Caleb's Soapbox

A Quote from Piper's "The Dangerous Duty of Delight"

2008-05-08T01:26:00.003-05:00

While I'm not sure that I fully appreciate a term like "Christian Hedonism" I do believe that the principle is good. I feel that the term hedonism, while perhaps not in its root meaning, carries the thought or idea of ultimate joy in temporal, fleshly, and often sensual desires and experiences. Obviously this is the reason that Piper's concept adds the "Christian" qualifier and I can live with that.

That all being said, I recently skimmed through John Piper's book, "The Dangerous Duty of Delight" while waiting in line at the Immigration office here and found a couple of great quotes. Here is the one that stuck out to me most:

"The message that needs to be shouted from the housetops is: Listen, world! You are not nearly hedonistic enough! You are far too easily pleased. You are like children making mud pies in the slum because you cannot imagine what a holiday at the sea is like. Stop laying up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal. Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven! (Matthew 6:19-20)

"Quit being satisfied with little 2-percent yields of pleasure that get eaten up by moths of inflation and the rust of death. Invest in the blue-chip, high-yield, divinely insured securities of heaven. Giving your life to material comforts and thrills is like throwing money down a rat hole. But a life invested in the labor of love yields dividends of joy unsurpassed and unending - even if it costs you your property and your life on this earth.

"Come to Christ in whose presence are fullness of joy and pleasures forever more... For the Lord of heaven and earth, Jesus Christ has spoken: It is more blessed to love than to live in luxury!"

Visiting Trieste's Concentration Camp

2008-04-16T05:12:00.003-05:00

Last Wednesday, while seated at a bus stop, I met Frank. Frank is originally from England but has lived here in Trieste for the past 37 or so years. As we visited we came upon the topic of the Holocaust Concentration Camp and, as I had not seen it yet, he told me that he would take me there.

Yesterday morning I met up with him and we went to tour the camp. The camp here in Trieste was the only 'death' camp in all of Italy. From what I gathered it was actually originally a rice factory that was later converted. While the cells block and other buildings still exist, the crematory and oven were bombed by the Nazi's as they fled in order to hide the evidence. The experience for me was quite a sobering one but also brought opportunities for me to point out the terrible effects of sin that we see in the world.

Even though he wears a cross, Frank told me that he is not a "religious" man. Overall our time was good and I hope to continue building on this relationship with Frank and have further opportunities to share the gospel with him.

Below are some of the pictures I took. As you look at them please remember to pray for Frank and all here in Trieste who are in bondage to the same sinful nature that ultimately leads to death.

Outside Shots of buildings

Inside of cell block

Cells (They say 8 people were kept in each cell.)

The smooth area on the ground is where the crematory was.

This monument shows where the smoke left the oven.

Marshall McLean

2008-02-13T04:35:00.003-06:00

Interesting that I would be writing this review/recommendation for an american musician that I just heard play a couple of songs last night in Udine, Italy. Last night we (Matt, Barbara, and I) had dinner with another missionary couple who are working with a church plant in Udine (a city about an hour away from Trieste). We were also joined by a couple from the Spokane, WA area who had met each-other on a summer mission trip here in Northern Italy. Their names are Marshall and Nina McLean. I was soon to learn that Marshall is a musician and a good one at that.
He played a couple of songs for us and I was quite impressed by the creative lyrics and musical talent. I even grabbed a few of his songs off of iTunes, where they are most readily available. If you want you can also look him up on his myspace page and listen to a couple of songs. Don't look for his albums at the store because he has released all three on his own and uses the proceeds to support his family. Of course, we were priviledged to hear a song or two that have not even been released yet. Sorry, you'll have to wait. ; )
They are here for the next three months to help with the ministry of a mission organization working in and around Udine.

Spellbound: The Paranormal Seduction of Today's Kids

2008-01-12T15:42:00.000-06:00

Books, movies, video games, educational websites. What do all of these have in common? You might be surprised but all of these categories are related in that they are ways in which our youth and even adults are being slowly desensitized to the occult.

Now I'm not one to tell you that Satan is hiding behind every bush but I strongly believe that the Bible is the ultimate authority in all things. The Bible tells us that Satan is the god of this world, he is like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour, he masquerades as an angel of light, and he blinds those who are perishing to the truth of the Gospel. (II Cor 4:3-4; I Peter 1:5; II Cor 11:14) In case you didn't know, Italy is estimated to have over 100,000 practicing witches and warlocks. The occult presencs is increadibly strong in Italy and many parts of Europe and it increases in America as we desensitize ourselves and our youth.

I have just finished reading the book, "Spellbound: The Paranormal Seduction of Today's Kids" by Marcia Montenegro and wanted to recommend it to you. Marcia presents the occult through the eyes of one who has had first hand experience in it prior to her salvation. She also does a great job of incorporating Scriptural support for her position and presents an easy approach to dealing with our own kids in matters of the occult.

Have you ever wondered about the occult? Do you know the difference between the occult and fantasy? What does the Bible say about the occult? If you have ever asked these questions that I suggest you pick up a copy of this book. You can find it online at: http://www.amazon.com/Spellbound-Marcia-Montenegro/dp/0781443601

The Bride

2008-01-12T15:35:00.000-06:00

The Bride
The druid in the corner slowly chants,
While a bard upon the stage begins to sing.
Jesters in the courtyard flip their hats,
And the bride is playing mind games with her King!

Hollow ships float, tethered to the docks.
Vacant castles sit by placid lochs.
Shop lined streets lie coldly bare,
And an aura of silence lingers in the air.

Rooms lie ready for their guests,
To whom messengers have taken requests.
Tables are filled with platters full,
While seats lie empty, the hearth stands cold.

The druid in the corner halts his chants.
The bard upon the stage no longer sings.
Jesters in the courtyard now tip their hats,
To the bride who is playing mind games with her King.

The Cast:
The druid.
The druid in the poem is symbolic of all false religions and religious endeavors. Though they constantly beckon and lead thousands astray, they are not the Truth and only the Truth can set one free. By the end of the poem they can say nothing more. In the end, they will be speechless as they stand before the King without excuse.
The bard.
The bard represents all of those people in the ever growing entertainment industry that we so often give our full attention to and sometimes even worship. The bard can no longer sing by the end of the poem. He too stands speechless before the King.
The jesters.
The jesters represent all of that frivolous entertainment that we cram into our short lives. While entertainment is not necessarily wrong, it too often consumes all the time and attention that we ought to be giving to the King. In the end, the jesters and all their entertaining must tip its hat to what is really important and essential, the King. At the bottom line, entertainment doesn’t matter.
The bride.
It shouldn’t take long to realize who the bride is. We, as believers, are the bride of Christ. Our inheritance is in heaven. Our focus is too often in the wrong direction and we are constantly playing mind games with our Lord, our King! We are often more concerned with ourselves than with being about His business. I have often been told that the end seems a bit disturbing, but I wonder if in the end, we will all be found still playing games. I think there is more important business at hand.

There is, crammed into the middle of the poem, a much greater message as well. Though, it is a message that should walk hand in hand with that of our getting some priorities right. It is essentially the message of the gospel. The kingdom is so far from full, in fact, it might as well be empty. Messengers have been sent out with invitations, we are the messengers, but not all of the invitations have been delivered. Have you delivered yours? We can do nothing more than be the vessels by which the gospel is spread. We can’t make people believe, but just as the Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 10:14, “How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?” Remember, the druid chants to them, the bard sings to them, and jesters entertain them. There are many distractions, but God forbid that in the end we should be caught simply playing games.

Forgiveness - Repentance - Confession

2006-05-29T06:28:00.005-05:00

I have recently been in discussion over the issue of forgiveness (repentance and confession included) in an online forum. I believe that these issues are important for the way we look at one another and ourselves in the body of Christ. Our discussions have caused me to look a little deeper into the Word to reflect and so I will share my thoughts.
First a couple of observations. 1) 'Repent' is only used a handfull of times in the New Testament. 2) Of those times it is only used once in reference to anything other than salvation of 'unbelievers'. (except perhaps its uses in Revelation, depending on your interpretation of Revelation.) 3) The other time it is used is in the passage in Luke 17 and is from Jesus directed at His disciples. I find it interesting that the emphasis in this passage is on Faith and not forgiveness or repentance.
Repentance Vs Confession The Bible seems to make a distinction between repentance and confession. Repentance is 'to change one's mind or purpose.' This is typically seen as a turning from one thing to another. (i.e. unbelievers turning to Christ.) 'Confess' literally means 'of one mind' or 'to speak the same, to agree.' We would say that confessing is 'agreeing with God.' So, what's the difference? We 'turn' to Christ, changing our thinking and really our entire mode of operation! Once we are saved we have the Holy Spirit and as we are convicted we confess, 'agree with God' regarding our sin.
I John 1:9 – It’s all about relationships.
It is extremely important to note that I John is written to believers. I John 1:9 is not a verse on being saved or on a need to continually confess our sin in order to remain saved. If we look at the context it is in direct relation to fellowship with God. I mention this primarily because it becomes very easy to read and use the verses in the epistles of Peter, James, and John out of context.
If you will, follow this little explanation. (my words in italics)
1Jo 1:5 "This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all."
I Jo 1:5 - God is light and in Him is no Darkness, none whatsoever.
1Jo 1:6 -"If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth."
I Jo 1:6 - If we say we are in fellowship with God but are really walking in darkness we are lying and are therefore walking in the dark.
1Jo 1:7 - "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin"
I Jo 1:7 - Walking in the light = fellowship with God (also brings fellowship with eachother as believers) and we are cleansed (pure, remember, he is talking to believers)
1Jo 1:8 -"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us."
I Jo 1:8 - If we say, "Sin, what sin?" then we aren't being truthful = walking in darkness.
1Jo 1:9 - "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
I Jo 1:9 - but, if we agree with God regarding our sin, He is faithful to forgive and cleanse us = restore us to the light = fellowship with God.
1Jo 1:10 - If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
I Jo 1:10 - If we look at our sin and deny that it is sin, we are not in fellowship with God! John is writing about fellowship. Sin breaks fellowship with God and that fellowship can only be restored through confession.
On a more personal - one on one - level.
Obviously when we sin against eachother we break fellowship with eachother. Even if you have no idea that I have sinned against you, there will be a break in true fellowship if only on my part. Should I come and confess this to you? If I want to restore fellowship I should! The real question asked on my forum though, was whether or not repentance is neccessary in order for True Forgiveness to happen? As I have already mentioned I would prefer the term confession as opposed to repentance, but regardless, I would say no! Here's why...
Forgiveness, who's to blame?
It was stated on the forum I participate in that 'repentance of the offender always comes before the forgiveness' in the Bible. Yet, I see that in most passages regarding repentance forgiveness comes afterward! (A little different viewpoint and maybe just a glass half full or half empty thing.) Yet there is far more emphasis in the New Testament regarding forgiveness where repentance is not mentioned at all. Take your pick of Matt 6:9-15; Matt 18:21-35; Mark 11:24-26; Luke 11:2-4; or even Luke 23:34! None of these present repentance prior to forgiveness. Rather, these passages present us with the responsibility of forgiving offenses against us, no strings attached.
Forgiven already...?
Surely we cannot not deny that Christ's sacrifice was sufficient for the sins of the whole world, "And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world." I John 2:1b-2 Could we be forgiven already? As has already been mentioned, God is willing to forgive! Eph 4:31-32 states, "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you." Perhaps the most clear passage, though, is found in Col 2:13-14, "When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross." In a sense we have been forgiven already but until we accept, by faith, that Jesus Christ died, was buried, and rose again according to the Scriptures (I Cor 15) that forgiveness cannot be appropriated.
The Big Question?
If God saw fit, while I was dead in my transgressions (not after I had repented), to not only make me alive together with Christ but also to forgive all of my transgressions then should I not also forgive those who have transgressed against me, even if they are still in the midst of their transgression? Jesus did! Luke 23:34 "But Jesus was saying, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing."

2006-04-18T21:00:00.001-05:00

Having our faith and eating it too (pt:4 the missing ingredient) !

Perhaps the most frustrating thing a person can do in the kitchen is to bake. I love to cook and consider myself a decent one at that, but I leave the baking for the professionals. Have you ever noticed how you can get the recipe for your favorite cookie from a friend and it will never be the same when you make it? How about pancakes? Have you ever mistakenly added baking soda rather than baking powder? It completely changes the recipe when we leave an ingredient out or replace it with something else while baking.

The same is true of our spiritual growth. There are essential ingredients for us to properly mature as believers. Think of a baby. There are some essentials for a baby's survival. There are 'ingredients' so to speak. For example, a baby needs air, food, a healthy environment, and human interaction to properly develop. As believers there are several 'ingredients' necessary for our spiritual growth as well. We have mentioned the first three already. They are the Word of God, Fellowship, and Service (or Ministry). The fourth of these is Prayer.

Prayer is often overlooked and is not seen as being essential for spiritual growth. I think in the back of everyone's mind we all realize it is important, but why? Doesn't God already know everything? Doesn't He know all of our thoughts, requests, needs, or even desires better than even we do? To be honest, I don't have answers for all of these questions. Rather, we have the Word of God which makes it clear that prayer is not only important, but essential.

The Word of God tells us that our prayer is important to God! Hebrews 4:16 tells us to come boldly before the throne of grace in our time of need. In James 5:16b says, “The effectual fervent praye of a righteous man availeth much.” Paul tells the Thessalonians to, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” I Thess 5:16-18 In I Timothy 2:8 Paul says that he wills all men to pray.

I feel that the following passage from, “Walking in Victory” by Dennis McCallum does a good job of emphasising the importance of prayer.
“Paul teaches that the key to walking according to the Spirit is to set our minds on the things of the Spirit. The most obvious way to set our mind on the things of the Spirit is through prayer. Nothing is more personal or more important in our relationship with God than our prayer lives. Our times of prayer have the potential to also be the most refreshing and reassuring times in our lives. Unfortunately, prayer is often portrayed as a formalistic exercise more suited to a machine than to a personal relationship.
“Prayer takes a number of forms, including not only conscious thanksgiving, requests, and praise, but also a prayerful attitude of dependance in which we practice the presence of God. This could be called an attitude of prayer.”

Prayer is essential! Do we have all the answers? No, but the Word of God makes it clear that it is important to our spiritual growth.

2006-02-17T07:36:00.000-06:00

Having our faith and eating it too (pt: 3 drinking from the carton)

Have you ever gone to the refrigerator to have a drink of milk and thought, “Why dirty a glass?” I have to admit I do not recall ever doing this personally. I’m not entirely sure why someone would do this but then again I don’t really like milk. Yet I can’t help but think that it just isn’t proper. No one else would want to drink from the same carton later. Knowing this it would be hard for this act not to be done in selfishness. Yet so often we selfishly choose what is not proper in our spiritual life as well. It is not even that these choices are always bad for the Body but they are not the best.

We spoke last time about the fact that we have all that we need for life and godliness. We saw that the written Word of God is not just for those who have been to school or those who have special knowledge but rather it is for each of us and our personal growth. As we read the Word of God, relying on the Holy Spirit within us, and interpret it literally and in context we have no need of a teacher. We have all that we need to feed ourselves from the Scripture on a daily basis.

Undoubtedly the question becomes, “Why, then, should we attend church at all?” The answer to that question may come as a shock to some. There are two reasons that we should gather together as believers on a regular basis and they walk hand in hand with one another. The purpose for church is found in the principles of fellowship and ministry.

The author of Hebrews writes, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encourage one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” (Heb 10:23-25 KJV) First we notice that there is an exhortation here to assemble together as believers to stimulate one another to love and good deeds. We are also told here to encourage one another.

The Apostle Paul also makes similar statements as he addresses the Corinthian Church regarding their distressed state. To give a little context to the next couple of verses we must realize that the Corinthian Church was on self-destruct mode. Their members were struggling with selfishness and pride. It would appear that they were even using their spiritual gifts in selfishness. Paul writes, “Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual [gifts], seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.” (I Cor 14:12 KJV) I actually appreciate the Message version of this text. “Since you're so eager to participate in what God is doing, why don't you concentrate on doing what helps everyone in the church?” A little later in the same passage and context Paul states, “So here's what I want you to do. When you gather for worship, each one of you be prepared with something that will be useful for all: Sing a hymn, teach a lesson, tell a story, lead a prayer, provide an insight.” (I Cor 14:26 MSG) Whether you like the way it is stated in The Message or not, the point Paul is making is still the same. When we gather together as a body we should not be looking for our own interests but the spiritual and physical welfare of the whole body of believers. Does this mean that growing from the message brought by the pastor on Sunday morning is wrong. Of course not! Yet if our soul purpose in gathering together is personal growth then we are missing the purpose of gathering together. Rather, if each of us comes with the intent of giving to the body in some way then everyone will grow and the body of Christ will be stronger than ever.

2006-01-10T06:35:00.000-06:00

Having our faith and eating it too (pt 2: everything we need)

I love fast food. Don't get me wrong when I tell you that it is terrible. It tastes great but anyone in the nutrition field would tell you that it is terrible for your body. So, why eat fast food? It is fast, easy, and fills our belly or perhaps it is all we know. If we are raised in a family where home cooked meals were about as common as vacationing at Disney Land (which could be more often for some than others) than perhaps we don't know any better. What more could we want? When our body seems to say its hungry all we have to do is fill our belly and we feel full. Many diets are based upon a similar concept of just filling it with something.
In a spiritual sense we all like fast food as well. As I mentioned last week, we all want to rush into church for our hour and a quarter on Sunday morning and have our fill. If we are really doing well we may even pick up a devotional pamphlet on our way out the door and find ourselves reading our 15 minutes worth per day. Not that going to church on Sunday morning and reading a short devotional are wrong! Both of these things can be very beneficial, but are they truly enough! Are they really what was intended for us? Before I get to far I will remind you that the spiritual state of believers today, on the most part, is sub-par at best. I'm not knocking anyone, but we all feel that way at times. We are floundering in our faith and don't know why!
In 2 Peter 1:3 Peter writes, "seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence." We are here told that we have everything pertaining to life and godliness through the knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord! (vs 2) Where is it then that we recieve this knowledge? For centuries the Catholic church and many others have taught that this knowledge is privilege only to those within the priesthood and that the common man cannot understand these things on his own. For centuries men have bought into this lie. Yet, Peter tells us in 1 Peter 2:5 that believers are an holy priesthood. Even today this thought is so prevelant in our minds that many of us do not believe that we can know God or understand the Scripture apart from the 'church'. Yet, I propose to you that this is not so. If Peter was writing to belivers, and we know he was, then how could he say that God, according to His divine power, has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness if He has not?
Rather than rambling on and on let me cut to the chase! We have been given all that we need to live godly lives and to discern the truth from the Scripture on our own. I John 2:27 tells us, "As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him." 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." We have been given all we need to be firmly grounded in our faith, all that we need to live godly lives in the Scripture. It doens't take another man to interpret the Word of God for us. We have the Spirit living within us and are able to understand the Word of God as we read it openly.
This does not mean that we should not apply basic principles while studying the Word of God, however. We should still look at the context and not read things into the text that are not there. Literal interpretation of the Word of God is key. God did not tell us that we have all that we need, that we need no one else to teach us, that all Scripture is profitable and then turn around and make it all an allegory. God did not complicate His truth!

2006-01-06T06:56:00.000-06:00

Having our faith and eating it too (pt 1: an introduction)

We live in an exceptionally fast paced society. Everyone is in a hurry and we all have the most important agenda, or at least we think so. Don't believe me? Try holding up the line at Starbucks on any given morning. We want what we want and we don't want it now, we want it yesterday. We seek sustanance in the drive-thru, stories in movies, phone calls on the run, and letters via email. Whatever happened to the alternative? How about sitting down together as a family for dinner, reading a good book, just relaxing without the constant ringing of our cell phone, and receiving a letter in the mail. "Unrealistic" you may say, and perhaps you are right. In our culture today is it any wonder that believers struggle with their faith? We want it all spoon fed, we want to run into church on Sunday morning, or Saturday night if it best fits the schedule, get our quick fix and get out. Is it any wonder that we have no idea what we believe? What we put our 'faith' in is just what we have heard in passing, it is nothing more than hearsay! Is this what was intended for us? Is this the Biblical portrait of 'faith' and the Christian life?

2006-01-05T06:53:00.000-06:00

Ok, ok! I know the title of this blog may be a little suspect, but it really is not my intention to ruffle any feathers or to offend anyone who may read this! Rather I would like to share my thoughts, the things that we are up to, and perhaps challenge a few views in order that we may remain grounded in those things in which we claim to place our faith. Remember that, "the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." James 1:3-4