My uncle sent me this speech which was written in 1946 and delivered by President Harry Truman after victory in World War II–quite a difference from something our current administration would say of the outlook of our country. I wanted to share this, take it as you may:
We have just come through a decade in which forces of evil in various parts of the world have been lined up in a bitter fight to banish from the face of the earth religion and democracy. For these forces of evil have long realized that both religion and democracy are founded on one basic principle, the worth and dignity of the individual man and woman. Dictatorship, on the other hand, has always rejected that principle. Dictatorship, by whatever name, is founded on the doctrine that the individual amounts to nothing; that the State is the only thing that counts; and that men and women and children were put on earth solely for the purpose of serving the State.
In that long struggle between these two doctrines, the cause of decency and righteousness has been victorious. The right of every human being to live indignity and freedom, the right to worship his God in his own way, the right to fix his own relationship to his fellow men and to his Creator-these again have been saved for mankind.
The fight to preserve these rights was hard-won. The victory took a toll of human life and treasure so large that it should bring home to us forever how precious, how invaluable, is our liberty which we had just begun to take for granted. How that we have preserved our freedom of conscience and religion…let us make use of it to save a world which is beset by so many threats of new conflicts, new terror, and new destruction.
If men and nations would but live by the precepts of the ancient prophets and the teachings of the Sermon on the Mount, problems which now seem so difficult would soon disappear.
This is a supreme opportunity for the Church to continue to fulfill its mission on earth and to provide the shock forces to accomplish this moral and spiritual awakening. No other agency can do it. Unless it is done, we are headed for the disaster we would deserve. Oh for an Isaiah or a Saint Paul to reawaken this sick world to its moral responsibilities.
Three months ago my plan was to write a blog on my fast from social media in December and the few lessons I learned. I even have a sweet title for this post. But this is not that post.
Two months ago my plan was to write a blog about my goals for the 2012 year. Goals of accomplishing, growing, learning, and reading. I even have all the points laid out, typed up, ready for proofing. But this is not that post.
Two weeks ago my plan was to write a blog about the coming plans in my life and share my goals, and help me process “out loud” what was rattling around in my brain.
And this is that post, in a vague sense.
Two weeks ago my life drastically changed. And has provided an opportunity for me to evaluate life through a new and different filter. This new filter that I see things through, this new perspective that I cannot remove has re-focused my theology, worldview, priorities, and relationships. Chiefly, how vaporous life in the flesh is. At the end of it all, our flesh does what it was made for: degeneration. It is not made to last. The words of Paul below resonate with me right now, and sum this focus I now have:
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Dear brother and sister more will be written about this; it will clearly permeate my writing as I cannot escape this. All for the greater glory of God and my greater joy in Him.
Before I write more about my adventures in re-focused and mere Christianity, I hopefully will write a series of posts on an outreach trip I have the blessing of co-leading to my hometown, San Diego.
Along with 9 students and another Northwestern staff co-leader, I will be traveling south for 9 days of urban outreach, bible clubs, spiritual growth, and yes, In ‘n’ Out Burger. Please pray for unity of the team. Pray for our families that will be without us for 9 days. Pray that we eagerly join in the mighty things God is already doing in the neighborhood of National CIty that we will be in.
I cannot wait to see how He’s moving, to jump in alongside of faithful brothers and sisters already doing Kingdom work, and relay all these awesome workings to you.
A few weeks ago Minneapolis had a tornado warning. Three actually, all in the same afternoon. (For those of you oblivious to weather, that means a tornado will almost definitely form. And cause destruction. And death. Tornado warning=not good). This was the first time I was away from my wife when there was imminent danger and I was helpless to protect her (Not like I could do much to a tornado anyway).
We’ve been married for over a year now (413 days today, but who’s counting?) and it’s been one of the greatest years of my life. And even though it’s only been a relatively short time being her husband, I couldn’t imagine what life would be like without her. I wouldn’t know what to do without her. Before I get too sentimental here, my point isn’t how awesome marriage is–I’ll save that for another day. Even though it’s been the best year of my life, we’ve had challenges too. Issues we’ve had to work out. Past wounds we’ve had to open up for Christ to heal. Circumstances that are ugly. We’ve had friends close to us lose parents, go through intense family struggles, financial hardships, still-born children, miscarriages–it’s been a trying year. But God isn’t distant, he’s here. He’s a very real presence.
But God (my favorite words ever).
All throughout the hard times God continually draws me to the truths of who he is, and his great love for us:
Nevertheless, I am contiually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? and there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:23-28 (emphasis mine).
Though our flesh and hearts may fail, God is our strength and portion, forever.
Though everything seems impossible, God does the impossible.
Even through still-born children.
Even through divorce of parents.
Even through tornados. God is our strength and portion. Forever and ever.
Maybe you can identify with some of these situations. Maybe you can identify with the hopelessness of life the psalmist paints for us. I hope this truth I’ve shared encourages you. Lifts you up. I would also recommend that you check out this phenomenal song by KB, an up and coming Reach Record rapper, about these very verses in this Psalm. It’s beyond legit and a current favorite in the Dembeck household.
A few weeks ago I auditioned on the guitar to play on the worship band at my church. It went really well (I guess I “passed”) because I was invited to play for the two services that Sunday. I was thrilled, I hadn’t lead worship (or really played guitar) for fouryears. Four years. Why is that?
I started playing guitar at age 13. I wanted to play the violin but never got around to lessons. During this time my dad was buying and selling guitars on the side so we always seemed to have an extra guitar around that I could fiddle around with. I loved it. I learned quickly. And I was good. Pretty soon I was competent enough to lead worship for my dad’s small group (back then we called them home fellowships). During this time I was even in and out of a few bands. Even though I loved worship, and leading worship (I felt God strongly urging me to continue to play guitar and lead others in worship) I preferred running the soundboard, or anything really besides being in front of people. And then…
…we moved to from San Diego, CA to Cherokee, IA six years ago. Now there’s nothing wrong with Cherokee, but at age 17 there’s a lot of things that can lead to depression when leaving Southern California for the Midwest. But the God was faithful, and my guitar, Blondie, was my lifeline, my way of communication, with God. I didn’t lead worship at first in Cherokee, but I played 30+ hours a week. It was glorious, yet painful.
Through all that pain however, God shaped within me a heart of worship–at least more than I had ever had before. A heart where it wasn’t about how a song was played or how talented the musician was, a heart about bowing before the Most High glorious God in complete adoration and submission. I would lead worship at the fellowship my dad was pastoring at the time (Calvary Chapel of Cherokee), and those were some of the most blessed and intimate worship services I ever participated in.
But it was downhill from there. I got good. Really good. And I knew it. And it didn’t help that I was blessed with the best guitar ever. And pretty quick my times of leading worship shifted from having an appropriate attitude of my heart to having the best flow, medley, song arrangement, key, vocals, guitar licks, emotion, and me. Lots of me. I went to college not far from home, so I was able to continue in this pattern of selfish worship–not just at church but in groups at college too.
You should see that it was no surprise that leading worship, and even playing guitar, became shallow and empty. God pulled out a mirror through some close friends and mentors to show me how ugly I appeared to him during these times of “worship”. I was conceited, my heart was furthest from being right, and it was absolutely repulsive. My family moved again two years after arriving in Cherokee to Florida and I stayed behind this time to finish college. And I stopped playing guitar Fall of 2007. Completely. I played twice: one week in Israel Spring 2008 and for a friends wedding in June 2010. I’m pretty sure I can count on one hand the times I opened my guitar case from Fall of 2007 to May 2010.
3.5 years later I play guitar once a week. Sometimes for Julia. Sometimes to goof around. And almost always to remember the Lord’s faithfulness to me. To change my heart. In those three and a half years the Lord did a work in me and my view of worship. I had skewed it and polluted it with my flesh back in ’06-’07. He needed to rip me out of the picture. There is no room in worship for God and self. Not even God and. Just God.
I fought back hard. I liked me in the picture. I liked the praise of men, the attention, the accolades. After a year of active battle, I resigned, I became apathetic. I didn’t go to church, and when I did I’m pretty sure I mouthed the words. Someone challenged me to read the Psalms. I dutifully read the Psalms for 2 years (and still read them). Through reading those psalms, those honest pleas, those sincere cries, I began desiring to play guitar again. And it’s been glorious, simply glorious.
I would love to continue to play but I’m so hesitant that history will repeat itself. But it’s not about me, it’s about bringing God the glory due his name. But God’s grace is enough, and He will provide and lead. I do have a few brothers who keep me accountable, and I have/will have them do this as well, I do not pretend that I can keep my head on straight by myself anymore (this walk is not a solo journey after all).
Why share all this? To make much of Christ. To be real. Honest. To point specifically how Christ has been faithful in my life and walk, and hopefully encourage (or caution) you.
So I ask, what constitutes a heart of worship to you? How do you prepare yourself to worship the almighty God, Creator of heaven and earth? I encourage you to watch the video below. It has refreshed and renewed my soul many a days, and it’s from Psalm 62, an influential Psalm in my life the past three years.
A number of days ago a friend and I parted ways. It was rather abrupt but I’m not all that disheartened, some friends are just friends for a season. What gets to me though was the nature of the parting. This individual swore in a comment on my facebook status. No big deal, I removed the comment and asked this party to keep it clean on my page. The response sent my mind reeling and my heart searching for a reasonable position on believers and swearing:
Do you think those fishermen in Jesus’ day sanitized the way they spoke?
I don’t know, did they? Does it even matter? First, swearing isn’t a primary theological issue, obviously. (If it’s not obvious to you that this isn’t a primary issue, go read your Bible now. Seriously.) This isn’t even a secondary or tertiary issue or fourth-order issue. It’s like a hundredth-order issue. There are some great reads for you here and at The Gospel Coalition if you would like to learn more about open handed/close handed issues (read and watch these for swearing). Second, this isn’t my first battle on the topic either, it’s my third; I find myself stuck in this pendulum that swings between sides on this issue. The first was when I worked at a warehouse in Cherokee, IA as a 17 year-old fresh out of my homeschool bubble. The second was over the course of my two year stint working seasonally at Hard Rock Casino/Live during my junior and senior year of college. Now I’m two years out of college and it comes up again, weird.
In my circle of friends there are a few that occasionally swear. There are also some who swear regularly. Right now it seems to be trendy for my generation of believers (oftentimes second generation believers) to be sold out for God and still be “allowed” to swear. This leads to some questions: How should Christians approach and respond to swearing? What should our stance be? Freedom in grace? Abstain from the appearance of evil? Wholesome talk? Encouraging? Permissible but not beneficial? I firmly believe we should evaluate our stance on swearing and not allow culture to define what is permissible to speak but rather be intentional and in control of what is spoken.
I’m going to share with you my working theology and intermingle some Scriptures that I’ve mulled over regarding this swearing issue. This question is more of a matter of fruit produced and the intent of the heart than a “what can I do as a Christian?” issue (Ephesians 4:29, Luke 6:45).
Let no corrupt talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29.
The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. Luke 6:45
When considering the place of swearing in my life I like to take a step back and consider the situation and audience objectively. Will this bring them encouragement? Will they feel refreshed, renewed, or preserved by what I am speaking (Colossians 4:5-6)? Will this word(s) show them love or will they be jarred, left to wonder what was going on in my mind (John 13:35)?
Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt… Colossians 4:5-6
By this they will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:35
Most often I cannot see a beneficial response to swearing. I actually feel like I’m giving in to peer pressure. But I believe there’s something deeper to consider and that’s what Jesus brings to our attention in Luke 6:45: out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (paraphrase). If what I am saying is swear words, what am I thinking? What evil is pervading my heart if the sludge that becomes visible is repulsive? I understand the tongue is restless and is impossible to tame (James 3:8), but not trying to tame it seems like a sin of omission to me.
Could I swear? Sure; but like Paul I would argue that not all things build up. Am I loving those around me by swearing? Am I representing Christ well (to my utmost?) when I swear? Is it for the glory of God? Would Christ swear?
“All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience. For “the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.” If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience—I do not mean your conscience, but his. For why should my liberty be determined by someone else’s conscience? If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks? So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved. Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. 1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1: 23
Bottom line, I don’t swear. I think it’s ugly, gross, and wasted verbiage. Is that a biblical mandate? Not an important point. Although it is permissible for me to swear (for what are words other than meanings we assign to consonants and vowels?), for the sake of those I am trying to reach and for some weaker brothers and sisters in the faith (to whom swearing might be a stumbling block), by the power of the Holy Spirit I strive to refrain from swearing. Furthermore, I try to be intentional with every word I speak and not allow myself to be swayed by culture–even and especially Christian culture.
Do I still interact with believers (and unbelievers) that swear? Absolutely. Why? Because this ISN’T a deal breaker. My love for them and my passion for making much of (glorifying) Christ in my life outweighs this hundredth-order issue. People matter, not my opinions. Duh.
What are your thoughts on swearing? Please share, I am eager to learn other views.
I am a lot like my dad, and I love it. For the most part. My dad has some idiosyncrasies that I have adopted and have tweaked them ever so slightly so that when one occurs, I comment, “Wow, that was a lot like my dad. Weird.” And as weird as it may be, a part of me enjoys that. You see my dad tells his kids about his dad quite a bit. “Pop-Pop used to say that”, is a common phrase I heard growing up. I don’t know my Pop-Pop very well–he passed away before I was old enough to know who he was or what his little idiosyncrasies were, or ones that my dad picked up, or even the ones that I’ve picked up. (From what I understand I am quite a bit like my Pop-Pop. At times it’s scary how similar we are, both in our physical attributes and in our moral/ethical values.) Here are a few of these idiosyncrasies that if you know my dad even a little bit, you know exactly what I’m talking about:
I yawn like him. It’s all silent until the last few moments which has a loud mucous-y “ka”. It’s kinda weird.
When I’ve been driving for a while and am tired of driving, I put my right arm on the passengers head rest.
I shrug my shoulders and wobble my neck to “crack” them.
We nearly have the same glasses. Black, plastic, Ray Bans.
In addition to these similarities, we say many of the same catch phrases:
“You know what I mean, jelly bean?”
“No banana today.”
“It wasn’t me!”
“Does it have eternal significance?”
“Major on the majors, minor on the minors.”
Today America sets apart this day to commemorate dads, and that’s what I’m thinking about today: my dad. Yes I love my dad, and I love being like him (in some ways), but what I love, and appreciate most, is that my dad is a great example of how to live as a man of God. In 1 Corinthians 11:1 when Paul tells the church in Corinth to “imitate me as I imitate Christ”, I think of my dad as being a living example of one who could instruct a young disciple to imitate how he imitates Christ.
My earthly father has taught me many things, but I would like to share with you three portions of Scripture that over the course of my life he has either talked to me about or given to me as an encouragement and admonishment.
My dad gave me a Bible the Christmas before I graduated high school some six and a half years ago. In that last year of high school my dad and I were getting very close. We had a weekly drive to Calvary Chapel Bible College for a class I was taking there (it was about 90 minutes away) and on these drives we began to talk about deeper theology and ministry goals/ideas, we continued to work out together, and God was doing some tough things in my life and we were able to work through those. In the front of the Bible my dad wrote “To Ryan, our son, our friend, our brother.” It has stuck with me ever since; also in the front was this admonishment to me to strive for, but also follow in, regarding deacons in 1 Timothy 3:12-16.
Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one out to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.
The second portion of scripture is what my dad (and mom!) gave to me throughout my formative years in their household (especially Mom in all of her years putting up with homeschooling me). Proverbs 1:2-9 reads:
To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth–let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. 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.
The last Scripture is what my dad shared with me the week my family stayed with me before my wedding. It was a great time of being with them, preparing for the wedding, but also remembering the “good old days”. The text is David charging Solomon on how to rule Israel, and if you tweak it (slightly and not un-biblically), you can share in the insight my dad was bestowing upon me as I started a Dembeck family with Julia. 1 Chronicles 28:9-10:
And You, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever. Be careful now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong and do it.
I am thankful for my dad, John. I am thankful he is a living example of a man of God. I am proud to say that in many ways I want to be “Just like you”. Thank you Dad, and happy father’s day!
[I would be remiss if I did not wish my mom a happy birthday this fine June 19. Happy birthday Mom!]
This blog was inspired by Lecrae’s song, “Just like you”. When I heard it and how some men don’t have a father (or women), I wanted to especially thank God for my dad, and to tell Dad “before the Lord get me”.
For my devotional time I try to read a Psalm a day, and this week I read Psalm 104 and one line stuck out to me. It was one of those times the Holy Spirit took a bright highlighter and spoke into a megaphone and I was convicted. Yes by the Psalms. Check these verses out, but pay attention to verse 34:
May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord rejoice in his works, who looks on the earth and it trembles, who touches the mountains and they smoke! I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being. May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the Lord. Let sinners be consumed from the earth, and let the wicked be no more! Bless the Lord, O my soul! Praise the Lord! - Psalm 104:31-34
Last month I read a book on walking with God. In this book the author portrays how a man can walk in a deep, personal, and meaningful relationship with God. Eldredge talks a lot about spiritual warfare, prayer, and bringing all things into the subjection of Christ (cf. 2 Corinthians 10:5-6). One thing he points out is in our hustle and bustle of pursuing sanctification in many areas of our lives, our meditations and dreams are often left unchecked.
We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience,when your obedience is complete. – 2 Corinthians 10:5-6
This rocked my world (and makes me shake in my boots a little bit)! I don’t remember most of my dreams, and the ones I do remember I don’t recall them being sinful. But still, I can’t say that my dreams and meditations (thoughts) are pleasing to God. As I reflect over the psalms, the author seems to constantly strive to meditate on things pleasing to God, if not God himself! I know that is not my mindset currently, and to be honest, most days.
his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. – Psalm 1:2
Do you think about how your dreams/meditations/thoughts look to God? I would love to hear your thoughts or how we can pursue to exalt Christ even in our meditations!
Three months ago my plan was to write a blog on my fast from social media in December and the few lessons I learned. I even have a sweet title for this post. But this is not that post.
