The Understanding That I Have Nothing To Give of My Own

A few weeks ago, I was writing a chapter evaluation for my Missions class, specifically addressing the financial shortage in supporting missionaries. But the problem is not a lack of monetary funds, especially in the United States. More so, many people just to do not give (or give generously). As a generalization, it seems like people are very protective of their money, and are hesitant to give their money to anyone or anything else (because it is their money).

Oddly though, one of the richest men in the world seemed to understand reality. Not only did he have monetary wealth, but he had power, influence, and success in every aspect. Towards the end of his life, he prayed to God in the presence of the nation he ruled and said, "Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand" (1 Chronicles 29:14).

What would change if the reality that all things you supposedly "possess" (e.g. time, money, intelligence, skills, resources, etc.) were actually God's and he was allowing you to be a steward of it?

The Consistency of the Gospel in Personal Uncertainty

The last four months have been extremely difficult. My thoughts about the future, vocation, and seminaries caused great concern and uncertainty. There were days I would wake up feeling certain of what to do, but going to bed thinking something completely different. One verse has continued to encourage me in this season, Psalm 119:92: "If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction."

Yes, this may seem to be an odd verse. Why would anyone delight in the law (Bible)? For me, this set my mind in a tumultuous time on the one thing that is consistent, the Gospel. The question then is, what is the Gospel?

Simply, the Gospel is the truth that Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. But there is more. Our sin has a real consequence, eternal separation from God. Without Christ, there is no way (e.g. good works) we can overcome the great gulf our sin creates between God and us. But there is no strength, confidence or security in intellectually knowing these things. We must each receive Christ as our personal Savior and Lord. Truly then, my hope in uncertainty is not in myself, but in my relationship with Jesus Christ and His unexplainable love, compassion, and truth.

35W Bridge Collapse

It has been over a year since 35W Collapsed. As some of you may know, the apartment I was living in at the time was only a block away from the bridge. The following was the monthly update letter I wrote to friends and family a few hours after the event.

Note: By no means will this be a normal monthly update

At 6:04 p.m. on August 1st, 2007, I sat in a coffee shop on 6th and University confidently discussing the joy in knowing that the God I have entrusted my life to knows what will happen tomorrow and has everything in his master plan.

At 6:05 p.m., with a few flickers of the building lights, that simple thought was amplified and scrutinized. The fall of a heavily traveled bridge produced inquiry, anxiety, wonder, helplessness, uncertainty, and sorrow.

At about 6:15, my eyes fell upon an inconceivable sight, literally one block from my apartment. The billows of smoke, sirens from every direction, crowds of people, a major highway standing vertical, and the faint site of a school bus bombarded my senses.

It is times like this that create many critical questions directed towards God, but paradoxically, leads us to ask God himself for help. In the same breath two quotes are heard: "Why would God do this?" and "Our prayers will be with the families that are suffering and the workers that have responded."

I long to believe that God has everything in control and knows what is going to happen. But I cannot comprehend then why He would let something so dramatic and destructive occur. Proverbs 3:5, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding." Too often I want to grasp an eternal, immortal, and invisible God within the boundaries and confines of my limited, tangible, experiential mind.

Friends and family, you may wonder what the purpose/point is in this rambling? The brevity of life is magnified when seemingly inconceivable events occur in your own front yard. The hope is that, although many of you may have slim to no ties to "35W," you know "94," "90," "55" and "400." You can attempt to relate and understand.

In this process, my longing is that each of you deeply comprehends and contemplates the uncertainty in a seemingly routine daily life. Inevitably, we will all face death, whether dramatically or naturally, surprised or expected.

At 2:49 a.m., as I near the conclusion of these words, all my strength and hope stems from one avenue, Jesus.

Each of us is destined to drown in the sea of hell as the proper consequence of our sin. Will you and/or have you grasped the soul-preserving hand of Jesus, who died on the cross to be in a position to offer eternal life?

Josh
08.02.07

May 2008 Learning Point...Bible Reading Encouragement

Each month I write an email update to friends, family, and other people I have come in contact with throughout life. Towards the end of each of these letters, I include a section called the "Learning Points." Here is May's learning point.

Yesterday, I asked a friend, "what comes to mind when I say Bible?" His response was "a lot of pages." I can see his point. The Bible looks so big and intimidating. The natural conclusion for most is just not to even pick it up. However: when it comes to Bible reading, quality is more important than quantity.

What good is it to read through the entire Bible but not remember, understand, or have the ability to apply it? It is far better to properly study, pray about, contemplate, and apply five verses.

Try it! I challenge you to read John chapter 1 through chapter 3 over the next few weeks.

HT: Lisa Mathews (my sister-in-law)