We here with Amazing Grace Global Impact Ministry would like to thank you for the joyful opportunity to communicate with you about serving alongside your ministry.
Leadership:
drmichaelcurry@gmail.com
Hope: The Oxygen Of Our Souls
Today, I am hearing very little hope coming from our government, or our pulpits. Yet, the church is assigned the joyful responsibility of publicly announcing that although the evening star signals the end of a day, The Bright and Morning Star promises us a new day of hope. So, let us move forward together, in concert with Jesus, our Living Hope.
Below are some reflections of someone who was in Washington, DC, on that dreadful day in 2001….me. Although devastating, as a follower of Jesus, I found a way to move forward then, and I truly believe that pathway is not just the primary way, but the only, to move forward now in the face of Covid-19, racism, financial instability, and personal anguish. What way? Jesus, the one who told us to call Him “The Way,”
provides oxygen for our souls, as our Living Hope. There is no need to despair, because He is near.
I trust that as you read these personal reflections of mine, it will compel you to accept security, direction, and energy from God Himself. You see, more than the answer to any, and every, prayer, we need Him. Jesus is our Hope; so embrace Him.
My personal desire is that my testimony of what I encountered on 911, as well as my convictions since that day, will engage you to trust in The Savior, from whom all blessings flow.
“911” BY MICHAEL CURRY
To say the least, this has been a most difficult week, more horrible than anyone could have imagined. Suicide bombers, cowards, have crashed airplanes into the Pentagon and the twin towers of the World Trade Center, and they were attempting an attack on The White House, and would have succeeded, were it not for some brave passengers who aborted the plane into the rural fields of Pennsylvania. Our President said that we are at war with terrorists.
The details have stunned us into disbelief. President Bush is a hunted man, while his family is hiding in a secret place. Citizens have become human torches, and others have seen more hope in jumping to their death from the windows of a skyscraper than the next available option. Thousands of innocent people are dead. Americans are reminded of the assignation of J.F. Kennedy and the destruction at Pearl Harbor. We wonder, “Is there any place that we are safe?” Most feel vulnerable and many afraid.
Faces of survivors tell the true story. Three hundred New York firemen died trying to save others. One of the presumed to be dead firefighters was rescued, when cheers erupted into an enthusiastic USA…USA. I do not know about you, but chills ran up and down my spine when I witnessed this scene of discovery followed by elation. And then I cried when I heard the story of Megan. A newscaster talked with this black haired, freckled face, little girl who appeared to be about six years old. She was at the wreckage looking for her daddy. I wanted to rip my heart out as she looked into the camera and said about her missing father, “He is always gone, and now he will be gone even more.” Quickly, I located my sixteen year old son, Bryan, and held him in my arms for the next two hours. I am not sure whether he needed me, but I most assuredly needed him.
Personally, I have not been afraid for the immediate safety of my family. I am not worried about traveling on a plane in the distant future, although I am not ready to climb on board today. I am more concerned about the bombing of a crowded football stadium this fall, a crop duster spreading small pox over Los Angeles, the West Nile virus being used as a military weapon, or an explosion along the earth’s fault line that would set off a devastating earthquake. Yet, I am lifeless, completely drained of energy, stuck in the moment, sad, glued to the television. Everyone seems to know where they were when JFK, or Elvis, died. I will never forget where I was when I heard this horrific news. I was in D.C.
What can we make of these happenings? It is much too soon to think intellectually about them. Yet, we all have our moments of reflection. Here are mine:
DON’T ACT SURPRISED
First, we should not be surprised by these acts of emotional sickness. In John 16:33, Jesus said in the world “you will have tribulation.” Yes, we know this truth, but we have not faced a challenge like this before. Many of us here in the worship today, were not directly confronted with the Great Depression, World War, or even Dessert Storm. Now we are face to face with an enemy that we cannot see. Osama Bin Laden is only a personification of the one who “prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” As long as we are in this world, we will be faced with the presence of sin.
DON’T ACT BETRAYED
Second, let us not act betrayed. All of this talk about moments of tribulation are only the picture frame. The real picture is about God. Where was He when those buildings went down? Is He, like some have suggested, judging America? John reminds us of what we already know. There is tribulation because the whole world is under the sway of the evil one. In other words, God’s nature is not like that of Zeus who, out of jealousy and rage, throws lightning bolts down from the sky. The hideous events of 911 were carried out by men with sinful hearts, and under the influence of Satan. Our Heavenly Father has not done this. He has not betrayed us, nor His nature of Love. And although His love is supreme, Christians are not exempt from cancer, heart attacks, auto accidents, loss of jobs, heartbreak and the like. World power is not our birthright, and physical safety is not a fringe benefit. Yet, like the book of Revelation reveals, when the world is facing tribulation, God the Father is seated on His throne of authority, and Jesus Christ is ever present with His church. Where was God when our son (daughter, mate, et al) died on that day? He was in the same place He was when His son died.
DO KNOW THAT REVELATION FOLLOWS DESPERATION
Third, in our world, things are never what they seem. Once the great Titanic seemed unsinkable, but on a foggy night she struck an iceberg and the rest is tragic history. This week our titanic government was brought to her knees like a school boy who lost a fight to the playground bully. In both instances, it seemed as God was absent.
In Mark 15:34 it seemed as if God was absent, for His son was dying in despair. He moans, “Why have you forsaken me?” Whenever we feel that God is distant, let us remember that His presence is about to be most powerfully revealed. To say it another way: revelation follows desperation.
When believers face severe trials, we pray. This is not our last resort; it is our first response. Jesus prayed, even from the cross, at the special time of prayer, the ninth hour. It was His intimacy with God that allowed Him to pray so honestly, “Why?” He believed that God heard Him, and that God had the power to deliver Him. He had a love relationship with God, and it was out of this security that He could voice His pain. The believer is not stoic, unmoved by grief. When we face suffering, we express our belief through prayer, even asking the often times unanswerable question, “Why?”
Because Jesus lived by scripture as His inspiration, He turned to scripture for solace. Using Psalm 22 as His prayer guide, He voiced human anguish and Christian hope. The promises of scripture moved Him from despair to triumph. At the moment of total abandonment (death), He fully experienced God’s presence. Immediately, His prayer was answered.
This event had a profound impact on a Roman soldier who said, “Surely this man was the son of God.” Son of God? This was a title reserved only for Lord Caesar. What do you think brought about this transformation? Had he seen Jesus’ miracles? Was Jesus the mighty ruler that some said He would become? John said that the Gentile soldier believed because “he saw the way Jesus breathed His last breath.” Yes, he saw God’s son die in utter abandonment and with profound questions. But also simple trust. When He saw the way Jesus died, he changed his understanding of reality. At first, Caesar seemed to be the son of God and Satan seemed to be in control. For us, God seems to be distant, and the work of missionaries silenced. But the reality is that moments of desperation over God’s absence are followed by powerful seasons of His revelation.
Based upon this newly revealed reality, I have a prediction to make about our future. The events of 911 will make our nation stronger, bring our church family closer together and be the springboard for a rapid and more forceful spread of the Gospel. Like Paul said to the Philippians: “what has happened to me has turned out for the advancement (a military term) of the Gospel.” At times like these, God may appear to be absent, but be assured that He is as close as the mention of His name, in prayer.
DO KNOW THAT PRAYER PROVIDES THE POWER TO MOVE FORWARD
Fourth, prayer is the pathway for the power we need to move forward. In order for us to rest at night, we must depend upon our government to protect us, but not totally. Personally, we can remain alert to the dangers around us with a heightened sense of awareness. We are at war, and big brother cannot fully keep us safe. Yet, there is more.
Although we will have to continue to live with the presence of sin until we die, or our Lord returns, Jesus has dealt with both the penalty of sin and the power of sin. Jesus said about Himself, “without me you can do absolutely nothing.” He did not say that “without me you can do the minimum or the necessary.” No, He said that “without me you can do nothing.”
Paul knew this. II Timothy 4 tells us that he was in a Roman prison, facing the trial of his life. He reflected back to a time when God had helped him. At first, it did not seem that way. Demas, his assistant who loved the world more than he loved God’s work, deserted him, as did his other friends. He had to face his accusers alone, or so he thought.
The real help for Paul came from within. Rather than trying to get even with his accusers, Paul spoke to God, “I pray this will not be laid to their charge.” Where else have we heard this prayer? Stephen, when he was stoned? Jesus, from the cross?
After the numbness wears off, we are going to get mad, and then we are going to want to get even. In my opinion, as our government answers these terrorist with the full fury of our military, I must be prepared to keep a check on my personal thirst for vengeance. Bitterness is an internal cancer. It is like carrying a bag of stones…the longer I carry them, the heavier they become. Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., spoke from an American experience just as real as ours today when he said, “returning hate for hate multiplies hate…hate hurts the enemy and the victim…hate scars the soul and distorts the personality.” And Dale Carneige wrote words that I need to hear, “Whenever we hate our enemies, we give them power over us…power over our sleep, our appetite, and our happiness. They would dance with joy if they knew how much they were worrying us. Our hate is not hurting them at all, but it is turning our days and nights into hellish turmoil. If we spend our time trying to get even, we will never get ahead. Let the judges judge. Let the prosecutors prosecute. Forgive and pray for those who hurt you.”
Matthew 5:21-26 says it best. These verses tell us not to murder and not to dehumanize. For murder grows out of prejudice, insults, ridicule, conflict, deep-seated anger desiring to spit in a person’s face. Someone said that when we call another person a fool, we are making a fool out of ourselves, and that hate says more about the hater than the hated. Jesus is not suggesting that sin should not be punished. But He does want to make it perfectly clear who the sinner is. I wonder what sins I have committed that would make others from the Middle East want to blow me up, or at what point am I arrogant, superior in attitude, making others sub-human.
We are all on the way to God’s court, and if possible, we should settle our differences in this life. Maybe we could make a list of those we have injured, or who have injured us, and then initiate immediate reconciliation, if possible. I should remind myself that reconciliation takes place over worship, and it shows the world that Christ is the answer to their searching questions. Something pushed the button of those terrorist. What was it? A more important question for us today is “what pushes our button?” A slow driver? Network difficulty during our favorite television show? A lost quarter in a vending machine? While struggling with searching questions from every realm, Jesus prayed. For Him prayer was not an activity. It was His passion, inspiration, transformation, breath, what He knew to be His next step in times of uncertainty.
Be sure to pray with your children. These days children are so bright, and they grow up so fast. Do not minimize their fears. Talk to them about yours and let them talk to you about theirs (verbally, or through drawings and puppets). Limit their viewing, especially of those scary explosions, air planes crashing into those towers and people jumping from buildings. Because they cope better when involved in structured activities, make sure that they return to school, even when they protest. Spend time with them, reassuring them with your presence and words. And by all means pray with them. Prayer will remind them that God never turns out His light.
WHAT TO DO WHEN THINGS LOOK AS HOPELESS AS GROUND ZERO
911. The call goes out for help. On that dreadful day, our country lost her innocence. Financially, families have been cut off at their knees. Despair abounds. If Maslow is right concerning his hierarchy of needs, safety is our most basic concern. Our future is telescoped into a picture that looks as hopeless as “ground zero.” In the well-known Eagle’s wings speech, we are reminded that the most valuable teachable moments are not when we are soaring like an eagle (life is easy while we are undergoing those mountaintop experiences), or even when we are running, but during those times (these times) when we can hardly place one foot in front of the other. Today, as I seek to move forward one step at a time, I draw upon an experience that I had while teaching some Bible classes for the “Schools Of Russia.” Since I was a boy, I had a desire to see for myself what was behind that iron curtain. Then I got my chance. While there, Baptist missionaries wanted me to explore their new-found country. I was not prepared. Due to some food poisoning, I was unable to eat for three weeks. Russia’s Siberian region was colder than I anticipated. I missed my family. Most importantly, I was going through a bout of severe depression. Days were cloudy at best. The last thing I wanted to do was tour a museum. Nationals insisted that I view the world famous art at the Hermitage in Saint Petersburg, Russia. I am glad that I did.
While all of this was taking place, I was reading Henri Nouwen’s, The Return Of the Prodigal Son. The themes of loneliness, dejection and anger challenge us to love as the Father and to be loved as the Son. I felt just as lost as the son who stayed home. Rembrandt’s “The Return Of the Prodigal” blanketed the cover of Nouwen’s book. I was hanging onto every word, because I needed The Word for reassurance.
So there I was, physically sick and emotionally exhausted, walking from massive room to massive room, each filled with some of the most famous art on planet earth. Although, religious freedom as we know it in America was forbidden, school teachers could take their students to the Hermitage and there learn about the Gospel. Then it happened. Entering another massive room, my eyes were pulled to the left side of the room by the light from the sun. That light flooded, you guessed it, Rembrandt’s original painting. At that profound moment, I felt God place His arms around me, and I experienced the impact of those penetrating words which Jesus heard the day He was baptized: You are my beloved son; in You I am well pleased. Just when I needed Him most, our Lord let me know that He loved me. He loved me. He loved me. He loved me, not because what I had done for Him, but simply because I was His child.
The call goes out: 911. Right now God is answering the call. He has not sent you an angel, or a preacher, or even an angelic preacher named Michael. Today, theophany is taking place. God is here in the flesh. Today, God loves you. Feel His embrace. Experience His safety. Hear His words. Know His presence. He has not deserted us. God always watches over His kids!
“A Walk In The Clouds” is a movie about a young man and woman who fell in love. The father was resistant to his daughter marrying an outsider, while the grandfather was able to look below the surface and notice unmet potential. In a single act of rage, and while trying to deny this budding affair from blooming, the father accidently caused a fire which destroyed the family vineyard and devastated what the grandfather called “the root of our lives” (a root from a grape vine which a padre brought from Spain to Mexico in the 1500’s…the root of the family’s life). Dad tried to give reasoning to his mad act when he said, “I was afraid of losing you. I didn’t know any other way to love. Can you teach me?” Out of desperation the grandfather sighed, “The fire burned through everything. We lost everything. There is no root left to plant. It is finished!” At this point in the story, the young man runs to the hill-top, digs through the ashes, and locates that original root, thought to be dead. He takes it to the father, who uses his pocket knife to cut into the trunk. Unexpectantly, it showed signs of life. “It’s alive. Our family lives,” he says. And speaking more directly to the young man, the father shouts with joy, “It’s the root of your life, the root of your family. You are bound to this and to your family by commitment, by honor, and by love.” Then the young man is told by the father, “Plant it; it will grow,” to which the young man said, “I don’t know how.” The father said, “Daughter, help your husband.” With these words of acceptance, the young man was an orphan no longer.
While things look as hopeless as “ground zero,” may God’s awesome love for us, remind us that we are not orphans or homeless. And may this assurance empower us to “plant” the roots of our faith. In these moments of desperation, our daughters, brothers, sisters, fathers in the faith will show us how. We need Him, and we need each other. For this reason, God’s house of worship is full today. I trust that next Sunday His house will be full, and that all week long we will be full for having visited His house.
Here is a sermon presented by Dr. Michael Curry at First Baptist Church of Roanoke titled “Jesus Last Command…Our First Priority”
Please enjoy the music below…
The Story Behind “Forgiveness”…
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MYANMAR OUTREACH BIBLE SCHOOL:
Myanmar Outreach Ministries [MOM], under the leadership of Myanmar Outreach Team led by Pastor Ling, is launching “Myanmar Outreach Bible School” [MOBS], in order to equip young adults who have a burning passion for reaching Myanmar with the
Gospel, and to prepare others to serve Christ’s church effectively.
Most of native missionaries and church planters in Myanmar began mission work, and planting churches, with little training and resources. MOBS will change that trend.
Their God-given vision is to train and send out 100 native missionaries to all corners of Myanmar, in this generation.
On their present church facilities, MOM has space to house the ten students they plan to enroll by August of this year.
Training courses will include a two year Diploma in Burmese, plus a three year B.Min and a four year B.Th in Burmese and English.
The $7,000 needed will provide all students with room, board, and books. We have seven weeks to raise $7,000.
Donation can be made through: Amazing Grace Global Impact Ministry, 33 Appleton Place, Fishersville, VA 22939.
