Stephen Anthony Ray

I came into Santa Barbara last night just before ten. Since then, in almost 24 hours, my world has been so enlarged that I am already having a pretty tough time not being overwhelmed. Here are some thoughts.

1.) It really gets cool here at night. They don’t really tell you that - they only tell you how amazingly wonderful it is during the day (and it is). If you ever come out here, bring a jacket.

2.) There are people here literally from all over the world - China, Canada, Spain, and the like. Different cultures and different languages…same creator. It’s amazing to know that God’s imagination and plan for humanity includes the fact that we are not all the same - rather, we think differently, we eat differently, we love differently. And what still amazes and encourages me is that the Gospel is still relevant, regardless of who you are and what culture you live in.

3.) That said, I am having a really difficult time resolving the issue of why some choose to ignore the question of eternal destiny. In my short time here, I have already begun to meet people who I’m sure will turn into lifelong friends. However, I cannot help but grieve over the lives that some of them have chosen. For some, their choices contain an abundance of uncommitted sex and drunken bliss…along with an thirsty emptiness that their “fun” could never quench. For some, it is a strong devotion to music…so strong that music itself is their end. For some, it is the adoption of some post-modern belief system that attempts to resolve the universal need for loving and accepting each other while simultaneously leaving out the author and manifestation of that love, Jesus Christ; and while such an adoption is admirable, it does nothing to prepare and save souls.

4.) Of late, I have been debating with some good friends about Calvinism. I myself am not a Calvinist - for me, that theology seems to negate the loving essence of God’s character (not to mention it seems to negate common sense). But one thing in the Calvinist’s corner that I’ve seen more in the last few hours than ever before…Calvinist theology sure makes it a lot easier to keep to yourself and not worry about the destiny of others, rather than becoming deeply grieved over people’s resistance to the Truth as well as the question of how in the world one person can be salt and light among so many turned off hearts.

5.) Am I really committed to preaching this Gospel because I believe it to be true and have seen its Truth at work in my life? Or am I only doing so because it makes me uncomfortable when others around me don’t believe something that I do? The recent inconsistency in my faith has forced me to ask this question - and it’s so uncomfortable. It has forced me to realize this: I have to own and believe my faith even if I am the only one doing so. If it’s real, I should have no reason to be uncomfortable with others’ denial of the Truth. Furthermore, the Truth, as sure as the tide, better be changing my life if I’m going to preach and recommend it to others.

6.) I walked to the Ocean today. All I could do was close my mouth and silently admire the majesty and immensity of God’s creation.

SRay

I came into Santa Barbara last night just before ten. Since then, in almost 24 hours, my world has been so enlarged that I am already having a pretty tough time not being overwhelmed. Here are some thoughts.

1.) It really gets cool here at night. They don’t really tell you that - they only tell you how amazingly wonderful it is during the day (and it is). If you ever come out here, bring a jacket.

2.) There are people here literally from all over the world - China, Canada, Spain, and the like. Different cultures and different languages…same creator. It’s amazing to know that God’s imagination and plan for humanity includes the fact that we are not all the same - rather, we think differently, we eat differently, we love differently. And what still amazes and encourages me is that the Gospel is still relevant, regardless of who you are and what culture you live in.

3.) That said, I am having a really difficult time resolving the issue of why some choose to ignore the question of eternal destiny. In my short time here, I have already begun to meet people who I’m sure will turn into lifelong friends. However, I cannot help but grieve over the lives that some of them have chosen. For some, their choices contain an abundance of uncommitted sex and drunken bliss…along with an thirsty emptiness that their “fun” could never quench. For some, it is a strong devotion to music…so strong that music itself is their end. For some, it is the adoption of some post-modern belief system that attempts to resolve the universal need for loving and accepting each other while simultaneously leaving out the author and manifestation of that love, Jesus Christ; and while such an adoption is admirable, it does nothing to prepare and save souls.

4.) Of late, I have been debating with some good friends about Calvinism. I myself am not a Calvinist - for me, that theology seems to negate the loving essence of God’s character (not to mention it seems to negate common sense). But one thing in the Calvinist’s corner that I’ve seen more in the last few hours than ever before…Calvinist theology sure makes it a lot easier to keep to yourself and not worry about the destiny of others, rather than becoming deeply grieved over people’s resistance to the Truth as well as the question of how in the world one person can be salt and light among so many turned off hearts.

5.) Am I really committed to preaching this Gospel because I believe it to be true and have seen its Truth at work in my life? Or am I only doing so because it makes me uncomfortable when others around me don’t believe something that I do? The recent inconsistency in my faith has forced me to ask this question - and it’s so uncomfortable. It has forced me to realize this: I have to own and believe my faith even if I am the only one doing so. If it’s real, I should have no reason to be uncomfortable with others’ denial of the Truth. Furthermore, the Truth, as sure as the tide, better be changing my life if I’m going to preach and recommend it to others.

6.) I walked to the Ocean today. All I could do was close my mouth and silently admire the majesty and immensity of God’s creation.

SRay

I thank God for weeks like this - weeks of renewal and restoration…weeks of rest and reward…and this week, a week of pouring into the lives of other people. The students at Park Hill are amazing - but last night, they were more than my students; they were my friends. For a moment, in our individual weaknesses, we became completely transparent as God broke us and we confessed our struggles with each other. And for a moment, just a moment, it felt as though God allowed me to preview something that will come much later in our future together; “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Amen, Lord Jesus, come quickly.

SRay