Ben Lenz's blog

Hated & Persecuted

benlenz — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 14:43:12 +0000

I was reading in John 15, about Jesus commanding us to love one another, obey Him and abide in Him… all good stuff right? Then He goes on to explain “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you.” and then “If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you;” I guess I always assumed the world was outside, and when He says “they” I thought it’d be those that don’t know God…

But lately I’ve been evaluating my life and history, and I’ve come to see I can’t remember one time being hated or persecuted by a non-christian. I can only think of the multiple blows by other “christians” towards me and the church… People have taken time to slander, name-defame, gossip, lie, judge, condemn, reject, and criticize me… and it’s come from people who confess to be beleivers in Christ.

As this evidently is becoming more and more common amungst ‘Christians,’ I get saddened for our future. I think evil has taken an alternate tactic and tried to mess up believers in Jesus by getting within the camp, undetected, to turn one against his brother. I fear that we’ve forgotten the commandment to love one another, and think it’s our job to condemn our brother instead.

Every scripture I can find concerning this points to adressing sin IN ORDER TO LOVE & RESTORE, to “cover a multitude of sins” or “that he may turn and have life” or “that God may get glory.” I’m a big fan of taking sin seriously, and I’m never going to advocate for anarchy… but have we forgotten grace and love for each other? Brothers and sisters…? God, help me love and extend grace where needed, comitt to my brother and sister, and honor you in how I live.

Baby!

benlenz — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 03:05:10 +0000

Well, baby Lenz came last night, 8pm. Michiah Benjamin Lenz is now soft and cuddly, healthy and beautiful. My wife did amazing, made it look like a hobby. wow, i love being a dad so far, and i can’t wait for the days, months and years to come. Michiah was born at 6 lbs. 13 oz and 20 inches. man he’s cute egh?!

Weddings

benlenz — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:42:05 +0000

If you were to ask me 4 years ago if I was ever going to officiate a wedding, I would have said no way. 9 weddings later, I’m finding what a wonderful joy it is to be a part of people’s lives. Not only do i get to spend time serving the couple in their wedding needs, their thoughts about becoming one, and the excitment of the big day, but I also get a chance to give a message to whole bunch of people i normally wouldn’t ever meet or hang out with. What a cool opportunity!

I can’t tell you how many people tell me how boring weddings can get, especially the long winded pastor who rambles on and on about the stuff we’ve all heard before… but dang, that’s a big bummer, cuz getting married rocks and hearing God’s Word should be fresh and alive… so, i’ve been trying to make my message simple and yet very heart-and-soul of what God had in mind when we celebrate a ONE-ness cerimony. It’s been such a great study in Genisis 2, and I’m pumped to see couples and their close ones see coming together as ONE-ness, not just a wedding day.

Better Than This?

benlenz — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:39:34 +0000

I got an opportunity to spend a week with my dad and a few other men of faith in Alaska. The week was so refreshing to my soul, and it was much needed. The mountains and rivers, the sun and moon, the animals and the wild – it was so breath taking. I hope each of you can have a place & time away from everything else to get refreshed by our Father. I’m counting the days till I get to return. Thank you God for such a beautiful peek into heaven. How fast will your 4 wheelers be?

more pic’s here.

There is hope

benlenz — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 16:54:08 +0000

It seems like everytime i’m in the slump, wanting to quit and run – God brings me through and blesses abundantly. The last few weeks have been so refreshing, so refueling that it’s hard to imagine what it felt like when everything sucked. but, i know that could be tomorrow, so i’ll be thankful for the joy of today.

God’s good to me, and i still can’t place it… well not because of me anyway. He must be good because He’s good. hmm. Lord, thanks for today, for the joy set before me, and that i’m breathing deep this morning. i want to love you with my whole heart, my whole mind, and my whole soul. thank you for your patience with me, your grace that teaches and corrects me, and your love that spurs me on to change. Thank you for your body, this group of radically different people who you gather together for your reflection. thanks for today.