Do I Know Too Much?

March 24, 2009 — Craig T. Owens

Thomas Huxley wrote, “I object to Christians: they know too much about God.”

When Job was going through his trials, his “friends” showed up with all kind of knowledge about God. They knew that God would never allow the innocent to go through difficulty. They knew Job had sinned somewhere along the way. They knew that God always answers a righteous man‘s prayers exactly as he had prayed it.

They knew too much about God.

They put God in their box, telling Him how to behave the way they knew He should.

They became their own god.

Job didn’t know all that God was doing, but he did know, “He does great things too marvelous to understand” (Job 9:10). The Apostle Paul echoed the same thought: “Oh, how great are God‘s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand His decisions and His ways!” (Romans 11:33).

As I go through my own trials, I‘m learning a little more about the depths of God‘s love for me everyday—“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love” (Romans 5:3-5).

How about you: Do you know too much about God? Or are you still open to learn more?

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Getting Away With Evil?

March 23, 2009 — Craig T. Owens

I’ve had some particularly mean and untrue words fired at me recently.

It hurts.

Especially because so many of these barbs have no redemptive quality to them—there is no attempt at even trying to bring about restoration. The statements are intended merely to harm me, not to help me.

During these times I’m especially drawn to the psalms; even more specifically to the psalms written by David.

Psalm 10 captures the emotion I sometimes struggle with when these unwarranted attacks come in. David asks, “Why do these people get away with evil? God, don’t You see what they’re doing? Don’t You hear what they’re saying? How can You let them spew such venom and not bring them to account for it?”

My feelings exactly!

Psalm 10 ends with, “God hears, He is aware, He will defend.”

But I find myself wanting more than that!

Then I noticed the footnote in my NIV Bible. It says that Psalm 9 and 10 form one psalm in the Septuagint (Greek) Bible; that they were originally written as a single poem.

Ah hah!

In Psalm 9, David tells us why he can praise God and rejoice in Him and sing praises to Him:
• God turns back David’s enemies
• God upholds David’s cause
• God judges righteously
• God completely uproots the wicked
• God is a refuge for the oppressed
• God never forsakes those who seek Him
• God avenges
• God does not ignore the cries of the afflicted
• God is known by His justice
• God makes sure the hope of the afflicted never perishes
• God lets men know He is God and they are just men

The wicked may seem to gain the upper hand, but it’s only for a moment. God’s righteousness will always prevail. What a comfort to know God is my Defender!

Why do I need to go through these tough times? Because when (not if!) God delivers me, I can praise Him with even greater zeal! He is exalted even more highly when people see His justice and righteousness.

My friend, if you are going through a battle right now, run to God. Don’t attack your enemies. Let God be God and let Him deal with men in His righteous justice. Praise Him for He will prevail mightily!

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Land Of Angels

March 19, 2009 — Craig T. Owens

My cousin ministers in Sudan—a country and a people ravaged by war and persecution. But there is hope for hopeless people! For when we pray, hope is boundless! This poem was recently written by my cousin:

Three angels stood before the throne
Two together, one alone
Each in turn petitions brought
Each a favor meekly sought

The first was young, was fair, was bright
With little hands, with gentle light
This angel pled for child and wife
Who bore the brunt of Darfur strife

The second angel, scarred but brave
Represented knight and knave
Who in Darfur did Gospel tell
Who gave out food, who dug up well

The third before the throne stood grim
Yet, O what love there was for him
He cried for rapist, victor, thug
He asked for them Mercy above

All angels knelt, all angels paused
All three had answers kindly caused
All three sped back with burning story
All of Darfur shall fill with glory

Please pray with me for God’s glory and God’s grace to flood Darfur and the devastated people there.

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The Passion Of Pessimism

March 17, 2009 — Craig T. Owens

I’m reading Oswald Chambers’ challenging book Baffled To Fight Better. In this book, Chambers is commenting on the life of Job as portrayed in the Bible. His thesis is that we can fight better when we‘re totally baffled on how to fight on our own—when we‘re baffled, we can only turn to God.

Today I read Chambers‘ statement, “Real suffering comes when a man‘s statement of his belief in God is divorced from his personal relationship to God.”

This reminded me of what this important principle: “The man with an experience is never at the mercy of the man with an argument.” Or I would paraphrase this, “The man with an intimate relationship with Jesus is never baffled when things don‘t turn out as he planned.”

I‘ve been going through some baffling times—circumstances aren‘t coming together the way I would have planned them. But during this trying time, my relationship with Jesus is growing more and more precious to me.

Where pessimism could reign I am finding greater passion.

What have you discovered in your baffling times?

UPDATE: One of the things that came out of this baffling time I mentioned here was the healed scars that became the basis for my book When Sheep Bite. Please check this out!

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The One Who Is To Come

March 13, 2009 — Craig T. Owens

the-one-who-is-to-come

We just started a new Bible study on Wednesday nights, and it’s revolutionizing my thinking about Jesus the Messiah.

In this series we’re looking at prophesies given in the Old Testament book of Isaiah, and then looking at the New Testament to see how Jesus Christ fulfilled those prophesies 700 years later when He came to earth. Then we’re also looking even further ahead at the prophesies that Jesus will fulfill when He comes back to earth again.

The more I study the life of Jesus, the more deeply I fall in love with Him!

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Rewards

March 10, 2009 — Craig T. Owens

The Lord rewards every man for his righteousness and faithfulness…. (1 Samuel 26:23)

The Lord—Not a man, not a system, not a church. They are fickle, short-sighted, limited. It is an All-Powerful, Unlimited, All-Loving God who rewards me.

Rewards—God keeps track and He pays back in-full. God doesn‘t use IOUs or promissory notes, but payment in-full.

Everyone—Not the favored ones nor the super-spiritual. Everyone… even me!

Righteousness—The one who does the right thing. There is always—in every situation and circumstance—the right thing… God‘s thing. Do I have the faith to do it?

Faithfulness—Continually clinging to God through good times and bad.

God will reward me for doing things His way. And I‘m forever grateful!

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The Sermon That Didn’t Happen

March 9, 2009 — Craig T. Owens

I planned, prayed, studied, prepared, tweaked, refined, practiced, and finalized my message for Sunday morning. We’re in a series called Tell Me A Story, where we’re looking at the great truths Jesus revealed in the amazingly-simple stories He told.

Yesterday we were going to look at a story that is so simple, it’s told in just one verse (Matthew 13:44). The kids drama team from The Rock had a very humorous skit ready to help me illustrate my message in a fun way. And I was fired up to share with our church the simple, yet profound, truths the Holy Spirit had spoken to my heart from this story.

Then something happened.

The Spirit of God moved into our service in such a powerful way that we couldn’t continue as planned.

At the close of our worship time, I felt like God was calling us to simply stay in His presence, so we continued to worship. Then God spoke to us through a prophetic word that was right on the mark. I encouraged the congregation to remain in an attitude of prayer as we just waited in God’s presence. Without hesitation, people came to the altars, kneeled at their seats, or stood in God’s presence.

No formal prayer. No stirring music. Just the sweet sound of spiritually-sensitive people sobbing in God’s presence. It was powerful! Another word was given—this one very challenging and exhorting.

Then I felt the Holy Spirit stir my heart. I opened my Bible to the one verse I had prepared to share. But when I opened my mouth, God gave me an entirely different message. I only spoke for a couple of minutes, and without a formal dismissal I simply called people back to prayer.

And our people prayed. And prayed. And prayed. For a long time members of our congregation simply waited in God’s presence.

The Holy Spirit did a deep and personal work in many people’s hearts yesterday—including mine! I cannot wait to see what changes come about as a result of our unplanned time with God yesterday. I’m so glad that my sermon didn’t happen!

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Meet Grace

March 8, 2009 — Craig T. Owens

I don’t usually post on Sundays, but I just wanted to introduce you to the newest member of our family. Grace is a Papa-poo—part Papillon and part Poodle. She’s four months old, and is such a lover!

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Mighty People

March 6, 2009 — Craig T. Owens

I was reading King David’s list of Mighty Men. Many theologians believe that the names that appear in 2 Samuel 23 was the list and descriptions that David wrote himself. He was not threatened to have such competent and gifted people around him. Those leaders challenged David to lead at a higher level.

In the spirit of this list, I was thinking about my own list of Mighty Men (and Women). These are some of the incredibly gifted and highly competent people who surround me and help me do more than I could have done on my own. David listed his “Big Three” first, and then the rest of the names in no particular order of importance. I, too, list my Big Three first, and then the rest of my Mighty People in no special order.

Jesus – my Master; as I’ve gotten to know Him better through the years He becomes a closer and closer Friend.
Betsy – my helpmate and very best friend.
Bubba – my covenant brother, like Jonathan was to David.
My parents – incredible counselors, godly examples.
Tom & Pinky – fearsome fellow warriors.
Dick Jr. – sharpening my iron more than anyone else can.
T.J. – armor-bearers don’t come any stronger or any more valiant.
C-Dog – one of the wisest, kindest people I know.
Steve & Keri – faithful, dependable, Spirit-led prayer warriors.
Dave & Jessica – ready for anything at anytime.
Bob & Pat and Stan & Clara – mature Christians who are still young at heart and so forward-looking.
Sister Warnick – always seeing more in me than I can see myself.
Barney – personifies all of the reasons why I do what I do, a trophy of God’s grace.
Jim – a fellow shepherd whose hindsight and insight give me foresight.
Hank – years of wisdom continually poured into my life.
Aaron – growing like Timothy, destined to be a world-changer.

To my Mighty Men & Women I say, “Thanks!”

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Grateful For My Powerlessness

March 5, 2009 — Craig T. Owens

This has been a very hard week!

I conducted a funeral service yesterday for a family whose baby died after only 18 days on earth. As a pastor, without a doubt the most physically-, emotionally-, spiritually-, and mentally-draining activity I do is a funeral. The Bible says that we grieve with those who grieve, and yet in the midst of that grieving, the family and loved ones are still turning to me to give them answers. Sometimes it seems there are more questions than answers. Between the grieving and the answer seeking, it’s very draining!

But God was gracious to me. He gave me a comforting word to share at the funeral, and at the conclusion eight people said that after their days on earth were done they wanted to have the assurance that they would be welcomed into God’s presence, just as baby Blake was. I had the privilege of praying with those folks as they invited Christ into their lives!

Probably the second-most draining thing I have to do as a pastor is deal with problems in the church. And, boy, did a big one crop up this week! It was supposed to culminate in a meeting this afternoon. So yesterday I was dealing with my two most draining issues at the same time! Today, this church problem wasn’t resolved, but God gave me such a peace about its outcome. I’m not sure what’s going to happen next, but what a peace flooded my heart to let me know that He is in control.

This morning I read this great quote from Oswald Chambers—

“It is a good thing to feel our own powerlessness in the face of destruction, it makes us know how much we depend upon God. … When a man gets to despair he knows that all his thinking will never get him out, he will only get out by the sheer creative effort of God, consequently he is in the right attitude to receive from God that which he cannot gain for himself.”

I am grateful today for my powerlessness. I am grateful that I feel so dependant on God. I am grateful for the sheer creative effort of God. And I am grateful for His peace.

I’m also grateful for the challenges. Why? Because without the challenges, I would not have felt such gratitude for my powerlessness, God’s provision, and God’s peace.

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