Monthly Archives

August 2019

When Life & Ministry Are Difficult

By | Public Blog, Uncategorized

Do you ever wonder if you can take much more?  Life is hard and ministry is challenging.  However, God’s Word tells us that we must persevere and endure even when all of life appears to be hopeless.  This morning I opened up my Bible app to read the verse of the day.  I read these very familiar words.

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.  Hebrews 12:1 (KJV)

I have often been told that life is not a sprint but a marathon.  Running a marathon is extremely difficult and often painful.  There are certain points in this endurance run where many runners give up — thinking that they simply can’t endure any more.

Mr. George Rogers

Whenever I feel overwhelmed by life and/or ministry, I think about the life of one my mentors.  This man taught me so much about pressing on when everything seemed hopeless.  I first met Mr. George Rogers when he came to handle the finances for the Old Time Gospel Hour Ministries in Lynchburg, VA.  I was serving as the secondary principal for Lynchburg Christian Academy and had to meet with Mr. Rogers on a regular basis trying to get requisitions approved.  Our relationship deepened over the next 15 years.

I was sad to hear that Mr. Rogers had passed away early last week.  As I reflected on his life and his influence on my life, I remembered how I never could complain about how tough life was whenever I was around this giant of a man.  He never seemed to allow life to get him down and discouraged.  Mr. Rogers always called me “Schultzy” and followed it with a deep hearty laugh.  In fact, I called him a couple of years ago and when he was told I was on the line, he laughed and said, “how are you doing, Schultzy”?

You might be wondering  why I am sharing this information in a blog post about endurance and perseverance.  As Paul Harvey used to say on his broadcasts, Here is the rest of the story.  What I didn’t know about Mr. Rogers when I first met him was that he was one of the survivors of the Bataan Death March during WWII.  An estimated 75,000 Filipino and American troops were forced to make this march under intense heat and harsh treatment that resulted in thousands of men dying.  Not only did he survive this horrendous 65-mile march but he also survived almost 4 years (42 months) of torture in Japanese prisoner-of-war camps.

I heard him once share how he was responsible for digging graves for fellow prisoners who died under the harsh punishment of their captors.  Mr. Rogers explained how 10 bodies would be put in each grave and that he ended up burying more than 1,600 prisoners during his years in captivity.

Mr. Rogers Returns Home From War

When Mr. Rogers arrived in the United States after he was freed by Allied forces, he weighed a mere 85 lbs. (he stood about 6’3″).  Doctors told him that his life would be extremely difficult because of the beatings and starvation that he had endured.  Doctors told him that he would only live to 45 or 50 years old.  He would lose all of his teeth, would not be able to have children and could not successfully complete college work.  However, God had a different plan for Mr. Rogers.  He died last week at the age of 100 with all of his teeth.  He had 5 precious children and not only successfully completed college but he also went on to be the chief financial officer for the ministries of Thomas Road Baptist Church, which included Liberty University.

A few years ago the Japanese government invited several of the Bataan Death March survivors back to Japan to pay tribute to them.  Mr. Rogers was asked if he had any resentment toward his captors.  He said that he harbored no hard feelings toward the Japanese.  “Just like we do what we’re told to do as far as the Army is concerned, your [Japanese] men do the same thing.  They tell them to do it; they do it.  Other than that, I think we lived”.

So when life seems to difficult to go another step forward, I think about the perseverance and endurance of Mr. Rogers and realize I don’t have it so bad.  With our strength coming from the Lord, we can stand strong under the most difficult of circumstances.  James understood this when he wrote,

Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.  James 1:12 (NASB)

As we begin another school year with all of its challenges, we must surrender daily to the Lord, bear our cross and follow Him in total obedience.  He will never forsake us and will bear all of our burdens that we turn over to Him.  We can persevere and stand firm until we are called home to be with Him.

Who Are You?

By | Public Blog

This is the question that was asked Coach John Harrison in the Kendrick Brothers’ new film, Overcomer.  The coach hesitated and didn’t really know how to answer the question.  When he tried to answer the question, it was obvious he was struggling with his true identity.  Harrison’s reaction is typical of many people living in today’s mixed up world.

This past Thursday night my wife and I had the privilege of attending the premiere showing of this new movie.  As I watched, I realized that one’s identity is extremely important in order to be able to make sense out of life.  When I considered some of the alarming statistics that are plaguing society, it became evident that there is an identity crisis among people of all ages.  Consider just a few of the statistics  that show that there is an identity crisis.

  • More and more young people say that they are confused about their gender.
  • Parents are giving their newborn babies gender neutral names so that their children can choose their own gender later in life.
  • There was a 30% increase in suicide deaths between 2000 and 2016.
  • There was a 9.6% increase in drug overdoses from 2016 to 2017.
  • 89% of 16-29 year olds in the UK claim their life lacks purpose or meaning.

Over the past couple of weeks the Christian world has been shocked by the announcements by influential “Christian” leaders that they no longer considered themselves to be Christians.  One such individual was a well-known author and pastor who was a leader in the purity movement.  The other person was a famous songwriter for several popular music groups.  As I read their statements, it became obvious that they had lost their identity and were searching for some kind of meaning and significance.

This brings be back to the premiere showing of Overcomer.  The Kendrick Brothers wove together several story lines into a compelling film that captured and held my full attention from start to finish.  The film clearly shows that a loss of identity can happen to a young, troubled teenage girl or to a mature, Christian man.  The movie reminded me that the things of this world cannot provide anyone with intrinsic value and inherent worth.

The answer to finding one’s identity and significance in life can only be found in one way.  This all-important way was succinctly stated in one sentence that was repeated throughout the film.  Let your Creator define you!  As a new school year begins throughout North America, it is critical that every young person understands God’s big story of life.  This is called a biblical worldview.  The home, church and school must be intentional and making sure that the next generation knows that they are created in God’s image and, thus, have inherent worth and intrinsic value.  Knowing God and knowing themselves, according to Jonathan Edwards, are the two most important pieces of knowledge that one can obtain.

I walked away from Overcomer last Thursday night with a fresh awareness of who God made me to be which gives an understanding of what He wants me to do.  I want to recommend — NO, I want to strongly urge every parent, church leader and educator to attend a showing of Overcomer when it opens this Friday, August 23rd in theaters across the country.  It is also extremely important to have as many young people as possible see this film.

Click here to see the trailer and find out where the film is showing near you.  I am asking you to share this information with as many people as possible through as many means as possible.  We must let our Creator define each one of us!

 

Created In God’s Image

By | Public Blog, Uncategorized

In last week’s blog post I shared two very important statements that we need to remember as we get ready to start a new school year.  The first statement explained the goal of traditional, man-centered education.

Traditional schooling prepares students for more schooling that will end up getting them a job!

The second statement centered on the goal of kingdom education.  We must remember that kingdom education exists only  when God reigns as king in the entire educational process.

Schooling must prepare children to fulfill God’s ultimate purpose for why He created man in His image.

One reader commented how we can get caught up in the assembly line of education and forget what the goal is.  Another subscriber wrote that we also forget that education is indoctrination.  Still another reader added that traditions are often a blessing, but sometimes, if they’re not true to biblical principles, they can be chains that enslave the mind and the spirit.

It is so easy to get caught up in the human traditions that shape so much of education today.  As Christians, we want to prepare our children to fulfill God’s ultimate purpose for why He created man in His image.  Francis Shaeffer stressed the importance of knowing God’s purpose for man when he wrote,

Man, made in the image of God, has a purpose – to be in relationship to God, Who is there. Man forgets his purpose and thus he forgets who he is and what life means.

Too often, we use phrases and cliches without ever clarifying the meaning of them.  When this happens, everyone is free to define the terms according to their own belief system.

First, I need to clarify what I mean by the term education.  When I use this term, I am referring to the multi-faceted process of preparing children and youth for the future.  It takes place in the home, church and school.  Too often, we immediately equate education with schooling.  Schooling plays a major role in the educational process but it is only one part of the process.

Second, we must answer this question as we start a new school year.  What was God’s ultimate purpose for creating man in His image?  This is not a new question and Christians have tried to answer this question in the past.  In 1647, the Westminster Assembly developed the Westminster Shorter Catechism.  The very first question was, What is the chief end of man?  Their answer provides us with insight into what the goal of education, including schooling, must be.  It simply states,

Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.

I have combined these various concepts into another biblical principle of education.  It reads,

The education of children and youth must equip them to fulfill God’s highest purpose for man to glorify Him and enjoy Him for life and eternity.

Again, it is important to dissect this statement in order to understand its full meaning.  We all know that God’s Word clearly states that we are to glorify God in everything (1 Corinthians 10:31).  However, we must fully understand how a person actually glorifies God.  Dr. Gary Inrig gives a wonderful explanation of what it means to glorify God.

One’s glory is one’s reputation…God’s glory is not just His reputation but His revealed character, the display of His attributes…To glorify someone therefore is to increase his reputation by revealing his true nature…to glorify God is to live in such a way that His character is displayed and His praise is increased.

God’s glory is who He is; it is His true nature.  This means that one cannot glorify God unless he/she regularly sees and knows God’s glory.  I have discovered that the only way that I can know God’s true nature (His glory) is if He reveals Himself to me.  The good news is that God reveals Himself to us in three ways. God reveals Himself to man:

  • in a general way through Creation
  • in a written way through His Word
  • in a personal way through His Son

Everything a young person studies at home, church and school should guide them into a deeper knowledge of God.  This includes reading both books that God has written and given to us.  These books are Creation and the Bible.  As students grow in their knowledge of God, they will see His glory.  As they see His glory, they can reflect His glory and, therefore, fulfill God’s ultimate purpose for creating them in God’s image — to glorify God in everything they think, say and do.

Here are some questions we need to ask ourselves so that the education we give our children will prepare them to fulfill God’s ultimate purpose for why He created man in His image.

  1. How can this be done in the home?  What do parents need to do?
  2. What is the church’s role in this process?  What does the church need to do?
  3. How can this be done in the school?  How does every teacher, coach and/or administrator accomplish this?

As you answer these questions, share your thoughts with other parents, church leaders and teachers.  The home, church and school must join together and provide our children and youth with an education that guides them to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes (character) that will enable them to glorify God in whatever they think, say and/or do.

 

The Danger of Being Traditional

By | Public Blog, Uncategorized

I can remember as if it was yesterday.  My former pastor, Dr. Michael Catt, was preaching a message and made a profound statement.  The statement was actually a quote that he had heard Jim Cymbala, Pastor of Brooklyn Tabernacle, say.

It is easier to be TRADITIONAL than it is to be BIBLICAL!

As soon as I heard these words, my mind immediately went to a warning that Paul gave to the Colossian Christians.

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.  Colossians 2:8 (KJV)

This simple verse carries with it several deep truths about how easy it is for Christians to be taken captive.  Here are some takeaways for us to contemplate.

  • Every person has been taken or is being taken captive by some philosophy/beliefs/ideas.
  • Christians can be taken captive by false philosophy/beliefs/ideas.
  • When a person is taken captive by false ideas, the false ideas are always patterned after human tradition.

In my estimation, there is no aspect of present day life that is more based on human tradition than schooling.  So much of what we do, when it comes to the schooling our children receive, is based on human tradition.  I will not take the time to make a lengthy list of all the traditions that make up how schooling in done in our culture.  However, we must understand it is easier to be traditional when it comes to schooling than it is to be biblical.  If fact, in many instances, even Christians will be critical if Christian educators attempt to do schooling in a completely biblical way.

The following example is provided to prove my point.  Last week I was conducting a staff development seminar at a Christian school.  At one point in the seminar, I tried to define the term education.  Everyone seemed to agree that education is a multi-faceted process that includes the home, church and school.  It was also agreed that all education prepares an individual for something in the future.  Education is future focused.

With those important points agreed upon, I asked the staff a series of questions.  As soon as I asked each question, a chorus of voices immediately responded in unison.  The questions focused on what most schooling prepared children for.  The discussion went like this.

Question 1:  What does preschool education prepare children for?  Answer:  Kindergarten

Question 2:  What does kindergarten prepare children for?  Answer:  1st Grade

Question 3:  What does elementary school prepare children for?  Answer:  Middle School

Question 4:  What does middle school prepare children for?  Answer:  High School

Question 5:  What does high school prepare children for?  Answer:  College

Question 6:  What does college prepare students for?  Answer:  A Job

In other words, traditional schooling prepares students for more schooling that will end up getting them a job!  It is very easy for any school, including a Christian school or homeschool, to be traditional when it comes to preparing students for the future.  Very good programs can be developed that will prepare students for the “next level” of schooling and eventually ensure them of being accepted into good colleges or universities.  The reason why it is so easy to follow after this tradition is that parents believe that this is what good schooling is all about.  They have been captured by ideas that follow the tradition of human opinion when it comes to the purpose of schooling.

However, it is much more difficult to be biblical when it comes to schooling.  How would one answer the six questions above biblically?  The answers would definitely not be to simply prepare the children for more schooling.  I believe the answer would go something like this.

Schooling must prepare children to fulfill God’s ultimate purpose for why He created man in His image.

This is a powerful statement that most Christian parents, church leaders and educators would quickly say amen to.  Unfortunately, I have found few Christians who could clearly describe what that ultimate purpose is.  This is because so few Christian adults have received training that helped them develop a biblical worldview.  Thus, they have to try and explain that statement from a secular, humanistic worldview perspective.

As a new school year is upon us here in most of North America, it would be a good time for parents, church leaders and educators to sit down and give careful thought to what should biblically-based education prepare our children for.  Then, we need to develop biblically-based strategies to make sure this takes place in the home, church and school.   We may discover that we need to make some drastic changes to how we educate future generations.  I would love to know your thoughts on this.  So, leave a comment below.