Atypical Pastors Wife
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Noise From The Barnyard

This is where family and friends hang out and discuss world events, family happenings, valley news and things I'm "moosing" about.  It's the day to day across the fence chatter.

Why Ravi?

2/16/2021

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The Christian community has suffered another black eye, and a concussion to boot that has left many believers reeling in shock, disbelief, and disappointment. Many have even had their faith shaken. Hailed apologist, Ravi Zacharius, who passed away last spring, has been found to be a sexual pervert for many of the years he ministered. I would normally not touch this subject except that I feel that it needs to be addressed from a minister’s point of view. I’m not a minister but I was a minister’s wife for many years.  

First of all, I want to extend my sincerest sympathy to the women that were victimized by his sin and although it sounds almost cruel to say, which infuriates me, I want them to know that there truly is healing and freedom from your trauma. It is found in Christ. You were victims of a broken man, not a wrong message. It is only the knowledge of the truth that can set free and truth can only be found in God’s Word. I understand what it is to be betrayed on this level and I know how much it hurts. I’m not minimizing your pain. However, there is a way out of this trauma and it is found in the healing and restoration that only Christ can offer. 

Secondly, I am appalled, sickened, and disgusted, but not surprised. After all the years I spent in the ministry, I’ve about seen it all. In the eyes of the world, and many Christians, his entire ministry has now been discredited, which is not fair or at all true. His ministry was not some big conspiracy to fool believers. Let me explain.

Ravi had a gift from God. We have all been given gifts. A gift. Not an inborn talent. Not something he “learned.”  A gift given from God that God uses in the man. So when he ministered truth, it was the truth contained within the gift that moved in the hearts of men and brought them to salvation. God uses imperfect vessels. If He didn’t, there would not be one minister on this earth. And we must also remember that when God uses any of us, He is using an imperfect vessel. As imperfect vessels, ministers are subject to all the same trials and temptations that come to every human who has ever made a decision for Christ. And for ministers, those temptations are often strong and intense because the devil knows that if he can bring down a shepherd, the sheep will follow and the name of Christ will be dragged through the mud in the eyes of the world, hindering it from coming to salvation.  

A gift can take a person to many places, but only character will keep them holy in it. A gift is given. Christian character is built. A gift is free. Character is costly. Unfortunately, Ravi did not stay close to the Lord in his personal life and allowed himself to become impressed with the gift that God had given him more than he was impressed with the giver. “Pride comes before a fall” but it wreaks its havoc in our lives very slowly and cunningly. And with pride comes the deceitfulness of sin that allows one to compartmentalize and justify sin in their lives. I was not surprised by his responses to those who did try to confront him. His justification of his sin just shows you how deceptive sin can become in the life of someone who once knew the opposite to be true. It’s as if an alien has invaded their body and taken over their minds. They become a stranger to themselves but they’re too blinded to see it. Before you judge, you must remember how formidable our enemy really is. He deceived Adam and Eve while they were in a perfected state. Dealing with us in our imperfection is an easy task for him unless we stay close to the foot of the cross of Christ and the voice of the Holy Spirit. I'm not making excuses for Ravi's actions or his refusal to repent and come clean but I do have an understanding of how something like this could happen. I do have compassion for Ravi as a human being. Hurting people hurt other people. And when we can look at another human being from this perspective, it does allow enough compassion to help us in our own forgiveness journey. 

Don’t allow the devil to steal the good things that you gleaned from his ministry. Truth is truth no matter who is speaking it. When the Apostle Paul was imprisoned, there were some preaching the gospel from impure motives. Instead of calling for them to stop, he was glad that the message was going out, even if from impure motives and through unrighteous messengers. Throwing the baby out with the bath water, so to speak, is not going to benefit us in any way. 

My saddest thought about this whole sordid tale is the thought that after a lifetime of ministry, many years which probably were legitimate and functioned within the confines of a holy life, that it is quite possible that Ravi did not go to heaven. He did not understand the sin nature. He did not understand the power of the Cross of Christ to set one free from that nature and to bring victory into everyday life. What a waste and a very sobering thought. Of course, many Christians gossip and backbite all their lives too, and according to scripture, if they don’t confess and repent, will have the same end. Let’s not get all self-righteous. There are no “little” sins. There is no such thing as a little white lie. It is true that some sins have more far reaching, more destructive consequences, but sin of any kind will keep us from heaven. “Be not deceived, God is mocked.  Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” No sin goes undetected, and as we plainly see, can even be disclosed after we are dead. 

Instead of judging Ravi, I have taken this time to examine my own heart. It is God’s job to judge Ravi. I can only remember that there, but for the grace of God, go I. None of us is exempt from falling into the worst, most horrible sin. And it is those who say that it could never happen to them that are at greatest risk of it happening. We are only as strong in this world as we are strong in our intimate knowledge and personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We must maintain a close, loving and listening relationship with Jesus. Sometimes this is much harder for those who seem to be on top of the world than for those who are walking through a deep, dark valley. Ravi had praise and accolades coming from all directions and in his humanness succumbed to it's appeals.  

I pray for his victims. I pray for his family. I pray for those in his ministry who do truly and obediently serve the Lord. This is a travesty but more common than most would like to think. We must pray for each other, but we must especially pray for those with public gifts. I often thought that if people prayed for their Pastors as much as they talked about them and judged them, there would be way less of them falling from grace. Ministers are just men with a gift. They didn't receive that gift because they were extra special in some way. God is the giver of gifts and He gives them to whom He chooses. Never assume that your Pastor does not need prayer. I can assuredly tell you that he does! And please, don't pray about him, pray FOR him as if your life depends on it, because it may. 

It is too late for Ravi to repent, if he didn’t, or to make amends. I commend his ministry for not only having these accusations investigated, but doing what they can to help the victims although anything they do will fall despairingly short. Only Christ can make this right for the victims and for His family. I pray they all find healing. 

As Christians, we are called to follow Christ. We don’t follow Christ through a man or a gift or a denomination. Each of us has a Bible. Each of us has the privilege of prayer. Never put a man on a pedestal because it will surely someday come crashing down. No minister is without his own set of struggles, temptations, and problems. That does not lessen the gifting of God in him, unless God, because of sin, causes it to diminish. So when you hear a preacher and he ministers to you, thank God for the gift, not the man. Acknowledge God, not the man. Praise God, not the man. This will not only benefit you but the man of God as well. 

After writing down my thoughts, I came across an article written by Dr. Michael Brown concerning this subject. I thought his insights were very perceptive and redemptive. Take some time to read it. It will help those of you who are struggling. I pray that for those of you really struggling and questioning your faith or the Lord because of this, that my words have at least opened a little door of understanding that will help you. 

https://askdrbrown.org/library/how-should-we-respond-ravi-zacharias-scandal?fbclid=IwAR1c9g_8__hChEqQmJvUdntkTOAMqo3rJxFwIR7mPZuwyVw24tk6ZfcNcvk

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My "Word" for 2021

2/9/2021

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I know it's February. I know that choosing your word for the year is a New Year's tradition. Well, it's still new in the year and I'm anything but traditional. 

After much deliberation, I’m stuck between two words. I know what God has spoken to me about the direction I’m heading but I’m finding it difficult to identify it in just one word because I desire to be both! My 2020 word was “words.” I spent the entire year paying attention to everything the Bible says about words-what they are for and all the different ways words can be used. As a writer, God has given me clear direction about how He wants to use my writing. I’m just waiting on Him to tell me which platform to use.

My 2021 words are "authentic" and "genuine."

Authenticity speaks of one's true nature and beliefs, or being true to oneself. It's an accurate description and expression of who you really are and being comfortable with that. It also involves not being concerned that others see me too. It doesn't mean that I'm satisfied with who I am but that I accept my weaknesses and idiosyncrasies without condemning myself and that I desire to grow and mature. 

Genuineness is more about having a claimed attributed character, being free from pretense and having an open, honest and frank confirmation of who you claim to be.

First and foremost this means to know myself. Over the last couple of years, I've spent much time examining, questioning, analyzing, and praying as I fielded what seemed like an overabundance of curve balls thrown at me. It was an examination of who I have been, who I am currently, and who I want to be. It was an honest look at how much of what I sowed, I was reaping and how much was just the devil trying to knock me off my game, and an acknowledgement of what the Lord had done in me as a result.

So for 2021, my desire is to be an authentically genuine Christian. In terms of these two words together, I want my true nature and beliefs to genuinely be a representation of Christ, without pretense or wishful thinking or being a faith-without-sight statement. In other words, I want to ooze Jesus because that is who He has made me. It's the real me. It's to BE a Christian, genuinely, not just look like one on the outside. Not to just claim that I am one but to be able to naturally respond and react, without having to think about it, in a Christlike way. That is how you know change has taken place. Oh what freedom there is in living this way. 

So, how do I get there? It's one thing to know what you want but a whole other thing to know how get there. So what is my plan of action? 

It won't happen by reading a bunch of books by other experts who want the same thing.

It won't come through gaining knowledge by studying theological writings of the deep things of Christianity.

It won't come through much prayer and fasting.

You see, what I want comes only one way-through the Spirit's working this in me. There's really nothing I can DO, except yield. I can't change myself. Does this involve reading, fasting and prayer? Perhaps. Whatever I DO though, must be Spirit led and in the Spirit's timing. 

My plan of action is very simple. I'm going to stay close to the cross. Everything I need and desire, every blessing, comes through the finished work of the crucifixion and the resurrection. By keeping my eyes on Jesus and my faith in Him alone, the Spirit will be able to reproduce Him in me and truly MAKE me like Him. That is the Spirit's job after all, to glorify and reveal Jesus to the world. And in allowing this work to be done in me, I will be true to myself because I will be true to Christ. I will also be a testimony to the lost.

I won't have to pretend I'm something that I'm really not.

I won't have to claim that I'm something that I'm not in real life. 

I won't feel the need to impress anyone with my spirituality and wonderfulness.

I will just be able to be comfortable with who I am knowing that I'm not only accepted but adopted into the family of God. And although I am comfortable and secure, I will never be satisfied. There is so much more of the riches of Christ to know, to experience, and to emulate. It will take more than my lifetime.


Jesus, keep me near the cross,
There a precious fountain--
Free to all, a healing stream--
Flows from Calv’ry’s mountain.

Refrain:
In the cross, in the cross,
Be my glory ever;
Till my raptured soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.

Near the cross, a trembling soul,
Love and Mercy found me;
There the bright and morning star
Sheds its beams around me.

Near the cross! O Lamb of God,
Bring its scenes before me;
Help me walk from day to day,
With its shadows o’er me.

Near the cross I’ll watch and wait
Hoping, trusting ever,
Till I reach the golden strand,
Just beyond the river.

 Written by Fanny Crosby in 1869



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