“The Long Descent”

“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,

with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,

eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call” (Eph. 4:1-4) (ESV).

                      I often wonder how many of our doctrines pave the long descent to hell. I do not question the sincerity of the individuals who claim ownership of their highly esteemed teachings; rather, I see the danger in holding so tightly to a pet-doctrine that one loosens their grip of Christ. We, who claim to be Christians (“Christ-like” in love, grace, and mercy), fight with each other over the doctrines we favor. We fight in the name of Scriptures; we “debate” in the name of intelligence; we rebuke our brothers in the name of Lord. We do all of this while the world watches. We do these things to validate our reputation of hypocrisy and self-righteousness. We do all of this over things that do not matter to the Gospel.

            Calvinism vs. Arminianism; Supralapsarianism vs. Infralapsarianism vs. Sublapsarianism; gifts of the Spirit vs. no-gifts of the Spirit; Pre-tribulation vs. Mid-tribulation vs. Post-tribulation; Preterism vs. Futurism; … the list of our arguments is long. It is a list that provides many opportunities for us to disagree. It justifies factions, divisions, and dis-unity in the Church – the Body of Christ. When we should be preaching Christ, we preach one translation of the Bible over another (Phil. 1:18).

            When will we let go?! When will we focus more on the work and person of Jesus Christ, than those things which only lead to dis-unity?! Is not the Blood of Jesus more important than pet-doctrines – than our desire to be right?! It seems we have as many reasons to disagree as there are stairs to hell!

            Perhaps we should be more concerned about preaching the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Perhaps, we should focus on our sacred calling and share the Good News. Perhaps we should remember that we are one Body – one Church. Perhaps we should let our preferences fall by the wayside, instead of promoting division.

Let us remember the Work of Jesus to open the way to Heaven. Hell shutters at the Work of our Lord, yet rejoices at our discord. It is time for us – the Church – to walk in a manner worthy of the calling we have received. Let us be diligent to study for ourselves the deep things of the Word, but may we never set a stumbling block before our brothers and sisters (Rom. 14). In the bond of Peace, let us submit to the Holy Spirit “until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God” (Eph. 4:13).

-          Dusty

Amen is not Good Bye

           When I am walking with my wife, I do not have a designated phrase to begin and end each conversation. In fact, no matter where we are or what we are doing, the conversation is always open. We do not need a prescribed beginning and end to each thought we share, because we are with each other. We are ever walking and talking with each other – enjoying each other’s company and presence. We have a relationship that is based on more than just conversation.

Should not our relationship with the Lord be similar? So often we think the phrases, “In the Name of Jesus” and “amen,” should begin and end our conversations with God. But why is this? Have we limited a relationship with the Savior to the few moments of prayer each day? Sometimes it feels as though we are “hanging up” or saying “good bye” when we attach an “amen” to the end of our prayers. This does not need to be the case. Since we have the very great and precious promises of God, we know that the Almighty “will never leave us or forsake us” (Josh. 1:5; 1 Sam. 12:22; 2 Peter 1:4). The Lord walks with us by His Spirit EVERY moment of the day (John 14:16-17).

Perhaps, then, every waking moment we should be sensitive and aware of the Presence of God. Yes, we will pray “In the Name of Jesus” and agree by faith with a holy “Amen,” but we should not let prayer be the only time we are attentive to God (Eph. 2:18). As a husband walks and talks with his wife, let us walk with God – aware and sensitive to the Presence of our Beloved. Let us always listen for the voice of God, no matter where we are – whether in prayer or not.

-Dusty

"The Cult of Comfort"

          Let us open the eyes of faith that we may awaken to the Kingdom of God! Let us stir from the slumber of apathy, remove the covers of ignorance, and arise from the bed of laziness. It is time to place our feet upon the floor of this age and walk toward the Door. With a sense of calling and purpose, let us grab a hold of the door of life, by the handle of faith. The time has come to throw open the doors, upon the hinges of prayer, and let the light of God’s glory illuminate that which has kept us sleeping.

          The light reveals that the house we have built is no more than the cult of comfort. The rooms were designed with only ourselves in mind. Within our slumbering state, within our house of comfort and straw, we crafted the dreams of self-gain. We have rested comfortably in our house, constructed by the hands of selfishness.

          The whole time we saw the light through the windows. We heard wind of God’s Word against our walls. Only by indifference has it been possible to ignore the breeze of the Spirit. Rather, we slept. All we wanted was comfort.

          It is a new day. It is the time for action – for charity, hospitality, love, and power. The son has risen to reveal what we created. The light has crept through the windows of hope. It is now time to arise! Where the cult of comfort has kept us asleep, it is time to awaken and make a difference. While it is still daylight, it is time live for God. We do not know when the Lord will return, but the night quickly approaches. It is time live for that which we have been made – to glorify God and to let the light shine through the door of life and action.

- Dusty D.

"Unhidden Scars"

{Mark 5:1-20; Luke 8:38-39}

            I knew those looks – those curious, suspicious looks. They seemed to remind me of how the scribes and Pharisees gazed into the Scriptures. It is like they were searching for something; they were searching for the truth of my words. I am slowly getting used to the staring. It never stopped.

The very thing people were curious about, I am eager to forget. It is not like I can ever get rid of these scars. Oh, the scars! They remind me of what once was – of who I used to be. They remind me of chains, oppression, and bondage. They remind me of my years in the desert. They are scares from hiding in tombs and caves. The places I used to call home. I can hide most of them; but all the deep, ruddy, monstrous scars around my neck and face are always visible. Perhaps they are left to remind me that I am not perfect. They remind me that there is more. They remind me of how Jesus delivered me – of how He saved me.

After Jesus delivered me from my spiritual affliction, it took a while to gain my family’s trust. At first, they were overwhelmed by my scars – by my past. I told them how Jesus took what was filthy and made it clean. I showed them how, if it was not for Jesus, I would still be living as a dead man – associating with death and living in tombs. I would still be filled with a darkness, a relentless wickedness, a curse of sin. I illustrated how the legion had been cast out. How the presence of evil had been cast away, like an unclean thing into the ocean – like a herd of pigs to drown in the sea.

That is why I knew Jesus was the Christ – the Jewish Messiah. I knew it. I experienced it. Nothing could change my mind! My message wasn’t as articulate or expressive as the Pharisees or Sadducees. I simply wanted to demonstrate how Jesus had the power to cast sin into the sea of forgetfulness, just as He had the power to cast the legion out of me. Jesus recreated me. He made me new. Jesus had the power and the compassion to do this for everyone. Throwing myself at the feet of Jesus was the best thing I had ever done.

I learned two things as I traveled the Decapolis: let the scars speak to the past, and let the light speak to the present. The brighter the light of day, the more obvious the scars became.  People would always look. They would always study the deep, gruesome scars. I let the scars attest to the work of God. As I did so, my onlookers could see past my scars – past my past – and see a new, transformed life.

I did not know the Torah or the words of the Prophets, but I knew Jesus. I knew that He loved me and cared about me. I knew that He changed me. That was enough to validate my message.

-          Dusty

"A Simple Opportunity"

I have not read any books on “how to work miracles” or “ways to walk in the supernatural.” I have not even read the latest pamphlets about how to start your own healing ministry. I have not done any of these things; even though I am sure they are great resources.

        Yet somehow, I have seen God perform, and have participated with God in, countless miracles (2 Peter 1:3-4). These calloused and withering hands have, nonetheless, been used as an instrument to bring miraculous healing. Knowing my own thoughts, failures, and weaknesses, I cannot be anything other than amazed at how God can use someone like me. What’s more, it makes me ponder whether or not there is a pattern to participating with God in the miraculous – like so many books and seminars seem to portray. If there is one, I have yet to discern what it is.

      If I had to identify one quintessential reality to participating with the Lord in His wonders, it would be this: it is God who works the miracle, not us (2Cor. 4:7). Try as we like, there is no way for us to fabricate the wondrous works of the Almighty. We can pray for people, only to have them maintain the affliction until they pass away, and we can pray for people and, in front of our very eyes, watch God heal them. Perhaps, this is what should minister to us – the fact that we can pray.

      If I were to write a book on how to participate with God in healing, there would only be one page between the covers. On that page, it would only have three words: PRAY FOR SOMEONE! I suppose that is where we find our true power – by plugging into the heaven’s Source. It is through the act of praying that we create an opportunity for God to work through us (and in us) (1 Cor. 4:20).

      This is an exciting thought: we can participate with God in His kingdom endeavors! This is a new year; let us venture forth with the Lord. As we go, it will be well for us to let the compassion of our hearts be swayed. We, who know how to pray, know that God’s power can change any situation. We should be encouraged to join with God in that change. Let us look for someone with which to pray. Let us create the opportunity for God to work wonders!

- Dusty Dahlin
(Originally Posted for Epic Bible College's Journalism Department)

"A Petal-less Church"

A church without holiness is like a flower without petals.

            It is a living, growing, organism which has been denuded of its crown.

            It very well may be alive and able to produce, but its splendor has been removed.

                        The velvet petals of the rose are God’s blessing to life’s thorns.

The golden display of holiness is the chalice for the wine of honor.

The holy and the perianth compose the songs for which they have been formed.

Without either, the Church and the flower are bald, bland, and colorless.

To one was given a diadem – the very radiance of Christ’s righteousness.

To the other, a headdress was given – the color pallet of God’s imagination.

To the flower, what good is life, if there is no majesty for the Living?

To the church, you may cease to exist, if the glory of your calling has been revoked.

A church without holiness is like a flower without petals.

It is my prayer that the above imagery highlights the importance of holiness. Individually or corporately, we can make a difference in our world. I propose, though, that a "radicle" holiness will enable us to speak louder and act more effectively for the glory of our Savior. (Lev. 11:44-45; Lev. 20:26; Matt. 5:6; Matt. 6:33; Gal. 5:22-24; Eph. 1:4; 5:1-2; 1 Peter 1:15-16).

         

- Dusty

"America – The Spiritual Wilderness"

             America, how long will you thank God for sandals that do not wear out? How long will you kneel and worship the Almighty for His miraculous provision of manna? How long will you keep your arms raised and your head bowed; how long will you bless the Most High for a familiar path to tread? How long will you testify of Sinai, Marah, the Red Sea, and the Lord's mighty works? How long will you remain sick from your consumption of gold, and how long will you lust for garish worship? How long will you carry the Covenant without beholding the all-surpassing glory of Yahweh! How long will you look to the glowing wings of the cherubim and, yet, have your eyes adverted from the loving countenance of your Savior? How long will this continue?

            America, how long will you praise the Lord for the staff of Aaron? How long will you exalt the Creator for the miracles of Moses’ rod? How long will you extol the presence of the Urim and Thummim? How long will you honor the scent incense and the healing of ashes and water? How long will you lift your eyes to the bronze serpent? How long will you offer sacrifices without seeing the Blood of the Perfect Lamb? How long will you search the writing of the stone tablets without seeing the Finger of God! How long, after you passed through the parted sea of self-righteousness, will you enslave yourself? How long will you forget the promises of God? How long will you forget about the Almighty? How long will your forty years last; how long will you make it last?

            America, how long will this continue?  How long will you strike the Rock? How long will you strike the Rock expecting a refreshing stream? How long before you realize it was the Rock who provided your living water? How long before you see Cornerstone upon which you were established? How long before you acknowledge the Foundation upon which you stand? How long before you see the waters of the Jordan? How long before you see the fruit of Canaan and taste of its freedom? How long will you hide yourself in the mountain’s cleft before turning around to see the presence of the Holy One! How long will you let your own fall in the wilderness, when you could live victoriously in the Promised Land?

            America, why live within the territory of purposelessness when God has given you the lands of change and promise? Why be still when you can initiate a movement? Why wander when you can live?

- Dusty

"A True Jewel"

{Phil. 3:16}

            If a jewel is dropped into the dirt, it is still a jewel. Its circumstances do not change what it is. The soil, the depth, the lowly components found therein, none of these things undermine the integrity
or nature of the jewel. Not even the amount of time it has spent hidden in the confines of its earthen-
prison matters; it is still a precious stone. Even if the expensive jewel is dropped into the dirt, it is to
leave its impression in the dust.

Despite what we feel, or what our pasts have led us to believe, the work of God is holy. He is able, completely, to forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from the guilt of poor-choices. We devote our lives to following the ways of God, and God provides us with our true identity. He breathes into the dirt and creates a jewel; He establishes us as His children. By the work of God, we are righteous and pure. We are adopted by the Father – given entrance into His family.

It is like we have become a precious, raw stone in the hand of the Jeweler. He crafts and shapes and forms us for His purposes. With the tool of hardship in His hand, the Jeweler carefully sculpts His creation to reveal His mastery. By the end of His work, we are perfect – a polished and honed Jewel. Whether we are to be placed in the jewel studded hallway of the King’s courts, or we are to be delicately fastened to the King’s necklace, we are the magnificent display of the Lord’s glory and splendor.

In the meantime, while we are still being perfected and polished, we are no less than a Jewel. It is, now, in life’s valleys and mountains that we get to “live up to what we have already attained.” It is in this moment that we are enabled, by the work of God, to leave an impression upon the dust. We are given value and deemed worthy of the title, “children of God,” so let us begin living with purpose. Let us adorn the King with acts of kindness and compassion; Let us reveal the beauty of the Lord’s love; let us do something great that will leave an impression upon our circumstances. From a place of understanding our worth, let us live up to what we have already attained.

-          Dusty

A Flame for Heat

What is revival? What is the purpose of experiencing the warm flame of God’s revival fire (Eph. 3:16-19)? We seem aware, enough, of our own need to re-discover life – Christ’s life and the high-valued purpose of our lives. It is not enough for one to state their commitment to such a passion, if no action will follow. Whether it is found in the cerebral functions of the mind or the brawny display of faith, God makes revival accessible to His creatures. It is not like trying to chase the wind while underneath the water. It is simple enough as believing that the sun will rise in the morning. It is achievable by the Spirit of God, through faith (Eph. 2:18; 3:16-17).

While faith in God is the only prescribed requirement, it is beneficial to locate ourselves in a place where we can find revival. In the Lord's presence, you can lift up your soul as a torch to receive the spark of Revival's flame. If, however, you leave that place - not to reveal that reviving work begun within you - you have not actually been touched by a godly revival. Revival is about life. It was intended that life be lived. As believers, now, we have been given a new life. The premise, here then, is that being awakened to Life should incite some living.

We have access to a renewed passion for the things of God; we have access to a new life. Let us approach the throne of grace with confidence that we will receive God’s holy revival, but let us also leave that place that the world may feel the heat of revival’s flame (Heb. 4:16).
- Dusty

"Beneath the Cross"

{Matt. 27:54; Mark 15:39; Luke 23:47; John 19:34-35}

          I will never forget it! It was the middle of the day, yet the skies had gone as dark as my soul. I am soldier… or I was a soldier. After that incident, I retired from Cesar’s service. I had seen death; I had been desensitized to the horrors bloodshed. Something, however, was different about that day.

            I had seen the lush, green fields along the Fertile Crescent transformed into ruddy and rosy seas of blood – the blood of Rome’s enemies. When the commands were given, I would kill without question. I suppose I would call myself an acquaintance with death. Even then, though, my neighbors have called me a friend of murder. Still, something was very different about that day. There may have been more, but I could only remember three deaths that afternoon – three, not thousands.

            It was not unusual to receive a mandate from the State. I was commissioned to perform as an executioner. For the three who had received the death sentence, one of them was different. He was very different. I had performed in this role before, but I had never seen anything like that. Every time before, the accused (those found guilty of breaking law) would protest, incessantly plead innocent, and beg for a different verdict. But not this man – not Jesus. He was silent. He didn’t even respond to the false accusations of his accusers. As far as I can remember, he only responded once to Pilot, and even then he did not try to change the verdict. I had never seen anything like it. It was almost as if he wanted to die. It did not make sense!

            The trek up the hill to Golgotha was remarkable as well, but it was what happened upon the hill that impacted me the most. I stood by the crosses; the papers for the execution of those three criminals tucked between my chest and my breastplate. As I waited for the final order from my captain, I was disgusted by what I saw. For the first time in years, I was truly distraught. Usually, a few citizens of Jerusalem would come out to watch a crucifixion. This time, though, they came out in droves. They did not come out to watch; they came out to cheer. They cheered on the death of Jesus. They mocked and spit and hurled insults at him. The crowds celebrated the coming of his death, like an empire celebrates the fall of its long-time enemy. It was a horrible scene. I am pretty sure I had never seen anything like it before. There was so much hate and hostility, it almost did not surprise me that the skies had gone black.

            I remember having to strain my ear over the curses of the people. It was difficult to hear what was being said from the crosses. Even the other two criminals scoffed and insulted Jesus. I watched intently to see what Jesus would do. He did the unexpected. Even as he hung there, he showed compassion to his mother – providing for her needs by offering her to the care of one of his few sympathizers. What is more, even in his pain, he offered a prayer to God. He begged God to forgive them for what they had done; he did not beg God to release him from his suffering. I was unfamiliar with this kind of mercy. I still ask myself why (and how) he could be so gracious. It is not like he was an angel or something – I watched the blood fall from his wrists. He faced death like no other human I had encountered.

It was those acts of compassion and love that even won over one of the criminals next to Him. It was His patient endurance what impacted me. You could have almost sensed a kindness in Him – even though we did everything we could to ensure the most excruciating and painful death. What happened next, I will never forget. He, again, cried out to the God of the Jews. But that time He screamed what seemed to be a declaration. He announced that “it was finished.” It was bone-chilling; I was convinced I had heard that before, by the victors of war or by triumphal gladiators. It was mysterious! You could tell He was in pain, but He was by no means defeated by the thought of His impending death. Following that, He shouted again. Somehow it appeared that He was still in control of His horrible situation; He offered up His spirit to the Lord. It seemed to me that He had extended His hand to God, and God responded. He finally breathed His last breath. I was relieved to see the suffering end.

It was getting late, and the Sabbath was coming with the dawn. I heard my captain yelling again. “Break their legs,” he said, “we can’t work on the Sabbath. Put them to death so we can bury them before the Sabbath!” I broke the legs of the other two so they would die quickly. Then I came to Jesus. It was pointless to break His bones because He was already dead. I howled for my captain. I tried to tell him that Jesus was already dead. My captain was suspicious, so he handed me a spear and told me to make sure. It was an order. I obeyed. I did what I was trained to do; I pierced His side. But the result was like nothing I had ever seen. It was not just blood that appeared, there was water as well. I remember being too close to Jesus’ side – the blood and water flowed over me. This mystery covered my hands and my chest, it reminded me of baptism. It was as if Jesus, from beyond the grave, was cleansing me of my wrongs – forgiving me. It was at that point when I changed. When I had seen the separation of the blood and water, I realized I had been separated from the truth. Jesus was who He said He was. He did have the power to forgive sins and offer life. Until that day, the only authority I had known solely had the power to take lives. But Jesus gave His. He gave His for me.

As I stood beneath that cross, I reached for my chest. I slid my fingers between my breastplate and my heart, and I took my papers of execution. Held loosely by shaky fingers, I looked upon the command I had been given. It said I was commissioned to execute Jesus. I couldn’t look at it any longer; I was disgusted. I loosened my grip of that cursed document – those orders of sin – and I watched as it fell to the ground. It seemed an eternity before it landed in the deep pool of His blood. His blood seemed to wash away its filthy directive - the assignment for such sin covered effectively by His blood. That was the last thing I could remember about that terrible day. I chose, that day, to let my sin fall also into the deep-pool of Jesus’ blood. As I stood beneath that cross, my burden was lifted and I was given a new one. I walked away from that place, dedicated to following in His ways. If He could show love, mercy, and compassion while suffering at my hand, I could do the same for Him.

First things First

          "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son."
-John 3:16-18