During the occupation of Europe by Nazi Germany during World War II, millions of people experienced unspeakable horror. Concentration camps filled all over Europe with minority groups – mostly Jewish – where they were confined and later executed. I can only imagine the fear that gripped these people as it turned into paralyzing terror as Germany came closer and closer to their home city.
But there arose within that terror another response…an underground “resistance”. These bands made up of various secret groups that opposed the Nazi rule were widely diverse: civilians, armed bands of patriotic folks, and guerilla fighters. Their activities ranged from publishing illicit newspapers to assisting the escape of Jews and Allied airmen shot down over enemy territory to committing acts of sabotage and ambushing German patrols. The effort, ability and resources of the resistance would most likely have waned except for the one hope – the hope of the coming liberation. As the months and years dragged on, one of the most important efforts of the resistance fought on – they coordinated with the invasion by transmitting information to the Allies. Finally, on June 6, 1944, Operation Overlord, also known as D-Day began.
The resistance provides an amazing picture of the effectiveness of hidden power. It kept the Nazi war machine off balance, it gave inspiration to the common people throughout Europe, and it drew on the hope of the Allied invasion to bring liberation.
The power that Jesus brought to earth did not have the perception of power that many people expected. Jesus did do amazing things such as perform miracles, but to most they were not enough to satisfy their hunger. Most people were looking for a messianic age of blessing and Rome still dominated the land, and cruel leaders still held an iron fist. People still died. Hunger and disease were still daily experiences.
The coming Kingdom of Christ is hidden but powerful. It is small in its beginning, but will bring the reality of salvation to all those who have placed their faith in Christ with an open heart. God’s judgment of the evil one and his followers is certain and will come with power. Jesus’ return is a concrete promise that should energize us and give us purpose for our own lives. To quote William Barclay, “The best way to prepare for the coming of Christ is never to forget the presence of Christ.” Jesus is here, and He has more hidden power than we give Him credit for sometimes.
Joshua Kirsch
Middle School Director
Monday, August 31, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
Eschatology
This past week I studied what the Bible had to say about future events. I know that there is diversity of opinion on the topic, even among the Woodcrest staff!
Yet is not so much about the details, God will sort it all out and He is in control.
I think the study of eschatology is all about hope, hope of a more just future. That God's reign will be complete and that the marred creation will be fully restored.
That idea that excites me. In the journey of studying about God's future for his followers, I found joy, hope and peace. What a gift.
Yet is not so much about the details, God will sort it all out and He is in control.
I think the study of eschatology is all about hope, hope of a more just future. That God's reign will be complete and that the marred creation will be fully restored.
That idea that excites me. In the journey of studying about God's future for his followers, I found joy, hope and peace. What a gift.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Inner Attitudes and Spiritual Growth
The question from the study guide that I chose to reflect on this week is which inner attitudes inspire my growth in Christ, and which put up blocks to my growth. It's certainly a good question and one that is worthy of some good thought. So here we go:
In terms of what inner attitude inspires my growth, I'd have to say the biggest by far is thankfulness. When I have a thankful heart for God and His incredible faithfulness, then I find I spend less time worrying about what I don't have - either materially, physically (health-wise) or spiritually) - and more time being grateful for God's incredible provision in my life; even things that I wouldn't necessarily choose for myself. There's a song I heard a long time ago with a phrase in it that says "when you can't trace His hand, trust His heart". In other words, even when life in our broken world brings me lemons and I just can't see how God could use it for the good (and question why it had to happen in the first place), I'm way happier when I can remain thankful for God's heart and character; trusting in His love for me and knowing that He will see me through. This kind of thankfulness - when I am able to practice it - produces a whole new way of looking at the world and events around me and inspires great growth for me in my spiritual walk.
In the flip side, it's thinking about what I don't have, that is perhaps the biggest block to my growth. This most often for me takes a spiritual form. Sometimes I give so much attention to my own sinfulness and how I need to be better in one area or another, that I forget to rejoice in my salvation and be thankful for God's amazing grace. The result when this happens is a joyless and stagnant life. I start comparing myself to others who I perceive are better in those areas of my life where I struggle, and it leaves me feeling like I'm somehow not good enough. So it's easy to give up and say I can never be good enough. I guess this relates to pride, because it seems to me that these feelings must in some form stem from the thought that I could ever somehow be "good enough" to earn God's love acceptance and forgiveness. All of these thought patterns of course center around ME and MY will or ability to change, or MY need to feel good enough - and they take GOD totally out of the equation. I think the better attitude to have is thankfulness for being fearfully and wonderfully made in God's image, trust in His love for me, and remembering that "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"....not in my own power but in God's alone through Christ. That way, as the Bible says, His strength really is made perfect in my weakness.
In terms of what inner attitude inspires my growth, I'd have to say the biggest by far is thankfulness. When I have a thankful heart for God and His incredible faithfulness, then I find I spend less time worrying about what I don't have - either materially, physically (health-wise) or spiritually) - and more time being grateful for God's incredible provision in my life; even things that I wouldn't necessarily choose for myself. There's a song I heard a long time ago with a phrase in it that says "when you can't trace His hand, trust His heart". In other words, even when life in our broken world brings me lemons and I just can't see how God could use it for the good (and question why it had to happen in the first place), I'm way happier when I can remain thankful for God's heart and character; trusting in His love for me and knowing that He will see me through. This kind of thankfulness - when I am able to practice it - produces a whole new way of looking at the world and events around me and inspires great growth for me in my spiritual walk.
In the flip side, it's thinking about what I don't have, that is perhaps the biggest block to my growth. This most often for me takes a spiritual form. Sometimes I give so much attention to my own sinfulness and how I need to be better in one area or another, that I forget to rejoice in my salvation and be thankful for God's amazing grace. The result when this happens is a joyless and stagnant life. I start comparing myself to others who I perceive are better in those areas of my life where I struggle, and it leaves me feeling like I'm somehow not good enough. So it's easy to give up and say I can never be good enough. I guess this relates to pride, because it seems to me that these feelings must in some form stem from the thought that I could ever somehow be "good enough" to earn God's love acceptance and forgiveness. All of these thought patterns of course center around ME and MY will or ability to change, or MY need to feel good enough - and they take GOD totally out of the equation. I think the better attitude to have is thankfulness for being fearfully and wonderfully made in God's image, trust in His love for me, and remembering that "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"....not in my own power but in God's alone through Christ. That way, as the Bible says, His strength really is made perfect in my weakness.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Sanctification
Sometimes it is hard to understand what Paul is talking about when he exhorts us to “work out our salvation”. Isn’t it a one-time decision…an acceptance of God’s free gift? Isn’t it by faith…not by works. Paul is not talking about our salvation in terms of our rightness with God. When you make that decision to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, it is binding. You cannot lose or earn your salvation. What Paul is talking about is “sanctification”. It is the daily dying to ourselves and our sin and taking up Jesus’ cross and following Him.
What does “daily dying to self” look in my life? First of all I am not alone in the process. Thankfully the Holy Spirit goes before me, behind me, to the left and to the right. It is not possible to die to self on our own. We are after all fallen. Each day I get up and face the day – hand in hand with the Holy Spirit. I work in a job in which I am surrounded by Christians. I spend time in staff prayer. I have a job that does not “tempt me”, surround me in poor language, difficult situations, etc. For that I am thankful. However, I do live in a neighborhood, go to the grocery store, have friends outside the church and parent children who have friends with families. In all of these things I believe my life is a witness to others and my dying to the selfish attitudes, anger, etc. is not only a process for me, but a challenge to those around me. Dying to self helps me to portray Christ in my world.
Darla Benjamin
What does “daily dying to self” look in my life? First of all I am not alone in the process. Thankfully the Holy Spirit goes before me, behind me, to the left and to the right. It is not possible to die to self on our own. We are after all fallen. Each day I get up and face the day – hand in hand with the Holy Spirit. I work in a job in which I am surrounded by Christians. I spend time in staff prayer. I have a job that does not “tempt me”, surround me in poor language, difficult situations, etc. For that I am thankful. However, I do live in a neighborhood, go to the grocery store, have friends outside the church and parent children who have friends with families. In all of these things I believe my life is a witness to others and my dying to the selfish attitudes, anger, etc. is not only a process for me, but a challenge to those around me. Dying to self helps me to portray Christ in my world.
Darla Benjamin
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