Pray for Rifqa

I've been putting together a list of things to pray about for the persecuted church this morning. Usually the prayer concerns I share with Christ's Church are from places like India, China, and Pakistan, but God led really impressed on my heart that there are things here in America to be praying about as well. For those who have not heard about a young girl named Rifqa Bary, I encourage you to read this background info. from rifqabary.com, or search her name yourself and read up on the case. Then watch this video.

As I researched for this post, I found a lot of people casting doubt on this situation, even Christianity Today. I'm not trying to incite hatred against muslims, I'm trying to rally people to pray for a sister in Christ who is obviously in a messed up situation. It is rare enough to see any teenager be on fire for Jesus these days, but it is especially amazing that this girl comes from a Sri Lankan family with many generations of devout muslims. Maybe there is more to this story than what she has has stated, certainly there are some Christian groups that are turning this into a battle, but the reality is that honor killings do happen, and I for one think that there must be some legitimacy to her claims.

God's word seems to make it clear that the church should support her in whatever way we can, and at the same time be sensitive to not use this to wage media wars against all muslims. May God touch our hearts as we consider Rifqa's situation and how we can love our sister in Christ. May we remember her, her parents, and the courts in prayer; dates are set for hearings on October 17th in Florida and October 27th in Ohio. May God fill us with a passionate devotion for Him that is unashamed, a devotion that Rifqa appears to have.

If you want to read more from a variety of perspectives, check out the following links:

http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/08/media_lies_about_rifqa_bary.html

http://ibloga.blogspot.com/2009/08/we-kept-shouting-louder-and-louder-and.html

http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/08/islamic-lies-and-smear-campaign-against-rifqa-bary-brainwashed-by-a-cult.html

http://talkislam.info/2009/09/27/transcript-of-rifqa-bary-phone-call-i-m/

http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/when-two-become-one-rifqa-bary-and-religious-rights-battle-against-islam

I am Second

I know that a lot of famous people have "come to Christ" over the years, only to return back to a life of loving the world and forsaking whatever relationship they once claimed to have with Jesus. Despite all that, I was touched by this video about the former guitarist of the metal band Korn. It was put together by a movement called I am Second. They have put out many videos that feature testimonies from people who were forever changed when Christ took first place in their lives. Many of these videos feature well known politicians, musicians and actors. The I am Second movement and this video in particular are great reminders that no one is beyond the reach of God's love and His redeeming power.

Lament Part 2

Thanks to those who gave me some feedback on the last lament post. I wanted to follow it up with just a few more ideas I took away from Michael Card's 2nd lecture, which focused on the book of Job. Some of his observations of Job's friends and how they helped and hurt his lament process was particularly interesting to me, and can help us learn how to best help someone in their suffering.

It is in Job 2 that his three friends Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar come on the scene. At this point Job has had many animals stolen by raiders, some animals have been killed by fire from heaven, servants have been killed, and his own children have been killed. As if that weren't enough, Satan has gone even farther and afflicted Job with sores. Job's friends see him from a distance and begin weeping and tearing their robes. Then they do something incredible, they sit in silence with him for 7 days.

The next 30 chapters records the words of Job and his friends as they talk about his suffering. His friends try to assert that he must be guilty in some way, why else would these terrible things happen to him? That's "the equation" way of thinking that I mentioned in part 1. Of course Job defends his innocence, because he hasn't sinned, God himself has attested to Job's blamelessness (Job 2:3). Finally Job's friends give up, which Card points out is an example of the exhaustion of human wisdom in matters of suffering.

Then in chapter 32, a younger man named Elihu has been listening and finally chimes in. Card compared him to the young guy just out of seminary who thinks he has all the answers. Elihu specifically tries to defend God in all of this, and convince Job that his suffering must be a result of some kind of sin. I can relate to wanting to do this when people question God's goodness, but God does not need us to defend Him. It is interesting to note that in all of these words from Job's friends, they talk about God, but don't really talk to God.

Finally God speaks out in chapter 38-42. Card asserts that this is where God could have given the answer to the question of innocent suffering, but He doesn't. What is even more powerful, as we see in the New Testament, is that God gives His own Son as the ultimate example of innocent suffering which will actually bring about the end of all the evil in this world. God Himself, in Jesus Christ, has shared in this experience of innocent suffering, just like Job.

Michael Card ends this lecture with several suggestions for how we can enter redemptively into people's suffering. I found this very helpful since I often don't know what to do. Just remember these are suggestions drawn from Job and the advice of counselors.

-Silence (prayer is certainly encouraged in this time)

-Establish a safe place where the person can feel free to express their thoughts and feelings. Don't be like Job's friends and tell the person that they must be guilty of something to have something like this happen to them.

-Breathe (slow and deep)

-Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth of the situation to you

-Do no interrupt, don't try to fix the situation, don't try to explain why this is happening. Just be present.

-Don't touch someone when they weep, particularly avoid embracing. Apparently this can be interpreted as trying to fix things. Perhaps limit yourself to putting your hand on the person's back behind their heart. (Again, this is just advice that a counselor gave Michael Card).

Finally, it is important to distinguish between innocent suffering and consequential suffering (result of sin or choices). When the time is right, the person who is experiencing consequential suffering will need help with getting free from the sin or poor decision making that brought their suffering about.

For those who might be looking for some lament-related scriptures and songs, here's a few that come to my mind:

Scriptures

Lamentations (chapter 2 hits me especially hard)

Psalm 13

Psalm 39

Habakkuk (God actually does give some answers here)

Revelation 7:14-17 and chapter 21 (hope and promise to hold on to in the midst of suffering)

Songs

When the Tears Fall (Tim Hughes)

Psalm 13 (Shane & Shane)

Blessed Be Your Name (Matt Redman)

You Never Let Go (Matt Redman)

Deliver Me (David Crowder Band)

It is Well (Horatio Spafford)

I Grieve (Peter Gabriel, not a "Christian song," but a very powerful lament nonetheless)

Lament - Part 1

I was blessed to come across some lectures on lament from Michael Card a few months ago and I've been mulling on much of what he's said ever since. I think the topic of lament is very important because I sense that some followers of Christ may not realize that thoroughly expressing their pain and questions to God is a part of a worshiper's life. I have seen and heard of many situations where this disconnect has done great harm to people's faith. So, I wanted to share a few of the things that I took away from these lectures to encourage us all to feel free to lament and worship God in that way.

There is something that Card calls "the equation," an assumption that people through the ages have operated under and expected . Here is "the equation"- God blesses those who are good, and punishes those who are bad. Lament often occurs when people don't see this equation actually working out in real life. Card takes us to Psalm 73 to see a clear example of this.

Verse 1 says that "God is good...to those who are pure in heart." That's a true statement, but it carries that idea of "the equation" in it, which would be that evil won't be experienced by the pure in heart.

Verses 3-12 describe wicked people, how they are prospering despite their pride, violence and mocking of God. In fact the psalmist says that the wicked don't have the troubles that the common good people do. Of course this isn't an accurate statement, but it's true of his experience at this moment and he needs to express this complaint to God.

The psalmist then deduces from this that, "Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure" (verse 13). Again, not true, it is not a vain thing to follow God and walk in righteousness. But Card asserts that this confusion needs to be offered up to God as an act of worship. I don't get this God, but I bring it to you, even though I'm questioning you in all this. Why is it that people who are righteous suffer, while these wicked guys over here are fat dumb and happy?

Half way through, in verses 17 and forward, the tone changes drastically. "You hold me by my right hand," "You guide me with your counsel," "Those who are far from you will perish...But as for me it is good to be near God." What happened to bring about such a transition? The psalmist doesn't get all his questions answered, He gets what he needed. He needed God's presence, and by going to the sanctuary and pouring out this lament in worship, God showed up and met that need.

Michael Card makes the point that when people are lamenting, you don't see God severely rebuking them for things they've said, even when they aren't true. Why would God permit things like psalms 22, 39, 137 (and many others), Job 7, Lamentations, and many more passages of scripture to be in His perfect Word unless He permitted us to give voice to our frustrations, doubts, anger and hatred? It's all part of the process in my opinion. Besides, we see both in Psalm 73 and in Job that eventually those who questioned God, once they've been in His presence, apologize for things they've said.

Sojourn Music - Over the Grave

A couple of weeks ago I caught wind of a unique worship music album that had been produced by Kentucky-based Church community.  I was intrigued by the concept behind it and was motivated by several enthusiastic blog reviews to investigate further.  I was able to preview some of the material and after that is was a no brainer, I placed my order and have been waiting expectantly ever since.  I received my copy of Sojourn's CD "Over the Grave - The Hymns of Isaac Watts Volume 1" in the mail right before a long car ride on Saturday.  Perfect timing.  The hour plus car ride gave me (and my lovely wife) more than enough time to really listen to this album and pick it apart a bit.  All I can say is wow! 

Here's a little bit more about this project from Sojourn's website...

"As musicians, pastors and songwriters, our desire was to explore the hundreds of hymns that Watts wrote during his lifetime, to learn from the incredible range and depth of his lyrics, and to re-envision those songs with modern language and melodies.  In particular, we gravitated towards themes that seem unfortunately absent in modern worship — themes about God’s wrath and judgment, His righteousness, and a dramatic vision of the cross and atonement of Christ."

There is definitely an indie/alternative sound to this album, but there is quite a bit of variety, and even if that's not your style, I can't see how anyone could deny what a great work this is and how it accomplished the vision stated above.  So far my favorite songs are "Only Your Blood is Enough," "We are Changed" "Refuge," "Living Faith," but they are all good.  I have no problem saying you should spend the $14 (including shipping) and purchase this album and support this effort.

I am encouraged that there are gifted Christian artists out there committed to quality work like this, and it's great that it came out of a church and not a record company trying to have another hit worship record.  This is better content-wise and music-wise than most of the worship albums I've listened to in the last few years!     

Click here for more info. on Sojourn and this album.

Worship Wars- Are These People Serious?

If you have a few minutes, click here and read some of the comments people have left in response to this video of an old Brian Doerksen song (writer of "Come Now is the Time to Worship"). I stumbled upon this in a search for a contemporary version of "A Mighty Fortress is Our God" and it breaks my heart to see such things being said from people that apparently claim to be following Jesus.

Do these people not realize that at one point in history there was a group of Christians who banned or destroyed pipe organs because they said they were ungodly? Now these people think that pipe organs are holy and drum sets and electric guitars are evil and fleshly. God make us one please and stop our foolish arguments over musical styles. Michael Card is so right in saying that we need to de-sacramentalize music. Not that we shouldn't use it in worship, but music is not a uniquely Christian way to connect with God (as opposed to baptism and communion), but there certainly is not one music style that uniquely connects us to God.