Posted: 9/19/03

Patty and Pierce pack a punch for the girls' tour

By Cecile Holmes

Religion News Service

ASHVILLE, N.C. (RNS)–One is a songbird with the stage presence of a diva; the other so unpretentious a Christian she resembles the classic girl next door.

On tour, Sandi Patty and Chonda Pierce promise to be engaging and funny. They're longtime acquaintances who've become good friends. On Sept. 19, they launched a 31-city tour with an opening performance in Asheville, N.C.

Comedienne Chonda Pierce (left) and singer Sandi Patty have hit the road together on a "girls'" tour.

Someday they may be known as the “Thelma and Louise” of the Christian circuit. Fortysomething, likable and so down-to-earth that you want to keep them talking, they're breaking with convention in their “The Girls are Back in Town” tour.

Despite their blond tresses, this tour is no platinum, come-hither altar call. Nor is their God the sort of deity approached only in heels and white gloves. Patty and Pierce are too honest for that. Their Jesus is a Savior to be called on at home or in the workplace–even if one's calling requires scrubbing down the family bathroom with Ajax.

“I don't see life as very funny all the time,” Pierce said. “My favorite word in the dictionary is 'balance.' There are times when life to me really is hysterical. There are times when it is not.

“Take these (electrical) blackouts across the country. I had to laugh over some of it. What's not funny is where there are hospital staff who need power and people on life-support. But watching TV, I started laughing thinking about all those news people going to work today. I started laughing thinking about how many of them will have bad hair days. No hair dryers!”

Pierce, whose new video, “Have I Got a Story for You,” hits retail stores Sept. 23, doesn't take herself too seriously. Obviously neither does her performing partner. Pierce's video opens with a comical clip of the pair belting out music with Patty playing keyboard. In style and costume, they'll make middle-aged fans laugh and younger folks (including their children on the video) shake their heads in amazement.

“We're excited,” Patty said. “I have children, I'm a mom; us moms just need time to gather together and encourage one another. While we hope many people come (to the performances), we're really gearing it to women. Hopefully women will have a time of recharging and laughter.”

Patty, whose successful career has cast her as the sort of talent who has sung before heads of state and symphony orchestras, has a knack for recordings featuring sweeping orchestrations and dramatic endings.

Her new CD, “Take Hold of Christ,” is no exception. It features the sorts of songs that have made Patty one of Christian music's most-acclaimed performers. She's the winner of 39 Dove Awards, five Grammies and four Billboard Music Awards. Her 23 albums–including three platinum and five gold recordings–have sold more than 11 million copies.

So what do she and Pierce have in common? Life, say both performers.

“I met Chonda when she was traveling with (comedian) Mark Lowry. That was about 10 years ago,” Patty said. “I just thought she was absolutely wonderful. Then I lost touch with her. Over the last two or three years, our paths have crossed. It just seemed as we would share what God was doing in our lives–it seemed we were on the same page. So we combined forces.”

Pierce said getting to know Patty proved an education in friendship.

“She's hilarious. She's the type of girlfriend who always cracks you up over coffee,” Pierce said.

Their rapport comes through in Pierce's new video, which could prove even funnier than her earlier work. Recorded live at the Elkhart Theater in Elkhart, Ind., the video is packed with real-life stories. Like how Pierce managed to share a hotel room with a dead man, how her husband enjoyed a honeymoon package with someone else and how a strange trip between NASCAR and the Holy Land can totally turn your life around.

“Women are stressed out, overworked, underpaid, taking care of kids. If we can, we provide a night to just relax and have fun,” Pierce said. “We can never compete with the great conferences or Bible studies. Sandi and I truly believe if we could … put together a night for women to just be themselves” it will be worth it.

Posted: 9/19/03

Posted: 9/19/03

Eritrean Baptists seek help for
countrymen facing persecution

By Ken Camp

Texas Baptist Communications

A group of Eritrean Christians throughout the United States and Canada, including Texas Baptists originally from the East African nation, are soliciting money, public policy advocacy and prayers for persecuted Protestants in their homeland.

Christians in Eritrea “are afraid to talk. Even on the telephone, they are afraid. They have no freedom to talk. But they can send e-mail sometimes, and they tell us, 'We are afraid for our lives,'” said a Texas Baptist Eritrean church leader.

In May 2002, the Eritrean government ordered closed all Christian churches other than the officially recognized Orthodox, Catholic and Evangelical Lutheran parishes. According to an Amnesty International report, “This was done without any public announcement or legal basis.”

About 20,000 evangelical Christians from non-recognized churches have been denied legal status since that time. More than 200 have been imprisoned, and many have been threatened with death. They include 79 soldiers who have been held in a military prison more than 17 months.

In a sweeping government crackdown, about 170 Protestants were jailed and beaten in February and March 2003.

More recently, Compass Direct news service reported 62 teenagers were jailed Aug. 19-20 for possessing Bibles at a military training camp. After a week of imprisonment in metal shipping crates, five of the teens recanted their evangelical faith and expressed renewed allegiance to the Orthodox Church, but 57 continued to be held.

Many who have been detained without trial for months at a time are the wage earners for their families. Eritrean Christians in North America are raising money in an effort to help them, as well as pastors who have lost their source of income in the last year and a half.

“There are practically no tithes or offerings for the pastors, since the churches cannot meet publicly,” an Eritrean Texas Baptist said. “But some of these same pastors have taken children into their homes–children whose parents have been killed or put in prison. They say God will provide.”

While large shipments of supplies or wire transfers of money may be confiscated by governmental officials, the Eritrean Texas Baptists said they are free to deliver monetary “gifts” personally to friends and relatives in their homeland.

The Baptist General Convention of Texas has established anEritrean Support Fund to help Texas Baptist Eritrean churches collect money for families in need.

Checks designated “Eritrea” and made payable to “Baptist Executive Board” may be sent to the BGCT treasurer's office, 333 N. Washington, Dallas 75246-1798.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for Texas Baptists to show our concern for Christians around the world who suffer for their faith,” said Patty Lane, director of the BGCT office of intercultural initiatives. “We talk all the time about caring for Christians suffering around the world. Here's a concrete way to help Christians who are suffering for their faith.”

In addition to raising money for needy families, the Eritrean Christians in the United States also are seeking to raise awareness among Americans about persecution in Eritrea.

“America has influence. If American leaders would put pressure on the Eritrean government, that can help,” a Texas Baptist Eritrean said. He encouraged Christians to contact elected officials in Congress, registering concern for the plight of persecuted Protestants.

Especially, the Eritrean Christians in North America are encouraging other believers to join them in prayer for the persecuted church.

“God can do what seems impossible to us. Prayer changes things,” a Texas Baptist Eritrean pastor said. “We know God hears the prayers of his children.”

Posted: 9/19/03

LifeWay Explore the Bible Series for Oct. 5

Believers should live life of triumphant calling

Philippians 3

By John Duncan

Lakeside Baptist Church, Granbury

The Isthmian games of Corinth was one of the great festivals of sports in the first century (1 Corinthians 9:24). Like the Olympics, the games included a foot race. Competitors in the race competed for a laurel crown. The emperor invited the winners of the race to his box seat, a “high calling.” Paul uses the image of a race to speak of the Christian life in Philippians 3. Paul pursues the victorious race of living for Christ in anticipation of that day when Christ calls the victors to his throne on high, that is, the “high calling.”

The past behind: Press onward

Paul knows the race must be run while pressing onward. The runner cannot look back but must focus on the finish line. Paul knows his struggles (3:1-11). He battled false teaching and false teachers who like a pack of white-fanged dogs aimed to destroy the church. Paul struggled against his own will, his own pedigree and the temptation to trust in his education, heritage and lifetime achievements (3:3-6). He learned to trust Christ. Paul's one pursuit was to follow Christ. He considered his earthly achievements as trash compared to the treasure of Christ (3:7-8).

Paul desires to please Christ. He does not completely grasp all Christ has done. He grows spiritually and daily clings to Christ, placing the past behind and running strong toward God's kingdom (3:12-14).

Scholar Alfred Plummer sees “the strenuous effort implied.” Saint Jerome acknowledges “the ubiquity of God's saving purpose,” meaning Paul never forgets salvation in Christ as he strains in life's race. Salvation surrounded both Paul's own soul and his consciousness as he sprinted toward the race God had given.

Look upward

Paul kept before his eyes the goal (Greek, “scope”). Paul continually focused on the high calling (3:14). This required nurturing his own mind and regulating it to spiritual things (3:15). Paul did not let the pain or pleasure of the past cause him to look back. Rather, Paul passionately pursued what God had for each new day.

In so doing, Paul urged Christians to walk according to the same principle. Walk in “a disciplined path” (Fred Craddock). Walk with “no extravagances to the right or left” (Karl Barth). New Testament scholar F.F. Bruce says, “Paul encourages the Philippian Christians to continue to march forward as a united community, shoulder to shoulder, according to the teaching which they had received from him since first he brought them to the gospel.” For Paul, the goal was Jesus and keeping eyes firmly fixed on him until that day he would see Jesus face to face. This required a daily faith, a defined faith and a determined faith.

Paul's primary example is Christ. However, Paul understands the weighty responsibility that he possesses in service to Christ. He challenges them to walk like he walks because he pursues Christ's calling (Philippians 3:17). Paul also grieves due to the fact some walk a wayward path, out of line, and walk like wanderers lazily drifting rather than as runners firmly fixed on Christ (Philippians 3:18). Paul grievously names them as enemies of the cross. Paul never loses sight of salvation, but he always confesses the strain, the competition and the tension between the spiritual and the temporal, the downward pull of earth and upward call of God. Paul looks upward, but tears flow from his soul when he combats enemies of the cross.

What do the enemies of the cross aim for and run toward? Paul names three things: destruction (literally, “ruin”), worldly shame and a mind not set on God's race but rather set on bodies with the likes of human appetites and worldly thoughts.

Fred Craddock says, “Since the body is the center of their lifestyle, the end of their body is their destruction.” Paul's charge is to nurture the soul in Christ, not to pursue the lust of the body.

Heavenly citizenship

Paul knows the Christian who runs the race in pursuit of Christ's upward calling longs for heavenly citizenship. Paul invites the Philippian Christians to live on earth under the realm of heavenly citizenship (3:20). This powerful word Paul uses indicates the Christian's responsibility of witness is to promote their citizenship as one with Christ just as Roman citizens hale the glory of Rome. In other words, pursue Christ, promote his saving work and prayerfully press toward his glory. To live as a heavenly citizen on earth is to live like Jesus.

Paul lived in a world where all things were pressed under the subjection of Roman rule. Christians acknowledge a heavenly citizenship under God's rule. More important than subjection and obedience to the rule, law and conduct required by governments (Roman) was the willingness to glorify Christ by subjecting to the rule, law and conduct required by Christ. The emperor's high calling was one thing, but Christ's higher calling was the glorious thing!

Heavenly citizenship with Christian conduct and lifestyle means allowing Christ to transform (literally, “metamorphosis”) your life (3:21). Just as a caterpillar breaks free from a cocoon and flies as a beautiful butterfly, so too can the Christian soar when transformed by Christ. Transformation takes place in the discipline and effort in running the race of life for Christ.

Question for discussion

What, if anything, is keeping you from soaring?

Posted: 9/19/03

LifeWay Explore the Bible Series for Sept. 28

Christians should shine so the world can see

Philippians 2:12-30

By John Duncan

Lakeside Baptist Church, Granbury

“I am the Light of the world,” Jesus said (John 8:12). A light is as common as a bulb on the end of the front porch, a headlight on a car and a glowing beam on a lighthouse on a shore's harbor. Look in the sky on a clear night and observe light shining from a star.

The Apostle Paul calls Christians stars; not movie stars but stars that shine like bright stars on a dark night. F. F. Bruce says, “The luminous do not shine for their own sake; they shine to provide light for all the world.” Paul sets forth Christ as the model of service (Philippians 2:5-11). Here in Philippians 2:12-30, he challenges the church to set forth a good example for the world.

Shine: Work out the salvation God works in you

God's work in believers is basic to both purpose and unity in Christian service. For Christians to shine, Christ must energize (continually work) their wills with his will and their work with his “benevolent purpose” (Lightfoot). The fourth century preacher Chrysostom said, “If you have the will, then he (God) works the willing.”

When God in his mercy works in the will, two things happen: (1) We look inward (2:14-15); (2) We look outward (2:15). As we look within our hearts and within the church, we stop grumbling (Greek, “gogusmos”: complaining, whispering).

Just as Moses faced grumbling in the wilderness (Exodus 16:7-12), an activity which dims the church's light of witness is constant complaining. Recharge your spiritual battery to shine God's light. As we look beyond, we see a dark world desperately in need of light. We live blameless in a crooked and twisted generation (2:15). Consequently, because we wish to please God and shine his light, God's Spirit makes us alert to shining as stars in the world. "In" indicates shining where God has placed

you.

How?

How do Christians shine? They cling daily to God and open the windows of the soul by allowing God's light into their own lives. His light is his word (Psalm 119). The word is one of life (Philippians 2:16). Paul labored with sweat and blood under and for the light. His life was poured out completely for Christ and in service because of his faith in Christ (2:16). Joy resulted (2:17-18).

A.T. Robertson says, “Joy is mutual when the service is mutual.” When Jesus' light penetrates the heart, it radiates in the church and shines to the world, and joy touches all three entities. God's work of salvation glows with earthly and eternal repercussions.

Paul's hope

Paul's heart returns to the hope of his fellow Christian workers, Timothy and Epaphroditus. Paul highlights the noble example for Timothy's concern for the Philippians and of Timothy's child-like quality of faith in service (2:19-24). Paul rarely loses sight of God's light for the world and God's light reaching to the depth of individual hearts. The light, like a porch light attracting moths, has an attractive quality and a light that draws people into a tight-knit circle. This circle of faith causes Paul to remember faces and friends and faith shared in the struggle of service.

Again, Paul highlights the example of Epaphroditus as a model of service in that he risked his life for Christ (2:25-30). Fred Craddock notes he was “probably a convert from paganism.” Paul names Epaphroditus as a brother, a fellow worker and soldier. These words indicate mutual affection, the unity of Christ and the spiritual battle these men shared together in service to Christ while bearing the torch of God's light (2:25). One misses two key elements in a casual reading of the words. Paul speaks of two qualities necessary in Christian service: “fides,” or faithfulness, and loyalty. These qualities supplied mutual strength and multiplied Christ's joy.

Paul tells of Epaphroditus' sickness, God's mercy and the joy of sorrow relieved (2:26-28). The struggle and the return of his health is all the more reason for Paul and the Philippians to rejoice in God's gracious and sovereign grace. He anxiously longs for a reunion. Paul asks the Philippians to receive him with joy (2:28-29). Joy expresses itself in reunions of joy when God's people gather together.

Paul recalls again this stellar example of faith and Christian service. He reminds the Philippians how Epaphroditus risked his own life to shine God's light (2:30). According to Lightfoot, he “gambled with his life.” A.T Robertson says he “exposed himself to danger.” The word has legal implications, meaning Epaphroditus risked danger because his friendship was so important. Paul, Timothy and Epaphroditus longed to see people become friends with Jesus. What Paul could not do, Epaphroditus did in service to Christ at Philippi.

The individual Christian's great joy is in Jesus and in God's work of salvation to illuminate the truth and mercy of the gospel. The church's great joy is in shining that truth and mercy to a generation stumbling in the darkness. Where God's light shines, darkness evaporates, and joy explodes like an electrifying star.

Question for discussion

How brightly is your light shining? How can you add watts?

Posted: 9/19/03

LifeWay Family Bible Series for Oct. 5

The Holy Spirit: The abiding presence of Christ

John 14:15-17,25-26; 16:7-15

By David Jenkins

New Hope Baptist Church, Big Sandy

Most of us entertain all kinds of “guests” during the course of our lives. Some are casual acquaintances. Others are “house guests” whom we invite to spend quality time with us. Then, due to unusual circumstances, a guest sometimes comes to stay.

Such a guest is the Holy Spirit, God's abiding presence within believers' lives to comfort, support and reveal divine truth. He also is present to convict the world of sin. Our study sessions during October will explore these various ministries of the Holy Spirit.

The promise

During the night before his crucifixion, Jesus had many things to say to his disciples. They had depended completely upon his personal presence with them. But now their champion was going away. They would be left to face those forces determined to destroy anyone related in any way to Jesus. It was, without doubt, the darkest hour of their lives. Because Jesus knew this, he told them something that would change their lives, their outlook and their future.

Jesus began by telling the disciples they would prove their love for him by keeping his commandments. Furthermore, those who truly love Jesus will not be left alone in the world to shift for themselves. He would send them “another Comforter.” The word translated “another” means “another of the same kind.”

The concept of the Holy Spirit was not new to the disciples, but was referred to throughout the Old Testament–the active agent in creation, the one who empowered individuals to do miraculous deeds for God and to speak in God's name. John the Baptist had prophesied that Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11). Jesus had spoken earlier to Nicodemus about the work of the Holy Spirit (John 3:5).

Jesus told the disciples he would “request the Father” to send the Holy Spirit. This is another of the mysterious relationships between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. They are one in essence and yet diverse in their manifestations. They work to one end. Yet in this instance, one requests, one gives and one comes.

Jesus calls the Spirit “another Comforter,” implying he was the first Comforter who walked with the disciples. Whereas the Spirit had been “with” the disciples already, he would now be “within” them forever. Jesus' physical presence with them had been limited, but not so with the Holy Spirit. Because the Holy Spirit will be the bearer of divine truth, the sinful world, blinded to the God's truth, will not receive him.

The perplexity

Because Jesus saw the disciples were having great difficulty understanding what he was saying to them about the Holy Spirit, he gave them some special words of assurance.

He would not leave them “orphans,” as little children are left when their father dies. Close on the heels of Jesus' death was the promise of his return (14:3). In the interim, the Holy Spirit would affirm their Lord's living presence within them.

The world had seen Jesus only with their natural eyes, but his disciples had seen him with spiritual understanding. Jesus further assured them he would live, and because of his atoning death, they would also experience that life found only in the new birth. All of the promises spoken rested on Jesus' statement, “if you love me” (v. 21) which he carefully repeated (see v. 15). All of these blessings will come automatically to those who love Jesus and keep his words.

Judas, who probably was the disciple called Thaddeus or Lebbeus (Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18), had difficulty believing Jesus could appear to the disciples without appearing to the world also (v. 22). Patiently, Jesus repeated almost verbatim what he had said, with one startling addition–both he and the Father would come to those who obey him and live in their hearts (v. 23). Then Jesus told them they were not to worry about fully understanding or remembering all he had said to them. The Holy Spirit would be their teacher and guide.

The provision

Jesus could see the disciples still were discouraged. So he carefully reiterated what he had already told them, only this time he gave them more details about the broader ministry of the Holy Spirit in the world. Not only would he be their constant guide, he would also convict the world of sin.

The word “convict” means that whether the conviction is admitted or not, its truth would be beyond question. This conviction would deal with sin, righteousness and judgment. The sin is that of unbelief. The righteousness referred to will be so inarguable it will bring either repentance or final rejection. The same judgment that has been passed on Satan (“the prince of this world,” v. 11) will smite the world's conscience.

Jesus further impressed upon his disciples that his return to the Father and the coming of the Holy Spirit would bring great joy because he would make the words Jesus had spoken to them clear and understandable.

Question for discussion

Do you consciously depend on the Holy Spirit to direct your life each day in a way that would bring glory to God?