by Mark Morris on May 18, 2012
David Mathis posted an excellent article at DisiringGod.org about grace as it as viewed in the life of baseball great, Josh Hamilton. Not only is he a phenomenal player, Hamilton depends upon God to see him through an ongoing battle with addiction and brokenness. Check it out.
Josh Hamilton, Relapse, and the Means of Grace
by David Mathis | May 16, 2012
In case you missed it, Texas Ranger Josh Hamilton hit four home runs in one game last week.
In case you don’t know baseball, that’s a big deal. Only 15 other players in Major League history have accomplished the feat.
But what’s impressive about Hamilton is that it’s not just one good game. It’s now several outstanding seasons, and an unusual career. An unashamed evangelical, Hamilton is one of the more amazing sports stories of our time as he has recovered from drug addiction and alcoholism, with God’s help, to become one of the game’s elite players. Not only is he a four-time All-Star, and the 2010 Most Valuable Player, but he currently leads the American League in batting average, home runs, and runs batted in.
ESPN’s Pardon the Interruption interviewed Hamilton the day after his four-home-run performance, and in the course of the interview, he was asked about his recent “relapse” (he admitted in February to consuming 2 or 3 drinks at a bar in Dallas). Hamilton responded with depth and authenticity about his faith and that he’s been learning to evaluate the weeks and months that lead up to temptations to relapse. In particular, he says he’s learned to ask, “Did I stop praying? Did I stop getting into the Word? Did I stop fellowshipping and allowing people who care for me into my circle?”
What he’s talking about are the so-called “means of grace.” In fact, John Frame (who explains the means of grace as “certain channels by which God gives spiritual power to his church”) categorizes the various Christian means of grace under the three precise headings Hamilton mentions: Word, prayer, and fellowship.
So how do we Christians, recovering sinners as we are, avoid relapse, grow in our faith, and continue to avail ourselves of the grace of God for everyday life? Here’s Frame:
Without God’s grace, we are lost. And we need God’s grace not only at the beginning of the Christian life but throughout. So, naturally we ask, where can we go to find God’s continuing grace to us? Where do we go to get the resources for sanctification, for continuing spiritual growth? The short answer is that there are three places: the Word, fellowship, and prayer.
Except for the second, we can find those resources either privately or publicly. The second, fellowship, is by definition public. But we can receive the Word either by individual Bible study or through the public preaching and teaching of the church. And we can pray, of course, either privately or publicly. In our private use of the means of grace, we come to God as members of the church, the body of Christ. Apart from Christ, our Bible study and prayer will not help us. Indeed, we need other members of the church to help us understand the Bible and to teach us how to pray. So, in an important sense, even the private means of grace are within the church. . . .
It is not typical in Reformed theology to regard fellowship as a means of grace. But I think it clearly is. Remember all the passages . . . on one-anothering? Those make it plain that our spiritual health depends on one another — both what other believers do for us and what we do for them. The larger concept that includes all those one-anotherings is the concept of fellowship.*
This is the stuff of healthy Christianity — for superstars and unknowns alike. The ground is level at the cross, not just at conversion, but for everyday spiritual wherewithal. We’re all invited to avail ourselves daily of God’s means of grace in the Word, prayer, and fellowship.
________________
* John M. Frame, Salvation Belongs to the Lord (P&R, 2006), 260–261.
Topic: Sanctification & Growth
David Mathis (@davidcmathis) is an elder at Bethlehem Baptist Church, Twin Cities, and works as executive pastoral assistant to John Piper. He and his wife Megan have twin sons (Carson and Coleman) and live in Minneapolis. David is co-editor (with John Piper) of Thinking, Loving, Doing, most recently, and Finish the Mission, forthcoming. Yep, he plays rec softball and went yard in his last game.
by Mark Morris on May 7, 2012
Kristi Griem has written a new ebook that should interest many. Kristi is a ministry partner who has worked closely with Last Letter. Kristi and her husband have been involved in missions advance for as long as I can remember. The concise e-book hits some important topics and connects the reader to key links for future projects.
Check it out!
Mark Morris
Sustainability is also available for yourAmazon Kindle or Kindle App.
Sustainability is an eBook for anyone interested in helping or currently working with artisan or producer groups to develop products and grow their market in the US. It includes practical steps for how to develop products, market them, and ship products that are made globally to the US.
Sustainability covers five different areas and includes templates and forms that can be customized for your group or business.
- Fair Trade (and what it is)
- Product Development
- Banking and Payment
- Marketing
- Shipping and logistics
If you or someone you know would benefit from Sustainability, hop on over and get your copy now at Amazon.
by Mark Morris on April 2, 2012
I have had the joy over the past four weeks to teach a World Religions course at Victory University. What a privilege to interact with 27 students regarding their own faith in Christ in light of a study of Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, several cults and new religious movements.
We began our course with Christianity, taking a look into what it means to be an effective cross-cultural worker for Christ. So far we have studied ancient religions of Iraq and Iran, Judaism, and we are about to dig into Hinduism. We hope to visit a Hindu temple this weekend.
We are reminded that God reigns supreme. He is Lord of all. He is the one true God and there is no other before Him.
Each of us who knows Christ has a responsibility to know what we believe, understand what others believe, pray for them, learn effective cross-cultural Gospel communication, and give an answer for the faith we have in Jesus. This knowledge of Christ is faith that requires a response. A lack of response, is actually a response with clear results.
My growing concern is that we Christians don’t even know what we believe, much less, how to relate our own faith with people from another religions.
Find out, today, what it is that you believe and in whom it is that you put your faith.
That All May Hear
Mark Morris
by Mark Morris on January 28, 2012
One of my missionary frustrations since the 1990’s is the mismatching of various terms regarding Unreached, Unengaged Unreached, People Groups, Unevangelized, Last Frontier, etc. etc. I’ve given up on any attempt to preserve the purity of terminology. So I offer you Danny Akin’s article below, in the spirit of giving up on preserving the term “unreached” for those people groups which have no scripture in the language, no access to gospel witness, and no indigenous churches among them.
Danny Akin, cites a World Magazine article by Eric Larsen and Jonathan Taylor who alert the church to a generational phenomenon which deserves our attention. I won’t even attempt to argue that Larsen and Taylor misuse the term unreached. Nevertheless, the article makes a good point. Larsen and Taylor call our attention to a present and future generation between the ages of 10 and 30.
Akin makes a good point that this phenomenon should lead the church to “prioritize time, energy and resources to reach this massive unreached people group with the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
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by Mark Morris on December 24, 2011
Personally, I must admit that the Joy of Christmas 2011 would not be as meaningful for the Morris family without the challenges of Christmas 2010. Joy filled both last year and this year, as with every year. However, 2011 comes with a challenging year in our rear-view mirror.
Last year, we survived the near-death experience of my sweet wife’s second and third stem-cell transplants. Her sister Sherrie donated stem cells to provide the hope of a new immune system and more years of life for Cindy. We are forever grateful to Sherrie and Scott who gave us an irreplaceable Christmas gift. Sherrie flew to Nashville. Gave up her vacation time, and even spent time serving Cindy so that I could take a much needed work-trip. Yesterday as Cindy went through a hard battle with a simple flu, we again felt gratitude for Sherrie’s immune system that gave Cindy the ability to fight a simple, but common illness. If that same flu had attacked Cindy last Christmas, she would likely, not have survived.
Also during 2010 my mother sold her house and built an addition onto our house, where she now lives in a perfect setting for her golden years. What a gift to have her so close and to see her enjoying the continuation of her purposeful ministry, teaching the Bible, serving the Lord, caring for the needs of others, serving her church and her family and great-grandchildren. What a gift for us to gather last week with her and my brother and his family, sharing an early Christmas together.
The joy of this Christmas also comes after 4 consecutive, uncertain Christmases. Upon each of those Christmases we wondered if that would be Cindy’s final Christmas on earth. Each Christmas, God gave us one more. And that uncertainty was matched by a beautiful June wedding of our baby girl, Kelly. What a joy to walk Cindy down the aisle, walk Kelly down the aisle, and confidently give Kelly’s hand to our third wonderful son-in-law, John Irvine. And finally what a joy to perform the wedding in a God-honoring, Christ-centered experience of worship and commitment.
What joy this Christmas to see our two grandchildren being raised by such godly parents, John and Betsy Hill. What an answered prayer that John Hill safely completed his tour of duty with the third brigade, of the 101st airborne. And what a thrill to see Emily and Sam Hawes completing (very soon) the arduous task of Emily’s two years of clinical pharmacy residency at one of the finest programs in the country, UNC.
Let me contrast all of that with a mozilla video advocating the purposeful service of a community of non-profit software developers who produce firefox web browser. Their video talks of their purposeful, missional existence – living for principle rather than profit. These unorthodox developers live their lives with a purposeful passion for free, excellent web-based resources. Free web development is their mission and purpose. Interesting, but for me that would not be enough. What is enough in this life?
These Christmas reflections lead me to ask, “So, with all of these blessings, what am I living for? What am I offering in return?”
Fortunately the message of Christmas is that Christ has given all that can be given. He has done all that can be done. My purpose comes from receiving Jesus as THE GIFT. He is the only one. He is my purpose. He is my passion. His Spirit indwells in me, because many years ago, I welcomed Him into my life. He gives me daily purpose, as I yield to His Spirit’s working in my life; as I read His Word; and as I live by and for His glory.
As I reflect on the challenges and blessings of 2011, I’m reminded that all of those blessings are merely a dim light, in comparison to the radiant gift of Jesus.
Thank you Jesus.
May we welcome you and receive your joy.
Help us to live by your Spirit, with passion, and for your purposes.
Mark & Cindy
by Mark Morris on September 15, 2011
If you are in the Atlanta area or you are attending Catalyst Labs, consider this opportunity. Last Letter and IMB South Asia are hosting a $10 Radical Dinner with David Platt in Duluth, GA on Oct 5. The dinner is not about the food. In fact, the dinner itself will be beans and rice, a sacrifice so that proceeds will benefit One Hope Center for rescued prostitutes. One Hope is a project of IMB South Asia and Last Letter. David will share his own experiences in South Asia.
Consider bringing a used smart phone to donate. The phone will be loaded with the Jesus Film and training materials to spread the message of Christ in South Asia.
As a special benefit Last Letter is offering a discounted Last Letter rate (use the code LL) for Catalyst Labs and Catalyst! LL reduced rates for Catalyst are only $249 per person (regularly $319). Register for Catalyst Labs at a reduced rate of $129 by using rate code LL or by phone at 888.334.6569.
For the Hopeless
Mark Morris
mark@thelastletter.org
Last Letter with IMB S. Asia
by Mark Morris on August 15, 2011
This week I was learned about AsiaStories, which introduced me to some great stories, one of which was an article about a missionary friend whose child died of leukemia. Trevor’s short life in Japan pressed a deep reflection of Christ into the hearts of friends and his community. Since my wife Cindy suffers from an “incurable” cancer in the same family as leukemia, the story hits close to home. I read this article with tears and with reassurance that God is Good and Faithful.
Get your Kleenex and read about God’s grace and goodness through the life of Trevor, a child of missionaries to Japan.
Missionary kid relationship yields fruit
By Marsha Woods
Posted Aug 08, 2011
Makoto Sato looked at me fearfully as he took off his shoes and stepped up into my house. My six-year-old son Trevor had met this boy at Sunday school and invited him home to play. From the look on his face, Makoto probably believed that I ate small children.
Trevor hurried Makoto into my sons’ shared room, pushing his little brother Nathan out the door. Usually I was against secrets behind closed doors, especially if it excluded little brothers, but I didn’t want to frighten Makoto any further by exercising any authority.
So began a lifelong friendship between my son and Makoto in the country we served as missionaries, Japan. Once it was established that I didn’t plan to eat him, Makoto relaxed and was soon sleeping over at the house frequently.
After a fun-filled Saturday of war games, reading manga (cartoons), watching TV, and eating every snack they could find, Sunday would arrive. The four nakamas (best buds), Trevor, Makoto, Jun, and Katsuya, would meander their way several blocks to Sunday school, arriving mostly on time and only occasionally forgetting to show up at all.
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by Mark Morris on June 21, 2011
So what will happen in Afghanistan, now that Ace of Spades (Ben Laden) is dead? STRATFOR is an exceptional intelligence report that comments extensively on what is next in that part of the world. Evidently, multiple definitions of “success” are shaping the argument. The question is how quickly and how significantly will the US depart? A followup question is what will be the results of the dramatic draw down of US troops?
See below several articles on the subject from this week’s STRATFOR report.
U.S. and Pakistan: Afghan Strategies is republished with permission of STRATFOR.??????
U.S. and Pakistan: Afghan Strategies
June 21, 2011 | 0846 GMT
By George Friedman
U.S. President Barack Obama will give a speech on Afghanistan on June 22. Whatever he says, it is becoming apparent that the United States is exploring ways to accelerate the drawdown of its forces in the country. It is also clear that U.S. relations with Pakistan are deteriorating to a point where cooperation — whatever level there was — is breaking down. These are two intimately related issues. Any withdrawal from Afghanistan, particularly an accelerated one, will leave a power vacuum in Afghanistan that the Kabul government will not be able to fill. Afghanistan is Pakistan’s back door, and its evolution is a matter of fundamental interest to Pakistan. A U.S. withdrawal means an Afghanistan intertwined with and influenced by Pakistan. Therefore, the current dynamic with Pakistan challenges any withdrawal plan.
There may be some in the U.S. military who believe that the United States might prevail in Afghanistan, but they are few in number. The champion of this view, Gen. David Petraeus, has been relieved of his command of forces in Afghanistan and promoted (or kicked upstairs) to become director of the CIA. The conventional definition of victory has been the creation of a strong government in Kabul controlling an army and police force able to protect the regime and ultimately impose its will throughout Afghanistan. With President Hamid Karzai increasingly uncooperative with the United States, the likelihood of this outcome is evaporating. Karzai realizes his American protection will be withdrawn and understands that the Americans will blame him for any negative outcomes of the withdrawal because of his inability or unwillingness to control corruption.
Defining Success in Afghanistan
There is a prior definition of success that shaped the Bush administration’s approach to Afghanistan in its early phases. The goal here was the disruption of al Qaeda’s operations in Afghanistan and the prevention of further attacks on the United States from Afghanistan. This definition did not envisage the emergence of a stable and democratic Afghanistan free of corruption and able to control its territory. It was more modest and, in many ways, it was achieved in 2001-2002. Its defect, of course, was that the disruption of al Qaeda in Afghanistan, while useful, did not address the evolution of al Qaeda in other countries. In particular, it did not deal with the movement of al Qaeda operatives to Pakistan, nor did it address the Taliban, which were not defeated in 2001-2002 but simply declined combat on American terms, re-emerging as a viable insurgency when the United States became bogged down in Iraq.
Asymmetry in U.S. and Pakistani Interests
The United States can choose to leave Afghanistan without suffering strategic disaster. Pakistan cannot leave Pakistan. It therefore cannot leave its border with Afghanistan nor can it evade the reality that Pakistani ethnic groups — particularly the Pashtun, which straddle the border and form the heart of the Taliban phenomenon — live on the Afghan side of the border as well. Therefore, while Afghanistan is a piece of American global strategy and not its whole, Afghanistan is central to Pakistan’s national strategy. This asymmetry in U.S. and Pakistani interests is now the central issue.
The Endgame in Afghanistan
That game is now breaking down, not because the United States raided Pakistan and killed bin Laden but because it is becoming apparent to Pakistan that the United States will, sooner or later, be dramatically drawing down its forces in Afghanistan. This drawdown creates three facts. First, Pakistan will be facing the future on its western border with Afghanistan without an American force to support it. Pakistan does not want to alienate the Taliban, and not just for ideological reasons. It also expects the Taliban to govern Afghanistan in due course. India aside, Pakistan needs to maintain its ties to the Taliban in order to maintain its influence in Afghanistan and guard its western flank. Being cooperative with the United States is less important. Second, Pakistan is aware that as the United States draws down, it will need Pakistan to cover its withdrawal strategically. Afghanistan is not Iraq, and as the U.S. force draws down, it will be in greater danger. The U.S. needs Pakistani influence. Finally, there will be a negotiation with the Taliban, and elements of Pakistan, particularly the ISI, will be the intermediary.
by Mark Morris on May 27, 2011
www.ethnecity.com
by Mark Morris on May 1, 2011
Today I’m writing from India. If you have been to India you know that there are many very interesting road signs to read along the way.
It’s not unusual to see large vehicles in front of you that have been adorned with the sign, “Harn Please!” To translate, “Out of common courtesy, please blow your horn at me when you are passing.” It turns out that blowing your horn is common courtesy in India. Who would have known?
Today as I walked out of church I saw a sign that you don’t often see in the USA. It was a sign indicating the headquarters of the National Communist Party of India – adorned with the red sickle and hammer. Just around the corner I saw one that took the cake.
Plastered above an office this is what I read. “Democratic Secular Spiritualism.”
I have no idea what that means but it is certainly a sign that fits a nation of 350 million gods and 350 million English speakers, the second largest gathering of Muslims, and the second largest country in the world.
I have no idea what Democratic Secular Spiritualism means? It seems to speak of paradox, doesn’t it. Here are some options on how to get at the meaning.
Perhaps the name tells me words carry different meanings in different cultures?
Perhaps this strange sign is an indication that the combination of words changes the meaning entirely?
Or perhaps what I should know is that someone created an organization with a name that would cover a very broad spectrum of extremes so that everyone could find a place within?
Perhaps this is just a bad translation of a Hindi name?
I really have no idea what a Democratic Secular Spiritualist is but I know this, there is more to it than meets the eye.
Lesson learned? Read the signs along the way with investigative cross-cultural lenses.
