Crisis of faith? 04/06/2011
 
How often do you experience a crisis of faith?  You may not make a formal proclamation but in your heart you begin to doubt God's goodness and consequentially quietly pull away from Him.  Perhaps there are situations in your work environment that you've prayed about, yet God seems silent.  You pull away.  Perhaps you have relational expectations with a spouse, child, friend.  You pray but are still disappointed.  You pull away.  Perhaps you've lost someone or something you deeply care for: a loved one, a dream, a promise, a job.  You pull away. 

Many have been praying for a young Chinese Christian, Alim, who was imprisoned because of his faith in Jesus.  He has been incarcerated for two years.  His case finally came up for review.  Please read the report I received today.

"Alim's unjust prison sentence went before a high court for review, but the high court has not overturned his sentence.  Alim's wife, Gulnur was able to visit him on Feb. 16 and he told her that the court decided that his 15 years prison sentence still stands. Despite this, Alim  seemed to be in good spirits. He told Gulnur that this is what a life of faith may require and he is able to accept it. Please continue to pray for this dear family. The added pressures that Gulnur faces, apart from having her husband away from her and in jail, are many."
You may read the summary of Alim's case at  http://www.chinaaid.org

I read this and find myself ashamed at the issues of my life which create turbulence in my faith.  Sometimes things don't work out and as Alim said, "...this is what a life of faith may require."  The question is - are we willing to accept it?


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Post Title. 07/30/2010
 
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We're spending a few days in the lower Florida Keys.  It has taken 3 days to transition from the frenetic pace of Jersey to the laid back pace of the lower keys.  Driving on highly enforced 35 mph roads seemed like slow death until I realized I didn't have to be anywhere fast or there wasn't something in life I was missing.  No tv, amusements, schedules...could this be what heaven is like?  Slowing down my external pace has enhanced the pace of my interior exploration - taking time to think about what is really important:  walking in tune with the Spirit, enjoying family, relationships.  I wonder if we (Christians) are missing something in our pursuit of programs and activities.  Could we be shrinking the capacity of our interior by overscheduling our lives, whether at church or in general?  I think so.  As a pastor I'm driven by a desire for people to walk in tune with God. I want to walk in tune with God.  Yet I wonder if we are spiritually crippling our people rather than teaching them to run the race God has set before us when our faith - our church - is defined through the grid of our western culture?  Maybe so.
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