The World According To Chris Brewer

At Crimson House on Sunday, Pastor John spoke about how Jesus’ light testifies of itself. He related how some people cannot see the light because they are blinded by sin, and used a visual illustration of a candle burning, but two pieces of posterboard obstructed the audience’s view of it. He finished by showing that when we get saved and follow God’s will, God removes the veil of sin from our lives and we can see Him clearly.

I found that interesting because I just got done reading 2 Corinthians, chapter 2 this morning and verses 12 through 18 really spoke to me. Here they are in the New International Version:

Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away. But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

I thought that expounds on the point that Pastor kept repeating on Sunday, that Jesus’ light testifies of itself. When we are saved, not only do we see the light, but we also reflect it to others. We are expected to be representations of Jesus for those who need Him.

One great point is how Paul wrote “…whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.” That point serves as a backup to another Bible truth, “Whosoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” It’s a simple thing at first, turn to God…but to continue seeing the light and sharing it, we need to walk in it. Thus the reference to us continuing to be transformed, in verse 18.

Just thought it was neat what I read this morning, and wanted to pass it along before I head out to work.

If you’ve known me for any length of time you know that even as a Christian, and one who has been raised in a Pentecostal church and household, I do not personally speak in tongues or necessarily agree with how the church in general has adopted the practice. I believe it is definitely a biblical concept, but in my studies of 1 Corinthians 12 and 13 this morning, I was prompted to take a closer look at speaking in tongues as a general practice.

In 1 Corinthians 12:4, we plainly find out that there are a vast array of spiritual gifts, but they all come from the same Holy Spirit. In verses 8-10 we’re told the spiritual gifts are as follows: knowledge, faith, miraculous powers, prophecy, distinguishing between spirits, speaking in tongues, and interpretations. While those aren’t the full spectrum of the gifts of the Spirit, it does show that there is indeed more than one gift that we all too often try to exercise too much of, when another gift may be needed in a certain situation.

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The world of Air Force broadcasting is very small. Most people know each other as there are only roughly 175 people in the career field. The opportunities for networking are endless. I had the opportunity to meet and network with several broadcasters during my time in the Air Force.

God also watched out for me. Over my four-year term in the Air Force, I connected with and befriended several Christians who helped keep me in check, helped me build my faith and served as encouragers and accountability partners in my life.

I didn’t, however, get the privilege to serve at the same duty station as one fellow broadcaster whom I had seen on Air Force TV news and even introduced a couple stories I had written.

Not only is he a good broadcaster, but from his writings on his blog, he’s a fellow Christian. His name’s Lee Hoover and he has some really good insight as to Christianity and his personal walk with Christ. Not to mention a nice looking blog.

I’ve added him to the Blogroll below, and I encourage you to check out his site. Also check out his videos, especially his church college group promo. And be sure to pray the Lord’s blessing on his life as well.

If you read this Lee, God bless and keep the faith man!

I’d like to dedicate one post to the lyrics of a song that really blessed me today. Even though it’s an old hymn and I usually frown on hymns, the message is timeless. “Sweet Hour of Prayer” was written over 150 years ago and its words still ring true today.

If you know it, sing it.

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
That calls me from a world of care,
And bids me at my Father’s throne
Make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief,
My soul has often found relief,
And oft escaped the tempter’s snare,
By thy return, sweet hour of prayer!
-
Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
The joys I feel, the bliss I share,
Of those whose anxious spirits burn
With strong desires for thy return!
With such I hasten to the place
Where God my Savior shows His face,
And gladly take my station there,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
-
Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
Thy wings shall my petition bear
To Him whose truth and faithfulness
Engage the waiting soul to bless.
And since He bids me seek His face,
Believe His Word and trust His grace,
I’ll cast on Him my every care,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
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Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
May I thy consolation share,
Till, from Mount Pisgah’s lofty height,
I view my home and take my flight.
This robe of flesh I’ll drop, and rise
To seize the everlasting prize,
And shout, while passing through the air,
“Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer!”

Never thought I’d say that, especially after moving here, but it’s true.

I am beyond excited to visit my parents with Aftan by my side next week. It’s gonna be great.

Youth service tonight was great, and it was a great message by Pastor Smith talking about how unforgiveness in our hearts stops us from having a fulfilling relationship with God and also hurts those whom we hold bad feelings against. Great message.

The past few weeks at church I’ve been really wishing we had a separate young adult class on Wednesday nights. Right now the young adults are paired up with the high school/junior highers (basically those above the age of 13). It’s a weird setup in my opinion. It’s obvious that young adults are on a completely different wavelength than teenagers, so it just seems right to me to give the young adults their own time. We don’t have that here at New Horizons, we didn’t have it at Lakeside, and I believe myself and others at the church would really benefit from it. I don’t think I’ve been in a class/Bible study that was specifically designed for my age group since I was 16. Then I was thrust into youth ministry at the age of 17 because the Kelso COGOP couldn’t find anyone else to do it, and I in all my infinite wisdom accepted the job. While I was still in high school.

That brings me to a personal standpoint as to why I need to be in a young adult-oriented Bible study. Many times already I have been instructed to pray with a younger member of the group during altar call, thus robbing me of the time I need to pray and try to work out some spiritual tweaks of my own. I know that sounds selfish, but seriously, if I’m hurting spiritually and need prayer myself, why on God’s green earth am I being instructed to pray with a younger member of the youth group? The mere fact that I’m 22 and the kid next to me is 16 doesn’t mean I automatically need to go up and pray for him just because I’m older.

I struggle too, and it’s tough to stomach the fact that even in the midst of my spiritual struggles (I’m a pretty transparent guy), I’m looked upon as someone with something to give at that very moment. Please folks, just let me pray and I’d really appreciate it if someone came to me and prayed for me too…

I’m definitely not bitter anymore about my prominent role as a human toilet at Lakeside Church. But the exact opposite of what happened there is happening here at New Horizons, yet the situations have a striking similarity. At Lakeside I was ready and willing to serve as a member of the youth leadership team to which I had been appointed, and I wasn’t utilized. Here at New Horizons, I don’t feel in my spirit to contribute to the youth ministry at this present time, yet at times I am pushed and prodded toward it. And through both these time periods I have been on a spiritual roller coaster with wonderful high points and terrible low points.

I never thought I’d say this, but church has got me burnt out a bit right now. I love everyone in the church but man, sometimes it’s just a bit much.

That being said, my walk with God progresses every day. Don’t be led to think I’m not doing well with the Lord. It’s just some auxiliary stuff I’m struggling with. We’ve all had our spiritual low points, some more often than others. I think I’m definitely in the “more often” category.

This too shall pass.

I observed yet another example of something meaningless under the sun. This is the case of a man who is all alone, without a child or a brother, yet who works hard to gain as much wealth as he can. But then he asks himself, “Who am I working for? Why am I giving up so much pleasure now?” It is all so meaningless and depressing.

Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

–Ecclesiastes 4:7-12, New Living Translation

Your comments are always welcome and appreciated.