News from March 2011
Where is God in Japan?
Posted on March 17, 2011 by Pastor Tom
A colleague of mine put together these thoughts as we try to put the Japan disaster in perspective.
Where Is God? (By Pastor Torrey Robinson)
First came an almost unthinkable magnitude 10 earthquake. Then we heard news of a tsunami that wiped out whole towns. Now there are very real fears of a nuclear meltdown spreading deadly radiation to tens of millions of people. Just when it seems that things couldn’t get worse for the people of Japan, it does.
How do you believe in a loving, all-powerful God when you watch such calamity unfold before you? This is not only a question that thoughtful Christians ask. It is a question that a frightened world desperately needs us to answer. Let me summarize three helpful responses that Tim Keller details in his excellent book, The Reason for God.
1. Evil and suffering aren’t evidence against God. Just because you can’t see or imagine a good reason why God might allow something to happen doesn’t mean there can’t be one. Keller notes, “With time and perspective most of us can see good reasons for at least some of the tragedy and pain that occurs in life. Why couldn’t it be possible that, from God’s vantage point, there are good reasons for all of them?”
2. Evil and suffering provide a better argument for God’s existence than against it. How do we decide that the existence of pain and suffering is unfair? In his book, Mere Christianity C. S. Lewis, the atheist turned believer, explained the change in his own thinking. “My argument against God was that the universe seemed so cruel and unjust. But how had I got this idea of “just” and “unjust”?... What was I comparing this universe with when I called it unjust?... Of course I could have given up my idea of justice by saying it was nothing but a private idea of my own. But if I did that, then my argument against God collapsed too- for the argument depended on saying that the world was really unjust, not simply that it did not happen to please my private fancies… Consequently atheism turns out to be too simple.” In other words, these very objections to God assume an ultimate standard for fair play and justice which doesn’t exist if there is no God.
3. The truth is, the God of the Bible offers ultimate hope in tragic situations. The problem of tragedy and suffering is a problem for everyone. It is a mistake to think that if you abandon belief in God it somehow makes pain and calamity easier to handle. Christianity offers true consolation in the midst of our suffering. The philosopher, Peter Kreft, noted that the Christian God came to our world to address the problem of human suffering. In Jesus Christ, God not only experienced the greatest depths of pain, He did something about it. The message of the Bible is that Jesus not only suffered and died, but He also rose again.
People in Japan and people here in the United States need to understand that suffering and death don’t have the last word. God has entered our world, experienced our pain and conquered death. In the person of Jesus, He offers the world Resurrection hope to a new earth where there will be no more bad news, no more suffering and no more tears.
Lent
Posted on March 15, 2011 by Pastor Tom
Lent – a season unfamiliar to many protestant and evangelical Christians. Yet it can be a season of preparation for Easter. I think Joni Eareckson does a great job on a right focus during Lent. (In the next day or two, I will have some more thoughts on Japan and God’s heart for His suffering people there).
A Selfish Sacrifice
“What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ.
—Philippians 3:8
“So, what are you giving up for Lent?” That was a common question among kids as I grew up. And the answers were predictable for many of the girls: chocolate, chocolate, and chocolate!
If you’ve ever been a chocolate lover, you know what a sacrifice that can be. And that’s where our understanding of Lent and sacrifice perhaps went astray. You see, while our minds focused on the object of sacrifice, our purpose of sacrifice got lost. So it is with any sacrifice, Lenten or life-long. If we focus on the food, habit, energy, or time that we give up, we will have missed out on the gain.
“Gain?” you ask. “You’re not supposed to gain anything during Lent or from any other act of sacrifice. What kind of sacrifice gains anything?” Only the sacrifice worth making, that’s what kind. Because any sacrifice that is made for God must always focus on the gain: knowing Christ.
Paul was no stranger to sacrifice. In fact, he gave a list of his sacrifices in Philippians 3:1–7. He listed his heritage, his education, and his status and “What is more,” he adds, “I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ.” (Philippians 3:8)
Paul’s entire life, from the moment of conversion, was a Lenten season.
“What are you gaining for Lent?!
Lord, You know what I value. You know what I count as special in my life. Help me view everything-my achievements, people, things, and memories-as rubbish in order that I might gain You. Let Your will be done in my life that I might know You better.
(Taken from Diamonds in the Dust. Copyright © 1993 by Joni Eareckson Tada).
Help for Japan
Posted on March 11, 2011 by Pastor Tom
We’ve seen the terrible devastation from the earthquake and tsunami’s in Japan. Our church family supports 2 missionaries in Japan – Yuri Nakano and Carol Potratz. We received news today that they are safe. But there is lots of help needed. Here’s some info on ways you can you help through our denomination.
FOR IMMEDATE RELEASE
Dear NAB Pastors, Churches, and Friends,
The most powerful earthquake to hit Japan in recorded history struck off the island nation’s shore on Friday according to news reports.
Our NAB Missionaries are safe! But many need in the disaster region need help!
NAB churches have a long history of responding when disaster strikes. Now, once again, we extend an opportunity for you to help.
HERE IS HOW YOU CAN HELP
PRAY – Let’s pray for the families whose lives have been changed forever by this recent disaster in Japan.
GIVE – To aid relief efforts, visit the NAB website at www.nabconference.org/give and click “Disaster Relief.”
If you prefer to mail your donation, send your check marked “Disaster Relief Fund” payable to the North American Baptist Conference to one of the following addresses:
U.S. offerings: 36578 Treasury Center, Chicago, IL 60694–6500
Canadian offerings: P.O. Box 57235, Station A, Toronto, ON M5W 5M5
Thank you for considering this opportunity. Your generosity will make a lasting and meaningful impact on those in need!
On behalf of the Executive Team,
Tony R. Dunaway, CPA
Chief Financial Officer/VP of Ministry Support
North American Baptist Conference
1 S. 210 Summit Avenue
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
tdunaway@nabconf.org
630.495.2000 Ext. 256
*Please note: Funds received in excess of what is needed to support relief efforts in these areas will be designated for future disaster response efforts undertaken by the North American Baptist Conference.
The North American Baptist Conference and The North American Baptist Conference Foundation are registered 501©(3) nonprofit organizations. All donations are tax deductible in full or in part.
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Prayer. Burden? Joy? Guilt Producer?
Posted on March 3, 2011 by Pastor Tom
So this weekend I’m talking about prayer. I’ve had an interesting journey of prayer. Sometimes, I love it. Sometimes I struggle with it. Sometimes it feels like I’m just going through the motions. But I have to remember, prayer is not the be all and end all. It’s the One I’m praying to. He is the be all and end all. Prayer is our way to communicate with Him. So I need, we need to see prayer not as some duty to get over with but the way we connect with the Our dearest and most powerful Lord and Friend. Maybe looking at it that way can help transform prayer from some burden to something joyous. If you have any stories about your journey with prayer, please share. We all need to keep learning.