Root of Compromise: Judas Iscariot

All of us have good reasons why we do things. These reasons even sound good to us when others remind us that they really are not that good. It is not often that we see the stupidity behind our decisions, and it is even less often that we realize their stupidity before they do significant damage to someone else. Worse yet, that we sin against the Lord Jesus Christ.

Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, "What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?" And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him.
(Mat 26:14-16 ESV)

"The root of compromise is often a consideration of personal reputation."

What do you suppose Judas could have possibly done with thirty pieces of silver? Maybe he was looking to buy just a little more comfort for himself?

Big Macs and Bologna Sandwiches Part Deux: Repost 2007

It was storming and and raining very heavily in the Metro Airport area and I was debating on whether or not to just save the sandwiches for the next day, or venture into the stormy night anyways. The benefit of the rain is that all of our homeless friends would be under the tunnels in large number and we would be able to feed a lot of them at one time, whereas there was also the danger of getting soaked in the torrential rain. A sister and I decided that we were going to go out and follow the faithful Postal Worker Creed of "Neither snow nor rain...."

When we arrived downtown we took a slight detour for awhile and took in some new sights as we were observing other possible fishing spots now that the Hart Plaza festival season was over. We journeyed through Greektown and stopped to take a look at the place that I received the Lord Jesus Christ as my savior, The Wayne County Jail. After reflecting on His grace for a period of time we went and had a conversation with Christopher who was begging on one of the corners. He listened intently and acknowledged understanding of his need for the Lord Jesus Christ's forgiveness. We then ventured back to Hart Plaza to feed the citizens of the tunnels.

While we were underneath giving out two and three sandwiches to everyone the most significant event of the night occurred. While we were being thanked for the sandwiches we would correct them and tell them to thank Jesus Christ for the food. Since there was only two of us, most of our time was spent making sure we stayed safe and the food got out. After repeating this phrase several times to several people and having brief conversations with them, one man who was sleeping on the concrete started to angrily ask, "Why do you keep saying that?" He was referencing the name of Jesus Christ and was growing angrier by the moment. I inquired and asked him several times what he was talking about and came to the conclusion that this man was severely angry at God and was bitterly living in a state of unforgiveness, or was demonically posessed. It was hard to tell and I didn't want to waste time standing around trying to figure it out. This man did not want to hear the name of Jesus and was provoked more every time we mentioned His Holy Name.

We returned to the surface level and ministered to Kenny and Thomas for awhile before eventually departing for home. The weather remained clear for the entire night and the Lord set aside a few divine appointments for us in our witnessing, and for that we are grateful. Praise His Holy Name for His mercy and grace. Pray for the men we spoke to and that one soul who was at enmity with God, "Kevin."

New Poll Question: What Do You Think of New Layout?

Please let me know what you think about the new blog look and layout. I have added a poll in the right-top column for you to participate. If you read via feed, please swing by DeliverDetroit.Com to let me know. Thanks!

Big Macs and Bologna Sandwiches : Repost 2007

Throughout the entire week last week I was in serious conflict with making my way to the mission field downtown. While I have encountered some financial setbacks involving paying off bills, I have had difficulty making the means to pay for the trip in gas and time. The Lord has given clear instruction to "sell all your possessions" and "follow me." In doing this, once we have become his, he now owns everything we once "owned." Now we have the dilemma of being good stewards of what the Lord allows us to have. Whether this is actually a "dilemma" is another story indeed, but more or less boils down to a matter of obedience or rebellion to the Lord's commands.

That being established, things changed considerably in my agenda as of Friday afternoon. Working at one of the major fast food chains in the world (McDonald's) I often see 100's of pounds of food wasted every day. This food is not wasted just cause, but in the facet of quality and service. This food that is wasted on a regular basis troubles my conscience when I witness it being done, or have to do it myself. The significance of this is the event that occurred that changed my plans. In the crew room of the restaurant I observed some 75-80 wasted Big Mac buns. These buns had just recently expired two days prior (according to the freshness date). To me this is not justified and the food should be used to some extent. My steps then changed from going home and relaxing and doing some studies to asking permission to take the wasted buns and make sandwiches for the homeless in Detroit's Hart Plaza.

A co-worker of mine named "Elissa" (for anonymity sake) decided she would come with me to help make sandwiches. This was a glorious opportunity because Elissa, is unsaved and does not know what it is to be born again. The fast, hectic, and stressful environment in the work place does not usually provide for the atmosphere that would be conducive to witnessing. However, the steps that took place after allowed us to go to Calvary Baptist Church in Romulus after purchasing ten packages of bologna, four packs of cheese, and a box of sandwich baggies. We were able to utilize their kitchen and space to make 75 bologna sandwiches. The time we spent there allowed for good conversation and progress to take place, our friendship outside of the workplace as begun to slowly develop aside from the usual teamwork necessary to manage a restaurant. I pray that the Lord uses the seed that was sown and allows further witnessing opportunities in the future, as well as future chances to fellowship with believers to show the glorious power of the gospel that can change someones life. Something everyone needs, but doesn't necessarily receive. She has expressed interest in further discussion and desires to know more about Jesus.

This was only the beginning of the night....

Commenting Issues : Fixed!

The comments option at Deliver Detroit has been changed to an embedded below the post model, I have done this hoping. Some users may have some issues getting comments to function. I have tested the blog code and checked the issue with several different browsers. It appears to function well with IE 8, Mozilla Firefox 3.5.7, and Safari's latest browser as well. If you have Mozilla Firefox 3.5.7 or lower it may cause some issues. Please note, Firefox 3.6 has some bugs that need to be worked out and I would not recommend upgrading to it if you have not already done so. If so, I will provide links below to remedy this issue. If you have upgraded, or have not upgraded yet, then go ahead and download the appropriate file. Also, if you have previously been a reader/visitor of the Deliver Detroit blog, you should clear out your browser's cookies and reset your computer/browser before visiting again. This should fix the problem with the comments.

Also, a special thanks to my readers and friends who have brought this issue to my attention! I thank God for you!

Mozilla Firefox Upgrade/Downgrade 3.5.7:
MAC - Download Here
PC - Download Here

Feel free to contact me if you have difficulties with this, I will be more than happy to help!

Christ Our Life Podcast

Christ Our Life now has a podcast available on iTunes. It is a very convenient way to download and listen to their many wonderful songs and allow you to easily put them on your iPOD or PC/Mac.

The Podcast link is HERE

I hope you enjoy.

The Big Red Tractor: A Modern Day Parable

Here is an interesting video demonstrating the paradigm of 'Doing Church.' It was originally presented at The Verge10 Conference by Francis Chan. It is not deep seeded with theological nuggets, but is brimming with insight that we could all stand to listen to, especially those of us who are 'Church Goers.' Francis Chan gives an explanation at the end of the animated segment that clarifies any confusion viewers might have while watching it. So if you do not get it at first, you will if you hang out until the end. The original post resides @ SimpleChurch Journal.

(HT: Alan Knox)

Enjoy the video...

The Big Red Tractor from Jacob Lewis on Vimeo.

Valentines Day : What Example of Love Do You Have?

Valentine's day. Come and gone. Did you send your child to school with pre-packaged valentines cards containing harmless 'quotes' and 'greetings' on them? I remember this practice from my days in elementary school. The teachers had us decorate our personalized mailboxes made of colored construction paper and hung them in the hallways outside our primary classrooms. They would hang there for a week awaiting the receipt of a classmate(s) contribution. Sometimes, other classes were allowed to send valentine cards to members of other classes. Every student was required to bring a box of cards to class, given a list of student names, and required to write one for each student.

Not every student received one. Some hardly received any. I do not suppose that my commentary is directly aimed at the practice itself, but I am curious if it contributes to the fleeting devotion to relationships that so many people today have. Sure, the blame can be passed on to television, pornography, and a sexually charged onslaught from the media on our youth regularly, but the truth in this matter is the adults are not exhibiting an example of love for children to emulate. Early on in my childhood, love was a fleeting shot in the dark or twisted version of anonymous love bingo that resulted in short term 'flings' and 'casual' encounters. What really is love?

Valentines day brings in truckloads of money for candy and card makers, but principally does no justice for the concept of love. If you grew up with the ideology of motel room excursions, drunken stupors, and 12:00 am police visits shortly after watching a 'valentine's day' celebration take place, then your perception might be slightly jaded like mine.

I am grateful I have an example that illustrates the true love that can be given to others. This love is demonstrated best by the one who has authored it, God. Incarnated as a man, lived on earth as Lord, and spoke to us through His Word the Bible, we hear from Him, and see by His actions, how to love.

(Rom 5:8 ESV)  but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

(Rom 8:34 ESV)  Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died--more than that, who was raised--who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

(2Co 5:14 ESV)  For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died;

Love expressed out of gratitude for the person for who they are AND what they have done embodies true love.  Knowing that I have been forgiven requires me to consider a few things for myself as I act toward others in my life,

(Php 2:3 ESV)  Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

(Joh 13:34-35 ESV)  A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. (35) By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

Uniquely expressing love for other members in the Church of Jesus Christ teaches me to love others in similar fashion. In an example of conditional love, meaning that the requirement for the love given of Christ is repentance, faith, and obedience to Him, we see an expression that is often interpreted as 'unconditional' love. It is too bad that so many see the need to perform acts, or give gifts to get love in return. Sadly, not receiving something in return often crushes the giver because all their hope is resting in reciprocation.

If we love because we have been loved first, our reward is in sharing the blessing given us. We get to love in the same fashion that our Lord has loved us by showing this love out of gratitude for what He did, not what others do for us. Reciprocation is not necessary for us to love others. Praise God. I think the principle given in Matthew 6:14-15 helps us understand love. Forgiveness, something we all need everyday and some time or another can only be given by those who have received it.

(Mat 6:14-15 ESV) For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you,
(15)  but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.