Welcome!

For 5 years I was the pastor of Trinity International Church in Strasbourg, France. I created this blog with those people in mind. In mid-November 2018 I will become the Senior Pastor of Word of Life Church in Coon Rapids, Minnesota. The focus of this blog will therefore shift, but I pray that people from the blogosphere will continue to find it helpful wherever they might be found.
The churches' websites includes recorded sermons for those who are interested. Click the links below to access them.

Thursday, March 30, 2017

My First House

Janet and I had been married for quite a while before we could afford our first house. It was a split-level house with a two-level deck out back. The living room, kitchen, and two bedrooms were upstairs. Downstairs there was a family room, laundry room and two small bedrooms that served as an office for me and a craft room for Janet. After years of apartment living it felt like a palace.

We had purchased the house in the winter time while the yard was blanketed with deep Minnesota snow. The spring melt revealed a beautiful yard with a sandbox that was perfect for our two young boys. But there was another surprise to come. In a corner of the yard there was a garden. And in that garden was a strawberry patch that yielded an incredible harvest of delicious strawberries. I remember picking a huge bowlful one evening, setting it on the counter, and shedding a tear because of the surprising blessing that God had provided us. I had not planted or tended the garden. In fact, I didn't even know it was there! Still, there in front of me was a large bowl full of the best strawberries I have ever tasted.

I am writing this having just returned from the grocery store. I remembered that unexpected bowl of blessing when I saw the strawberries in the produce section. They made my mouth water and I put a carton in my cart. As I did, I thought for a moment about how God provided these strawberries. He could have miraculously made strawberries appear in my refrigerator, but He didn't do that. Instead, somewhere there is a farmer that grows strawberries. When it is time, he or a hired hand delicately pick the strawberries. Then they are gently packaged and carefully shipped to a warehouse where they are briefly stored before being sent to the store. Then someone unloads them from the truck and puts them in the store's cooler. And then someone else puts them on a display rack so that those perfect strawberries can make my mouth water.  Think about that for a moment. God used dozens of people in the process of bringing me those delightful strawberries.

Or ponder this: my son, daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren were just here from the United States for three weeks. What an incredible blessing it was to see them. How did that happen? The automobiles, airplanes, roads and airports that they used to get here took hundreds or even thousands of people to develop, operate and maintain. Each of those people were a part of the blessing of me being able to see my family. I'll never know those people, but I am grateful to them. They made it possible for me to tickle my granddaughters!

This is how God designed the world to operate. Rarely does our daily bread just fall like manna from heaven. Usually seed must be sown, wheat harvested and milled and then baked into baguettes in ovens that were made from metals mined and forged by yet another chain of people. This is how God provides our food. In the same way, God watches over us to keep us secure, but usually he does it by means of faithful policemen. He heals us, but often he uses wise doctors and merciful nurses in the process.  Plumbers and electricians, police officers and window washers, managers and janitors all play a role in blessings we experience each and every day. Yet each of these blessings is properly seen as coming from the hand of God.
Just think of all that went into the
cup of coffee you had this morning!

So next time you flip on the light switch or turn on the radio, text a friend, or bite into a éclair, think about all of the people that God is using to bring you that blessing and give thanks for them and to Him for making it happen.

But there is more.

Perhaps it is just as important to think again about the job that you do. It may seem mundane at times, but you are almost certainly part of a process that is blessing someone. You are providing a product or service that someone needs or desires. Whatever it is, it is important to them, even if it may seem ordinary to you. Remember, you are being used by God to provide someone with their bowl of strawberries, the roads they take to work, or the soap they do their dishes with. So serve them well, even if they don't notice it or think about you. God notices. And his favour rests on those who serve others well.

The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. 
You open your hand;you satisfy the desire of every living thing.  
Psalm 145:15-16 (ESV)

Saturday, March 25, 2017

The Grey Areas - Another Look at Politics

Sunday we will be looking at 1 Peter 2:13-17, which tells us that we are to submit to the governing authorities. During this past year, in many countries political landscape has been quite volatile. The Brexit vote, the US Presidential campaign and the upcoming French elections all have generated considerable discussion. Things grew so heated in the United States that couples divorced and churches split over differences in the candidates that they favoured. Some of this is the result of stark differences between candidates, but we also must remember that unimaginable amounts of money are spent to try to influence us and create "buzz" or energy around a candidate or issue. Every election has become "the most important election of our lifetime!"

I realise that for many people the emotions are still raw regarding these issues, but I think that it is important to consider how we are to live as Christians in this emotionally charged time. I want to remind us that biblically speaking many of the political issues are not black and white, but grey.

Should a tramline be extended? If so, where? Should a stoplight be put in at an intersection? Should the speed limit be raised? Should we have a national language? Which side of the road should we drive on? Should cars be allowed in Centre Ville? You won't find specific biblical guidance about whether an apartment building should be built on a particular piece of land. Nor will you find specific instructions about the Eurozone. These are biblical "grey areas". This does not mean that they are not important, but a measure of grace is needed when we are discussing them with others. They are not "black or white."

Often the Bible will give us general principles to consider, but not specific policy recommendations. For example Proverbs 29:4 warns against a king taxing too heavily, but gives no specific recommendations regarding the best tax policy. Proverbs 17:23 speaks against bribery. Even when something like bribery is agreed to be wrong, specific legislations can create cause disagreements, even among believers. The specific law and punishment is a "grey area".

Here are some reminders of how we should act as followers of Christ concerning the political discussions that we find ourselves surrounded by.

The perfect political solution will elude us until the return of Jesus.

There is a tendency for politicians to sound like saviours. "Vote for me and all of our problems will go away." The reality is that there will be no political solution to all of our problems until the return of Jesus. This is not to say that we are not to work for a just society, but we must realise that true solution to humanity's problems is not to found at the ballot box, but at the cross. We must keep a proper perspective about the political process. It is important, the perfect nation will not exist until Jesus returns to reign himself. A politician or political party will not be able to create a national utopia. Don't hope that it will.

The command to love has not been rescinded.

I've checked my email very carefully: there has been no email from God saying that "the love command" is no longer in effect. Jesus told us that we are to love even our enemies. If we are to love our enemies, then how much more are we to love those who disagree with us in in the area of politics! Can we speak in love about issues, even with those who disagree with us? Our speech is to be full of grace (Colossians 4:6) and should benefit everyone who listens (Ephesians 4:29). The believer should be known for the love that flows through their lives and conversations, even when discussing difficult social issues.

We are to outdo one another in showing honor.

Honor is important (Romans 12:10). Everyone we come in contact with is made in the image of God and needs to be treated with respect. All too often people demonise those that have a different opinion in the political arena. We need to stop and consider the value and worth of the other person. Few people expressing a policy opinion want to "destroy our country" or "ruin our city". They simply have a different idea of what is the best course of action. We need to treat them with respect. I was grieved by the lack of respect shown in the US election (by candidates, pundits, and internet commenters).

Be a student of the Bible.

As followers of Christ, we must be careful students of the Bible. Even though we might live in a country that rejects the authority of the Bible, in the end God's Word will be the standard by which everyone will be judged. Thus for a Christian to carefully study the Bible to see how it deals with the issue of government, justice, laws, etc. is extremely important. We must be careful that the strongest voice we hear is God's Word. Too often the popular commentator, the clever politician, or the influential friend has too much influence over how we think about things. We need to be students of the Word!

Humility.

Proverbs 29:23

Pride clouds our judgment and causes many unnecessary disagreements. We are called to be humble and to consider the interests of others. Did you consider that the other person may be right? Have you listened long and hard enough to understand why the person holds the position that they do? Here's a good test: Can you restate their position and their rationale in a way that they would agree with? Are we willing to learn from other people?

Compromise is not necessarily bad.

We know this in everyday life. We compromise about what to have for dinner, where to go on vacation, and what movie to watch. It is a part of being in relationship with others. In the political arena compromises create harmony and help us to live peaceably with one another. While there are some areas where compromise is not advisable, we must realise that in the majority of cases we must compromise to come to a mutually agreeable and "fair" solution. Will it be perfect? No. But sometimes we fail to get anything we want because we won't settle for less getting everything. We may want to go out to an Italian restaurant but become so unwilling to compromise that we spend all night fighting about it and go to bed hungry! In the same way, we may want our tax rate to be lowered by 10% and become so adamant that we won't settle for a 7% decrease and wind up with no decrease.

Truth is important. 

Winston Churchill said, "A lie gets half-way around the world before truth has a chance to get its pants on." In the days of the internet, I think he would revise that to "all the way around the world"! As Christians we need to be people of truth. We need to speak the truth and we need to seek truth. The internet, rather than making it easier, seems to be making it more difficult to discover the truth. We must be careful to discover the truth to the best of our ability. We must be on-guard against simply seeking to reinforce our own opinions rather than seeking truth. Remember: Satan is the father of lies!

Keeping these things in mind will be helpful as we deal with the political questions that face us as citizens of whatever county we belong to.

Further Resources:

Christians and Government

If the topic of government and the Bible interests you, let me suggest this study on the 9Marks website. It is written from an American perspective, but the author deals with many issues that face Christians regardless of what democratic country they are citizens of. It is the transcript of a 13 week course on "Christians and Government" by Jonathan Leeman, the founder of 9Marks. I believe that his thoughtful look at the Bible will be helpful for those of other countries, although you will have a adapt some of the illustrations to suit your own situation. You may not agree with his assessments. In fact, there were issues that I disagreed with him, but I found that working through the articles was beneficial as he takes a look at what the Bible says about government and citizens.

He looks at questions like:

  • The Bible and Politics. How do you interpret the bible to gain political wisdom? Is it fair to use the Bible in public discourse, if so, how? What if others disregard the Bible or forbid its use in the public arena?
  • What should Christians do for government? 
  • What should Christians ask of government?

An Evangelical Perspective of Current Issues in France

The CNEF has issued a "Convictions" document highlighting the common evangelical perspective on current issues in French society. It includes discussion of the following topics: the relation of church and state, freedom of worship and speech, the dignity of the human being, family and sexuality, education, protection of the environment, and national cohesion and security. The French document can be found here. 




Wednesday, March 15, 2017

The Grey Areas of the Christian Life - Part Two

This is the second part of a series on dealing with the grey areas of the Christian life. These are often areas that Christians differ about because there is no clear directive in Scripture. Sometimes our assumptions are driven by our culture or church background. Wisdom is required in navigating these areas. Last week we discovered that there are core issues that must be dealt with, because often we defend what we want to do, rather than seeking God's wisdom. We act selfishly rather than out of love for others. Read that post first. 


So how do we deal with issues that the Bible does not clearly address?

First, become a student of the Bible.  You need to know what is and is not clearly taught in the Bible. All of us are influenced many things: our families, our churches, and our culture. These can influence us both for good and bad. Personal preferences can also cloud our thinking about what the Bible teaches. If I don’t like the ballet, it is easy to attempt to find "biblical reasons" not to attend! It is important for us to study the Word of God deeply so that it affects how we think about issues. While the guidance of other teachers is important, it is essential that we study God’s Word for ourselves to determine what it says and how to apply it to life.

Second, remember that the Christian life is not rule-based. Legalistic thinking views salvation and sanctification through the lens of rule-keeping rather than through a relationship with Jesus. It makes complying with a group’s rules the standard of sanctification rather than a life-imparting relationship with Jesus. 

Third, remember that the Christian life is transformational. If there is no difference between your behavior and that of your neighbor who does not have the Spirit of God dwelling within, something is wrong.

Fourth, think through whatever the issue is from a biblical perspective. What light does the Scripture shed on the issue? Does the Bible address the issue directly? Are their principles that would apply to the situation?

Fifth, consider the two questions Paul implied in 1 Cor 6:12:
·       Is it beneficial? How does the activity affect my relationship with Jesus? Is it neutral, positive or negative? This is largely an internal question that needs to be honestly and prayerfully answered. The conscience and the Holy Spirit will be your guide if you allow them to be.
·       Does it tend to dominate my life? The Greek word here refers to something that gains control over someone. Jesus is to be in control of our lives, not other things. While some things seem to have greater ability to gain control of our lives, almost anything can if we allow it to.

Finally, consider the impact that it will have on others. While you might have liberty in a certain area, others may struggle with it. If you flaunt your liberty to do something and thereby damage a relationship, or imply that they should join you in a matter that violates their conscience or what the Holy Spirit is saying to them, then you are in error.

An Example

Let’s take an example of an activity and see how we might evaluate it. While there are number of “hot topics” that we could consider, for the sake of this example I will use an unusual one: going on a cruise. There many people that enjoy going on cruises. They see it as a fun, enjoyable escape from our long cloudy winters. It is a fun way to see interesting places, have all the cooking taken care off and have tons of entertaining things to do. What objection could there be to going on a cruise? 

Well, some might object to the fact that there is a significant amount of gambling on most cruises. Others might argue that the endless buffets encourage gluttony. Others would be troubled by the number of bikini-clad women sun-bathing around the pools. The on-board nightclubs could be another objection. 

So what do we do? How do we decide if we should go on a cruise?

We begin by looking at what the Bible teaches about cruises. You won’t find “cruise” in the concordance.  Some might argue that you wanted to be on “Noah’s cruise” while others would point out that Jonah found out the hard way about cruising! No, the Bible does not give any direct guidance on this subject. It does, however, give some indirect insights that are important.

We then look at some personal heart questions that need to be addressed. 

First, why am I going on a cruise? There is nothing inherently wrong from going on vacation, but if my sense of value or worth is being dependent on going on a cruise rather than my relationship with Jesus, something is wrong. Is part of my motivation being able to boast to my friends about my great vacation? Do I want others to think how "cool" or "successful" I am because I went on a cruise?

Second, I need to ask how going on a cruise is going to affect my relationship with Jesus. This is an internal matter, and the answer could vary depending on the person. At the end of a cruise do I feel closer to Him, having been refreshed and reenergized or do I feel further from Him, having been numbed by sin and entertainment? 

Third, does it dominate my life? Gambling, alcohol, lust and gluttony enslave many people. If I am prone to these things, then a cruise might not be a healthy environment for me. Others may have no problem with endless buffet tables, but if it is going to cause me to fall into gluttony, then it is probably wiser to choose a different form of vacation. 

The other consideration is the impact my going on a cruise might have on others. Insisting that a compulsive gambler come with me is a bad idea!

As you can see, these grey areas really have to do with what is happening in an individual’s heart. The cruise does not in and of itself affect a person’s relationship with God. Nor is it right or wrong. 
True spiritual life flows at a deeper level.

A Final Word


Paul wrote that the Kingdom of God is not about eating or drinking (that is rules about what to eat or drink), but about righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. The Pharisees were experts at determining what behaviors were right, but missed the Kingdom of God. The gospel is concerned primarily with matters of the heart…and heart change will lead to a truly holy life. This holiness has as its primary characteristic the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. It will be marked by the presence of Jesus. As we navigate these gray areas, we must keep our focus on our heart relationship with Jesus.

Thursday, March 9, 2017

The Grey Areas of the Christian Life


There are some life issues that the Bible is very clear about.
There are things that are clearly sinful and should not be a part of anyone’s life, particularly those that claim to be Christ followers. Let's call them black. There are other things that are supposed to be a part of our lifestyle. These things are clear positive directives. Let's call them white.

In between the two are behaviors which the Bible gives no clear direction about. Some believe that a particular behavior is perfectly acceptable while others believe it is sinful and should be avoided. Should a Christian drink coffee? Go to the movies? Take out a mortgage? Dress up for church? Tithe? Work in a bar?

The Bible gives no explicit instructions about these areas. You won't find coffee in the Bible. The fact that sincere, honest, Bible-believing Christians hold differing opinions means that they are grey areas.  (Yes, there are earnest Christians who think drinking coffee is a sinful waste of money). We need discernment to deal with these grey areas wisely. We want true holiness!

One of the incredible things about Trinity International Church is the opportunity to rub shoulders with other believers from around the world. Every country has its own "flavor" and sometimes its own customary ways of doing things. These seem obviously right to us and it is hard to imagine someone thinking differently. Not only that, we come from many different church cultures. The way we do things seems right and "discipleship" easily becomes trying to get everyone to "do things the way we did in the church I came from".

In order to navigate these difficult waters, we need the grace and wisdom that comes only from God. Fortunately, he willingly gives both in abundance if we seek him. He has given us the Bible to be our guide and it truly needs to become the authority of our life together as a church.

There are two foundational ideas that need to be considered before we deal with the grey areas.

Two Essential Preliminaries

First, is Jesus the Lord/Ruler/Decider of your life? Regardless of whether you want or do not desire to do a particular activity, are you willing to submit to the rule and wisdom of Jesus regarding that issue? This means being willing to listen to what Jesus says rather than seeking to defend our way of thinking.

We need to honestly and faithfully submit ourselves to the Scriptures. We may find something that we thought was acceptable is actually sinful. Perhaps we will discover that our constant criticism of others is sinful. Are we willing to stop?

We may discover that an activity you thought was “wrong” because of our culture is actually okay. Are we willing to accept that? Are we willing to to give up your judgmental attitude that would give us  a feeling of superiority because we avoid something that is actually perfectly acceptable?

It is important to remember that one of the common things that the church in every age gets wrong is making refraining a badge of spirituality even if the activity is not condemned in the Bible. For example, at one time it was considered spiritual to have a beard ("God created men to have beards, you know! Only worldly men shave!).

Are you willing to submit to God's Word in every area of your life? This is a key question!

The second issue we need to deal with is whether we understand the true basis of the Christian life.

Following Christ is not about avoiding a list of don'ts while attempting to accomplish a list of dos. We are saved by grace through faith in Christ. True life is found in and through our relationship with Him. He has given us the Word and the Spirit to guide us and to give us life. John 15 in one of the most important chapters in the Bible when it come so how to life the Christian life. We are to abide in him. We are to be connect to him so that his life flows into ours. We get our value, meaning, and pleasure through our relationship with Jesus.

Sin frequently has its root in trying to seek value, meaning or pleasure through something other than our relationship with Jesus. Don't rush over that sentence. When we are not connected to the vine, we will be tempted to drill for life in other places.

For example, a person desires a new coat because of the status that it brings. They don't have money, so they steal the coat. That's clearly a sin because the Bible says we should not steal. However, it is also a sin because they were seeking to get life out of something that could not give it: status (value or meaning) through a coat.

Here's where it gets even more complicated: sometimes we seek value, meaning or pleasure out of doing something on the list of dos. That is also sin. Let's say you are teaching Sunday School because that is what "good Christians do"and you receive personal validation for being a "good Christian" from the people at church because you teach. You enjoy being looked up to and thought well of in your group of Christians. You are seeking life from something that cannot give it: teaching. That, too, is sin. Only Jesus can give life. It flows through a vital vibrant relationship with Him. Obedience is required, but it is obedience within the context of a deep and joyful relationship with Him.

A New Testament Hot Topic

Let's start by looking at one of the most divisive issues in the New Testament. Should Christians eat meat? It wasn't a meat-eater versus vegetarian argument. Instead it was a spiritual issue. Much of the meat that was available had been sacrificed in pagan temples. This caused a number of people to reject eating meat on for several reasons. First, some people had come out of paganism and had a strong personal association with eating meat and idol worship. When they ate meat they felt like they were worshipping an idol. Second, there were those that felt that by buying meat they were supporting the pagan temples economically. Others felt that they were somehow more spiritual by avoiding meat. They thought, "I am so spiritual I would never participate in anything remotely connected with idolatry."

Paul deals with the issue in 1 Corinthians 8 and Romans 14. In these passages he lays out several important ideas. First, he states that the Christian has nothing to fear from eating meat sacrificed to idols. Christ has broken the power of the evil one. Idols are powerless. Not only that, but Jesus taught that it is not what goes into a person's mouth that makes him unclean, but comes out of the mouth. Second, Paul says that those whose conscience is bothered by eating meat should avoid eating it. For those people, the eating of meat may lead them back into idolatry and meat-eating should be avoided. For others, eating meat is fine! Third, Paul cautions those who have liberty to eat meat to be concerned about who their actions affect other believers. Flaunting your freedom to eat meat in a way that harms your brother is wrong. Finally, he makes it clear that we should not make what we can or cannot eat the center of our Christian life. The Christian life is not about eating and drinking, but about righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Most Westerners don't think about meat sacrificed to idols. It isn't an issue for them. But how can we take what Paul taught and use it in other areas of life? That's what we will look at next week.