A New Direction

As Tim ended his sermon in prayer I couldn't help myself. The tears came easily and nothing could be more appropriate. My spirit welled up inside me as a sat in my seat, head bowed and hands clasped over my neck. At first I didn't even know why my spirit was so heavy. The tears and snot poured out, I began to sweat mildly and I balled as one would who just realized the loss of a mom or brother. But as I searched my heart my tears were not found because of loss or pain, but because a deep, long awaited desire was finally fulfilled: I had found a church home.

Since the very beginning of my life in Christ I have struggled to find a church or organization committed to following the whole Bible. My Evangelical Free church back home never called me from my sin to repentance or cared about the mission of bringing the kingdom of God to earth. Upon going down to IU, the latter problem was resolved through the ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ, but it wasn't a church, taught minimal doctrine, preached a false gospel, and was even worse at calling God's people to repent. Consequently, I latched on to pastors like John Piper and James MacDonald who faithfully proclaimed the Word of God... in churches not so close to home. I attempted to build my own "church" through Bible studies and friends, but, of course, there was no authority over what I was learning or teaching. Even worse, I was blinded by my own iniquity so the whole "personal relationship with God" didn't cut it. All of this amounted to me growing up apart from the family of God leaving me a bastard child in the faith. Of course, you don't know it when you are because it's all you've ever known. But now this bastard child has found a home...

Through the prayer and the last hymn I poured out my spirit in tears and snot, breathing heavily because I was so overwhelmed. I had longed, and I mean longed for this very place I had found myself in. For years I wanted a church that would bear the brandmarks of following Jesus, preach faithfully the whole counsel of God, reject the wisdom and the ways of the world, cast off any denominational arrogance, and humbly submit to the authority of God's Word. These are just a few of the things I longed for that I have found at Church of the Good Shepherd, along with many other blessed things that I would have never wanted because of my own transgression. The Spirit of God had opened my eyes to truly see what I had found. And I was overcome. A few minutes passed as everyone put away their chairs and Tim came over unaware of why I was balling. He knelt down, gently put his hand over mine, and rubbed my back. He asked how I was doing and all I could mumble was "I finally found a home". Unable to understand my jumbled words, he prayed for me while I leaned on him as a son would his father. Though I didn't know who at the time, Stephen also came over and gave a shoulder massage of comfort. During this time I was so distraught from the years of disappointment, struggle and heartache that came from not having a home. My sorrow was the result of this season finally ending, kind of like crying because the cancer is finally gone. After a few more minutes of heavy tears, I was finally able to share with them the joy I had found in being at CGS. I was so thankful to share with these two men who have had such an impact on my life the tears I shed from the fulfilled longing of finding a church home. Indeed, they are so much of the reason I have found a home and I can rest entrusting my life and soul to their care.

Interestingly enough, before I went to church this morning I made a comment on Tim's blog that ended with this: Aside from all this, Tim's post was about becoming a member of our church, which has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. With that testimony, I would also like to give hearty agreement to the extended invitation for those without a home to join us. While that was directed to those who read Tim's blog, I'd also like to pass along those words to you as well.

Like Tim said in his post, "You'd move for a job. Why not for a church?"

I am a car salesman, or a sales consultant for Stephens Hyundai, if you prefer. My job is to sell cars, and right now I'm not doing very well. At all. In fact, I've only sold one car this month. Uno. And my commission on that deal was as low as it could possibly be, which we nicely call a "mini". In other words, I'd have to sell 13 more cars at that same rate in order to meet my quota for the month. Add it up that there are only 9 more possible days for me to sell a car for April and that equals Lane's in trouble.

However, I know that only reason that I did well my first month was because of the Lord. I cannot doubt that this month is also in His hands. I know I can improve, and that performance-based situations make me more anxious than your first slow dance, but I trust that I have God's favor. It doesn't matter if I don't sell any cars, yet God will sustain me.

I guess some people thrive in performing, while others drive into a wall like a crash-test-dummy. This may somehow relate to the DiSC test I just took for the Pastors College. Apparently, I score way, way high in the D(ominance) and C(onscientiousness) categories and way, way low in the I(nfluence) and S(teadiness) ones, which profiles me as a "Creative". As I read the overview, my fears are "lack of influence" and "failure to achieve their standards". I guess my own fears are based on personal standards, which are backed by a "strong desire for perfection". Geez, these things are never right...

Anyways, I would really appreciate your prayers because I know God answers. He has before, and He is faithful. O praise the Lord!

I realize now that shortcuts don't work when you're trying to lead along a certain path, especially one that is as narrow as the path to life. I'm referring to my quick explanation for the clear distinctions between men and women; that being God created two sexes, not one, and the works of His hands reflect His design. I know, really quick and simple. Some have said it really isn't that simple, and I agree for different reasons. This is certainly true if you've at all been entrenched into today's world of ambiguity that makes no room for clear distinctions. And let's be honest, we all are. Nevertheless, God has created us male and female, not ale. So what are these distinctions? As always, let's look to the Bible for our wisdom. Here are a few passages that make it completely clear that God has made man distinctly as male and female.

"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." - Genesis 1:27
---Nothing new here...---

"To the woman he said, “I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.” And to Adam he said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” - Genesis 3:16-19
---In what activities did God curse Adam and Eve? Does this reflect anything about them? If you say no, then why didn't they receive the same curse? If you say because they didn't do the same wrong (one was the initiator and one was an accomplice), then you've got to look at their confessions, both of which, after making excuses, end with "I ate". Or you could say they were cursed differently because of the order in which they ate, but then you admit they had and violated their particular roles. Otherwise, you're back to admitting they did the same wrong (eating the fruit), but received different punishment. But why?---

"I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control." - 1 Timothy 2:8-15
---The Bible is a sword right into our hearts. Men get angry and women dress immodestly. Sometimes it even gives us reason for the commands we are to obey. Many beg that we add some cultural context to this paragraph to disqualify Paul's egotistical demands, but the Holy Spirit's reasoning is clear: For Adam was formed first, then Eve. Check the Greek if you don't believe me. Male headship was established in the very creation of man. For those of you who struggle with history, that was before the Fall. Hate God and His Word, but do not mangle the Scriptures.

"Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled." - Titus 2:-3-6
---Just for further support of men and women being instructed differently.---

In one of the comments, Andrew argued that with my views "Women of all races and all backgrounds should be quiet, subservient, respectful and meek (if you take this too far, you could also find yourself making a defense for eugenics). This is the kind of world you argue for, Lane, without respect to scripture holistically." If I'm not mistaken, that's how Paul says the women should live. 1 Peter 3:4 also says women should have "a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious."

This is how I see it, friends. Andrew, along with a few others I'm sure, hates that I make distinctions between men and women. I said nothing malicious about women in my posts, but I made a distinction between them and myself. Ahhh... I must be boastful, right? I mean, we've learned from Brown vs. the Board of Education that we can never have equality and distinction. (There. Now you can pull that out of context and say I'm a racist as well as a sexist. Get it together. That's our history and provides a foundation for how we think about distinction.) So yes, by making distinctions I must be equating myself to be of higher value and intelligence. Sigh...

Look, I am a male. I go to men's times. The pastors talk to us differently in those times than they do to the congregation as a whole. They call us to our God-given responsibilities, which precisely includes humbly leading our wives, if applicable. Tim Bayly is one of those pastors and I am so blessed to sit under his teaching. If you think he's somehow against women, you could be no further from the truth. By God's wise design, children are born of women, and women alone. And just a few times Tim has recorded why children are a blessing.

In spite of my last post, I figured it would be helpful to pass along this blog entry by my pastor on feminism. Enjoy!

What is feminism...

Also, even the Iranian president gets it.

Blatantly brash and boastful. Completely lacking in compassion and mercy. Critical, judgmental.

As you read this description you're thinking of a male or their kind in general. But these were the adjectives that came to mind as I watched the female news reporters on TV throughout my day at work. The particular show I was taking note of was Robin & Company, which is made up of mostly women reporters. With the weight of relaying today's news they have traded their femininity for a perverted masculinity.

But why I ask? How beautiful would it be if a compassionate, godly woman reported the news? Riiight. Now add the reality of rampant crime, deadly violence, and gruesome war to that scenario and there's no wonder why this doesn't happen. How could a woman full of compassion and mercy do so in today's world? Out of her genuine heart she wouldn't be able to handle it. So today's female reporters are emasculate, or masculinized, whichever you prefer. My good brother Joseph provides another description of this kind of perversion here.

But you say, "What's the big deal, Lane? They're just hard-working women doing their job to provide the news for us. Why do you have to take a swing at them? C'mon now, does it really matter?"

What is at stake you question? The answer is simple: the glory of God as revealed in His creation with distinctions of male and female. We know we are made in His image so there's a clear seperation of the sexes by God's design. Without getting into the details, man as male and female must be masculine and feminine, respectfully, in order to reflect their given glory.

And speaking of glory, isn't it the intent of the media to take the appearance of the crown of God's creation and wield her to do what she is not fitted for so our eyes can be pleased? And because it's a woman we see, aren't we to not be threatened by her? This is all done with great precision to disarm us and hide the glory of man as male and female, which was God's grand intention.

Oh, and remember that her name just happens to be Robin.