Walking in Faith

Coming home from lunch today, I gave a ride back to the office to two folks. One of them asked me which church I attended. After some brief discussion around Hill Country Bible Church, the conversation changed to “behind the scenes” at some services. It was interesting to hear and discuss how others often times view these big productions that churches put on as a business more than worship.

I am very glad that I attend a church that places an emphasis on worship as an act of personal dedication to God. While we sing praise music, the music is not the important part — worshipping God is. In comparison, I watched a Joel Osteen video sermon the other day and found myself not able to focus on him or his message because of the advertising that kept scrolling on the video — his tour dates, how to buy his book, how to give, etc. I don’t understand the glorification of God in this. I understand that the church has to be able to pay for their operations and, ideally, to reach more  unchurched people but this is getting ridiculous. Benny Hinn recently requested 6,000 supporters to provide a pledge of $1,000 in order that he may share the gospel to more people. I’ve got an idea — feed millions of people with that money. Train other people in the areas where the gospel message is not heard. Spend the money on something that extends the kingdom of God, not the territory of Benny Hinn. But I digress…

What strikes me about some of the mega-churches is that they feel that a huge production is required in order to keep the attention and hearts of the people. Why? I don’t go to church on Sunday (or any other day) to see a major production — I go to serve my King and my Creator. Why can’t that be enough?

The iron seems hot for people to make more money off of Christianity now than ever before. Hollywood, the music business, churches — the list goes on. Christianity is increasing in visibility (good and bad) but everyone seems to want to profit off of it. It’s a delicate balance for the true Christian — when are you doing God’s work and when are you profiting off of the message of Christ?

Jason Worthen Christianity, Religion

At lunch today, I had a deep conversation with a gentleman on my team. I couldn’t put him into a single theological view but I would probably “categorize” him most as an atheist. He and I started discussing marriage and quickly found ourselves discussing God and the confusion in the world. He made some interesting points that I wanted to share and see what others thoughts were on the topic…

The first major discussion point that we could never really get past was: what is “right”? His viewpoint is that the Christians think they are right, the Muslims think they are right, the Hindu’s, the Taoists, the Atheists, etc. All of these groups think they are right — so how can anyone know that they are right? I argued the point that evidence is a key point but that faith is the key. What was interesting, however, was to have a conversation around absolute right and wrong. He asked a philosophical question that raises tough questions for a Christian. If a person were born, stranded, on an island, would they not form their own religion? My perspective is that they absolutely would. God has revealed to us His general revelation which would impact this person’s life. Would they know Christ and accept Christ as their Savior? Not unless a Bible fell out of the sky, perhaps. At this point, I started down the path of depravity and that every person is a sinner and doesn’t deserve to go to heaven — it is only through Christ that we can find that gift. Well, of course, that became a whole different discussion unto itself.

What I really wanted to focus on, though, is the argument that people make around right and wrong. How does anyone know who is right and who is wrong? As we got back to the topic, I explained that only through God can we find the truth and believe the truth. He actually understood the point, but was unable to relate and therefore agree. We went from topic to topic, not focusing on any one point but covering the theological spectrum of why God wouldn’t simply create harmony around religion, if there was in fact a God. It is very hard to get a person who doesn’t believe in God to understand the concept that our Creator wants to be glorified. He deserves to be glorified. Making religion a check box for people to simply check isn’t glorifying to God. As we discussed this, I could tell that it wasn’t having an impact in his mind so we moved on again.

I am very curious if other people have had similar conversations and what direction the Spirit led them. I prayed several times trying to stay in tune with what the Spirit would lead me to say or do. In the end of the conversation, I was a bit frustrated with myself because I didn’t feel like I did a very good job. I was honest with the guy and told him just that. But I also added that it wasn’t my responsibility to bring him to Christ, God does that — I just plant seeds.

Jason Worthen Christianity, Personal

Something that has been laying heavy on my heart is my purpose in life.  I understand the big picture in that I am created to bring glory to God.  What I am struggling with is the various areas of my life where I don’t seem to be glorifying Him.

1. Husband.   My job as a husband is to provide for my family and my wife.  My wife should be second only to God on my priorities.  Am I living my life that way?  Do I treat her and respect her in a way that shows hers (and others) that she is that important?  I am often convicted to spurn her along in her relationship with God.  But, then, as soon as I do that, I find that my relationship isn’t all that great and she is completely happy with where she is in her walk with God.
2. Father.  After my wife, my children are the most important thing to me.  I love them dearly.  Do I show them that?  I think about the times when I am not home, when I am not around to hold them, protect them, mentor them, challenge them.  I think more about the times where I am harsh to them or discipline them.  Don’t get me wrong — I know that God expects me to discipline my children, just as He will disciple us as a loving father.  I am just not sure that I know how to do it in a way that is pleasing to the Lord, sometimes.  I think my own human frailty (read: temper in this case) often times gets a hold of me and has me act more destructive to my children than supportive.
3. Son.  I was raised by a single mother that gave up lots of things for me.  How do I repay her?  How do I show her I love her?  I talk to her once a week.  I bring my children over to play with her.  Let my kids stay at her house for her to entertain.  I am not the greatest person at showing my mother love.  I never have.  Compassion and love is just something that I struggle with in regards to my mom.  No clue why — just how I am wired for some reason.  But why?  Why does my brain and my heart work like that?  Scripture makes it clear that I am to provide for (love, financial, etc.) my immediate family and extended family as a priority.
4. Work.  This is the real doozy.  Even today, I blew up at a group of managers to the point where I thought I was going to literally explode.  I was so far from showing all of these people Christ in my life that I was humiliated at the end of it all.  The managers all walked out and we agreed to do something (nothing earth shattering, but maybe effective) but I am extremely confident that not a single one walked out thinking that there was something special about me that they wished they could have (read: the Light in my life).  Then, what’s next?  Cursing.  That’s right.  The evil tongue that I have in my mouth.  Why?  Why in the world do I need to curse?  I can control myself everywhere else but I lose it at work.  I am very convicted that my work needs to be my missionary field.  I need to reach people in my work place.  If I am acting like this and showing people human sin and frailty, how can I ever expect to show others Christ?
5. Man.  That’s right, I am a man.  For those reading this that aren’t a man, there is no way to explain this.  The expectation of being a man is not a simple one.  On top of that, our human sin nature complicates all of our thoughts because we are stupid in many of factors that “motivate” us.  Accountability is the only thing that I think is going to see me through this one.  However, I do need to spend more time in Scriptural study about being a man that follows after God.

All of these things add up to a huge question in my life that I can’t answer: What does God want me to do on this earth?

I have thought about taking a half day (or even full day) to go and pray about this.  I haven’t made any progress on this yet, but maybe that is exactly what I need to do.  Another struggle that I have is that I am very impulsive.  I do not want to react to anything but I want to prayerfully consider any and all decisions.  The first problem, however, is that I have to hear the Lord’s instruction.  Patience, I suppose.  Did I mention that I am impatient as well?

Jason Worthen Christianity, Personal

Instead of taking my original approach and “respond” to Tim Challies, I am deciding to take a different tact.  First off, let me state for the record and for all people who stumble across this article — read Tim’s blog.  Read it often.  I am convinced that he is a walking instrument of the Lord and has a gift with blogging.  He consistently writes on topics that are appropriate and meaningful to all Christians.  He is Scriptural and does not add to the word or depend on traditions for his faith.  I appreciate Tim’s blog and his encouragement every day I read him.

Why should a person, or family, homeschool their children?  Because they have sought the wisdom of the Lord and are certain that they are in tune with God’s plan for their children.

Scripture makes it very clear that we are responsible for raising our children as well as that we are to bring our children up in the knowledge of the Lord and His ways.  Can a family do this with their children in private school, public school or homeschooling?  Absolutely.   The key is that education of our children is not an essential doctrine of the Bible.  The Bible does not explicitly state how a family is to raise their children — only that they are to do so and will give an account to the Lord for their leadership.  Can our children be saved if they do any of the various schooling “systems” today?  Of course.  Salvation is not in question based on the methodology of schooling, however.

My wife and I will pray every single year for each of our three children to determine our approach to school.  I know that my greatest desire for my children is that they know the love of the Lord.  I want them to love Him in return while still knowing that He is our Creator and He is to be feared.  My approach to my children’s education isn’t for them to be the best math student, the most creative author, or the such.  God knows what gifts He has given them and He will help all of our family develop these gifts in His time.  If my children have a relationship with God, they will follow His commands and precepts, which is the key.  I want my kids to be passionate about reaching the world with the gospel.  I want my kids to be passionate about loving one another.  I want my kids to dedicate their lives to their heavenly Father — even if that means suffering or death.  That is my greatest desire.  What school system I utilize to bring them up in the precepts of the Lord is fairly insignificant in the scheme of things, really.  Of course, that is just my opinion. 

Jason Worthen Christianity, Personal

Tim Challies has posted a couple of articles around homeschooling and why he and his wife are not homeschooling (Day 1, Day 2).  As a new homeschooling family, I thought it prudent to discuss his posts in some level of detail.  I will discuss Tim’s arguments and try to give my own thoughts on the topic.

First off, I found Day 1 to really be more of a defense on why he was even writing the article.  He did make some statements that I found interesting and note-worthy:

Before I continue, I would like to affirm that I believe this is an area in which Christians have freedom from God to do what we feel is appropriate for our individual families. This is an area of weaker and stronger Christians. I do not believe that any of the options–homeschooling, Christian schooling or public schooling–is inherently wrong, but feel that each family must follow their convictions on this matter.

I couldn’t agree more. When a family has to make a decision on raising their children, they must start by praying to the Lord for wisdom and clarity.  They have to assess their personal situation and what makes sense.  In my case, my wife and I are homeschooling the oldest child but the middle kid is in a Christian school right now.  We have reasons for both of these decisions.  We pray about homeschooling, private school and public school.  I am extremely convinced there will be a day when the Lord will guide us to do different solutions for our children.

There is one more thing I would like to say before I get too much further into this article. Homeschooling parents are easily offended (See? I offended you just by saying that!). Some may consider this a rash generalization, but in my experience it is true.

I assume that Tim makes this statement to minimize the potential “zealots” coming out and attacking his statements (which, of course, they do — go figure!).  As I read this, I immediately had a strange emotion when I read this.  I am not defended about the statement because I would tend to agree with the generalization.  However, as he writes to defend his position, I suddenly get the feeling that I am being labeled simply because I support homeschooling as a position.

In my experience (and I have quite extensive experience with families that homeschool) the decision to homeschool is an aspect of a larger ideology. There is a set of underlying beliefs that prompt a family to homeschool their children.

I don’t have the same level of experience Tim has but I absolutely agree with this statement.  Maybe I missed the point here, but an underlying set of beliefs are the basis for every decision anyone ever makes — even if that decision is made out of laziness, ignorance or financial and not Biblical.  Believing families, I would propose, are more inclined to homeschool simply because they realize there are options and that they prayerfully consider (OK, not all, but work with me on this) these sort of decisions, bringing them before the Lord before making any commitments.  Unbelieving families are more apt to do public school because of the secular view of homeschooling (socially challenged families/kids, problem children or the like).

And all this is to say that my beliefs about the world and the culture and the relationship of Christians to them is a large part of what motivates me to send my children to public schools. Just as ideology is what motivates some Christians to homeschool, ideology motivates me to have my children in the public school system. I am convicted that my children ought to be in public schools.

Praise God!  If the world would only listen to and follow their convictions, that would be a step in the right direction for many.  Unlike Tim, my wife and I feel convicted to homeschool one child, put one child in private school and provide child care (I hope my wife doesn’t hit me for that comment — HA!) for the 2 year old.   Why?  Because that is our conviction.  I want my children to be raised in the Word of God and understand that the world was not just created by some big explosion nor did we evolve from micro-organisms… or is it tadpoles… I can’t keep it straight.  Regardless, I want my children to grow up knowing the Word intimately.  At some point in their life, I want them to be the light in other people’s lives.  I don’t know if this will be 3rd grade, 6th grade or as a senior in high school.  Ultimately, the Bible is very clear that as a father and mother we are responsible for the upbringing and education of our children.  If I put my kid in a public school where I don’t know the theological or ideological perspectives of the teachers or the school officials, how can I in clear conscience feel like I am obedient to God’s Word?  I don’t want my child to ever be told not to pray, as an example.  I want my children to know when it is appropriate and respectful to pray and when it is not.

More to come tomorrow as I will cover Day 2 and get into much more discussion as this is where the meat of Tim’s position lies.

Jason Worthen Christianity, Personal