Today I started reading Apostolic Foundations by Art Katz for the 3rd time… and it still smacks me in the face. There are a handful of writings outside of the Holy scriptures that have greatly impacted my life. Apostolic Foundations is most definitely at the very top of that list.
I appreciate many of Art’s writings, but I believe Apostolic Foundations was (to borrow a phrase from another blogger) his grand opus. I find it strange that you would rarely (if ever) find any of Art’s works in the local Christian bookstore or within popular online Christian resources. Yet in his lifetime, I believe he was a true prophetic voice.
Although he traveled the world and regularly spoke in many countries, Art lived a very simple, quiet life with his wife Inger in a small community in a rural part of Minnesota. My good friend Joe once took a road trip up there to go talk with Art – as he (Joe) resonated with Art’s work and wanted to know this man more. I remember Joe saying that when he arrived and made his request to see Art, that Inger (now a good friend of Joe’s) very matter of factly told Joe, “He’s just a man.”
If you’d like to know more about Art Katz the man, click the links on the right of this page named “Art Katz” and “Ben Israel.” And I would certainly encourage you to pick up a copy of Apostolic Foundations.
Are you willing to endure the difficult thing? Are you willing to walk alone? Are you willing to NOT be one of the boys? Are you willing to stand for righteousness? Are you willing to say what must be said, regardless of its political correctness? Are you willing to be mocked? Misunderstood? Will you walk the narrow road which leads to life, or will you choose the wider, more accommodating road which leads to destruction? Will you truly embrace your cross… the death of your flesh… your illusion of control… power… prestige? Will you follow Jesus, regardless of where that takes you… regardless of whether or not people support you? Will you endure? Will you be at peace in the midst of painful “uprooting?” Will you identify with our Lord in His sufferings? Will you celebrate and worship Him in the midst of your suffering? Will you be obedient to Him?
These are the questions I’ve pondered (to one degree or another) for the last 3 years or so, but more intently lately. In the end, I pray that my answer will be a resounding “YES!” Amen
Proverbs 13:12 (NIV)
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.
Where does your hope lay? I’m discovering that where our hope lies has a profound impact on whether or not we will experience deferred hope. We all too often put our hope in men and relationships. We put our hope in our own wits. We put our hope in our education and experience. Some even put their hope in their charm and their looks.
But men will fail us and let us down, our wits will not always be what they are today (in fact we often think higher of ourselves than we ought to in the first place), and ultimately, it’s God who provides and allows us certain opportunities (sometimes regardless of our earthly qualifications). Ultimately, putting our hope in such things is a recipe for disappointment, pain, and despair. And a sick heart is of little use to anyone.
As followers of Jesus, we are involved in God’s kingdom activity, yet all flesh along with the powers of darkness rage and conspire against us. Therefore, our hope must be in God alone… no other.
Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)
but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Matthew 4:18-20 (TNIV)
As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.
“At once… they followed Him.” When I’ve reached the end of my days, will that be said of me? What an utter failure I’d be if all that can be said of me is, “He was a good man,” or “He was a real nice guy.” But to have such a thing said about us (“At once… they followed Him”) will cost us something. Such radical obedience to the call of our Lord is a direct assault on human sensibility. Such a response would be thought of as utter foolishness in the eyes of men. What about his career? What about retirement? What about his mortgage? What about providing a comfortable life for his family? What do you mean you won't take costly vacations? What do you mean gifts and possessions aren't important? What do you mean you're not going to do this or that? What do you mean you're not going to "play church?"
When you become an "at once" follower of Jesus, don't be surprised when your very LIFE becomes an offense to the world of men. The stink of Jesus will be all over you. And that will be a beautiful fragrance to some... but a repulsive odor to others.
“At once, they left their nets and followed Him.”
Conventional wisdom would tell us to temper our response. “Let us consider this for a while.” “Let us truly count the cost.”
“At once, they left their nets and followed Him.”
Will I take the narrow road which leads to life? Will I respond to the call of the Lord “at once?”
Here are the lyrics from a song I wrote back in 2007. It's called "In the Dirt" and its based on Matthew 13:44-46. This little tune turned out to be rather prophetic in my own life. Who knew.
What price would I pay for the things of heaven,
to clear the stones away and find the treasure You’ve given
Would I give all I am just to be with You, take this broken man
would I say, take it all; I give everything to You
Such matchless worth; my hope and my vision
uncovered, unearthed; such priceless provision
Would I give all I am just to be with You, take this broken man
would I say, take it all; I give everything to You
Let Your kingdom reign; I’d give anything if just to gain You
I’d say, take it all; I’d risk everything for You
