Now I don't want to get off on a rant here...

Young Adult Reformed Fellowship

Young Adult Reformed Fellowship is a college and careers ministry to the Baltimore/Washington Metro area that meets for the purpose of joint growth, communion and service. Our goal is to bring the college and career groups together for some fun activities along with some joint ministry possibilities.

The future of this ministry is completely left to the guidance of the Lord and ultimately it is His will being accomplished through the young adults who get involved. Some possible future benefits to the expansion of God's Kingdom are providing a ministry that bridges the gap from selfish adolescence to vital member of local church, that supports RUF and perhaps even a conduit for a church plant. Or maybe it is just an opportunity for us at this time to enjoy the fellowship of brothers and sisters in Christ. It is in His hands.

May we find ourselves devoted to biblical teaching, fellowship, communion, prayer, and the singular body of Christ to which we are all a part (Acts 2: 42-47).

**Working on this is one of those things that kept me from blogging for awhile**

Shadows and Dust

As General Maximus Decimus Meridius spurred his legions of troops on to battle he reminded them that their life had purpose and meaning for the future. He said, "What we do in life... echoes in eternity!" Another General of sorts was immortalized this weekend in Cooperstown, NY with much celebration.

In light of this celebration, where newly elected Hall of Famer, Cal Ripken Jr., was inducted, Cal’s speech echoed the sentiment of many with these words, "Today is about celebrating the best that baseball has been and the best it can be." Ripken’s speech contained many inspirational and heartfelt reflections on his career and his impact on the generations to come. He said, "We are the ambassadors for the future. Just as a baseball player wants to make his mark on the game and leave it a little better than he found it, we should all try to make this world a better place for the next generation."

Cal Ripken Jr. also added this perspective on his streak of 2,632 consecutive games played, “As I look out at this audience I see thousands of people who do the same -- teachers, police officers, mothers, fathers, businesspeople and many others. You all may not receive the accolades I have throughout my career, so I'd like to take the time out to salute all of you for showing up, working hard and making the world a better place. Thank you all.” Rather than talk about how great he was for this accomplishment, he chose to elevate those around him to Iron Man status.

While it was wonderful to see baseball’s Iron Man celebrated and to see him in turn remind everyone that people are more important than a game, I couldn’t help but think about shadows and dust. As Gladiator, Maximus, runs off to fight another epic battle in the Coliseum, his master, mentor and friend reminds him of the eventual outcome of worldly glory. Proximo screams out, "We mortals are but shadows and dust. Shadows and Dust Maximus!"

I cannot help but wonder if Cal’s view of the future is one held with a look towards eternity and if his worldly accolades will be celebrated as God’s glory in a good and faithful servant or if they will fall away and he will be separated from his creator. For all the celebrations and thanks in his speech, I never once heard him give thanks to God. Will Cal be glorified in heaven or will he be forgotten as shadows and dust? Will he be an ambassador for Christ or not (2 Corinthians 5:20)? Will he experience the rich fellowship with Jesus Christ or eternal absence? Will you?

My Conversion

**Recently I had an opportunity to write about my conversion experience, so rather than starting with my testimony written 3 years ago, I decided to start a fresh.**

Growing up with a Catholic father and a Methodist mother I can recall at an early age that my parents did not see eye to eye on faith. My father had me baptized Catholic and my mother took me to Methodist Sunday School until I was seven. At that point my father decided that I was going to attend catechism class which I did until the age of fourteen when I was confirmed. Once in High School I did not see a need for church nor did my parents seem especially interested in it.

This continued until I was in college where I was taking theology and philosophy classes. It was at this time that my prideful nature took hold and I concluded that there was no god. I became an atheist and would regularly engage my friends and anyone else in dialog that quickly disintegrated into arguments. My general argument was that I was in control of my life and anyone that needed the crutch of religion was weak willed. Essentially, I deemed myself to be god of my universe and enjoyed debate with anyone who disagreed.

Eventually my atheism succumbed to agnosticism and deism because I began to notice connections in my life and in the world with others that could not be explained by my prideful worldview. I still contended that Christians were weak-minded, relying on a book of children’s stories otherwise known as the Bible. My deistic point of view was basically a comparison to someone blowing their nose in a tissue paper and discarding it. There was an entire world taking place on the microcosmic level of the tissue paper, but the “creator” could care less about that world.

The idea of a connected universe began to infiltrate my thoughts as I could see recurring themes cropping up in my life that had no apparent connections. A conversation, a commercial, a song all pointing to one idea or another, but none of which were apparently related in any way. It was at this point that I met my future wife, who was a devout and steadfast Christian and the daughter of a PCA pastor. She was always willing to discuss my objections to Christianity and never became angry. I was still rather argumentative about the subject and refused to believe the childlike stories of Scripture.

She challenged to me to go back to Scripture and re-read it. Since I was still rather prideful and had a nominally Christian upbringing I brushed this idea off because I felt like I had already been there and done that. Eventually I yielded to her suggestion and began with the book of Genesis. As I read and outlined the chapters I did not get anything more from the pages than that this was someone’s version of history. She suggested I move to something in the New Testament, something that would show the work of Christ more clearly.

And so I began reading the book of Romans. One night in my room, as I got to the 8th chapter, I read these words, “If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8: 31-32) In that moment, I felt a real and distinct presence with me and felt as though I was floating. I’m not bold enough to say that I was levitating, but it certainly seemed like it at the time. Just then a fear came over me, not of the presence, but from knowing that my life was going to be forever changed.

During college I lived a very selfish and hedonistic lifestyle constantly putting my needs above others in the pursuit of pleasure. My conversion took place in March of 2001 when I was 23 years old and still living that same life. While I did not immediately stop living that lifestyle after the Holy Spirit gripped my heart it was not terribly long afterwards that I began to surrender more of myself over to Christ as I became further sanctified and conformed in to His image.

Seven Hundred Fifty-Five +

He is hated around the country. There is innuendo of impropriety floating around in books, in the newspaper and on talk radio. Many people dislike him for bringing shame to something they love and hurting our credibility. No, I'm not talking about President Bush and the misrepresentation of his 755 signing statements (real number around 160). I'm talking about Barry Bonds and the likelihood that he will break Hank Aaron's home run record of 755 career home runs.

With all the attention paid to Bonds recently because of the All-Star game in San Francisco and the impending record breaking event the media concentration is reaching high tide. I began to reflect upon how disappointed I am that Bonds will not only be the single season and career home run champ, but that he will have done so among many allegations of steroid use. Is he an illegitimate record breaker and holder? Is President Bush an illegitimate president? Of course not on both accounts!

When I look at the criticism and all around dislike I have for Barry Bonds, I can't help but see the same knee jerk hatred to President Bush that so many others have. While I would still argue that Bonds has brought an air of shame to baseball (and President Bush has served with dignity), I must lament that his achievements are record breaking worthy enough to warrant respect. The commissioner of MLB, Bud Selig, and Hank Aaron may stay away from the event because of this shame, but it will not change the fact that Barry Bonds' name will be cemented in MLB history as the all-time home run champ.

755 and 61 will also still be cemented in the minds and hearts of baseball lovers across the country as a true measurement for baseball greatness. Hammerin' Hank, Roger Maris and the Sultan of Swat will live on in history even if Bonds lives on in infamy.

Curse this land

Up until recently I have thought about Adam's curse to painfully toil the ground (Genesis 3: 17-18) in relationship to my career. Working is not meant to be easy and thus it is a result of the fall that I do not enjoy my job. Well on Saturday I got to experience what actual painful toil was as I uprooted bushes with my wife. I got blisters all over my hands and she got poison sumac. Our pastor's sermon on Sunday spoke right at the heart of this as he preached on the redemption of not only man, but all of creation.

So not only have I been confronted with the realities and pains of a groaning creation (Romans 8:22), but have also been able to gain some perspective on this curse. While it is true that all of creation has been affected by man's sin and fall from paradise, I have not fully appreciated the affects of God's redeeming work in my life. Becoming a new creation in Christ is more than just putting away the old man. It is also discovering the newness in quality that Jesus Christ has made us. Not only are our sins forgiven, but we are also given a new quality with which to live life (2 Corinthians 5:17).

I have not been recognizing that quality of life and have been carrying the burdens of my soul. I have allowed countless fears to blind me and keep me focused on the hard toil of the ground. Do you recognize the beautiful life that God has waiting for you when you embrace his Son? Halfway to Hazard has a song called "Devil and the Cross", and the climax says, "Don't ever be ashamed for God forgives the lost, we all live somewhere in between the devil and the cross". Are you living the life of the cursed land, the cursed people? Or are you living the life that was given to you by the cursed man hung upon a tree (Galatians 3: 13)?

Are you an atheist?

Recently I have had several opportunities to share my testimony, how I came to know Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. The grace of God, his sovereign plan and his will for my life is so evident in my story because the extremes and sharp contrasts my life has taken.

The journey from indifference to hate and ultimately to loving submission is pretty easy to see in my life, as old friends would attest to and especially my wife who was used by the Lord in a mighty way to bring me to faith. The general reaction I get from believers when they hear my story is astonishment and even recently I heard, "That is the most amazing story I have ever heard." I am quite humbled by this and generally react in way that conveys my belief that every Christian has an amazing testament to how the Lord gripped their hearts.

I share this not because I want to feel good about myself and toot my own horn, but because the next thing I hear is generally, "You are so equipped to talk to non-believers." This is also quite humbling, but in a different way. Because I wonder if I am truly living up to that calling and am I sharing my faith with those who are indifferent to or hate Jesus Christ. I’m afraid the answer is that I don’t live the great commission as I ought.

This is a challenge to my heart, but not one in which I find despairing. It is one where I feel the Lord preparing me to stretch and grow, one in which I am excited about. I am ready to walk by faith and as John Calvin said, “to live the life of God”.