Where does that leave me as I barry my unborn child, deal with the internal pain, and attempt to comfort my wife?  How does God answer prayer? What is the purpose of prayer? What should we pray for? How does God answer prayer?  Why does God answer some prayers and not others? Does God answer prayer? Some, but not all? Sometimes, but not all the time? Or does God always answer prayer and it's just that sometimes God says no. Is prayer more than God listening and answering?  Is God is going to do what God is going to do - if so why pray?  If God can do anything why doesn’t He?  
When God wants something done, God typically sends people. God’s customary way of working in our lives is through what appear to be ordinary ways. Rather than suspending the laws of nature that God created and bypassing the human beings that God created to do God’s work, God typically works through natural laws and through people. In the Bible, this is how God most often worked, and it is how God typically works today. I believe that miracles can happen and do happen. On some occasions, God miraculously and directly intervenes in the world, but most often God works through us, calling and nudging us into action, working in our hearts to be the instruments God uses to answer the prayers of others.  I have come to appreciate the idea that God intends us to be the answer to one another’s prayers to come alongside those who are in need of comfort. How and why?  If God desires a cultivate a genuine growing healthy relationship with His creation, then would He not have His creation do that for each other?  
None of this implies that God never works miracles. God can do the miraculous. But miracles are miracles because they are rare. God’s primary way of working in our world is to influence us and others—giving us peace and strength, wisdom and patience—while using the natural means God created to accomplish God’s purposes. God can work miracles! Is it not a miracles that works through the hands of doctors, the words of counselors, the presence of friends: in other words, miracles happen everyday and for me to place my personal expectations on God is unfair - no matter the pain I may encounter.
God is unfair - no matter the pain I may encounter.
So, if God is sovereign why do prayers go unanswered??  I don’t know.... .... .... does unanswered prayers, unmeet expectations, or the lack of personal understanding bring one to the conclusion that God must not exists?  
Romans 11:11-12 states, 11 Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious. 12 But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their full inclusion bring!”
At my point of anger, rage, pain, and disappear I come to trust God holds and sees the bigger picture. 
PRAYER
Thanks for reminding me of: A) who You are B) Your purpose (salvation to all) C) my involvement (faith & action / works). God, thank You so much for Your timeliness guarantees & evidence via Your invisible attributes, eternal power, divine nature since the creation of the world so that all may know you. Trevor

Anyone listening - Unanswered Prayers - Pt1

Romans 11:1-6 NIV
SCRIPTURE
 1 I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. Don’t you know what Scripture says in the passage about Elijah—how he appealed to God against Israel: 3 “Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me”? 4 And what was God’s answer to him? “I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal.”5 So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. 6 And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.”       
OBSERVATION
Have you ever felt as if God is not listening?  As if you’ve been rejected by Him for some unknown reason? Reflecting on a personal journal entry from 2002; in which, my wife and I journeyed down the road of pain and disappear - as our second child’s heart ceased - I wrote the following, “I had never wrestled with the will of God to the point of anger, rage, pain, and disappear. Now it’s not only my life that is affected by what Your allowing but my wife’s!  I had always thought that You could and would do anything if enough people prayed—but in the midst of our prayers You seemed to choose to remain silent and distant. Are you there? What good are You God - if you will not show up and save the innocent? ..... ...... ...... Where are You to be found in the midst of pain and suffering?” - Trevor L Drinen
During the follow days I attempted to take a global viewpoint on my questions.  This experience led my wife and I through a journey of pain almost to the point of turning away from our faith and to stop believing in the existence of a God that pursues us. 
Many people throughout the world struggle with their faith because of God’s silence and apparent impotence when they cry out to Him in their time of greatest need. What makes these unanswered prayers even more disturbing is the fact that some Christians claim God regularly answers their prayers for things that seem of no consequence. I think of the individuals who prayed to find a parking space as they entered the mall parking lot and,“Thanks be to God!” a space opened up on the front row. Or the professional athlete who points to the heavens after catching a touchdown pass. Or a surfer who patiently waits for the perfect wave.  Does God answer prayers for parking spaces, touchdown passes, and ridable waves, but not for those who have cancer or whose unborn children will die without a miracle?
It was at the low I turned and began to look at Jesus’ outlook on prayer.  It was in the midst of my journey that I discovered that my personal disappointment was the result of unmet expectations. I expected God to save!  I expected God to heal!  I expected God to move on my behalf! .... .... and so have countless others through out time (Example: Jews).
APPLICATION
In the case of prayer, our expectations are shaped in part by Jesus’ words in a handful of passages like Matthew 21:21-22: “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt ... even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ it will be done. Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive.”
At first glance Jesus seems to be promising here to do whatever we ask, provided we have faith. We read this and other promises like this on the lips of Jesus, and we cannot help but be confused when our prayers go unanswered. When we pray for a friend who is dying or for the safety of our children or for a job to open up for us, we are left confused when our friend dies, we go for months without employment or something happens to our children. Some Christians explain the reason these prayers go “unanswered” or “fail” has to do with the individual praying.  Yes, they placing the blame on you.  Others have gone to the extent of listing several common reasons why prayers may go unanswered.
- You have unconfessed sin in your life - You pray with improper motives - You lack faith
I find this list obscene and offensive! To say that God would have answered our prayers for our unborn child if only I had more fully sought to please God, or if I had confessed my sins, is not only unbiblical, misguided, and cruel. It does not line up with God’s character!  Did blind Bartimaeus, whom Jesus healed outside of Jericho, seek to please the Lord in everything? Did he stop to confess his sins before asking for his eyesight? Yet Jesus healed him (see Mark 10:46-51). Jesus heals because He is holy, not because those He heals are holy. To explain that God does not answer our prayers because we are not holy enough is unbiblical and does not aline with faith built upon grace!  At the foundation of a Christians faith is a Savior gave His life for us “while we were yet sinners” (Romans 5:8), and which teaches that we are saved by God’s grace.
What about faith? What about the power of prayer?  Prayer is an action faith. Faith is the act of trusting that God hears, that God cares and that God is able to act as we cultivate a genuine relationship with Him through prayer. Jesus asks that we pray with faith, that we trust as we pray.

If then unfulfilled prayer is not the result of my failure to live for Christ, unconfessed sin in my life, or inadequate faith.  Then what are we to make of the fact that our prayers are sometimes unanswered? 
Perhaps the answer is not found in what we do wrong when we pray, but in our failure to understand what Jesus meant when He said that we could move mountains and have whatever we ask for if we pray with faith. When Jesus spoke, He almost always did so using a figure of speech called hyperbole. Hyperbole is an overstatement or exaggeration to make a point. This was the language of prophets and first-century teachers. Our problem maybe within reading His words “hyper-literally” when we need to read them hyperbolically. To read them hyperbolically means we take Jesus seriously, but not always literally.  “Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive” (Matthew 21:22). Were these words a promise to be taken literally and mechanistically, or are they a hyperbolic statement inviting Jesus’ followers to pray boldly and with faith? This is the same passage in which Jesus tells His followers that by faith they can move mountains; that might help us to see that it is the latter way in which we are meant to read this passage.  Jesus’ hearers understood that Jesus was speaking hyperbolically when He said, “Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive.” I think they understood that Jesus was saying, “Go to God with your burdens! Be bold when you pray! Trust that God hears your prayers! And, in ways you don’t fully understand, God will see you through this situation you face.”
Where does that leave me as I barry my unborn child, deal with the internal pain, and attempt to comfort my wife?  How does God answer prayer? What is the purpose of prayer? What should we pray for? How does God answer prayer?  Why does God answer some prayers and not others? Does God answer prayer? Some, but not all? Sometimes, but not all the time? Or does God always answer prayer and it's just that sometimes God says no. Is prayer more than God listening and answering?  Is God is going to do what God is going to do - if so why pray?  If God can do anything why doesn’t He?  
When God wants something done, God typically sends people. God’s customary way of working in our lives is through what appear to be ordinary ways. Rather than suspending the laws of nature that God created and bypassing the human beings that God created to do God’s work, God typically works through natural laws and through people. In the Bible, this is how God most often worked, and it is how God typically works today. I believe that miracles can happen and do happen. On some occasions, God miraculously and directly intervenes in the world, but most often God works through us, calling and nudging us into action, working in our hearts to be the instruments God uses to answer the prayers of others.  I have come to appreciate the idea that God intends us to be the answer to one another’s prayers to come alongside those who are in need of comfort. How and why?  If God desires a cultivate a genuine growing healthy relationship with His creation, then would He not have His creation do that for each other?  
None of this implies that God never works miracles. God can do the miraculous. But miracles are miracles because they are rare. God’s primary way of working in our world is to influence us and others—giving us peace and strength, wisdom and patience—while using the natural means God created to accomplish God’s purposes. God can work miracles! Is it not a miracles that works through the hands of doctors, the words of counselors, the presence of friends: in other words, miracles happen everyday and for me to place my personal expectations on God is unfair - no matter the pain I may encounter.
God is unfair - no matter the pain I may encounter.
So, if God is sovereign why do prayers go unanswered??  I don’t know.... .... .... does unanswered prayers, unmeet expectations, or the lack of personal understanding bring one to the conclusion that God must not exists?  
Romans 11:11-12 states, 11 Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious. 12 But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their full inclusion bring!”
At my point of anger, rage, pain, and disappear I come to trust God holds and sees the bigger picture. 
PRAYER
Thanks for reminding me of: A) who You are B) Your purpose (salvation to all) C) my involvement (faith & action / works). God, thank You so much for Your timeliness guarantees & evidence via Your invisible attributes, eternal power, divine nature since the creation of the world so that all may know you. Trevor

Intriguing Communication Style

Matthew 13:10 NIV
SCRIPTURE
“Why do you speak to them [the crowds who came to see Jesus] in parables?”” -Matthew 13:10 NIV
OBSERVATION
In his three-year ministry, Jesus spoke to small groups of followers and massive crowds. So captivating was His teaching that crowds stayed and listened all day, forgetting to even go home and get something to eat (see Luke 9:10-17). Everyone—from the meekest peasant farmer to the mightiest political ruler—wanted to hear Jesus. And those who heard Him were astonished, “for he was teaching them as one who had authority” (Matt. 7:29).
As we read the Gospels, we see that Jesus commonly used parables, stories that illustrated spiritual and moral lessons. And as we read them, we often find ourselves scratching our heads and asking one question: 
Why did Jesus choose to speak in parables when speaking plainly would be so much more effective?
In Matthew 13:10, we’re told that the disciples came to Jesus and said to Him, “Why do you speak to them [the crowds who came to see Jesus] in parables?”  AKA. What did He expect to accomplish by not speaking plainly to the crowds?
His answer is fascinating:
“To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says: “You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive. For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.” But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.” (Matt. 13:11-17)
This answer is absolutely shocking. It’s shocking because, in effect, Jesus is telling them, “I speak in parables because the truth of the kingdom of heaven is not theirs to know. They think they see the truth of my kingdom, but they don’t. They think they understand, but they can’t. If they did, they might turn and repent.”
That boggles my mind. It’s hard to grasp the idea that Jesus would not want people to know what He was saying. Yet, He didn’t. Jesus’ explanation of His use of parables reveals that they had a two-fold purpose: to harden the hearts of some who heard, and to cause others to seek out Jesus and ask Him what He meant.  Every time He spoke, He was simultaneously excluding some and including others. Some, after hearing His particularly difficult teachings, turned away and “no longer walked with Him” (John 6:66). But others were drawn to Him. They did not simply except the unknown, but were fueled by what they did not know to learn more. And the fascinating thing is that when people drew near, when they asked Him to explain, as the disciples did, He was happy to oblige.
APPLICATION
Today, it’s considered fashionable by some to speak and write about the Christian faith in ambiguous terms. To “embrace the mystery” of Christianity, as some might say. To leave things mysterious, all in the name of humility. It's true, there is much we do not understand nor can expect to understand about the "mysterious ways" in which God works. But in effect, by allowing vague, ambiguous teachings on Christianity, they’re choosing not to communicate anything at all. In doing so, men and women of faith, and often very popular ones, are actually breaking the prime rule of communication: Communicators communicate.

While there are many things that God chooses to keep secret from us, He does want us to know who He is, what He expects of us and how we can be rightly related to Him. And these things He has made clear within the pages of Scripture. He has made His will known to His creatures. And He expects those who would teach his people to make it known. So, to speak as though we can’t know with any certainty what God has made knowable—especially under the guise of following the example of Jesus—is not humility. It is the height of arrogance.

Jesus was never mysterious for the sake of being mysterious. He didn’t speak in riddles and vagaries to create a mystique. God is not a beat poet. Jesus’ parables were not meant to be a stumbling block for His disciples. Rather, all things were revealed to them by Him, for those who longed to hear.
Similarly, the role of the Christian is to patiently explain all that has been revealed with gentleness and humility, not cloak His message in ambiguity. Acknowledge what you do not know, seek to know more—and share what you can until the day when all things are made clear.
PRAYER
God, Thank you for pursuing individuals as your created them. Communication - Help me. Help me continue to pull things back to what I know as true, refine and sharpen all that I allow to come out of my mouth. Jesus you had a very intriguing communication style - please teach me more... 
- Trevor

Lessons Learned F/ Encouragement & Deceitfulness

Hebrews 2:14-18 NIV
SCRIPTURE
“encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” -Hebrews 3:13 NIV
OBSERVATION
en·cour·age/enˈkərij/Verb
1. Give support, confidence, or hope to (someone): "encouraging results"; "I feel encouraged".
Words can heal or words can kill. Words can deliver life or death. It is our choice – we pour our own spirit into our words. God gave us the gift of words, hoping that we would steward them well. Words can focus on us or on others. There are words that build up and words that tear down. Negative words can be dangerous: if we hear them enough, we start believing they are true. The worst part is, after the negative words have been spoken, we tend to repeat those same words to ourselves. Words can also deliver healing or deliver wounds. We have to choose which it will be. Death and life are all in the power of the tongue. 
APPLICATION
1. Express Appreciation
Romans 12:21 says, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” The only way to neutralize evil is to replace it by actively doing something good. We have to replace the mistakes by actually complimenting and building others up. We have to practice expressing appreciation.
2. Dedicate Our Thoughts to God Today
Our actions and words need to be pleasing to the Lord. Yet, if our thoughts please Him, everything else will follow suit. What is on our minds and hearts is more important to God. God looks at our hearts; we have to make sure that our hearts are right. God tells us to be careful how we process things on the inside because, sooner or later, they are going to come out of our mouths.
“The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart” (Luke 6:45).
3. Commit to Making Wrong Things Right
We might think that, if we make mistakes with our tongue, the best thing to do is just “zip our lip.” We decide not to say anything anymore and just be quiet. That will not work – if that is our goal to not make any mistakes then we will not make any contributions either.  We will make mistakes but we are not to leave them as mistakes. We are to correct them! Otherwise, our words will go out with barbs wounding people and we will not even know it. If we make a mistake, God says, “Make it right.”
“If you have been snared with the words of your mouth, or have been caught with the words of your mouth, do this then, my son, and deliver yourself … go, humble yourself, and importune your neighbor … Deliver yourself like a gazelle from the hunter’s hand and like a bird from the hand of the fowler” (Prov. 6:2-5).
God wants us to understand the power of words and to steward them well. They can deliver life or death. God wants to bring His Words of life to us. If we have prepared our hearts and our ears by stewarding words well, not only can we hear Him but we can also deliver that life to others.
PRAYER
Lord, help me put this into action today, so that, I will not be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness - aka: God I need Your help to put this into action within my life.  I need You to transform another aspect. Why? So that, I my heart doesn’t become hard and I don’t start to buy into the false notation that all this bible stuff is just trickery. - Trevor

What Do I Get Out Of This? (Initial Questions)

Today’s reading: Isaiah 8,9,19 & Hebrews 8 NASB
SCRIPTURE
“For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices; so it is necessary that this high priest also have something to offer.” -Hebrews 8:3 NASB
OBSERVATION
1) Who is the high priest? 2) What does this priest have to offer me?
Let’s dig and go back a few days. Hebrew 5:1-10  “Every high priest is selected from among the people and is appointed to represent the people in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness. This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people.  And no one takes this honor on himself, but he receives it when called by God, just as Aaron was. In the same way, Christ did not take on himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.” And he says in another place, “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek. In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety. Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation, being designated by God as a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.”
  1. Jesus Christ became the high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.
Who is Melchizedek and how can Jesus legitimately become our high priest through this order? Old Testament priests descend from only one linage - the tribe of Levi. Jesus’ ancestral tree places Him in the tribe of Judah; which, disqualifies him for priesthood.  Why would God role things out this way?  
I could only locate (1) one passage that refers to Melchizedek in the Old Testament: Genesis 14:18 references to him as “King of Salem”.  Okay, let go New Testament: Hebrews 7:3 describes him “without genealogy.”  It leaves me to conclude: A) This guy came out of nowhere, or B) he was conceived by the will of the Force like Anakin Skywalker, or (C) His genealogy records were misplaced and he had no memory of his parents.   Apparently, God doesn’t like to be boxed in and is not always looking for smooth waters to navigate as the book of Hebrews makes tremendous waves in logical processing.  I mean, how can the New Testament and Hebrews reasonably claim Jesus as our priest if the Old Testament allow doesn’t allow it? 
Let’s go Hebrew 7:12, “For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also. 13 For the one concerning whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe....”  Okay, I guess God has the right to modify or change things up; however, this Melchizedek tosses a huge question into my skeptics mindset. It would’ve been a lot to both logically connect and sell if Jesus had been from the tribe of Levi as this is a pivotal point. I mean, this is why the Jews did not and do not recognize Jesus Levitical or “priestly” authority.  
Bottom line: According to the law, Jesus is from the wrong tribe to be a priest.  He has the wrong lineage.  On top of that, his priest hood is in the order of Melchizedek, a fantom or mystery man who lives before the law.  
Conclusion: The Law and the Old Testament do not jive / mix with Jesus and the New Testament.  Since I can’t make Jesus fit with the old way of the law - what do I get out of this now?
APPLICATION
What’s my take (aka. what I get out of this). 1) My performance is no longer a primary point. 2) My name is not on the contract.  According to Hebrews 8:8 under the old way, “God found fault with the people” and under the new way, God makes a promise to Himself (see Hebrews 6:1-19).  Bottom line application: My salvation and my faithfulness are all about Him and is not something I can loose because Jesus has paid (past, present, & future) the price - unreal concept.
PRAYER 
God for years I’ve been told that I am at the central point of this equation: “Must live a certain way,” “Must do...” And I find myself never done striving, always attempting to level up, and continually falling short - ending with complete frustration.  This morning I am reminded that Your ways are higher than mine.  Via Jesus, this is all about You!  And Your way allow me to embark on a lifelong journey of developing a genuine relationship with Jesus without religions “to do...,” “must hold to...,” etc... list.  Help me.  Help individuals.  Help the church at large.  This is huge! And even some what hard for me to completely fathom all I now get out of this Jesus thing!!!! What freedom!!!!  - Trevor