God's Word

A man that I enjoy reading - for various reasons - is R.A. Torrey. Last century his ministry included time at Moody Bible Institute and then he moved West and ministered at the Bible Institute of Los Angeles (BIOLA).
He wrote: "The Word of God is the one lever that will lift [sinful man], not only our of the ditch, but into the kingdom of God." Dr. Torrey speaks an absolute Truth and one that we endeavor to hold to and practice.
I see no great advantage for an individual to learn how to "live with" his addiction; to allow them to experience the Victim-mentality without responsibility. Instead, I much prefer to speak to them of sin and its wretched consequences and how there is a Redeemer, even Jesus Christ, who has come and taken the wrath of the Father against their sin on Calvary. Now they begin to learn how to live in His grace and goodness and not just exist in there on-going sin and misery.
I rejoice in the challenge issued by William Law: "Shall I withhold money or food from a person because he might not be good enough to deserve it? I beg God to deal with me not according to my merit, but according to his own great goodness. Shall I use a measure against someone else which I pray to God never to use against me? Where has Scripture made merit the measure of charity?" (William Law, A Serious Call To Holy Living [Tyndale, reprinted 1985], p.43).
- posted by Keith @ 3:21 PM

Crazy World!

Thankfully, most of us do not have to live, or try to live, in either Iraq or Afghanistan; especially having to do it as a committed Christian. The price is not just high, it's lethal.
But we do have to live out our lives here for His glory and praise. While not a lethal issue it certainly is oftentimes an ethical issue. What does God mean by placing others first? What's this about returning good for evil? It is a whole lot easier to simply submerge our heads in our daily living, periodically come up for air, look around and then hastily re-submerge.
Do you ever wrestle with the "Escape Clause" in which so many find retreating comfort - Getting-Off-Planet-Earth? Yes, we might say, it is all getting worse but that means it will all soon be over so let's keep a stiff upper lip about it all. Avoidance of disaster does not mean that disaster will not occur nor that it will not have dire effects upon those it rests.
Christ has called us to loving, patient and lasting obedience to His commands. God's Word declares that the whole earth is full of His glory. Granted, I do not have to make a decision today about whether or not to die because I want to talk to people about Jesus. But I do have to make a decision today about dying to self and saying no to sin.
Lord, lift our heads that we might see Jesus and in that vision see the victory that lays just beyond today. With that sure knowledge may we better march forward seeing the gates of Hell fall down before the conquering King Jesus and His great forces.
- posted by Keith @ 1:29 PM

Here's to old foot-in-mouth disease ME! Last Newsletter I stated that this beautiful art work was made possible through the kindness of a dear friend "Loretta VanValkenburg." This dear lady sent me the picture and wrote "Who's that lady?" OOPS!! LaVerna, I do apologize for my oops, and, once again say thanks for your gracious care for us and this wonderful work.
- posted by Keith @ 1:26 PM

Our School Year Never Ends!

It's Back-to-School time for many. At the Mission our education time never ends. I'm not saying that we can "educate" our folks out of their difficulties but I certainly do mean that we "educate" our residents about the only Hope, even Jesus Christ Himself. It's hard for many to realize the great difficulty involved in seeing some of our folks ever learn to take even small steps of progress. It is all strange land. The language is so different. The purpose of the life is foreign.

We can be confident, though, that the work that Christ begins He is bound by His promise to continue until the day of Christ Jesus. It is that promise alone to which we must and do hold. Oftentimes to see the visible evidence one must squint. But as we hear the voice of God through His Word we continue in hope knowing that He will win all contests. The changes are real. The consequence of past living is extremely sad. But Jesus does make a difference in some pretty well-stained folks - who are just like us, sinners in need of Jesus.

What a wonderful job you allow us to do at the Mission! Thanks so much.
- posted by Keith @ 12:41 PM