HERE I STAND
Posted on February 2nd, 2008 by joebib into the joebib writes categoryInasmuch as we were fairly bombarded in January by more "politcal" posts than I care to go back and try to count, all seeming to originate from in or around the region of our nation's capital 
, I thought it might be interesting to post something of a slightly different nature for a change. 
I’ve always regarded Martin Luther as one of the true giants in the history of the world.
(And yeah, I know all that stuff he said about the Jews. 
But, haven't we all — in the heat of battle, or in an unguarded moment — said stuff we wish we hadn't?)
But I still think he was indisputably one of the greatest of men. He had an amazing relationship with the Lord, praying several hours each day before dawn, and the way he was able to express things — he is one of the most quotable of all churchmen — was just outstanding. I think I may have posted this before, but just look at what he says in one of his first extant letters, written, as I recall, when he was only 21:
“Learn to know Christ and him crucified. Learn to sing to him and say ‘Lord Jesus, you are my righteousness, I am your sin. You took on you what was mine; yet you set on me what was yours. You became what you were not, that I might become what I was not.’”
Now I'd say you'd be hard pressed to find a more succinct, simple, and pure description of the entire Gospel message than that.
In our day, a lot of things, mostly the media I guess, has driven us to classify just about anything as heroic — even calling someone a “hero” — for doing nothing of more significance than merely performing their job. But hero, as well as other words like bravery and admiration, are definitely terms I would use to describe my regard for this lowly German monk (did I mention that I also am German?) who took on— and defeated — the Roman Catholic Church, an institution which held sway over pretty much most of the world in that day.
Unlike nowadays when anyone with an extra 23 bucks in his or her pocket can throw up a website in which to opine, make fun of, or even attack anything that suits his or her fancy, in the 16th century-Roman Catholic-dominated-world it was not so. If one slightly opposed — or was even suspected of opposing — the religious status quo of that day, they could be deemed a heretic, for which offence they would promptly be tied to a stake and burned alive.
In virtually single-handedly launching the Protestant Reformation by nailing his 95 theses to the Wittenberg church door in 1517 — wherein he questioned everything Catholic — Luther came under horrendous attack from the Church. Later, in defending himself against the inevitable charge of heresy (and thus death) at the Diet of Worms in 1521, he is said to have defiantly replied to his Catholic inquisitors,
“Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures,
"I cannot and will not recant anything.
“To go against conscience is neither right nor safe.
“Here I stand, I can do no other, so help me God! Amen.”
Reading those words and trying to envision the scene in my mind always moves me. I don’t think any of us can imagine — nor still less appreciate — the magnitude of the social and spiritual pressure that was bearing down upon the emotions and soul of Luther at this time, not only from all of society, and from all of the world as he knew it, but also from the Enemy himself.
I suppose it would be somewhat akin to an outspoken person going on national TV and saying something like “Screw all the Democrats! Screw all the homos! Screw all the women’s libbers!…And oh yeah, screw all the ___________ (pick any racial slur) too!”
I do believe that, among others, the ACLU — and depending on which epithet was used, a couple of so-called — and well-known — “reverends” — would call for his (her? AC? ) immediate stoning.
Looking back over the years, I’m rather ashamed at the times — mostly in the work place — when I had so little courage to stand up for the Lord when someone, hostile to the Gospel, might have said something critical about this or that famous minister, perhaps about Christians in general, or even against Jesus, and instead remained silent.
I’m not saying I think the Lord necessarily wants us to be engaging in hot-blooded debate with unbelievers/complainers in a (misguided?) attempt to defend the merits of Christianity every time some wag makes a disparaging remark. But I do think we have a responsibility to say/do something.
I mean, don’t we?
-joebib
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February 2nd, 2008 at 8:54 am
Do we?
Did Jesus “react” against those who argued with him, called him names, and crusified him? Although he did physically asault those in the temple who were selling…
Personally, I think our job, as followers of Christ, is to be vessels of the Holy Spirit. Whatever we see the Holty Spirit doing, is what we should do. If the spirit tells me to take a “stand” in some way, then I trust He will also give me the strength to keep my mouth shut, or verbally match wits with someone, or whatever is needed while burning in flames attached to a stake.
I don’t believe that “taking a stand” always requires saying something or doing something. It means always asking the Holy Spirit if I should be saying something or doing something.. and then being able to hear His response and act on it.
February 2nd, 2008 at 10:49 am
Dear Friends, I am writing from a heart that has been transformed from twenty years of bitterness that I have finally shed towards Frank Damazio and at some great cost indeed. My name is Jeff Dahl and I used to attend PBC back in 1981-82. Recently my wife of 20 years has divorced me and my life has been turned on it's head. After now being separated 9.5 months and divorced 4.5, I came to the realization that my bitterness towards Pastor Frank, (who married us) was a key element in the destruction of my marriage. I know i am off topic here and apologize for that, yet I must share my story one way or the other. Compared to the offendedness I felt towards Frank, it became a literal drop in the bucket compared to my new separated status. I contacted pastor Frank and I called him and asked him to forgive me for harboring such ill will towards him for decades. God enabled me to forgive him and I truly have been set free from this cancerous condition I was in and didn't even realize it. I thought justified in my anger and protective to the others I felt he hurt. I felt it was godly anger and justifyable. How wrong was I. My life has disintegrated and I can now see that what I modelled was later modelled towards me directly. I had reaped the fruit of my unforgiveness. I want everyone to know that I am sorry for being resentful and God has set my heart free. Like Ebenezer Scrooge was set free. I am now trying to extend forgiveness to a far more severe situation with my wife, or ex wife now actually. We have four kids from 5 to 18 and i would ask all of you who believe in the power of prayer and the blood of Christ that is sufficient for all things, to pray in faith and believe that somehow, someway that this stinking,decaying Lazarus situation can be restored. I invite anyone to write to me @ jeff@tahtinen.org and feel free to forward this to anyone. I want to spread the message of MY FORGIVENESS experience. I have been stuck for so long. Many of us that god makes sensitive and creative fall into this pit, this clay, this manure. Lord Jesus cleanse each and every one of us that have ever been hurt and grace us with the ability to do as you do and lay your life down for us while we are yet in sin (and loving every minute of it). May you further your kingdom and let your power and glory be evident in your temple…..US! Sincerely to all believers, Jeff Dahl
February 2nd, 2008 at 1:16 pm
praying for you, Jeff.
–p
February 4th, 2008 at 10:39 am
Martin Luther also said and did some pretty nasty stuff about/to the anabaptists.
Oxygen thief would be putting it nicely.
It seems to me that most of his commentary was directed at the religious orders of his time. Did he ever address anything to those outside the Christian faith?
No doubt he was a great leader whose influence is still felt today.
February 4th, 2008 at 10:56 pm
Hi Jeff and welcome to this world. Whether you stop by once in a while or ck
on here daily it will help in your process of healing. The MFI church I was a part of tried to put a wedge in my marriage literally ‘keeping my husband at bay’
He held a semi- leadership position that almost destroyed our marriage. I was more than an involved patron there and when the Lord got me out –no easy
feat I can tell you — but he He did it, my husband who had been reluctant to join or attend suddenly would not leave. It was killing me and my family and Sundays were unbearable for almost 2 years!!
My new church supported me but couldn’t understand how or why that
’shepherd’ would ‘keep him there’ as it was clearly causing problems.
They were like ‘why don’t they tell him to go be with his family?’ Thats
what we would do here.
Now you can imagine how hard that one was to explain –’uh they don’t care! They’re into control–they’re MFI. It’s my problem”
He did come eventually leave and now he sees the truth- but the effects of this were hard on our marriage and family to say the least –recorded in heaven I’m sure!
My message is to you is please stay tuned! Investigate further even though you are hurting and cleaning things out in your own heart which is good.
Yes we each had a part in the abusive church situation, but as you read through all the posts which I encourage you to do–look up all topics you will see a theme running here and will reveal the truth not a lie.
You were not crazy —it most likely did cause you and your wife problems.
Forgive yes –but as the Lord has shown me –a pearl now—
How can you forgive what you don’t understand? Keep reading please and our prayers are with you now!
February 5th, 2008 at 11:21 am
Thankyou so much for your heartfelt reply. I hope the best for your relationship with your husband. I do realize that in any organization there are potentials for abuse of power and control and I do not have my head in the sand on this one. I just wanted to point out to everyone that I had a forgiveness problem and needed to owe up to it MYSELF and repent for being hung up on it so long. I used to call Pastor Frank, Adolf Damazio. I was in such bondage to my sin and couldn’t shed my anger and resentment. I finally came to realize that when my wife left, just HOW SMALL that resentment was in comparison to the loss of my wife and family. It was then that I decided to contact Pastor Frank and he graciously had an exchange of forgiveness with me. I want to show everyone a side of him that is not mentioned very often. He was open to me, he was humble, he was receptive, he was personable, he opened his heart up to little old blue collar machine shop owner me. God bless him. Everytime now that I think of him, I always say, “Lord bless Pastor Frank, whatever he is doing, bless him Lord” and make no mistake about it, it is God that put him in the position he is in, not man. This ability to forgive has made me feel that someday I may have the ability to forgive my ex wife for far more severe atrosities that were committed against me. So maybe someday I can say, God bless her what ever she is doing. For me it is life changing and a miracle. You too can receive the miracle of forgiveness like the woman with the issue of blood that touched the hem of Jesus’ garment. I am set free from unforgiveness and encourage any one who calls on the name of the Lord to do the same for it is written, If a man says he loves God and hates his brother, he is a LIAR and the truth is not in him. I was a Liar myself for decades, two actually. I am now free. Would someone please forward this to Pastor Frank along with the first post? Thankyou and God bless you all in your attempts to become more like Christ. Jeff Dahl
February 5th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Jeff, you are not little old blue collar man in God’s eyes. You are a chosen saint, covered in Christ’s blood and exhalted to the highest level of holiness and righteousness there is in the universe. We all are. You and pastor FD are one in the same….sinners saved by grace. There are no different levels of sainthood in God’s Kingdom, just different callings.
February 5th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Hi Jeff,
I have to echo Press Junket and Ex-Slave. It’s great that you’ve realized that your former bitterness toward Frank could have been a root that caused lots of other bitternesses to snowball, but just keep in mind we have a tendency to want to blame all that went wrong on one thing. It’s also great that Frank was gracious to you in your meeting and it’s also great that you want to pray for him. However, now may be time to get your eyes completely on Jesus and off of Frank and let Jesus do the mending that needs to take place that only Jesus can do. Maybe he’ll lead you to do something proactive like a divorce support group so you can move forward; not so much into another relationship but move forward with building your own life up. If your wife does come back you want to be strong and healthy for her. If that doesn’t happen, you are still better for it and can be a strength to your kids and most importantly you are fulfilled in your own life. I’m just a stranger on a blog so this is just a suggestion of course.
February 5th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
Right on De-Tox. Man I like what you have to say. We are on the same page about everything.
February 5th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
It’s probably bcz we endured the same crap! But we are getting better aren’t we and our faith is intact!
February 7th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
Joebob,
Luther was a lazy schmuck … I mean, how much more effort would have been required to make it 100 thesis?
‘Scrupe
February 7th, 2008 at 11:15 pm
‘Scrupe! Missed you, bro — unless you’re under another alias now!
February 7th, 2008 at 11:36 pm
Uh-oh…he's baaaaaaaack.
(Hide da wimen and chil'ren!)
-joebob
February 7th, 2008 at 11:47 pm
jeff dahl said: Would someone please forward this to Pastor Frank along with the first post? jeff, the pastor's email is: removed by the administrator
February 8th, 2008 at 6:18 am
He was either lazy or his will was in bondage….no wait, he got married and had 6 kids!
Good to hear from ya ’scrupe!
February 8th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Many thanks to all of you who care and love God in your own way. I want to clear one thing up for certain, Pastor Frank did not cause my marriage to fail, My wife and I did. My bitterness I felt tainted my marriage, but my feelings of bitterness could have been towards him or a host of others.
I have demonized those in authority as they are the most vocal who speak into our lives yet I have come to the conclusion that I am responsible before God for my attitudes and actions and that God will take care of the rest as he is the good shepherd, not me. As my other pastor Jerry has told me, There are no “Rambo Sheep” out there, and that is not what God has called us to. If that were the case then we would be called the pitbulls of his pasture. Jeff Dahl
February 8th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
yay Scrupe!!