The End Times 3 -- The Harbinger

²⁰ The rest of mankind that were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood—idols that cannot see or hear or walk. ²¹ Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts.

Revelation 9:20-21.

As I said in one of my earlier posts, there are a whole lot of people these days who think that the End Times are closing in on us.  I also noted that many generations have believed that they would see Christ return -- only to be disappointed.  Yet, at some point a generation will come that will say "the end is near" and, unlike every generation before it, they will be right.  Who knows -- this could well be that generation.

What I can say with certainty, though, is that whether the end is near or not men will continue to resist God's will, men will experience the consequences of their refusal to submit to Him, and men will refuse to repent.  It is a cycle that has persisted from the beginning.  It is a cycle that will persist to the end.

I am in the middle of reading a book called "The Harbinger" which I picked up at the suggestion of my wife.  The book has some theological question marks to be sure.  But, the fundamental premise is quite sound.

The fundamental question The Harbinger seeks to answer is what happens when a nation turns its back on God.  In fact, I think that one of the reasons the end seems near to many in this country is that they have lost hope in America.  Every year, our nation seems to pull further and further away from God.  Every year, the world around us seems to get darker and darker.

Earlier tonight a friend asked me this question:

• Why do you think it is that God puts us in charge of our own eternal destiny? We are not in charge of being born, but we are given the choice of where to spend eternity.Why would He do this when He knows we're made with limited understanding, doubt, susceptibility to Satan's lies, human ignorance, and pride. He knows our human frailties and limitations. Sometimes I think He's given us too much power in this choice....this free will. Free will seems more like a trick, or a test, than a "gift" as we evangelicals like to think of it.

I think this is a really great question, and one which I may try to deal with in a later blog.  But there is a related question of equal importance, which is why would men turn their back on God knowing the consequences of doing so?  Or, for that matter, why would a nation turn its back on God knowing the consequences of doing so?

Make no mistake about it, in either case the consequence of turning our back on God is "wrath."  I know, I know -- we don't like to talk about wrath anymore.  But, that's the reality.  Its biblical.  When we turn our back on God we should not expect a "time out" -- we should expect wrath.  And, I am afraid that if the United States doesn't get its act together soon wrath is coming.      

I hope I am wrong.


¹⁸ The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, ¹⁹ since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. ²⁰ For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

²¹ For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. ²² Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools ²³ and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

Romans 1:18-23 (NIV)

My Life

Four and a half years ago I agreed to serve as the Executive Pastor of Heartland Church.  I knew going in that life was going to change.  But, in retrospect, I really had no clue about what the future held.  I had no real appreciation for where God was leading me and my family.

At first, it was mostly a matter of trying to figure out how to juggle life as a full-time lawyer and part-time pastor and still have time for family and friends.  Of course, I also had a lot to learn about how churches operate -- things like budgets and policies and personnel.  But, as I would soon find out, things were about to change -- and quickly.  

The first year and a half or so also presented more and greater challenges that I could possibly have anticipated.  And, I was in all honesty ill-prepared for some of those challenges.   Thank God for the support of my wife, John and Sherry Ferris and others during those times.  Thank God that at the end of those challenges we found the church thriving in Carrollton!  His plan, as it turned out, was far better than any plan we could have conceived.

What has been most surprising to me, though, is how God has drawn me into the ministry part of the church and not just into the business and administration.  I have been caught completely off guard by God's willingness to use someone like me to minister to other people and occasionally even to preach the Word.  

Its funny, but every time I thought that things would stabilize and become routine some new change or challenge would come along.  In fact, if I have learned anything over the last four and a half years, it is that when you are really pursuing God's will, individually or collectively as a church, you should expect just about anything other than stability and comfort.  We serve a God who is deeply interested in our personal growth, and personal growth always means change (and usually includes growing pains!).

And, this brings me to my most recent change -- and probably the most drastic yet.  After a great deal of thought and prayer, Pam and I have decided that I will very soon switch from full-time lawyer and part-time pastor to full-time pastor and part-time lawyer.

Ten years ago if you had said that I would become a pastor some day I would have said you were crazy.  Four years ago if you would have said that I would be a full time pastor in less than five years I would have said that was absurd.  As I said, I have come to expect the unexpected, and try not to guess anymore about how God's plan might unfold.

As many of you know, I never set out to be a pastor.  And, at times all of these changes in my life are still a bit unsettling to me.  But, at the same time, I am convinced that I am called to this life.  I am convinced that I am operating in God's will.  And, that is a good place to be.

I am deeply appreciative of Pastor Dan's trust in me, and am excited about my continuing service at Heartland Church.  For that matter, I am excited about all that God is doing at Heartland Church!

Pam and I are so thankful for the encouragement and support we have gotten from so many of you.  You will never know what that means to us.  Please continue to pray for us as we enter into this new season in our lives.

Good things are happening!!

God bless.