The Next Steps

by Joshua Bland

Life involves change. While most of the details of life are somewhat inconstant, that particular fact is not. Everything changes: we grow, our families grow, our jobs change, our interests and hobbies change, and we move.

It is amazing to me to think that God is working change in each of our lives. He is the sovereign Lord of all creation, and He knows every detail long before we do. David writes: "O Lord, Thou hast searched me and known me. Thou dost know when I sit down and when I rise up; Thou dost understand my thought from afar. Thou dost scrutinize my path and my lying down, and art intimately acquainted with all my ways" (Psalm 139:1-3). A few verses later he notes that "Thine eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Thy book they were all written, the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them" (Psalm 139:16).

As I am writing, my wife and I have been discussing what we are going to have for supper. In the big picture, this dilemma seems to me to be quite trivial. Since God knows all of my days before one of them came to be, He knows our present discussion, both its debate and its outcome. He has long known of the passions and opportunities which He has set before us, and is intimate with the details of my life. This becomes even more incredible when I realize that I am not the center of God's attention: the same way He saw the life of David, He sees and knows each one of ours. He knows all of our meal dilemmas, as well as everything else about us.

Recently, the Landing underwent an address change. This has occurred for several reasons. For quite some time, God has been guiding my heart and passion more and more towards educational ministry. This meant balancing time between family, school, and pastoral responsibilities. In recent months, He has affirmed and reaffirmed my calling to teach. After much prayer and consideration, I have resigned from my pastoral duties at Ouachita River Fellowship.

This change brings about much opportunity. For myself, my family, and my scholastic roles/responsibilities, this will open up many doors to serve and grow. However, it also offers a new dynamic to ministry. While I will no longer be a pastor at ORF, I will continue to write here at The Landing along with Thomy and Wade. Though the situation has necessarily changed according to the leading of the Holy Spirit, my commitment to sharing the Gospel and helping the Church grow in faith and ministry has not.

Knowing that God is omniscient, that He sees our every step and so much more, we are faced with an interesting question: will we trust Him as He leads? Will we step out in faith to answer His call in our lives? I can honestly say that I am no perfect example in this, but that I am eager to see how God will work in the days ahead. I pray for each of us that God would give us both discernment to hear His voice and courage to follow wherever He leads.

Bibliography

New American Standard Bible. La Habra, CA: Lockman Foundation, 1977. Kindle.

The Ministry of Reconciliation

by Joshua Bland

"Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ, and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation."

2 Corinthians 5:17-19

We have all been hurt by somebody. Perhaps it was intentional, perhaps not. Regardless, throughout the course of our lives, we get hurt and we are changed by that hurt. We may not always recognize the last part of this, but it is true. Sometimes this hurt leads to drastic changes in our character or behavior; at other times, all it does is cause what relationship existed to erode away bit by bit.

When I was younger, I was occasionally picked on. Even as I sit here writing now, I can remember their faces. I remember the names, the taunts, and the laughter. I remember how much it hurt. I remember trying to solve it by taunting back, by pushing them the way I was being pushed. It never worked. I also remember the first day of high school, several years later, when some guys tried to start it up again. We were standing in the lunch line as our freshman year began and I heard them in line behind me. I remember turning around, laughing with them, and asking how their summer had been. I did not know then the importance of that single moment, but it was the catalyst that God would use over the next few years to lead to mutual respect through reconciliation.

The Bible has much to say on this topic. Murray J. Harris defines reconciliation as "not some polite ignoring or reduction of hostility but rather its total and objective removal" (353). As Paul writes to the Corinthian church, he describes how divine reconciliation works: though we had committed the offense, God, through Christ, reconciled us to Himself. God then calls us to the ministry of reconciliation. We are made, as Paul describes in 2 Corinthians 5:20, "ambassadors for Christ, as though God were entreating through us; we beg on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God."

We, as disciples of Jesus Christ, are called to reconcile others to God. We are His agents of reconciliation, seeking to help all mankind return to a right relationship with our Creator. We represent Him.

In the fourteen years since the story I told you earlier, I have both hurt others and been hurt by them. Though we are Christ's representatives, there are still things in our lives that we need to work on, and these works can only be accomplished by His power. Reconciliation, as Harris notes, "is a continuing process as well as an accomplished fact" (354). Paul writes in other passages of the ongoing struggle between our flesh and the Spirit. Daily we must allow our spirits and minds to be reconciled and renewed in Christ Jesus.

Something interesting happens in the midst of this. If I am being reconciled to God and you are being reconciled to God, we are inherently being reconciled to each other. Whatever our differences, we are being made one in the body of Christ. This does not mean that we are perfect or that we are not going to have our differences, but by the example of Christ we are reconciled also to each other. Our relationships with one another are redefined and we can begin to challenge each other positively towards growth in Christ.

Just as God, despite our offenses, sought to reconcile us to Himself, we should strive for reconciliation with those who have offended us and with those we have offended.

Bibliography

Harris, Murray J. "2 Corinthians." The Expositor's Bible Commentary. Ed. Frank E. Gaebelein. By Arthur A. Rupprecht. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Pub. House, 1981. Print.

New American Standard Bible. La Habra, CA: Lockman Foundation, 1977. Kindle.

Standing?

by Joshua Bland

The song included above, Coat of Arms, has become very important to me as of late. This has been a challenging year for me, and I have learned much pertaining to both academics and life in general. However, as of late, there has been a particular challenge that has been impacting me. Take a look at some of the lyrics from the chorus:

What do I live for?

Can you tell on my face what my heart beats for?

Do the words that I speak show it to the core?

Does my glow outshine the stars?

Can you see my coat of arms?

What do I stand for? When I ask this question, it is not, as is often considered in American society, directly referring to a political stance, although that certainly would be the logical conclusion. Instead, the heart of my asking is this: what ideas and worldview and I going to represent? If I am completely honest, I feel that many days I take a somewhat passive or even negligent approach to this.

You can learn much about a person through their actions. While this is certainly the case, I know myself to be a creature of habit. There are things that I do because that is the way I have always done them. Going through the mechanics every day has a tragic side effect: I forget to really, deeply evaluate the cause. Do I get the door for someone because I usually get the door, or do I get the door to show that they matter? Is my action just that, an action, or is it done with the purpose of showing others the love of Christ?

So is every little thing I do going to be done to share the Gospel? Because I am still human, the answer is a resounding no. The point is this: we need to be intentional. Paul writes to the Colossian believers, saying, "Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity" (Colossians 4:5). Curtis Vaughan offers the following in his commentary: "To 'be wise in the way you act toward outsiders' is to show practical Christian wisdom in dealing with secular society. Paul's words imply that believer are to be cautious and tactful so as to avoid needlessly antagonizing or alienate their pagan neighbors."

And there, my friends, lies the challenge. We need to think about what we are doing and the impact it is having on those around us. No man is an island, and no action goes without interpretation. By simply going through the mechanics, no matter how nice we may be, people will just see the action. Love must be intentional. Living and acting out of love for others must be even more so.

Bibliography

New American Standard Bible. La Habra, CA: Lockman Foundation, 1977. Kindle.

Vaughan, Curtis. "Colossians." The Expositor's Bible Commentary. Ed. Frank E. Gaebelein. By Arthur A. Rupprecht. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Pub. House, 1981. Print.

In Memoriam

by Joshua Bland

A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of visiting the World War II memorial in Washington DC. While there were other things going on during my time in the capital, this was the one stop to which I was most looking forward. Because of delays, it was removed from the itinerary of the group with which I was travelling; thankfully, on the last day I had some time on my own to make the trip to honor all of the soldiers of this era in general and one in particular.

My Papa fought in the Pacific campaign. He returned home to the States and worked hard to make a life for his family. He lived on the same street his entire life; and for the majority of my life, I lived right across the road from him. I can not begin to estimate how many times my sister and I would visit him after school or have lunch with him on weekends, holidays, and during summer break. While I am unable to count the number of times we talked as he sat in his recliner and smoked his pipe, I can remember the conversations and the impact he made on my life.

Several months ago, we laid my Papa to rest just a few miles from home. He received full military honors. It was an incredible honor to serve as one of his pallbearers and to participate in the ceremony. At the time, I already had my DC excursion on the calendar; that very day, the summer trip took on a whole new meaning for me.

Going to the World War II memorial became a personal mission to pay further respect to my grandfather and the men and women who served alongside him. The desire to honor our predecessors and heroes is natural to us. It is ingrained in us by American culture, although this is not strictly an American idea. Instead, it takes varying forms throughout every culture in the world.

In the Bible, building memorials had a twofold purpose: (1) to remember men, women, and events, and (2) to acknowledge the work of God in history. Building memorials is especially prevalent in the Old Testament, though we do see references to this cultural tradition in the New Testament. Let's look briefly at one biblical memorial described in Joshua 4:1-7:

"Now it came about when all the nation had finished crossing the Jordan, that the Lord spoke to Joshua, saying 'Take for yourselves twelve men from the people, one man from each tribe, and command them, saying, 'Take up for yourselves twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, from the place where the priests' feet are standing firm, and carry them over with you, and lay them down in the lodging place where you will lodge tonight.'' So Joshua called the twelve men whom he had appointed from the sons of Israel, one man from each tribe; and Joshua said to them, 'Cross again to the ark of the Lord your God into the middle of the Jordan, and each of you take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Israel. Let this be a sign among you, so that when your children ask later, saying, 'What do these stones mean to you?' then you shall say to them, 'Because the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off.'' So these stones shall become a memorial to the sons of Israel forever."

The construction of a single memorial is here described; yet, look at all of the things it stands for: the twelve tribes of Israel, the waters of the Jordan being cut off, the Israelites' passage through the Jordan, and the camp site where the Israelites stayed after crossing. If we look back into the previous chapter, we find that there is even more symbolism: "And Joshua said, 'By this you shall know that the living God is among you, and that He will assuredly dispossess from before you the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Hivite, the Perizzite, the Girgashite, the Amorite, and the Jebusite" (Joshua 3:10). This event signifies a promise of the inheritance of the promised land by God's chosen people.

We could look at many more examples. In many cases and across many cultures, memorials are physical, constructed by man for a specific purpose. Memorials may also be ritual. A biblical example of a ritual memorial is that of the Passover, which is described in Exodus 12; this ritual is redefined under the New Covenant, and the apostle Paul gives a discussion over it in 1 Corinthians 11:23-34.

Whether edifice or ritual, building and keeping memorials is vital to our existence. It is a part of our personal, as well as social and cultural, heritage.

Our challenge today is to take time and remember. I know you're busy; I am too. However, there have been many people and events which have remarkably shaped each one of our lives. Perhaps this means taking a few minutes to look at some pictures you haven't seen in a while, or making a phone call, or paying a visit to a place that was dear to you. Perhaps, instead, it is as simple as being still and reflecting. Today, let's remember, and let's thank God for the men and women that He has put in our lives to shape us. Let's honor God for His work in and around us.

Bibliography

New American Standard Bible. La Habra, CA: Lockman Foundation, 1977. Kindle.

Church Member?

by Thomy Green

Somewhere along the way the definition of church member changed to look more like country club member.  Shame on us.  For many American Christians the most important question they ask regarding church is, “What’s in it for me?”  This runs contrary to the real question, “What can I put into it?”

The church is about service, just not you being served.  Rather it’s about you serving.  Everyday we should look for opportunities to serve those around us.  Those people include other church members and non-church members alike.  We must remember that it is not about us.  We are all a part of something much bigger.

Together we make up the body of Christ.  Are you a hand, foot, arm, or some other part?  As we continue to grow in number it will become increasingly difficult to fight the urge to not be a come and be served church.  We MUST also be a come and serve kind of church.  Why?  Christ taught us how to serve.  Let us follow Jesus’ example and make a difference in the lives of those around us.  Search for ways to be a game changer in the life of someone God will put in your life. 

Reign in Me

by Joshua Bland

"I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry. He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay; and He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm. And He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; many will see and fear, and will trust in the Lord. How blessed is the man who has made the Lord his trust, and has not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse in falsehood." (Psalm 40:1-4)

The Psalms offer us a glance into many facets of Hebrew life in antiquity. We are able to see glimpses of events in the lives of individuals and the community through their eyes; beyond that, we can begin to see how they viewed those events in light of God's work in the world. We also get glimpses into their theology.

This particular Psalm has always been one of my personal favorites. "He brought me up out of the pit of destruction... and He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; many will see and fear, and will trust in the Lord." When God works in our lives, He does so for a reason. Despite what my selfish nature would like to think, that reason is not just for me alone. God's works in our lives are not to be hoarded as something we can possess for ourselves, but instead are meant to be proclaimed and shared. The difference He makes in us should lead us to make a difference in the lives of others.

Reign in Me

Mighty Father, reign in me

You who gave the breath of life

From the first You brought to be

a creation free of strife

When we turned and ran away

You pursued us for Your own

Longing just to bring us home

Mighty Father, reign in me

Dearest Jesus, reign in me

Take me back to Calvary

Where You died and set us free

Gave us fresh new life in Thee

As we all in sin were bound

and could not escape its chains

In Thy love, redemption's found

Dearest Jesus, reign in me

Holy Spirit, reign in me

for the glory of Your name

Take my life and let it be

one that ever brings You praise

Though I fail these countless times

Your great love remains the same

Guiding Light, my Hope always,

Holy Spirit, reign in me

Bibliography

New American Standard Bible. La Habra, CA: Lockman Foundation, 1977. Kindle.

Reign in Me by Joshua Bland is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Running and Crawling

by Joshua Bland

From time to time, I feel inspired to write poetry. It is an exercise which challenges the linguist, the disciple, the teacher, the artist, and the human in me. I find that it helps me to reflect on what God is doing in the world, as well as on how I see Him working in my heart and mind.

Poetry has a beauty to it. However, this beauty does not always mean happiness; it often takes a much more realistic view on the struggles and consequences of humanity.

Peccatum curro ad Rapuit meam vim Me ferus haurisit Cultero pungente Dentibus seratis Sed in mea desperatione Dominus servat me Vitam meam mutat Animadvertite: Peccato curro ab Repo ad Te

I run toward sin It seized my soul The savage devoured me by the piercing knife by sharp teeth But in my desperation the Lord saves me He changes my life Observe: I run from sin I crawl to You

Here's the honest truth: I, like everyone else, struggle with temptation and sin; this is a fact which we recognize to varying degrees. For the disciple of Jesus Christ, this becomes a more accentuated part of life. Listen to how the apostle Paul describes it in Romans 7:14-25:

"For we know that the Law is spiritual; but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. For that which I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. But if I do the very thing I do not wish to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that it is good. So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which indwells me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the wishing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. For the good that I wish, I do not do; but I practice the very evil that I do not wish. But if I am doing the very thing I do not wish, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wishes to do good. For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind, and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin."

Jesus Christ died as the atonement for our sins. In other words, He paid our debt: yours and mine. For the disciple of Christ, there is redemption. He did not, however, remove us entirely from sin. Notice Paul's final words in the preceding section: he strove to serve the law of God with his mind, but his flesh was constantly wrestling with the law of sin. This is true for us all. We still find ourselves running to sin.

How then do we wrestle this natural inclination within us? How do we find victory over the sin which ensnares us? John Owen, reflecting on the biblical ideas of the law of God, writes the following: 

"Afterward God renews this law, and writes it in tables of stone [the Ten Commandments, representative of the Old Covenant]. But what is the efficacy of this law? Will it now, as it is external and proposed unto men, enable them to perform the things that it exacts and requires? Not at all. God knew it would not, unless it were turned to an internal law again; that is, until, of a moral outward rule, it be turned into an inward real principle."

In other words, we can not seek simply to follow rules. We, especially as Americans, are socially conditioned to be independent. We will follow rules when we must, but there is a tendency in us to want to cross that line, pushing the limits placed upon us. If we use Scripture or personal philosophy to try and establish boundaries for our actions, counting on these boundaries to keep us from sin, we will fail.

Instead, we need to be changed inwardly. External motivators, while effective for a time, will not have the lasting impact of internal convictions. Thus we hear another challenge from the apostle Paul: "I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect" (Romans 12:1-2, emphasis mine).

What we need, my friends, is not a new set of rules, but a complete change of heart.

Bibliography

New American Standard Bible. La Habra, CA: Lockman Foundation, 1977. Kindle.

Owen, John. Indwelling Sin in Believers. Louisville, KY: GLH, n.d. Vintage Puritan Ser. Kindle.

Peccatum curro ad by Joshua Bland is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.