RtD wk3: Pride Or Pity?

JAN 16 – JAN 22 2011 — RtD wk3: PRIDE OR PITY — ISSUE 189

Sunday I laughed in the collective faces of old age, stretching, and "rust." Why you ask? Well let me tell you since you're so interested. Saturday I went ice skating for the first time in a few years, and probably only the 9th or 10th time ever, I barely stretched before hand, and I haven't been physically active since the corn-maze in October. Despite all these things, I feel pretty good today with only a vague sense of pain in the lower part of my back. So take that health experts, sniveling younger people with your old jokes, and my 6th grade Gym teacher! If I were a country karaoke singer, I'd fire up the jukebox and sing "How do you like me now?"  And as you all try to get that song out of your head, on to the 'C.

Jesus, as we all know, had a propensity for provoking very strong reactions out of people. One thing I always find fascinating with those who know Him, (both those who knew from meeting Him and those who know Him through study of the Word) is how reactions to His grace are so varied. Though everyone will tell you of His limitless grace and compassion and will offer it freely to others as the first step towards repenting of sin, for some reason many of us don't think it applies to us, or get frustrated by the challenges He puts out there in conjunction with His grace, or just flat out abuse it.

Judas, for instance, reacted with the ultimate pity after He realized what He'd done in betraying Christ.

MATTHEW 27:4-5 - NIV

If anyone had a shot at understanding how abounding Jesus' grace was, it would have been one of the 12 who spent three years with Him. Yet Judas, seeing what was done, decided that grace couldn't cover His sin, and either punished himself, or wanted to end his own emotional turmoil depending on how you view his suicide.

The invalid at the pool accepted Christ's grace and mercy which resulted in him being healed from 38 years of affliction with open arms, yet was unchanged by it and continued in his old ways.

JOHN 5:13-15 - NIV

When he realized God's grace requires repentance, for us to live a life worthy of a higher calling, he ratted Christ out, the one who'd given Him relief from years and years of pain.

Then there's Peter, who passionately denied Christ very shortly after boldly proclaiming that he'd stay with Jesus till the death.

MARK 14:72 - NIV

Peter was broken by his actions. He realized the fullness of his error, but unlike the other two, he did not let that guilt, that shame, the lofty weight of following Christ and all that means, keep him from once more residing in God's bosom. When Jesus extended the hand of grace in John 21, Peter accepted it, along with the challenges that came with it, and went on to be a mighty man for God. He didn't let his pride keep him from salvation. He didn't let pity leave him useless for the kingdom. He didn't let selfishness leave him unchanged and nothing more than a one-sided Christian who freely takes but never gives.

Are you stubborn like Naaman the leper? Are you blind to your own sin like David after he'd committed both adultery and murder? Are you consumed by guilt and rendered unable to do anything like Judas? Are you abusing that grace like the invalid and continuing to live a life of sin? Or will you be willing to accept God's restoration, the fulfillment of Jesus' sacrifice which covers our sins, every last one of them, and follow in Peter's footsteps as God transforms you into the Christian He so deeply desires?

What is keeping you from walking hand-in-hand with God?

EPHESIANS 3:16-19 - NIV

Brett "Feeling spry enough to run with the bulls in Pamplona" Hibbler

RtD wk2: Frankenstein

JAN 9 – JAN 15 2011 — RtD wk2: FRANKENSTEIN — ISSUE 188

For anyone who was at the super-amazing, mind-blowing, reality-reshaping prayer night (can you tell it was a good time?) you can skip down a paragraph; you've already heard the following jokes. For the rest, well you can read on and hope they're good, or just skip down too. You've been warned.

There are two things I learned about driving in a mild snow storm in 15˚ weather on Friday. Number one, freshly baked pizza is a far worse companion in that weather than a car-full of talkative people. Your windows fog up nearly instantaneously, and it's with a condensation that's too thick for your ten year-old defroster to compete with. Number two, if you're going to be driving to an all-night prayer night in a mild snow storm in 15˚ weather, volunteer to bring the food. I felt an overwhelming calm as I trudged along, knowing that even if I was buried in a snow drift for a month, I had enough food in my car to last me and probably even have some chips left over to give my rescuers when they finally dug me out. This is a really good thing because as foggy as my windows were, a ditch was a very real possibility that night.

I know it's winter, but I'd like to discuss a creature that usually only pops up in October, Frankenstein. Yes, I know Frankenstein is the doctor, not the creature we always call Frankenstein, but Frankenstein's Monster just sounds... lackluster. So when I say Frankenstein, I mean the creature. Cool?

I believe we're all familiar Frankenstein, he's that random gathering of parts and organs sewn together with the world's worst stitching job (that guy could harness lightening to give life and create a retractable roof, but he couldn't sew any better than that?), which, thanks to a perfectly timed lightening bolt, is brought to life.

GENESIS 2:7 - NIV

Reality is much different than Frankenstein's. As science has discovered, adding electricity to parts does nothing more than contort and manipulate them. But that's probably because life takes more than just "parts and electricity", it needs God's breath.

Spiritually speaking, there's no denying the ugly effects of sin. It tears us apart, our lives apart, even our souls apart. It turns us into nothing more than a random scattering of useless bones, organs, and formally useful appendages. And as we continue in life we feel like some sort of Frankenstein, a monster, a collection of ugly parts which, when sewn together, make nothing more than a lifeless representation of a Christian.

We may try to fix everything, to cover it up, to hide our blemishes and skin grafts, to find electricity to give us life once more. But man's methods can never do what only God can. Nothing we come up with can remove the terrifying affects of sin and restore us to a state of true living. But God can combine those scattered fragments, regenerate them, fuse them back together, and make something old anew. He can take man's failure, and make it His triumph. He is the life giver the first time, and so why not the second, third, fifth, and 200th as well? Does His breath have limits? Did He not use dirt the first time, something (seemingly) harder than just combining already sculpted parts? Did He not send His Son to conquer death once and for all?

We are never too separated, too far gone, too beat up, too broken, or too dead for God to sew us back together and infuse life in our bones.

ROMANS 5:17 - NIV

Take the abundant provisions of grace, that electricity, and reign in life once more! Stop being a walking representation of man's attempt at creation, and become the beautiful achievement God intended.

Brett "I can forgive the bad sewing job, but Frankenstein's neck-bolts were just plain tacky" Hibbler

Raise The Dead

JAN 2 – JAN 8 2011 — RAISE THE DEAD — ISSUE 187

Not sure what was a better start to the new year, seeing a crazy Discovery Channel special called "Rise of the Jellyfish" which convincingly instilled fear in me regarding those crazy, boneless, bloodless monsters of the deep (I'll never swim again. Ever.); or the 30 seconds of an old Martial Arts film I caught on Telemundo. That's right, a poorly over-dubbed film from Japan was even more bizarrely hysterical seeing them all speak Spanish. I love this country.

At the end of this issue is an explanation and invitation regarding the Single's campaign this month. If you have an extra moment, please check it out and contact me if you're interested in joining us in anyway you can. Thanks.

John 11:1-43 (please read for a better insight than my recap)

In John 11 we read about Lazarus dying and how much Christ cared for him. In verses 21 and 32 Martha and Mary challenge Jesus, saying if He'd been there Lazarus would not have died, a thought spectators concurred with (v37). Martha is still optimistic in Jesus, believing even with her brother dead, God may still raise Him if Jesus asks. When Jesus wants the stone to be removed, fear of the stench makes others hesitate to comply. He reminds them that if they believe, they will see God's glory. When they pull back that stone, Jesus prays and commands Lazarus to come out; he does, thus rising from the dead. Jesus brought back to life a person who, to the world, was no more.

Like Lazarus' sisters, at times some question God, wondering why He wasn't there when they, or someone they cared about, fell. They know that He is more than capable of preventing it, and out of their hurt they seek for answers, letting their emotions override the truth we all know; that God never leaves us, we leave Him. (Deuteronomy 31, Josh 1)

Deep down, like Martha, they know it's not too late, that repentance and a renewed walk are still an option. But this renewal comes at a price, obstacles have to be removed and lives have to be laid bare once more. That stone has to be rolled back and the stench from the sin has to be let out. Some don't want to deal with the smell, and chose to walk away. Others can't get over what they may hear and discover. Even some believers are guilty of this, having not learned how to embody the grace God so badly wants to instill in us on others, and hinder attempts at helping those who have fallen because of doubt and a failure to forgive. But others believe and obey, they "take a chance" on God, and roll back that stone. And if the person inside is willing to listen, to obey the command, "Come out," Jesus then does the rest.

He restors to life a person the world had counted out. Someone everyone had given up on, who had been living in a tomb of sin and who could not remove that stone between them and God on their own, was given another chance. Jesus' final command is that the "grave clothes" be removed, shedding the last evidence of death and forever freeing the newly restored of the bondage their past can hold.

God on more than one occasion displays His power for us in one of the most awe-inspiring ways; raising the dead back to life. If He can do this, to bring a dead body back and give them another opportunity at life, how can we doubt He can't or won't do the same for a sinner? For us? His abilities are beyond our wildest imagination, and so if something we long for Him to do is within our realm of understanding, how can we still doubt?

Trust God. Roll back your stones. Believe in Him who there is no limitations. Come out of your tombs and live.

Brett "If Jelly fish were the source of the jelly on my bread, I'd be willing to forgive some of their creepiness" Hibbler

PREFACE, EXPLANATION, & INVITATION
As many of you are aware, the title of this week's 'C relates to the Singles Campaign this month, where our focus will be on those who are no longer a part of the Body. Join with us for prayer, fasting, reaching out, and other supplication as we extend God's unyielding grace to those we dearly miss with the hopes they'll pick their crosses back up and join the fight once more.

As a Christian, there are some realities we cannot escape. The first is that once we've been to the foot of the cross where our deeds were exposed and our lives laid bare before us for what they really are, we will forever be different people. We live with a new purpose and focus in life, and cherish the gift God gave us through His Son, forgiveness of our sins and eternal life. The second is that once you know the truth, it is impossible to completely walk away. Leaving is complicated. Your thoughts will forever remind you, in concordance with the Spirit, of His will, and it takes a lot of initial willpower to block out that truth, those gentle whispers of what is right, and to continue to stray from that narrow path.

Why would anyone leave? I'm sure we've all met someone, perhaps even ourselves, who were once passionate believers. The reasons for leaving are many and the explanations long, but take a moment to consider what it would be like if you left. How would you respond?

Would you just hope that over time you'll grow numb to that voice and any guilt you may feel regarding your current life, attempting to regain some form of "normalcy"? Or maybe you'd never shake the truth and long to return to it, to come back to God's embrace, but could you accept that you can do so with no ramifications and that it is impossible to be beyond saving? Would you fear that those you abandoned won't share that same display of grace and love? Or perhaps you'd just believe you couldn't make it to the end, that the burden of the cross is too large and that you couldn't overcome your sin and struggles, or that by continuing to sin your faith would forever be a sham, so why try. Or what if you realized you made a mistake in leaving, that you caved to an emotional or rash decision, or a deception of Satan; could you admit it? Or would your self view and what you call dignity not let you return?

These are just some of the things going through the minds of those who have fallen, and though I'd love to show through scriptures the answers to all these issues, I instead wanted to focus today on one thing: the power of God. All praise be to Him.

The 2010 Year-Ender

DEC 26 2010 - Jan 1 2011 — THE 2010 YEAR-ENDER — ISSUE 186

In five days 2011 begins. That means you have less than 120 hours to accomplish all those goals you set for yourself back at the end of 2009. Or I guess you could leave the country so no one can hold you accountable for not accomplishing them. Either way your week is looking mighty busy, so you should probably get cracking.

As usual, at the end of this issue are the Top 10 Middle names of the year. No Peeking! It took me a while to knock down 51 to 10, so if you're gonna' peek, at least scroll slowly and make a fake drum roll while you do it.

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace."- Solomon

Sometimes I think we don't get much out of life because we don't take moments as they come, but instead focus on those to come. I can't enjoy a meal if I'm only focused on the dishes I'll be doing later. I can't enjoy my time with a person if I'm thinking about what I have to do to be ready for work tomorrow. I can't embrace my time with God if I'm dwelling on everything I have to do before company comes over later.

Rather than letting yourself get caught up in all the schedule-obsessed, deadline restricted calender making for the year to come as we set new goals (or reset old ones), take a different approach. Pray and focus on daily activities, that you'll recognize opportunities as they come, so you'll use time appropriately and reduce that burden we feel when we look past what we're doing right then and become defeated by all the things still in waiting.

Find satisfaction in your current tasks. Make small goals that will add up to your larger plans, but not leave you feeling overwhelmed individually. Enjoy life. Enjoy each moment. Enjoy time as it comes.

Brett "I'm not even gonna' try on this middle name since it can't make it in the Top 10 anyway" Hibbler

THE TOP 10 "MIDDLE NAMES" OF 2010:

10 Brett "Miracle Gro + Me = a free trip to the hospital for poison treatment" Hibbler
9 Brett "When sin says 'Merry Christmas' to me, I say 'Bah, humbug!' to it, wrap my man-shawl tighter, slam the door, and then stomp upstairs to have some crazy, time-traveling, ghost-filled dreams" Hibbler
8 Brett "If I put on my schedule to do something spontaneous, is it still spontaneous?" Hibbler
7 Brett "The last time I tried to dance, someone threw me a life preserver thinking I was drowning on dry land" Hibbler
6 Brett "If spellchecker has dropped the word you're using out of its nearly unlimited index of words because it's so old, it's time to let it go" Hibbler
5 Brett "If only a mother's kiss could give me a goatee like Robert Downey Jr.'s in Iron Man ll" Hibbler
4 Brett "You call it Day Light Savings, I call it a super power" Hibbler
3 Brett "I'm writing a self help book: How To Be Short In A Tall Man's World'" Hibbler
2 Brett "If I were a chocolate bunny, I'd probably nibble off my own ears" Hibbler
1 Brett "Your ego thinks my ego is magnificent and mine agrees" Hibbler

Be A Scrooge

DEC 19 - DEC 25 2010 — BE A SCROOGE — ISSUE 185

Tis the season for the return of some familiar holiday characters. Santa (obviously) and his army of elves and reindeer, the Grinch and those energetic Whos, Frosty and his hat, Charlie Brown and gang, and good 'ol Ebeneezer Scrooge. Of all the characters that come out during Christmas, there's one I feel we can really embrace and even emulate with our own lives. And as much fun as it would be to wear giant black hats and pretend to be melting in public places, or to wrap ourselves in a green carpet and steal small children's toys, the character I'm talking about is Ebeneezer himself.

Scrooge, as we all know, was a rich miser who had no heart, even refusing to help poor Tiny Tim who would soon die if Scrooge didn't intervene. Not exactly the kind of guy you want to emulate. That is, until now. Before I explain, let's change topics for a moment, and then tie it all together like some perfectly constructed sugar-cookie knot that's both edible and functional.

JOHN 12:3-6

Interesting story, right? Mary uses a perfume worth a year's wages (let that sink in a moment) on Jesus' feet, and Judas offers a very, very legitimate counter argument. A year's wages could definitely have been used more effectively from a logic standpoint, and her actions hardly seem like those fitting of a good steward, something we're told to be as Christians. As scripture indicated here and elsewhere, though, Judas' real beef wasn't that he wanted to help the poor, but instead himself. He just covered his heart with a noble, even righteous, argument.

When sin comes, it often appears in all sorts of ways; it begs us, teases us, makes promises to us, entices us, lies to us, challenges our pride, dares us, and sometimes it even appeals to us in the form of righteousness; like an orphan on the street wanting our help and one which appears innocent, but upon closer inspection is just a front for a con. It's this form of sin that can be the hardest to identify at times, and the one that tripped up the Jewish leaders of Christ's era. So much of their sin was covered under the guise of righteousness, but remained sin because of their true hearts, not their actions.

Judas said the right thing in that situation, acting on behalf of a very noble, Christ-like cause, yet he was simply justifying and covering up his twisted, selfish intentions. Don't we do this at times? Don't we try to justify an action, a statement, a thought, an impulse, by using a logic-based, noble-intentioned cover story? Don't we also justify not doing something radical for God by other seemingly-noble reasons? "If I stay up late or get up early for God, I'll be short on sleep which means I'll be less coherent and functional at work, which isn't being a good example to my coworkers of a Christian work-ethic. If I drive to that event, it'll cost me gas, and I'd be better using those funds to pay down that debt I have." That list goes on for miles.

Wasn't this woman wasting money?! Blowing it?! Absolutely. Yet Jesus was honored by this act and defended her, even saying that wherever the Gospel is preached, her story will be told, something we've all witnessed to be true.

Maybe we need to get out of that box of rules that so often defines our walks and realize sincerity is far more important to God than blind obedience. Sometimes we need to be honest with ourselves, and own up to our true hearts instead of pretending to be righteous. Sometimes we need to do radical things for God, where our motive is purely to give Him honor and glory, where He'll be honored even if it's a bit "reckless" from a "being responsible" standpoint. Won't the fire and excitement from that truth, that sincerity, that radical thing carry us through the next day? Won't it override any amount of sacrifice we make? Won't the feeling of being alive in our faith fill us up, much like Christ felt when He fed on spiritual food over actual food? (John 4)

When sin comes begging at that door, acting all pure and innocent and in need, seeking to cover your bad heart with a veil of righteousness, be a Scrooge! Bah humbug that orphan back to the gutter. Be stingy. Be angry. Be the big fat meany you've all wanted to be at times when something or someone is frustrating you. Unleash it all on that sin.

This holiday season, bah humbug your way into Heaven.

Brett "When sin says 'Merry Christmas' to me, I say 'Bah, humbug!' to it, wrap my man-shawl tighter, slam the door, and then stomp upstairs to have some crazy, time-traveling, ghost-filled dreams" Hibbler

That Sinking Feeling...

DEC 12 - DEC 18 2010 — THAT SINKING FEELING... — ISSUE 184
Guest Author Randall Laraway

As I stated not-so-long ago — which, as fast as times moves anymore, could have been three years, two weeks, and four days ago and it would still seem as fresh as our first look in the mirror after having our braces removed where we saw our teeth for the first time in years only to realize they're ginormous and thus never smiling again for fear of being called "Buck Tooth" by all of our oh-so-forgiving teenage classmates (Or was that just me?) — I'll be slipping in some guest authors here and there to keep the 'C fresh. I apparently will also be slipping in my old habit of writing an entire paragraph in the form of one long run-on sentence.

But back to the point. This week's guest author is a man you'll count yourself lucky to meet if you haven't already made his acquaintance, a Mr. Randall Laraway from the Cleveland Church. His story of God's hand in his life is one that will move your heart, and his life and demeanor since then breeds inspiration. He too sends out a weekly letter, and I really wanted to share this one with you. Enjoy.

––––––––––––

"SHREVEPORT, La. — Christopher Patlan was hanging out with friends on the Red River when he heard the desperate screams coming from seven teenagers.  One minute they were wading in shallow water, the next they plunged into a drop-off 25 feet deep."

"Patlan bolted the 10 yards to the river and jumped in, saving 15-year-old DeKendrix Warner.  By the time he had dragged the boy to safety, the six others from two families — all non-swimmers — had drowned.  Family members, who also can't swim, watched helplessly."  Unquote...

What do you do when your children are literally drowning right before your eyes?  The screams, the frantic running back and forth, the tears of total brokenness, helplessness, their hearts crying out for someone to HELP---unable to help their OWN children who only minutes before were playing, and enjoying a nice day with parents & friends at a cook out on the edge of a river.

OH, that DANGEROUS river!!!  The current was swift, the sandy shore was soft and loose...UNSTABLE.  IF ONLY THEY'D HEEDED THE OBVIOUS ? ! ? !   Is this not how the river of life in the world takes us by surprise?   That river of "life" we think is so cool and "right."   But SUDDENLY, that river of life becomes the sinister river of death that will steal our very soul---suck us DOWN into the depths of everlasting hell!!!

Not a pleasant thought you say?  Rather shocking?  But it actually did happen to real families.  So do matters of the heart become treacherous if we---as God's family---persist in our sin and give in to temptations.  As God's children HE IS DOING EVERYTHING TO GET OUR ATTENTION!!!  Like Sonny said this evening, God even gave HIS ONLY SON to buy us back out of the hands of Satan---yes, even from out of the consequences of our own sins!   HOW can I get away from any temptation coming at me?   Then cry out,... "O Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me, the worst of sinners!"   So, dear brother, can you swim?  Have you or are you teaching your children to swim.....that is, swim in the Godly ways of Jesus and the Bible?  OR what kind of example do you display to your kids?   Plus, let's be sure to stay away from those things that allure us away from God and into darkness and uncertainty.

It was encouraging to sing that closing song: "Love Lifted Me."  I was sinking deep in sin, Far from the peaceful shore, Very deeply stained within, Sinking to rise no more; But the Master of the sea Heard my despairing cry, From the waters lifted me, NOW---safe, am I.   L-o-v-e lifted me, YES, love lifted me...when NOTHING else would help.....LOVE lifted me.

With sincere love and respect, ybiC, Randall

The Wonderful World Of Now

DEC 5 - DEC 11 2010 — THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF NOW — ISSUE 183

At the risk of sacrificing every last ounce of my manhood, can I just say how much I wish life was like a Disney Cartoon? Think about it. At any given moment you could bust into a random song which perfectly articulates everything you're feeling in a such an emotional and melodic way, that every person in your town will join in, creating a rambunctious song and dance sure to make it's way straight to the top of the soundtrack charts, and at just the right moment, the dream of your life will break into a duet with you, even though neither of you have ever heard the song before and couldn't possibly know what words or notes come next. Plus, you'd get a super cool animal companion that always cheers you up and somehow communicates well enough with humans to scrounge up your friends when you've fallen in trouble. In fact, about the only downer to being in a Disney film is that you'd have some crazy aunt or uncle or step mom that wants to make your life miserable until ultimately deciding one day to just bump you off. A bummer for sure, but eventually you'll defeat them thanks to the help of your fairy-god-whatever, so it's all good because that's exactly what "Happily Ever After" means; at the end of all those struggles and trials, all ends well for the rest of your life. (Or until a rash of non-hits by the studio forces them to make a sequel and thus add drama to your life one more time.)

Though it would be an interesting social experiment to see how many people would join you in a spontaneous song and dance in the middle of the mall, for those of us not blessed with a Disney voice, that's not a real viable option. The optimism, genuine nature, kindness, and dedication always carried by the lead characters, who often find themselves in very unenviable positions (picked on, disrespected, treated lowly, given all the worst chores, locked up, and denied even some of the most basic privileges), and even loyalty to those who are causing their woes, is one to be admired and is far more obtainable. And though that joy seems almost unreal in light of where they're at, it's not if you realize that it stems from one very simple thing, a dream. They always have an unquenchable hope of one day attaining some bigger purpose, of living a life where they've left their current trials behind and are living happily ever after.

As Christians, we're past the part of our troubled pasts; we buried that part of our life in the waters of baptism. Our dreams of living Happily Ever After have begun, having been given the gift eternal life with only the housing part of that promise still to come. Yes, our "crazy uncle", played so demonically by Satan, still envies our position and wants to get his kicks in where he can. Unfortunately for him, the part of the movie where the hero, epically filled by Jesus, seems to have been defeated, only be raised from the dead, slay the villain, and conquer death and sin once and for all, ushering in new life and eternal promises, has already happened. And with the help of our "magic ferry-whatever", which the Holy Spirit wonderfully fills, we can continue to live in service of the Great King, our Awesome God, in the epilogue of the film.

The climax is over. Satan has lost. Our woes of being trapped by an unappreciative and suppressive world are through. So sing those songs because you're not just dreaming the dream, you're living a part of it. I guess life's more like a Disney cartoon than I thought.

2 CORINTHIANS 4:16-18

Brett "Now that I'm grown I eat 5 dozen eggs, and I'm roughly the size of a baaaarrge!" Hibbler