Standing Shoulder To Shoulder Together As We Fight the Good Fight of Faith A personal letter of encouragement to You, written solely to "lift up hands that hang down". TO SUBSCRIBE send a blank message to shoulders-subscribe@... . TO UNSUBSCRIBE send a blank message to shoulders-unsubscribe@... . IN EACH CASE you will receive an automated request for confirmation which you must answer. FOR BACK COPIES go to http://associate.com/groups/shoulders . Get "HOPE4KYIV", a praise report and prayer request letter of the Tolliver's ministry as missionaries to Ukraine, TO SUBSCRIBE send a blank message to hope4kyiv-subscribe@.... FOR BACK COPIES go to http://associate.com/groups/hope4kyiv. +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ SHOULDER TO SHOULDER #313 ---- 12/8/03 Title: "EMMANUEL" My Dear Friend and Ministry Partner: Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. His name is, indeed, wonderful. I trust your mind is filled, especially this time of year, with His names. Each one reveals more of Who He is. PRAYER REQUEST: Please pray for one of our very special missionaries today. Janelle Hall, a young single woman, is currently in the hospital recovering from an emergency appendectomy that was performed late Friday night. She does our bookkeeping work for our missionary organization, and is also involved with us in our student ministry and our English program at our church. Pray specifically that God will heal her quickly, and pray that she will find rich fellowship and little loneliness as she experiences her first Christmas away from family. SOME COMMENTS: Here's are some comments from a long time friend in response to last week's letter I wrote about settling for less than God intended. He always makes me think harder. Maybe he will you as well. "If the 'fall of man' was complete, man is essentially incapable of spiritual effort; the spirit being dead can't reach out for God. Thus, all of man's focus is on satisfaction of carnal urgings. If he seeks to replace God, he seeks only a being that he can manipulate into providing for his every CARNAL need. He may refer to that manipulation as worship and may even use spiritual terms to describe it; yet and still, his religion consists of little more than pulling the chain of a divine bell-boy who will deliver whatever he asks. "It seems to me that only those who, through rebirth, have tasted of God can seek Him. The newborn spirit has a natural 'hunger' for more of those things that will take it to maturity and its rightful 'place' in the family into which it has been born. The tragedy is that, for many, one taste is all they ever get because they come to an altar and then are immediately instructed how to. How to? How to pray, how to study, how to believe, fill the blank with anything you want while understanding that it seldom leads to a closer walk. The teaching is designed to perpetuate the particular church or ministry that is doing it. As a matter of fact, the motivation behind the majority of evangelism in the USA is to build and perpetuate a particular congregation or denomination so that we end up worshiping men, theologies, doctrines, worship styles rather than God. (It gets worse; now we are offered expensive 'how to' seminars led by the latest "do it the way I do it" experts. In effect we are moving from a gospel of repentance and remission of sin to one of remittance and teaching of men.)" CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION: Winter has arrived in Ukraine! Officially it was December 1st. In reality, I think it was this past Saturday afternoon. The temperatures plummeted, and our first snow of the year began. It certainly isn't here like it is in the northeastern U.S. right now, but we did get an inch or two as it snowed off and on through most of Sunday. It's amazing what a little cold weather and snow does to crank up the Christmas spirit. It's a good thing, too, because the last part of the week was a battle for me. All week I had been wondering what I needed to preach about yesterday, but I just couldn't really connect on anything I felt God was saying. I was actually torn between two things . . . . wanting to preach on some subjects pertaining to the future ministry of the church, and yet feeling the responsibility of preaching on Christmas themes for the next four or five Sundays. I knew Christmas emphasis was coming, but I wasn't ready for it to come, and I really didn't want to face it. Maybe you've had those times yourself. To add further consternation to my battle, I realized more than ever that the nostalgia, memories, and beliefs I have about Christmas are not shared here in Ukraine, even by the believers. So, . . . why preach about it? Not only is Christmas celebrated on a different day (January 7th), but it has no significance to the average citizen, and only minimal importance even to many evangelical believers. It's just not emphasized here. On top of all that, this country's real passion is the beginning of the New Year. In fact, they celebrate it the entire month of January. So, for several days I was hounded by the question, "Why does Christmas seem to be so unimportant to the people of Ukraine?" (The same could be said about most countries of the former Soviet Union.) As if my struggle wasn't sufficient, Jo Ann was having lunch on Saturday, along with two other missionary ladies, with one of our favorite people, our house keeper, Valya. Valya is a wonderful Christian, deeply committed to Jesus. The ladies had decided to taker her out for lunch for her birthday. We husbands tagged along and sat at the other end of the table with our own meaningless conversation. While we are discussing things of such depth to only make us laugh, the ladies are talking with Valya about Christmas and her special traditions. They were shocked to realize . . . . She has no Christmas traditions. I found it to be nearly inconceivable. But then, I realized . . . . Communism totally outlawed any celebration of Christmas . . . . for over 70 years Christmas celebrations did not exist as part of their culture. Such things were not allowed, and participation in such activities was punishable by severe consequences. So, you actually have three complete generations living today who know almost nothing about Christmas and how to celebrate it. While the believers understand the historical event, they have no models for celebration and memory-making traditions. That shocking thought had never occurred to me until one of the ladies shared that conversation with the rest of us last night at our monthly missionary worship time. A fellow missionary amplified that thought by recalling a time a few years ago when some Iranian believers had to ask him how they should celebrate Christmas; they had no idea of what to do or how to do it. Think about it, my friend . . . . No Christmas traditions! No understanding of what Christmas is all about. No awareness of the eternal significance of the event when God entered into the life strain of humanity in such a way that history would be divided by His presence. Even as I write, I cannot comprehend what it would be like to have lived in a society that had totally outlawed God and had almost completely eradicated any knowledge of Emmanuel . . . . God With Us. And yet, millions . . . . even billions around the world, do not know. They just do not know. My heart breaks even as I think of it again. Can you imagine such a thing? Are you able to comprehend it, my friend? Can you understand what kind of person you might be if you did not know about the Incarnation of God? So, eventually yesterday morning around 9:30, I finally realized what I should preach about just five hours from then. I was to preach about "Emmanuel" from Isaiah 7:14 . . . . God with us. It was at that point that I understood why my heart had been stirred over the earlier selection of songs our worship leader, Lena, had chosen for yesterday's service . . . . "Great Is The Lord", "White As Snow", "Majesty", "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel", "He Is Good", "Change My Heart, O God", "O Lamb of God", . . . . "Emmanuel"! Now I understood. THINKING LIKE A UKRAINIAN: I use that term only to get your attention. I rather prefer the idea of thinking like someone who knows nothing about Jesus other than what he has heard from the Orthodox Church with all its superstitions, imagery, and teachings. While Communism successfully eradicated most family traditions that had anything to do with religion of any kind, and they reinforced it by generously rewarding informants within most family and neighborhood units, the Orthodox Church's system of religion placed more reliance on its own historical tradition than just about anything else. If experience, logic, and tradition did not bear out what scripture said, then scripture must not be true. Interestingly, that is based both on scripture quotes and writers of the earliest church fathers. For example: "So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings (tradition) we've passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter." (II Thess 2:15) John of Damascus said: "We do not change the everlasting boundaries which our fathers have set, but we keep the Tradition, just as we received it." John Chrysostom said: "Hence it is manifest that they did not deliver all things by epistle, but many things also unwritten, and in like manner both the one and the other worthy of credit. Therefore let us think the Tradition of the Church also worthy of credit." Somewhere they must have forgotten Jesus' question about rejecting the teachings of scripture for the sake of their traditions. The "Holy Tradition" of the Orthodox Church carries enormous authority over the people, and consists of multiple layers of Scripture, Creeds, Councils, Church Fathers, Icons, and Liturgical Ritual. It is an incredibly mystical expression of Christianity. As a result of some of the decrees established during the various Councils, the consensus is that, since the Church and its Traditions existed before the holy Canon of scripture, you generally will interpret scripture in light of what tradition says rather than visa versa. I guess they forgot about all the Old Testament scrolls and about the early letters written as early as the late 40's and early 50's A.D. As a result of these two major influences that have prevailed over this part of the world for so long and with such force, a simple thing like celebrating the coming of Christ, God in human form, is an almost impossible thing. Because of time proximity and Communism's focus, the celebration of the new year is of far greater importance that the celebration of Christ's birth. A new Year is more important . . . . and reasonable . . . . than a new Life. (In many cases, these two forces continue to carry great influences even in many of the evangelical churches and in the lives of many believers.) So, put yourself in this position, dear friend. Imagine yourself having been raised in a culture where you never heard anything about God becoming flesh and living among us. Imagine yourself having never heard that God loves you, and that Jesus was His gift of love to you. Imagine that, if you received any religious teaching at all, it would be about a God who was vague, distant, unapproachable, unknowable, vengeful, and generally displeased with you. What kind of thoughts would you have if someone then came to you and told you that God came to earth in human form, that of a newborn baby, so that He came as Savior and King, and that He came to offer salvation and eternal life? Would you be excited? Would you want to know Him? Would you want to greet Him? Would you want to celebrate His arrival? Remember that you either knew nothing at all about it, or you knew only what you were told by a priest but never had an opportunity to inquire or personally read further. As far as you knew, it was just another tradition of the church, or it was a fable, or maybe even mere speculation on the part of the priest who told you . . . . maybe even a lie . . . . because none of your teachers, your parents, or your political leaders had ever mentioned in your entire life such an event. I really want you to try to feel this setting. Put yourself there. Think of yourself as having never heard the truth, much less having had it explained so you could understand it. Think of all the questions that would well up in your mind! The absurdity of the thought! The unbelievable nature of the remarks! The impossibility of such a thing! "Why would God choose to want to be with us in the first place?" "Does God even exist in the first place so that He could be with us if He really wanted to?" "If He did come to be with us, how would He do it?" "If He did come, He probably did so to punish me, so why would I want to celebrate His coming?" "Who would God send?" "What would take place so God could be with us?" "Where would it happen?" "When would it happen?" "Why would it happen?" "What difference would it make to me?" "Should this excite me?" "Should I believe it?" Now . . . . after viewing questions typical to a mind void of spiritual truth, try to stand up and adequately preach one of your western evangelical sermons about Christmas to people who are asking such questions with minds that are skeptical on the one hand, curious on the other, and hungry to know the truth on yet another . . . . but still suspicious and doubtful about the whole thing because they've never heard such a story told before as if it were really true. That was the challenge I faced yesterday as I talked about "Emmanuel" to a congregation that was 80% Ukrainian and 50% students. Maybe that's why I go home so exhausted each week. The intensity of battle, the urgency of the need, and the power of the truth simply drain it all out of you. I was so proud of our young pastoral intern, Zhenia, when he preached the "short sermon" in yesterday's service on the subject of "Worship". He tied it in to "Emmanuel" so powerfully when he simply said, "It is amazing to think that God actually came to man in order that man could actually come to God." THE STORY IS TRUE: Well, . . . . the one thing that keeps us here and keeps me going is knowing the story is true. . . . . and knowing that the truth can set these wonderful people free from the spiritual vacuum in which they have been raised. Since the story is indeed true, and since it is the season of the year world wide when we celebrate the fact that "the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us" (Jn 1:14), it is imperative that you and I both live in the reality of "Emmanuel", and also proclaim it boldly because "Emmanuel" . . . . God is with us. In case you haven't thought of it yet, look around you . . . . the spiritual ignorance in which I live here is also present where you live. If you take ten minutes to walk down a street in your town, I dare say you will run across someone who knows as little about Jesus Christ as those who live here in Kiev. That's why thinking like a Ukrainian is not Ukrainian . . . . it is universal . . . . it is basic human nature. World wide, the enemy has stolen hope, has distorted truth, and has deceived the minds of many. Therefore, it is urgent that you and I do much more than repeat simple "feel good" sermons about the baby in the manger, perform scintillating musical productions, mail nostalgic holiday cards, and dutifully give contributions to charities, food banks, and missionary causes. Because the story is true, and because the days are evil . . . . and very short . . . . we must find ways to do more. True stories must be told. This story is true . . . . "Emmanuel!" . . . . God is with us! Let's help people meet Him this month. If we don't want to do that, we have no right to celebrate His loving, redeeming presence. Our celebrations are then no different than the beginning of another pagan new year. My prayer is that you and I both take full advantage of the true story . . . . "Emmanuel!" In His Bond, For His Glory, and For His Kingdom, Bob Tolliver -- Psalm 2:8 Copyright December, 2003 Life Unlimited Ministries lifeunlimited@... www.peopleteams.org/kiev/team/tollivers.htm (Personal ministry) www.peopleteams.org/kiev (General team ministry) If this letter has blessed you, feel free to forward it, with proper credits, to any and all you wish. Please do NOT hit reply to this letter. This is an automated unmanned system. If you want to write Bob, send directly to lifeunlimited@.... Replying to "Shoulder To Shoulder" mailer gets you nowhere. REMEMBER ---- "We will not Work where we have not prayed." (Todd Golden) Online Resources on Ukraine are . . . . www.uazone.net www.hope4cee.org www.ukraineinfo.us www.peopleteams.org/ukrainians www.reachukraine.org May I Recommend . . . . If you have a heart for God and would like to be encouraged in your life and ministry, and you have a burden for your church, your community, and the world, then you may want to receive . . . www.worldprayerteam.org ---- A world-wide network for praying together. www.watchword.org ---- excellent resources on revival, prayer, missions. www.waymakers.org ---- resources on prayer, evangelism, etc. www.operationiraqcare.org ---- To adopt and pray for a special historic city in Iraq. http://www.nppn.org ---- "National Pastors' Prayer Network" newsletter. ~ email: phil@.... Register your PPG: http://www.nppn.org/ppg/ . Usprayercenter@... ---- U. S. World Prayer Center. www.cityreaching.com ---- City Reaching/City Impact Roundtable. fridayfax-subscribe@... ---- Wolfgang Simpson's "Friday Fax" from New Zealand. www.LifeAction.org ---- "Life Action Outreach". www.revivalcsa.co.za ---- "Bulletin On Revival" by Francois Carr in South Africa. www.yifa.org ---- "Youth Interceding For America". www.missionamerica.org ---- "Mission America" . www.lighthousemovement.com ---- "The Lighthouse Movement". Click on "Lighthouses". Other Great Resources Are: www.e-sword.net (one of the best free download Bible study site I've ever seen!) "Christian Communications Toolkit" (using internet wisely) at http://associate.com/camsoc/ctt/ Free software or shareware listings, http://www.associate.com/camsoc/crop/software.html#freewin. "Christian Computing Magazine", www.ccmag.com. CCMag discussion newsletter, ccmag-subscribe@.... Thousands of Free Christian graphics at http://www.christiangraphicdesign.com/premierinfo.htm Secular News on Kiev and Ukraine will give you interesting views at . . . www.kyivweekly.com www.kievpost.com www.kyivpost.com www.ukrainenews.com