The weblog of the Bunnells, missionaries serving in Romania on behalf of
Monday, September 11, 2006
Just be sincere?
On this anniversary of 9-11 I stumbled across a website promoting Buddhism that makes claims that, in light of what today is the anniversary of, are stunningly foolish. Every sincere adherent to any religion is made good by it and will go to heaven, the site claims with great dogmatism, although basing their claims on nothing but their feelings.
So if what the owner of that website proclaims in no uncertain terms is true, then the terrorists of 9-11 five years ago were good people, as the most sincere adherents to the teachings of the Koran, and they went to paradise for answering the Koran's call to die in the act of killing others in Allah's name. No thinking, rational person would say such a thing. But I bet if you asked Americans on the street if the adherents of any religion would be righteous enough to go to heaven, most people would say yes to that. (At least if you didn't bring up 9-11 while you were asking the question.)
But one of the important things the events of that terrible day teach us is that religion does not lead to righteousness; and in fact it more often than not leads to evil. All of the religions of the world system are an act of rebellion against God--they do not bring us closer to Him. Only being cleansed of our sins by the blood of Christ does that. In the eyes of God it is a wicked thing to be sincerely religious and self-righteous. We must have a righteousness from God apart from the law that comes by faith, or we will not be righteous at all.
And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. God saw thatthe light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness --Genesis 1:3-4
I grew up in Kentucky, not far from MammothCaveNational Park, so I've toured various parts of the immense cave system several times. One of the most memorable happenings there was on what they called the Historic Tour. After walking progressively further down into the dimly lit cave for half an hour or so, your eyes were as well-adjusted to the near darkness as they can get. Then, after fair warning, they turned out the lights. There underground, where no outside light made it in, you got to learn just how dark real darkness is when it's separated from light. At that moment, the darkness was so black that you could actually wave your hand back and forth two inches in front of your face and be completely unable to perceive it with your eyes. It was a somewhat exciting experience, but also one that made you thankful for the lights when they came back on. And it demonstrated for me, better than anything else, the physical law of the universe under God's creation that true light and true darkness cannot coexist. If it is dark, it is not light. If it is light, it is not dark. Never can a location be both. Because when God spoke light into existence, He saw that the light was good, and forever separated it from darkness. This physical universal law is also a picture of the spiritual law of darkness and light. When we were born in sin, we were trapped spiritually in utter darkness, with no source of light within us whatsoever. Without God's light shining on us, we would have remained in total darkness forever, never understanding life or the God Who creates life. But then, in one amazing moment that words can't capture, God spoke light into existence at the depth of our souls. When we trusted Jesus to take away our sins by His grace, His response was to look upon us and say, "Let there be light." And there was light. And God saw that the light was good, so He separated it from the darkness. Darkness and light cannot coexist. For that reason, as the children of light, we must remember to no longer live as children of darkness. We must walk in the light as He is in the light, fellowshipping with Him and being cleansed of our sin by the blood of Christ. (1 John 1:6-7) Friends, when tempted to foolishly return to the acts of darkness we practiced before God miraculously separated us from them, we must take a strong stand by His grace and live as children of light. Make no attempt to join together that which God has separated. Do not be like Lot's wife, who after being delivered from the darkness of Sodom, longingly looked back to the life she was leaving behind. Crucify your flesh's longings for hidden acts that can only be done in the dark, and celebrate your soul's bright joy in the light of God shining through and upon you.
Thank you also to those who have prayed for the several health problems that we have had this past month. The flu is now long gone for Lili and me, and Briana's bad cold healed. The unexplained sores on her eye and in her mouth went away also, and she is sleeping a little longer at night than before. The problem with my foot is getting better and this week I've done a normal amount of walking with only a little soreness, so that no longer is a hindrance to our ministry efforts. Praise to Yahweh Rapha.
Thanks to those who prayed for our shipping from February to come. Unfortunately, it hasn't, and after this amount of time we think it might not. We lost a baby stroller and about 250 dollars worth of baby clothes and other items, as well as several books we had purchased during our time in the US last year. But the Lord provides for all our needs, and we're thankful to all of you who pray for our needs. The Lord is good and is worthy of praise even when disappointing things happen. At the same time we lost those items, God gave us three people in different places who are sending us care packages from America last month and this month. It is refreshing to see people and churches be generous and show that they care, and a reminder that serving the Lord is something we're not doing alone here in Buzau.
Today is Briana's first birthday, and we had friends and family over to celebrate with a party. Here she is, being held by her grandmother preparing for an attempt to blow out the candle on her cake.
Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him --Psalm 32:1-2
Imagine you're being given the opportunity to have everything you want for the rest of your life -- to just snap your fingers and see your wishes granted. But imagine there is one catch: in return, you must forfeit God's forgiveness of just one of your sins. Would you take the offer? Not if you were wise. Because if we did not have salvation, the forgiveness of sins, and the eternal life it brings, there would be no gift or blessing that could be of any real value. We tend to put a lot of things on our "wish lists," convincing ourselves that if we just had that certain something, or if that certain circumstance changed, or if that certain thing would happen,then we would be satisfied. But the truth is, if we know Jesus, we already have the greatest blessing we could ever receive: Our sins have been punished on the cross, and God will never hold us responsible for them. Even though our sins were innumerable -- "more than the hairs of my head," as Psalm 40 describes them -- when we stand before Christ, our sins will number absolute zero. Even though our hearts were deceitful and above all things wicked, we shall stand before Him clothed in the spotless garments of the redeemed. "My sin (oh the bliss of this glorious thought) my sin, not in part but the whole, is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more. Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, Oh, my soul!" We've not been partially forgiven, but completely forgiven. Our sin debt hasn't been decreased, but cancelled. Truly that is the greatest blessing. That's why throughout the ages more songs than can be counted have been written of the wonders of God's grace and mercy and the miracle of His salvation. Millionaires don't write ballads in praise of the joy their money brings. But even men in utter poverty can cry out in irrepressible joy at the knowledge that God has forgiven them of their every transgression. "Because the sinless Savior died, my sinful soul is counted free; for God the Just is satisfied, to look on Him and pardon me." If just one sin remained unwashed by Christ's blood, we would be eternally doomed. But every wrong thing we've ever done, said, or thought has been erased by the sacrifice of Christ on Calvary. Rejoice brothers and sisters! That which you already have is the most wonderful thing anyone could ever receive. Do not withhold your rejoicing until the temporal things of this life improve for you; rejoice now, and rejoice forever. If you have the Son of God and the life He brings, then nothing more do you need to have reason to praise Him.
Here's the forecast for this weekend in Buzau. More like the weather we would have expected in Texas where we used to live. Almost unheard of levels of heat for this country that is as far north as the state of Maine. Praise God we have air conditioning now.
Friday Sunny. Extremely hot, Dry. Temperature of 99°F. Winds 4mph SE. Humidity will be 19% with a dewpoint of 48° and comfort level of 95°F. There is a 0% chance of precipitation. High: 99°F Low: 68°F
Saturday Sunny. Extremely hot, Dry. Temperature of 102°F. Winds 5mph SW. Humidity will be 18% with a dewpoint of 50° and comfort level of 99°F. There is a 0% chance of precipitation. High: 102°F Low: 70°F
Sunday Sunny. Extremely hot, Dry. Temperature of 106°F. Winds 7mph SSW. Humidity will be 18% with a dewpoint of 52° and comfort level of 104°F. There is a 0% chance of precipitation. High: 106°F Low: 73°F
Monday Morning clouds. Extremely hot, Dry. Temperature of 102°F. Winds 12mph WSW. Humidity will be 19% with a dewpoint of 50° and comfort level of 99°F. There is a 0% chance of precipitation. High: 102°F Low: 75°F
Today we received a package with balloons for making balloon animals from a friend in the US, so that we now have a supply to begin doing more of the children's outreach this week. Our plan is to go Friday, Saturday, and Sunday to each of the three main city parks where we had our campaign ministry last month, to share the gospel with new people, as well as get conversations started with people we saw before.
Please pray with us that Briana's health will improve, making this ministry plan possible. She has been sick, and not sleeping much at all. Also pray for my foot (Dave). Something is injured in some way in my right foot that is making it very difficult and painful to walk, and lots of walking is required of us in our daily lives and ministry here.
Thanks be to the true and living God today, for proving to the world that He is not Allah, and Allah is not God. This was proven by the failed attempts at mass terrorism today on the airline flights from London to America. Because, you see, the false god Allah of Mohammed's Koran not only commands those in submission to him to kill the rest of us if we don't submit to his dictates; he also promises them success when they go to battle for him in this jihad against the Jews and the "People of the Book." So every time they fail, they prove Allah isn't the all-powerful God, and that he cannot do what he says he will do. His people only have the power to accomplish their goals if the real Lord of Lords decides to let them, because of His own higher purposes.
This month is the orthodox holiday celebrating the "falling asleep of the mother of the Lord" -- a time of fasting and various religious rituals worshiping Mary. The local priest is also taking advantage of the event as an opportunity to collect money. A notice posted on our building's door says that he wants to come "bless our home" and then instructs that we will be expected to make our "2006 contribution" when he arrives Friday evening. You may post your suggestions in the comments field about what you think we should do when he knocks on our door.
Here's a picture of the cathedral construction he expects every resident to help fund:
DaveBunnell Romania The Missionary's Day weblog-- Authored by Dave Bunnell. Dave and his family are missionaries for Calvary Chapel Garland (Texas) , working to plant Biserica Harul Domnului (Grace of the Lord Church) in Cluj, Romania. This blog features exciting stories about what God is doing on the mission field, as well as reflections on the Bible and thoughts about walking with Christ.
You may use the email link labeled "Contact Me" below to write comments or questions to the blog's author about anything on this site, or any questions you have on matters of faith.
Sing to the Lord, praise His Name; proclaim His salvation day after day. Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among all peoples. For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; He is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens... Say among the nations, "The Lord reigns." --from Psalm 96
