the problem of evil

Recently Rachel and I were given a book about the Tsunami that happened in Asia back in the Christmas of 20o4. I remember some of the devastation, but didn't really grapple with it back then. I was still in seminary and newly married, so the event passed by like so many other tragic events. This book is entitle "Where is God in the Tsunami?" I don't usually need a dictionary when I read a book, but I do with this book. But regardless, it's a good read about the problem of evil. Why did the tsunami take place? Who is to blame? Can we say that God punished those sinful people, like some preachers claimed right after the event? The author Hart is arguing against atheists that say, "See look, there is so much evil and devastation, how could there possibly be an all powerful, all loving God?" The old question of, if there is an all loving and all powerful God, how could there be evil. Either he is not all loving, or he is not powerful enough to stop it. These are good questions, how can we as mature Christians answer these people who look at the world and say, there can't be a loving God.

I know how I would respond, right now. I'll let you all know if I get an new insight into this answer from the book. What do you all think of how to asnwer this historically difficult question?

Fall...literally

Well the reason for my absence to this blog site has been due to a small but painful condition, called a hernia. I got it late August, early Sept. I was not paying attention to some of the things I was doing, and I was lifting heavy things and playing with James, (ie. throwing him up in the air), and doing some wood working, etc... And then I started having a pain in my right side. Nothing big at first, just some discomfort, but in a few days it was really hurting. Went to the doctor to have it fixed, and I had to wait for two weeks. I went to Rockford to see a dr. there and it was the same story, two weeks. So I waited in pain, I preached in pain, and then the week I was supposed to have surgery I got sick. I had a fever of 101.5 [ there was a rumor at the high school that i had a fever of 105, I think i'd be dead]. Anyways, my surgery got pushed back to last friday. It went alright I guess. I was hoping it wasn't as painful as it turned out to be. And the wierd part is that the incision is painful, but my HIP, oh... my hip really hurts. It feels like someone is tearing my hip off when I move it just right... But all the pain as subsided in recent days, I'm able to do things now, like stand up straight, walk, move, things I couldn't do before. We'll see how I do preaching on Sunday. So that's where I've been. So I haven't been to volleyball much until yesterday, and we had a home game, which we WON!!! It was great to beat a team that had beaten us so much in the past few years. We're definitely not where I want us to be, but we're getting there. The season will probably be over before we reach our full potential, but it was a good win.
On the home front, Rachel is eager to have me back to full strength. I haven't been able to help out with James too much because I can't lift him, and even putting on his pants this morning hurt becuase he squirmed too much, and it hurts for me to twist and move quickly. That's life.
I hope you all are well.
May God bless you, and watch over you. I know He has me and my family.

Peace

Cubs

I thought I'd share my thoughts and feelings on the Chicago Cubs. I never played baseball in my life, except for church softball the past three years or so. But I have watched the Cubs since the late 80's when Ryno was playing second base. I started following the team more closely in seminary when I discovered talk radio kept me awake and interested on my long drives home. I was very excited when they were just five outs away from a World Series, but they broke my heart yet again after that series. What is it about the Cubs that keeps them from winning. Even when they have one of the highest pay roles in all of baseball. Can the explination be the curse, do those things even exist? I think they do. The Bible certainly has it's fair share of stories about someone being cursed. The most famous that comes to mind is that in Deuteronomy it says that anyone who is hung on a tree is cursed. Then Paul uses that as a way to explain Christ's sacrifice for us, that he took upon himself the curse that was meant for us, because of our disobedience and sin. So He who knew no sin, became sin for us.
So are the Cubs cursed, it would seem so. But more than anything, I think it's a self fulfilling prophecy. They have not won, and have been told they won't win, and so they play into it. There is a concept in Scripture called, logidzomai (Greek), that basically means calling something that is not as if it is. Saying to someone that is unpleasant, I hope you are having a good day. Or to someone who is a thief, thanks for being so honest. Paul uses this when he talks about the saints, live a life worthy of the calling you have recieved. You might not being living it now, but you can and should. In other places he calls the people saints, even though we know they were far from that. It is a way to encourage others.
We need to practice some logidzomai on the Cubs...
Currently they are six games behind the dreaded Cardinals, we'll see how the rest of the season progresses, I'm hoping against hope that they start playing better. But if not, there is always next year.

Blessings to you all, and especially all the Cub fans.

Peace

Long Time

Hello there cyberspce...

I'm not sure if anyone does read these posts, but in the off chance that there is, and for my own sake I need to update you all on what has been going on in our lives. Since the middle of June or there abouts we have had a tough time with illness and death in our church. A dear sweet woman passed away very suddenly, and then a middle aged man also passed after a bout with cancer. After that we took a while to recover, and vacation couldn't come soon enough. The church has been great, but it's hard to minister to people when you are spent.

So Rachel and I went out to PA and NJ, and had some R and R with the Olsen clan. It was good to get away. But we came back a bit tired but needing to jump right back into things. I started coaching again and Rachel is back in school. It would all be fine, but our poor secretary had surgery right before we left, so we are doing some more things to keep the church running smoothly... pray for us.

More updates and thoughts forth coming...

Pentecost

Happy Pentecost everyone!

I remember celebrating the coming of the Holy Spirit back in Romania. Since the coming of God's Spirit upon His people means that they are made more like Him, we celebrated Pentecost with fruits. Why fruit? Obviously it's the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5, "the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." So Pentecost is really a way to celebrate what God is doing in us and in our church. To honor the Holy Spirit of God who is always at work. We might be tempted to think that God is only active when we think about Him, or that He is not interested in ALL the details of our lives. But because God sent His Spirit to be among us we are assured that He is with us always.

And if God is with us and for us, who can be against us? We certainly can do all things through Christ and His Spirit that stregthens us to live the abundant life that Jesus talked about. So my friends, let us honor God by praising Him for the gift of His Holy Spirit. Without whom the church would be simply a human endeavor. Let us hold firmly to the faith that God's presence means power when we are weak, hope when we are in despair, joy when we are sad, and love when feel unloveable.

God is with us!

Enjoy Pentecost!

Bunyan

Refreshing

Hello everyone who reads this post... all three of you. Rachel, James and I are safely back from Atlanta, where we had a great time at the preaching conference. We heard good preachers from across the country, people like Tom Long, Barbara Brown Taylor, Craig Barnes and others. I was touched by their desire to teach pastors, and also about how they each had a unique style. I could tell they all used notes which was comforting to know, but you could hardly tell they did since they spoke so fluidly. I have been debating with myself about NOT using notes and preaching from the text alone, but that can get difficult. I tend to ramble and say too much, and not end well. Will Willimon amazed me when he ended his sermon with a cliff hanger of a statement. I forget it word for word, but it goes something like this... Jesus does those kinds of things... and I just don't understand. Then he just walks away from the pulpit. I was litterally shocked, but inspired. I felt like it was an effective way to get people to remember the topic and content of the sermon.

Anyways, we had a good time visiting some family as well. One of the reason I chose to go to this conference was it's location. I have wanted to visit Atlanta for a while, but never had the opportunity. I got to see my uncle and his family and had a nice dinner with them, also a good friend who I grew up with. My mom and dad came to Atlanta too, they watched James a lot while Rachel and I went to the conference and out to dinner one night. Although on Thursday it was Rachel's birthday and it didn't really feel like her birthday, all I got her was a card. I plan on doing more, Lord willing. So that's where we're at for now.

I pray that we all have a safe Memorial Day, I plan on working around the house and not going in to the church. It will be there for me when I get there Tuesday.

Blessings,

Bunyan

hitting home

The church father Tertullian wrote, 'the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church." This topic is very near to my heart because my family has experienced much persecution, my grandfather and father both faced opposition to the Gospel. As I was reading the book I mentioned on Sunday morning, "The Persecutor" it brought a flood of emotions about what it would be like to be a pastor during those times. I often forget how much people have suffered for me to have the liberties and opportunities I have today. It certainly could have been otherwise. But God is SO faithful, He intercedes at just the right moment.

It's a good reminder that what we do on Sunday morning is a privilege, and it is of the utmost importance. People were not so fortunate to have these same freedoms for many years. So let us not neglect to meet together as some have done. It would be a shame if our spiritual ancestors knew how relaxed we are about our church attendance. But imagine if your attendance at church could include a vicious beating from secret police who would pretend to be new believers, yet tell the police of the time and location of the meeting. How many would we have in our congregation then? When I read books like this it reminds me of how serious and important the work of salvation is. Are we serious about Jesus, and the new life He gives us?

I pray that God would grant us a renewed vigor about our faith, about missions, and evangelism even in the face of opposition, whether it is financial, cultural, or personal discomfort. May the message of Jesus Christ be the most important message we share every week.

How is church?

Often when I speak to someone about life, they ask how is church? This is an odd question because the church is made up of so many people and situations, that it's hard to give just one response. The church building is not what makes a church. (Although it's nice to have good facilities) But the church is so much more than a structure. A church is made up of people who are all ages, personalities, and at different spiritual stages. One person might be really struggling and suffering and others might be thriving and enjoying life. So how do we answer that question? The church is not just one segment, it's the whole, many parts but one church. So how is our church doing? God has been good to us, we are seeing some growth, but more importantly we are seeing depth. The church is great because we serve a great God.
Come by and worship with us some time and find out for yourself.

Peace