The End Of The Firestorm

Posted on February 24th, 2010 by Cliff Ames Jr.

If you’ve been following my blog or my Twitter account over the past few years then from time to time I’ve made a mention or two about a firestorm or firestorms that I had been dealing with for quite some time. In fact, it began in late October of 2007 when a major conflict occurred between me and someone else that attended the church I called home for over 16 years. This conflict between us dragged in countless innocent people and as a result the Elders got involved early in the process. Unfortunately, some bad decisions were made early on that led to catastrophic and life changing consequences in my life. Instead of the situation being handled Biblicaly, a false accusation was made and legal action was taken against me.

While I was dealing with this situation my Mom’s cancer had returned and at the height and most severe intensity of the firestorm, she went home to be with Jesus. Loosing my Mom caused me to give up the legal fight and compromise my integrity in the situation. I began questioning and doubting everything in my life: my calling, my faith and even the value of my life. I had no interest in personal repentance or reconciling with those that had hurt me, instead I was content to say terrible things about them and overlook any responsibility I had for the situation arising in the first place. But the Lord had placed some amazing followers of Christ in my life that were not going to stand by and watch me destroy my life and walk away from the Lord and from my faith. They gently rebuked me and brought me to the point that I began looking for a new church and a way to be restored to the Lord.

Having visited Cornerstone in Simi Valley several times while I was at TMC, I knew that it was a theologically solid church that placed a high value on knowing and doing what the Word of God commanded. When I had explained the situation to one of the Elders there, I expressed fear about whether or not Cornerstone would accept me due to what my former church thought about me, what the accuser said about me and especially the outcome of the legal case. He shared that what Cornerstone cared about was who I was in Christ and what the Lord thought of me. He recommended a Elder-Qualified guy at Cornerstone Disciple me and walk along side me through the process of grieving for my Mom and transitioning from my former church to Cornerstone.

As this guy walked with me, I began to realize that if I wanted to follow Christ that I had to take some radical steps toward reconciliation and peace with those that I had hurt and those that had hurt me. Around this time I began attending the Community Group he was leading and was welcomed with open arms and open hearts. I had the opportunity, after a few months of attending in near silence, to share with the group the grief that I was experiencing over loosing my Mom and the response was amazing. I once again had people in my life that called me to see how I was doing, that prayed for me when the Lord prompted them and shared their own experiences in order to preach the Gospel to me. They loved me where I was at, but loved me enough not to leave me there.

The results were immediate and drastic: I began to feel the Lord stripping away the grief and anger and replacing it with a heart of peace and a desire for reconciliation. About 6 months ago I approached the Elders at my former church and shared with them that I wanted to go a new direction with them and wanted to seek full and complete reconciliation with those that I had hurt and those that had hurt me. Their response was one that was supportive and joyful that the Gospel was healing me and showing me that the Love of Christ was rich and free and full of power to reconcile. I began meeting relentlessly and humbly with those on the sidelines that I had wronged during the process. Again, I was welcomed with open arms and open hearts and experienced the forgiveness of Christ, as well as the forgiveness of my fellow brother’s and sisters. I now had allies and fellow believers that were there to support me as I continued the process of seeking out those whom I had hurt, including the person that was involved in the original conflict. Over the past 4 months I have been a part of some amazing meetings where the Lord was working before and after the meetings for His glory to shine through. They have been difficult and they have been filled with all kinds of emotions, but the Lord has been gracious in allowing those meeting to be productive and to glorify Him. So much so that two weeks ago He has also allowed for the truth to finally come out and prove once and for all that the accusation was indeed false.

And so after 852 days… IT IS FINISHED!!!!

On Monday night I received word that my letter to be removed from membership at my old church had been accepted. Although they consider it to be “under discipline” I am confident that I did everything I could to make things right with those I offended where possible and with those that offended me where possible. The Lord has ended this Firestorm and I am grateful that I can now close this painful chapter in my life, that my family and friends can do the same and and that they can attend my former church without a cloud hanging over their heads. My Family and Friends family stood by me unwaveringly during my darkest hours… The Lord was certainly glorified in their example of faith. I also look forward to how the Lord will lead me to be involved at my new church home, Cornerstone. The Elders there have been amazing and without their willingness to stand up for the Scriptures, for the Truth or to oversee my Spiritual Well-Being while I was on the brink, I wouldn’t be writing this to you all.

On a lighter note, some time ago one of the Elders at my former church gave me a bottle of sparkling cider on my Birthday. He is a God-fearing man and a devoted follower of Christ. I plan on opening that bottle sometime soon with my family and celebrating the Lord bringing us through all of this. We are weary, but we have not grown faint…

I’m also going to be reading Psalm 71 in a new light… You should too brothers and sisters…

P.S. To leave comments from the home page click on the Title of this post.

Tags: blogging, Church, Cornerstone Church Simi Valley, Deborah Ames, deborahames.org, Firestorm, God, I Can Do All Things..., Jesus, The Master's College, Twitter, WordPress

The Disgusting Truth About Comfort

Posted on January 25th, 2010 by Cliff Ames Jr.

A lot of things have happened these past few weeks that rattled my cage. Most of them shouldn’t have.

1. My cage was rattled over the Conan verse Leno Late Night Wars. I love Conan and always have. Ever since I watched Johnny Carson as a kid I always wondered what it would be like to one-day work on a show like that. I love comedy and I when I found out Conan was going to host The Tonight Show I was excited and gave myself something to work for. To one day write or be a part of the Tonight Show was not a far fetched dream but something I could actually see myself doing. Needless to say it was tough to see Conan be abused by NBC brass but it was inspirational to watch how he went out… by having a lot fun on Television.
2. Since mid-October there has been a hole in my ceiling that resulted from a leaking roof. The roof was eventually fixed however after repeated contact with our management company the ceiling was ignored until early last week when the torrential rains finally proved to be to much for the flimsy patches to hold and the ceiling caved in and damaged irreplaceable pictures. I ended up getting into several shouting matches with people that could care less that water had caused damage to my property due to their negligence. To add insult to injury we were served with an eviction notice because we refused to pay the rent until they decided to do something about the poor maintenance.
3. In addition to the poor maintenance form management Southern California Edison has seen fit to turn our power off three different times over the past 2 weeks. They claim each time it’s for maintenance but then today the power went off with no notice and it wasn’t until after we called that we discovered that there was scheduled maintenance but that the problem was the maintenance caused “severe damage to critical systems which have led to an extended outage.” The power has been out since 9AM this morning and won’t be back on until approximately 6AM tomorrow. Right now I’m hiding out at a Starbucks trying to see if I can get stuff done for the move this weekend.
4. Moving is a pain in the a$$. Packing and going through and getting rid of crap that you’ve had for over 25 years can be both liberating and excruciating. There is freedom that comes from divesting yourself of the things that encumber you, but stuff is funny. We think we need it, but we really don’t. And the truth is the more stuff you have the more problems that stuff brings you. At the same time, the memories that are brought back by a third grade project, or a Christmas card from a particularly tough year can be comforting and encouraging. Then of course moving involves location, location, location. Not to mention cost, cost, cost.
5. Some major changes and events have been transpiring at my former church that directly relate to the ongoing reconciliation process. Needless to say, some key players are abandoning ship and it’s put me in a position where I’m left wondering how far to pursue reconciliation with them. At what point should I abandon the idea that there will be a happy ending to this?

–

So there you have it… my complaints and hassles this week. But in reality they pale in comparison to the suffering and misery of the people in Haiti. No food, no water, no electricity, no order, no help, no hope. People’s dead loved ones are piled in the street, violence has been slowly creeping in and churches there have been decimated by structural damage, whole congregations dying and spiritual turmoil due to unimaginable trials. Yet I’m ticked off over and entertainment show, a small pathetic hole in my ceiling, temporary lack of electricity, clinging to stuff that I don’t need and problems with a couple of people who have no control over my spiritual well being.

Pretty selfish and stupid. Sure I texted “Haiti” to 90999, I gave to my church and I donated at Starbucks. But oh how comfortable that was. To sit thousands of miles away from the horror of what is taking place there and to send money to a country that is in ruin. It’s the equivalent of putting a band-aid on a severed limb, I’ve done no good. And yet I am SO ungrateful for the amazing gifts and blessings that I have here and for what? Just a little comfort… I am disgusted.

P.S. To leave comments click on the Title at the top of this post.

Tags: 90999, blogging, Charity, Children's Hunger Fund, Church, Conan O'Brien, Conan Verses Leno, Conan Verses NBC, Cornerstone Church Simi Valley, Donations, Firestorm, Francis Chan, Garage, Greatfulness, Haiti, Haiti Earthquake, Jeff Zucker, journey of faith church, Junk, Leno verses Conan, Moving, National Disaster, NBC, NBC Verses Conan, Red Cross, Southern California Edison, Starbucks, Text 90999, Yard Sale

Midwife Crisis

Posted on January 12th, 2010 by Cliff Ames Jr.

On of the most interesting chapters I’ve ever read in the Pentateuch is Exodus Chapter 1. Exodus 1 is very much a transition chapter leading from the resolution of Joseph’s story up to the beginning of Moses’ story. Along the way a new Pharaoh comes along that forgets about how Joesph, a Hebrew, saved his ancestors from the famine. Out of greed and, dare I say, God’s permission, this new Pharaoh enslaves the Hebrews and hatches a plan to control their population. A plan that puts the Hebrew Midwives into a crisis.

“Then the king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and the other Puah, ‘When you serve as midwife to the Hebrew women and see them on the birthstool, if it is a son, you shall kill him, but if it is a daughter, she shall live.’” Exodus 1:15-16 ESV

A death sentence for all male Hebrew children and the Midwives are commanded to be the executioners of their own people. Imagine for a moment if you had to carry out these orders? Shiphrah and Puah are cornered by evil and it seems as if there is no way out. How much fear would that instill into you?

“But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let the male children live” Exodus 1:17 ESV

I LOVE that verse! Shiphrah and Puah have fear all right… it’s the fear of the Lord. They may have feared a madman mass murderer, they may have feared certain death but they’re fear of the Lord was far greater than anything that a puny human was going to throw at them. They chose life for others at risk of their own life. But that’s not the end of the story…

“So the king of Egypt called the midwives and said to them, ‘Why have you done this, and let the male children live?’ The midwives said to Pharaoh, ‘Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women, for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife comes to them.’” Exodus 1:18-19 ESV

What the what!?

Did they just lie to trick the Pharaoh? I thought they feared the Lord? Even thought the Ten Commandments haven’t been written yet lying was certainly not something that God blessed was it? Jacob was a trickster and look at all the trouble it caused him (cf: Genesis 25-36)! Was God pleased with what they had told the Pharaoh?

“So God dealt well with the midwives. And the people multiplied and grew very strong. And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families.” Exodus 1:20-21 ESV

So let’s get this straight… The Pharaoh orders the Midwives to kill all the male Hebrew children as they are born, but because they fear the Lord they don’t do what the Pharaoh tells them to do. Then, when they are held accountable, they aren’t truthful and the Lord blesses them for it.

But I think we need to dig a little deeper…

The key here (as it is so many places in scripture, especially in the Old Testament) is to remember how powerful God is. If He created the universe could He not speed up the birthing process? The Pharaoh’s words indicated that they would “see them on the birthstool.” If the Hebrew woman’s labor is sped up by the Lord and they are off the birth stool and the baby is not in plain sight, haven’t the Midwives done what the Pharaoh has asked? It seems to me that they weren’t necessarily lying to the Pharaoh, the Lord just made it impossible to do the evil the Pharaoh wanted them to do. The Lord Delivered them from evil… Obviously that is a HUGE theme in Exodus, but it’s also a HUGE theme in all of scripture.

A second thing to consider is the consequences of their actions:

“And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families.” Exodus 1:21 ESV

It was their fear of God that yielded the blessing of a family. But it wasn’t just a blessing, it was a second deliverence… They were delivered from being a midwives because they became pregnant themselves and could not serve as midvies anymore. Again, the Lord Delivered them from evil… The Lord provided them an escape from doing what was wrong.

“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV

Now let’s be careful and not misinterpret that verse. Temptation to do evil will come… it is a certainty… but when temptation comes God will provide THE way of escape… It’s to fear Him more than you fear yourself or others. When you are in the midst of a trial it is easy to be tempted to give up on the Lord’s way for a way that seems easier. When you’re at work and the dirty jokes start flying it’s easy to join in. When the latest celeb news and gossip pales in comparison to the gossip your are hearing about someone else it’s easy to keep listening. Maybe it’s fear of rejection, fear of being alone, maybe it’s fear of obscurity or just plain fear of others… whatever that fear is, it should never outweigh the fear, love and trust that you have in the Lord, who WILL deliver you from evil.

So the next time you’re having your own Midwife Crisis, (not if but when) and you are staring evil in the face… do not fear anything but the Lord.

P.S. To leave comments click on the Title at the top of this post.

Tags: 1 Corinthians 10:13, Anne Frank, Crisis, Deliverance, Exodus 1, Hebrew, Midwife, Midwives, Miep Gies, MOses, Pharaoh

J2B-2009

Posted on December 14th, 2009 by Cliff Ames Jr.

I snuck into Journey To Bethlehem this year. Some day I’ll tell you why I say I “snuck” in…

Tags: journey of faith church, Journey To Bethelehem, Manhattan Beach

A Year Of Grief, Faithfulness, Trustworthiness And Goodness

Posted on June 18th, 2009 by Cliff Ames Jr.

Today at 6:15pm my family and I will be observing a moment of silent prayer. It will mark the day and time one year ago that my Mom was ushered in the loving arms of Jesus. At times it feels like that day was a long time ago. But for the most part the feelings, thoughts and overwhelming grief of that day have lingered just beneath the surface as I have wandered through the past 365 days.

I have listened to countless sermons, read a few books, received cards, wept through emails and have had some wonderful people speak God’s truth into my life. All of it has helped on one way or another, but the words the thoughts and prayers will simply never be enough. I dare say that no earthly thing will ever be enough to heal my heart and make it whole.

If there is one small lesson, one short thought, one simple message that I have received loud and clear from God it’s this: “Life on this earth is temporary… and that’s the way it should be.” There is no reason for us to long to stay here on this fragile, fallen and failing earth longer than God’s plan for us.

I am reminded of Paul’s words to the Corinthians,

“For we know that if the tent, which is our earthly home, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.” 2 Corinthians 5:1-4 ESV

Try applying that passage to one whom you love and has been diagnosed with a senseless disease that will slowly take her life. Try applying that passage to the hours you spend on the phone with nurses and doctors at 2am only to hear them tell you there’s nothing more you can do. Try applying that as you attempt to say your final goodbyes, only to be interrupted by your loved one crying out in pain and having to be sedated with Morphine. Try applying that as you count the seconds in-between the labored breaths and come to grips with the debilitating reality that the gap is increasing with brutal regularity. Try applying that as you hold their hand for the last time and watch the life slowly slip from their eyes and the strength slip from their grasp and they take their last breath.

My friends, I can say with all honesty that I failed… I failed to remember the faithfulness, trustworthiness and goodness of God.

I failed to remember the faithful God that created the universe, clothed the naked refugees, parted the Red Sea and sustained an entire people group despite their disobedience and rebellion. I failed to remember the trustworthy God that Abraham trusted despite being asked to sacrifice his one and only son Isaac, that Zechariah trusted despite God’s silence for 400 years and that Stephen trusted his life too in the midst of a hostile crowd. I failed to remember the good God that changes people’s hearts, empowers forgiveness and provides for all our needs in His perfect timing.

I forgot God, even though God had not forgotten me…

Now, after the toughest year of my life, I feel as if I am starting to remember the Lord. The word Remember is used over 130 times in the Old Testament and the majority of the time God is commanding us to remember what HE has succeeded in doing, not what WE have failed to do. Over this past year I have been challenged to regain an eternal perspective and abandon my selfish and unrealistic notion that I have any reason to be faithful to, to trust or to find true joy in anything on this earth that is temporal. Instead, I am to place my hope, faith, trust and expectation of good on the God who has given His Son Jesus Christ as a ransom for my life.

I have a feeling that this is not something that happens in a year, nor should it take place in a short amount of time. In fact, I can, should and want to spend the rest of my life enjoying God and proclaiming His faithfulness, trustworthiness and goodness to others. The best part is that as of the time that I write this, my hope and faith and trust is better placed today than it was a year ago, which shows God’s faithfulness to sustain me, His trustworthiness to lead me where I can’t see and His goodness to provide me with everything I need to get through this day with my mind stayed on the Gospel.

Pray for not only for my family and me today, but pray for yourself. Pray that you will not forget God in your time of need and that you will remember his faithfulness, trustworthiness and goodness, especially in those moments when all of them seem to be so far away.

Tags: Deborah Ames, deborahames.org, God's Faithfulness, God's Goodness, God's Trustworthiness, June 18th 2008, June 18th 2009

I Think Jesus Would Zap The Polar Bear Too…

Posted on May 21st, 2009 by Cliff Ames Jr.

Just for the record I think Jesus would zap the Polar Bear too…

Bible Expedition: Prof. Horner Bible-Reading Plan – Day 1

Posted on April 29th, 2009 by Cliff Ames Jr.

My English Professor from TMC, Professor Grant Horner, has developed a Bible Reading Plan that he has adapted from several others. He and a large group of people from Facebook have been on the plan since January and the results have been amazing. They are HALFWAY through the Bible now and are chugging a long faithfully. As a result, I think I’m finally at a place spiritually where being disciplined enough to be in the Word is more of a priority than it was before. Of course that means I have to blog about it!

For a full description of the plan, as well as guide to get started you can visit the following links:

Prof. Horner’s Bible-Reading System Facebook Group
Prof. Horner’s Bible-Reading System PDF Download

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Day 1 Reading Plan

Old Testament
Genesis 1
Joshua 1
Job 1
Psalms 1
Proverbs 1
Isaiah 1

New Testament
Matthew 1
Acts 1
Romans 1
1 Thessalonians 1

Notes:

• “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” (Genesis 1:1-2 ESV) – It doesn’t get any clearer then that… God created it all and was around from the beginning of the beginning.
• “And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.” (Genesis 1:31 ESV) – God did in in six days… period!
• “No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them.” (Joshua 1:5-6 ESV) – Wow! God is promising a lot here! The best part is He will fulfill it all!
• “And they answered Joshua, “All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. Just as we obeyed Moses in all things, so we will obey you. Only may the LORD your God be with you, as he was with Moses!” (Joshua 1:16-17 ESV) – Wow! The PEOPLE are promising a lot too… too bad they don’t fulfill it… yet God is faithful!
• Job 1:1-5 – Gee whiz! Sounds like a great life!
• “And the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?”” (Job 1:8 ESV) – This verse is troubling… God is the one who suggests Job as an example. It’s not as if Satan said, “Hey what about that guy?” I don’t think I realized that before.
• Job 1:13-19 – Job faces several types of calamity: Man-Made Disasters, Natural Disasters and Man-Made Evil.
• “Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”” (Job 1:20-21 ESV) – I still don’t understand these verses. What was it inside of Job that allowed him to worship, even after he lost so much? After the evil, the accidents and the loss of family he still worships God?
• “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;” (Psalms 1:1 ESV) – The word for “wicked” in Hebrew is most often used in Psalms (92 times), Proverbs (85 times) and ironically Job (40 times). It’ll be interesting to see how wickedness plays such a big role in these books.
• Proverbs 1:1-7 – So it’s obvious that wisdom is an important attribute and characteristic to pursue and to even pray for (cf. James 1:5).
• “Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck.” (Proverbs 1:8-9 ESV) – What an interesting description of the relationship between parents and children. Does this mean I look good when I do when I listen to their teaching?
• Proverbs 1:23-32 – It’s not only stupid not to listen to wisdom but it’s downright hazardous to your health! The consequences for ignoring wisdom are pretty steep and pretty heavy.
• “The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s crib, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.”” (Isaiah 1:3 ESV) – Is God saying that His people are dumber than oxen and donkeys? How sad is that?
• ““What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? says the LORD; I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed beasts; I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of goats.” (Isaiah 1:11 ESV) – God is saying, “It’s over!” God still loves them, but their sacrifices are worthless because their hearts are far from Him.
• Isaiah 1:12-15 – The system that God has set up is no longer valid because of Israel’s sin!
• “Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.” (Isaiah 1:16-17 ESV) – God provides the solution to the problem and tell Israel EXACTLY what their sins are. Verse 17 is especially significant in light of Micah 6:8.
• Isaiah 1:21-23 – God explains that the city has become like an unfaithful wife… a whore. (Strong language!)
• Isaiah 1:24-31 – God explains how He will wreck the city as well as restore the city. God is specific and resolute. It will be done!
• Matthew 1:1-16 – For list of what all these names mean download This PDF of the Matthew Genealogy Name List (COMING SOON!)
• “And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.” (Matthew 1:19 ESV) – This verse perhaps gives us the best glimpse of the quality of Joseph’s character. A “just man” that didn’t want to publically shame Mary. Most men these days are NOT this gracious. In fact, it seems that this could have been the big scandal that sold dozens of newspaprysus.
• Matthew 1:22-23 – Prophecy was a big deal to the Jews that were reading this. It should still be a big deal to us today!
• Acts 1:1-11 – These opening moments in Acts are really dependant on the end of the Gospels. I think my favorite verse in this section is verse 11 “… “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”” (Acts 1:11 ESV)
• “All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.” (Acts 1:14 ESV) – The phrases “with one accord” and “devoting themselves” appear together many times in the book of Acts. What a picture of unity, perseverance (stole that from the Greek word for devotion: proskarterountes) and sticking together no matter what the situation. The fact that the early believers were also devoted to prayer should be a big deal to the chruch today as well. In fact, it should be a bigger deal for me.
• Acts 1:15-26 – Choosing a replacement for Judas Iscariot seemed like a pretty orderly process. The Bible doesn’t mention a fight between the nominating committee, the pulpit committee and ladies luncheon committee that all had different ideas of the who the replacement should be. Instead they all came together and did the right thing by praying and allow the Lord to run the process. What a great example!
• “Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus,called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,” (Romans 1:1 ESV) – I will never forget the Truth And Life Conference from 2007 where Dr. John MacArthur made an astonishing assertion that when we saw the word “servant” in the Bible it really meant “slave” (Greek word doulas).
• Romans 1:8-14 – Paul expresses just how much the Roman church means to him. His words are filled with both love and admiration for them.
• “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”” (Romans 1:16-17 ESV) – Paul, who was beaten and eventually killed for the Gospel, was a shining example of what it means to not be ashamed of the Gospel. The Gospel contains the power to save and also reveals God’s righteousness. There is so much that is very important in these few verses!
• “We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1Thessalonians 1:2-3 ESV) – These are kind words considering the reception and the controversy their visit to Thessalonica caused (cf. Acts 17:1-9). I have to be honest and say that it is incredibly hard to continually give thanks and constantly pray. But the Gospel is stronger and produces a “steadfast hope” that is transforming.
• “And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.” (1Thessalonians 1:6-7 ESV) – The contagiousness and the attractiveness of the Gospel here is very evident. Paul and his crew were changed by the Gospel and became witnesses for the Gospel. As a result, The Thessalonians saw how Paul and his crew reacted under pressure and when persecuted and realized that they were the real deal. So the Thessalonians are changed by the Gospel and then turn around and modle the Gospel for others. I think the church should learn a little something from this!

Tags: 1 Thessalonians 1, Acts 1, Bible Expedition, Facebook, Genesis 1, Isaiah 1, Job 1, Joshua 1, Matthew 1, Professor Grant Horner, Proverbs 1, Psalms 1, Romans 1, The Master's College

Bible Expedition: Habakkuk

Posted on February 16th, 2009 by Cliff Ames Jr.

I’m not sure that many of you have taken the time to read this awesome little book in the Old Testament. Yeah it has a funny name but there is nothing funny about this book. Habakkuk has only 3 Chapters and 56 verses but don’t let this little book fool you. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve needed to turn to this book for guidance and comfort.

• 1:1-3 – These first few verses set the tone for the opening part of this book. A truckload of questions about some of the toughest stuff to deal with: unanswered prayer, seeing the sinful go unpunished and experiencing injustice. The trick is that all those things are as a result of Habakkuk’s own people, Israel.
• God’s response is that He is working behind the scenes and is raising up the Chaldeans to deal with the sin of Habakkuk’s people.
• Wow, the list of stuff the Chaldeans have and can do would definitely make me crap my pants if I was a part of Israel. I wonder if Israel knew what was coming they’d repent? Oh wait… they did!
• 1:12 “Are you not from everlasting, O Lord my God, my Holy One? We shall not die.” I wonder if Habakkuk is reminding God or rminding himself inlight of what’ coming?
• I agree with Habakkuk Israel is bad, but the Chaldeans are worse. Sometimes it seems that the punishment is lopsided and doesn’t fit the crime.
• 2:1 “I will take my stand at my watchpost and station myself on the tower, and look out to see what he will say to me and what I answer concerning my complaint.” It’s so easy to throw up a prayer or even a complaint to the Lord and then not expectantly wait for an answer. I know that I’ve treated God like a suggestion box, just dropping in my complaints and never expecting a reply. But Habakkuk gets it right. He goes to the highest point and expectantly waits for God’s answer both spiritually and physically. He would have seen the army coming.
• God’s grace in the midst of Habakkuk’s questioning is a great comfort. God not only responds, but He’s detailed and precise.
• Five Woes to the Chaldeans and all those who act like them!
• 3:1 -  Habakkuk’s response to God’s reply is to worship. Despite the fact that judgment is coming for Israel’s sin, Habakkuk finds comfort in God’s ultimate judgment of those that carry out Israel’s sentence unjustly.
• 3:17-19 – Even though Habakkuk’s world is falling apart he is rejoicing in the Lord and in the Lord’s salvation. He even calls the Lord his strength. What an important reminder to be mindful of the Lord’s promises when the bottom falls out. I can honsetly say, it takes a lot of faith to do so.

Tags: Babylon, Bible Expedition, Chaldeans, God, Habakkuk, Israel, Old Testament

Bible Expedition: Hebrews

Posted on February 13th, 2009 by Cliff Ames Jr.

I recently read through the entire book of Hebrews in one sitting. Hebrews was written by an unknown Author (although I’ve always leaned toward Apollos) and has 13 chapters and 303 verses. It was surprisingly easy to read through it and later found out from a good friend that it may have been a transcription of a sermon. Whatever the case may be, here are a few of the thoughts and questions I had as I was reading through.

• Jesus is more glorious and worthy of worship over every other created thing… period.
• The Psalms don’t just talk about Jesus they shout His essential attributes.
• 2:1 “There fore we must pay much closer attention to what we have hear, lest we drift away from it.” (ESV) This tore me up. I know I have been drifting big time because I haven’t paid much attention to the Word until recently.
• God has been making Himself know since the beginning.
• 2:8b “Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control.” I bet that includes the good the bad and the ugly. But what about me? Have I been in subjection to Him?
• 2:18 “For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” Again, another verse that laid me out. I have no excuse for yielding to temptation.
• Houses are nice but it’s the builder who gets the glory. Hopefully I can just be a 2×4 for the Builder Jesus. He was a carpenter after all!
• 3:13 “But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called ‘today,’ that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” I haven’t been doing a lot of exhorting lately, much less daily. Guess it’s time I shape up for my own benefit as well as the benefit of others.
• 4:12 “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Ouch. It seems that God’s Word is a big theme in this book. Guess the Lord knew I needed to be reminded of just how important His Word is.
• Jesus was tempted in every way… guess I’m not so special after all.
• Hard to tell the difference between good and evil if you’re not paying much attention the decisions you make and the situations you put yourself in.
• God swears by Himself… how awesome!
• I’ve always thought this Melchizedek dude was pretty interesting. A King, a Priest and he even gave a tenth of his loot to Abraham. Whatever the case, Jesus is still better.
• Although animal sacrifices had their place, they never fully took care of the problem of sin. That’s why Jesus had to come along and finish the job.
• 10:23-25 “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Jesus is faithful, and we should be faithful to Him and to those whom He has seen fit to put in out path.
• 10:35-36 “Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.” It’s had to admit this, but I’m recovering my confidence not in this life, but in the promise of the life to come.
• Faith, faith and more faith. Everyone from the big names like Abraham and Moses to the small names like Jephthah and Rahab the bottom line was not their deeds, it was their faith.
• Hebrews 12:1-3 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, adn sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race tha tis set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfector of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself so that you may not grow weary or faithearted.” No matter what name was on the list in the hall of faith, they paled in comparison to the faith of Jesus. His example should give me the strength to keep fighting when I am weary from this every day battle of life.
• 12:12-13 “Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed.” I know that my hands have drooped and my knees are weak. It is encouraging to know that the Bible has verses for people like me and for times like these in my life.
• The closing thoughts of this letter are so practical and so precise as to their instruction that you can’t just ignore the fact that inlight of all the soul searching the text was calling for, the persecription was looking toward those around you instead of yourself.

Tags: Faith, God, Hall Of Faith, Hebrews, Holy Spirit, Jesus

Truth And Life 2009: Session 1

Posted on January 15th, 2009 by Cliff Ames Jr.

Truth And Life Conference 2009
Living In A Broken World: Suffering In The Life Of A Believer
The Master’s College

Session 1: Seeing The Sovereignty Of God In Our Suffering
Dr. John MacArthur

Four Thoughts On Evil

1. Evil Exists
   • Natural Evil – Disasters
   • Moral Evil – Personal
   • Supernatural Evil – Demonic
   • Eternal Evil – Hell
2. God Exists
   • God Is Sovereign
   • God Rules Over Everything
   • God Is Responsible For Everything
3. God Wills Evil To Exist
   • Process Theology
   • Openness Theology
   • Metaphysical Argument
   • Autonomous Argument
4. God Wills Evil For His Own Glory
   • Romans 3:5
   • Romans 5:8
   • Romans 9:19-23
   • Job 38-40

Best Rhetorical Question
Would you rather have a God that is trying to get a hold of evil or is already in control of evil?

Best Thoughts
1.    The greats evil of all was perpetrated on Christ for the purpose of glorifying God.
2.    When God came to earth in human form He could have chosen many ways to reveal His glory. Of all the methods He could have chosen, He chose compassion. He opened people’s ears to hear, He resorted people’s sight and He even raised them from the dead. God’s miracles were by nature compassionate.

Tags: Dr. John MacArthur, The Master's College, Turth And Life Conference

Way To Go Driscoll!

Posted on January 10th, 2009 by Cliff Ames Jr.

My homeboy Mark Driscoll is currently featured on the front page of the NYTimes website. I have to admit, this article made me laugh big time!

Conservatives call Driscoll “the cussing pastor” and wish that he’d trade in his fashionably distressed jeans and taste for indie rock for a suit and tie and placid choral arrangements. Liberals wince at his hellfire theology and insistence that women submit to their husbands. But what is new about Driscoll is that he has resurrected a particular strain of fire and brimstone, one that most Americans assume died out with the Puritans: Calvinism, a theology that makes Pat Robertson seem warm and fuzzy.

Not only is this article well written, but it gives great exposure to a church that is doing some awesome things! What a breath of fresh air and a welcome change!  Keep it up Pastor Mark and keep a seat open for me when I finally get to Seattle!

Tags: Bride Of Christ, Church, Mars Hill Church Seattle, New York Times, Pastor Mark Driscoll, Seattle

Back To The Basics

Posted on September 8th, 2008 by Cliff Ames Jr.

I heard a story once that when Vince Lombardi first took over the Green Bay Packers he faced some real challenges. Legend has it that one day, out of frustration for their poor performance, he stopped practice and had all the players gather around him and a football. He is rumored to have told his his players, “This is a football. These are the yard markers. You are the players. I am the coach.” He then went on to explain each detail of the game of football as if they had never heard it before, not out of disrespect, but beause the players had forgotten the basics of the game and the ultimate goal.

Everyone in a while I think God stops practice, gathers us around and says, “This is a Bible. This is my Son. I am God. You are not.” God has a way of reminding us about the basics of what it means to be a follower of Christ. Usually that moment comes in the midst of a trial or failure when we need it the most. Sometimes it happens when everything seems to be going okay, and we feel like we’re at the top of our game. It’s easy to be deceived into thinking that things are going well, but it’s a big wake up call when The Coach has you on the bench because you’ve forgotten the basics. Maybe you even felt like you made a big play but He puts you on the bench anyways. Don’t forget, the basics: He’s God… you’re not. It’s all about playing the game for Him, not for yourself or your glory. And when you get back on the field, don’t go right back out there and forget the basics again, or it’ll be another lap in the wilderness for you.

Eventually we’ll learn the basics and we’ll never forget them. By that time we’ll have played many games. Lost some and won some. But no matter what the record may seem to be to you, The Coach still has a perfect season everytime. And at the end of the season you get a crown and a trophy to enjoy with The Coach for your retirement. You’ll be so banged up and bruised from the game you’ll look foward to the rest and the satisfaction of knowing that The Coach said, “Well done good and faithful player.”

So take some time this week to get back to the basics…

It’s about time I did.

Tags: Firestorm, Green Bay Packers, Vince Lombardi