It's not my job

...to worry, because let's fact it - I control *very* little.

Worry can be an idol. I think I use to deal with worry by ignoring it - escaping to something more pleasurable and fun. I don't think ignoring it is the best thing to do, but rather coming to a place that asks "why am I worrying? What is causing me to feel out of control?" And then to realize that I never really had control to begin with - at least, to the degree that I thought I had. Yes, I have control over my own body, but NO, I don't have control over hardly anything outside of myself.

God has complete and utter control. He always has and always will. I need not fear the arrow that flies by day or the darkness by night, or the deadly disease that strikes in the noonday period (Ps 91). His right hand will hold me fast.

Lord, have mercy.

Big Worldwide Announcement

Thank you everyone for tuning in to this special blog posting where I will announce before the world my intentions for future employment. After much deliberation, I have decided to stay with Hewitt Associates and sign a maximum contract with them rather than to run to a competitor to do BPO elsewhere.

It was a hard decision, one that did not come easy. But when Daniel makes a decision, he has to do what is best for Daniel. Daniel wants everyone to know that this was not an easy decision for Daniel, but that Daniel feels like it's the right one.

Thank you to all my friends, my fans, and those that have followed my long and undistinguished career. Please keep coming out to support us as the Kaiser Permanente Race Walk or anywhere and everywhere that Hewitt Services are sold. God bless you all, and God bless America.

This is Daniel, signing off for now.

Reflections of a reformed charismatic

I think my own faith tradition is rather unique, at least in evangelical cirlces. And honestly, it's kind of sad that it is.

I agree very much so with the doctrinal views of most PCA churches. I believe in the sovereignty of God in and His foreknowledge of everything. I don't anything happens this side of heaven that solicits a "I wasn't expecting that!" reaction from God.

The Bible talks a lot about "The Elect" and predestination. I don't have an issues with predestination; I just don't know who personally is predestined and who isn't. Since I don't know who is and who isn't, why not follow the example I've been given to preach the Gospel, intercede for the nations, and do my best to present the supremacy of Christ in all things? Sounds like a good formula for a joy-filled life. Notice, I did *not* use the word "happiness" here but rather joy. I believe happiness is more temporal and circumstantial, whereas joy is more trancendental of circumstance.

I also believe in the co-equal, co-eternal 3 parts of God which has been referred to as The Trinity for hundreds of years (maybe longer). And I believe that the Holy Spirit if fully capable and willing and wanting to do things like were done in the Book of Acts. I want that power of God resting on me. I don't want to quench the Holy Spirit, no matter what. Even when He makes me uncomfortable =).

I don't have any problem with prophetical giftings or speaking in tongues. I Corinthians (a New Testament book) talked about speaking in tongues and prophecy and apostleship, etc. These were things that were around in the 1st century, and I don't see any Biblical basis that they not be there now (which is the dispensationalist teaching held by many mainstream, especially reformed, congregations). What's weird to me is that so many reformed churches are so serious about good sound doctrine, which is why I don't understand why they have an issue with "power encounters" with the Holy Spirit? Seems very odd.

I've heard it said that they find no reason/benefit for these gifts as the Canon has now been completed. I guess this would make sense if there was no manifested demonic power out there but there is manifested DEMONIC power!! Still !!! And we need the power of God working through the Holy Spirit to demonstrate His supremacy over demonic power! Once again, this all makes so much sense when I just write it down.

People are very into order in church. I understand that God is a God of order, and so they should exercise their gifts circumspectly (speaking in tongues for example). But to stymie all expressions of "out of the box Holy Spirit inhibited ___" is to throw out the baby with the bathwater in my humble opinion.

Grace and the Desires of One's Heart

It's so amazing to be in relationships where grace is at the center.

I've recently started dating an amazing woman who gives me so much grace and freedom. She's aware of most of my shortcomings and defects of character and chooses to love me and show me grace both as both a friend and girlfriend. And the crazy thing is that because the law has been emptied of its power, Satan has no power with which to accuse me. The accusations literally bounce off of me, because I am free to live, move, and have my being.

I think it's so sad to see relationships in which there's so much micromanagement and so little trust. In which each partner feels the need to keep tabs on the other person, lest that other person start to go down a path that could possibly hurt them. It seems as though the opposite of freedom is rigid and intense "accountability", which might be helpful if it's done right but can be very harmful and feel a lot like the law if it's done poorly. Me personally, this radical freedom and grace is actually leading to more righteousness not less, and I guess it's because I don't fear the consequences for not "obeying" the other person's rules. I know that I'm safe, acceptable and free. I know and believe that everything is permissible, yet simply not beneficial. So, help me God to walk on paths that are beneficial, not because I fear the condemnation of misstepping, but because I have great joy in that path! Because I love being free !!

I think a lot of people are scared that freedom will lead to an increase to sin, and I would say that this would be true if the person wasn't born again. Still being "married to the law and to sin" (Romans 6 and 7), the person would literally see their freedom as a greater liberty to do whatever they wanted, with what they wanted being things based upon their own sets of desires, which are rooted in their sinful patterns.

To those who have experienced Christ's life in exchange for the former Adam/self/sinful/flesh life (Galatians 2:20), they also receive a new set of desires in their core (Ps 37:4). The spirit person within them no longer needs to have the lustful pleasings of the flesh in order to feel validated. There's literally an exchange of desires - from lying, debauchery, coveteousness, lust, and theivery to patience, love, kindness, joy, self-control, faithfulness, and peace (Galatians 5). And this is such great news.

We're still given great freedom to follow after what our hearts desire...it's just the actual desires within our hearts are different. Glory be to God !!

Walking down the Wedding Aisle

I got to be a groomsmen in a wedding this weekend, and when the minister was reading from Genesis chapter 2, I had a fresh breath of revelation. It says that "in all of creation there was no suitable helper found for Adam." And so God fashioned a help-mate for Adam, and "brought the woman to him." (Gen 2:22) She was given the name woman since she was taken out of man, and the two were married.

Who was Eve's "father"? Given that Eve had no earthly father, the only logical choice is that God was Eve's father. And here is God the Father bringing Eve "down the aisle" to be married to Adam ("brought the woman to him"(!!). He was literally escorting her to the place of the wedding and "giving her away" to Adam, putting her into his care and under the banner of his protection and love!

Whenever the bride's father symbolically takes the hands of the groom and bride and fastens them together (and then himself removes himself from the altar and sits down), it's a symbol that he is no longer her primary protector and defender. There is a symbolic "passing of the torch" moment whereby the father says "husband-to-be, you are now the primary force of protection for my beloved daughter."

It's neat that this has been going on since the 1st marriage in human history. =)

Muslims, Jesus, and Burger King, Part III

20 minutes later, I got a call...from Feroza! And this is what she told me: "Daniel, I have 2 daughters (~ages 23 and 22) but 10 years ago I also had a son. In 1999, my son died, but when I met you today, I felt like Allah had given me back the son that died. You are like my son now." She was overjoyed that we had met each other...and I couldn't believe it.

After only 30 minutes, this woman had accepted me as a son (I hope you can grasp how really wild that is...). And the more I think about it - the more I like that idea. Because it would be pretty culturally infeasible/inappropriate for me to have much of a relationship with Feroza under any other circumstances than if I was a part of her family. But as her son, I'm freed up to love her as though she was my own mother.

Wednesday morning, I looked for some Bengali Bibles online, and hopefully they'll be coming very soon. May this be the start of a whole movement of Bengalis being invited into the kingdom. Because I believe that Feloza is a woman of peace, and I believe that she's going to be a person that impacts the lives of other Bengalis all around the Buford Highway area.

When I got home Monday night, I just felt so humbled that I had gotten to be a part of the Kingdom of God like that. It wasn't hard, really - just taking a few talking points from a couple of Carl's CDs and praying that I would meet some Muslims and get to do likewise.

Humbled that I'm even getting invited to this Jesus party, and thanks for letting me share....

Daniel

"May I boast only in the cross of Christ"

Muslims, Burger King, and Jesus Part II

Turns out Feroza has been in the US for over 20 years. It's been over 11 years since she's been back to Bangladesh, in part because she's actually a Muslim woman who has been divorced. Talk about shame...I was able to just be very empathetic to her pain at this point.

In the spirit of Carl M., I decided that that was a good point to start talking about Jesus (Issa), at which point the conversation took on an interesting twist. This newfound Muslim friend of mine told me that just like Jesus was my God, that Muhammed was hers. I had never heard this before, so I told her 'did you know that the Qur'an seems to say that Muhammed wasn't even sure where he was going (Surah 46:9)? If he was god, do you think he would know the way to heaven?' The fact that I had read the Qur'an and had respectfully asked her such an insightful question was mildly shocking to her again, but I kind of regretted the question after having asked it....and needed to change courses (fast). Even though the question could have been interpreted as a slam on Muhammed (not intentional), she saw that my demeanor was one of an inquisitive peacemaker, and instead was just even more impressed that I could speak eloquently about the Qur'an. (thank you, Jesus, for saving that situation)

At this point, I just said "Feroza, can I pray for you? (Carl M. asks to do this with every Muslim he meets; I like it.) I'd like pray for God's favor, revelation, and blessing to fall upon you." "Yes, you may pray" she said.

So there in the Burger King booth, I prayed a fairly simple prayer that God would reveal Himself to her, this Bangladeshi woman who had children almost my age. When I opened my eyes, I looked up at her - to see a face full of tears. At this point, Feroza's whole complexion had changed. While the tears flowed down her face, she told me of all the difficulties of being a single Muslim woman in a workplace that seems to show mild discrimination towards Muslims, about how much guilt and shame she's felt, about how hard life has been, and all sorts of stuff. I silently prayed that I would exhibit the face, emotions, and body language of my Abba father towards her. Within 15 seconds, my own eyes started to well up with tears. "God loves you, Feroza, and He wants to be near to you" was all I could think to say.

She then started to get excited. "Daniel, while you were praying, I felt this very good burning sensation in my stomach." (That's what I'm talking about! When Keter talks to people, he oftentimes asks them if they feel things in their gut...in this case, I didn't even need to ask! =))

"Feroza, that's the spirit of God - his 'Ruhallah' - confirming it within you that He loves you and wants to be near you." (WOW!)

Yes, the Holy Spirit was in that place, you guys. The air was thick with Him....and I love it when that happens.

Feeling a little bit giddy at this point, and really sensing the Spirit at work in that Burger King, I decided to keep moving forward. "Feroza, I would like to buy you a gift - I would like to buy you a Bengali Injeel. Would you like to receive an Injeel?" (Injeel = Bible)

"Yes, I would!" she said "And, would you like for me to teach you how to study it?" "Yes, I would!" she said (Oh boy!)

Turns out Feroza has another Bengali Muslim man named Sam who lives in her same home, and then she invited me to come to her house very soon and start teaching her to study the Injeel. And we're going to give Sam one also; she thought that would be a good idea =)

Got her cellphone number...and then she was leaving....but the story wasn't over yet....

(to be continued tomorrow....)

(End of Part II)

Muslims, Jesus, and Burger King, Part I

I have recently been inspired after reading one of Carl Medearis's books (Muslims, Christians, and Jesus) and listening to several of his talks on the Kingdom of God. They have been wonderful, and last week I kind of just said "you know God? I'd really love a chance just to imitate Carl's approach to Muslims and talk to them about...ya know - Jesus. Not white republican pro-Israel Jesus - just Jesus. I think He's enough, and I'd love a chance to invite some Muslims into the kingdom of God."
Several times this week, I've prayed that I would meet some Muslims this week. I guess God was ready to meet that prayer head-on. So far this week, I have had not 1, not 2, but Five encounters with Muslims from both Bangladesh and Jordan. Each has been special, and I'm convinced more than ever that Jesus is already alive and working among Muslims and that they just need someone to come along and help them connect the dots...may He be praised !

The following story took place Monday here in Atlanta:

I was looking for a place to hole up for an hour or so- somewhere where I could read a Doug Carter book about ministry partnership. I figured that Burger King was just a good a place as anywhere, and since I was in there, I figured I had to order something to justify my using their air conditioning for the next hour. I greeted the Mexican lady behind the counter in my typical "hola, como estas?" style, and then proceeded to greet her friend who also appeared Latina. Now, interestingly enough, that lady responded to me in Spanish, but then Gabriela said "oh...no. She isn't Latina; she's from Bangladesh." Not to be deterred, I greeted 'Ferosa' with some of the very few Bangla words I remembered from my trip to Bangladesh in 2004.

"Kamen acho?" I asked (how are you).

"Balo ache," she replied. She was stunned when I told her a few other of my words and said that I had been to Jammulpur, Mymensignh, and Dhaka, where she was also from. A man who had visited the "bahut sundar" (very beautiful) place of Bangladesh - absurd ! I told her that I was reading a "Balo boy" (good book) and pointed to it. She was shocked =)...

15 minutes later, Feroza came out to the dining room where I was sitting. I asked her a couple questions, and the next thing I know, she's sitting across the booth from me....(what was happening here?)

(End of Part I)

The deep thought for the day

"Everything that's free is either because of someone else's generosity, or someone else's theft." - Jacques Savrier

From Tim Dearborn's article in the Perspectives textbook

Missions - Privilege, Not Duty!

"Lack of interest in mission is not fundamentally caused by an absence
of compassion or commitment, nor by a lack of information or exhortation.
And lack of interest in mission is not remedied by more shocking
statistics, more gruesome stories or more emotionally manipulative
commands to obedience. It is best remedied by intensifying peoples’
passion for Christ, so that the passions of his heart become the passions
that propel our hearts.

Missions must never have first place in the Church’s life. The Church is
to have but one Lord – one passion – the One in whom all the fullness
of God dwells, who has reconciled all things to himself. If the Church
today is in need of a conversion, it is always and only to Jesus Christ.

It is insufficient to proclaim that the Church of God has a mission in the
world. Rather, the God of mission has a Church in the world. Grasp this
inversion of subject and object, and participation in God’s mission will
become a joyous, life-giving privilege. Miss it and mission involvement
will eventually degenerate into a wearisome, overwhelming duty.

Mission is ultimately not a human response to human need. The
Church’s involvement in mission is its privileged participation in the
actions of the triune God." - Tim Dearborn, "Beyond Duty" - Perspectives on the World Christian Movement

Good stuff!!

Addentum to the previous blog

The thing that really started to turn me away from limited government (at least on some levels) was the fact that slavery is still an ongoing problem worldwide, and it's a problem that's *growing*. In places where there is no government oversight, the likes of organized crime oftentimes fill the power void. And the weak and poor are the ones who bear the burden of the abuse.

The fact that there are probably 25 million sex slaves in the world currently is staggering. The system in which they exist is almost entirely below the radar, the underworld in which they survive lacking any 'governance' other than the tyranny of the sex traffickers.

May God bring light and freedom to the women and children who have been victims of sexual exploitation. Have mercy, Lord!

Big vs. Small Government: A Catch 22

I was pondering what I thought about big government vs. small governemt. I don't like the idea of big government as it's oppressive and the tax burden continues to grow and grow as the tax base continues to shrink and shrink.

Big gov't supporters say things like "if left to their own devices, big businesses will do nothing but exploit people and laws for their own ends; that's why we need more governance and oversight!" Small government supporters say stuff like "yeah, but whose job is it to 'watch the watchers'? Big government, if left to its own devices, will simply run over over opposition as a bastion of inefficiency and waste, with its own internal power struggles, corruptions, and endless oversight."

I do believe in original sin, which means I believe that both are, in a sense, correct. Mankind, when left to his own devices, typically chooses evil (Romans 1) except when to choose "good" would further his own agenda (i.e. good PR for example). I don't like the idea of mankind being exploited by a small minority of leaders or a big conglomerate of leaders.

I dislike Barak and I dislike big government republicans. I dislike both of them for moral, economic, ethical, and terrorism stances that each choose to support. But of course, I'm saying this from a "Christ-in-me, the-hope-of-my-glory" posture, which I'm quite positive that neither of these groups hold to. We've forsaken our founding fathers' position as a nation under God instead tried to subject God to the rules of the nation (think of this as 'one God under nation' postmodern stance).

May God return to these shores again. He's the only hope we have.

Weird to think about

So...I was thinking about it...and it really just hit me quite hard that I might be buying a ticket to go live in Central Asia in the near future. That's kind of a crazy thought. There's a large potential to experience a wide range of emotions and questions that I might tend to be more pessimistic rather than optimistic about. Will I be able to hack the hot summers? Do I really have what it takes to survive in a place like Asia?

I don't know these answers. I just want to be obedient to Dad.

Drowning

I'm drowning in a sea of tranquility and love as I think about God and listen to Tiesto's Elements of Life album. What a glorious combination!

Lyrics that made me pause...

I was listening to the song by Jeremy Camp called "There will be a Day." It's played on the radio ALL the time, but there was something about it the last two times I've heard it that really moved me. The lyrics in the middle of the song are awesome....

"OH! I can’t wait until that day where the very one I’ve lived for always will wipe away the sorrow that I’ve faced! To touch the scars that rescued me from a life of shame and misery this is why this is why I sing…"

There's something magical about thinking of "to touch the scars that rescued me from a life of shame and misery." Wow.