Faith of Costello

Have you ever felt as lost as Costello in “Who’s on First” when trying to figure out this whole Christianity thing?

It all seemed so simple when I first said that short prayer as a ten year old boy.  Just believe that Jesus is the Son of God that died for my sins and ask him to be in my heart.  At that point, my sins consisted of being mean to my little brother and sometimes not obeying my mom and dad.  If believing in Jesus would save me from hell and the devil then I was all for that.

It started to get a little more complicated when puberty hit.  As a teenager, suddenly my sins started mounting up and I began this endless cycle of guilt and confession.  Finally, at some point I found it was easier to justify my behavior than feel guilty about it.

Christianity became real easy once I just ignored it all together.

Who’s on First? I don’t care.  It wasn’t very complicated at all.  I had my prayer done and my eternity ticket punched.

Fortunately for me, it was not just up to me.

Romans 8:29 (ESV)
²⁹ For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

God pursued me and would not let me cast him aside.  You can read my story in detail under My Damascus Road.

This however, is when Christianity started to get much more confusing and I started to find myself frustrated with what I call the “faith of Costello”.  What I mean by that is Christianity is simple, but my expectations had made it very difficult.

I know we are saved by faith.  There is nothing we can do to save ourselves.

Ephesians 2:8 (ESV)
⁸ For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,

However, just a few books to the right, we read that faith without works is no faith at all.  And Jesus tells us those that belong to him will bear good fruit.

James 2:17 (ESV)
¹⁷ So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

John 15:2 (ESV)
² Every branch of mine that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

So what are some of these good works that I need to be doing or maybe my faith is dead?  Oh, nothing much…Just lose your life, crucify your life to this world, consider everything worldly as crap.

Matthew 10:38 (ESV)
³⁸ And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

Romans 6:6 (ESV)
⁶ We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.

Philippians 3:8 (ESV)
⁸ Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ

I’m saved by faith alone.  Ok, but I’m still living a pretty comfy life.  I’m not sure where my cross is to carry even if I was willing.  I sure don’t feel that crucified and while some of my stuff is crap – some of it I really like!  I can’t do this.  This is too hard God.  I just want to know what it takes to be a Christ follower.

Who’s on First?

I don’t know.

No, he’s on Third.

Who?

No, Who’s on First

Is it really that difficult to grasp?

Not really.  It’s no more difficult than when I was ten.  Only now, I understand it better because I understand that my sin is much more than just being mean to my little brother and not listening to my parents all the time.  My sin is in my very nature.  However, the answer is still the same.  Jesus died for all this sin.  And the power that resurrected him from the dead is the same power that will allow me to overcome my old nature that fights against my new nature.

The reason this seems so complicated to me sometimes, is because I forget that the gospel that saved me in the beginning is the same gospel that rescues me everyday.  When I come before His cross each day, I want to pick up my own, I want to crucify myself to this world, and everything else does become rubbish.  Not because of what I do, but because of the power of his grace that gives me the faith to do the works.

Who’s on First?

Jesus.

The Theology of Adoption

My wife and I attended the Christian Alliance for Orphans conference held in Dallas this April.  On the way to the conference my wife was excited about the conference and about getting involved in this ministry.  I was looking forward to the conference but I had other issues that God had been working out in me.  I was not completely sure that orphan ministry was where he wanted me right now.

I tried to share my concern with my wife but I did not do too well.  I tried to explain that God has been working on pride issues in me and telling me to focus on Jesus first above all else.  My struggle is that I don't think I do the basics right.  I’m still wrestling at making sure Jesus is glorified in all I do and that my life needs to be about living out the gospel and telling others about Jesus.

This may sound weird to some, but something like orphan ministry actual sounded easy compared to my first responsibility of living the gospel and sharing it with others.  It’s easy to have a broken heart for the orphan.  But I need to have a broken heart for my neighbor.

I teach a Sunday morning bible study.  I enjoy it.  God’s word excites me and teaching it excites me.  But when I am at my job or with others that don’t know Jesus, I stay quiet.  This is what God has been working out in me.  Orphan care ministry needed to come after the gospel ministry.

As I tried to explain this to my wife on the trip up to Dallas I think I frustrated her.  I sounded like I was looking for excuses but I wasn’t.  I just was not explaining where I was coming from very well.

The first breakout session we attended at the conference was a lesson called “A Theology of Adoption”.  It was presented by Daniel Bennett, the Senior Pastor at Bethany Community Church in Washington, Illinois.  God is so good.  He took the very first session and within the very first five minutes, let me know that AdoptionOrphan Care ministry starts when the church’s heart is first desiring to know and glorify God.

You see, I was concerned about orphan care ministry being focused on the orphan.  Don’t get me wrong, we need to love and care for the orphans and that is the point of the ministry.  But here I am struggling with glorifying Jesus above all else and I knew a heart-breaking ministry could tempt me to focus primarily on the injustice.  My focus would be what “I” could do or encourage “others” to do.  Any ministry has to be about what “God” will do.  My heart needs to be about glorifying God, and through glorifying Him loving others – orphans in orphan care ministries, but also my co-worker and my neighbor.

So what is the theology of adoption?  Here are the six points that Pastor Bennett laid out:

1. Our adoption was accomplished despite our condition.  (Romans 3:10-23; Romans 5:6-11)

2. Our adoption was an act of God. (Romans 3:24-26)

3. Our adoption was accomplished through the suffering of our savior. (Romans 5:6-11; Romans 6:1-11)

4. Our adoption makes us part of a new family. (Romans 8:14-17)

5. Our adoption can never be revoked. (Romans 8:14-39)

6. Our adoption is for the glory of God. (Romans 9:22-29)

The theology of adoption is about glorifying God and about the gospel.  What God has been working out in me these past six months and still today, is preparing me for this ministry.  I don’t know if he has me ready yet, but I’m placing one foot in front of the other and we’ll see where he takes me.

Philippians 2:12-13 (ESV)
¹² Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, ¹³ for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Help! I’m an Orphan

My son has a couple of private blogs.  One of them is about waiting for his new little brother from Ethiopia.  He recently posted a great article on orphans so I got permission to re-post it here for everyone else.

(by Tate) I was watching someone on the TV the other day with my mom and dad. He was talking about helping the orphan. I started crying ( on the inside ) and really thought about what he was saying.

He started talking about adopting, and it struck me - these orphans aren't just orphans, they're kids! Kids that don't have anybody, or anything. The man on TV said something I'll never forget, he said "If Jesus comes in the next 2 minutes, none of this would matter - if he comes in the next 200 years, it does."

Let me list a few of the things your typical orphan has and doesn't have.

Has:

• 2 small meals a day


• 1 outfit


• an orphanage to sleep in

Doesn't Have:

• clean water


• a nice bed


• good clothes


• toys


• a pet


• a family

See what I mean. It's a recipe for starvation and if we aren't going to help who will? And we aren't even thankful for what we have half the time! I just wanted to share that with you. And if you are reading this now, you should be thankful you have a computer.

Don’t Waste Your Life - John Piper

I read this book on the way to Liberia last summer.  If you read or listen to much of John Piper you know that he has a passion for people to understand the joy that comes from the glory of Jesus.  For him, everything is about the cross, the price Jesus paid for our sins even though we deserve no mercy, and the glory and joy of God’s forgiveness anyway.

Piper believes we are created to be full of joy and the joy comes from the glory of God.  Chapter 3 includes some resolutions from Jonathan Edwards, including Resolution #22: “Resolved, to endeavor to obtain for myself as much happiness, in the other world, as I possibly can, with all the power, might, vigor, and vehemence, yea violence, I am capable of, or can bring myself to exert, in any way that can be thought of.”

This is a powerful quote that can easily be misunderstood.  In our PC world it is not good to talk about violence but as Piper explains, Edwards is expressing what Jesus meant when he said if your eye is causing you to sin, gouge it out.  Basically, do whatever is necessary to live in this world for the next.

Living for the next life is probably the best way to describe the theme for this book, “Don’t Waste Your Life”.  The point Piper makes is that everything we do needs to be to magnify Christ.  To magnify Christ is not to make him bigger, because you can’t, but to live your life so that others can see the glory of Christ – magnify him to others.

Chapter four starts to take you into what it means to live a life that magnifies Jesus.  It means a life of suffering and pain but full of joy.  Quite a paradox but right from the gospels and Paul’s letters.

After chapter four makes it clear that you can expect suffering when you don’t waste your life, chapter five urges you forward to take action, take risks.  We certainly crave the good life in our country.  The American dream is to be financially independent and successful.  Risk taking is ok in business but not when the reward you can expect is pain and suffering.  We don’t call that a risk, we call that stupid.

I heard a great point by Francis Chan the other day.  When we are at God’s throne and making an account for our lives, who will feel stupid?  The one that was sold out for Jesus and risking it all, or the one that played it safe, built up a great retirement plan and financial security for his children.  When everything in this world burns away, which life is stupid?

There is a warning here however.  God is always interested in our hearts.  Are you wanting to risk it all so you feel exalted?  Do you look down on others whom you perceive to be wasting their lives and see yourself as a better Christian?  Self-righteousness is not an acceptable heart for God.  Everything is for his glory, and his glory alone.

Chapter seven asks a great question that every follower of Jesus should ask themselves.  It is based on 1 Peter 3:15.

1 Peter 3:15 (ESV)
¹⁵ but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you;

Do people ask you about “the hope that is in you” or is your hope the same as theirs?  Does your life look so radically different that your neighbors know that your live for a different purpose?  Or does your life look like your goals are like theirs, a comfortable suburban life, kids in college, and a comfortable retirement?

I think whenever I’ve read this verse in the past, my thought was that this meant how people see me handle adversity.  How do I handle the death of a loved one?  How do I handle the loss of a job?  However, it is much more than that.

Peter is talking about the suffering that comes from a zeal for living for Christ.  To the early Christians reading Peter’s letter this meant real persecution like many of our brothers and sisters face in other countries today.  For us in America, it means others, including my neighbor, are more important to me than me.  If my neighbor cannot tell from my everyday life that I live for the glory of Christ, I’m not giving him any reason to ask about the hope that is in me.

While the preceding chapters are convicting and cause you to think about how you're living your life, many of us may think that this “sold out” life-style is reserved for preachers and missionaries.  However, chapter 8, “Making Much of Christ from 8 to 5”, brings it back to you, wherever you are at.

1 Corinthians 10:31 (ESV)
³¹ So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Chapter nine is for those that are reading the book and know they are being pulled by God beyond their 8 to 5 job.  Missionaries and preachers are called and Piper winds down his book encouraging those that feel the pull to not resist, give it all up, and do it.  However, even if you are not called (at least yet) to join the front lines in reaching the unreached, Piper makes this point.  In war, even the civilians need to have a heart for the battle and for the people in the far corners of the world that have not yet heard the good news.  The news that there is a God and he loves them and wants to draw them to himself.

Piper has a great analogy – don’t be content to just be a bat boy that thinks the great point of the World Series is to hand the players a bat.  If you are a “sender” then show your love and mercy to those in need at home.  There is no reason for any of us to just sit on the sidelines and waste our life.

I read this book on my own and again as I used it in a Sunday morning bible study and with my men’s accountability group.  Piper draws you to God’s word and challenges you to live it out.

The only criticism that I have received from those that have read the book along with me is that Piper is super intelligent and uses words sometimes that may require a dictionary.  I’m too lazy for that and usually just went with the context so it never really bothered me too much.  The overall intent of his words were always crystal clear.

One final note, as I know John Piper would agree, this book is just the words of a man.  It’s meant only as a supplement to challenge you based on what you read for yourself in God’s word.

Economic Certainty

I hear on the news over and over again about the struggles of our country as we continue to face economic uncertainty.  This is great statement about the mindset of Americans and how capitalism has replaced Christianity as our value system.  Even in the best of times, our economic future is uncertain.  What is the old saying, “the only thing that certain is death and taxes.”

Unfortunately, unlike America, most of the world lives in extremely certain economic times.  Almost half the world lives on less that $2.50 a day.  Eighty percent of the world lives on less than $10 a day.  For these people, there is no economic uncertainty.  They have extreme poverty today and they are quite certain that they will have extreme poverty tomorrow and probably their entire lives.

I can stress about my 401k and all my savings that I no longer have in my future.  However, I’m not too worried about what I am going to eat tomorrow.  I can stress about the economy getting even worse and I can watch it all in my air-conditioned home on my wide-screen TV through cable provided to me for a measly $75 month.

Many people in have lost their jobs recently.  Many fear that they could lose theirs at anytime.  However, even if you lose your job, your home, and your cable TV, will you starve to death?

There is a reason Jesus tells us not to put our faith in wealth.  I like to tell myself that my faith is in God and not my money.  I’m sure most Christians would say the same.  If that’s true, think about the rich young ruler that came to Jesus looking for eternal life.

Luke 18:18-25 (ESV)
¹⁸ And a ruler asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" ¹⁹ And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. ²⁰ You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.' " ²¹ And he said, "All these I have kept from my youth." ²² When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." ²³ But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. ²⁴ Jesus, looking at him with sadness, said, "How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! ²⁵ For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God."

If ask the average Christian, if they should sell everything they have and follow Jesus, they will probably tell you that this passage is not suggesting that Christians do that.  They will probably tell you that this passage means that you should be willing to do that if called.  They may say that following Jesus should be more valuable to you than all of your possessions but this passage is a principle and not a practical application for all Christians to follow.

Ok, so let’s go with the principle concept.  In principle, if God were to ask you to sell everything you have and give it to the poor, would you?  How do you know if you could do it?  Better yet, how do you know if God were to ask you?  Are you assuming that God’s call for your life is to have your current standard of living?  Why would God not want you to give so much away that it dramatically lowered your personal lifestyle?  Why do you think that the eye of the needle is so large for you?

Maybe we should take this time of economic uncertainty and think more about the rest of the world and their economic certainty.  Maybe we should adjust our standard of living so that others can live.  Or I guess you can go to the fridge, get another cold drink, sit back in your lazy boy, and change the channel.

Back from sabbatical

Well, kind of.  I think a sabbatical is where you are supposed to get away from it all and maybe concentrate on learning something new or writing a book.  I haven’t gotten away from anything except blogging.  Work has been busier and family time is all the more precious.  I have, however, been continuing my quest to seek the things above where Christ is seated and I’m starting to fill up again on thoughts about my journey that I need to get out.  Blogging is a great release when things are piling up in your head.

There have been some key influencers on my life the last few months that I hope to brain dump over the next few weeks.

• Getting so close yet still so far from being able to bring our new son home from Ethiopia (see Hipp is My Middle Name for more on this process).
• Two simultaneous discussion groups on the book Don't Waste Your Life (one with my accountability men’s group and one in Sunday morning bible study).
• Getting back to listening to sermons on my IPod rather than talk radio – in particular – Paul Washer, Mark Driscoll, John Piper, and Francis Chan.
• Attending the Christian Alliance for Orphans conference in Dallas.
• The mediocre success of our church goal in sponsoring 57 orphans in Liberia through BrightPoint for Children.
• Watching the video of Rachel Barkey talk about the glory of Jesus as she faces death from cancer in the next six to eighteen months.
• Reading Same Kind Of Different As Me by John HallDenver Moore and Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God by Francis Chan (still in progress).
• Completing 12-weeks of Body for Life (still maintaining the healthy lifestyle one month later).
• Loss of 401k, loss of jobs, loss of perspective…

Please visit again or better yet subscribe for updates.  Maybe something that leaks from my head will challenge or encourage you.  Maybe what I write will seem idiotic.  In either case, comment and let me know.  If what I write bores you to tears, don’t worry, I’m not quitting my day job.

Grace and peace.

tc

Finding Joy

(by Mandy) Yesterday, I was reading about how the Israelites were complaining (again) and how God got mad at them for asking for selfish reasons. As I read that, I stopped and prayed God would forgive me for complaining about this delay and asking for this to happen faster for selfish reasons. Yes, I do believe it's best for Gideon to come home sooner, but I also really wanted him home sooner because I had my expectations and they are not being met. I had my plans for this summer and fall, and now this delay is messing with that! After releasing that, I immediately felt a wave of peace come over me and I have felt that peace ever since.

I am still asking God to bring our little guy home this summer because God wants us to share our hearts with Him. But I've stopped whining and begging to God and tried to have a grateful attitude instead of complaining. I'm sure I will start complaining again (because I'm broken like that!), but maybe I will be able to recognize it quickly and hand it over to God. He doesn't want us to have a spirit of complaining about not getting our way.

I read about how God works in people's lives in amazing ways when they are faithful to Him. I always think it's so cool to read that about other people. But, God wants us to be faithful so He can work amazing things in our lives, too! He doesn't want a few Christians in the game while the rest sit on the bench. This is our chance to grow in our faith and allow God to make us stronger.  I need to embrace this time, knowing that God is using it to change me.   And boy, do I need to be changed!

James 1:2-4 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.  And let steadfastness have it's full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

I know God has worked on my heart during this wait.  I think if everything was going perfectly smooth, I would have been consumed in my preparations for bringing a baby into our home.  I’ve still been getting ready, but it’s been more in a practical way.  I’ve been more consumed with seeing God in this.  There have been moments He has revealed things in my heart that, believe me…aren’t pretty.  But, I guess that’s the first step to changing me – making me see where I need to change.

Hopefully, we will see some movement in the courts this week for abandonment cases.  I know the Ethiopian government is trying to do what is best for these kids.  I am praying this will happen quickly so these kids can get home to their families that are waiting for them.

We have court on Monday and our paper chain is quickly shrinking.  I’m supposed to be excited as I watch it get smaller and smaller, but I get sad sometimes thinking it could be counting down to the day we won’t pass court.  I’m confused – do I get excited as court gets closer, or do I not???  I am looking forward to seeing families pass court again so I can hope we will pass, too.  Maybe this is the week!