Truth Teacher

The storm raged.  A fury of wind and water caught the small boat and crew by surprise.  These seasoned and hardened men, accustomed to the sudden storms like this, knew they needed to get to land.  They feverisly worked against the wind and waves as the storm wore them down physically and mentally.  In the midst of the howling winds, as they wipe water from their brow, they see an apparition in the middle of the sea.  “It is a ghost!” Jesus immediately speaks to them offering words of comfort and assurance.  After all, it was Jesus who put them in this boat to cross to the other side.  No doubt some of these weary disciples were questioning why this miracle worker would send them on a boat alone, only to be tossed to and fro by this sudden and violent storm.  In the midst of this raging storm, impetuous Peter wants proof of Jesus identity.  With one word, Jesus gives permission to Peter’s request and transmutes the physical laws of science....

If there was ever a tumultous roller coaster ride of ministry I would say our family has an express pass.  The last 18 months have been some of the hardest months of our lives, the most silent from God and the most disappointing from professing believers.  My wife’s job seemed to be too good to be true.  Now I know you're smiling as you read because of the expression, "if it seems to good to be true...".  I love the last dialogue of the movie Willy Wonka (with Gene Wilder of course).  He says to Charlie in the elevator, “Do you know what happened to the man who suddenly got everything he ever wanted?  He lived happily ever after.”  Lori and I felt that after a long tough road of ministry, it was our turn for a little “Jabez” styled blessing.  So when Lori landed this job when she was still in another country, before she even moved, we counted our blessings.  Two months later, she is ambushed with “we are broke and can’t afford to keep you...

We were shocked to hear the phone ring at 7:35 am.  Lori got up to answer the phone and read the caller i.d., it was her doctor’s office.  She answer the phone and her face grew stern, vexed, serious.  As she listens intently, she holds up her hand forming a letter, “C”...Lori has cancer. The issue of God’s sovereignty is something that has been near and dear to my heart for the last 6 years.  Prior to sovereignty my multi-year studies focused on God’s will.  The two are inexorably linked.  Therefore, when Lori told me she had cancer, in my heart, I acknowledged that Jesus is in control and this is for His glory.  It has been no accident that my quiet times have been in Genesis and I have been listening to John Piper’s eight-year study on Romans.  Abraham is justified by faith, faith alone and it is credited to him as righteousness.  The wonder of that statement should take your breath away.  Joseph, when speaking to his brothers say...