19 years ago I gave a Bible study to a group of inmates that was based on the book "Pilgrim's Progress" by John Bunyan.  Written in the 1600's, the book has been a helpful parable for many millions of Christians over time.  In working through this, I updated much of the King James English, concepts and even some of the characters --- because I wanted those I was studying with to understand not just the story, but the main point of what the Christian Life is like.  It's not always smiley faces, rose gardens, tea and crumpets.  Often, it's hard work, perilous temptations and doubts, and warfare.

So here's the third part of the study as I gave it --- 19 years ago.  Feel free to use this in your own group studies if you think it will help, just make sure you credit John Bunyan for the original story and me for removing the "Thee's", "Thou's" and "Wheretofore's".

Part 1 Linked here --- Part 2 Linked here --- Part 4 Linked Here

---

Nar  -  Now as you recall, I spoke of a dream, of a man bowed under a great burden who sought a way of escape.  Further you'll recall that last we spoke of two of his countrymen pursuing, then overtaking him and of the conversation which centered upon one, Obstinate, whom tried vainly to convince Christian to return back to his former city.  The other, Pliable, being convinced by Christian of the truths at hand, went along with him.  This is where we pick up our tale.

Chrs  -  Come now, Sir Pliable, let us proceed then on our journey.  I am happy to have you along with me.  Had Obstinate but felt what I have of the powers and terrors of the Judgment to come, he would not have so hastily turned back.  (John 16:8-11)

Plia  - Please, now, since there is only the two of us -- tell me more of what these things are that we seek, how we may expect to come into them and where it is that we are going.

Chrs  -  I can for certain see them more clearly in my mind than speak them with my tongue.  Since, though, you desire to know of them, I will read to you directly from my book as to what they are.

Plia  - And you are sure of the truth of that which you read?

Chrs  -  Yes, truly, for they are issued by Him who cannot lie.  (Tit 1:2; Heb 6:18)

Plia  - And what things then are they?

Chrs  -  There is an endless kingdom that we may make our home and life that will not ever come to an end that will be given to us, that we might live there forever.  (Isa. 65:17; John 10:27-29, 14:2)

Plia  - This is encouraging, what else might we expect?

Chrs  -  There we shall receive crowns of glory and clothing that will make us shine as brightly as the sun above.  (Matt. 13:43; 2 Tim. 4:8; Rev. 3:4)

Plia  - I am pleased to hear this, what more is there?

There shall be no more crying or sorrow, for He who is the owner of that place will wipe all tears from our eyes.  (Isa. 25:8; Rev. 7:16-17, 21:4)

Plia  - And who shall be our company there?

Chrs  -  Many types and forms of angels, creatures that will dazzle your eyes upon seeing them.  (Isa. 6:2, 1 Thes. 4:16-17; Rev. 5:11)  There you will also meet with the countless millions of people who have walked this road before us to that place.  Not one of them is in the least bit hurtful or spiteful, but in every way they are loving and holy --- each one walking in the sight of God and standing in His presence with acceptance for ever.

More-over, we will meet the elders with their golden crowns (Rev. 4:4), holy virgins with their golden harps (Rev. 14:5), and we shall see men that by the world were cut in pieces, burnt in flames, eaten by beasts, drowned in seas --- all for the love that they held for the Lord of that place  (Heb. 11:33-40).   Each one will be completely well and restored, having taken upon themselves life never ending as if it were clothing.  (John 12:25; 2 Cor. 5:2-4) 

Even more than this, we shall meet with the Lord of that place, of whom it was said, "He would lay down His life for His people." and again "He would never leave us, nor forsake us."  (John 10:11, 14:3; Deut. 31:6; Heb 13:5)

Plia  - The hearing of this is enough to make ones heart leap for joy, and yet I cannot help but ask how are these things to be enjoyed?  how shall we participate in these things?

Chrs  -  The Lord, the ruler of that country, has recorded it in this book, the essence of which is that if we truly are willing to receive it, He will give us these things freely.  (Isa 55:1-2; John 6:37, 7:37; Rev. 21:6, 22:17)

Plia  - Well, my good friend, I am glad to hear these things --- come now, let us go faster that we might get there all the more quickly.

Chrs  -  I cannot go as fast as I would like, because there is a burden upon my heart that weighs down my steps.

Nar  - Now I saw that just as they ended that talk, they came upon a very muddy marsh that was in the midst of the fields where they'd been walking.  They were not careful in traveling and fairly soon they both had fallen into that bog.  Here they stayed for quite some time, working through slowly towards the other side.  Christian, because of the burden that weighed him down, grew exhausted and soon began to sink into this marsh which was called "Discouragement".

Plia  - Sir Christian, where are you, for I cannot see in this mist!

Chrs  -  Truly, I do not know, for I have no way to gauge my position in this place.  (Proverbs 24:10)

Plia  - (At this, Pliable grew angry)  Is this the happiness you've spoken to me about?  If such trouble besets us at the beginning of our journey, what may we expect on our way to the end?  If it is possible that I may get out of here with my life, then you may have the honor of inhabiting that country by yourself!  (Jer. 12:10; Mark 4:5-6, 16-17)

Nar  - And at that I saw Pliable turn back and struggle to go back from where he came, to the city of "Destruction".  From this time Christian saw him no more.

Now Christian, left to himself, continued to struggle to reach the other side of the Marsh of Discouragement.  The goal he set before himself was still to reach the sheep gate that Evangelist had pointed him to.  I saw that the more he fought to continue, the more discouraged he became because of the burden that lay upon his heart.

Soon I saw a man come along whose name was "Help", and upon seeing Christian struggle so within the pits of that marsh, he asked him what he was doing and where he was heading.

Chrs  -  Sir, I was told to go this way by a man named Evangelist, who pointed me to yonder Sheep-gate that I might escape the great wrath that I'd read was to come.  As I followed the course that was pointed out to me, I came upon this swamp and was soon so stuck that I despair I might never get out or see the end of my journey.

Help - Give me your hand that I might help you.

Nar  - Christian did so, and Help drew him out of that muddy marsh and set him upon the steps and point out to him the way.  (Ps 40:2; James 5:19-20)

Then I saw Christian stop on the far shore of this swamp and turn back to speak to that man who had pulled him out.  He questioned him thus:

Chrs  -  Sir, since this is the only way from the City of Destruction to the Sheep-gate, why is it that this marsh has not been filled in and therefore mended so that travelers may get to there safely?

Help - This muddy marshland is such a place as cannot be mended, for it is fed by scum and filth that attends to the conviction of sin.  This stuff rusn continuously and that is why it's name is "the Marsh of Discouragement".  Simply put, as one sinner comes to realize his lost condition, there comes from within him many fears and doubts and strong discouragements, all of which work together to despair him of hope which will not disappoint and again strengthens one that they might continue.  (Rom. 5:5, 8:28, 12:12; Heb. 11:1)  All of these settle into this ground and attempt to hold any who come here.  (Mk. 4:17; 10:17, 21-22; Lk 18:19-23)

This swamp has also been the death of quite a number of folks who've fallen into it.  (Rom. 6:23a; Proverbs 11:7, 17:22b)  For they have despaired even of their own lives and have given up the pursuit of that safe place (2 Cor. 2:7, 7:10; Heb. 2:1)  and sunk low into the depths of this marsh.  They had no desire to endure (Jer. 12:5; Gal. 6:9) the pain even if just for a little while, before He that owns this land might send them someone like myself so as to encourage them.  (Heb. 12:11; 2 Cor. 1:3-5; Rom. 5:3-5)

Chrs  -  I recall Just now that I had another with me, named Pliable, who came partway through before turning back.

Help - I saw him leave the Marsh as I came upon it to look for those like you.  he was then cursing and swearing for having attempted to come along.  it would have been better for him never to have known the way of righteousness, than having seen and heard of it, to turn back to where he came from.  For now he is like never to come again, unless the Lord of hearts takes pity upon him.  (2 Peter 2:20-21; Mk 4:18-19: Heb. 6:4-6)

Chrs  -  Tell me then, of what has the Lord of this place done in attempt at repairing it?

Help - Indeed, it is not the pleasure of the King that his marsh remain as bad as it is (Isa. 35:3-4; 2 Pet. 3:9)  his workers have also, by the directions of His Majesty's land surveyors, been attempting for nearly 2000 years now to fix this swamp up.  To my knowledge there has been at least 20,000 cartloads, containing millions of righteous instructions, dumped into this land --- and that at all seasons!  These righteous instructions are said to be just what is necessary to fill in this place, if it is to be mended.  Even still, this marshland persists and continues no matter what they do.

There are, though, steps placed by the Lord Himself, evenly through this marsh --- yet there are times at which this place spews forth so much filth, in a mist-like form, that those steps are hardly seen.  As well, some men grow dizzy and misstep and are muddied even despite their caution.  Yet the ground is good once the come to the gate.  (1 Sam. 12:23)

Nar  -  Now I saw in this dream that by this time Pliable had come back to his house.  So his neighbors came to visit him and some of them called him wise for coming back, and some of them called him a fool for taking such hazard upon himself to follow after Christian.  Others still, mocked his cowardice, saying "Surely you began your adventure and yet you gave up after only a few difficulties!!" 

With all this, Pliable sat and sulked, sneaking about town so as to raise no attention to himself.  At the last, though, he gained more self-confidence and began to, with all the others, mock poor Christian behind his back --- though this did trouble Pliable's heart upon remembering the promises Christian had told him about which he had forsaken.

---

1. Christian spoke of many promises laid before him by His Book.  What was so persuasive about those promises?
2. Pliable asks an earthly question about our spiritual rewards... how might you have answered his question "How are we to enjoy these things?"
3. Pliable allowed discouragement to get to him, why might this have been?  Was his heart stony or thorny ground?
4. When "Help" came along, he spoke of the steps placed through the swamp.  make a list of what steps, from God and His Word, might surely help you through discouragement.
5. "Help" speaks of suicide as "despairing even of life", what promises might be given from the book to help someone like this?
6. Pliable spoke of moving along faster, and Christian was unable to do so because of the burden he carried.  What was the significance of the burden and what significance is there in Pliable's not having that same burden?  (Answer: Pliable had no conviction of sin, all he was looking for was the reward of the promises.  Without that conviction, he turned back failing to see his "lostness" which would have surely kept him going on.)

I started this as a series of facebook statuses with the hopes that some of my friends would see the wisdom behind what I was saying: that we all too often get caught up in self-centeredness this time of year and forget those around us who could really use help. We throw parties.... and invite our friends. We go shopping... for our friends. We share our time and energy... on our friends. And there are so many more out there who don't have someone to care for them; the elderly, the orphaned, those in prison, the homeless. Jesus said that as much as you have done it to the likes of these --- you've done it to Him, Himself.

Here's the verses, in their original order.

Christmas is quickly upon us --- but the season to act in Kindness towards others shouldn't end here.  Take the time, find someone who's unwelcome, unloved, or unfriendly --- and show them someone cares.  Be a radical out-going Christian showing love in action --- not merely one of the goats hanging around for the parties and gifts.

Finally, a movie teaser for the hottest movie next year.

This is the real deal --- not one of the hundred of fake videos that have popped up to tease us. Enjoy.

19 years ago I gave a Bible study to a group of inmates that was based on the book "Pilgrim's Progress" by John Bunyan.  Written in the 1600's, the book has been a helpful parable for many millions of Christians over time.  In working through this, I updated much of the King James English, concepts and even some of the characters --- because I wanted those I was studying with to understand not just the story, but the main point of what the Christian Life is like.  It's not always smiley faces, rose gardens, tea and crumpets.  Often, it's hard work, perilous temptations and doubts, and warfare.

So here's the second part of the study as I gave it --- 19 years ago.  Feel free to use this in your own group studies if you think it will help, just make sure you credit John Bunyan for the original story and me for removing the "Thee's", "Thou's" and "Wheretofore's".

Part 1 linked here --- Part 3 linked here

---

   

Nar  -  Now as you recall, I spoke of a dream, of a man bowed under a great burden who sought a way of escape.  Further, you'll remember, that a man named Evangelist (Evng) came and upon hearing his cries, told him the way he should go and that he should make haste, not turning away fromt he straight and narrow course.  That is where we now begin.

Now, being as the course he had to run took Christian  (Chrs) alongside his town, his neighbors came out to behold his running.  Some mocked him (Jer. 20:10), others threatened him (Matt. 5:11), while yet others cried out for him to return to their city (Rom. 1:32).  This was done in the blackness of night under a full moon, for in this city men hid from the day preferring instead to sleep away their days.  (John 1:5; Pro. 24:30-34; 1 Thes. 5:7) and to leave their work for later.  (Pr 6:9-11, 10:4-5)

There were two among his kinsmen who resolved to go and bring him back, by reason or, if necessary, by force.  Their names were Obstinate (Obst), who was also known as stubborn, and Pliable (Plia) who the townsfolk had nick-named Wishy-washy for he was never sure of his ways.  These two men set off in pursuit of him who was running to the sheep gate and in a matter of time caught up with him.

Then said this man to them

Chrs  -  Good friends, why have you come?

Obst & Plia  -  To persuade you to come back to town with us.

Chrs  - That, my friends, cannot be for you live in the City of Destruction, a place where even I was born.  That being the case, I see this to be; that in dying there, sooner or later, you will be put into a place that is yet even lower than the grave, a place where burns an eternal fire and torments never cease.  Come, dear friends, go along with me to find salvation from this horrid future.

Obst  -  What! and leave behind our friends and the comforts that we own?

Chrs  -  Yes! (said Christian, for that was his name) For all of those supposed treasures that you speak of are not worthy to be compared with even one thought of that which I seek to obtain.  (2 Cor 4:18)  If you will go with me, and endure the travel, you, too, shall gain these very things.  I know this for where I seek to go there is abundantly more than enough for all.  (Lk 15:17)   Mark my words as true, come and see with me. 

Obst  -  What then are these things that you seek, since you leave everything to gain them? (Matt 19:27)

Chrs  -  I seek an incorruptible inheritance, not spotted or imperfect in any way, that never fades away (1 Pet 1:4) and that is laid up in Heaven for all those who diligently seek it.  (Heb 11:16)   This has been promised to be given at the appointed time by this book that I hold;  you may check it yourself if you do not trust me.

Obst -  HAH!  Away with your book, I have heard such talk before and found it vain.  Will you or will you not come back with us, yes or no, that is all I seek to know.

Chrs  -  No, i will not, for I have laid my hand to the plow --- I have set my attention to attaining these promises --- and I will not turn back.  (Lk 9:62)

Obst  - Come then, Pliable, let us turn once again towards home without him.  For surely though we had 7 others besides ourselves to reason with him, I can see that he would still keep on with this crazy and foolish pursuit.

Plia  -  Don't mock, for if what he says is true then all that he seeks to find sounds better by far than what we possess.  No, my heart is inclined to follow, you may return if you wish.

Obst  -   WHAT!  Are you so foolish as to be taken in by his folly?  List to my counsel; return with me, for who knows where such as he will lead you?  I see that he is quite a few cards short of a full deck in his thinking.  Return with me and be wise.  (John 7:47-49a; Pro 26:12)

Chrs  -  Pliable, please do consider my words to you, for those things which I said are sure to be had and many more besides.  if you do not believe me, Pliable, then read what is said here in this book for that which is written is true and sealed by the very blood of He who promises.  (Heb 9:17-28)

Plia  -  Well, Sir Obstinate, I begin to see his point and as such will follow through with my decision to go with him.  Pray tell, dear Christian, do you know the way to this desirable place?

Chrs -  I am told by a man named Evangelist that the direction is straightly and narrow (Matt 7:14) and it's beginning lies at that gate in the distance.  From there I've been told I will receive instructions as to how I should proceed.

Plia  -  Come then, let us be going.

Nar -  And so I saw them walk along on their way to the Sheep Gate, and Obstinate, seeing them do so, turned his way back to the city saying to himself "I will not be company to such fanatics."

---

1. What sort of Ground was Obstinate's Heart?  (Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23)
2. Read Matthew 8:18-20 and talk about what sort of "Comforts" Obstinate considered not leaving behind.
3. How would you deal with such a stubborn man as he?
4. The treasure that Christian spoke of was what?
5. Obstinate called Christian many names, how do you think Christian handled it and how can his own resonses apply in your own life?
6. Obstinate appealed to reason, were his Arguments sound?  (No, for he spoke from ignorance of the subject, refusing to check the source to verify it's validity.)
   

Homosexuals love to play this card.  I hear it all the time.  "Jesus never said anything about homosexuality, therefore it must be OK."   They write Paul off as a repressed Homosexual who had obvious issues with his own sexual identity and therefore he condemned the matter in his writings.  Jesus, well, He is a loving, kind man (man...) who surely would not condemn someone for their predisposed sexual preference.

Last year I wrote an eye opening expose on the matter of being "Naturally born homosexual."  In that blog I stated "I'm a natural born liar"  and said that it is my natural bent to lie.  Being naturally inclined to something doesn't thereby make it OK.  A Child molester would argue that he is naturally inclined to love children.... does that make the matter right?  No.  Just like my being a natural born liar does not give me special privilege and favor with God because "I was born this way."

Since being naturally inclined to a sin doesn't write someone off from guilt of the sin --- If I lie, even though it's in my nature to do so, I still feel guilty having done so... precisely because I know it to be a transgression of "right and wrong".   It is a sin.  I hate it when people lie to me... but I find excuses for me to lie myself.  That's a double standard, a hypocritical stand, it's self-justification.... the very fact that I need to self-justify what I do (I only lied because if I told her the truth she'd have not liked to hear that her dress made her look fat.) only -- also --- serves to prove that I know it to be wrong.

But what about silence?  If Jesus didn't say a word on the matter, does that make it necessarily right and proper?  For a moment, let's consider something very basic and simple.  The 10 commandments.

Seems like we find agreement here.  Score one for Jesus.

Seems like there's silence on the matter of idols.

Seems like there's silence on the matter of taking the Lord's name in vain, then.

Though Jesus didn't make any direct commands at keeping the Sabbath, he did make many comments on what keeping it meant.  The verse chosen above really doesn't even do that though, it merely stakes the claim that Jesus can do as He feels on the Sabbath because He lays direct claim to being divinely endowed to do so. 

WHOA --- almost a direct reversal it would seem.  Talk about readjusting the rules!  Granted, he did mention Honor your mother and father as something to obey to the Rich Young Ruler --- but then he seemingly redefines this heavily in respect to what it means to "Honor".

Thus God says Don't murder and Jesus does quote the command, once, but then he readjusts the camera focus to say "Hatred = murder"  Not a direct comment, but one that is directly understood by context. 

Again, Jesus doesn't directly tackle the issue by saying "DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY"... He strips back our veneer of supposed saintliness and exposes our hypocrisy.  Adultery isn't merely having sex with someone who's married --- Jesus says if you even THINK THE THOUGHT, you're as bad as you'd done the deed.   Hmmm.

So, no direct "DO NOT STEAL" statement, except when he was trying to expose the rich young ruler's hypocrisy.  Call it an endorsement of the concept if you will.

While there is not one direct "DO NOT LIE" statement in Jesus words, we still find ourselves back to the rich young ruler and the Matthew 15:18 / Mark 7:19-20 passages about where evil comes from.  One comment, spread across 3 gospels.  (Matthew 19:18, Mark 10:19 & Luke 18:20)

Yup... not one word on that one, save only those comparative passages on the evil that comes out of mens hearts.   (Matt 15:18 / Mark 7:19-20)

---

12-4-2011 Addendum - Jesus did say "Life does not consist in the abundance of possessions" (Luke 12:15) which is a direct comment on greed.   The context of his commentary was on being a family arbiter in a dispute between brothers over the family possessions.  So on this one, Jesus did hint at it indirectly --- but no outright or direct statement of "YOU SHALL NOT COVET!!   I stand corrected from my own memory.  Growing old has it's downsides.

---

Ok, here's my point.

When it comes right down to it, Jesus made very few "DEMANDS" or "COMMANDMENTS".  Very few indeed.  Why?  Because He came to uphold WHAT WAS ALREADY IN PLACE! 

So arguing that Jesus silence is a blanket support of that position is very shaky ground to stand on.  There's much that Jesus said little or nothing about --- Go ahead and take God's name in vain if you dare... Jesus stood silent on that one --- but that does not mean that His silence was approval.

If God so condemned Sodom and Gomorrah to immediate judgment for their behavior --- what makes you think he'll blithely overlook yours?  Is it really a position you want to take in the long run, that God didn't really mean what He said? 

Oh, and lest there's any question on why Sodom and Gomorrah was destroyed --- Jude spells it out in clear language.

This whole "They were destroy for lacking hospitality" --- as though they didn't serve the angels tea and crumpets --- falls flat in light of the rest of Scripture.  One verse does not outweigh the 10-20 OTHER verses that say the same thing.

---

That all said --- I finish on this note.  Homosexuality is not the worst sin.  Not even close.  What get's men's anger up is that we dare call it sin in the first place.  There are lots of sins --- and all of us are sinners, not one man excepted from that condemnation.  It's just that this particular sin finds men arguing so vehemently as though it mattered more than anything else.  I do not "Hate" by calling homosexuals "sinners" any more than I "hate" by calling anyone who's ever told a lie "sinners" or anyone who's broken the speed limit (myself included) "sinners".

The bottom line is, we're all guilty.  The only thing that separates honest Christians from everyone else is that we're willing to admit that point, openly, freely and to our shame.  We don't hide behind excuses.  Sin is sin, the only real difference is the consequences. 

19 years ago I started giving a Bible study to a group of jail cell inmates that was based on the book "Pilgrim's Progress" by John Bunyan.  Written in the 1600's, the book has been a helpful parable for many millions of Christians over time.  In my working through this, I updated much of the King James English, concepts and even some of the characters --- because I wanted those I was studying with to understand not just the story, but the main point of what the Christian Life is like.  It's not always smiley faces, rose gardens, tea and crumpets.  Often, it's hard work, perilous temptations and doubts, and warfare.

So, without further adieu, here's the first part of the study as I gave it --- 19 years ago.  Enjoy, and comment if you like this and want me to continue.  (For the record, I only got 2/3rd's through the book at the time... if I am to do this, I'll need encouragement to finish the work.)  (PS: Feel free to use this in your own group studies if you think it will help, just make sure you credit John Bunyan for the original story and me for removing the "Thee's", "Thou's" and "Wheretofore's".)

Just to help you along, here's the link to --- Part 2

---

Narrator (Nar) - As I walked through the wilderness of this world, I came upon a certain place where there was an area for rest and as I sat down in that place, I grew sleepy.  In my sleep I dreamed a peculiar dream.  I dreamt that I saw a man dressed in dirty, worn out and torn clothing who was standing still in a vast meadow and holding a book in his hand.  This man seemed greatly burdened, as though a terrible weight had been placed upon his heart.  (Ps 38:4; Lam 3:17)

As he stood there, bowed beneath the burden of his thoughts, I watched as he opened the book and read of it's content and, as he read, he cried and trembled.  Suddenly, as though he could no longer bear the thoughts on his mind, he cried out with a mournful shout saying "What must I do?"  (Acts 2:37, 16:30; Matt. 19:16; Mk 10:17; Lk 18:18)

It was still in this distressed state that he turned and walked home.  He tried to hide his anxiety from his family, so that they would not become alarmed, but as he held it in it grew stronger and deeper.  (Ps. 14:10, 12:25; Lam. 3:19-20)  Finally he could keep his silence no longer and so he opened his thoughts to them saying:

Christian  (Chrs)  - "Oh my beloved family, my dear wife and children, I am crushed in my spirit by a burden that lies heavily upon me.  Even more, I am told (and am sure of it's truth) that our fair city will be burned to ashes by a fire from Heaven.  The time of this I am not sure of, yet this I know --- that if we remain here, then we, too, shall come to ruin and perish unless we can find some way to escape this certain tragedy.

Nar  - At the revelation of this, his family grew concerned for his condition  --- not because they believed him to be right, but in certainty that he had lost his mind and was of unstable rationality.  (Matt 10:34-36)  now, because night was upon them and hoping that maybe some sleep would settle him down, they urged him to go to bed and to rest.  That night, though, was more troublesome to him than that day had been, for his thoughts would not turn away from that certain sense of impending destruction. (Eccl. 1:23)  Because of this he spent his night in deep sighing and occasional crying --- seeking desperately for some escape from the sense of doom pressed upon his thoughts.  (Ps 32:3-4; Rev. 6:16-17)

In the morning they arose and asked him how he was, to which he replied that things were worse than before.  He said that during the night, he realized that this certain doom could come at any moment, and he was still in a state of despair as to what to do.  (Lk 12:20; 2 Cor 6:2)  He tried to convince them that he was not insane and that there was indeed a fiery judgment coming --- and to tell them that they too must seek a way of escape.  Yet they said he was mad and set their hearts against him, hardening themselves to his words.  (Lk 12:52-53; Matt 10:34-36)

This man stayed in this state for many days, even weeks, and I saw that his family would at times scoff at him and at other times mock him.  (2 Chr. 36:16; Ps 35:15-16, 80:6, 119:51)  They chided him for believing such fanciful tales, and even ignored him completely at times.   This being the case, he took it upon himself to withdraw into his study, to pray for them and pity them --- and to dwell there in the misery of his burdened thoughts.  I likewise saw him at times walking in fields, sometimes reading, often praying and all the while looking for a way of escape from the doom he understood to be imminent.  This is how I saw him in my dream.

After a while I saw him walking along reading his book and still in his greatly disturbed state when suddenly he stopped and cried out "What must I do to be saved?" (Acts 16:30)  I then looked and saw that he looked around himself as though trying to find some place safe to run and hide to find shelter. (Rev. 6:15-16)   It was then that I saw a man approaching, whom I will call "Evangelist (Evng)", who immediately began talking to him.

Evng  -- Why is it, sir, that you are so unwilling to die, seeing as this life is marked by so much pain, sorrow, grief and evil?  (Eccl. 1:14) 

Chrs   I stand under a great burden of fear which will not let my heart or mind go from it's terrors.  I fear that I shall sink lower than the grave to that place called "Tophet" (Isa. 30:33) and again elsewhere, the lake of fire.  (Rev. 20:14)   I feel, sir, in the depths of my mind and heart, that I am unable to stand this judgment and even still, to bear the thought of this judgment's execution. (Eccl. 12:14; Heb. 4:13)  It is because of these thoughts that I cry out in distress and anguish.

Evng  -- If this is your heart's condition, why is it that you stand still?  Why do you not run to the place of safety??? 

Chrs  Because I do not know where to run to!

Evng  -- Then Evangelist gave him a letter which read "REPENT, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand, turn and flee from the wrath that is to come."  (Matt 4:17; James 4:8-10; Lk 13:5; Romans 2:5)

After reading this carefully, the man gave Evangelist his attention and asked, "Where then must I run?"  Evangelist, pointing his finger over a very vast field, said "Do you see that sheep-gate afar off?"  (Matt 7:14; John 10:7) to which the man replied "No."   Evangelist then said "Do you see that brightly shining light?"  (John 8:12; Ps 119:105; 2 Pet. 1:19)  to which he replied, "I think I do."  Evangelist then told him "Keep that light in your eye and follow directly towards it.  Do not turn right or left, but go directly and speedily.  When you arrive, knock, and it shall be told to you what you should do.  (John 1:9; Matt 7:13, 7-8)

Nar - And so I saw in my dream that this man, perceiving what Evangelist said was true and faithful, began to run in the direction of the far off sheep-gate.  now he had not gone far from his own home before his family came out and seeing his direction, began crying out for him to return.  (Lk 14:26;)  This man then put his fingers in his ears, determined not to turn away from his course (Lk 14:33), running forward crying "Life, life, eternal life!"  He went onward neither turning right or left, nor looking behind himself, but fully keeping to the center of the field.  (Lk 9:62; Gen 19:17)

---

Study Questions and (Answers where applicable)  (Remember --- this was a group setting)

1. What was Pilgrim's distress?  (The judgment of God over sin)
2. Why was it so oppressive to him?  (Because he realized he could not pay for his own sins)
3. Why would no one else listen?  (Because they did not believe what he knew to be true.  They did not believe they'd sinned, they didn't believe God would judge them or they did not believe God exists.)
4. What was Pilgrim's book?  (The Law & the Prophets)  (Remember, he'd not found grace yet, he had to be pointed to it... and given the new in a letter by Evangelist)
5. How long do you suppose Pilgrim stayed in anxiety, anguish and despair?
6. When Evangelist came, he questioned Pilgrim about life.  Do you think that Evangelist's assessment of life was right?
7. Evangelist pointed him to a gate, what do you suppose was the significance of the gate was?  (Only one entrance into Heaven.  Narrow entrance.  Not easily found.)
8. Evangelist gave him a letter, what do you suppose it's significance to be?  (It was the testimony of Grace, the Gospels, the companion to the Law and the Prophets.)
9. His family opposed his going away (turning to Christ), why do you suppose this was?  (Hint: Psalms 49:13; Romans 1:32; 1 Peter 4:3-5)

I have intended to do this for weeks now.  I've been thinking about what we are generally thankful for, and how last year I took an unconventional stand to be thankful for those things we would rather go away, disappear or just leave us alone.  I felt that last years post really said it best, so I purposed to re-post it for everyone to re-consider.

---

Before I get to my Thanksgiving list, I want to explain the title a moment.  Situational thankfulness is what we all seem to fall to.  We are thankful when things are good, when things go our way, when we are blessed, when we are happy, when we care about what we are being thankful for, in short --- we fall into the pattern of being like the world, we are thankful for all the general things and not for the things that really test our mettle as Christians.

Renaissance_Phoenix (Amanda) challenged me to write a short paragraph on what I am thankful for this year.  Last year she challenged me, and what I wrote turned out to be the best post of the entire year.  Yesterday, I sat down with pen and paper to tell the story of my near-death experience from August.  What came out instead totally caught me off-guard and rearranged my thinking on thankfulness.  God has a way of doing that with me sometimes --- giving me the words to write only when I sit down in stillness and simplicity and allow him to speak ot my heart, often in a totally different direction than I was originally heading.

Today, I want to be serious, and I want you to honestly and seriously consider my words.  Turn them over in your minds.  Give them your earnest attention.  Pause and reflect, because I think in what I wrote yesterday will really give you grounds for a deeper thankfulness.  Please bear in mind --- I mean every word I wrote --- this isn't pithy words meant merely to evoke a knee-jerk response.  I paused after each bullet point and humbly thanked God for reminding me of what it means to follow him.

1. I'm thankful for stress, for it allows God the opportunity to bring peace as I seek Him. (Philippians 4:6-7)
2. I'm thankful for those who are bitter towards me & my message, for it allows me the chance to love my enemies and to show the love of God in my actions towards them.  (Luke 6:35)
3. I'm thankful for those who slander me behind my back and seek to bring strife, for it allows me the chance to forgive, even as my Lord forgave me. (1 Peter 3:16)
4. I'm thankful for want, for hunger, & for need, for it reminds me that God supplies when I trust Him and don't seek my own manner of fulfillment.  (Matthew 4:4)
5. I am thankful for worry, for it reminds me that I need to lay this matter at the feet of my Lord who told me "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication (along with thanksgiving) let your requests be made known to God." (Phil. 4:6)
6. I am thankful for sickness, for it reminds me that health is a gift & that this world is as temporary as the little pain I suffer. (Revelation 2:3)
7. I am thankful for fear, for it reminds me that I have turned my eyes away from God and am looking at my circumstances instead. (1 John 4:18)
8. I am thankful for dissatisfaction, for it serves reminder that the things of this world were never meant to take the place of God.  Likewise, it reminds me that I have a home in Christ that WILL satisfy, I have a hope in Christ that WILL endure, and I have all that I need when I seek Him first.  (Matthew 6:33; 1 John 2:15-17)
9. I am thankful for hard choices and tough decisions for they remind me that I need to seek to honor God first in all that I do.  (Colossians 3:17)
10. I am thankful for shame, for it reminds me that I need to serve God will all my heart & mind & strength & will, and it serves as a reminder to be diligent in doing so.  (Romans 5:5, 10:10-11)
11. I am thankful for failure, for it teaches me not to trust in my own strength and power, but to seek God to direct my paths.  (Proverbs 14:12, 16:3; Psalms 127:2)
12. I am thankful for sorrow, for it provides opportunity for God to comfort me, and it teaches me that there is hope as I turn my eyes to Him.  (2 Corinthians 1:3-5; Hebrews 12:11)
13. I am thankful for the ugliness I see in my own sinning, for it tells me that the Spirit of God works still in me to produce the righteousness that God desires.  It serves as a reminder that God hasn't given up on me.  (John 14:17, 16:8)
14. I am thankful for mourning, for tears that I cry in bitterness over my sin, for God tells me in those moments that He is closest to me, that He loves me, and that those tears are precious to Him. (Psalms 56:8; Matthew 5:4)
15. I am thankful for humiliation which reminds me that God seeks not the greatest, wisest, strongest and wealthiest, but instead he lifts up the meek and attends to the humble. (1 Corinthians 1:27-29)
16. I am thankful for weakness, for it is then that Christ is shown clearest in me. (2 Corinthians 12:10)

I am thankful for everything that the world despises, disdains & denies in rejecting those things I just wrote of.   For the people of the world rejected my Lord and crucified Him, they reject TRUTH and embrace lies instead, they reject God and seek to tear him down from His rightful place of adoration --- for the world believes we need to be strong to be thankful, proud to be thankful, rich to be thankful, well loved to be thankful, in good health to be thankful, in God says "In EVERYTHING give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

I pray that this serves to remind everyone out there that we have far more to be thankful for than we often consider.

To the honor and Glory of Christ, amen.

---

This year (2011) has been one of silence for me as I have tried to discern what God wants me doing here in Taiwan.  So let me add these last few points:

1. I'm thankful for God's silence, for it teaches me to patience.
2. I'm thankful for God's promises, for in times of silence they remind me that He hasn't forgotten me or left me. (Hebrews 13:5)
3. I'm thankful for God's care, because I know that he will provide when the time is right.  (Psalms 55:22, Philippians 4:19)
4. I'm thankful for God's patience, for it gives me time to repent of sins I try to cover, hide or carelessly conceal --- foolish man that I am.  (Proverbs 28:13, Romans 2:4)
5. I'm Thankful for God's Almighty Hand ---  knowing that once He has begun work in my life, he will not allow that work to go unfinished. (John 10:28-29, Philippians 1:6)
6. I'm thankful for God's grace and mercy, for I know I am an undeserving sinner and that true justice would be for me to be punished for all the times I have broken His commands.  (Luke 17:10, 18:13; Daniel 9:9-10)
7. Lastly, I'm thankful for God's compassion, because every morning I find that I need it all the more for my failures and sins --- and every morning I find it in fresh and ample supply.  So great is His incredible faithfulness.  (Lamentations 3:21-22; 2 Tim. 2:13)

So great is His incredible faithfulness.

Amen.

 Maybe it's just me, but I don't like to shout Kai and I's missionary needs to everyone out there.  I don't like to make it sound or seem like it's all about money.  For that reason, when Kai and I have needs, we wait for someone to ask, or we simply take it to God in prayer and leave it there for Him to respond to.  Either way, we have seen God supply as our needs arise --- without having to beg for support.

This summer we took a month long trip to America.  I did not want to go, for many reasons but mostly for the overall cost.  The trip ran us nearly 2 years worth of savings --- LITERALLY.  (We were still paying on that up til this week.)  The trip was deemed necessary because it was "family" (Kai's, not mine, although it was a sheer pleasure to spend 3 days with my youngest sister  who flew out to California on her own initiative to spend time with us --- Bonnie, you are priceless) and because it was the only grand-child's high school graduation. 

Only Grand child --- Kai's parents had 3 children, all girls.  Only the oldest had a child, The middle child won't have children and Kai and I can't have children, so Evaline is it for the Chen clan.  It was a major celebration, a graduation trip to Yellowstone for 9 people... and we all paid our own bills, or split where the cost was necessary to.

Anyway, Kai and I wound up cracking out the credit card and wound up putting over $2,000 on it.  For someone who has kept a ZERO balance for 2 years, that was a serious "Ouch".  We left it to God to take care of in His time and trusted that the trip was to be profitable for other reasons.  (It was --- God took the time to show Kai and I many things over the 30 days we were in America.)

In May of this year, I happened to catch an Ebay auction for 300 CD's, most of which were of semi-rare or rare status.  The asking price was $300, $1 a CD.  Were the CD's in mint condition, some of them would have been worth $100 each.  As it turned out, the fine print read "These CD's do not have front inserts, just the CD, a back insert and a soft plastic casing".  Ouch.  From $100 to $30.  Then... 3 of the most expensive CD's were damaged by the manner the owner kept them. From $100 to $ .00.  We only found this out AFTER everything was finalized and there was no turning back.  I bought the collection, shipped them to Kai's sister in America and figured we'd bring them back in our luggage.

I held those CD's for Christmas --- well, most of them have now sold, and the final price was just short of $2000.  (There were a few other things up for sale as well which helped.)   By this point in time we've already been paying on the credit card for a few months, so as of this week we have managed to pay it completely, plus Ebay fees (and Paypal fees.... *eyeroll*) and still have about $500 left over.

Kai and I have a need, something we've only mentioned to our church back home.  Our present computer is dying.  It's limping along, and not always cooperative.  We need a new one.  Considering it's 4 years old, it's lived to a ripe old age in Computer terms.   Thing is, in Taiwan, computers are not cheap.  The lowest cost we've seen is $18,999 ($628US) - $20999 ($695US) and that is well out of our means until sometime next summer.  We asked our church 6 weeks ago if they would be able to help --- no response.  I guess they have other things to attend to, and I mean that sincerely.  I do understand. 

Tonight we walked into the local equivalent of "Best Buy" here in Taiwan, and discovered a close-out computer --- something they almost never do here --- priced at $10900 ($360US).  It's still in the box, it has Windows 7 Premium, a 500gig Hard-drive and a decent video card.  We didn't buy it yet, but we are seriously considering it, weighing our options and making sure it's the right thing for us to do.  I'm pretty well sold on it, but God may give good reason for us to say "No, we'll wait" between now and tomorrow when we consider further the option to buy.

I don't believe that God wants me fabulously rich and driving sports cars, dining on caviar and living in an expensive house.  I don't believe this is His desire for all of his children --- I believe that those who do preach that are foolish and have lost sight of the fact that this world and it's treasures stand in the way of real, heavenly wealth.  I do believe, though, that God does supply our needs, and that He aids those that trust Him to provide.  He's proven that to me more times than I can count.  And this month --- He's done just that.  He gave us just enough to cover our bills, entirely, potentially buy a new computer and at only one half the regular price, and still have a little left over to look into finding decent Christian tracts covering the difference between Buddhism and Christ --- in Chinese.  (This has been a deep concern and desire of mine for months now)

We're not rich --- but in Christ, we have enough to cover whatever need arises.  God provides...

and you can be completely certain that His provision comes "at just the right time --- in just the right amount  --- with no strings attached."  That's one thing I do love about the sovereignty of God.  He is completely dependable, trustworthy and merciful.  Great is His faithfulness.

I can't believe I need to repost this, but it seems all the more important today as it did 6 months ago when I wrote it.  I've added a section at the end which is new information -- but the sentiment is still the same.  If you're making a faceless stand for Jesus by blindly cut & pasting some made up story to your facebook status or Xanga Friends and Subscribers list, then your not following the great commission.  You're only feeding your ego.  Read on.

---

This post comes in light of a recent Xanga Spam-mail I received:

I have to say that it really typifies a lot of American Christian thought that somehow taking an anonymous stand behind a equally anonymous online persona equates some form of "confession" of God before men.  While it is true that one may receive "hate mail" from such a move it's seriously highly doubtful.  Considering this was sent out to said persons "Friends and subscribers" it honestly probably makes no statement whatsoever on what you believe THAT YOUR FRIENDS DO NOT ALREADY KNOW.   In this person's case, I rather believe that instead she will receive pats on the back in re-assurance that this blatant spamming was in fact her "sharing her faith".

A real stand for the lord is not taken behind an anonymous online persona, but rather in OPEN PUBLIC amongst friends and enemies where it actually means something and potentially can cause affliction or persecution.  Doing this online is not a "stand for the Lord" as this person intones, but merely exhibits a lemming mentality --- similar to the blind following the blind --- with no real forethought to what it really means to BE Christian in the real world.   To honestly think that blind spamming somehow equals a Christian sharing his faith in a Muslim country (where that person could be stoned to death for such an act) or a Communist nation (where prisons are full of "Believers") cheapens and belittles those who've taken a REAL STAND before men.  I would hardly say that Stephen declaring his faith AND BEING STONED FOR IT somehow is on the same level as hiding behind an on-line identity and spam-bombing your friends list.

More and more I am seeing that people feel more comfortable with the anonymity of the internet than the nuts and bolts --- sticks and stones --- of real life.  Let the above person try to articulate her faith at a conference of Atheists --- I doubt she'd have the same "Boldness".   But we want so much to feel like we've "Accomplished" what Jesus has told us this we play these sort of mind-games with ourselves --- fooling ourselves into thinking we've made some big statement, when in point of fact, we've said nothing.

So, my friend, who has Mail-bombed your "Friends and Subscribers" List in an attempt to make your ego and self-image glow --- I would remind you that the key word in Jesus statement that you quote is "BEFORE" which I will use www.dictionary.com to define:

And I will likewise put the verse into a greater perspective by using the New Century version to give further definition.

 I've known Christians in India who are honestly persecuted for speaking up --- by being exiled by their families and forced to live alone.  I likewise known of Christians in China who were also harassed and tortured for speaking up about their faith.  I know a fellow missionary in Chad, Africa, who faces death daily for his love for Jesus, that he and his family might share the gospel to those who need it.  To equate their sacrifice and faith to the anonymous spam-bombing of a F-R-I-E-N-D-S list just seems tragic and shows a misunderstanding of what it means to LIVE for Jesus.   Leave your computer --- walk away from your friends list --- and start sharing the gospel with your next door neighbor who hates you.... then you will be fulfilling Jesus statement above.

---

Addendum 11-16-11

I have to say that this post becomes more and more pertinent as time passes.  More and more I'm seeing the lemming mentality (Lemmings will rush headlong into their deaths simply because another lemming starts running towards a cliff --- and all the rest blindly follow) among believers who equate "Copy and Paste" as some form of radical stand for Jesus.  As my Facebook status reads today ---- Until you can tell your neighbor "Jesus loves you" to his face --- you're not taking a stand where it counts.

It's quite easy to get smug about our following Jesus.  It's a dangerous thing to be.  Smugness is actually pride, the chief of sins, hiding behind the guise of "I'm doing the right thing".   God's not looking for people who cut, copy & paste their way through life --- he's looking for people who will get their hands dirty.  Who will take the risk of being spat upon, laughed at, crucified on a cross upside down --- in short, honestly persecuted --- because they are willing to put their faith where their M-O-U-T-H is.

When you copy & paste something to your Facebook status --- who are you talking to?  Your FRIENDS.  People you've CHOSEN to associate with.  If you're a typical American Christian, then this means you're talking generally only to other "Christians" --- in short you're patting yourself on your back.  You're preaching to the choir.  YOU ARE NOT "going into all the world" and YOU ARE NOT "making disciples of all men".   Spamming cut & paste pity-stories so that your friends and family can pat you on the back and tell you what a good job your doing is not "sharing" the gospel ---  Bluntly stated, it's a form of ego masturbation, it's a sin, not a stand.

The Bible has this to say regarding the gospel and our responses to it.

If people don't hear the WORD OF GOD they are not likely to respond TO God as they should -- in repentance and trust.  The sower sows "THE WORD" Jesus stated (Luke 8:11; Mark 4:14) --- meaning that the sower spreads the word around even when the soil is not receptive.  Faith comes by hearing THE WORD, Paul stated (Romans 10:8).  And James put it bluntly --- Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept THE WORD planted in you, which can save you.  Do not merely listen to THE WORD, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. (James 1:21-22)

Spam is spam.  Only the Word of God endures forever and will carry a man into Eternity.  Go tell someone out in the real world that Jesus loves them --- and let your friends on Facebook do the same.

Wasn't I just here but moments ago talking about cats?

In order for me to post my blogs to facebook, I have to sign IN to facebook.  Makes sense.  Doing so, just now, brought to my attention some news that is hot in America at the moment about an ABC News reporter "coming out" during his section of the nightly news.  I disgustedly read the article to see what my friend was intrigued by (finding out that "Spock" / "Sylar" Zach Quinto likewise announced himself gay thus leading to the News Anchor doing so) and came upon this quote by the person in defense of his actions.

Now I used the word "disgustedly" earlier.  I'm not disgusted that this man is homosexual.  I'm not disgusted that he's a sinner.  We all are.  What does disgust me is that he brazenly defends it in a way that makes people applaud him.  Let me take a moment and give you another point of view....  re-read this carefully.

Now the coin is flipped and instead of being praised for my openness and honesty --- for my being able to share the gospel of Christ with hurting and broken people or children --- instead I am likely to be attacked, vilifiled and called a plague to all mankind.  (Yes, I have heard that one already.  In my hearing, someone has compared Christianity to a virus that needs to be erradicated.)   EVEN THOUGH I TELL THE TRUTH. 

In my last post I was lamenting over being silent --- because I can't speak the language well enough to tell.  But how many of us out there know the words well.... and stay silent anyway?  This news anchor guy can speak openly about his homosexuality ---- brazenly declaring his sin to the world and being applauded for it ---- and to me, I find the disparity disgusting.  Maybe it's time for me to finally write "Judgment Comes, P5: When Evil's in Fashion" like I have been planning for 2 months now.  I don't doubt it will be unpopular.... but at least I won't have remained silent when I could speak the truth.

And to Dan Kloeffler --- your sin is nothing to be proud of.  Someday, God will hold you accountable for your words just as equally as He will your actions, as Jesus said "you will be judged for every idle word that you say." (Matthew 12:36)  Not only for what you say.... but for how it affects others. 

A verse so key to understanding how important our teaching others is, that it is found in 3 of the 4 Gospels.    Matthew and Luke add 

as if to emphasize just how grave the matter actually is.  Dan, and I say this as truth, a national platform is not the place to air your sins or be proud of them.