Dear son,

You have taught me the meaning of discipleship. The very thing I did not want to learn, but the very thing I most needed. I wanted to send you to others more adequate to teach you, but you refused. The Holy Spirit knew that He could use our meek attempts at training you in the ways of the gospel. You were the one who never quit in the hard times, it was me.

Now I see you serving Jesus by telling of His regeneration in your heart. You told the Hindu lady in the airport, your co-workers in downtown LA and your closest relatives and friends. You are outdoing me, and I am the one who needs to be taught by you. I am eager to hear more about how Jesus is using you to tell of the wonderful things He did on the cross.

Please never stop growing. Never give up showing the hope that is in you. You are my child, and I will choose to never abandon you.

Love,
Michael

Why Following Jesus Means Losing Everything

Why Following Jesus Means Losing Everything

I have pondered the reality of the Christian life of late with much Scripture as my mirror. I lifted the questions I had to The Book and asked; “Why does Following Jesus Mean I have to Lose Everything?” Just because someone says something does not make it true or verifiable. Let us look into the words of Jesus, who dares to say that:

“For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it” Luke 9:24.

I cannot help but wish that it were not so. Why do I have to give up all of the desires, dreams, goals, and plans for my life? Jesus’ words detail that if I chose to save this life, it (and all benefits) will be lost. How lost is lost? Lost in the sense that it cannot be retained and ever amounting to an eternal worth. We could arrive at the end of life and have lost our lives. That is pitiable.

Gaining my life then comes by losing it NOW. The casting away of desires, and coming before the altar of God is what He commands. Is this fair for Him to expect us to do that? Thankfully, yes! Should we not remember that it is God, who created us, knows us, loves us, and wants for us to have joy in Him? Joy then comes through the casting aside of our (human, finite, and weak) ideas of fortune for a life saved in the end.

Finally, Jeremiah (through God) says that our hearts are so wicked that we can’t know or trust in them. So even though we “think” have plans of bliss, they could actually be selfish. Given the opportunity, we will sin and seek to please ourselves. In conclusion, it is the words of Christ in The Book then that instruct us that if we want to really live, then we will really lose everything.

The Right & Left Hands need to shake

After a fruitful visit with an old friend this weekend I felt re-energized and ready to follow Jesus continually. The real "raw" life that Christ displayed for his disciples is note-worthy.

One practical observation I have recently made, after much frustration and pondering upon such things is the following.

Many people on the Christian spectrum of life, let's call it the Conservative and the Liberal sides, choose specific parts of Christ's life to allow people to see things their way. The Liberals talk about how Christ displayed Truth to the masses, and the Liberals talk about how He loved people unconditionally. The real truth is, Jesus is not a Liberal or a Conservative. He is God.

Baptists and Pentecostals are, at times, both right and wrong. What Baptists struggle in is legalism, which can cripple and prohibit people from the richness of Christ. What Pentecostals struggle in is the freedom in Christ, which can allow for too many sins to be excused because grace covers all sin.

At times our Lord displayed more Liberal characteristics than Conservatives want to acknowledge. (Vice a versa is obviously seen also.) Why does this matter? It doesn't! To our knowledge we know that the disciples were not quarreling over such issues as these. Our hearts must allow for one another to work alongside in the desire that Christ is honored. "Feelings" of being uncomfortable should never prohibit biblical Christianity, which produces Jesus followers, which leads to souls being saved and lives being lost for the sake of the gospel.

To my Right (Conservative) brothers and to my Left (Liberal) brothers I ask that you shake hands. Put your quarrels and strife aside, and build the Kingdom of God in worshipful service to Jesus Christ together.

Respectfully,
Michael

hmm...Prayer...it works

I asked anyone reading these postings to pray for a guy in my management class. He has been faithful to ask me some good questions, and we even got to eat out together the other night. He wanted to know how he can be a "legit" Christian. He doesn't want to fake it, but wants to be all in.

Is this not what we all should be like? Either all in, or get out! Man, his basic relational theology is what we ought to strive for. Keep praying for him, and for your own heart. Never lose the simplicity of God's divine and perfect love for your soul.

Purposeful Statements

Life is meant to be enjoyed while giving glory to whom it is due. Life was given to all creatures; therefore it only makes logical sense to find out its reason for being. If there is a creator, then he must be praised. If not, then we must “eat, drink, and be merry” (Ecclesiastes 8:15).

I am seeking to write out my personal principle statement, a statement to identify the things that make me tick. This task is arduous, but somehow simple. I hope to clearly define the passion that fills my mind, heart, and soul in this small paper.

John Piper says that the mission statement for his life is to “exist to spread a passion for the of God in all things for the joy of all peoples through Jesus Christ.” Piper is a world renowned speaker and pastor, but a man who clearly defines his life’s allegiance as being to God.

I, too, will choose to make this my personal principles statement. There was a man who lived a brief time after Jesus did. His name was Paul, and he said this: “He [Christ] died for all so that those who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf” (2 Corinthians 5:15). My logical conclusion is this: The Creator deserves my life, and doubly so after Jesus Himself purchased my life through by crucifixion. Therefore, my purpose in life is to live and die for Him.

This zealous and brilliant man also said “I only want to know Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2). This may sound simple, plain, ignorant, or even foolish to the human ear and mind, but is it? Am I merely being foolish? Perhaps you must hear about my past to understand my present and where my future lies.

As a child, I adopted an attitude of manipulation, threatening to in order to get attention from my parents. Cunningly, I knew that I would never commit this grievous act, but I attempted to deceive people, and I was good at it. As these thoughts raced through my mind, I continued to hear about this Jesus fellow who said “I am the way, and the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father but through me” (John 14:6). It sounded like a nice idea, but it simply was not the way I wanted to live my life. The older I got, the further away I got from this proverbial “God”. Smoking pot was a frequent event; underage drinking and partying were normal weekend activities. School was not my forte, but socializing was.

It struck me: “What am I doing with my life?” I knew that the Bible said that “Your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that he does not hear” (Isaiah 59:2). According to this book, the Bible, called God’s Word, I was a sinner damned for hell. Why would I want to hear that?

Messages like this cannot quickly depart from one’s conscience. This seemingly ancient man named Jesus who “was in the beginning with God” and “All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.” How could I do nothing but want to know more about him? If all of this stuff in the Bible were true, then I truly was a fool for not turning to this man, this Jesus.

As time would tell, this Jesus character was one that I could not escape. His personality, speech, charisma, attitude, forgiveness, leadership ability, and love wooed me. It clearly must be because “He is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, and uphold all things by the word of His power” (Hebrews 1:3).

Legacies are not left by average people. Mediocrity accepts the status quo, but I choose not to be deceived by this. If I can leave one thing, one charge to people, or one memory of Michael Schwamb it would be that God the Creator is holy, perfect, and just, and following Him through Jesus is the only way to please Him while living joyfully both in the present time and for all eternity. Knowing my actions and thoughts I deem myself unworthy of being remembered, but yearn for others to remember and know “Jesus and him crucified only” as Paul said in 1 Corinthians 2:2. Helping people achieve this is my desire.

Activities such as these cause me to reflect deeply on the blessings that I have in life. I can have an unlimited amount of joy that is not superficial, but divine. Reading through passages that are in God’s Word, the Bible, have refreshed my mind, heart, and soul to continue pursuing that which I know is true because it has been passed down to me by men that “investigated everything carefully from the beginning…so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught” (Luke 1:3-4). Exercises that help one meditate on truth can never be wasteful.

Chapter Two boasts the title “Managing Personal Stress”. I could not think of a better way to learn about the perfect stress-reducer: knowing Jesus as my King and Lord. He tells me “Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or What will we wear for clothing?’…Your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:31-33). As I seek to follow Jesus I am promised that I am already taken care of by my heavenly Father. This chapter opens my eyes that I need to have something much more than a simple method of relieving stress. “The Lord is for me; I will not fear; what can man do to me” (Psalm 118:6)?

At All Moments

The believer never has down time. No moment is meant for our own selfish pleasure. Don't believe me, check out 2 Cor. 5: 15 "And He died for all, so that those who live might no longer live for themselvse, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf." These words have stung me many times when I just wanted to "relax". My life is meant for the purpose of bringing God glory, right? Yet whey is it so challenging to do this on a daily basis? Why do believers enter into the presence of unbelievers and rarely share the gospel with them for fear of ruining the potential relationship?

I tried this out today when I talked with a young man. He was roughly 18 years old, and religion ran in his line, but it didn't seem to touch his veins. He openly admitted he was unsure if their is any such thing as truth, and the Discovery Channel did some mythical findings on the Bible that proved to be the extent of his spiritual knowledge. I proceeded to share with him the many things that Jesus did, as an attempt to show him that Jesus is God. Please pray for my friend, he needs to know the King of the world.



Just finished reading a book called "No Graven Image", by Elizabeth Elliott. It is a narrative about a missionary who went to Equador and realized the hard efforts necessary for "missionary work". What a sobering and sorrowful book. Great to pick up if interested in missions!

Praying all night

Tonight marks the 5th all night prayer meeting we are having. It's been a blessing to petition and get on our knees and pray. Our pastor once said that "We need to get on our knees and fight like a man" if we want to see things done.

Since we have begun these prayer sessions our church has changed completely. We have seen sincere change, sin come to light, missionaries sent and people get saved. E.M. Bounds provides rich resources with prayer and how Christians must be persistent in it. We must "pray and never give up" Jesus tells us in Luke 18.

Praise for Management 370 Class

I asked you to pray for the guy I began to witness to in my last blog update. Turns out that he is a Christian, but has not been going to church for awhile. Pray that he and I would get together to discuss the glorious Scriptures and GROW!

Thanks for the praying.

The Big Execs

Business had me excited for the Kingdom of God, yet again. Not for all the potential gospel proclamitory efforts I hope to pursue, but because I saw the "bottom line" as the line of doom. Big Execs from all over the world put on this show, and this front that does not allow the gospel to penetrate them. The Kingdom of God however pushes beyond the deaf ears and blind eyes, and opens up the ideal spiritual fruit birthed through the seed.

My mentor by proxy John Piper says that "The path of God exalting Joy will cost you your life"...but "treasuring life above Christ is a tragedy" don't waste your life pg. 10. I really ponder this while sitting in Management class next to many people that are gearing up for their personal careers that produce no fruit. My wonder is not that they won't produce fruit without Christ, as much as "AM I BEARING FRUIT?"

I talked today with a guy born in a far away land, whom has no hope, no friends locally, and is yearning for something. I tried to poke Christ into the conversation, but came up empty, but eagerly awaiting another chance to proclaim the precious and tender mercies God provides through Christ. Please pray for my new friend.

Seed's Fruit

What does that title mean? To me it means everything pertaining to Godliness. Matthew 13 is the clearest image for me in regards to a person who truly is saved, will bear fruit. Some people bear fruit that is 30 times as much, some 60, some 90, and some 100 times as much. The seed goes into the body and soul, and then bears fruit!!!

Tonight was a night where I saw many prayers answered and my heart bursted with joy. 1 Peter 1:8 "Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory..."

I was invited to an international event that is put on by a parachurch ministry that seeks to get students from overseas connected with the American culture in Christian circles. Stereotypes about religious endeavors are handicapped here because Christians are Christians, not church-goers. Fruit is ready to be born.

My mind cannot break the difference between my times overseas and the missions trips I have ventured out to do, and my duty to obey Christ here.

This blog is intended to encourage others as I walk. I have found frustration in living for myself, and want to live my life for the joy of others as I long to be with Christ. Paul says, "If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me Phil. 1:22. I choose to live for this labor that bears fruit. I EXPECT fruit to be born!