Articles by Paul

I’m sure many of you are aware of the news of Boise, Idaho pastor, Saeed Abedini. Since September, 2012 he has been in an Iranian prison. He has an an eight year sentence for preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. There are a lot of ways you can be involved in spreading the news of his situation. I’ll share some of them below.

But First thing that I exhort you to do as you consider the situation. This kind of action against a faithful preacher is not unusual and the church must not be in shock over the treatment. It is difficult to understand how a world bent against Christ will treat a bold follower of Christ. It’s difficult to understand this because we usually don’t experience this. But understand those outside of the western world, especially the United States, get this. If you read your bible with any consistency at all, you get this.

What is a right way for a faithful people, in a free state, to respond?

• First: Trust the Lord. This has not happened without the Lord’s permission. This kind of activity never catches God off guard. Where details may be difficult to understand, trust the Lord.
• Second: Pray as though you are in prison too. Our western church experience knows so little of how to pray as though in prison too. We are naturally driven to think about their “American” rights. We forget that we are sojourners. This doesn’t mean our earthly citizenship is of no use, Paul used his Roman citizenship to his good. But resist your patriotic spirit of expecting all peoples everywhere to honor your American citizenship. “Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves also are in the body.” (Heb 13:3 NASB)
• Third: There are ways to engage your earthly government, but don’t put your trust in “horses or chariots”. Pray to the end that if release comes there will be moments afforded to Saeed, his family, and his church will have no one other than the Lord to give witness and testimony about. Pray to the end that if release does not come there will be moments afforded to Saeed, his family, and his church will have no one other than the Lord to give witness and testimony about.
• Fourth: Discover as much as you can about the situation and pray specifically. I don’t know what an Iranian jail is like. There are ways to know how to discover this so you can know how to pray. from all indications from resources like ‘the Voice of the Martyrs’ we should be in fervent prayer. Pray for his release. Pray for his well being. Pray for his family. Pray for the guards. Pray for the other inmates. Pray that the Lord will strengthen Saeed to endure and persevere. Pray for his wife, Naghmeh. Pray for their children. Pray for their church. Pray that the Lord with strengthen Saeed with boldness with the gospel.

Church, when you gather to pray, petition the Lord, the LORD GOD, for Saeed and Naghmeh.

Charles Gabriel penned these words that express a redeemed soul’s marvelous wonder.

I stand amazed in the presence
of Jesus the Nazarene,
and wonder how he could love me,
a sinner, condemned, unclean.

Many in the church today would rewrite these words to be more fitting for their entertainment drive for self.

I sit amused in the presence
of the pastor in skinny jeans,
and wonder how long he will be preaching,
I have a day full of things to do.

There are so many things that I am thankful to God about in the ministry duty of pastoring. One of those is the privilege of participating in weddings. The union of man and woman in marriage is to be honored by all (Hebrews 13:4). This past Saturday I witnessed (with about 200 other people) the union of Matthew Vawser and Elizabeth Pierce (now Vawser). Here is a look at that wedding from my vantage point.

Here is a link to all of the photos: MR. and MRS.

Here are a few of my favorites.

 

 

From the Archives: Thursday, February 4, 2010

We are told that release is sure to come today because we now have a lawyer. We have yet to talk to this lawyer and find out what his plan is. We are only aware that this lawyer has been secured [by] connections  with people who know [him].

We are scheduled [for] a meeting with [another judge] in a higher court today. That seems to indicate a release may come today. Our hope is high.

We are transported from the jail to the court house around 11:00am.

We gather all of our belongings and make our way to [the police vehicle.]  We are mostly in one vehicle. Laura and Charisa are transported in a 2nd vehicle.

The media is pressed [in] upon us with insulting comments about our faith and probing for any nugget of information from us to make a headline of. The ride from jail to court was fast, wild, and unbelievable. The media is on the chase after us on motorcycles, cameras in hand, nearly crashing multiple times. It’s as if the police are trying to out race the media to the courthouse.

Our meeting at court today was with a prosecuting judge of some kind. This prosecutor has the ability to declare us innocent if he decides [we are.] He questions us for about two hours. Nikki and Silas are by far the best in dialog with the [judge]. Both are pleasant, respectful and articulate.

Our lawyer has done little and speaks little on our behalf. He spends a good bit of time on his mobile phone. I found his involvement interesting. He left the room with the prosecutor and they are gone for about 10 minutes. When they returned the prosecutor told us that he finds our story believable and wishes he could release us. Instead of release however, he informs us that we now have two charges against us. This is a shock. First charge is illegal trafficking of children. Second charge is kidnapping. Because we have two charges now he does not have the legal right to release us. We will have to go back to jail and go before the next prosecutor above him.

We are still on a ‘roller coaster’ ride of encouragement and disappointment all day long.

As we board the [police vehicles] to return to jail, the insults from the media begin again. Some are asking how we are doing but mostly insulting comments of our faith. This causes me to internally consider many things. Yet I have to pray against my flesh to second guess our task and purpose here.

I must discipline my mind to stay the course. I must discipline my mind to weigh everything against His word.

I have to fight my mind to stay the course, meditate upon His word, live from the nourishment of the Bread of Life. Disappointment comes like a dart; striking fast and penetrating deep. I must discipline my mind. I must put on the Armour of Truth to know and determine how to take in all things.

It is clear on the ride back to jail that we begin to irritate each other. The disappointment was nearly crushing.

The Haitian inmates were in as much shock as we were when we returned. I gather the men together to pray for each other and especially as we hear some verbal arguments among some of the women. I’m sure it is founded in disappointment.

I ask God to use our disappointment to drive us to Him. I don’t want to waste my disappointment. I want to use it for the purpose that it appears God is allowing it. Take me to Your throne of grace that I may glorify Your name.

It is also becoming apparent that the other inmates are becoming agitated that we get so much attention and that we are still here. Our prayer remains focused, our resolve to stay the course grows stronger.

We have now begun to hear reports that nine of us will be released on Monday and Laura will remain in custody. This rumor about release is appealing, but the idea of Laura remaining alone here is troubling.

Prayer:

1 Lord, I seek refuge in You; let me never be disgraced. Save me by Your righteousness. 2 Listen closely to me; rescue me quickly. Be a rock of refuge for me, a mountain fortress to save me. 3 For You are my rock and my fortress; You lead and guide me because of Your name. 4 You will free me from the net that is secretly set for me, for You are my refuge. 5 Into Your hand I entrust my spirit; You redeem me, Lord, God of truth.

6 I hate those who are devoted to worthless idols, but I trust in the Lord. 7 I will rejoice and be glad in Your faithful love because You have seen my affliction. You have known the troubles of my life 8 and have not handed me over to the enemy. You have set my feet in a spacious place.

9 Be gracious to me, Lord, because I am in distress; my eyes are worn out from angry sorrow— my whole being as well. 10 Indeed, my life is consumed with grief and my years with groaning; my strength has failed because of my sinfulness, and my bones waste away. 11 I am ridiculed by all my adversaries and even by my neighbors. I am dreaded by my acquaintances; those who see me in the street run from me. 12 I am forgotten: gone from memory like a dead person—like broken pottery. 13 I have heard the gossip of many; terror is on every side. When they conspired against me, they plotted to take my life.

14 But I trust in You, Lord; I say, “You are my God.” 15 The course of my life is in Your power; deliver me from the power of my enemies and from my persecutors. 16 Show Your favor to Your servant; save me by Your faithful love. 17 Lord, do not let me be disgraced when I call on You. Let the wicked be disgraced; let them be silent ^, in ^•Sheol. 18 Let lying lips be quieted; they speak arrogantly against the righteous with pride and contempt.

19 How great is Your goodness that You have stored up for those who ^•fear You and accomplished in the sight of ^•everyone for those who take refuge in You. 20 You hide them in the protection of Your presence; You conceal them in a shelter from the schemes of men, from quarrelsome tongues. 21 May the Lord be praised, for He has wonderfully shown His faithful love to me in a city under siege. ^, 22 In my alarm I had said, “I am cut off from Your sight.” But You heard the sound of my pleading when I cried to You for help.

23 Love the Lord, all His faithful ones. The Lord protects the loyal, but fully repays the arrogant. 24 Be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord.[44]

Psalms 31:1-24 (HCSB)

Media Clip:

Today, the (snail) mailbox had promotional pieces inviting worship leaders to attend their seminar or conference. I usually take a quick look and then toss them in the waste basket. This time I thought I should at least respect the sender enough to consider what they want to communicate to churches. I must say, I am disappointed again.

I offer this quick critique as a warning to my church about how careful we must treat worship. I realize that not all readers will agree with my observation. I welcome dialog and argument on the matter and content of the promotional method. My critique is intended to be on the method employed by the leadership. I do think it reflects on their intent but will give them the benefit of the doubt.

I would welcome anyone planning on attending these seminars to offer a rebuttal. I welcome the leadership of the conferences to clarify anything they want to. I offer this publicly because of the method employed of public-gorilla-marking.

———–

The attempt to draw people in with what is thought to be helpful is of most interest to me in the methodology employed:

Both are printed on glossy, bright paper with eye-catching graphics and/or clip art. This is really not much of an issue with me. I see the value of mailing an attractive mailer. It’s usually the words and the phrases that are used that bother me. Here are a few samples…

• “DID YOU KNOW?”
  The average person in our society laughs 7 times per day. the average person attending this seminar will laugh more than 25 times.

I realize I may be too critical but; what does this fact (if it is really a fact) have to do with worship? and why is it something the leadership thought would catch the attention of worship leaders?

• Churches from more than 40 different denominations (and numerous non-denominational churches) in 47 states have hosted this seminar.

I guess this is true. How is this a valid argument for a worship leader to attend. There are numerous churches (denominational or non-denominational) who are far from honorable in the methodology of worship. I would want to know who are these “denominations”? What do they have to say about who God is? What do they think about the bible? Who is Jesus to them? What role does the Holy Spirit have in corporate worship? and likely many more questions.

I do appreciate language that address the importance of God and the Bible. I must say that both promotional pieces do use strong language that I look for. I appreciate that. But why cheapen the bible language with a “100% Money Back Guarantee”

The other mailer has a stage set like a rock concert with bright lights, t-shirt wearing, hip looking, trendy leaders. First: I do believe that t-shirt wearing, hip-looking, skinny jean wearing people can lead others in worship, I think. This mailer, had fewer words and more photos. But a few statements stand out.

• “Restored by Worship: The righteos will not be shaken. (Psalm 55:22) The [conference] ignites your soul and the souls of weary leaders, renewing a passion for worship and equipping us all for continued effectiveness in ministry.”

This is likely attractive language. But is it right that a worship conference would suggest that “worship” will accomplish these things? Doesn’t Scripture teach us that the weary and heavy hearted should come to Christ? What would happen if a church had a passion for God and not for worship.

• “You’ll renew mind, body and soul at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.”

I’m reminded of Vance Havner’s declaration to be “shipwrecked on God and stranded on Omnipotence”. That’s different. Well, I know I may be too critical of events I’ve never attended. It’s possible some of my friends will or have attended. I again am offering critique of the marketing employed by the sponsors and question the valid use of this methodology to attract attenders.

What about worship leaders turning off their t.v. or shutting down their internet for a weekend with only their bibles open and a blank notebook to record their findings? Not a bad idea for anyone leading others to the sacred moment when God’s gathered people look to Him.

 

The teaching (doctrine) of who God is is always on the table when Scripture is being examined. Yesterday, February 3, Eastside gathered to consider this doctrinal statement from the 1925 New Hampshire Confession, paragraph 2, which reads…

II. God

There is one and only one living and true God, an intelligent, spiritual, and personal Being, the Creator, Preserver, and Ruler of the universe, infinite in holiness and all other perfections, to whom we owe the highest love, reverence, and obedience. He is revealed to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, each with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence, or being.

Gen. 1:1; 1 Cor. 8:4-6; Deut. 6:4; Jer. 10:10; Isa. 48:12; Deut. 5:7; Ex. 3:14; Heb. 11:6; John 5:26; 1 Tim. 1:17; John 1:14-18; John 15:26; Gal. 4:6; Matt. 28:19.

Steve McMullin and Larry Kelley opened Scripture to examine this teaching (doctrine).