I wrote the following article in a youth journal sometime in the spring/summer of 2005.' At the time I was church planting in Washington Village/Pigtown, Southwest Baltimore. I thought it was appropriate to put it on my blog after yesterday's post to show that the violence in Baltimore has affected me personally.
In Memory of Charles "Donta" Parks, 1980 - 2005
Recently God opened the door for me to do some mentoring in our community Middle School. Every Tuesday and Thursday you will find me at the school hanging out with two groups of 6th graders and one group of 8th graders. The staff is shorthanded so I actually come during school hours and take groups of boys out of class to mentor them. Through this outreach I have the opportunity to touch approximately 40 boys a week. We discuss a variety of topics in a group and I always make myself available to minister to the boys out of school or on a one on one basis.
Last week I asked the 6th graders a question, "How many of you have seen someone get shot, stabbed, or killed on your block?" About 80% of them raised their hands. Then I had them share their individual stories. If you had been there, your jaw would have dropped as one after the other began to share the acts of violence they have witnessed many outside their own front door. One sixth grader told us how a man got shot in the back and came to his door asking for help. While they waited for the ambulance to get there the man died right on this young man=s steps. Several of the boys had seen multiple shootings and knifings. One young man even saw his uncle get murdered and the gunman emptying all his bullets into his uncle's body.
The previous Sunday at 2am on May 8, 2005 (Mother's Day) my neighbor's son was stabbed in the neck in a senseless act of violence. That night I was awakened to some noise on the street and when I went to the window I saw Donta on the ground and his cousin yelling "call 911." When I made it downstairs and outside the paramedics were already there and Donta was being placed into the ambulance. There was blood everywhere. It was on the sidewalk, leading up my neighbor's steps, and in a large pool next to my car. So much blood had accumulated it was running down the street. Due to his tremendous loss of blood he was declared brain dead and died May 9, 2005.
So with this incident fresh on my mind and in my heart I decided to talk about what had happened. Several of the kids had heard about it. Some were definitely bothered. But none cried. Unfortunately this is nothing new to these kids. Children in Baltimore have to grow up fast as many of them are exposed to more violence by the time they are 12 than many adults see their whole lives.
The day after Donta’s death there was nothing in the news paper covering the story. No reporters came to interview the family. No news report appeared on TV. Why? Because almost everyday in our city a young black male is murdered. The media and possibly many of you reading this right now are desensitized to the killing that goes on in every American ghetto. I wonder what would happen if I were to come into your community school and meet with a group of six graders and ask them, "How many of you have seen someone get shot, stabbed, or killed on your street?" How many of them would raise their hands? More than likely not many would. Where is the Church of Jesus Christ? Where are those bothered by violence that occurs right here on our soil? Where is the justice for America's Urban Poor? What will you do for these children? Open your ears and eyes to see the poverty, violence, racism, and injustice in America’s Cities. Then in the power of Christ do something about it.
He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor,
will also cry himself and not be answered. (Proverbs 21:13, NASB)
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Monday, November 12, 2007
Baltimore Homicides
It is no secret to America that Baltimore, Maryland is a city that has a high amount of gun violence, much of which leads to an unbelievable number of homicides every year. This morning when I opened the Baltimore Sun I read a disturbing article about more violence and death that had taken place last night. On November 11, 2006, 2 days before his 17th birthday, Shawn Robinson was shot and pronounced dead at John's Hopkins. Last night about 50 family and friends gathered to hold a prayer vigil in remembrance of Shawn and as a stand against the continued violence plaguing our city. Right before the vigil began shots rang out around the corner. Quickly, police and paramedics arrived only to pull out a man shot twice and who also was pronounced dead last night at John's Hopkins. For full story see...
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/crime/bal-md.ci.vigil12nov12,0,1356936.story
As a memorial to Shawn, the streets produced another homicide victim on the same night and in the same community where Shawn was killed. The fact is that the killing in Baltimore goes on. Throughout the 90's our yearly homicide rate was over 300 hitting a high of 353 in 1993. In cities over 500,000 our homicide rate is only second to Detroit. In 2000 the city celebrated as it was finally able to get under 300 homicides. At a press conference on January 3, 2001 Mayor Martin O'Malley said, "The next big goal is to get it under 200." That statement alone is insane. How can 200 homicides a year be a "big goal?" How about zero homicides as a goal? But in Baltimore, that is a big goal that still has not been achieved.
Homicides are so prevalent here that we actually have a homicide map where you can look up your address and see where/when homicides have taken place in your community (see http://essentials.baltimoresun.com/micro_sun/homicides/) The fact that this needs to exist is ridiculous. Curious about my neighborhood I got on and found out that over the past year five men had been murdered within about a 5 block radius of my house.
1. Marcus McDowell (9) 5100 Harford RoadBaltimore, MD 21214. black male, 16 years old
Found on January 08, 2007. Victim died at Bayview Hospital, Cause: shooting
2. Antwan Askins (57) 2900 List AveBaltimore, MD 21214. black male, 27 years old Found on March 13, 2007. Victim died at Bayview Hospital, Cause: shooting
3. Ronald Daniels (85) 4700 Harford RoadBaltimore, MD 21214. black male, 35 years old Found on April 29, 2007. Victim died at scene, Cause: shooting
4. Gerald Smith (156) 4800 Herring Run DriveBaltimore, MD 21214. black male, 25 years old
Found on July 01, 2007. Victim died at scene, Cause: shooting
5. Mario Mauro (164) 3000 Rosekemp Ave.Baltimore, MD 21214. white male, 53 years old
Found on July 07, 2007. Victim died at JHH, Cause: blunt force
The friends of those killed have their way of honoring the dead. I took the picture above after getting permission from some young men in my old neighborhood. Seeing the make shift memorial reminds many of us removed from this that these are real people. The five men whose names are written above are men who I don't know but who my heart is broken over. Note their ages. Most of them were young men and more than likely many of them were fathers. These are just the homicides within walking distance from my house and I don't even live in a rough neighborhood when you compare our community with others throughout the city.
As of today November 12, 2007 our current homicide rate is listed at 256. I am sure it will continue to rise as we approach the end of the year. May we all be incredibly disturbed by this and may it force us to our knees in prayer and then to our hands and feet in action.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/crime/bal-md.ci.vigil12nov12,0,1356936.story
As a memorial to Shawn, the streets produced another homicide victim on the same night and in the same community where Shawn was killed. The fact is that the killing in Baltimore goes on. Throughout the 90's our yearly homicide rate was over 300 hitting a high of 353 in 1993. In cities over 500,000 our homicide rate is only second to Detroit. In 2000 the city celebrated as it was finally able to get under 300 homicides. At a press conference on January 3, 2001 Mayor Martin O'Malley said, "The next big goal is to get it under 200." That statement alone is insane. How can 200 homicides a year be a "big goal?" How about zero homicides as a goal? But in Baltimore, that is a big goal that still has not been achieved.
Homicides are so prevalent here that we actually have a homicide map where you can look up your address and see where/when homicides have taken place in your community (see http://essentials.baltimoresun.com/micro_sun/homicides/) The fact that this needs to exist is ridiculous. Curious about my neighborhood I got on and found out that over the past year five men had been murdered within about a 5 block radius of my house.
1. Marcus McDowell (9) 5100 Harford RoadBaltimore, MD 21214. black male, 16 years old
Found on January 08, 2007. Victim died at Bayview Hospital, Cause: shooting
2. Antwan Askins (57) 2900 List AveBaltimore, MD 21214. black male, 27 years old Found on March 13, 2007. Victim died at Bayview Hospital, Cause: shooting
3. Ronald Daniels (85) 4700 Harford RoadBaltimore, MD 21214. black male, 35 years old Found on April 29, 2007. Victim died at scene, Cause: shooting
4. Gerald Smith (156) 4800 Herring Run DriveBaltimore, MD 21214. black male, 25 years old
Found on July 01, 2007. Victim died at scene, Cause: shooting
5. Mario Mauro (164) 3000 Rosekemp Ave.Baltimore, MD 21214. white male, 53 years old
Found on July 07, 2007. Victim died at JHH, Cause: blunt force
The friends of those killed have their way of honoring the dead. I took the picture above after getting permission from some young men in my old neighborhood. Seeing the make shift memorial reminds many of us removed from this that these are real people. The five men whose names are written above are men who I don't know but who my heart is broken over. Note their ages. Most of them were young men and more than likely many of them were fathers. These are just the homicides within walking distance from my house and I don't even live in a rough neighborhood when you compare our community with others throughout the city.
As of today November 12, 2007 our current homicide rate is listed at 256. I am sure it will continue to rise as we approach the end of the year. May we all be incredibly disturbed by this and may it force us to our knees in prayer and then to our hands and feet in action.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
The Most Important Thing
I am in full time ministry and I do various things througout the day to serve others in and outside of the Church. However, it is 9:30am and I have already done the most important ministry of the day... I have opened the Bible and talked about Jesus with my kids.
In our house we have a small room off the kitchen where we usually do home work and eat breakfast. The table in that room only has 4 chairs and our whole family can't even sit at it. Most mornings I sit there with my three oldest ones while Beth finishes making lunches and Asher (18 months) walks around with a sippy cup (that's offical baby terminolgy) looking for something he can spill, knock over, or dump out onto the floor. After we eat breakfast I read some scripture for my kids, we talk about it, and then I ask them if they want to pray for anything or anyone before we head off to school.
For the past month and a half we have been reading the book of Acts. I don't have a devotional guide or anything special. All I do is read a paragraph or two and talk about it with my kids asking questions and helping them understand it (so far we have made it to the end of chapter 4). Today was especially good for me as a Dad. Asher climbed up in one chairs and was sitting with his big brother and big sisters. All four of our kids were sitting around the table while Beth and I sat on stools a little higher than the table at each end and then our devotional began. Each child participated (even Asher said, "praise the lord" in baby language) and then we prayed together. Today only Samuel (5) and Ellie (3) prayed, it was great.
I share this with you to give glory to God. I am in awe that I get to actually experience raising and leading our kids. For the first 4 years of being a dad this wasn't my heart. I didn't value ministering to my family the way I valued ministering on my block. I did pray with my kids and occasionally read Bible stories to them, but I did it in haste wanting to get to the "real" ministry on the streets in the cities where we lived (Chicago and then Baltimore). God had to lead me through an intense season of repentance to restore me back to being a godly father.
So as I begin my day today I do so with gratitude and thankfulness in my heart knowing I have already done my "real" ministry so anything else that happens today is just a bonus.
In our house we have a small room off the kitchen where we usually do home work and eat breakfast. The table in that room only has 4 chairs and our whole family can't even sit at it. Most mornings I sit there with my three oldest ones while Beth finishes making lunches and Asher (18 months) walks around with a sippy cup (that's offical baby terminolgy) looking for something he can spill, knock over, or dump out onto the floor. After we eat breakfast I read some scripture for my kids, we talk about it, and then I ask them if they want to pray for anything or anyone before we head off to school.
For the past month and a half we have been reading the book of Acts. I don't have a devotional guide or anything special. All I do is read a paragraph or two and talk about it with my kids asking questions and helping them understand it (so far we have made it to the end of chapter 4). Today was especially good for me as a Dad. Asher climbed up in one chairs and was sitting with his big brother and big sisters. All four of our kids were sitting around the table while Beth and I sat on stools a little higher than the table at each end and then our devotional began. Each child participated (even Asher said, "praise the lord" in baby language) and then we prayed together. Today only Samuel (5) and Ellie (3) prayed, it was great.
I share this with you to give glory to God. I am in awe that I get to actually experience raising and leading our kids. For the first 4 years of being a dad this wasn't my heart. I didn't value ministering to my family the way I valued ministering on my block. I did pray with my kids and occasionally read Bible stories to them, but I did it in haste wanting to get to the "real" ministry on the streets in the cities where we lived (Chicago and then Baltimore). God had to lead me through an intense season of repentance to restore me back to being a godly father.
So as I begin my day today I do so with gratitude and thankfulness in my heart knowing I have already done my "real" ministry so anything else that happens today is just a bonus.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Applying scripture?
I have recently been working through a discipleship course with my church family. It is a series of books that go through the basic doctrines of Christianity. These are great for new believers and people who perhaps have been in church for awhile but have never connected the "theological dots" of scripture. In one of the books the authors teach their readers how to do a personal Bible study. As a part of this experience the students are to write down their thoughts and specifically one "application" from the text they read that they can apply to their lives.
As I was attempting to follow this format in my own study it got me thinking about the emphasis many make on "applying scripture." I think at some point in the 80's many church leaders realized that there were too many "smart Christians" in the church and not many "active Christians." The smart Christians were the people who knew the Bible but did not apply it to their lives and therefore exprience life change. Application of scripture is an important part of discipleship (2 Timothy 3.16-17). So there was a renewed emphasis on applying scripture. And many "new believer" discipleship materials now emphasize that each time the text is read the believer should come up with or discover something they should do with this new knowledge or else they risk becoming another "smart Christian."
My struggle is that if the application of scripture becomes the primary goal of Bible study then the Bible becomes a manual for life book rather than a book about God. I heard Tim Keller (http://www.redeemer.com/) say something like this at a Resurgence (http://www.theresurgence.com/) conference in Seattle, "When you read the Bible, do you read it as a book that is primarily about you or primarily about Jesus?" It is a dangerous thing to read the Bible as a book that is primarily about me asking, what should I do next, how God will help me, what God is trying to tell me, etc. Because the Bible is not about you or I rather it is about Jesus.
My fear is that the over emphasis on application leads a new believer into reading the Bible as though it were a book about them because the main question they are asking in their head as they read is, "How does this apply to me?" rather than "Where is Jesus in this text?" Ultimately, this will lead to frustration because the Bible is not written at all like a self help manual or a manual for life. Rather it is written as the narrative of God redeeming humanity through his son and in that story we can all see our place. Not as the main subject (Jesus) but as the object of God's work in Christ.
As I was attempting to follow this format in my own study it got me thinking about the emphasis many make on "applying scripture." I think at some point in the 80's many church leaders realized that there were too many "smart Christians" in the church and not many "active Christians." The smart Christians were the people who knew the Bible but did not apply it to their lives and therefore exprience life change. Application of scripture is an important part of discipleship (2 Timothy 3.16-17). So there was a renewed emphasis on applying scripture. And many "new believer" discipleship materials now emphasize that each time the text is read the believer should come up with or discover something they should do with this new knowledge or else they risk becoming another "smart Christian."
My struggle is that if the application of scripture becomes the primary goal of Bible study then the Bible becomes a manual for life book rather than a book about God. I heard Tim Keller (http://www.redeemer.com/) say something like this at a Resurgence (http://www.theresurgence.com/) conference in Seattle, "When you read the Bible, do you read it as a book that is primarily about you or primarily about Jesus?" It is a dangerous thing to read the Bible as a book that is primarily about me asking, what should I do next, how God will help me, what God is trying to tell me, etc. Because the Bible is not about you or I rather it is about Jesus.
My fear is that the over emphasis on application leads a new believer into reading the Bible as though it were a book about them because the main question they are asking in their head as they read is, "How does this apply to me?" rather than "Where is Jesus in this text?" Ultimately, this will lead to frustration because the Bible is not written at all like a self help manual or a manual for life. Rather it is written as the narrative of God redeeming humanity through his son and in that story we can all see our place. Not as the main subject (Jesus) but as the object of God's work in Christ.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
A second grade Bible Student
Tonight I came up stairs to finish putting together a bookshelf to hold all my books. I like having books. I like reading them and studying, but if I am honest I really like people to think I am smart and theological when they come over... especially my pastor friends.
Anyway, as I passed the girls room (Miram age 7 and Ellie age 3) I overheard Miriam talking. I peeked in to find her sitting up in bed with her book light reading the Bible outloud to her sister. (Last Easter I gave her the NIrV kids devotional Bible). She was up past her bedtime, but hey I can't discipline her for reading the Bible right? Actually, I almost started crying. She was reading in Isaiah and when I asked her how she got there she showed me that she had read one of the 'devotional' sections on Genesis 1 and 2 (she already read the entire book of Genesis by the way last spring... on her own ya'll). In the devotional they have cross references which is sort of an 'extra credit' part and in this one they had referenced Isaiah 45.18.
"For thus says the Lord, who created the heavens (He is God!), who formed the earth and made it (He established it; he did not create it empty, he formed it to be inhabited!): " 'I am the LORD and there is no other.' "
I asked her how she had found Isaiah because I don't remember showing her how to look up Bible passages and she showed me how she went to the table of contents and found it. Then she was able to find the verse. My daughter has placed her faith in Jesus and knows what it means to repent of her sins. The Holy Spirit has indwelt her and I believe was clearly leading her tonight. Not only to illuminate the scriptures and help her find them but also to read to her sister.
I share all of this not to brag about my girl (though I really want to) but simply to share with you that if a second grader will read her Bible why don't you? Why don't I at times? Yeah... I have all the books but tonight my daughter was more spiritual than me and closer to Jesus than me. Tonight I continued to be humbled by her.
Anyway, as I passed the girls room (Miram age 7 and Ellie age 3) I overheard Miriam talking. I peeked in to find her sitting up in bed with her book light reading the Bible outloud to her sister. (Last Easter I gave her the NIrV kids devotional Bible). She was up past her bedtime, but hey I can't discipline her for reading the Bible right? Actually, I almost started crying. She was reading in Isaiah and when I asked her how she got there she showed me that she had read one of the 'devotional' sections on Genesis 1 and 2 (she already read the entire book of Genesis by the way last spring... on her own ya'll). In the devotional they have cross references which is sort of an 'extra credit' part and in this one they had referenced Isaiah 45.18.
"For thus says the Lord, who created the heavens (He is God!), who formed the earth and made it (He established it; he did not create it empty, he formed it to be inhabited!): " 'I am the LORD and there is no other.' "
I asked her how she had found Isaiah because I don't remember showing her how to look up Bible passages and she showed me how she went to the table of contents and found it. Then she was able to find the verse. My daughter has placed her faith in Jesus and knows what it means to repent of her sins. The Holy Spirit has indwelt her and I believe was clearly leading her tonight. Not only to illuminate the scriptures and help her find them but also to read to her sister.
I share all of this not to brag about my girl (though I really want to) but simply to share with you that if a second grader will read her Bible why don't you? Why don't I at times? Yeah... I have all the books but tonight my daughter was more spiritual than me and closer to Jesus than me. Tonight I continued to be humbled by her.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
On the block
When I drove up to the house this evening after getting some Thai food and a kids movie (no school tomorrow) I was blessed by what I saw. Along with my kids there were about 6 other neighborhood kids playing in my front yard. We've only been here for 2 1/2 weeks and we've been able to begin establishing our home and yard as a safe place to be on the block. What a gift. Please pray we can be loving adults sharing the gospel and our lives with our neighbors.
Well it's back to Ninja Warrior. That's right... it's like American Gladiator on steriods and based out of Japan. My wife and I are addicted to this show. It is pretty cool and on the G4 channel. In one stage of the competition these guys have to grab onto these balls they look like light bulbs attached to a structure like monkey bars 15 feet in the air over a pitt filled with muddy water (u gotta see it to believe it). Awesome! I am seriously thinking about beginning my training... always wanted to be a Ninja.
Well it's back to Ninja Warrior. That's right... it's like American Gladiator on steriods and based out of Japan. My wife and I are addicted to this show. It is pretty cool and on the G4 channel. In one stage of the competition these guys have to grab onto these balls they look like light bulbs attached to a structure like monkey bars 15 feet in the air over a pitt filled with muddy water (u gotta see it to believe it). Awesome! I am seriously thinking about beginning my training... always wanted to be a Ninja.
Friday, October 12, 2007
Ministry Leadership in Crisis
I am almost 30 years old. I have been in vocational ministry for 5 years and I have been a Christian for 12 years. In my short time as a believer and pastor I have seen many men in pastoral leaderhip fall into devastating sin. I have seen my mentor/proffessor in from the Bible College I graduated from as well as my first pastor (who also married me and my wife) both fall into sexual sin in their early 40's. One of whom lost his family because of it. I have personally known and even had the opportunity to confront a pastor (whose church was close to 1,000 regular attenders) who was dangerously close to adultery only to find out one month later he was caught in the act and he too was disqualified for ministry. Another pastor I knew indirectly had to resign for crack addiction and pain pill addiction. Recently, a church who I have worked with and whose leadership I respected all resigned from their Pastoral/Elder positions due to an inablility to lead the congregation. About a month ago I heard from a confidential resource that 2 well known pastors in the area have both been exposed for sexual immorality. And tonight I found out that a trusted friend of mine who had established a dynmic urban youth ministry was exposed for sexually abusing middle and high school boys in his care, was subsequently locked up, and lost his wife and children.
This latest news which I just recieved tonight has made me sick to my stomach. Not just for the repercussions on his own family and ministry which are devastating but this was someone I would have trusted alone with my children and someone who I had approached in the past about partnering with me in church planting. My question to all believers and leaders in ministry is, "WHEN WILL WE MAKE HEALTHY MINISTRY A PRIORITY?" If you are in ministry would you just admit that you are not superman and you are a normal human being who has limitations. Lead by example and lead in health. I have learned that health brings health. If a ministry is sick it is because it's leaders are sick.
This latest news which I just recieved tonight has made me sick to my stomach. Not just for the repercussions on his own family and ministry which are devastating but this was someone I would have trusted alone with my children and someone who I had approached in the past about partnering with me in church planting. My question to all believers and leaders in ministry is, "WHEN WILL WE MAKE HEALTHY MINISTRY A PRIORITY?" If you are in ministry would you just admit that you are not superman and you are a normal human being who has limitations. Lead by example and lead in health. I have learned that health brings health. If a ministry is sick it is because it's leaders are sick.
The Blog is up and running for real
Hey yall,
Well, we are settling down in our new house in B-more. It was a weird experience to place all my belongings in 4 shipping containers on my front driveway at my old house in Portland. And then see them show up at my new place 2 weeks later 3,000 miles away. Our kids are adjusting to their new school and we are grateful that we can walk them to school each morning. There were some tears from Miriam as she adjusted to her new class. The kids go to a great school but it definitely has an urban edge to it and Miriam wasn't used to the teachers raising their voices a little more than her teachers in Portland. She and Samuel are both one of a few white kids in their classes with the majority being African American. The kids in both of their classes have reached out to them and genuinely want to be their friends. It is awesome to see how the racial barriers adults set up don't exist between children.
Anyway I will be posting regularly, please hit me up and respond to my blogs anytime.
Well, we are settling down in our new house in B-more. It was a weird experience to place all my belongings in 4 shipping containers on my front driveway at my old house in Portland. And then see them show up at my new place 2 weeks later 3,000 miles away. Our kids are adjusting to their new school and we are grateful that we can walk them to school each morning. There were some tears from Miriam as she adjusted to her new class. The kids go to a great school but it definitely has an urban edge to it and Miriam wasn't used to the teachers raising their voices a little more than her teachers in Portland. She and Samuel are both one of a few white kids in their classes with the majority being African American. The kids in both of their classes have reached out to them and genuinely want to be their friends. It is awesome to see how the racial barriers adults set up don't exist between children.
Anyway I will be posting regularly, please hit me up and respond to my blogs anytime.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
A message on Judging
On 3/25/07 I preached at a church plant here in Portland. If you'd like to hear a message on judging, is it right or wrong, and how should we as Christians judge others click on the link. Then go to 'listen in' and look for the message entitled, "Kingdom Judgement"
http://ekklesiaportland.com
http://ekklesiaportland.com
The denial of death
I've always thought it was interesting how people often deny the reality of death. What I mean is it seems like one of the most certain things that will happen to all of us is the least discussed or even acknowleged as a coming reality. How often do people talk about death? What happens when we die? Even on a surface level not too many people seem to be imagining or talking about what they think will happen when they die. This is seen in the general reaction to death as well.When people die we feel like it shouldn't have happened. Funerals feel awkward and we can't wait to be done with them so we can return back to "normal" life. We feel cheated and robbed as if we weren't expecting those we loved to die. There is an almost default imortality assumed.
For a long time I just assumed people denied death because they were afraid of the unknown. But there is a theological reason why this seems to be the natural response. Think about this! When God created man and woman he didn't create us to die. From Genesis to Revelation death is "not a natural but a penal event," (The Cross of Christ, John Stott pg.65). It was penal meaning it is a penalty or punishment for sin. Death came after Adam sinned. Everything about mankind God created and built into us except for death (and the resulting bondage to sin we all experience). Therefore dying is not natural!
Every human being is made in the image of God. Even though there is sin and separation from God every human still has the image of God imprinted upon them however marred, clouded, or faded that image may be. Because of this, death does not feel natural to us because it was never naturally built into us when God first made man. God made man naturally to never die. This is why the reality of death is often denied.
For a long time I just assumed people denied death because they were afraid of the unknown. But there is a theological reason why this seems to be the natural response. Think about this! When God created man and woman he didn't create us to die. From Genesis to Revelation death is "not a natural but a penal event," (The Cross of Christ, John Stott pg.65). It was penal meaning it is a penalty or punishment for sin. Death came after Adam sinned. Everything about mankind God created and built into us except for death (and the resulting bondage to sin we all experience). Therefore dying is not natural!
Every human being is made in the image of God. Even though there is sin and separation from God every human still has the image of God imprinted upon them however marred, clouded, or faded that image may be. Because of this, death does not feel natural to us because it was never naturally built into us when God first made man. God made man naturally to never die. This is why the reality of death is often denied.
Saturday, March 3, 2007
I am really back this time
What's up people,
I am really back this time. Some of you recently recieved our prayer letter. If not here is the text below. This is a brief update of our first year out here in Portland working with a church plant, Red Sea Church.
Oh, please subscribe to the posts (click on 'subscribe' at the bottom of the page). If you subscribe to my blog, you will be automatically updated in your 'feeds.' Which is under your 'favorites' on the task bar. So you won't see 'rob's blog' in your favorites but it will be under the 'feeds' section. This if for those of you new to blogging, hopefully I am explaining it well.
Dear Friends and Family,
The last time some of you heard from us you knew that God was leading us to end our work in Baltimore and move to Portland, Or to intern at a 4 year old urban church plant called Red Sea for the coming year. A year is past and so far we have had a rich and challenging time.
God has used us in several ways to help establish and grow Red Sea. Currently, I oversee our Home Community ministry (small groups), do some preaching, one-on-one discipleship, teach a gospel class, and am an ‘Elder in Training’. While Beth has primarily been busy with our 4 children (Asher Michael Steinbach was born April 22, 2006) she has recently stepped up to lead a team of adults as Red Sea’s Children’s Ministry Director. This will be the first time she has had an opportunity like this since before we had kids so she is excited.
Our kids are doing well. Miriam is in the first grade and reading at a second grade level. Samuel is in Pre-K and loving his 3-day a week class. Elena is a spunky 2 year old with attitude and our ‘Oregon baby’ Asher is the most adorable baby boy you will ever see (seriously!!). I have been deeply blessed to see my children grow as followers of Jesus. Specifically Miriam and Samuel have both placed their faith in Jesus and regularly pray to him on their own.
Some of you may be wondering now that a year is up if we are planning to return to Baltimore. Our heart for that city has not left and we regularly pray and think about the work going on there. But, God has not yet given us his next assignment and so we continue to work at planting Red Sea here and waiting on his clear call and direction. We want to be faithful with what is right in front of us (see James 4.13-17) and will certainly continue to stay in touch with all of you. As a way to do this Rob will be keeping a blog (on-line journal) his blog can be viewed at http://www.robsteinbach.blogspot.com/ (which you are doing right now).
The last time some of you heard from us you knew that God was leading us to end our work in Baltimore and move to Portland, Or to intern at a 4 year old urban church plant called Red Sea for the coming year. A year is past and so far we have had a rich and challenging time.
God has used us in several ways to help establish and grow Red Sea. Currently, I oversee our Home Community ministry (small groups), do some preaching, one-on-one discipleship, teach a gospel class, and am an ‘Elder in Training’. While Beth has primarily been busy with our 4 children (Asher Michael Steinbach was born April 22, 2006) she has recently stepped up to lead a team of adults as Red Sea’s Children’s Ministry Director. This will be the first time she has had an opportunity like this since before we had kids so she is excited.
Our kids are doing well. Miriam is in the first grade and reading at a second grade level. Samuel is in Pre-K and loving his 3-day a week class. Elena is a spunky 2 year old with attitude and our ‘Oregon baby’ Asher is the most adorable baby boy you will ever see (seriously!!). I have been deeply blessed to see my children grow as followers of Jesus. Specifically Miriam and Samuel have both placed their faith in Jesus and regularly pray to him on their own.
Some of you may be wondering now that a year is up if we are planning to return to Baltimore. Our heart for that city has not left and we regularly pray and think about the work going on there. But, God has not yet given us his next assignment and so we continue to work at planting Red Sea here and waiting on his clear call and direction. We want to be faithful with what is right in front of us (see James 4.13-17) and will certainly continue to stay in touch with all of you. As a way to do this Rob will be keeping a blog (on-line journal) his blog can be viewed at http://www.robsteinbach.blogspot.com/ (which you are doing right now).
Love,
Steinbachs
Thursday, January 4, 2007
I am back
What's up everybody!!
Welcome to my new blog. This will be my primary way of sharing my thoughts and prayers with you. Thanks for checking it out. I will be adding posts very soon.
Welcome to my new blog. This will be my primary way of sharing my thoughts and prayers with you. Thanks for checking it out. I will be adding posts very soon.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
