Radiant Vessels!

((This was originally posted on my church's Cambodia missions blog, just before my team arrived home at the end of July. As a reflection upon my adventure as well as my first project Rachel and I wrote together, it is special to me... but I want to share it with the darkness surrounding our Christmas-time celebration in mind especially.))

[Taylor:] When I first began this missions journey, I felt sorry for Cambodian Christians in a way that was unfair. It's not that I lacked respect for them; I certainly viewed the Fleenors with admiration in light of all they gave up to follow God's call. Still, without saying (or thinking) it in blunt words, my perception of Cambodia's believers before the trip was one based mostly on pity for their circumstances. I noticed at the outset of our trip a great overwhelming opposition for the country's Christ followers, but as I've interacted with this faithful remnant personally, I've learned to appreciate one thing most of all: in the midst of adversity and obscurity is where God's love shines brightest.

[Rachel:] My feelings before coming to Cambodia were similar, with the expectation that we were going to encourage our brothers and sisters and God was going to use us to shine His light- a startling contrast to the bleak surroundings. What I did not expect to see was God's flame of redemption burning relentlessly in so many of the individuals we would interact with- reflecting back strength, Love, and joy.

[Taylor:] Rachel and I want to share with you who these individuals are, and how they illuminated the way God's kingdom unexpectedly flourishes. Two men come to my mind in particular: Paul Fleenor and Soem.

Anticipating Adventure

Positive and exciting news:

In about thirty-six hours, I set off on my first overseas journey and missions trip, with many of my favorite people to Cambodia.

I will be going there with nine other members of Clovis Christian’s college-age group, including my godly girlfriend-best friend and two honorable men I count as brothers, along with the seasoned explorer and spiritual mother who serves as our church’s mission director.

Lucifer's Favorite Bible Terms

As a disclaimer, I admit that I am no longer acquainted with Satan, and cannot confirm these words as his personal picks. Nonetheless, because he is known by his title, “the father of lies” (John 8:44), the five terms and their respective verses below come to mind as favored deceptions in the devil’s arsenal.

These fallacies are especially effective against today’s Christians, who are separated from the Bible’s original audiences by language, time, and culture. Of course, I am not denying that the Bible is reliably translated, relevantly timeless, and revolutionarily transcendent to every culture… but I am saying there are nuances within its pages that our enemy enjoys exploiting. He’s practiced his talent in twisting God’s Word over multiple millennia (Genesis 3:1-6), and continues this assault in the modern age through skepticism outside the Church and perverse teaching within.

Fortunately, the clarity of these terms is easily restored-- by casting aside our hasty assumptions and considering their meaning in the larger Biblical context.

Eclipsing the Apocalypse

We as Christians have interpreted a passage of Scripture in error, but that is not the reason I’m writing this now. I wish to use my words with prudence-- speaking out when a matter of Truth is truly at stake, instead of making mere factual corrections at every chance to display my knowledge.

The topic at hand regards our understanding of the end times (eschatology in theologian-speak), which seems to threaten my aforementioned goal. Various Christian scholars before me, after all, use Scriptural logic to defend a similar diversity of interpretations regarding the world’s end; how am I supposed to distinguish Truth amidst such subjectivity… and why do I need to, if we’re in agreement on the most crucial point: “Jesus is coming back”?

However, my concern here goes deeper than surface issues of astronomy and hermeneutics, reaching at a subtle entity of falsehood that lurks in the shadow of innocent oversight. The mistake alone does not worry me, so much as the reason we made it (or were taught it) in the first place. What if our Biblical blunder reveals a larger deception-- our generation’s desires for dramatic doomsaying, eclipsing in opaque fear the originally radiant message of hope and restoration?

It is for this reason - a suspicion, but one serious enough to address - I am writing this now. The recent “blood moon” tetrad is not so much fulfilled oracle of the final judgment, but a merciful witness to us who missed the greater signs and apocalypse that already occurred.

A Battle-mage is Beckoned

The incline leading to Whiterun’s city gates, already a disorderly path along crumbling crenellations, was now truly a revolting mess. The broken bodies of Stormcloak rebels and Imperial loyalists alike filled the fractures between flagstones with precious lifeblood, ultimately flowing its way into brooks that had sparkled so brightly for this geographic and economic heart of Skyrim. The sun spared no delay in turning its face and hiding behind a mountainous horizon; such vile violence would no longer receive the light of its visage.

Ulfric Stormcloak’s army had been fully routed by noonday, and the emboldened defenders rallied inside to celebrate soon after. Their merry voices mixed with song to echo throughout the streets, spilling over the battlements and passing unheard through the ears of the fallen. Once the last rays of red were blotted from the night sky, even those hollow bodies would depart-- either into the hallowed underground hall of Arkay’s nocturnal priests if they wore “Empire” red, or should they be clad in “Sons of Skyrim” indigo, through the bellies of the wilderness’ savage scavengers.

Of all the living and the dead amidst Whiterun, only the Altmer battle-mage named Arye Azuron remained present... for he more than anyone else bore the blame for this day’s bloodshed.

Life is an MMO. Here is a different guide

This isn’t the game guide where I tell you the quickest way to level up in your job. It certainly isn’t a list of cheat codes for finding your dream spouse. If you’re searching for a bonus level with heaps of cash and an impractically large sword, I expect to disappoint you.

Strategies are helpful and specific choices important... but what’s most crucial now is your understanding of what sort of game you are in. Real life is an MMO (massive, multiplayer, online video game), and it’s currently a beta.

The Road Untraveled

Out of a winding crevice in the natural rock wall, two weary Wood Elves wielding bloodied steel emerged from a haze of shadow to the clarity of noonday light.

In typical circumstances, distinguishing individual characteristics within the pair would be a fruitless endeavor. Padded fur hoods concealed all but the key features of their faces-- prominent pointed chins, gaunt cheekbones, and ebony-coated eyes, which are all to be expected from the stripe of mer originally hailing from Valenwood (or in the case of the first two traits, common in all of elven kind).

On this particular day however, dusky armor failed to hide the two very contrasting spirits swaying each Bosmer adventurer’s demeanor. Faendal took long swaggering strides northeast - towards his hometown of Riverwood - that crunched over the wooded valley’s thin carpet of olive and umber. Trodding more lightly and several paces behind - yet not quite following - Teira hesitantly advanced while wearing a tense frown, making an arc north and northwest to the nearest river bank.

Despite the relatively temperate weather and pleasantly pine-tinged air, Teira sensed he was unwelcome in the northern countryside. War bled the warmth out of Skyrim.