Blessed Assurance
by Fanny Crosby

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine
Oh what a foretaste of glory divine
Heir of salvation, purchase of God
Born of his Spirit, washed in his blood

This is my story, this is my song
Praising my Savior all the day long
This is my story, this is my song
Praising my Savior all the day long

Perfect submission, perfect delight
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight
Angels descending, bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love

This is my story, this is my song
Praising my Savior all the day long
This is my story, this is my song
Praising my Savior all the day long

Perfect submission, all is at rest
I in my Savior am happy and blessed
Watching and waiting, looking above
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love

This is my story, this is my song
Praising my Savior all the day long
This is my story, this is my song
Praising my Savior all the day long

One of the biggest flaws in today’s American church, in my opinion, is its inability to distinguish between biblical and cultural issues, to know the origins of the topics and ideas that it discusses and defends.

It routinely uses scripture alone to argue hot-topic cultural ideas, including most “family values”. It routinely blames our media and politicians for problems that Jesus clearly warned are part of human nature. And in the confusion that follows, it routinely hurts and alienates the very people that the church is supposed to be there to help.

Care to illustrate my point?

“If you want to be free to serve Jesus, there’s no question — stay single. Marriage takes a lot of time. But if you want to become more like Jesus, I can’t imagine any better thing to do than to get married. Being married forces you to face some character issues you’d never have to face otherwise.”

– Gary Thomas, Sacred Marriage

When I sing hymns like the one I posted yesterday, my heart comes alive. It tells a tale, a glorious account of death and renewal, betrayal and redemption, and mystery and revelation. It takes me on a journey, illuminating a path that has been traveled many times before and opening my eyes to a story that can deeply impact me.

When I sing modern choruses, however, I have a very different experience. Just check out this one, which often shares the same title, “Amazing Love”:

You Are My King
by Billy James Foote

I’m forgiven because You were forsaken.
I’m accepted, You were condemned.
I’m alive and well, Your spirit is within me,
because You died and rose again.

Amazing love, how can it be
that You, my King, would die for me?
Amazing love, I know it’s true.
It’s my joy to honor You.
In all I do, I honor You.

You are my King.

I mean … it’s good, don’t get me wrong … but it’s also quite flat. The words speak Truth, but it’s impossible to tell where it’s coming from or where it’s going. The song conveys emotions but fails to connect them with a context. And the repetition that is required to sing these choruses often numbs me, turning off my mind and putting me into cruise control.

What’s missing, I think, is narrative. This communication tool, perhaps the most powerful and effective in our toolbox, is too often forgotten and ignored. We’ve lost the ability to tell a tale as we worship … and in the process, I think, we’ve crippled our own ability to intertwine our story with His.

So … how do we get the narrative back?

And Can It Be
by Charles Wesley, 1708-1788

And can it be that I should gain
an interest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me who caused His pain …
for me who Him to death pursued!
Amazing love! How can it be
that Thou, my God, should die for me?

‘Tis mystery all: the Immortal dies!
Who can explore his strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
to sound the depths of love divine.
‘Tis mercy all! Let earth adore,
let angel minds inquire no more.

He left His Father’s throne above …
so free, so infinite His grace!
Emptied Himself of all but love,
and bled for Adam’s helpless race.
‘Tis mercy all, immense and free …
for O my God, it found out me!

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
fast bound in sin and nature’s night.
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray,
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light!
My chains fell off, my heart was free …
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

No condemnation now I dread.
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine.
Alive in Him, my living Head,
and clothed in righteousness divine.
Bold I approach the eternal throne,
and claim the crown through Christ my own!

You think I’d have it down by now
Been practicin’ for thirty years
I should have walked a thousand miles
So what am I still doin’ here
Reachin’ out for that same old piece of forbidden fruit
I slip and fall and I knock my halo loose
Somebody tell me what’s a boy supposed to do?

I get so clumsy
I get so foolish
I get so stupid
And then I feel so useless
But You’re sayin’ You love me
And You’re still gonna hold me
And that You wanna be near me
‘Cause You’re makin’ me holy
You’re still makin’ me holy, yeah

I’m gonna get it right this time
I’ll be strong and I’ll make You proud
I’ve prayed that prayer a thousand times
But the rooster crows and my tears roll down (again)
Then You remind me You made me from the dust
And I can never, no never, be good enough
And that You’re not gonna let that come between us

I get so clumsy
I get so foolish
I get so stupid
And then I feel so useless
But You’re sayin’ You love me
And You’re still gonna hold me
And that You wanna be near me
‘Cause You’re makin’ me holy
You’re still makin’ me holy, yeah

From where I stand
Your holiness is up so high I can never reach it
My only hope is to fall on Jesus

I get so clumsy
I get so foolish
I get so stupid
And then I feel so useless
But You’re sayin’ You love me
And You’re still gonna hold me
And that You wanna be near me
‘Cause You’re makin’ me holy
You’re still makin’ me holy, yeah

– Chris Rice

I’m hesitant to write yet another post about China and the earthquake … but the following email, which I just received from Melody, a friend living 80km from the epicenter, is quite amazing:

Thank you Lance, for your concern and the prayers from your church. I am ok, so is my family. Chengdu wasn’t affected much by the earthquake because of its unique geographical features, no building is crashed here. But the rest of my hometown was damaged severly. Lots of pretty mountainous areas disappeared together with their people. The pandas are doing ok though.

Yes, all chinese people are pulling together because of this tragedy. And we have never felt so much love among us. Which is quite comforting. Lots of people are willing to sacrifice for others. Many school teachers died saving students, P.L.A. soldiers kept on saving others when some of them lost all their family members, all the taxi drivers in town drove out of the city to the dangerous places to help transport injured people for free … even beggers are helping, some of them donating all those small bills they have.

The earthquake destroyed our homes and families, but God will use it to create a strong bond of love among us. I can tell how much He loves Sichuan’s people.

Melody

It was really good to finally hear that Melody and her family are safe. Even more, it was awesome to hear her describe the upside to the earthquake. As devastating as it was, this disaster came at a time when the passion and fervor of the Chinese people is at its peak. Centuries of repressed emotion, terrible pain, and delayed gratification have been coming to the surface all year … and now, the quake has essentially provided lots of chances for love and compassion, things that the hearts in China so desperately need.

I’m convinced … disaster always has opportunity stapled to it. And I, for one, am eager to see what’s going to happen over there!

The way I see it, my body has three purposes.

1. To highlight my Creator. I was made in His image, and I’m His workmanship … I reflect His creativity and passion, and my body, in general, is beautiful. Not that a skinny, hairy, goofy-looking fella like me is particularly “attractive” … but I’ve definitely got some amazing stuff in me (mitochondria, passions, an immune system, a spirit that connects with Eternity, loads of snot, etc). And it’s right for me to look at another one of His creations and see something beautiful or lovely … anyone who says otherwise simply doesn’t understand how to worship (and probably has a pretty unhealthy self-image to boot).
2. To temporarily house me. This body is a flimsy tent, a container that is designed to fall apart. As I go through this mortal life, it breaks down … and I shouldn’t be surprised when sickness, injury, disease, and death all have their way with it (or with the bodies of the people I love). In fact, when that stuff happens it once again highlights our Creator! Nope, I wasn’t meant to live in this body forever … but I was meant to groan for freedom from it, for the Eternity that has started in my heart and will continue when I die. In the meantime, however, I should take care of my body … it’s His temple. To pursue His kingdom, I need to be healthy and alive and able to give!
   
3. To give her pleasure. Let’s face it … most men are just plain ugly. But if my Smeagol-looking self is somehow sexy to the one I love, then she can have all of me. If she wants me bald, I’ll get bald. If she wants me buff, I’ll get buff. I’ll wear the clothes she thinks are attractive, shave or grow a beard as she desires, get really skinny or put on the pounds, and pierce or tattoo myself to high heaven … if it pleases her. And I’ll do everything that I can to learn to serve her physically and sexually with my body … ’cause God designed us to fit together.

Wouldn’t you agree?

How do you explain, how do you describe
A love that goes from east to west
And runs as deep as it is wide
You know all our hopes, Lord, You know all our fears
And words cannot express the love we feel
But we long for You to hear

So listen to our hearts, hear our spirits sing
A song of praise that flows from those You have redeemed
We will use the words we know
To tell You what an awesome God You are
But words are not enough to tell You of our love
So listen to our hearts

If words could fall like rain from these lips of mine
And if I had a thousand years
Lord, I would still run out of time
If you listen to my heart, every beat will say
“Thank You for the life, thank You for the truth
Thank You for the way.”

So listen to our hearts, hear our spirits sing
A song of praise that flows from those You have redeemed
We will use the words we know
To tell You what an awesome God You are
But words are not enough to tell You of our love
So listen to our hearts

– Geoff Moore

Dear Prayer Partners,

More than 100 hours have now passed since the earthquake struck. Though in disaster relief the first 72 hours is given as the optimum survival time, still today more than 100 were brought out of the rubble of collapsed buildings alive. The search for missing goes on.

The extent of the Sichuan earthquake tragedy continues to unfold. The government is already looking into the possibility that substandard construction is the cause of such a large number of schools collapsing. The official count of those killed is 29,000; however, the government has mentioned 50,000 deaths. Some remote areas are still not reached. Adding to the tragedy is the deadly dilemma that dams in the area may break, drowning rescuers and any remaining survivors.

Then there are the injured and homeless. Dr. Matthew Koh, President of MSI, reports from Mianyang that 10,000 are being housed in the local stadium. Outlying counties are still without electricity. We will be buying power generators for use in the counties. Water is in desperately short supply with some fighting for it when bottled water was being distributed. Crowded, unsanitary conditions are now becoming the breeding ground for epidemics.

Matthew and his small advance team of 4 arrived in Mianyang, a city of 5 million, on the 15th. Here more than 18,000 were reported missing. Doors were opened in a miraculous way as MSI was welcomed to work with the Mianyang Central Hospital. From there they were taken to 2 outlying counties to help with their county hospital. Originally, the team wanted to go to the Qiang minority area but the scene there is one of total devastation - only dead bodies.

Based in 3 centers, our medical teams will live in tents they are bringing in. Their work will proceed in 3 stages of service: 1. surgical; 2. internal medicine; and 3. post-trauma counseling. Later, people with skills in administration and management will be needed to train local leaders.

Following the advance team, a second team of 7 from Taiwan, lead by Dr. Chen from 2 Christian hospitals, and 10 more from Yunnan, lead by Dr. Russell Zinn reached Chengdu today. Dr. Leung Chung Ying will lead a medical team of 8 from Hong Kong tomorrow. Another team from Taiwan will go in on May 21. Dr. Philemon Choi from Breakthrough in Hong Kong will lead a team of experienced counselors to begin their important work in counseling and in training local people in post-trauma counseling.

It is marvelous to see how the Lord is providing for this mission of mercy. Dragon Air has offered free tickets and excess baggage allowances for all our teams flying in with medical supplies from Hong Kong. The Public Health officials in Chengdu and Mianyang have also provided free transportation. Contributions continue to be received from prayer partners and friends around the world.

Please stand in prayer with China and her leaders at this critical time of deep distress. Remember the missing, the injured, the thousands who have lost children, husbands, wives and other loved ones. With China’s one child policy, just think what it must mean to a family to lose their only son or daughter!

It is thrilling to see how Chinese Christians from other provinces in China are responding in an outpouring of love in this great relief effort. Pray that their Good Samaritan concern will alleviate suffering, bring comfort, and result in the advance the gospel. How can we not stand with them?

“I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”
– Matthew 25:34-40

Your brother in His service,
Jim

“If ten men are carrying a log — nine of them on the little end and one on the heavy end — and you want to help, on which end will you lift?”

– William Borden

I love how this quotation, which refers to world missions, implies that church work and missions work are two sides of the same log. And the imagery of nine men struggling to be successful while their solution is so obvious … it’s just poignant.

For today’s installment, I’d like to direct you to one of the most sobering websites I’ve seen in a long time … Dear God. It’s chock-full of letters that people have written to Him … heartfelt declarations and messy questions, brutal challenges and saturated pleadings.

Be warned … these are real people, grown-ups with gritty stories and graphic imagery. But if you’re a mature adult, I’d say that it’s worth spending some time there, browsing the categories and peeking into the hearts of some beautiful people. Who knows … maybe you’ll even find yourself submitting a letter!

“God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness.”

– Genesis 1:4

“God called the dry ground ‘land,’ and the gathered waters he called ’seas.’ And God saw that it was good.”

– Genesis 1:10

“The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.”

– Genesis 1:12

“He also made the stars. God set them in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth, to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good.”

– Genesis 1:17-18

“So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing with which the water teems, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.”

– Genesis 1:21

“God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.”

– Genesis 1:25

“God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.”

– Genesis 1:31

“The LORD God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.’”

– Genesis 2:18