Faith assignment No. 5

Piggy backing on Mark

On Sunday May 4, Mark Crocco delivered a wonderful message on our union with Christ. This such a key topic for all of us as Christians to reflect upon regularly and ensure that our lives are being lived in conformity to this reality. So, how do you do that? I would recommend taking his notes, reading his key points at the beginning of each day and at the end of each day. I would pray and ask God to help you remember that you are crucified with Christ and that the real life that God wants you to live can be lived by only by Christ’s indwelling presence. A even simpler application is to take Galatians 2:20, write it on a 3 x 5 card, pray it back to the Lord, and carry it with you throughout the day as a reminder. A prayer based on this verse might go something like this: “Lord, I want to be reminded that I have been crucified with Christ and that the old me before I came to Christ is past history. The new me that you have made is being lived because of Christ’s resurrection life in me. Help me to continually discover the reality of this realationship and your transforming power. “

Since this is a faith issue, let me repeat a definition of faith that I have found helpful. Faith is believing thatGod reveals through His Word the true picture of reality inspite of my feelings or circumstances.
Let me know how you are doing.

Faith Assignment No. 4

This Sunday, most of us will join with others in our church family to celebrate a most wonderful reminder of what it means to have an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ and what He has done to make this relationship possible. When I revisit the original refocusing of the Passover meal, I am both unnerved and comforted. Over the last seven months I have had more than one occasion to ask the question, “Lord, where is this all headed?” The answer is always the same, “Just trust me.”

In the Upper Room Discourse (John 12-17), Jesus announces that one of the twelve disciples is going to betray him.(John 13:21) If I were one of the disciples, I would have recalled anytime that I doubted the credibility of Jesus and would have been unnerved. How do you relate to someone who can read your inner thoughts like an x-ray machine? Many of us have probably thought that he is about to kick us out of his family for some of the nasty thoughts we have had about him. And yet, He continues to demonstrate by grace his commitment to love us unconditionally. In the same context of this announcement of a betrayer, Jesus also showed them the full extent of his love (John 13:1). He surprises them by washing their feet. They should have done this and yet the one who is about to be betrayed by one of them, is still willing to love them. Reminding them to be comforted by the fact that if they can trust in God the Father they can also trust in him. The Jesus they can see is an accurate incarnation of the Father whom they cannot see. If I am going to trust my heavenly Father, I have to realize that He is vastly different than my earthly father. For any of us who have had earthly fathers who did a great job of modeling for us the character of our Heavenly Father, trusting Him is going to be less of a problem. For the rest of us here are some affirmations that may help in correcting our wrong image of God the Father.

I renounce the lie that my Father God is ...
1. distant and disinterested
I joyfully accept the truth that my Father God is ....
1. intimate and involved (Psalm 139:1-18)

I renounce the lie that my Father God is ....
2. insensitive and uncaring
I joyfully accept the truth that my Father God is ....
2. kind and compassionate (Psalm 103:8-14)

I renounce the lie that my Father God is ....
3. stern and demanding
I joyfully accept the truth that my Father God is ....
3. accepting and filled with joy and love (Romans 15:7)

I renounce the lie that my Father God is ....
4. passive and cold
I joyfully accept the truth that my Father God is ....
4. warm and affectionate (Isa 40:11; Hosea 11:3-4)

I renounce the lie that my Father God is ....
5. absent and too busy for me
I joyfully accept the truth that my Father God is ....
5. always with me and eager to be with me (Heb 13:5; Jer 31:20)

I renounce the lie that my Father God is ....
6. never satisfied with what I do, impatient and angry
I joyfully accept the truth that my Father God is ....
6. patient and slow to anger (Exodus 34:6

I renounce the lie that my Father God is ....
7. mean, cruel or abusive
I joyfully accept the truth that my Father God is ....
7. loving, gentle, and protective of me (Jer. 31:3 Isa 42:3; Psa 18:2)

I renounce the lie that my Father God is ....
8. trying to take all the fun out of life
I joyfully accept the truth that my Father God is ....
8. wants to give me a full life. His will for me is good, perfect and acceptable for me (Lam. 3:22-23; John 10:10; Rom. 12:1-2)

I renounce the lie that my Father God is ....
9. controlling and unforgiving
I joyfully accept the truth that my Father God is ....
9. full of mercy and grace, forgives me when I fall (Heb. 4:15-16; Luke 15:11-24)

I renounce the lie that my Father God is ....
10. nit-picking and perfectionistic
I joyfully accept the truth that my Father God is ....
10. committed to my growth and lovingly disciplines and prunes me for my good and His glory (Rom 8:28-29; Heb 12:5-11; John 15:1)

[these ten points extracted from Ken Boa and Neil Anderson material]

I hope this encourages you to develop a deep trusting relationship with a great Heavenly Father. When He answers, “just trust me,” I hope His character as a perfect Father will make it easy to trust Him.

Pastor Joel MacDonald

A note of encouragement to my congregation

I can’t thank you enough for your support through this time of my surgery and medical needs. I would be understating things if I didn’t acknowledge that this has been one of my most challenging hours. But through this have also been some very encouraging and deepening times with the Lord and I don’t want to miss the opportunity to convey some of those to you and enourage you likewise.

It seems that it often takes times of being stretched even to brokenness that God proves His sufficiency and that has been true. The sole sufficiency of trusting in God alone and the reality of His presence has been a constant encouragement. I don’t think I have valued people as much as I do now. Your support and prayers are highly valued. You are highly valued.

How does one get ready for times like this? Let me offer two passages and a word of practical application.

(Rom 8:28-29 NIV) And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. {29} For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

(Phil 2:12-13 NIV) Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, {13} for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

Before you run off and add more to your to do list on trying to correct spiritual deficiencies in your life, I really want to encourage you to camp on Phil 2:13 and Rom 8:29 and by faith daily reflect on the God-side of what He is doing. You have an inseparable relationship with someone who is at work in your life and loves you unconditionally and inseparably. Count on Him to be doing His work in you. You are not alone in this process and guess who is going to be more faithful. You and I don’t have the capacity to do this without His help. Taking time each day will keep your mind and heart focused in the right direction.

I came back from vacation last August, highly motivated to gear us up for a new level of focusing on our vision. I was delighted that the leadership owned the vision as I believe is still the case. That vision hasn’t changed. We are still seeking to build a community to reach a community but I have added some additional words for clarification. We are building a growing biblical community that seeks to graciously connect the transforming power of Jesus Christ with our unchurched community. Building a biblical community means we are anchored on God’s truth and seeking to build relationships, a major theme in the Bible. We have a whole community around us that needs to know the power of God in their life and grow in community. I can’t think of a better place. Churches don’t need a lot of programs but a simple ministry with a focused mission.

Overarching all that has been happening is what God is doing in all of us. We need to stay focused on what He is trying to accomplish and follow His lead.


Pastor Joel

The Centrality of the Cross

Good Friday and Easter bring to us a reminder of what God accomplished in Jesus’ death on the cross. For any of us (who contemplate a right relationship with God in His terms) are interested in how God wants us to come into a relationship with Him that is free from guilt and punishment. The good news is that God has taken care of everything for us. This is often hard news because we all live in or have lived in performance demanding cultures. Certainly the disciples had their taste of performance demands coming out of a Pharisaic culture. But even today with a culture that demands acceptance by performance, it is too often to feel regularly ashamed because we don’t think we have done enough: attend church enough, been kind enough, served enough, etc. How much is enough? How do you meet the high and holy standards of a Holy God whose standards are perfect.
Test this out on anyone who says that they think that the way to heaven is by living the Ten Commandments, then ask them to repeat them. This can get startling so be careful. A good follow-up is then to turn to the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus nailed the Pharisees who thought they were doing OK but then He took them to the heart of the matter and culminated by saying they needed to be perfect as His Father is. We are done in at the start.

The good news is, although God does grade on performance, it is Jesus’ performance that satisfies God’s demands. The perfection that God requires has been accomplished in the perfect performance of Jesus Christ by His perfect life and obedient death on the cross. Easter and the resurrection is the defining event to confirm Jesus’ qualification as the Son of God to accomplish our redemption.

No wonder the gospel writers focused most of their verses of gospel account on the last week and the cross. No wonder Paul always places so much emphasis on the work of the cross.
Though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.
But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ (Philippians 3:4-8)

Or in his letter to the Galatians where he addresses an attempted performance add-on to the purity of the gospel.
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.Galatians 2:20

My favorite is found in Paul’s magnum opus on the gospel (or how does one come into right standing before God?).
there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1)

This is good news. As a believer in Jesus Christ my trust is in what He has done. My right relationship with God is by faith, which if you remember my definitions of faith, is my trust in the truth and reality that God has established and reveals through His Word. If He says that Jesus’ death establishes a relationship of no condemnation, then I can now live with and before Him enjoying life. My performance is one of every growing, every enjoying the greatness of God and His transforming work in my life. Acceptance is full and complete. Love is unconditional and inseparable. This is wonderful good news and a daily joy and expression of worship Remember that the One who knows you best loves you most. As before, let me know what you think.

Faith, Hope, and Uncertainty

A frequent question I get asked is, are you going to be okay, pastor? I wish I could give you, my family, and even myself the assurance that yes, my cancer is definitely in remission and I have full assurance that the cancer is not going to come back. But I don’t have that assurance ... at least not yet. It would seem that a lot of us are facing uncertain times. No longer does one go to work for “the corporation,” retire and live off of a good nest egg. Downsizing, layoffs, and cut backs have left every one with a degree of uncertainty in their jobs. The decline of stock prices has hit retirement funds so that retirees are having to rethink what they thought was going to be a comfortable retirement. Cancer is even a wide spread challenge, especially for those of us who live in an area of the country where there is a high level of cancer cases. In many ways, we are getting acquainted with how the rest of the world lives. If you have had any personal contact with the rest of the world, you know that they live with uncertainty every day of their life. What is intriguing for me is that in those countries where there is uncertainty over daily necessities and even life itself, it is where the Christian community is thriving (Africa and Asia). What have they learned that we may not have learned?

I believe they have learned that they have a great God who furnishes them with, not pie in the sky hope, but a certain hope that assures them that, while this temporal life may not provide for them happiness, God’s goodness, greatness and presence in their life gives them a joy that transcends earthly circumstances. Maybe, in America, we have become used to the “American Dream,” and assumed that we are still guaranteed “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” This is a good time to re-examine Who it is that provides real hope in these uncertain times.

I would like to stick around for a lot longer. I think my family needs me, my church family could use me, and I believe that I have a lot more to do to impact, not only the Christian community but also the unchurched community. If I were ninety and suffering long term pain and suffering, I might be more interested in being delivered from this earthy tent. But I have a different view at this point. I want to stick around as long as possible because I want to do as much as possible to represent God here on earth. When I am in heaven, that won’t be possible. In heaven I am done with earthly things. Heaven will be glorious and phenomenal. In many ways it is a much anticipated transfer. God, as always, will make that final determination. As much as I appeal to Him, so far He keeps saying to me, “trust Me!” That is the way it should be.

So, in these uncertain times, where does hope come from to keep any of us focused? It comes from the solid assurance of a good and great God. Review the definition of faith I gave my congregation in my first faith assignment. “Faith is taking God at His Word in spite of feelings or circumstances.” Can His solid assurances become the strength, foundation, focus, and deep joy in the midst of our uncertain world. Others in the rest of the world have much to teach us. It is unfortunate that it takes dire circumstances to drive us closer to the Lord, but we should not miss the moment to learn much from Him. Take some time and reread Hebrews 11 and the “Hall of Faith.” Check out the opening verse and the closing verse. They bracket an outstanding statement of faith and its assurances.
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.... These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. (Hebrews 11:1 ... 39)

I hope your faith and assurance of hope grows. Mine has. Join me in the journey of hope!

Faith Assignment No.3

Facing Temptation
Temptation is something with which we can all identify. No one is excluded unless we are living in the unreality of perfected holiness. Scripture is clear that we will face temptation until we are saved from the presence of sin on the day we depart this earth and dwell in heaven (Romans 8:18-25. Are we victims of temptation with no way to resist? Some might think so when they lay all the blame on Satan (“The devil made me do it.”) Abdicating responsibility is not only typically human (see our original parents excuses in Genesis 3) but is also typical of our culture. For those who have put their trust in Christ and have experienced His transformation, temptation can be faced with a new perspective and His resources. Our enemy and our flesh have identical personalities. Recognize that we are surrounded by a demonic spirit world and that the main source of our temptation comes from within. Spend less time focusing on what the demonic world might be doing and focus more on the temptations that come from within (Mark 7:18-23 and James 1:12-15).

Temptation is a lie wrapped in shades of truth. Our enemy’s solicitations and likewise our flesh are always designed to convince us through a lie that we are missing something in our life. You can face temptation with the question, “What lie am I being fed?” For instance it is a lie that if I give into temptation I will be satisfied. Just one more cookie and we will be satisfied ... but we end up eating the whole bag. The lie is the old lie that God is depriving us and that He really doesn’t have good things for us. When we give in we lose the opportunity to grow in strength to resist temptation and our giving up can develop into a stronghold (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)and hardness of heart (Hebrews 3:4-5). Each time we take a stand against temptation we grow stronger to resist (James 4:7-10).

We can also face temptation by refreshing our faith perspective on our identity. As For believers who have been made new in Christ, temptation is an insult to our new found dignity in Christ. We have been seated with Him in the heavenlies (Ephesians 2:4-6). We have an incorruptible inheritance that is not subject to recession, greed, and deceit (1 Peter 1:3-5). We are God’s unique design, created with good and great works in His mind prepared long before we came to life. Take the thought of your redeemed character and throw it back in the face of temptation. You are too great to stoop so low. Take time to rejoice over the new person that God has made you and wait on Him to reveal the better things He has for you. Delayed disobedience makes you stronger. Delayed obedience makes you weaker. As someone who has been made new in Christ, you have a new freedom to resist. Temptation no longer has to dominate your life. You will be more convinced of this as you exercise faith that counts on reality being defined by the truth of God’s Word rather than feelings or circumstances. This is a wonderful freedom that will bring deep and abiding joy. Don’t let temptation rob you of His joy. (Check out Dr. Ken Boa’s Identity Affirmations and His Personal Affirmations for Handling Temptations).

Enjoy Him and His strength, fellow traveler!

Reading List

What am I reading these days. Here's a brief list of what I have read over the last several months or have still to read. You can see there is some history, some cultural reflection, some classic enriching reading plus anything else that I can get my hands on or find time to read.

Augustine to Freud, Dr. Ken Boa: along with my listing of many of his lectures which you can find at his web site: www.kenboa.org I have also picked up this book based on his PhD in philosophy at Oxford University. You can find the essence of this book at his website. [Amazon]




The Rise of Evangelicalism; The Age of Edwards, Whitefield and the Wesleys by Mark Noll is the first in a series, A History of Evangelicalism.
I started into the series as a follow-up on my reading of
A History of Christian Theology by Roger Olsen. [Amazon]

The Expansion of Evangelicalism: The Age of More, Wilberforce, Chalmers and Finney (second in the History of Evangelicalism series) [Amazon]

The Dominance of Evangelicalism; The Age of Spurgeon and Moody by David Bebbington (third in the series History of Evangelicalism, two more yet to be published) [Amazon]





From Dawn to Decadence by Jacques Barzun is a book I have had on my shelf for awhile and have wanted to read as a continuing awareness of our Western History. [Amazon]


Barbarian Invasion; From Paganism to Christianity by Richard Fletcher continues my history reading from J. Barzun's history. [Amazon]


The Birth of the Modern; World Society 1815-1830 by Paul Johnson continues history from Fletcher. I have read several historical works by Paul Johnson. [Amazon]


History of the Arab Peoples by Albert Hourani was recommended to me by a professor at Rice University and someone I have know for almost 50 years. I highly respect his opinion. [Amazon]


Darwin's Century; Evolution and the Men who Discovered it by Loren Eiseley. This is a book I have wanted to read and also has been on my shelf for awhile. I am intrigued by what thought process and cultural influences led to athe acceptance of Darwin's theory. [Amazon link]


Signs of Intelligence; Understanding Intelligent Design, edited by William A. Dembski & James M Kushiner. William Dembski is a mathematician and philosopher, as well as editor of Mere Chreation and author of The Design Inference. What a nice combination of academic specialties. [Amazon Link]


Christian Perfection; Devotional Reflections on the Christian Life by the seventeenth-century mystic, Francois Fenelon. I first picked up on this enduring classic work when I listened to a series of presentations by Ken Boa on Great Books at the bible.org web site. [Amazon Link]



The New Faithful; Why Young Adults are Embracing Christian Orthodoxy by Colleen Carroll. I picked this up at some bookstore awhile ago in their reduced price books and thought then it would be an interesting read. It has been in parts, still interesting. [Amazon link]

Enough for right now ... off to do some more reading.