book review: into the wild

I recently finished Into the Wild by John Krakauer, a book that a friend loaned me. It is an incredible story of a young man that "tramped" across the western part of the United States in search of what it really means to live. I am a huge outdoor enthusiast and I love the West, so this story immediately struck a chord with me. Chris McCandless was a recent college graduate from Washington D.C. who left school in Atlanta and gave away what money he had then headed West to find freedom. He was a very intelligent, well read young man, even a bit of an idealist. He read everything he could from the classics like Thoreau and Tolstoy to the bestsellers of his time (the 1990's). After traveling extensively across Colorado, Arizona, California, and South Dakota to mention a few, he decided to take the ultimate adventure to Alaska and "live off the land for a while." Little did he know that 112 days into his Alaskan adventure he would end up starving to death in an abandoned bus some 15 miles from civilization. When the author dug deeper into McCandless' life he unearthed a mound of hurt. McCandless took a trip across country after his senior year and discovered that his father had lived a double life for a while. Chris was a very introverted person and kept his anger and pain inside, not letting on to his parents he was privy to their convoluted past. Over the next few years at home, his relationship with his parents deteriorated and after moving to Atlanta for college, they rarely talked at all. Halfway through the book the author, John Krakauer, compares Chris to himself, explaining how they had similar experiences and how they both looked to the Wild for meaning, purpose, and joy in life. After an attempt at climbing the north face of the Devil's Thumb, a mountain in remote Alaska that had never been climbed before, John realized that the Wild could not heal the hurt inside. Chris McCandless realized this too, or at least that's what we can conclude from his journal. He realized that the Wild could not satisfy his yearnings for meaning in life. Tragically though, because he was not prepared properly, he starved to death. He was never satisfied completely with the Wild. As much as I would like it, none of us can be.

Now let's shift gears. I once heard a very wise man say that we must look for the Gospel in everything. So, I did while reading this book. I found a young man without evidence of Christ in his life hurting greatly. Without somebody to steer him towards Christ and healing, he tried to find comfort in what most of us look to: creation. Chris looked for it in the natural creation. Some of us look for it in things that we have created, such as gadgets and toys. Either way, its the same. We are still looking to the created rather than the Creator, the only one who can give true joy, simply, because he created it. Christ is the only ultimate satisfaction. In John 15, he tells the disciples to abide in him so that, his joy may be in them and their joy, "may be full." Christ wants to give us everything that Chris was searching for. Healing from hurt, meaning and purpose for life, and truly abundant joy are all things that Christ wants to supply for us. Why then do we search the created? Unfortunately, because of Adam's sin we are hardwired to. We can't understand the things of God because we are sinners, so we naturally look to the things we do understand: the created. So what's the remedy? There is a very simple answer: Jesus Christ. A life with Christ cannot compare with any other. Don't wander for so long like Chris did and end up never finding what you're looking for. God is a real God, and he longs for and loves you. If you're hurting run to him, not the things he created, because in the end they can't help.

-Justin

P.S. I recommend this book to anybody especially somebody who likes outdoor adventures, it is an easy read and has a gripping storyline. I loved it.

thoughts on christmas

I have been wrestling with the American celebration of Christmas this year. As I hear statistics about how much the American public spends during the Christmas season my stomach becomes a bit queasy. I don't understand how one culture can consume so much. Do we celebrate Christ's birth with idolatry? Or do we simply just celebrate our idolatry without Christ in the equation? This may be beating a dead horse, but I feel that it needs to be said. I searched Google and Ask.com for some stats about how much we spend per Christmas season, I was shocked to see the results. Over 72 million shopped the internet on Cyber Monday, the traditional kickoff to the online shopping season after Black Friday, spending billions. Consumers spent a record breaking $154 billion dollars last year during the month of December according to forbes.com. To put that into perspective a billion seconds is 13 years. A billion dollars is a lot of money, that averages out to about $796 per person in the United States. Obviously some spend five times that amount and some spend five times less. Nonetheless, that is ridiculous. When did Christmas become about giving gifts? I think a trip back to Scripture and the Christmas story is needed.
In Matthew 2 we see the story of the Wise Men. They came from the east bearing gifts to Christ. This is where our tradition of giving gifts come from. However, the meaning of the gifts of the Wise Men have been lost. They didn't give Christ gifts because that is what he wanted or needed, they were all prophetic in nature. First he was given gold. This was a gift that was reserved only for royalty. The Wise Men were under the impression that Christ was an earthly king. In the East, tradition states that a new star will rise over the birthplace of a new king when he is born. Little did they know that Christ was no earthly king but the King of Heaven. However, their gift of gold still foreshadowed Christ's claims of being Lord and King over all. The second gift was frakincense. A bit of research will show that frakincense was in incense that smelled wonderful. In the Jewish culture, and really most cultures of antiquity, incense was offered to deities. The Jews would offer it to Yahweh. Other cultures would burn incense for their many Gods. The Wise Men offered Christ a gift that was reserved strictly for a deity. This foreshadowed passages such as John 1:1-18 where Jesus is proclaimed to be God incarnate. The third gift was myhrr. Myhrr was a perfume used during the embalming process. This is my favorite gift. This one foreshadows Christ's ultimate sacrifice for us on the Cross. What a powerful message through gifts. The last two gifts are more difficult to explain than the first one. As stated above, the Wise Men were under the impression they were visiting an earthly king, so the gold is easily explainable. However, it is a bit more difficult to explain why they brought the last two. I firmly believe that God the Father used them as prophets to herald the birth of his Son on the earth.
So why do give so much, with so little meaning? Is that new cell phone truly going to mean that much to us or is it just an idol? (Idols are simply a desire that we close in our hand and refuse to let God have control of, or something that we think will fulfill our desires and wants for pleasure or satisfaction better than God can) So the big question is this: Do I desire stuff or Christ more this season? If I desire Christ more, how can I show it?
I spoke of money above. I understand that the gifts that the Wise Men gave Christ were expensive, but they were rich with meaning as well. Are our gifts meaningful or just expensive?
I say these things because these are struggles I must fight as well. It's hard to not want that new cell phone, car, or (fill in the blank). Yearn for Christ this holiday season. He is what this season is truly all about.

struggle

I was just checking out the rest of my blogs since it had been so long since I wrote them. I realized that the most recent blog I wrote deals with the same stuff that I had written about last semester. Just goes to show that it's a never ending battle. Praise Christ because he has won the victory on our behalf!

school...a long weary road

School can be so tiring. I just finished a 5 day paper writing stint that resulted in three 5-10 page mediocre papers. It's so frustrating to be undisciplined. As school is winding down, I feel myself winding tighter with stress and worry. It's difficult not to worry about what next semester holds. Looking at the busy calendar ahead of me always makes things worse. It is unfortunate that I must look at it everyday. I find it interesting that we as humans have such a strong fear, or concern if you prefer, about the unknown. Why is this fear so strong throughout the entire human race? It seems that this is a fear common to man no matter his/her race, gender, creed, faith, etc.. Could it be our pride?

Christ tells us in Luke 12:22-31, that we should not worry about what tomorrow holds. He reminds us to consider the lilies of the field that are clothed in more splendor than Solomon himself. In my church there is a simple painting on the wall of a silhouetted bird. The caption at the bottom of the painting simply says, "Consider Birds. Luke 12." It is such a strong reminder every time I attend church that the Lord is sovereign and he will take care of us. If he cares for the creation, who from Genesis is clearly less favored by God than man, surly he will care for us above and beyond what he does for them. Why do we not trust him then? What causes us to doubt? I think the answer lies in Luke 1:

"He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate" (vv. 51-52)

I'm not sure if there is much left to say. The text certainly speaks for itself. God is not pleased with proud people. Worrying is one of the most simple forms of pride. God opposes the proud because prideful people do not submit themselves to the will of God. If we worry, we are simply full of pride and refusing to submit. Does this mean that we are called to live a life of inaction? Does God expect us to wait on him to do things for us? Absolutely not. We are still responsible to what God has called us to daily. It is the future callings that Christ commands us not to worry about. My future calling, or at least for next semester is my education. Therefore, Christ commands me not to worry about how hard school will be next semester because he has given me the ability to get through it. Whatever Christ has called you to he will give you the ability and the drive to complete it in a manner that glorifies Him. Praise be to God. Be encouraged.

-Justin

P.S. The picture above was taken this past summer in Colorado. It is my most favorite place to be. If God cares for and beautifies his creation like this, surely he will take care of me.

back to it

So a close friend just started a blog about his journey with the Lord. I'm glad that he did because it has renewed my want and desire to continue writing mine. I know it has been forever since I have last updated. I'm actually surprised that blogger hasn't deleted it. I plan to work something up, possibly even continue the last series that I stopped writing. So check back soon and hopefully something will be here. For Christ and his Kingdom.
-Justin

P.S. I took the picture above in Winter Park, Colorado on a ski trip. I really want to go back.

the mind of christ: love, part 1

" And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all you heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets."
-Matthew 22:36-40

This will be our main passage on the love of Christ. It is one of the heaviest passages in the Bible.

Honestly, there isn't much more that you can say about love than what Jesus told the Pharisees questioning him. However, even though it is simple, it is extremely deep. So lets just take some time and answer a few reflective questions to get started.

1. How are you loving the "Lord your God?"

2. Are you loving him with all your heart, soul and mind?

3. How has this act of loving God changed your life?

4. In what ways could you love him more?

5. How are you loving others?

6. When is the last time you have done something for somebody in love?

7. In what ways could you love others more?

8. Are you sacrificing yourself for them? (remember the discussion of humility below)

In verse 40, Jesus says that all of the Law and the Prophets hang on this commandment. This is so true! If we are truly loving God with all our heart soul and mind and loving people, all of his commands will be fulfilled in our lives. Now, of course, we have just scratched the surface of this subject. It is impossible for our finite minds to grasp the full love of God. The love of Christ could be discussed for years upon years and never be described fully. Therefore, if we are to have this love we have a lot of work to do. Meditate on your answers to the questions above to see where you stand in the love category of the mind of Christ. In the second part of this post we will discuss these questions more in depth.

the mind of christ: humility

In Paul's letter to the Philippians he charges them to "Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus..." Philippians 2:5 I would like to take a few blogs and discuss what the mind of Christ is and how to obtain it. In this discussion it is important to understand a couple of points. First, this letter is written to a local church in Phillipi, so we need to apply it to the local church and it's members. Also, it is the responsibility of the individual members of the church to have this mind which in turn shapes the view of the church. So since we understand those points, let's look at Paul's letter to discover a tiny, but essential piece of the mind of Christ: Humility. Paul calls us to have the entire mind of Christ. How can he expect us to have the mind of the almighty Creator?! What a daunting task. So, let's try and get break this down. Unpack it, if you will. The characteristics and specifics that make up the mind of Jesus are legion. There is no way that we as humans in the fallen state can understand every angle and corner in God's mind. However, we have some general insight through the person of Jesus Christ. Paul continues his thought with these words, "... who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men." Philippians 2:6-7 This is a very exciting verse because it explains the even though Jesus was God he did not use his omnipotence and took on the restrains of the flesh. Therefore we know that we too can have the mind of Christ, because even though he was God he didn't use his power as God. If he didn't use his power, he had to rely on the Holy Spirit to know the will of God. We as believers have the Holy Spirit within us, so we are able to know the will and mind of God! However, through this we see the characteristic of Christ I would like to discuss today: Christ is our perfect example of humility. Jesus created the heavens and the earth: "All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made." John 1:4 Yet, he came to earth as a man and lived a life in human form. He became one of his created, not only that but Jesus obeys his creation which eventually leads to his crucifixion. In Mark 4, the story of Christ being left in Jerusalem of the Passover feast gives us a display of great humility on the part of Christ. When his parents realized they had left him they went to find him and when they did they began to scold them. Christ could have told Mary off and explained to her how he knew the number of hairs on her head, but instead he obeyed her. Not only that but the Passover feast was a celebration of the coming of the Messiah, so Jesus went yearly to the celebration of his own death on the cross. Our almighty Creator God died as one of his creation, to save his creation. There is no other religion in the world with a God that loves like that. So, if Christ is our example of humility, how do we apply his example to our lives? We can't even begin to compare ourselves to God, so Paul helps us out in verses 3 & 4: "Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." Philippians 2:3-4 In verse 3, Paul talks about acting out of rivalry and conceit. How do we act out of rivalry and conceit today? Here are a few examples I have experienced, in the church each group of believers (youth, senior adults, college, married, singles) feels that they are equally important, which is very true. However, when the budgets don't come out equally for each group they throw temper tantrums because they feel should get just as much money as the other groups. Who are they putting first? Also, it is interesting when groups begin to say that they deserve certain things like money, volunteers, and space. We deserve nothing but death and destruction for our sin! By the grace of Christ do we continue to survive and live! So in verse 3 Paul is teaching us to be unselfish. However that's only half of the story. Verse 4 explains the other, more important half, "Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also the interests of others." Philippians 2:4 This verse can be a bit confusing at first, because we have just understood Paul to say not to be selfish, then he tells us to look after our own needs. However it is important to understand the deeper message of the verse. Paul understands that as humans we have survival instincts that are going to force us to take care of ourselves. However, we should make just as much effort to love others and look for their interests as we do ourselves. Look is verb that requires action on our part to search out the needs, and ways that we can love others. So, not only must we not be selfish, but we must take the energy that we would normally focus on ourselves and use it as fuel to love others. I fail miserably at this, as do most churches. So what is your church doing to love the community? What other ways could your church be serving the community? How are you being unselfish and loving others? I pray that you and I would be able to embrace the concept that Paul teaches us and be as humble as Christ.

update

Hey guys!

Wow I know its been a long time since i've updated and I just wanted to let you know this blog is not dead. I will be updating sometime this week I have just been really busy. Have a great day!!

those days

It's been one of those days. One where everything that could have gone wrong did and then some. You just don't feel like breathing anymore and you don't want anything to do with anybody, even Jesus. We all have them, we sulk around and cuss at everything. It's these days that tend to make us feel alone and neglected by God. We worry about everything in our lives and try to seize control of them. Then when we do seize control, we royally screw everything up because of our depravity. There are no wise words that I have for these kind of days, but Jesus, who is Lord of all things, does. Just listen:
"And he said to his disciples, 'Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil or spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you."
-Luke 12:22-31

I think Jesus' words are enough.

giving credit where credit is due

For those who actually read this blog, it is important to me that you realize that most of these posts are discussion of topics that I did not pioneer or pretend to know anything about. These are all extensions of my own thoughts about what I read or listen to. If I do discuss my own ideas it will be noted. It is also important to know that all of the men in which I discuss are all of up most character and knowledge. For example, in the previous post I discuss a sermon by Mark Driscoll. I can trust what I heard because he read about 60 books on the subject and was well educated about the crucifixion. I will make sure and post the author and/or pastor and the work from which I hear these great thoughts. I love you and thank you all for your support in reading!

the importance of the cross

is when Holy God took not only the punishment of death for our sins, but also took the shame, guilt and defilement that comes hand in hand with sin. The cross not only had to be a murder, but also had to be one of the most shameful ones ever committed for this process to work. So, for a pastor to be able to speak of the crucifixion and smile prompts me to ask if he really knows how brutal the cross was. However, this view of the Cross is under attack by modern scholars and even some so called Christians. They believe that the cross was too bloody and violent, therefore it can't be of a loving God. If we see the true meaning behind the cross however, propitiation and Have you ever seen a preacher stand in front of the congregation and say, "Jesus died for your sins." Then smile? I recently listened to a Mark Driscoll sermon which changed my view on this subject. Don't freak out on me just yet! I still very much believe that Christ went to the cross for our sins, what bothers me is the preacher being so nonchalant about it. In his sermon entitled "Death by Love," Mark talked about how we have lost the shame of the cross in cultural context. He gave a detailed explanation of how shameful a crucifixion was. When a man was crucified he died of asphyxiation. The weight of the men's bodies would cause their lungs to eventually stop functioning after being beaten and bleeding for days. They would build a small seat under the butt of the man to keep him alive as long as possible so that he would suffer the maximum amount of time. Men then began to slump off their seat so they would die faster. So to combat this, they would nail the man's penis to the cross because they were crucified naked. This was all done in the most public place they could find, the market. Our equivalent would be in front of the main entrances to the local shopping mall. Sometimes it would take days for the men to finally die. In the mean time, bums and other low lives would sit at the bottom of their cross mocking and throwing things at the men. The pain often became so unbearable that the men would be come incontinent, and crap all over themselves and their cross. When you finally died they would just throw your body in a burn pile or dump. The reason that all of this must be discussed is because as an evangelical culture we all understand propitiation, or the forgiveness of our sins, but tend to ignore expeation. Expeation is the act of taking the shame and guilt that comes hand in hand with sin. Jesus not only took our punishment for sin, but also cleansed us from the guilt and defilement that comes with it. This view of the cross is being attacked in our culture today because some believe that it is too violent and bloody to be from a loving God. If taken in context however, the crucifixion was the greatest example of love that we have on the earth today. Now, I wish that God had done things in a way that weren't so bloody or gross. However, in Romans 11:33-36 Paul asks who can question these things, "Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! 'For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?' 'Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?' For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever. Amen." We may not understand why God chose a bloody cross, but the fact remains that he did. Galatians 5:11 calls the cross offensive! God himself knew that it was gross, but it was his plan. Therefore, we should not question the crucifixion, but embrace and love it. God forgave us and cleansed us with the cross, do not take away from it's real, brutal, beautifully offensive reality! Preach it hard and long!

thanks to friends and family

I just wanted to take a few minutes and thank my family for all they have done for me. I know that they have made many sacrifices for me. I just want them to know how much I love and care for them! You are in my prayers!!

tatoos and nose rings for jesus?

The past week I went to Winter Park, Colorado for some skiing in the beautiful Colorado Rockies. It was a great week of relaxation and time spent with the Lord. On the way home I had 14 hours of free time so I decided to listen to the May 2006 Reform and Resurgence Conference audio podcast. The link for the audio podcast is at www.theresurgence.com. I highly recommend listening to these great men as they talk about how to share the gospel of Jesus Christ in today's culture. My favorite sessions were with Dr. Ed Stetzer as he shared the importance of being relevant and a part of the culture. There are many people who advocate the complete separation of the church and the culture. They believe in creating their own little evangelical subculture where Micheal W. Smith sings the children to sleep, and Billy Graham is the elementary school principal. This is extremely dangerous and not in accordance with scriptures. If we completely withdraw ourselves from the culture, we don't know how to present the gospel in a way in which the culture will respond. The gospel is unchanging and remains the same, but the way it is presented must change with the culture. The apostle Paul is a great example for us in Acts 17:16-34. Paul is proclaiming the gospel to the Jews in the synagogues when some Athenian philosophers question him and bring him in front of the Areopagus. The Areopagus was a council of highly trained thinkers and reasoners that did nothing but hear and decipher different thoughts and beliefs. After being questioned about what he was teaching he addresses the court by using their culture, for example v. 22 says "So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: "Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. v. 23 For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, 'To the unknown god.' What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you." Paul immediately started with what they believed. He carefully observed the Athenian culture and engaged it. He continues in v. 24 "The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, v.25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything." Here he addresses their belief that their gods are just like humans and they need material goods. There were many altars around the city to different gods in which they would bring food and clothing daily. Paul uses their culture, but boldly points out where they are wrong. This is what we are called to do in our culture. Be relevant by using the same music and thinking styles that the culture uses, but bring them the offensive, unchanging gospel. Paul does this boldly. Verse 23b can also be translated "For what you worship in ignorance, I now proclaim to you." We must be as bold as Paul was, and it must be out of love. However, not all things in culture are bad, for example, in verse 28 he quotes their poets. It is acceptable for the church to adopt good cultural items into the church, as long as they proclaim the truth. This example from scripture proves that Paul used the culture to proclaim the gospel in ways that were most relevant to it. It is important that we become relevant to today's culture in North America. However, it is more important that we stay true to the gospel and Christ's commands. There are too many churches who have become so relevant, that they have become part of the culture and share in it's sin. It is important that we safeguard ourselves with an extreme love for Christ and his Kingdom. Constant prayer, study of God's word, and a reliance on the Holy Spirit is essential in this fight.