SUPERSTITIOUS There is something that unites every human being, and that is to have beliefs. Whether or not someone claims belief in God, fate, science, self… we all believe in  something. It’s an interesting, and sometimes disturbing, adventure to probe minds to discover these views. More often than not, at least in West Michigan, the answers more closely resemble a form of superstition rather than a rock solid faith. Mix a little truth, a bit of tradition, a lot of conjecture and the blended concoction ends up being superstition. In Stevie Wonder’s # 1 hit, Superstition, there is a line that says, “When you believe in things that you don't understand, then you suffer. Superstition ain’t the way.” It seems obvious to follow that logic, though it’s a constant battle we face in this culture. People tend to place their assurance on repeated hearsay and imparted generational customs. A good portion of those we discuss the Gospel with have some sort of perception of what Christ came to do. They’ve heard that Jesus is the Son of God, He died on the cross and rose from the dead. The problem is that it has always just been a story to them. They have heard, but never understood. Many haven’t tested or questioned why they believe what they do. They will tell you they have convictions, though as you get further into the conversation it becomes clear that it is really just smoke and mirrors. If you can lead someone to think about their beliefs to the point of putting it all on the line, to slide their chips all in… to get to the extreme of laying down their life, honestly contemplating leaving this world simply with their beliefs alone, their confidence becomes questionable. My 5 year old son is good for asking unexpected questions. While teaching from the Bible he has asked questions like, “Didn’t men write the Bible?” and “If God made all animals good in the beginning, why do bees have stingers?” Yes, he’s 5. I sometimes wonder whether I’m at my kitchen table with my family, or downtown at a coffee shop with a 20 year old agnostic hearing some of these questions. The key is the response. If I don’t take the time to give understanding, then my son will end up with a weakened sense of reality and a greater chance of being deceived. Have you ever replied to a query something like, “Well, some things you have to take by blind faith.”? You’re not alone if you have, though it isn’t advisable (since it isn’t true). I think people often  take verses like 2 Corinthians 5:7 out of context. It says, “We live by faith, not by sight” (NIV). It’s clear that reading from the surrounding verses that it references a longing to be with the Lord, having a desire and believing to be with Him one day even though it isn’t currently visible. That’s what true faith is, its full confidence in the Lord. Consider the famous verses on faith from Hebrews 11. The first verse actually gives a definition – “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” (NIV). The following verses recount the testimonies of many the Lord has used through the ages. Try dropping “blind” in front of the “faith” references given throughout the chapter to further confirm how ridiculous of a notion it is. They all had confidence in the Lord, not a vain hope that these things might be true. One of the key points of the Truth Tank ministry is to encourage people to question why we believe what we believe. Do we believe what we do simply because our parents, family, friends, pastor or Sunday school teacher told us to? I would hope that each of those referenced is a good source of truth for each reader. Statistics and personal conversations with random people would tell me otherwise unfortunately. Those encounters are more inclined to side with the notion that the standard is to trust what someone respectable would say, to take their word for it. I  often give the advice to people that I meet to not take me at my word. I encourage them to test things, to work out their own faith and to be grounded in the Word of God rather than the opinions of men. Faith, like life, is a gift from God. He is the One that gives true assurance, certainty and hope in the things we can’t see with our physical eyes, namely the life to come. We can look at the evidence all around us that confirms the Bible and the truth of the Gospel, and stand confidently in a world full of myths and falsehood. We need to seek out truth, instead of running from hard questions. We need to delve into discussion, rather than politely avoiding an argument. Superstition ain’t the way, and neither is blind faith. They are one and the same.
1 CORINTHIANS 13:1-13
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
NIV, emphasis added
DEATH IS
NOT DYING
I ran across this website about a week or so ago, and thought it would be worth sharing. It's the site of a 37 year old wife and mother of two, named Rachel Barkey. She had fought and beat cancer a few years ago, and it came back with a vengeance early this year. It's a heart wrenching story of how her life is being cut short, yet is perservering in faith to the end. I highly encourage taking an hour to watch her video, or just listen while you work. It's a sad, yet joy filled story of triumph.
UPCOMING TRAINING
As mentioned in the last couple of newsletter, we are planning a one day training and outreach for Saturday, June 6th. It will be held at Searchlight Ministries (www.searchlightministries.org) and will conclude at the Festival of the Arts downtown Grand Rapids. Training will take place from 8:45-12:30, with the outreach portion going from 1:00-2:00. We expect to be out until 4:00 for those that can stay, but want to make this a manageable day for you. Take a look at your schedule, and plan for the date now. You will be encouraged! There will be a $10.00 charge for this event, and can be paid on the day of the event. Lunch is included. The class is designed for all believers, and you are guaranteed to be further equipped to share your faith on a daily basis. Email us (tom@truthtank.com) for more information or to RSVP. The church address is 4020 22nd Ave. in Hudsonville.
STREET REPORT
By Tom Akers
I thought I'd take a moment for this Street Report to give a brief update on an unusual event, a Slipknot concert from a few weeks back. As expected, it was an especially aggressive crowd. Like any concert like this, we spent a great deal of time while preaching open air repeating that we weren't there to judge them. We were there because there was a crowd of people. We weren't protesting the band, or bringing an anti-smoking / drinking campaign to the Van Andel Arena. We were bringing a Truth campaign. We attempt to open up dialogue about Christianity in this culture that has an aversion to the Gospel. The crowd microphone is there for those that want to participate. Some respected our right to be there, listened to what we had to say and joined in the conversation. There was a bit of animosity at certain points as well... I can especially remember a 666 chant going on for a while. That was yet another reminder not to be offended at their ignorance, but to press on to break down walls of confusion. We know full well that people project their views on us due to the way Chritianity was represented to them. Some have been abused, lied to, witnessed extreme hypocrisy... you name it. While a night like this can be a little daunting, we were blessed to see the Lord working on people's hearts. Many of these people admitted they weren't right with God, and knew they needed to change. We're trusting the seed of the Gospel planted will be growing. Take a look below at a few images from the night....
"Seeing is believing. If I can’t see it, I don’t believe it exists."
We believe in many things that we can’t see. Ask a skeptic if he has ever seen the wind. Has he seen history? Has he ever seen his brain? We see the effects of the wind, but the wind is invisible. We have records of history, but it is by "faith" that we believe certain historical events happened. Television waves are invisible, but an antenna and a receiver can detect their presence. The unregenerate man likewise has a "receiver." However, the receiver (his spirit) is dead because of sin (Ephesians 2:1). He needs to be plugged into the life of God; then he will come alive and be aware of the invisible spiritual realm.
BLUES ON THE MALL
Each year we get excited about one of the premeir summer events for sharing the Gospel, LAV's Blues on the Mall in downtown Grand Rapids. It begins on Wednesday June 10, just a week and a half away. If you've never ventured out for this event, make a point to add one to your schedule over the next couple of months (they run through August 12). We typically spend time with one to one conversations while the band is playing and then set up to preach with the PA system as the crowd clears. It's consistenly been the time I look forward to the most every year. Concert is from 6:30 until about 9:00, and we are usually around until 10:30, weather permitting. Email with any questions, or to let us know you will be coming out (tom@truthtank.com).
FAMOUS LAST
WORDS
Sir Walter Raleigh (at his execution):
“So the heart be right, it is no matter which way the head lieth.”
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