A seeming “tempest in a teapot” has brewed a storm of controversy at Penn State University. A majority of students approved the annual “White Out” t-shirt to be worn creating a sea of white at the annual “White Out” game. However, some highly offended objectors noted that the single vertical blue stripe with “Penn State” in bold letters printed horizontally across it was too much like a cross. Six students officially objected the shirt’s design, but the Nike-produced shirts are a sell-out with 30,000 shirts sold.
The Philadelphia Anti-Defamation League even lodged an official complaint citing the design’s Christian connotation. Designers claim any similarities to the Cross are purely accidental.
What should be noted at this great institution of higher learning is not the offense of the cross but the incorrect grammar on the shirt’s back inscription. In large letters across another vertical blue line is printed: “Don’t be intimidated… It’s just me and 110,000 of my friends.”
While that is generally accepted expression, it is technically incorrect English. “Me” is cast in the nominative case, not objective, and should properly be “I.” But it is better, I suppose some would say, to see unintended crosses everywhere than note improper English 30,000 times at the State University football game.
Actually, the oversight is a compliment to the cross. When people object to the visibility of the cross, it underscores 1 Corinthians 1:18. “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing….”
Crosses in the ancient world were death instruments—necrotic emblems of rebellion against Roman authority. In Christian history, the cross is the place of Christ’s ignominious death and the shedding of His blood for our sins. Crosses can adorn chapel spires and even be icons worn around one’s neck, but imagined on college t-shirts is just too much for the nit-picking, politically correct crowd.
If the offense is because of the cross’s true meaning, a kind of perverse appreciation is accepted. Christ endured it and so should all believers. “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2)
The strict demarcation between competing philosophies and colliding world views is spelled out in 1 Cor. 1:18 and 19. “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: ‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.’”
The only way we rid ourselves of death, hell and even improper philosophy and lifestyle is through the cross as Paul says in Galatians 6:14. “But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”
Who would have thought that a secular design on a state university t-shirt would give me the opportunity to share the real meaning of the cross? Perhaps it is a fulfillment of
Psalm 76:10. “Surely the wrath of man shall praise You…”
In the hymn “Beneath the Cross of Jesus” Elizabeth Clephane caught the meaning of the cross:
I take, O cross, they shadow for my abiding place;
I ask no other sunshine than the sunshine of His face;
Content to let the world go by, to know no gain nor loss;
My sinful self my only shame, my glory all the cross.
Dave Virkler
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Windows 7 - Still More Promises
The long awaited Windows 7 will make its debut on Thursday. And for scores of PC users it promises to be their computer’s salvation.
Microsoft, who is the author of the operating system that fuels the mass majority of the world’s personal computers. is hoping to erase the painful memories of their previous Operating System that was called Vista. The much-hated software became notorious forbeing slow, oversensitive to assumed security threats, and incompatible with scores of hard and software that many users needed to accomplish their every day tasks. But Bill Gates' company promises that Windows 7 will fix all of that and eliminate the negative issues from virtually all previous versions.
Mac, who is Windows main competitor and known for a much more stable OS, has been airing clever ads in reaction to the Version 7. In one convincing TV commercial, two men are speaking on the subject. One represents Windows and the other the Mac. When the Mac man asks why Windows 7 is a worthy purchase, Mr. Windows begins a series of reasons, all coming with older and older changes in his clothing style. Each wardrobe switch goes back to the release of the previous Windows OS. For example, he states that Windows 7 is worthy because it fixes all the issues of the previous version - Windows XP. The next change shows an even older clothing and hair style, only this time he states that buying XP was good back then because it fixed all the issues of the previous OS – Windows 2000. This backwards progression, using the same promise of better things to come, continues all the way back to Microsoft’s earliest operating systems.
The Mac ad is simple and quite effective. It suggests that Windows has been making huge promises of correcting their previous operating systems since day one. If so, why would the new Windows 7 be any better? The ad does have an element of truth. It is clever and convincing since Mac has suffered far less ‘issues’ over the years than their arch rival.
The public will soon have yet another opportunity to use their purchasing powers based on each company’s current promises and performance records. Of course neither company's OS is fully flawless, although one does seem somewhat more stable when both are evaluated side by side. But in the end, all that is at stake is a small expenditure of cash and perhaps some computing frustration and productivity.
While computing is used in nearly all areas of modern life, it is far from the most important thing in all of life. The Bible speaks on the only subject that will matter after the last operating system is devised and the power cord is yanked on the last computer. The issue then will not be about what was the better way to get to heaven – but what was the only way?
The writer of the book of Hebrews reveals the superior nature of the ministry of Jesus Christ. In the eighth chapter he pens, "But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises." (Hebrews 8:6)Then in the following chapter, the author reveals the additional promise and eternal life in Christ. "And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance."
That unique role as the ultimate Mediator is further defined in 1 Timothy. In chapter two the Apostle Paul describes how the better ministry of Christ is, in fact, the only valid way whereby man can be redeemed from the plague and penalty of sin. Verse 5 begins, "For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time."
Windows 7 may just keep some of the promises it boasts of. If so, that is good news to its users. But the best news is, and will always be, the "Good News" of salvation in Jesus Christ. His is a promise to fully save and fully secure as Hebrews 7:25 confirms.
"Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him,since He always lives to make intercession for them."
Bill Breckenridge
Microsoft, who is the author of the operating system that fuels the mass majority of the world’s personal computers. is hoping to erase the painful memories of their previous Operating System that was called Vista. The much-hated software became notorious forbeing slow, oversensitive to assumed security threats, and incompatible with scores of hard and software that many users needed to accomplish their every day tasks. But Bill Gates' company promises that Windows 7 will fix all of that and eliminate the negative issues from virtually all previous versions.
Mac, who is Windows main competitor and known for a much more stable OS, has been airing clever ads in reaction to the Version 7. In one convincing TV commercial, two men are speaking on the subject. One represents Windows and the other the Mac. When the Mac man asks why Windows 7 is a worthy purchase, Mr. Windows begins a series of reasons, all coming with older and older changes in his clothing style. Each wardrobe switch goes back to the release of the previous Windows OS. For example, he states that Windows 7 is worthy because it fixes all the issues of the previous version - Windows XP. The next change shows an even older clothing and hair style, only this time he states that buying XP was good back then because it fixed all the issues of the previous OS – Windows 2000. This backwards progression, using the same promise of better things to come, continues all the way back to Microsoft’s earliest operating systems.
The Mac ad is simple and quite effective. It suggests that Windows has been making huge promises of correcting their previous operating systems since day one. If so, why would the new Windows 7 be any better? The ad does have an element of truth. It is clever and convincing since Mac has suffered far less ‘issues’ over the years than their arch rival.
The public will soon have yet another opportunity to use their purchasing powers based on each company’s current promises and performance records. Of course neither company's OS is fully flawless, although one does seem somewhat more stable when both are evaluated side by side. But in the end, all that is at stake is a small expenditure of cash and perhaps some computing frustration and productivity.
While computing is used in nearly all areas of modern life, it is far from the most important thing in all of life. The Bible speaks on the only subject that will matter after the last operating system is devised and the power cord is yanked on the last computer. The issue then will not be about what was the better way to get to heaven – but what was the only way?
The writer of the book of Hebrews reveals the superior nature of the ministry of Jesus Christ. In the eighth chapter he pens, "But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises." (Hebrews 8:6)Then in the following chapter, the author reveals the additional promise and eternal life in Christ. "And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance."
That unique role as the ultimate Mediator is further defined in 1 Timothy. In chapter two the Apostle Paul describes how the better ministry of Christ is, in fact, the only valid way whereby man can be redeemed from the plague and penalty of sin. Verse 5 begins, "For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time."
Windows 7 may just keep some of the promises it boasts of. If so, that is good news to its users. But the best news is, and will always be, the "Good News" of salvation in Jesus Christ. His is a promise to fully save and fully secure as Hebrews 7:25 confirms.
"Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him,since He always lives to make intercession for them."
Bill Breckenridge
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
A Unique University
It’s not often I admit to being completely "taken" by an ad. By that I mean "taken up with" and not "taken in by." The ad was as honest a piece of effective advertising as I had ever seen. Sure, it was an ego seeker and its focus centered on me, or was it us?
A fine company that makes custom t-shirts, sweatshirts and hats must have found that there were lots of Virklers in the United States. There are, as our two-volume family lineage book shows. It is published every few years to update the family tree, which also includes the Farney and Zehr lineages. The families were interrelated way back in 1834 when my forebears sailed to America as immigrants.
Months ago, we received a classy, full color ad card offering a customized set of shirts and caps with "Virkler University" in block letters across the front at entirely reasonable prices. Just getting mail with personalized text is enough to catch your attention. We ordered enough for the immediate family, and, when the shirts came, we donned them for a choice family photo.
When I was speaking at a Bible conference this summer, I wore my Virkler University shirt to the dinning hall. The puzzled stares were a profile in group curiosity. Finally, a retiree who had some acquaintance with the name and had taught school in my hometown of Baldwinsville, NY, ambled over and asked, "Is that some sort of joke, or is there really a Virkler University?" I answered, "It’s really not a joke, and there is a Virkler University in the informal sense. Come to the men’s prayer breakfast tomorrow, and I’ll tell you about our school."
The next morning I shared the inside story.
A spiritual "school" with education in personal salvation and life’s hard knocks had been established in Alsace-Lorraine, France by Amish Mennonite farmers who had emigrated from Switzerland to escape religious persecution. They were in the Anabaptist tradition, and their religious convictions prohibited military service and membership in the state church.
The French government eventually ordered them to serve in the army, so in 1834, the small student body crossed the Atlantic Ocean seeking religious freedom and economic prosperity. After 42 days on the Atlantic, they settled in an area of upstate New York known as New France, a sprawling land tract in the North Country then claimed by Napoleon’s brother.
University "administration" was headed by fathers, and "satellite schools" were founded when families pushed across the country from upstate New York. As family size and enrollment increased, two tracks developed—one with a secular major, and one with a spiritual major. Some students worked primarily in secular pursuits and expanding their financial horizons. Others became students of unique higher education by studying the Bible and preaching the Word.
In my family’s particular campus branch, the records show each generation of students focused on Christ as Savior. Classes were mostly informal but purposefully perpetual. Many were held around family meals and devotions, some on vacations together, others in church—always in real time and real life.
A few special guided studies were like no other. For example, I studied radio long before becoming a broadcaster. When I was a boy, Dad took me to an early Sunday morning live radio program where he, his three quartet buddies and a young preacher were airing the Gospel. It was a fantastic lesson, and its impact is still felt every time this student makes a program even after 45 years of broadcasting.
I graduated not with a formal diploma but with a steady disposition to seek God’s best. Thelma and I established our own university campus, and our children have now graduated. Many Virkler University graduates have passed the final test and gone on to the ultimate post-graduate school in Heaven. They have laid all their educational achievements at Jesus’ feet while they await the rest of us graduates.
"Virkler University" may not be actual buildings and land, but it is a real school of spiritually guided studies. The core values courses remain unchanged with a changing world offering new and challenging electives. Our university on two continents and educating many generations is a great school with an enduring legacy. We wish this type of university education for everyone.
The name on the shirts and caps may vary, but the education of the soul ought always to be the same.
Dave Virkler
A fine company that makes custom t-shirts, sweatshirts and hats must have found that there were lots of Virklers in the United States. There are, as our two-volume family lineage book shows. It is published every few years to update the family tree, which also includes the Farney and Zehr lineages. The families were interrelated way back in 1834 when my forebears sailed to America as immigrants.
Months ago, we received a classy, full color ad card offering a customized set of shirts and caps with "Virkler University" in block letters across the front at entirely reasonable prices. Just getting mail with personalized text is enough to catch your attention. We ordered enough for the immediate family, and, when the shirts came, we donned them for a choice family photo.
When I was speaking at a Bible conference this summer, I wore my Virkler University shirt to the dinning hall. The puzzled stares were a profile in group curiosity. Finally, a retiree who had some acquaintance with the name and had taught school in my hometown of Baldwinsville, NY, ambled over and asked, "Is that some sort of joke, or is there really a Virkler University?" I answered, "It’s really not a joke, and there is a Virkler University in the informal sense. Come to the men’s prayer breakfast tomorrow, and I’ll tell you about our school."
The next morning I shared the inside story.
A spiritual "school" with education in personal salvation and life’s hard knocks had been established in Alsace-Lorraine, France by Amish Mennonite farmers who had emigrated from Switzerland to escape religious persecution. They were in the Anabaptist tradition, and their religious convictions prohibited military service and membership in the state church.
The French government eventually ordered them to serve in the army, so in 1834, the small student body crossed the Atlantic Ocean seeking religious freedom and economic prosperity. After 42 days on the Atlantic, they settled in an area of upstate New York known as New France, a sprawling land tract in the North Country then claimed by Napoleon’s brother.
University "administration" was headed by fathers, and "satellite schools" were founded when families pushed across the country from upstate New York. As family size and enrollment increased, two tracks developed—one with a secular major, and one with a spiritual major. Some students worked primarily in secular pursuits and expanding their financial horizons. Others became students of unique higher education by studying the Bible and preaching the Word.
In my family’s particular campus branch, the records show each generation of students focused on Christ as Savior. Classes were mostly informal but purposefully perpetual. Many were held around family meals and devotions, some on vacations together, others in church—always in real time and real life.
A few special guided studies were like no other. For example, I studied radio long before becoming a broadcaster. When I was a boy, Dad took me to an early Sunday morning live radio program where he, his three quartet buddies and a young preacher were airing the Gospel. It was a fantastic lesson, and its impact is still felt every time this student makes a program even after 45 years of broadcasting.
I graduated not with a formal diploma but with a steady disposition to seek God’s best. Thelma and I established our own university campus, and our children have now graduated. Many Virkler University graduates have passed the final test and gone on to the ultimate post-graduate school in Heaven. They have laid all their educational achievements at Jesus’ feet while they await the rest of us graduates.
"Virkler University" may not be actual buildings and land, but it is a real school of spiritually guided studies. The core values courses remain unchanged with a changing world offering new and challenging electives. Our university on two continents and educating many generations is a great school with an enduring legacy. We wish this type of university education for everyone.
The name on the shirts and caps may vary, but the education of the soul ought always to be the same.
Dave Virkler
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Atheism Alive and Well In The Big Apple?
Now it is their turn, according to the Big Apple Coalition of Reason, a group of organizations untied by one overriding principle - atheism.
Beginning on October 26th, the group will blanket subway stations in Manhattan where some 5 million computers travel each day according to the Metro Transit Authority. The advertisements will ask one simple question. "A million New Yorkers are good without God. Are you?" The New York City campaign is just one component of a "nationwide effort" that will see billboards and postings in transit systems across the United States.
Michael De Dora Jr., executive director of the New York Center for Inquiry, defends his group, citing the recent American Religious Identification Survey. The study found that those checking "none" for religion was 8 percent of the population in 1990 but has almost doubled to 15 percent in 2008. This effectively makes "no religion" the fastest growing religious identification in the United States. He also says that the ads are not meant to be anti-religious. They are rather to raise awareness about people who don't believe in a god and to show that individuals don't need religion to be good people and productive members of society.
Many people view atheists as those who have just considered the available options about God and have come to the conclusion that He simply does not exist. That is not a very good option according to Psalm 14:1 where the writer says, "The fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God.'"
But disbelief in the reality of a Creator-God takes far more than a simple decision based on simple evidence or supposed lack of it. According to Paul in Romans chapter one, it takes a great deal of conscious effort and the mental stiff-arming of obvious facts to arrive at such a conclusion. He shares his reasoning, beginning in verse 18 of the chapter. “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.” (Romans 1:18-20)
The Big Apple Coalition of Reason is just partly right when they claim that people don't have to believe in a god to be good people and productive members of society. They may indeed be great cultural assets, using their God-given gifts and abilities. They may even be ‘good’ by the standards of society. But Psalm 14 totally dismantles the definition of ‘good’ when it is applied against the standard of a holy and just God. Verse 3 reads, ”They have all turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is none who does good, no, not one.”
For any ‘good’ or productive member of society to someday face the living God, and avoid His righteous wrath, will require that they first stop suppressing the idea of His presence both in the universe and in their lives. Hebrew 11:6 puts it like this. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” God requires the believe that He 'is' real.
But that faith must be more than only admitting He is there somewhere and somehow. That is just the start. The faith that turns a lost soul into a living saint is spoken of later by Paul in Romans 5:1 where he writes, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” And in verse 8-9 he carefully records that God’s love and redemption is open and effective even while we suppress and reject his existence or plan of salvation. Verse 8 declares, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.”
The question to appear in Manhattan on the 26th is, "A million New Yorkers are good without God. Are you?"
The answer again that most profound of all questions, at least on the spiritual level, is ‘no’. Why? Because, "There is none righteous, no, not one.”
But even that wretched 'no' can be instantly changed to a wonderful ‘yes ’when the truth of 1 Timothy 4:10 is personally applied from the heart.
“Because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe." (1Timothy 4:10)
Bill Breckenridge
Beginning on October 26th, the group will blanket subway stations in Manhattan where some 5 million computers travel each day according to the Metro Transit Authority. The advertisements will ask one simple question. "A million New Yorkers are good without God. Are you?" The New York City campaign is just one component of a "nationwide effort" that will see billboards and postings in transit systems across the United States.
Michael De Dora Jr., executive director of the New York Center for Inquiry, defends his group, citing the recent American Religious Identification Survey. The study found that those checking "none" for religion was 8 percent of the population in 1990 but has almost doubled to 15 percent in 2008. This effectively makes "no religion" the fastest growing religious identification in the United States. He also says that the ads are not meant to be anti-religious. They are rather to raise awareness about people who don't believe in a god and to show that individuals don't need religion to be good people and productive members of society.
Many people view atheists as those who have just considered the available options about God and have come to the conclusion that He simply does not exist. That is not a very good option according to Psalm 14:1 where the writer says, "The fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God.'"
But disbelief in the reality of a Creator-God takes far more than a simple decision based on simple evidence or supposed lack of it. According to Paul in Romans chapter one, it takes a great deal of conscious effort and the mental stiff-arming of obvious facts to arrive at such a conclusion. He shares his reasoning, beginning in verse 18 of the chapter. “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.” (Romans 1:18-20)
The Big Apple Coalition of Reason is just partly right when they claim that people don't have to believe in a god to be good people and productive members of society. They may indeed be great cultural assets, using their God-given gifts and abilities. They may even be ‘good’ by the standards of society. But Psalm 14 totally dismantles the definition of ‘good’ when it is applied against the standard of a holy and just God. Verse 3 reads, ”They have all turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is none who does good, no, not one.”
For any ‘good’ or productive member of society to someday face the living God, and avoid His righteous wrath, will require that they first stop suppressing the idea of His presence both in the universe and in their lives. Hebrew 11:6 puts it like this. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” God requires the believe that He 'is' real.
But that faith must be more than only admitting He is there somewhere and somehow. That is just the start. The faith that turns a lost soul into a living saint is spoken of later by Paul in Romans 5:1 where he writes, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” And in verse 8-9 he carefully records that God’s love and redemption is open and effective even while we suppress and reject his existence or plan of salvation. Verse 8 declares, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.”
The question to appear in Manhattan on the 26th is, "A million New Yorkers are good without God. Are you?"
The answer again that most profound of all questions, at least on the spiritual level, is ‘no’. Why? Because, "There is none righteous, no, not one.”
But even that wretched 'no' can be instantly changed to a wonderful ‘yes ’when the truth of 1 Timothy 4:10 is personally applied from the heart.
“Because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe." (1Timothy 4:10)
Bill Breckenridge
Monday, October 19, 2009
The Youngest Global Sailors
The last few months have seen several young people tackling one of the most unusual and dangerous of all attempts – sailing around the entire world alone!
This time, just on the heels of the successful trips of two others, 16-year old Jessica Watson of Australia will captain her ‘pink’ vessel. She would be the youngest ever to sail ‘unassisted’ solo - as opposed to the recent trips that were in the ‘assisted’ category. ‘Without assistance’ means a vessel may be beached or anchored but may not receive any kind of outside help or take on board any supplies, materials or equipment during the attempt. In addition, any repairs must be made without outside resources, materials or help.
A month ago, my family and I attended a conference just outside Washing D.C. It was called ‘Do Hard Things’ and was the vision of two teen boys who had already written a book on the subject and who own one of the most popular blogs for teens on the web. Their goal is to challenge young people to resist living lives steeped in mediocrity, that are focused mostly on having non-stop fun before ‘real’ life rudely interrupts the party that is their birthright. The meeting was an eye-opener for me, to say the least.
During one of the conference breaks, my daughter had her copy of ‘Do Hard Things’ autographed by one of the Harris brothers. The verse he inscribed was from 1 Timothy 4:12, which happens to be the overall theme verse for their ministry. In the passage Paul is writing to Timothy, his young friend in years and son in the faith. Verse 12 reads, “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”
A casual glance at this verse reveals that God expects those in His family, even if few in years, to be model citizens spiritually speaking. The challenge, despite their tender age, is to become literal role models to other Christians – at any age. The verse does not limit their performance to just those of their peers. No room for failure is allotted simply because of a short life span. If they are ‘in Christ’ they are expected to be ‘like Christ’ – period!
If God fully expects those young in faith and body to be successful examples of Christ-like behavior, what does He ask of any who are older and have also been in the faith for an extended period of time? Simply stated – He requires the same if not more! He accepts no excuses from those that have aged chronologically but have remained babies in matters of the faith? Paul describes and indicts those who do just that in 1 Corinthians 3:1-4.
Society should take a deeper look at the Jessica Watsons and Zac Sunderlands of the world who do hard things despite their lack of years and life experiences. Others, as typified by the Harris brothers, have used their natural abilities, God-given gifts and faith to achieve what most of their peers would never dream of. They are not all that different than others their age, but they are supreme examples of what vision and dedication can achieve when rightly motivated and properly channeled.
For believers, doing life’s ‘hard things’ includes being all they can be – but primarily in the spiritual zone. When service and exemplary things are sincerely attempted for Christ, they are always in the ‘assisted’ category as they are always done with the aid and wisdom of the Holy Spirit. And this will always bring the kind of results Paul shared by Paul in his letter to the young church at Galatia. “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.” (Galatians 3:23-24)
The Bible has one great overriding message for Christians - of all ages. “Be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” In others words, be ready and willing to do hard things for God.
The reason is simple: It is God's priority and therefore the Christian's purpose. It is for our own good and for His own glory. Nothing else will ever matter and certainly nothing else will ever last!
Bill Breckenridge
This time, just on the heels of the successful trips of two others, 16-year old Jessica Watson of Australia will captain her ‘pink’ vessel. She would be the youngest ever to sail ‘unassisted’ solo - as opposed to the recent trips that were in the ‘assisted’ category. ‘Without assistance’ means a vessel may be beached or anchored but may not receive any kind of outside help or take on board any supplies, materials or equipment during the attempt. In addition, any repairs must be made without outside resources, materials or help.
A month ago, my family and I attended a conference just outside Washing D.C. It was called ‘Do Hard Things’ and was the vision of two teen boys who had already written a book on the subject and who own one of the most popular blogs for teens on the web. Their goal is to challenge young people to resist living lives steeped in mediocrity, that are focused mostly on having non-stop fun before ‘real’ life rudely interrupts the party that is their birthright. The meeting was an eye-opener for me, to say the least.
During one of the conference breaks, my daughter had her copy of ‘Do Hard Things’ autographed by one of the Harris brothers. The verse he inscribed was from 1 Timothy 4:12, which happens to be the overall theme verse for their ministry. In the passage Paul is writing to Timothy, his young friend in years and son in the faith. Verse 12 reads, “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”
A casual glance at this verse reveals that God expects those in His family, even if few in years, to be model citizens spiritually speaking. The challenge, despite their tender age, is to become literal role models to other Christians – at any age. The verse does not limit their performance to just those of their peers. No room for failure is allotted simply because of a short life span. If they are ‘in Christ’ they are expected to be ‘like Christ’ – period!
If God fully expects those young in faith and body to be successful examples of Christ-like behavior, what does He ask of any who are older and have also been in the faith for an extended period of time? Simply stated – He requires the same if not more! He accepts no excuses from those that have aged chronologically but have remained babies in matters of the faith? Paul describes and indicts those who do just that in 1 Corinthians 3:1-4.
Society should take a deeper look at the Jessica Watsons and Zac Sunderlands of the world who do hard things despite their lack of years and life experiences. Others, as typified by the Harris brothers, have used their natural abilities, God-given gifts and faith to achieve what most of their peers would never dream of. They are not all that different than others their age, but they are supreme examples of what vision and dedication can achieve when rightly motivated and properly channeled.
For believers, doing life’s ‘hard things’ includes being all they can be – but primarily in the spiritual zone. When service and exemplary things are sincerely attempted for Christ, they are always in the ‘assisted’ category as they are always done with the aid and wisdom of the Holy Spirit. And this will always bring the kind of results Paul shared by Paul in his letter to the young church at Galatia. “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.” (Galatians 3:23-24)
The Bible has one great overriding message for Christians - of all ages. “Be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” In others words, be ready and willing to do hard things for God.
The reason is simple: It is God's priority and therefore the Christian's purpose. It is for our own good and for His own glory. Nothing else will ever matter and certainly nothing else will ever last!
Bill Breckenridge
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