When Christians fail, what do we do?

In regard to the whole Todd Bentley thing, I do have some thoughts on what's going on now. It does appear, from what some leaders in the Charismatic movement have said, there have been people close to the Lakeland thing who expressed concerns about what was going on. But none of these leaders were loud enough, in my opinion, in speaking out about what was going on.

This isn't to keep beating Bentley. I sincerely hope he gets the hope he needs. God still loves him enough to bring him out of the pit he's in.

But there are some things that seem clear to me:

• Bentley needed people in his life who loved him enough to pull him aside and tell him to cut out the nonsense. That's what happened in this case, with the result that Cain has repented and is seeking help.
• It's never wrong to question what someone is teaching. Apparently, someone on GodTV said that anyone who questioned what was going on in Lakeland was demonic. That statement is, I believe, pretty demonic itself.
• The problem with questioning someone's teaching comes when you assume that the person who is teaching has some sort of evil intent. What was the intent of Bentley and his group during this revival? I haven't a clue. I can't judge intent, but I can say where I believe someone's teaching lacks biblical basis.
• God is absolutely able to stop something that is damaging to His people. He will protect His children, whether he uses other believers, or gets involved more directly.

I've got some more thoughts on what this says about the state of the church, but I'm too tired to keep typing coherently. (As though that's ever stopped me before!) These verses keep tripping through the cluttered back of my mind:

Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Does this passage have any bearing on how we treat Bentley from here on out?

Quick thoughts on the Lakeland Revival and Todd Bentley...

I've been pretty quiet on the whole thing that's been going on in Lakeland, Florida. Mostly that's because listening to both the pro- and anti- Lakeland Revival camps have made me think more deeply about how we treat believers we have disagreements with.

But it seems now that Todd Bentley, the evangelist who has been at the center of these events, is having some marital difficulties. (Scroll about halfway the linked page to see the letter from the board of directors.)

There is a larger issue about the whole Lakeland Revival thing that I won't address now. But it is pretty safe to say that Bentley is a polarizing figure in the body of Christ. Some people have claimed that he has a powerful annointing from God. Others think he's literally doing the work of the devil, deceiving the people of God.

Here's my quick thought for now: whatever your view of Bentley and the Lakeland events, it's clear that he and his family are going through a horrible time. I believe he and his wife have kids, and all of them will be hurt by divorce. Can we please, for once, come together in love and pray for and support a brother and sister who are hurting? Is there any chance we can use this as an opportunity to heal hurting believers, instead of using it as an excuse to blast Bentley?

I mean, I thought Jesus said the world would know we were believers by our love for each other, not by our ability to kick another believer when he's down...

Something I hadn't thought of before...

Luke 22:31-34

"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."

But he replied, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death."

Jesus answered, "I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me."

What does this say about the love of Jesus for His people? He could look into the eyes of a guy who was soon going to deny Him 3 times, and pray that Peter wouldn't lose faith as a result of what he was about to do. And, Jesus was already setting the stage for Peter's restoration. Before Peter even sinned!

That really is amazing love...

Thoughts on Easter...

Easter is a busy holiday for us. It's the holiday when Jen's family and our friends come to our house to celebrate. And, this year it's really busy, because this is our month to host our little group that fellowships together on Sunday. So we've got fellowshippers here in the morning, and family here in the afternoon. (Yes, they're coming in shifts!)

In all the preparation it's easy for me to lose sight of what Easter is all about. This year one theme has really dominated my thoughts about Easter. It's the realization that God is present, even in the worst circumstances of my life.

I've always struggled with the idea that the Father abandoned Jesus while on the cross. Jesus quotes from Psalm 22, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" Growing up, I always heard that at that time, the Father, who can't tolerate sin, turned away from His son, who had become sin for us.

What kind of father abandons his boy at the lowest point in his son's life? What does that say to us about how we view the Father? If He'll turn away from His own Son, will He do the same to us?

I'm not sure that's the right way to look at this passage. First, we know that 2 Corinthians 5 says that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself. That indicates that the Father was there the whole time. We also know that Jesus felt everything we feel, and was tempted in every way we are. It's clear in Psalm 22 that God hasn't abandoned the writer of the psalm. He's there, present and working, the whole time. But the psalmist FEELS abandoned sometimes.

Have you ever felt abandoned by God? I have. But I realize now that even in those times, God was there. Just like He was during the crucifixion. And not just observing, but working on my behalf, even the worst things that have happened in my life. I think that's what Jesus was saying. My friend Cap was right: Jesus quotes from Psalm 22 to point the hearers, and us, to that Scripture. So that we could see from God's perspective what was happening.

So that's what I'm learning this Easter. That God is always here, He's always loving His kids, and He's powerful enough to turn enough horrible events into something that glorifies Him and benefits us...

A house divided...

Sure, to the outside world we look like a happy family. We love each other, encourage each other, have a great time together. Few people realize, however, that something very sinister threatens to tear this family apart. It seems that a horrible sickness controls 2 members of this once-happy family. The rest of us can only wonder what went so wrong.

This evil that infects 2 of us? I hate to admit this, but the Mighty Mrs. J and Disney Girl are...morning people! Yes, they are from that disgusting group that greet the sunrise with a smile and a song. They can hardly wait for morning to come. Meanwhile, the normal part of the family just hides their heads under their pillows, praying for the madness to end.

But they are kinda cute. Here they are earlier in the year, when we celebrated the finalization of Toddler Houdini's adoption:















It's a difficult path we walk. We appreciate your thoughts and prayers...

True confessions of a sick father...

I have to make a confession: I am a bad parent. At least, I'm a bad parent when I am sick. Actually, I'm pretty much a bad person when I'm sick. Irritable? You bet! Easily angered? Absolutely! Ready to lash out at anyone who annoys me? No doubt!

What a joy I am for the kids and the Mighty Mrs. J!

What that means is that everybody has been tiptoeing around me for the last couple of weeks. And, when the kids did something terrible, like play loudly, or talk, or you know, act like children, I would call them down. I'd growl lovely parental encouragements, like, What are you doing?!? Do you know what you're doing??? This has to STOP!!! Stop NOW I tell you!!!

Mostly, the kids just stare at me. It's really hard for children to stop acting like children.

As you can probably guess, I've spent a lot of the last few weeks apologizing to my kids. After my anger died down, I would realize what a jerk I was. Then I'd go beg forgiveness. Because my kids are wonderful, they always forgave their cranky, irritated dad.

I've spent a lot of time the last few days snuggling up my kids. I'm trying to remind them that their dad isn't always a growling, crabby old bear. I also hope they learn something I need to remember: the 2 most powerful words in the English language are "I'm sorry."

Paralyzing Perfectionism

My little boy is perfect. Or at least he thinks he is. Little McGyver can't stand to make a mistake. He expects to do everything perfectly the first time. When we introduce a new sight word to him, he sometimes cries if he doesn't know it right away. Even though we tell him it's OK not to know it, that he'll get it before long. That's not good enough. "I'll never know it FOREVER!" is how he responds.

The Mighty Mrs J and I both have the same tendencies. So we are trying to help him know that it's OK not to be perfect. So far we've only had moderate success. But, I've only had moderate success in my own life learning that I don't have to be perfect.

The worst part about expecting to do everything perfectly? It keeps me from trying things that I might not be good at. Knowing that I'll probably flub up a few times (or a lot of times) before I get something right is frightening, almost paralyzing, to me. So I don't do anything.

I've missed out on some really super things in my life because I was too afraid I'd do something badly. I'd like my kids to know that's a normal fear. I'd also like them to know that making mistakes, even big, embarrassing ones, is also totally normal...

Leaving a legacy of forgiveness...

I was reading through Psalm 51 today. It's the one David wrote after Nathan had confronted him about sleeping with Bathsheba and killing her husband. There's a sentence there, "I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me." I tend to live out that sentence in a very unhealthy way. I'm way too conscious of my own sins and faults. I tend to stay right there, focused on what I do that's wrong or doesn't measure up. Of course, in the psalm, David goes on to experience God's love and forgiveness. I don't always get to that place, even though I know I'm forgiven.

I wonder about how this affects my parenting. I catch my kids doing something wrong. Do I look just to punish? Or do I try to redeem something out of the situation? I know I need to correct bad behavior, but is that enough? My kids need to see forgiveness and restoration as the natural correction for the wrong that we do. Otherwise, they'll learn to wallow in the guilt of their wrong actions, and never experience the sweetness of God's grace.

I think it's true that kids get their concept of God from their parents. I want them to see God as a loving Father who doesn't let sin go unpunished, but who is quick and willing to forgive and restore fellowship with us.