Miracles

I was reading CS Lewis last night from his book Miracles. Among many other things, he suggests that when we understand God correctly, we have a completely different concept of miracles and answered prayers. Basically, he says that, since God sees all "times" at once, it is not impossible for most answers to prayer to have been built into the fabric of this universe He created. If God knows that having rain or clear skies is vitally important, and that we have prayed for it, then He can have already (from our perspective) built that rain or clear skies into the weather pattern. Is it less of a miracle? Perhaps, from one perspective. But what it means is that, in order to answer our prayers, God need not intervene into the world, but just build it into the fabric. On the other hand, genuine miracles, in the sense of suspending the laws of nature, or inputting something from beyond the natural, is something that God does as well. But we have a tendency to only call it a work of God if it is a genuine miracle. If it turns out that it was going to rain after all, then God had nothing to do with it. And that is just plain not correct. After all, Jesus was "the lamb slain from the creation of the world." A little rain is pretty easy in comparison to redemption of an entire race. So keep on praying! God is listening even now and may be causing the entirety of creation to be a certain way even as we speak in order to answer that prayer!

Pastor Ken

People and Work

For Christians there is always a tension between the fact that people are more important in God's eyes than anything else in this world. And yet, Christian ministers want their ministries to continue on in one way or another when they are gone home to the Lord. A good example of this occurred this past week when Dennis Griffith, Director of Southern California Teen Challenge was called home by our Lord. First, our condolences go out to his family, because this was a completely unexpected homegoing. For those who say that Christians should not grieve in the face of death, I would suggest you look to Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane - he not only was not afraid to let his fear in the face of death show, but he also made sure it was recorded for you and I. Death is ugly! And the separation it brings is overwhelming. We need to pray for, and minister to, those who have lost a loved one. And, Dennis went home doing what God had called him to do. What could be better? And yet, there remains the work. Teen Challenge has been responsible for tens of thousands of people being delivered from life-controlling habits. We desperately need the ministry to continue. And it will! Each of us is precious in God's eyes. And that includes those who are yet to come into the kingdom. We can be sure that God will continue the work. When we look at circumstances from this side of eternity, things can be pretty confused. I don't know if they will be any clearer to us on the other side, but I know they are to God! So we will miss Dennis. But the work at Teen Challenge will go on. Dennis, we miss you! But wait until you see all those touched by your ministry in heaven.

Pastor Ken

Machines and Eternity

Being a life long fan of science fiction, I have come across some themes over and over. One is the idea that someday humanity will either be able to load an individual's consciousness and memories into a robot that will last for millennia rather than mere decades. The other is that we will find a way to load the consciousness and memories of humans into a large computing machine where we will be able to live virtually forever. But today I was reminded again of just how wrong that would be. You see, right as we were trying to make some new offering envelopes on our duplicator, it decided to break. Now, that is always frustrating, but it was also a reminder that machines, no matter how well they are made, are still man-made and hence susceptible to breaking down. In that they reflect this universe, which is going to inevitably run down and end up in a state where nothing can or will work. Fortunately, God does not offer us an eternity in a machine - He offers us eternity with Himself. In fact, if I read Revelation correctly, He will make a new universe that will not be subject to running down and we will live in a new body that will not wear out - forever! Much better than a machine.

Pastor Ken

Wisdom from a friend

While there are still many in our country who refuse to recognize Christ in a brother or sister from a different tradition, I am not one of those. In recent years I have been impressed especially by many of my Roman Catholic brothers and sisters in their commitment to our mutual Lord and elder brother and their excellent expression of the problems we face in modern America as well as some of the possible solutions. One place in particular where I come across some of these sisters and brothers is the Journal, First Things. In this month's edition there is an excellent article by the Archbishop of Denver on the problems facing Catholic charities in the face of the current secularist onslaught against the work of the church. Substitute "Christian" for "Catholic" and I think you have a good description of the problem many of us who desire to make a positive impact on our society and its ills face. Take a look at it and tell me what you think: http://www.firstthings.com/article/2009/10/a-charitable-endeavor

Getting things done

I have learned that doing a Ph.D. is a lot of work. Of course, that is as it should be, but it is one thing to know something conceptually and another to know it experientially. But today I finished my last chapter on my dissertation and now have a little bit of rewriting to do and then my intro and conclusion. I am on track to submit the completed dissertation on December 11. Praise the Lord! As usual, there has been no substitute for just doing it. "Higher up and higher in!"

Pastor Ken

Home Again

Cheri and I got home last night from our trip to North Carolina seeing my father and step-mother. We did have a good time and saw a part of the country that we have never seen before. As I said before, it was beautiful. But it is good to be home and back in the office. It is such a privilege to receive and then be able to fulfill a call from God to work in His vineyard. Vacations are great, but they are not meant to be permanent. I pray that God gives me a chance to make a difference for His kingdom. God bless you!

Pastor Ken

Leaf Peeping

That is what they call going out to enjoy the changing leaves here in the Western North Carolina mountain country. And that is what we are going to do today. Our first few days here it was rainy. My father and step-mother apologized a couple of times (meteorologists seem to think they control the weather!), but Cheri and I told them that, like most Californians, we enjoy visiting rain. But now it is sunny, and it has been below freezing the last couple of nights, so the leaves should be beautiful along the Blue Ridge Parkway. And it has me thinking about something. I know that evolutionary biologists say that our appreciation of the beauty of nature is an evolutionary response to the fact that we are the product of nature. But I can't help but wonder - do other animals even have the concept of beauty? And even if ours is a purely natural response to nature, does that mean that God had no hand in making it possible for us to enjoy beauty? Several years ago I read a work by Mortimer Adler on beauty which argued that beauty is a moral category - he made a powerful argument. And then, after awhile, I realize that maybe the best thing I can do is stop asking all these philosophical questions and just enjoy the beauty. So, I think I will go leaf peeping!

Pastor Ken

All God's People

It is Sunday afternoon and I went to St. John's Episcopal church with my father in Marion, North Carolina. It has been a long time since I went to an Episcopal service. Of course their services are much more liturgical than those of our tradition. But I found that those I talked to were every bit as committed as I. It is amazing how many people love to cast aspersions or question the motives of those who are of a different tradition. Just a few miles away from here a local Baptist pastor is making headlines by announcing a book burning of all non-KJV Bibles, along with books by heretics like Billy Graham and Rick Warren. Sometimes I understand all too well the title of a recent movie, "Lord, save us from your followers!" I know that we may disagree on some points. And I know that we have different ways of worshipping. But if you call on the Lord Jesus Christ as your savior - well then, we'll just hash out the other things together in eternity!

Pastor Ken

For the beauty of the Earth

As I sit in Western North Carolina looking out the window at the Smokie Mountains and the beauty of God's creation I am reminded of that old song, "For the beauty of the earth," a song of praise to God for the creation. I don't remember which atheist it was, but there was one who was reported to have once said that he admired Christians for the fact that they had someone to thank! Well, I thank God for life and the beauty of life. Someone once said that the ultimate question is, "why is there anything as opposed to nothing?" I have no answer save for God. So, thank you, Lord, for everything - and today, thank you for the Great Smokies!

Pastor Ken

Life is a team sport

When I was in high school, one of the assignments I hated the most was the "group" assignment. It always seemed that at least one of the team members wouldn't pull his or her weight, and the rest of us had to make up for it if we wanted a good grade. We saw the same thing again tonight when Pedro Martinez pitched so well, and yet the Phillies lost the game. As a Dodgers fan I am happy about the outcome, but I feel for Martinez. And then I realized how much this is just like life. We all make decisions that affect each other. Much of what happens in our lives is the result of decisions others make. But none of us lives life alone. Yes, it is frustrating when we suffer because of the decisions of others. But then again, my Lord came and died for me and I did nothing to deserve it. In sports parlance, He took one for the team. Everything else pales into insignificance in light of that. In retrospect, I am glad life is a team sport!

Pastor Ken

What Will You Be Remembered For?

This morning Cheri and I are going with my father and step-mother to Biltmore, one of the largest "homes" ever built in the United States. This one was built by the Vanderbilt family. I have no doubt that we will thoroughly enjoy it, and be suitably awed by the sheer size and beauty of it all. And, of course, it was surely the right of the family to do what they wanted to with their fortune. And, we certainly must appreciate the willingness of the family to open the house to the public for all to enjoy. Now, there is no question that I will not ever built a mansion like the Biltmore. But I still have to decide what to do with the small amount I have. We all know that the Bible tells us to store up treasure in heaven. We know that there is no "bank of heaven" into which we can place our money so that it will be there when we arrive, with interest. So how do we "send it ahead?" By helping people! And especially by letting our money be used to tell others about the good news of God's love in Jesus. Now, I have quite a long time before my "fortune" will be left behind (probably). But it is not too soon to think about it. What will we do? I think the divisions of world and US missions of the Assemblies of God will be receiving a small gift when the time comes. Small because we are not Vanderbilts. But it will be what we can do. What will our kids think? Well, they already know. And its OK. Maybe that is part of our legacy, too. Anyway, these are just a few random thoughts suggested by what will probably be a fun day looking at someone else's legacy. I hope I will see mine in heaven!

Pastor Ken

Visiting in NC

It is Wednesday morning and I am visiting with my father in North Carolina, where it is raining just as it is back home in Santa Clarita. The more things change . . . . It is beautiful here, with the leaves just starting to change. So I may not be blogging much this week, but perhaps everyone can do with the break! So, enjoy!

Pastor Ken

Dying by degrees

As I sit at my computer, I have already called up the draft of my doctoral dissertation to continue revising it prior to submitting it in early December. And all of the sudden I had one of those "blasts from the past," in this case a statement that my pastor used to make while I was in college doing my undergraduate work back in the early to mid '70s. Pastor Millard had founded and pastored several large churches, but he had definite ideas about education. He used to say, "men die by degree - BA, MA, PhD." We all used to laugh at it. I still do. We all have known or heard of people who have progressively left their faith behind as they have advanced the educational ladder. And yet, that is the attitude that had we evangelicals ceding the educational field to those who had no trouble voicing their doubts about scripture and our Lord to their students. And, I have actually found that the sentiment behind the statement is not quite true. Yes, there are those who have abandoned their faith while getting their education. But, as JP Moreland has pointed out, it usually wasn't because of what they had learned - it was because they found that they wanted to do things that their faith discouraged, and it was easier to deny the faith completely rather than admit that one had failed. As I have gone through my studies, I have found my faith strengthened. And, to be honest, I find that an unexamined faith is a poor faith that can quickly crumble when things get tough. My faith has been tried in all kinds of fire, including the intellectual fire, and it is as strong or stronger than ever. And doesn't that make sense? God is not trying to hide. So the more we learn about every aspect of our world, the more we should be able to see God's hand. Or so it seems to me.

Pastor Ken

The Least of These

Every Saturday we cooperate together with the Worldwide Church of God that rents from us to feed the homeless in our area a hot meal and give them a bag of food for the week. We have been cooperating together for about two years now, and it has become a part of the DNA of both churches to do this every weekend. I want to heartily recommend it to any and every one. The first and main reason is that no one should go hungry. The second reason is that this is how we show God's love to people we might not otherwise be able to show it to. The third reason is the joy that we receive from fulfilling God's will and helping others. I could go on. The simple fact is that it is not hard work, it only takes a few hours and it makes a difference in the lives of others. So, if you are not doing anything on Saturday afternoons - or even if you are and want to do something that might be more important that watching the game - come on out. We would love to have you!

Pastor Ken

Sitting and Waiting

As I write this I am sitting at the car dealership waiting to get my car back from its regularly scheduled oil change. It is amazing how much of life consists of waiting, even when we are doing something. As another pastor reminded me yesterday, life is what happens when we are waiting for our plans to be fulfilled. I had heard that many times before, but when he said it, I thought, "what does it say about my trust of God if I don't live in this moment?" Now, don't get me wrong, I am a planner, and I do believe in planning. It is not the planning that is the problem (at least not most of the time). It is the feeling that we are being interrupted when things happen outside of what we had planned. When I became a Christian, and several times since, I told the Lord that my life was His to do with as He saw fit. I am not smart enough or powerful enough to know or do what needs to be done, both for myself and for others. I do not know what I can do that might seem simple or trivial to me that might make a major difference in the life of another. But God does! My life in the Lord can never be trivial. So, while I will continue to plan where it seems appropriate, I trust that I can learn to live in the moment as well, and trust that whatever is happening, God can, and perhaps even is, using it for purposes of which I may never be aware. To God be the glory!

Pastor Ken

Go Dodgers!

Nothing spiritual today - just rooting for the Dodgers, especially as they are playing the favorite team of our good friend Candy Tolbert, who is a rabid Cardinals fan. She is in Europe right now, so by the time she gets back this weekend the Dodgers could be up two games to none. If they are, I will rub it in. If they are not, I will be strangely silent. Is that nice? Who said anything about nice - this is baseball! Enjoy!

Pastor Ken

We all need help sometimes!

This morning when I got into the office, there was a package from AT&T waiting for me. It was time to install the new modem and set up the office wireless network. AT&T had offered to provide us with broadband wireless for about $10 less per month than our old provider, and I have never been one to turn down a savings for substantially the same thing. But, of course, that meant setting up the entire network. Well, you can guess what happened - I ended up on the phone with the service tech. It took us about 20 minutes, but, as this post proves, we got the job done. But it also illustrates another thing - we all need help sometimes. No matter how hard we try, we are going to run into things we don't know how to do or can't do for some reason. So many of us don't like to ask for help - we want to do it ourselves. We all know that this is a bad strategy in our spiritual lives - we have to rely on the Holy Spirit for power to live daily for the Lord. But it is also a bad strategy for everyday life. I do not grow my own food. I do not generate my own electricity. And, obviously, I do not connect my internet on my own either. The thing is, as frustrating as it is to admit that I cannot do everything on my own, the truth is that I rob someone else of a blessing (and sometimes of a job!) if I won't let others help me. Of course, there are other issues, like waiting a long time for help or what seems to be deliberately obtuse instructions. Nothing is ever simple. But we need to be careful not to take it out on the one who is helping us. Instead, let's ask for help, and then appreciate the one who gives it. Anyway, that is my thought. Have a great day!

Pastor Ken

An Invitation to Dialogue

Well, doing this six days a week is proving to be difficult - time seems to get away pretty quickly some days. But I will try to do this everyday I can. This past Saturday Cheri and I went to see the new movie, "Lord, Save us from your followers." In general, it was excellent. But it got me thinking and I would like to hear from you about your thoughts. The thesis of the movie is that Christians have become too shrill and condemnatory in the "culture wars," and have compromised their primary mission to tell everyone the good news about God's love in Jesus Christ. Now, in general, I certainly agree. But one of the questions I have is where our responsibility to faithfully proclaim those aspects of the Bible that tell us how we are to live. I firmly believe that these descriptions of the godly life represent not God's attempt to prevent us from having fun or living fulfilled lives, but rather describe the best kind of life possible. Sin is not just a violation of God's law, though it is that, but it is also a violation of the best life we can have according to the one who made us. But when we proclaim that God tells us that certain things are harmful and as such constitute sin, we inevitably have people accuse us of being judgmental. So where is the balance? And what responsibility do we have to society to faithfully proclaim God's description of that good life and preserve a society that encourages people to live the way God has told us to live rather than encouraging lifestyles that lead to a less than optimal life in God? Let the conversation begin!

Pastor Ken

Worthwhile traffic

This morning I left my house at 5:30 to go to Orange County. Even at that early hour I hit a couple of stop and go places, though the trip as a whole was fairly fast. Why so early? This morning I and our three ethnic pastors are starting a church planter's "bootcamp." For the next 24 out of 36 hours we will be discussing how to reach out to people who do not know the love of God in Jesus Christ. Already this morning, before we started, I have talked with one of the trainers about the relative lack of interest in our society in the church. And yet, God has chosen the church as His means of reaching the world. So, for this next couple of days, we will talk and strategize. Adding to the difficulty is that our little group represents several ethnic groups, some from other countries and others right here in California. So pray for us - we know God's desire is to help us reach out. God bless you!

Pastor Ken