Mideast Turmoil has Biblical Root

(originally published in The Daily Press - Religion Section, August 30, 2014)

How does a nation the size of New Jersey throw the entire Middle East into conflict? The answer can be found in the book of Genesis.

God made a covenant with Abraham promising a son would be born through his barren wife Sarah, and that their descendants would inherit the land of Canaan (Gen. 12:4-7; 13:12-18; 15:18-21). After years of waiting on God to open Sarah’s womb, in her limited perspective of the circumstances, Sarah decided to help advance God’s plan by asking her Egyptian servant Hagar to sleep with Abraham.

Sarah’s inner logic concluded that she was the obstacle and took matters into her own hands to provide the son. Abraham went along with the idea and a son called “Ishmael” was born.

God reiterated the promise to Abraham: “but your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him” (Gen. 17:15-16; 19).

Isaac was born to Sarah at the very time God promised.

Isaac became the father of Jacob, from which the 12 tribes of Israel were birthed. Out of that lineage, Jesus Christ the Messiah was born to the Virgin Mary. Abraham loved Ishmael and asked for God’s blessing on him. God answered that Ishmael would become a “great nation” leading “12 rulers” (different from the 12 tribes of Israel).

He married an Egyptian woman and became father of the Arab nations according to Islamic, Jewish and Christian traditions. The Islamic prophet Muhammad came through the line of Ishmael.

A myriad of lessons can be gleaned from this segment of history. Most importantly: Doubt in God lies at the root of all sin.

Sarah didn’t believe God at his word and Abraham went along with her contrived plan.

This reminds us of the scene with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Dr. Larry Crabb suggests the silence of Adam “is the beginning of every man’s failure.”

These women doubted God at his word; but moreover, the instruction from God came through the men. Adam and Abraham not only failed their wives by accepting the human reasoning, but they failed to represent God in the situation after being instructed otherwise. Sin has a ripple effect; all humanity suffers the consequences of the above.

We can take the perspective that this was not necessarily lack of obedience on Abraham and Sarah’s part, but rather a false obedience resulting from a human way of thinking.

The late Dr. Ray S. Anderson writes, “true faith and true obedience come as a gift of God’s grace, and the inner logic of that gift requires that where we have inserted a human possibility the grace of God must remove it.”

Doubt and failure to wait on God’s perfect timing created a conflict that continues to intensify in our world today. The angel of the Lord told Hagar that Ishmael would “live in hostility toward all his brothers” (Gen. 16:12). This is the biblical root at the heart of Middle East turmoil. God’s holy city Jerusalem is considered sacred ground by all three monotheistic religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The Jewish look for a coming Messiah; Christians watch for the return of Christ; and Muslims await the Mahdi.

With the escalating tensions in our world, be reminded of King David’s words and “pray for the peace of Jerusalem” (Psalm 122:6).

The Rev. Heidi Summers is affiliated with Freedom in Christ Ministries, is a board certified pastoral counselor, board certified life coach and is currently completing her doctorate at Fuller Theological Seminary.

Humble Servants of Christ

(originally published in The Daily Press - Religion Section, August 23, 2014) 

“Humility” too often is assigned a weak connotation in our culture, going against the dominant values of competition, self-promotion, egotism, and hobnobbing.  Ancillary dictionary definitions include “ranking low in hierarchy; insignificant; low in condition or rank.” Humility, from a biblical perspective, is something more to be understood.

Harvard did a study that looked closely at how society participates in social ranking. The control group was asked if they would rather earn $50,000 a year while other people make $25,000 or would they rather earn $100,000 a year while other people earned $250,000? The majority responded that they would rather earn twice as much as others, even though it meant having half as much.

This result is one among thousands of experiments in behavioral economics demonstrating that rank trumps absolute financial status.  Moreover, this flies in the face of the psychological myth known as homo economicus; where economic man is considered rational, self-maximizing and efficient in making choices.

Not only is this irrational, but diametrically opposed to the ways of God. Our behavior will consistently reveal how we think. Does your behavior as a Christian model your belief? If someone were to shadow you for a day, could you relax and be yourself or would you feel a need to adjust some of your behaviors to coincide with your professed belief?

I must confess I am a left lane driver; when I drive into Pasadena during the week and get stuck behind a car that disregards the “slower traffic keep right” instruction, I don’t often have biblical thoughts toward them. Similarly, we would do well to remember that everyone is traveling at a different pace along the road of sanctification.

Contrary to the ways of the world and this culture, Philippians 2 states that our attitude “should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.” The text goes on to say we are to be “like minded, one in spirit and purpose.”

Unity must be a mental attitude as much as an actual practice. These qualities are essential not just for our own personal spiritual growth and maturity, but also for the spiritual growth and maturity of the church. The church is only as effective in advancing the kingdom of God as the people comprising the body of Christ.

The next few verses say to “do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” C.S. Lewis reminds us “humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less.” Sometimes we are blind to how we see others and how we treat them based on our perceived needs, rights, or privileges.

The ways of the world are dog eat dog, replete in one-upmanship. Perhaps there is a place in your heart of selfish ambition or vain conceit that masquerades as false humility. It’s easier to have others to serve us; assigning social classes and rankings, and stepping over others to get where we want to go.  

This conflicts with the truth that theologically, apart from God, we are not entitled to anything. We are the ones that owe. Who we owe is God, and what we owe is this: “To love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength and to love our neighbor as ourselves” (Luke 10:27). 

If we are doing that, we’ll stop keeping score of rights and wrongs, who’s in front or behind, or the need to toot our own horn.  

The repeated message, not only in Philippians 2, but throughout the entire Bible, is to live humbly as servants of Christ and obediently as children of God. Therein lies the blessing.  While the social ranking studies at Harvard represent a majority that desires to rank first, we know that as Christians, we aren’t supposed to socially categorize ourselves first or even second.  Imitating the humility of Christ is to find true J-O-Y: Jesus, Others, You.

The Rev. Heidi Summers is affiliated with Freedom in Christ Ministries, is a board certified pastoral counselor, board certified life coach and is currently completing her doctorate at Fuller Theological Seminary.

The Return of Christ

(Originally published in The Daily Press - Religion section, August 16, 2014) 

You will hear of wars and rumors of wars … nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. … Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. (Matt. 24:6-9) 

Jesus’ words are coming to life before our eyes. Headline news is saturated with world chaos, violence and vitriol; looting and riots; murder and suicides; earthquakes and hurricanes, famine and drought; every type of abuse, depression, and so forth.

Most Christians recognize this time period as prophetic “birth pains” pointing to the return of Christ. Ironically, the heavy metal band Motley Crue, currently out on their good-bye tour, sings new song lyrics: “All bad things must end. All bad things must die. Even the Devil’s gotta pay for his crimes.”

I hope concertgoers are listening up because those words contain biblical truth. Scriptures speak of future major events that will affect the entire universe and all forms of evil will come to an end. All evangelicals agree that Christ will return, and they agree in the final results of that second coming. Their disagreements lie in the timing of that return. 

Whatever your theological position, we can all agree this is a rapidly changing turbulent world and the Church is watchful for Christ’s return; complete with a new heaven and earth free from chaos, sickness and sorrow. (Rev. 21:1) 

This theme of hope runs throughout the New Testament and speaks to the sudden, visible return of Christ. Peter said “the day of the Lord will come like a thief” (2 Pet. 3:10) and that he will come again and take you to be with him. (John 14:3)  Christ himself will descend from heaven with a loud trumpet call (1 Thess. 4:16) coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him. (Rev. 1:7) 

I think about this when taking in our spectacular high desert sunsets; imagining what it would be like to hear the trumpet sound and see Jesus riding in on one of those clouds. Does that excite you? Does it scare you? The degree that you eagerly await Christ’s return will give you an indication of the spiritual condition of your heart.

Henri Nouwen suggests “the spiritual life does not remove us from the world but leads us deeper into it.” As you watch the news, does your heart break or have you become callus to what does not personally impact you?

We should not view ourselves as feckless wanderers trapped in the ways of this world. Christians are designed and powerfully imbued to carry out the mission of God. He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. (1 John 4:4)

We take many things for granted in the United States of America. Can you imagine being forced to flee without food and water because of your Christian beliefs? Consider praying this week for the religious minorities trapped by militants on the mountain in northern Iraq and all that entails.

Whether Christ returns in this generation or not, this is your last generation; so make your kingdom mark. We can gain wisdom from activist Desmond Tutu: “Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”

The Rev. Heidi Summers is affiliated with Freedom in Christ Ministries, is a board certified pastoral counselor, board certified life coach and is currently completing her doctorate at Fuller Theological Seminary.

The Salvation Experience

(Originally published in The Daily Press - Religion Section, August 9, 2014)

A man came to me last week in a panic. Someone that knew him before he gave his life to Christ challenged how “a person like you” could really be forgiven of the past? This man wanted me to confirm his salvation and right standing before God. 

Let’s try to understand the salvation experience on a simple level. A personal response to the Holy Spirit brings conversion (spiritual birth); this includes a turning away from sin (repentance); and turning toward Christ (faith). At this time, God’s gavel renders a verdict in the heavenly realm of “not guilty” (justification).

This is not a judgment of behavior or character, but a judgment of ownership and eternal destiny. Whoever undergoes the salvation experience receives a new nature and is considered “a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Cor. 5:17). The Holy Spirit comes to live in believers, and sets them free from the law of sin and death (Rom. 8:1,2). Scripture calls believers “holy ones” or “saints” because we have now been set apart and adopted by God (Eph. 1:1; 1 Cor. 1:2).

So upon experiencing salvation, is the above person forgiven by Christ for all the sins of his past? Yes. Is he completely transformed from all of his former ways? No.

A transformation process toward wholeness begins after conversion. You may have heard this called “sanctification.” This is where the term discipleship comes in. Jesus instructed in Matthew 28:19 to “go and make disciples.” This means we need others helping us to see the way and by the power of the Holy Spirit we can learn to follow.

Generally speaking, there are three levels of discipleship: becoming firmly rooted in Christ, built up in Christ, and learning to walk daily in Christ. Each level is dependent on the previous level. We cannot have an effective daily walk unless we are growing in Christ, and we cannot mature unless we are firmly rooted in Christ. Ideally, your church has a solid discipleship program in place to assist you.

There are forces of evil that don’t want you to understand your new position in Christ. The primary strategy is deception. Think of the emancipation proclamation: Slavery was abolished by the 13th Amendment on December 18, 1865. In theory there were no slaves on December 19, 1865, but how many slaves weren’t told by their plantation owners and continued to live like slaves? There was no practical effect until slaves heard the news for themselves. This is the same principle.

Remember, your identity and eternal destiny aren’t determined by what you have done, but rather from what God has done. While Satan can’t steal your salvation, he can steal your joy, peace and happiness if he can get you to believe his lies: about yourself, others and God. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any places in your life that you are deceived.

As in the case above, when Satan reminds you of your past, you just remind him of his future and he’ll flee. The book of Revelation states, in the end of time as we know it, the devil and his angels will be thrown into the lake of fire where they will be tormented day and night for eternity (Rev. 20:10).

Be patient believer; it is a life long process of being transformed to the image of Christ this side of heaven. So confess your sins, learn from your mistakes, and continue to seek first the kingdom of God. 


The Rev. Heidi Summers is affiliated with Freedom in Christ Ministries, is a board certified pastoral counselor, board certified life coach and is currently completing her doctorate at Fuller Theological Seminary.

Family is One of God's Greatest Gifts

(originally published in The Daily Press - Religion Section, July 19, 2014)

 

Last weekend it was a joy and honor to officiate over the wedding of my youngest son and his new bride in Seattle. The sunset wedding took place in a lush woodland meadow where frogs croaked and crickets chirped near quaint little walking bridges that stretched over landscaped ponds and waterfalls, nestled charmingly within a retired Christmas tree farm.

As the capacious supermoon ascended the evening sky above, the sweet aromatic pines below glittered in white twinkle lights, creating an enchanted forest atmosphere around the canopied reception area.

Laughter could be heard over the din of music, as history and memories made their mark from large wooden farm tables held down by sunflower-filled mason jars, southwest fare and libations.

Some sat around the crackling fire pit making s’mores while others abandoned their shoes to the dance floor.

Then the farewell send off, when bride and groom made their exit through a cobblestone path, lit by sparklers held by those bidding them adieu. Two lives had officially become one.

In biblical times, weddings typically lasted as many days as our culture now sets aside to celebrate in hours. Trying to take it all in, I found myself drifting off to the sidelines to watch, listen and absorb this blessed event.

Here was my second of three sons now married off. Just a few hours earlier, I’d led him to the front of the ceremony, where we stood for the bridal party procession. Standing next to him, my mind was flooded with memories from his youth; from birthing him into this world, to stitches, ER visits and surgeries; the plays, concerts, ballgames; driver’s training, first job, heading off to college, and all things in between that prepared him for this moment in time. How surreal to now be at his side, leading him in transition to the next phase of life.

My sentimental journey was interrupted as I saw his veiled bride appear in the distance upon her father’s arm. It was time for me to instruct the guests, “all rise” so the vision of white could move toward us.

As her father gave her hand to my son, so I would lead them through their covenantal wedding vows before God, pronouncing them man and wife.

This in essence begins the leaving and cleaving process and encompasses the circle of life. In less than 12 months, I have officiated over the funeral of my father, which was soon followed by the birth of my first grandchild, and now officiating over last weekend’s wedding.

The greatest gift God gives us — outside of sending us his Son — is the family unit. It is through family that we are first loved and learn to love. It is through family we first learn to forgive and be forgiven. It is through family we first learn to communicate and feel heard.It is through family new life is birthed.

As I come back from the edge of the reception, I see my granddaughter yawning and scoop her up from her mother’s arms.

Her eyes dance when she sees me and I catch a glimpse of my late father in her eyes; you see she resembles her daddy, who resembles his grandpa, and so goes the circle of life.

Now two more have become one in our family. I look forward to God loving me and loving him back, through their next generation yet to come. 

The Rev. Heidi Summers is affiliated with Freedom in Christ Ministries, is a board certified pastoral counselor, board certified life coach and is currently completing her doctorate at Fuller Theological Seminary.

Don’t let others put a ceiling on your confidence

(Originally Published in The Daily Press - Religion Section - August 2, 2014)

“I just can’t do it anymore; it’s too hard” said a woman in the midst of challenging circumstances who was sitting across from me.

Thomas Edison may have felt this way in his efforts to perfect the light bulb. Henry Ford revolutionized transportation, but not without experiencing failure. Walt Disney was fired from the Kansas City Star newspaper for “lacking creativity.” John Grisham’s first novel was rejected more than 30 times before being published by Wynwood Press.

The common denominator of these successful men is perseverance. They did not allow others to put a ceiling on their accomplishments. The late Vince Lombardi believed “it’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up.”

Think about King David: He endured two decades of struggle and was hunted down by Saul. In the process, he learned some significant heart-shaping lessons between initially being anointed by Samuel and finally becoming king over all Israel. David learned to order his life around God’s call and not let mistakes define him in a negative way.

How different would world history be if David had just decided to give up because it was too hard? 

God has called each of us to something specific and he will make a way. He does not set us up for failure. Neither does he remove all obstacles from our paths. Obstacles are not walls. Perseverance makes us stronger. Track star Aries Merritt must have fallen over a few hurdles along the way to the gold medal in the 2012 Olympic games, don’t you think?

God’s gifts and calling on our lives are irrevocable (Rom. 11:29). But we can limit our effectiveness by coming out from under his anointing and taking detours that are not God’s plan. The fact remains: “God’s gifts and God’s call are under full warranty — never canceled, never rescinded.” (The Message Bible) It is up to us whether we are obedient.

Hang in there, Christian. If God has confirmed a direction for your life, stay the course until he shows you otherwise. Don’t doubt in the darkness what He has shown you in the light. God created the heavens and the Earth in the midst of darkness. Jesus’ earthly body was formed in darkness of the virgin Mary’s womb. He died on the cross in darkness, and then rose from the grave “very early in the morning” when no one saw.

Developing your gifts and calling will take you into unknown territory and periodic darkness. Pressing on may mean personal risk and uncomfortable growth, but the rewards are worth the effort.

Take your limitations to the God who has none. Then, as you do your part, trust Him to do his, and “run in such a way as to get the prize.” (1 Corinthians 9:24) God has uniquely gifted you to carry out his call: in family, work, church and beyond. No one can replace you; so forge ahead in the confidence of Christ, and obediently embrace what lies ahead. 

The Rev. Heidi Summers is affiliated with Freedom in Christ Ministries, is a board certified pastoral counselor, board certified life coach and is currently completing her doctorate at Fuller Theological Seminary.