Notes from the Trail

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 A flat tire… a tense argument with a loved one or friend, a financial cruch… When any of these happen singularly, they are aggravations or frustrations. However, if they begin to occur in tandem, with other stressors, Christians are quick to begin claiming scriptural promises about “suffering” for their encouragement.

Scott McKnight, in his commentary on 1 Peter says, “Such events are not true counterparts to suffering in the early church… we are not entitled to trivialize the suffering of that church by finding cheap analogies and then pretend that such things are suffering for faithfulness to the Lord.”

He says in the context of Western Christianity’s tendency to claim as suffering those events that are actually brought on by other circumstances or causes rather than instances of hardship and calamity caused directly by our faith in and proclamation of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Rather, he says, Western Christians do not suffer in comparison to Christians in other cultures around our world, nor can we easily relate the sufferings of Christians in the early church with our own as we bemoan a lack of finances while we watch our TVs and eat a #1 combo from Wendy’s.

“Our lack of suffering is, in part, due to a lack of nerve on the part of the church to challenge our contemporary world with the message of the cross and to live according to the teachings of Jesus with uncompromising rigor… Those who live faithful lives in an unbelieving world will find opposition to their ideas and their practices.”

Paul related to Timothy, “everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” (2 Timothy 3.12)

McKnight further puts the Western church in a headlock when he comments, “The fires of commitment and unswerving confession of the truth of the gospel are too frequently set on low flame, as if the church grows best if it only simmers rather than boils.”

It is not as if our problems are irrelevant or that we should become stoic to setbacks. Rather, we should understand that scripturally, suffering for Christ occurs when in direct response to our testimony or commitment to Christ we are persecuted or maligned. The point is that everyone - believer and nonbeliever alike - encounters hardships. However, Christians must be sensitive to apply scripture about suffering accurately and not to trivialize the sufferings of our brothers and sisters in faith around the world who daily suffer significantly for their faith in Christ.

For instance, Peter tells us, “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed.” (I Peter 4.12)

It’s rather ironic that rejoicing occurs in the presence of suffering Christians in scripture while whining occurs more often in the presence of current Christians. The author of Hebrews urges us to “fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before endured the cross, scorning its shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (12.2)

It’s indeed a radical exercise of our mental faculties that enable us to focus on Christ rather than our circumstances. As we do so, let us rise above classifying our aggravations as suffering.

With such perspective, and in view of the magnificent blessings that surpass our trials, we’ll be able to say with Hudson Taylor, missionary to China, “I never made a sacrifice.”

I called it here many moons ago, but the numbers are in, and they’re startling.

Consider this article and this quote:

In 5 short months, the iPhone not only matched, but opened up a huge lead on Microsoft, Symbian and Palm COMBINED. These are platforms that have been around for up to a decade…when the net was first catching on in the mobile space.

You can read the news report from Net Applications here.

“…He commanded our fathers to teach their children, that the next generation might know [His testimony/law] and arise and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God and keep His commandments.” Psalm 78.5-7

I was struck afresh by these words as a powerful reminder for our intentional spiritual influence on our children. The greatest privilege any parent can have is not just telling their child about the Lord but modeling for their children a lifestyle of devotion and love for the Lord and His people.

I grew up in a church culture in which parents dropped their kids off for Wednesday night youth ministry and then showed back up at church when the program was over. For many of my friends in the youth group, they never had the experience of sitting in worship with their parents, nor did they encounter loving spiritual guidance from their parents at home.

This instruction from the Psalmist exhorts believers in God to teach their children. I don’t think it’s as simple as just getting them to learn a few verses or reciting information about the Bible. I think the heart of the command is for the parents to practice a lifestyle of godliness in the home. Yes, the church - the local gathering of believers - has a role to play; however, the most dynamic spiritual impact occurs in a child’s life when they see and experience and hear their parents seeking to humbly follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. A parent is a child’s best pastor.

This principle of intentionality and of “passing it on” is seen again in the New Testament in relation to leadership and discipleship. Paul tells his young protege Timothy, “The things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.”

In other words, don’t let it stop with you. When you are blessed by someone pouring into your life, whether parent, pastor, friend or family member, make sure to turn around and pass it on. The expression goes, “You have been blessed to be a blessing.”

It makes me think about the cheesy old youth camp song called Pass It On:

It only takes a spark (are you swaying yet?)

To get a fiiiiire goiiing.

And soon all those around

Will warm up to its glowiiiing. (Get ready for musical crescendo!)

That’s how it is with God’s love

Once you’ve experienced it.

You spread His love to everyone.

You want…. to pass….. it on.

(For the rest of the lyrics, check here!)

Not that I need to point out the virtues of Macs and iPods and now iPhones. They speak so loudly for themselves. However, if you haven’t followed the remarkable story of constant underdog Apple Computer lately, you might be surprised that even former Apple naysayers are now on the bandwagon.There’s a great piece here about how many former PC users are seeing the light…Have you made the switch to Apple this year? 

Church: An Insider’s Look at How We Do It

by John G., Jr. Stackhouse

I distinctly remember being curious about this book when I saw it on the steeply-discounted book rack at Mardell’s a while back. I’ve had it for quite some time. Imagine my surprise after reading the first chapter to find myself drawn into the author’s writing style and observations about church.He treats the church with kids’ gloves, intentionally being gentle; however, he also asks some powerful questions that need to be asked.It’s a good read, and one that I would recommend!

See more about Church: An Insider’s Look at How We Do It