by James Hunt | Mar 24, 2014
“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.” (Prov. 13:12, ESV)
Delay – it ought to be a four-letter word. It’s ugly, and not many of us are fond of its smothering presence.
To experience the delay of slow traffic when you’re in a rush is one thing. Or, to be delayed by the person with 50 items who ignored the “20 Items or fewer” sign is minor compared to other delays.
A person waits for the medical diagnosis for the treatment – waits in hope for the treatment to be successful. Delays concerning our physical health can impact our emotional health. When one hopes for healing… and the healing actually comes. Then the desire fulfilled is like a tree whose fruit brings life to our bodies and souls. Of course, when the delays in our physical healing continue, our emotional stresses deepen.
No matter the hope – whenever hope is delayed we are affected.
My wife and I delayed becoming parents for the first 10-plus years of our marriage. There were times we wondered if we should start a family. There were many occasions where I sensed the loss of something I’d not experienced yet – and for which I still felt unprepared. I shed tears and longed to be a dad – sometimes.
Then, just like that, 14 years had passed, and we were still not parents. Had we waited too long? Had our delay resulted in ultimate loss of opportunity? My heart was sick.
What we didn’t know was that God was already working behind the scenes to answer our delay. In answering our delay God answered the heart-felt desire of four children to belong. For us, the answer for “delay” is “adoption”. No longer is there sickness of heart. In its place we have discovered delicious, life-giving fruit that sustains us and that has created “home” for all six of us.
Hope continues to be deferred for more than 400,000 kids in the foster system in the United States. Hope continues to evade the grasp of 10,000-plus kids in our own state system. Many have a permanency goal of being reunited with biological parents. Their hopes sometimes are realized – but not without way too many delays.
A child in the care of the state is completely unable to create the solution to make hope become realized.
Does God want you to play a part in fulfilling hope in a child’s life through mentoring, fostering, adoption, or, becoming an advocate for a child in need? You might just discover that as you offer yourself as a tangible means of fulfilling hope in the life of a child that you become stronger, more fulfilled and exceedingly blessed in the process. You just might find your own hopes fulfilled as you assist others in their experiences of delay.
Is it possible that the life-giving tree is you?
by James Hunt | Mar 11, 2014
Under the Old Covenant, the Law required that every seventh year be labeled as a year of release. Essentially, it amounted to a debtor’s Sabbath. Whatever had been loaned to another Israelite was forgiven, no matter how much was still owed (Deut. 15:1-2).
God wanted His people cared for. He made sure that written into the Law was the additional command that if an Israelite fell into financially challenging times, those able were to lend to them whatever they needed for survival (Deut. 15:7-8).
I suppose the smart thing to do would be to stop lending to those in need as the seventh year approached. Imagine if you lent to a person a bunch of money or goods in the sixth year, say, with a month or two before the debtor’s Sabbath arrived. Wouldn’t it be silly to lend out only to have to forgive the debt a month or two later?
God anticipated this way of thinking and gave the following command:
“Be careful that there isn’t this wicked thought in your heart, ‘The seventh year, the year of canceling debts, is near,’ and you are stingy toward your poor brother and give him nothing. He will cry out to the Lord against you, and you will be guilty.” (Deut. 15:9, HCSB)
The words translated, “you are stingy”, in the original language is more literally, “your eye is evil”.
What does this mean, “your eye is evil”? Could it be that when we begin to view generosity toward others as a threat to our personal comfort, ease and security then our sight is clouded by self-centeredness? Is it possible that this self-centeredness is actually insidious evil? Could it be that the more we allow ourselves to practice stinginess the less our lives reflect God’s glory?
This is not the only place in Scripture where the metaphorical statement, “your eye is evil” is used. See the following passages:
“Don’t eat a stingy person’s bread, and don’t desire his choice food, for it’s like someone calculating inwardly. ‘Eat and drink,’ he says to you, but his heart is not with you. You will vomit the little you’ve eaten and waste your pleasant words.” (Proverbs 23:6–8, HCSB)
“A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty will come upon him.” (Proverbs 28:22, ESV)
In both of the above passages the original language uses the term, “evil eye”. Interesting, don’t you think?
I wonder if Jesus was thinking back on the Law and the Proverbs when He taught the following:
““Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light. But when your eye is bad, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!” (Matt. 6:22–23, NLT)
Of course, this passage in Matthew is the one about laying up treasures in heaven.
What does stinginess tell us about our value system? What does it indicate about our view of the treasure of knowing and making known the person of Christ?
When generous living seems elusive in our quest for self-preservation and self-promotion, perhaps the cure is self-denial?
May the Great Physician heal our evil eyes and place in our stingy hearts a clear view of the Gospel. May we saturate our sight with the Good News of the generosity of Jesus Christ who gave His all to make poor beggars like you and me rich for all eternity. May this spiritual sight result in Christ-like generosity shown in deeds of mercy and Gospel-advancing kindness – and all to the glory of God.
Let’s change orphans to sons and daughters. Let’s be used of God to help set the debtor free – to proclaim the year of the Lord’s release of spiritual poverty even as we seek to act generously by caring for temporal needs.
Do you see what I’m saying?
by Kelly King | Feb 17, 2014
I jumped on the Downton Abbey fan train during Season Two. It didn’t take long to become engrossed in the drama surrounding the Grantham family. I subtly even got my husband hooked on the show when he started watching Season Three with me. (I finally got tired of answering questions, and we had to backtrack and watch the first two seasons so he could catch up.) He even wanted to send a sympathy card when Sybil died. It took a few weeks to comprehend that she was actually gone from our lives…I mean show.
One of the things I’ve found interesting is the way Downton Abbey has woven contemporary issues into a story line that dates back to the early part of the 20th century. Prostitution, homosexuality and abortion have all made it into the storyline one way or another. But no one prepared us for the attack and rape of Anna, one of Downton’s most beloved characters.
I watched the episode by myself when I was traveling out of town. I must admit, it left me uncomfortable and restless. I noticed from my Twitter feed that many others, especially women, were upset. Some made comments saying they might stop watching the show. The subject of rape hit an uneasy nerve—even though we were spared visual images that might have been shown.
Rape. The word alone conjures up pain and empathy. I’m not an expert, but I believe women are tender towards the agony that was presented in this episode. Why? Because way too many women have been a victim of this crime, and it continues to haunt them.
In a study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control of 5,000 college students at over 100 colleges, 20 percent of women answered “yes” to the question, “In your lifetime have you been forced to submit to sexual intercourse against your will?” In other words, one in five college women has been raped at some point in her lifetime. 1
A similar survey showed the same statistics among high school students. Half of the girls told no one about the incident.2
Other important statistics you should know:
- 57% of rapes happen on dates. 3
- 75% of the men and 55% of the women involved in acquaintance rapes were drinking or taking drugs just before the attack.4
- More than half of all rape and sexual assault incidents occurred within one mile of the survivor’s home or in her home. 5
We may be glued to our television sets and sympathize with a fictional character, but the real question is, “How will the church address this issue? How can you provide help to women who are silently suffering in our pews?” Although this is a very simple list, here are a few suggestions to consider:
Recognize there is a problem and begin a conversation. Provide small group opportunities for women where they can find safe places to share. Learn how to ask the right questions if you suspect a woman has been sexually assaulted. For instance, “Have you had an unwanted sexual encounter?” may be easier for someone to answer than, “Have you been raped?”
Understand that a sexual assault may be the underlying issue to a different symptom. For instance, if a woman is dealing with depression, panic attacks, anxiety or marital problems, it is possible that these are the manifestations of a previous unwanted sexual encounter.
Know that you are probably not equipped to handle this situation without professional help. Does your church have connections with professional counselors? Is there a woman on your staff who is able to minister to this need? I’m personally not a fan of men counseling women in general, but this is definitely an area where women need to be available to other women, especially older women who are wise and discerning. (In other words, who is your Mrs. Hughes?)
If you’ve been the victim of a sexual assault, here are a few reminders to you:
- You are not responsible for the actions of an assault against you. If you were coerced or forced against your will, it is not your fault. Just as Anna began questioning whether she had led her attacker on, you cannot put blame, guilt or shame on yourself.
- Please find a confidante and share your experience—report it to authorities if possible. Anna did not want anyone to know of the incident, and the pain she suffered in silence was greater than the pain she suffered when she shared it with those who love her.
- The need for justice. For Downton fans, we all want justice for Anna. Who didn’t cheer for Mrs. Hughes when she confronted the perpetrator and gave him a verbal lashing? And that’s not enough. We want this guy punished. We want him to feel the pain he has inflicted. As a follower of Christ, we are told in The Book of Romans that God will provide revenge. He is our protector. While it’s difficult to sometimes see how God can bring about justice, trust Him and have hope that God will battle on your behalf.
- Be reminded of God’s love for you and His plan for your life. If you’ve been a victim of sexual assault or rape, do not believe the lie that God loves you less. He can take your pain and use it for His glory. It is doubtful you will see a Biblical worldview on Downton Abbey because there hasn’t been evidence of that yet. Just know your Creator has not turned His back on you, and His love for you endures forever. Scripture reminds us that He can make beauty from ashes, and He can turn our sorrow into joy.
This is just the beginning of a conversation. Help us out. What suggestions do you have? How is your church offering help to victims?
Sources: (Information from www.oneinfourusa.org)
1Douglas, K. A. et al. “Results From the 1995 National College Health Risk Behavior Survey.” Journal of American College Health 46 (1997): 55-66.
2 Davis, T. C, G. Q. Peck, and J. M. Storment. “Acquaintance Rape and the High School Student.” Journal of Adolescent Health 14 (1993): 220-24.
3 Warsaw, R. I Never Called it Rape. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 1994.
4 Ibid.
5 Greenfeld, L. A. Sex Offenses and Offenders: An Analysis of Data on Rape and Sexual Assault, Washington, D. C.: U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 1997.
by James Hunt | Feb 10, 2014
One of the most beautiful metaphors for how God has brought us into relationship with Himself is the idea of adoption. Paul speaks of this in at least the following passages:
- “For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”” (Rom. 8:15, ESV)
- “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”” (Gal. 4:4–6, ESV)
- “In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.” (Eph. 1:4c–6, ESV)
What can we learn from these passages about God’s love for us and our relationship to Him? We can learn that we are children who have been set free from slavery and fear and set in the Heavenly family as part of God’s precious treasure (the Beloved). No longer do we have to cry out in fear as slaves of sin under the just condemnation of God’s wrath; rather, we cry out in familial love as kids of our benevolent Abba Father, our Heavenly Daddy.
We see ourselves not against backdrop of who we used to be (slaves) and where we used to be (outside – not belonging) but as Beloved ones. The Spirit now residing in us overflows in a cry not of fear but of longing – longing to be in the presence of our Dad (Abba) who loves us with tender compassion. And, when we reach up in Spirit-generated prayer we realize that He is already there with us. The Father has made us His kids; He has conferred “Sonship” status to us whereby we are equal heirs with Christ Jesus, the Beloved Son. We discover that we are Beloved as well.
But all this came at a great price. Jesus, the divine Son spent His life fulfilling the Law on behalf of rebel sons. Jesus, the innocent Son gave His life in the place of spiritual orphans – guilty Lawbreakers. In short, God adopted those who are in Christ at great cost to Himself. God changed spiritual orphans to sons and daughters.
What is true in the spiritual realm is also true in the physical. Each time a human parent decides to adopt an orphaned child there is a great cost involved. Many times a tremendous financial cost is involved; certainly there is always an emotional price to be paid. It is difficult to pay both.
The Karis Adoption Fund exists to glorify God by helping Christians change orphans to sons and daughters through adoption. Serving Oklahoma families as well as some Ukrainian families, the Karis Adoption Fund has already helped a variety of families financially, empowering them to accomplish their goal of adopting a child. The financial cost of adoption can range from the mid-20 thousands to the mid-40 thousands of dollars. It’s expensive.
The Karis Adoption Fund has been blessed by the generous donations of God’s people. It is ready to help families offset the cost of adoption. If you are in the process of adoption, reside in Oklahoma, and confess Jesus as Lord and Savior we’d love to hear from you. Contact James Hunt at jhunt@councilroad.org and request an application for the Karis Adoption Fund.
by Stacy Neuschaefer | Jan 22, 2014
I had another interesting conversation with a Muslim friend this week. When we were discussing different beliefs, she said she heard Christians she knew in college say, “I’ve been saved from all my sins so I can live however I want.”
This wasn’t the first time I’d heard this idea from a Muslim friend. I suppose there are some legitimate reasons for their belief that Christians have “cheap grace”. They will explain that Christians just have to believe in Jesus and that’s it. Why would they think this way? Is it true?
1. Reasons based on their culture and religion
a. Culture: In many Muslims’ shame/honor culture, grace (the gift of salvation) never fits. They believe one must be responsible for one’s own actions and must please his or her family. In this mindset, they ask, “How could Jesus die for someone else?” They don’t understand.
Isaiah 53:6, “We all went astray like sheep; we all have turned to our own way; and the Lord has punished Him for the iniquity of us all.”
b. Compare: As captives to a works-based religion, they believe they can work hard enough to earn salvation, or Heaven. Again, they don’t understand grace. If they compare the requirements between religions, they have a difficult standard and think Christianity is too easy (cheap grace).
Eph. 2:8-9 “ For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— not from works, so that no one can boast.”
2. Reasons based on the Christian culture
a. Communication: They, as my friend did, hear “Christians” make statements about grace without a changed heart. (I placed ‘Christians’ in parenthesis as a question to their authenticity). Are they true believers? Or are they are “Christians” that treat the name of Jesus as a ticket to heaven, not as the holy God who demands complete surrender?
What does the Bible say about this type of “Christian”? Can someone confess to be a follower of Jesus and continue to live as an unbeliever? According to Rom. 6:1-2, “What should we say then? Should we continue in sin so that grace may multiply? Absolutely not! How can we who died to sin still live in it?” No!
b. Confusion: On the other hand, they may think (as one Muslim friend did) that Christians also perform good works to earn Heaven. They see Christians doing many good things and assume, they too, must acquire Heaven as a reward for their actions. They don’t understand that the works in a Christian are a result of a changed heart. Christians don’t perform works to earn Heaven, but as evidence to a relationship with Jesus.
Eph. 2:10, “For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.”
Matt. 5:16, “In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”
How will they know the truth?
Only if followers of Jesus Love the Truth — Embrace Grace. Know God’s gift of Jesus through His Word, The Bible. Yes, you must only believe in Jesus to receive his gift of forgiveness. However, it doesn’t stop there.
Only if followers of Jesus Live the Truth — Endure. Follow to the end. Obey His Word. Live accountable lives. Remember Romans 14:10b-12, “For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For it is written, ‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to ME, And every tongue shall give praise to God.’ So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God.”
Only if followers of Jesus Speak the Truth — Engage others in conversation. If we don’t speak the truth, others may never know the truth.
My response to my friend: I felt as if I were Paul writing the sixth chapter of Romans (see above). I opened my Bible and passionately shared the truth in love. I shared how we receive Jesus by grace and the role of good works in a believer’s life (scriptures already mentioned). She said she learned something new about my beliefs.
What would you share with someone who believes Christians have “cheap grace”?
by Kasey Chapman | Nov 30, 2013
It’s 8:20 on a Sunday night, and I’m lying on the couch in my 75-degree apartment. With the heater running full-blast to combat the 27-degree temperatures outside and the TV emitting images to battle the boredom inside, my $300 iPhone5 rings with a call from my best friend.
Leaving his job at Wal-Mart, he begins to tell me about a man he met on his dinner break. Homeless and unemployed, the man had spent the previous night sleeping in a tent underneath a bridge and was now looking for a warmer place to stay. My friend bought him a coat and gloves before heading back to work. Hopefully that would keep him from freezing to death, the man said.
After hearing the story, I feel convicted. I should do something. We should do something. But what? As my friend drives to my apartment, I open my MacBook Pro, click a new tab adjacent to one with Netflix and another with fantasy football, and begin searching for nearby homeless shelters. My friend arrives, and we call a couple possibilities. No answer. No luck. Nothing.
In a city with dozens of churches, there has to be something, we thought. But there wasn’t. The man would have to sleep outside for another night – a night with a chance of snow, freezing rain and sleet.
Why don’t all these churches do something? Why doesn’t someone – anyone – do something?
Self-righteous anger begins to build. Then I’m hit with a realization. I looked in the mirror and a hypocrite looked back.
Before my three-second Google search, I didn’t even know what possibilities existed for homeless people in this city. The reason wasn’t because I lacked opportunity to discover these options. The reason was that before that moment, I hadn’t really cared. Sure, I said I cared, but that statement never materialized into action.
In a distracted stupor I had failed to practice what I literally preached. I had inadvertently passed on to others my spiritual responsibility to care for those to whom Jesus showed mercy – the weak, the broken, the poor, the outcast and the downtrodden.
Yes, the call to care for the homeless is one churches must answer, but it is also one in which all Christians must personally invest. Good intentions are not enough. Hopeful thoughts will not suffice.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ compels us to act. And that should be more than enough. Heeding that redemption-driven call for justice – whatever those issues may be – begins with me. It begins with you.
As we retweet our favorite pastors, pour into Christian books and Instagram our small group moments, we cannot forget “the least of these.” And when we see problems around us, we must avoid the easy trap of blaming the church for its gross neglect.
Instead, we must look in the mirror and see if a hypocrite looks back. After all, we are the church. If we don’t act, who will?
An hour later, my friend and I drive around the city and look for the unnamed homeless man. As the temperature continues to drop and the radar lights up with wintery precipitation, the man is nowhere to be found.
It’s now 11:45 on that same Sunday night. I crawl in my warm bed and set my alarm for 7:30 a.m. As I drift off to sleep, I hear the heater begin once again.