Do you like fish?

This week I have been studying in the book of Jonah.  As a young child many of us were taught about Jonah and the “big fish” that swallowed him.  However, that really isn’t the highlight of the story.  The highlight of the story was a changed life that became an instrument of God to help change the lives of others.   Jonah testified, “I was as far down as a body can go, and the gates were slamming shut behind me forever—yet [God] pulled me up from that grave alive, O God, my God!  When my life was slipping away, I remembered God, and my prayer got through to you.”  He concluded, “Salvation belongs to God!”  As I read these words I couldn’t help but realize that Jonah’s testimony is my testimony.  I found myself in a similar position and I came to the same conclusion.  I have never been swallowed by a fish but I had been swallowed by my own sin and shame.  God came to my rescue and for that I am extremely grateful.  Why don’t you take the time to testify to this reality by posting a comment to this blog?  Then you can take the time to share it again with a co-worker, neighbor, or family member who needs to know of God’s power. 

 It is much better to eat fish and than to be eating by fish.  A fisherman's son being introduced to a   new type of fish in an Israeli restaurant on the Sea of Galilee.

A Picture is Worth a 1,000 Words

On Easter Sunday I had a chance to baptize my youngest son Micah. No greater joy than to see your boy choose Christ and then have him publicly proclaim Him as Savior!

“I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children." Matthew 11:25

Jefferson and Jesus

If Thomas Jefferson would have lived he would have celebrated his 269th birthday yesterday. We decided late on Thursday to take a short trip up to Monticello to show our boys around Jefferson’s historic home place. Honestly when we left on Friday morning we didn’t even know it was Jefferson’s birthday. Most people don’t know about Jefferson’s birthday because he kept it a secret fearful that his birthday would somehow detract from our celebration of Independence on July 4th. This was the second time that I have had the opportunity to visit Jefferson’s home place and each time you come away impressed with his ingenuity, his attention to detail, and his strong intellect. As a pastor I also came away thinking about the impact that Jesus played on Jefferson’s life. There has been much historical debate about Jefferson’s stance on Jesus. Let me
share what the Smithsonian says,

Thomas Jefferson was devoted to the teachings of Jesus Christ. But he didn’t always agree with
how they were interpreted by biblical sources, including the writers of the four Gospels, whom he considered to be untrustworthy correspondents. So Jefferson created his own gospel by taking a sharp instrument, perhaps a penknife, to existing copies of the New Testament and pasting up his own account of Christ’s philosophy, distinguishing it from what he called “the corruption of schismatizing followers.” Much of the material Jefferson elected to not include related miraculous events, such as the feeding of the multitudes with only two fish and five loaves of barley bread; he eschewed anything that he perceived as “contrary to reason.” His idiosyncratic gospel concludes with Christ’s entombment but omits his resurrection. He kept Jesus’ own teachings, such as the Beatitude, “Blessed are the peace-makers: for they shall be called the children of God.” The Jefferson Bible, as it’s known, is “scripture by subtraction,” writes Stephen Prothero, a professor of religion at Boston University.

Thomas Jefferson produced the 84-page volume in 1820—six years before he died at age 83—bound it in red leather and titled it The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth. It is also known that Jefferson began this work sixteen years before it was completed. In 1804 Jefferson wrote that his intention was “the result of a life of enquiry and reflection, and very different from that anti-Christian system, imputed to me by those who know nothing of my opinions.”

I come away from my trip to Charlottesville grateful that Thomas Jefferson saw the importance of a “life of enquiry” as it relates to Jesus Christ. However, I also know that we can’t put our hope in our ability to comprehend no matter how intelligent we may be. As I stood in the very room in which Jefferson took his last breath it is was my prayer that in Jefferson’s later days he came to “know Christ and the power of His resurrection” in a way that went beyond his ability to comprehend.

Stephen Willis

Read more: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/How-Thomas-Jefferson-Created-His-Own-Bible.html#ixzz1s156peqv

What about Resurrection the week after Easter?

Easter Sunday 2012 is in the books. It was a great day at LFCN with doves being released in our “Son” Rise service, a tasty fellowship breakfast with other believers; a ton of kid’s participating in our egg hunt, a record attendance in our 11 am worship service, and seven baptisms. However, the week after people have gone back to their routines, responsibilities, and struggles of life without allowing the Resurrection
celebration to infiltrate the lives they lead.

I so want all of us to understand that Easter is so much more than a date on the calendar. Paul proclaimed, “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection
from the dead” (Philippians 3:10). I must admit I don’t think I have come close to grasping the full understanding of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Sure I enjoy the realization that His resurrection brings salvation and removes the sting of death…….but does this realization permeate into all the
areas of my life? It is my prayer that the Resurrection of Jesus Christ will eradicate the dead areas of our
lives. It is my prayer that the unbridled presence of God will saturate, captivate and overwhelm our existence in order that our lives will boldly proclaim that we are “attaining to the resurrection” that raises dead things!

May it be so!

Stephen Willis

HE HAS RISEN

Early this morning while I was still thinking about waking up and getting out of bed the voice of my wife echoed in the darkness with the words..... "He Has Risen!" Nothing else needs to be said on this Easter Sunday morning because HE HAS RISEN INDEED!!!

Should it be called Good Friday?

It’s easy for me to automatically look past Good Friday with anticipation for Resurrection Sunday. All of us would rather attend a celebratory party than a solemn cemetery. However, as I grow older I realize that the more I contemplate the anguish of the Cross, the more celebration I experience on Easter Sunday. To overlook the price that Christ paid cheapens the grace that has been given to each of us. The more one overcomes the greater the jubilation once victory has been obtained. Today I will try to remain focused on the “Gruesome Friday” that Christ experienced that would ultimately be called “Good Friday” for those who benefited from his sacrifice.

Abiding!
Stephen

Details of the Whipping & Crucifixion

For many this week is no different than the other 51 weeks. However, as believers I think it should be different as we remember our Savior's sacrifice for our sin.

I decided to share more of Lee Strobel's interview with Dr. Metherell to help us grasp the last hours of Jesus' life:

Lee Strobel asked, “What was the flogging like?” The doctor replied, “Roman floggings were
known to be terribly brutal. They usually consisted of 39 lashes but frequently were a lot more than that, depending on the mood of the soldier applying the blows. The soldier would use a whip of braided leather thongs with metal balls woven into them. When the whip would strike the flesh, these balls would cause deep bruises or contusions, which would break open with
further blows. The whip also had pieces of sharp bone as well, which would cut the flesh severely. The back would be so shredded that part of the spine was sometimes exposed by the deep, deep cuts. The whipping would have gone all the way from the shoulders down to the back and extending to the legs. We know that many people would die from this kind of beating even before they could be crucified. Lee Strobel asked Dr. Metherell, “What happened when Jesus arrived at the crucifixion site?” Jesus would have been laid down, and his hands would have been nailed in the outstretched position to the horizontal beam. The Romans used spikes that were five to seven inches long and tapered to a sharp point. They were driven through the wrists,” Metherell said, pointing about an inch or so below his left palm. “Hold it” Strobel
interrupted. “I thought the nails pierced his palms.” “Through the wrists”
the doctor repeated. “This was a solid position that would lock the hand; if the nails had been driven through the palms, his weight would have caused the skin to tear and he would have fallen off the cross. The wrist was considered part of the hand in the language of the day.
And it’s important to understand that the nail would go through the place where the median nerve runs. This the largest nerve going out to the hand was crushed by the nail that was being
pounded in.” Strobel asked, “What sort of pain would that have produced.” “The
pain was absolutely unbearable, in fact, it was literary beyond word to describe; they had to invent a new word: excruciating. Literary, excruciating means ‘out of the cross.’ Think of that: they needed to create a new word, because there was nothing in the language that could describe the intense anguish caused during the crucifixion.” At this point Jesus was hoisted as the crossbar was attached to the vertical stake, and then nail were driven through Jesus’ feet. Again, the nerves in his feet would have beencrushed.” [Then] his arms would have immediately been stretched, probably about six inches in length, and both shoulders would have become dislocated---you can determine this with simple mathematical equations. Once a person is
hanging in the vertical position crucifixion is essentially an agonizingly slow death by asphyxiation. The reason is that the stresses on the muscles and diaphragm put the chest into the inhaled position; basically, in order to exhale, Jesus would push up on his feet so the
tension on the muscles would be eased for a moment. In doing so, the nail would tear through the foot, eventually locking up against the tarsal bones. After managing to exhale, Jesus would then able to relax down and take another breath in…. [continuing the process] until
complete exhaustion would take over, at which time Jesus wouldn’t have be able to push up and breathe anymore. As the person slows down his breathing, he goes into respiratory acidosis which eventually leads to an irregular heartbeat. In fact, with his heart beating erratically, Jesus would have known that he was at the moment of death, which is when he was able to say, “Lord, into your hands I commit my spirit.”

It was finished!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Stephen

Did Christ really sweat blood?

This week in preparation for Good Friday I took some time to read excerpts from Lee Strobel’s book, “The Case for Christ.” The book retraces Strobel’s (the former editor of the Chicago Tribune) journey from atheism to faith. As Good Friday approaches a medical perspective of Jesus’ death may help us better understand the suffering that Christ endured for sin. The following conversation took place between Lee Strobel and Alexander Metherell (a prominent medical examiner and physician who has done extensive research on the death of Christ).

Lee Strobel asked, “Could you paint a picture of what happened to Jesus?” Metherell cleared his
throat. “It began after the Last Supper,” he said. “Jesus went with his disciples to the Mount of Olives—specifically, to the Garden of Gethsemane. And there, if you remember,
he prayed all night. Now, during that process he was anticipating the coming events of the next day. Since he knew the amount of suffering he was going to have to endure, he was quite naturally experiencing a great deal of psychological stress.” Strobel raised
his hand. “Whoa—here’s where skeptics have a field day. The gospels tell us hebegan to sweat blood at this point. Now, isn’t that just overactive imaginations?” Unfazed, Metherell shook his head. “Not at all,” Metherell replied. “This is a known medical condition call hematidrosis. It not very common, but it is associated with a high degee of psychological stress. What
happens is that severe anxiety causes the release of chemicals that break down the capillaries in the sweet glands. As a result, there’s a small amount of bleeding into these glands, and the sweat comes out tinged with blood. [This condition] would set up the skin to be extremely fragile so that when Jesus was flogged by the Roman soldiers the next day, his skin would be very, very sensitive (The Case for Christ p. 260).

We all know something about the weight of sin. However, none of us understands it like Jesus
Christ. The “sinless One” would take humanity’s sin of the past, present and future and place it on himself. The Lamb of God would come to take away the sin of the world.

I am a grateful recipient of this tremendous sacrifice.

Stephen

Put aside the distractions?

Wouldn't you like to have a dollar for every distraction we face in this fast paced world? I am working hard this week leading up to Good Friday and Easter Sunday to set aside some of these distractions in order that I may focus more on the sacrifice that was paid for my sin. Maybe just maybe I will lay these distractions aside and choose to never pick them up again.

Just as a woman in Bethany anointed Jesus with her expensive perfume this week I want to anoint him with my thoughts of gratefulness.

Abiding!

Stephen

Are you Wise?

On this Monday leading up to Holy Week I have been reading and reflecting on Jesus, his teachings, and activity. In Luke 21 as Jesus teaches in the synagogues he states, “All men will hate you because of me. But not a hair of your head will perish. By standing firm you will gain life” (21:17-18). I take great joy in knowing this truth and I take great sorrow in realizing that at the beginning of the next chapter Judas would betray Jesus ushering in the Passion of Christ. I have and continue to “gain life” through the arrest, death, burial and resurrection of my Lord. Jesus promises that even though my hair may turn gray not even a single hair of my head will perish (v. 17). I say, “Praise the name of the Lord!” It is my prayer that Christ would dominate me that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection. Thomas ‘A Kempis wrote, “[The person] is truly wise who looks upon all earthy things as folly that [they] may gain Christ.” Help us Lord to allow your Spirit to make us wise in your eyes.

Abiding!
Stephen

Take time to listen to this song by Phillips, Craig and Dean this morning.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNClAJO2tnQ

Are you as wise as a 1st grader?

Recently, while I was on my living room couch my 7 year old Micah came up behind me and asked, “Dad why can’t I get baptized?” I smiled at him and asked, “Micah why would you like to get baptized?” He replied, “Because Jesus lives in my heart and everyone needs to know about it!” It was a euphoric moment for this father when his young son is demanding to be baptized, that others may know that the one true Living God dwells within him. In eight days I will have an opportunity to baptize my youngest son on Easter Sunday (April 8th). No doubt it will be one of the most memorable Easter Sundays of my entire life.

This morning I read in Matthew 11:25, “And Jesus prayed this prayer: ‘O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding the truth from those who think themselves to be wise, and for revealing it to little children. Yes, Father, for it pleased you to do it this way!” (Living Bible, paraphrase) Yes, on April 8th the Father will be pleased as Micah proclaims that the Living God has been revealed to Him and his earthly father will be grateful that he serves a God that cares to reveal himself to 7 year olds.

Whether you are 7 or 77 there is still room in the tank for you on Easter Sunday. It could also be
the most memorable Easter Sunday of your life! If you will be in Lynchburg this Easter and you are interested in baptism you can contact the church office at 434.239.4943.

Sunday is coming!
Stephen

Does the way we live really matter?

Does the way we live and the decisions we make really matter? Recently I have been reading C.S. Lewis’ work entitled “The Screwtape Letters.” The book is a one sided correspondence between “Screwtape” (an undersecretary in the Devil’s hierarchy) and his nephew a junior tempter named “Wormwood” who is trying to recruit a young Christian man (who he calls the patient) to follow Satan. “Screwtape” writes to “Wormwood”….

“I note with grave displeasure that your patient has become a Christian. There is no need to despair; hundreds of these adult converts have been reclaimed after a brief sojourn in the Enemy’s camp and are now with us. All the habits of the patient, both mental and bodily, are still in our favour”(Lewis).

I share this portion of C.S. Lewis’ book because I think many people need to be awakened to the tricks of Satan and his plan to use sin to bring death and destruction. I don’t think that it is
healthy to be fixated on Satan. Why should we when we have been called to “fix our eyes on Jesus the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12). However, I think that many people in our culture don’t even realize that Satan is waging a war against our souls and that he plans to use the “old habits of our life” against us.

As followers of Jesus Christ we have been called to be set apart for God’s glory. We don’t give our lives to God just to escape hell; we also give our lives to God so that we can truly live now. Satan desires to entice us with the temptations of this world knowing that sin brings death. However, God has come to fill us with His Holy Spirit which empowers us to live abundant
lives. I take great delight in knowing that “the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those who hearts are fully committed to Him” (2 Chronicles 16:9).

Abiding in Him!
Stephen Willis

"Empty Me of Me"

Would you take a moment to make this prayer your prayer?

As new life is being seen may an awakening take place in my heart, mind and soul for more of You. As deer pant for water may I thirst for you Father God. eRveal yourself to me through your Word today. I want to know You and the power of your resurrection. “God you reign! Holy is the Lord the God of heaven. You reign forever more” which means for eternity. You have always reigned, you currently reign and your reign will never end. You are the overcoming God who is awesome and great. You overcome sin, death, and the grave and as a result you have brought life to me. I am an over comer who has overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the Word of my testimony. I give you praise!!! I belong to you. No hardship or hunger, pain or depth of sorrow, not weakness or failure or broken dream can take me from your great love. Why? I belong to you forever and forever. Nothing can take me from your great love. I truly do belong to you so it is my prayer that once again today you would "empty me of me and fill me with you."

Stephen Willis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IE_ACPRpE9k&feature=related

Check out this link from You Tube and make it an anthem of praise. The link is Chris Sligh's version of "Empty Me." Chris (former American Idol contestant) will be in concert at my brother's church in Charlottesville, Va on April 15th at 3 pm.

This morning my Android phone woke me up at the proper time (I use it instead of a conventional alarm clock), I jumped into a warm shower, put on my Sunday best, climbed into my truck and drove to our worship center on nice asphalt roads. I entered the sanctuary to make sure everything was in its right place. I noticed that all the chairs were uniformed, the temperture felt comfortable, the communion elements had been set in its proper place and all the instruments glistened under the stage lights that were increasing in strength (as they warmed up).

In comparison many people today are waking much earlier than I did in order that they can walk to worship. They didn't have the warm shower or fine clothes and the roads they walk are dusty and dry. Some meet in fear of being found out, others meet under trees, and others meet in abandoned warehouses that don't have the finer tools of worship.

It is my prayer today that we will all come with the right attitude for authentic worship. We have been given so much and we have so much to give thanks for today. Certainly all of our places of worship look much different. However, the technology, fancy instruments, good transportation, or temperture regulated facilities will never satisfy......let us come with grateful hearts realizing that it was the sacrifice of God's Son that makes all the difference in our lives.

Abiding in Him!
Stephen

An Easy Thing to Say

One day I picked up my youngest son Micah from preschool and
headed back to the house. As we were
driving down the road Micah said to me, “Dad I love you!” I responded back, “Micah, I love you too!” He then promptly said, “Love is an easy word
to say!” That statement caused a big
smile to form on my face. In the
innocence of it all I knew that Micah was so right. However, it also saddened me to think about
all of those who would disagree with Micah because of the hurt and
disappointment that is present in the lives and relationships of “grown-ups.” As I thought about the interaction that I had
with Micah I was reminded of the interaction that Jesus had with his disciples
and some children in Matthew. We read in
Matthew 19
13 Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands
on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. 14
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them,
for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
In verse thirteen we see the disciples rebuke and in verse
fourteen they get rebuked for rebuking.
I just find that rather comical. I
always have pulled for the underdog. These
disciples who have been called to follow Jesus the Rabbi get rebuked for not
modeling the greatest characteristic of their Rabbi….the characteristic of
love.
Very few in the Jewish culture had the opportunity to follow
a rabbi. Jesus’ disciples at one time
didn’t make the grade. When Jesus came
to the Sea of Galilee these disciples had already been sent home to learn the family
trade. When Jesus comes to them and
offers them the opportunity to follow him they are overjoyed with the
opportunity for a second chance. These
former fisherman would leave their village, their father and their nets and
devote themselves to learning how to do what their rabbi did. On this particular occasion they failed to
model the acceptance and love that was priority one to their rabbi and as a
result they were rebuked for their rebuke.
No wonder Jesus said, “that the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as
these.” There is much about my youngest
boy that I have grown to appreciate but one of my favorite characteristics is
his constant willingness to combat silence with the words, “I love you.” I am convinced that God gives his kingdom
away to voices who have come to discover that “love is an easy word to
say!”

trials of life

Today I read, "Do not be afraid to enter the cloud descending on your life, for God is in it. And the other side is radiant with His glory" (Cowman). "Do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ"(1 Peter 4:12-13).

I rejoiced this morning when I read these words. I recently have had some trials but I came to discover after my time with the Lord this morning that my trials are so small as it relates to the struggles of many. I found myself praising the Lord that I can at least in a small way "participate in the His sufferings."

Abiding in Him!
Stephen

Is there any instance when giving up could be considered a good thing? In our culture giving up is frowned upon (as Americans we take great delight in our rugged individualism). However, there is one exception. Our surrender of our self and life before God is the most important victory that any of us will ever experience.

C.S. Lewis states, “Fallen man is not simply an imperfect creature who needs improvement:
he is a rebel who must lay down his arms. Laying down your arms, surrendering, saying you are sorry, realizing that you have been on the wrong track and getting ready to start life over
again from the ground floor---that is the only way out of the hole. This process of surrender is called repentance.”

Let's get out the surrender flags and raise them high.

Abiding in Him!

15 Shekels and a homer of barley

I just felt led to share an excerpt from my prayer journal this morning.

"This morning I read in Hosea 3 about the Lord’s command for Hosea to go and show his
love for his adulterous wife despite her sin. The Word says, “Love her as the Lord loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and love the sacred raisin cakes.” I in so many ways see myself as the adulterous wife. I wonder how many times I have chosen other things over you. Lord God forgive me and cleanse me. I am desperate for you. Hosea purchased his wife back with fifteen shekels of silver and a homer of barley. However, the cost was much greater for you in that you would sacrifice your only Son in order to pay for my sin. It is my desire that my life honors that sacrifice."

Abiding in Him!
Stephen

Truth seekers and speakers

I remember in kindergarten my mother spending a significant amount of time helping me read a book. The following day I was suppose to read it for my teacher. However, when it was my turn to read Ms. Van Dine asked me, “Stephen, are you ready to read?” I thought to myself, “I didn’t realize I had a choice” so I simply responded, “No, I don’t think so.” When I got off the bus that afternoon my mother asked me, “How did you do with your reading?” I responded, “I didn’t miss any words!” Later that evening the telephone rang and to my horror it was Ms. Van Dine informing my mother that I had opted not to read. It wasn’t a very good evening after that point for me because truth came knocking at my door.
I have spent a lot of time lately thinking about just how difficult truth can be sometimes. Have you ever stopped to think about how much energy people exert to avoid telling others the truth when they are fearful it may hurt their feelings? We easily can be tempted to make someone’s feelings more important than honesty. As a response to this thinking I have committed to making “truth spoken in love” my ultimate goal as it relates to those that live within my faith community. Relationships are hindered when we aren’t willing to be honest.
Let’s commit to be truth seekers and truth speakers even if it may bring discomfort.

Cam, Dad,gratefulness & victory

Warning: I'm back!!!! Just thought I would warn you. It's been nearly two years since my last blog. Over the last two years I have remained focused on finishing my masters degree so I decided to neglect "blog nation" for a season. Now that I have completed my coursework I felt led to pick up where I left off.

"But thanks be to God who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ...." (2 Cor. 2:14)

This past week was extremely special for me. I had an opportunity to spend a couple of days alone with my middle son Camden. On Wednesday afternoon we climbed into the F150 and drove to Raleigh for the NC State v. Miami basketball game. After the game we drove to my in-laws in Burlington to spend the night. The next day we played some golf together, ate a rack of ribs and returned home "all the better for the time we had together."

During the trip with my son I was reminded of an important characteristic......gratefulness. I lost count of how many times that Camden sincerely thanked me for the adventure. He thanked me for the Five-Guys burger, the milkshake at the game, the souvenir, the mountain dew, the candy, the rack of ribs, the round of golf and the overall experience. It does something to a father's heart when a child expresses their gratitude.

I came away more determined to be more grateful for all that my "Heavenly Father" has done for me. Hope you join me!

We were excited that NC State won the game. However, I couldn't help but think that the game was only a small part of the victory we experienced this week.

Abiding in Him!
Stephen Willis