Are We...Followers of Paul, Apollos or Christ?

It was in 1976, now some thirty-eight years yesterday (note, this blog was written July 26, 2014), that the redemption of Christ began its saving transformation in this life. A journey, as with each, that has not been without challenges. That said, I cannot express fully into words the gratefulness to our Savior, Jesus, for the truly 'abundant' life that He has guided me through.

Roofing Volunteers

What keeps me anchored in the midst of the journey? Most certainly I would at least include the Word of God, His indwelling Spirit, prayer and music. Yet how delinquent would I be to not add the relationships of my brothers and sisters in Christ. Over fifty 'one another's' are scattered about the NT. To encourage, build up, forgive, serve, submit to, be devoted to, accept and love are but a few.

The past few days I've been in service with several 'one another' men, who have taken part on an urgent roofing need for our daughter. In this time I have discovered a new truth regarding anxiety/worry. Yes, as Paul says to the Philippians, "Be anxious for nothing, but by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God, and the peace...". Perhaps you know the rest. Powerful, it is. And pray I do, yet...when these men and women, most volunteering, have given selflessly of their time to bless our daughter, I have found that joy, through much sweat and some pain, is the overwhelming result and not anxiety.

There is likely no greater need when being connected to 'one another' than unity. Back to the roof...the mutual effort and respect is absolutely evident in this project. At the same time we are carrying out the 'call principle' of Ephesians four..."Walk worthy of your calling, with all humility and gentleness, with patience lifting up one another and striving to keep the unity of the Spirit in bond of peace".

 Why is that often not the case within our 'church' walls?

Now to the point...

We recently left attending a body of believers, of whom we had been a part of for twenty years. We had grown apart due to a change in the message plus style of teaching and the desired direction of this body. And though I disagree, at least with some I can respect and sense how the teaching resonates, such as the series on 'The Jesus Creed' or that of ‘Becoming a Conduit’. This 'creed' emphasizes the 'one another's' stated above, plus the treatment of others in the manner that is seen in the person of Jesus Christ. Though preached, in some ways it was sanctimoniously demonstrated over the past couple of years. For example I ask...Would Jesus have requested Nicodemus to attend a different group of believers because he was no longer their leader? Would Paul have been removed from the Cyprus prayer letter because he separated himself from Barnabus? Would Epaphoditus have removed Timothy from a service that he'd provided for years because he wasn't regularly attending the Philippian church without communicating such with him?

Would Paul not say that which he wrote to the Corinthians, 'Are we followers of Paul or of Apollos or of Peter, or are we followers of Christ? The answer seems rather obvious!

                                          Might we go forth, be followers of Christ and truly be a conduit with one another...

                         Written by Rick Williams on July 26, 2014, and recently found amongst my electronic clutter.

More Than or Only…Co-Incident

Coincidence, luck, providence, chance, timing, serendipity, good fortune, just happened, unexpected and unexplainable occurrences, a concurrence of events with no apparent connection, luck, a conductor who orchestrates…and many more.

 

I would imagine that all of us have had experiences of the above. The question… are they divine, just part of everyday life or perhaps both? Looking at scripture, my personal life and most recently an experience of some young friends has revived this question

Scripture … wow, so many examples! To name a few are Joseph, Esther, Daniel and Saul to Paul.

My own life … again, so many! Yet most recent would be during my trip to Nicaragua in November of 2017. A primary goal of that trip was to coach a baseball clinic to the Miskito children in Kisalaya. Enroute to that location I stayed an evening in Puerto Cabezas at Verbo. Less than an hour after arriving I went to have lunch in their dining room. One other man, Junior, 10 years my junior (pun intended), sat across from me. During the ensuing four hours we would learn that both not only played high level baseball, but have coached youth for many years. Our style, including the discipline of young men and directing them in a walk with Christ are what both desire to achieve most. This was just one of a few such experiences during this brief two week trip. I saw (and still see it) as God ‘conducting' the orchestra of life….yeah, I have a difficult time placing ‘coincidence’ on this experience

 

On to the young friends. Now in their mid twenties, I've known Liz from the time when she was learning to walk. It has surely been a blessing to watch her grow to the women who is now a kindergarten teacher. And her husband Austin, about to complete his master's in leading worship. Awhile back they began pursuing possible opportunities to put this passion into service. Through a couple connections they were drawn to a church in Coral Springs, Florida. Two weeks ago this would be quite insignificant, today, of amazing significance! For it was on Valentine's day, one week prior to Austin's interview, that a young man stole the lives of 17 beautiful people from that very location. So… is this a divine appointment?

Sure… this blog could delve into the ‘If there is a God, why is there so much evil’ debate. That subject has been tackled quite thoroughly and will continue to be. What I will say, I believe that the Creator has designed within each one of us a unique DNA. How will we use our uniqueness and the gifts that make up the threads of our lives in the pursuit of caring for our neighbor?

 

So the timing of this interview, coincidence, really! As queen Esther was placed into her dynamic, “For such a time as this” (Esther 4:14), I believe that Austin and Liz likewise have a similar providence ahead

Might the Father bless this interview and henceforth use both of them in the healing process that will become so vital in the days that follow.