..sharper than any double-edged sword...

"The word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12).

This verse indicates that when we read the Word of God there should be a holy conviction in the deepest part of ourselves. Such a conviction may be in either a positive or negative light. For example, it could be something which God has shown us about Himself or His character that we are compelled to share with others (positive), or it could be something that corrects a certain prejudice or belief the reader holds about God, himself, his spiritual walk, etc... (negative). Note that while I classify the latter as negative, the end result after conviction and upon repentence/understanding a deeper Truth through the Word is absolutely positive. As a matter of fact, I would argue this is one of the best ways to be corrected and to learn, from the Truth of God's Word.

I was convicted in this way recently. I am reading through the Gospel of John, and a verse in the fifth chapter struck me. Jesus has some harsh words for the Jews in John 5:39-40, "39You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, 40yet you refuse to come to me to have life." Jesus' words struck me here because I felt like, at least according to verse 39, Jesus was talking about me. I certainly do 'diligently study the Scriptures,' and I think that by them they help me understand how and why I do possess eternal life. But after reading verse 40, I was in fervent prayer about coming to Jesus in order to receive life. I want to come to Him; I don't want to be the one who refuses. The fear of God strikes me when I think about having a Pharisaic faith, one based on memorization of the Law vs. learning Scripture by heart, one based on do's and dont's vs. being compelled by Christ's love to act/behave in a Christ-like manner, one that diligently studies the Scriptures to find life vs. coming to Jesus, the Author of Life. It makes me shudder, and fall to my knees asking for God's mercy. Lord knows I desire to study the Scriptures, but Lord help me if it is because of some self-righteous sort of motivation. I want to know Jesus and come closer to Him by my study. I DO NOT want to be the one who studies but refuses to come to Him.

A few days after reading this, I was put at ease when I read through John 8. Jesus is again speaking to the Jews, and again scolding them for their unbelief after He gives compelling reasons through compelling speech as to why He is the Light of the World (John 8:12). Specifically verses 42-47 caught my eye this time, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here... Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say... He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God." I DO hear Jesus. I DO love Him. His speech is blatently clear to me - He is the Son of the living God, the Messiah, the one about whom the Scriptures testify. It is for these reasons, among others, that I know I'm on the right track - it's all because of Him, who He is, and what He has done. The fact that I can catch even a piece of that is only by grace, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9). Amen.

The main reason I write about this experience/conviction is to say that we always must be in the position to be corrected by the Word of God. This keeps you in spiritual check, and keeps spiritual pride from becoming your vice. So, if you or I are not in that position of humility, where we can be corrected by God's Word, or even more so, where we can welcome that holy conviction and correction, get there by surrendering your life and your will to Jesus Christ.

And that will do it for now.

Coming to you from the Republic of Korea (ROK) - 26 March 2008

Not more than seven months ago I sat in virtually the same location as I am right now - Camp MuJuk in Pohang, South Korea. It is amazing to think/see, however, how significantly things can change over such a relatively short time. Seven months later I am the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Marines from my unit, whereas I was one of six lieutenants the last time I was here. I am now a First Lieutenant. And South Korea from late February through late March is a little different than the sweltering summer heat of the ROK in August. While there are still other changes than the few I've mentioned, not one is more significant for me personally than the spiritual position in which I find myself.

Remembering back to August, I can think of the significant time of healing that my heart was undergoing. At that time the Spirit of God was pouring into my life, showing me once again how great His love for me is. This was truly amazing and broke me down to my core. It was at that time I adopted what I will forever claim as my life verse(s), Philippians 3:10-14. Knowing Christ is my Goal, and like Jacob in Genesis 32:22-30, I will not give up until that hunger is satisfied. While that tenacity may at times bring more pain - God did break Jacob's hip, after all - it is a promise of the living God that, "You will seek me and you will find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you" (Jeremiah 29:13-14). Pain is nothing to fear, by the way. Listen to the deeply encouraging words that the writer of Hebrews gives to us, "Endure hardship as discipline... no discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it" (Hebrews 12:7...11).

This time in Korea has been much different. The exercise went very well from a Communications perspective. The Marines from MWCS-18 accomplished their mission effectively and with professionalism. Because it has gone so well, we've been afforded the opportunity to engage in other life matters without reservation.And as the OIC, I am able to emphasize what areas I'd like my Marines to be working on in their free time, for example, getting on a normal physical training (PT) schedule and working on their online courses. PT and studying Scripture were at the top of my list. This led me to the most significant difference - a spiritual one. Over the course of the past month it was pointed out to me that I have been the one that has been doing the pouring out this time around. This is not of my own accord, but similar to the way the Apostle Paul says the comfort that we have received from God can be poured into other's lives (2 Corinthians 1:4). In that same way, I have been able to share the amazing Life that Jesus has given me with my fellow Marines. Hear these amazing examples...

The first Sunday we got to Korea the chaplain hadn't arrived yet. Fearing a missed opportunity for myself and for others to hear the Word of God, I held a church service for 15-20 Marines and delivered a powerful message about the faithfulness of God, playing off the Marine Corps motto of Semper Fidelis, which is Latin for "Always Faithful." Questions about Jesus and Christianity were asked to me directly by some of my Marines, and I led a Bible study each Wednesday night of the exercise. The Wednesday before Easter, I shared some of the compelling similarities between Christ's death and the first Passover
the Israelites experienced (Exodus 12). Eyes were opened, literally and figuratively speaking, as the Messianic symbolism of the first Passover were noted for the first time by many (email me to learn more about these).

Here is one compelling miracle that is representative of the time I've shared with some of my Marines. One of them who had spoken with his wife prior to this exercise about needing to "get back to church," called her the first night after we had a significant conversation about Jesus. Before even mentioning to her anything about our conversation, his wife told him about a question that their two children asked her that day out of the blue. They came downstairs after playing in their rec room and asked their mother, "Can you tell us about Jesus?" Upon hearing this, the husband was floored! He then shared bits and pieces of our conversation and both husband and wife were brought to tears! Amen. Jesus is amazing.

Add to all of this my prayer request from my last email - asking you to ask God on my behalf for the opportunity to minister, disciple, share the Word with others. Look at how He has answered! Most faithfully and in a way I would have never imagined. Now there are about five Marines from my unit and a similar number from other units who are going back to Japan with questions answered, and/or a hunger to search Jesus out for themselves. Please pray for continued opportunities in this area, as my passion is sharing the Word of God with others. It literally stirs my heart and I love it and it brings me closer to God because I believe I am in His will most when doing this. Please tell me how you are doing and how I can pray for you. Also, check out my blog for more insight into what God has been showing me recently http://okinawaone.blogspot.com/ .

Lastly, I just want to say in a [somewhat] public forum, congratulations to my grandparents Karl and Donna Abt who are celebrating 60 years of marriage this weekend. Amen for that too.

Sending you Love from the Korean Peninsula,
S.R. Haack

David's Mighty Men

Coming to you from the Republic of South Korea. Don't be mistaken - God is still at work in the hearts of men, regardless of where you place yourself on earth. So here is the latest that I'm enthralled by...

Listen to the exploits of David's Mighty Men, as written in 1 Chronicles 11 and 12:

"Jashobeam... raised his spear against three hundred men, whom he killed in one encounter" (11:11). "Abishai... raised his spear against three hundred men, whom he killed, and so he became famous" (11:20). "Benaiah... was a valiant fighter... [who] struck down two of Moab's best men. He also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion. And he struck down an Egyptian who was seven and a half feet tall. Although the Egyptian had a spear like a weaver's rod in his hand, Benaiah went against him with a club. He snatched the spear from the Egyptian's hand and killed him with his own spear" (11:22-23). "They were brave warriors, ready for battle and able to handle shield and spear. Their faces were the faces of lions, and they were swift as gazelles in the mountains" (12:8).

Such were the exploits of these men. In modern day terms, some might call them gruesome. I, however, being the hopeless romantic that I am, beg to differ. These were men fighting to defend King David, God's chosen and anointed King for the nation of Israel which was God's chosen people. They fiercely sought justice on behalf of the one true God, and fully supported this man, David, who is described as a man after God's own heart.

I wonder if I would have been one of David's Mighty Men? I'd like to think so, because that is what I long for; I long to fight valiantly. A physical battle? Sure, if that's what it comes to. A spiritual battle? Most definitely. I think that is why I like being a Marine, because it gives me that ethos on the outside- the warrior ethos - of one who will fight come hell or high water, who will adapt and overcome.For me, that translates into my spiritual life as well. It helps me relate so well to that warrior aspect of God's character, "The Lord is a warrior, the Lord is his name" (Exodus 15:3). It is amazing to think that I could be like God in that way. Should I be surprised? I was made in his image, after all. Either way, whether physical or spiritual, I want the battles I fight to be ones in which the end result is me capturing, even if it's just a small piece, the heart of the living God; the one true God; the same God that David and his Mighty Men served. What an intense thing to fight for! But I'm going to do it. I'm going to do it as tenaciously as Jacob wrestling with God in Genesis 32:22-30. And son of a gun I know I will capture it. Why can I be so confident? Because of God's promise, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:13). I intend to do exactly that. This coincides well with my life verses from Philippians 3:10-14. I love how that works out.

On a different note, this time in South Korea has been significant for me personally. Both times I've come here (now and last August) God has moved me/shaped my heart/shown me himself in life-altering ways. I thank him for it. It is truly remarkable. And I love that I get to share it with the world - even if no one ever reads it! It is good for me to just get it out there, put that 'ink to paper' so to speak.

In Jesus' name. Amen.