This morning we had about 150 people come to New Hope for worship. We all worshiped in one service together at 11:00. I had forgotten just how easy and relaxing a single service can be. I'm not sure my sermon was all that marvelous. I think I'm used to having a couple times to practice the message, and I didn't get those this week. But having just one service was nice.
I'm not suggesting that we should stop growing or find a way to try to cram 450 people into our 280 seat auditorium. But being able to speak to most of the folks at church helped me realize why some people prefer it that way. It really was a nice change. Next week we're scheduled to have Family Sunday (although the long range forecast looks awfully familiar). If all goes well, we'll be back to big church, three services, and a lot of people who don't know one another. But I will cherish these "little church" moments, which are likely to be more and more rare.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Saturday, January 30, 2010
God and the Goodies
Shortly after the initial furor died down over Pat Robertson's confident pronouncements about the causes of Haiti's misfortune, Ann pointed me to an insightful article. In it, the author pinpointed some of the underlying assumptions implicit in Robertson's thinking which seem to still have traction among American Christianity. These assumptions go the heart of our cultural heresies about faith and "blessing."
What Robertson presumes is that misfortune constitutes divine rejection. Somehow or another, the fact that Haiti has suffered poverty and calamity is evidence to him of their lack of favor with God. While there is evidence God dealt with Israel this way under the Old Covenant, it is hard to project that belief into New Testament theology. If this line of thinking is accurate, surely Jesus was cursed for hanging on a tree. Paul must have been a terrible liar to suffer such misfortune at God hands. In fact, pretty much every apostle was apparently a disobedient soul. Only John managed to escape violent death.
If this line of thinking were only found in televangelists who are easily lampooned, it would be one thing. But the largest church in America is pastored by a man with similar beliefs. In fact, American 'Christians' seem particularly drawn to this way of thinking about the life of faith. Particularly haunting is the realization of Francis Chan, who concluded that if he and Jesus had a church in the same town, his congregation would be larger. That's not a good thing.
Perhaps there is the soft underbelly of my own way of looking at this. Like many preachers, I tend to associate success in church with growth and numbers. And while we don't need to be doing things poorly just to keep people from coming; perhaps having happy, affluent members coming by the droves to houses of worship isn't necessarily always a good thing?
What Robertson presumes is that misfortune constitutes divine rejection. Somehow or another, the fact that Haiti has suffered poverty and calamity is evidence to him of their lack of favor with God. While there is evidence God dealt with Israel this way under the Old Covenant, it is hard to project that belief into New Testament theology. If this line of thinking is accurate, surely Jesus was cursed for hanging on a tree. Paul must have been a terrible liar to suffer such misfortune at God hands. In fact, pretty much every apostle was apparently a disobedient soul. Only John managed to escape violent death.
If this line of thinking were only found in televangelists who are easily lampooned, it would be one thing. But the largest church in America is pastored by a man with similar beliefs. In fact, American 'Christians' seem particularly drawn to this way of thinking about the life of faith. Particularly haunting is the realization of Francis Chan, who concluded that if he and Jesus had a church in the same town, his congregation would be larger. That's not a good thing.
Perhaps there is the soft underbelly of my own way of looking at this. Like many preachers, I tend to associate success in church with growth and numbers. And while we don't need to be doing things poorly just to keep people from coming; perhaps having happy, affluent members coming by the droves to houses of worship isn't necessarily always a good thing?
Friday, January 29, 2010
Little Church
Today has been an intriguing sort of day. Historically, we have a snow in Roanoke about once every 3-4 years that is large enough to have a significant impact on church. There is only one chance in seven that when it does happen, that it will happen on Saturday, the day before Sunday services. This has already happened once this winter, and caused us to have to cancel services [which we almost never do]. What are the chances it would happen again? Turns out, the chances are pretty good at this point.
So as I vacillated today between the scheduled message for this week's "Family Sunday," and preparing what I had intended to speak on next week; I also thought about "little church." Quite a few members of the New Hope family have not yet experienced little church. As a congregation who typically has three services, church seldom seems "little." But since we have services in all kinds of weather, we've had some Sundays in the past when we gathered in the fellowship hall for a small, informal service. In fact, my daughter Jordan was baptized on one such Sunday.
As I was explaining this phenomenon to our youth minister Jason, I realized how much I enjoy "little church." There is a warmth and an intimacy there that feels quite different from the typical church experience. I don't think this is only true at New Hope either. It just feels much warmer, more relaxed. We all fought the elements to get there, so there is an unspoken agreement among those there that we really want to be there. As I was explaining all this to Jason, I couldn't help but wonder aloud whether that doesn't say something about the way we typically do church.
Shouldn't the worshiping body experience at least that measure of community when they gather in The Name? And yet so often we shuffle in and out, too busy to really stop and engage anyone else, and too preoccupied to really notice anyone else's problems. I'm pretty confident that's not how Jesus would want it to be.
So as I vacillated today between the scheduled message for this week's "Family Sunday," and preparing what I had intended to speak on next week; I also thought about "little church." Quite a few members of the New Hope family have not yet experienced little church. As a congregation who typically has three services, church seldom seems "little." But since we have services in all kinds of weather, we've had some Sundays in the past when we gathered in the fellowship hall for a small, informal service. In fact, my daughter Jordan was baptized on one such Sunday.
As I was explaining this phenomenon to our youth minister Jason, I realized how much I enjoy "little church." There is a warmth and an intimacy there that feels quite different from the typical church experience. I don't think this is only true at New Hope either. It just feels much warmer, more relaxed. We all fought the elements to get there, so there is an unspoken agreement among those there that we really want to be there. As I was explaining all this to Jason, I couldn't help but wonder aloud whether that doesn't say something about the way we typically do church.
Shouldn't the worshiping body experience at least that measure of community when they gather in The Name? And yet so often we shuffle in and out, too busy to really stop and engage anyone else, and too preoccupied to really notice anyone else's problems. I'm pretty confident that's not how Jesus would want it to be.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
The Apple Conspiracy
I've never been a fan of Apple. I'm a dyed in the wool PC guy going way back. And the more I've learned about Apple, the less comfortable I am. The few people who read these words may question my grip on sanity after reading this blog. But I have an opinion, am entitled to it, and if you're reading this blog you apparently have some measure of interest.
Do you know what the Apple logo is? I know what you're all thinking.....its an apple. But not merely an apple; perhaps I should say a bit less than an apple. A bite less to be precise. Surely there can be little doubt that this is a reference to eating the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden. Islamic tradition suggests it was a banana, but in Western culture we have a long-standing apple tradition. This is due to an unfortunate linguistic misunderstanding of the Latin word for evil, malus. As a noun, that word means "apple." [But of course Adam & Eve didn't speak Latin].
Why choose this as a logo unless there is some intentional reference to the desire for the pursuit of knowledge above the obedience of God? If one is looking for another thing to consider . . . has it ever struck anyone else that nearly everything Apple sells these days is preceded by "I." Ipods, tunes, macs, phones, and today iPads were added to the fold. Could there be any more obvious appeal to self importance and pride than that? It is almost as though Apple has supplied itself as a religion of self-worship that always promises, but can never completely deliver.
The final thing to consider is a compelling article send to me today by a friend. This Newsweek piece was written by someone [apparently not a Christian] seeking spiritual fulfilment in Apple and coming away empty. I don't think he's kidding, but you can make your own judgement. You can find the article here: http://www.newsweek.com/ID/232723.
What is the goal of technology? Is it to facilitate or substitute? Does it propel us further than we would otherwise be able to progress toward our goals? Or does it instead offer another direction, and false promises that we pursue and find ourself suddently progressing toward goals we never knew we had -- because they are Apple's goals and not ours.
Do you know what the Apple logo is? I know what you're all thinking.....its an apple. But not merely an apple; perhaps I should say a bit less than an apple. A bite less to be precise. Surely there can be little doubt that this is a reference to eating the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden. Islamic tradition suggests it was a banana, but in Western culture we have a long-standing apple tradition. This is due to an unfortunate linguistic misunderstanding of the Latin word for evil, malus. As a noun, that word means "apple." [But of course Adam & Eve didn't speak Latin].
Why choose this as a logo unless there is some intentional reference to the desire for the pursuit of knowledge above the obedience of God? If one is looking for another thing to consider . . . has it ever struck anyone else that nearly everything Apple sells these days is preceded by "I." Ipods, tunes, macs, phones, and today iPads were added to the fold. Could there be any more obvious appeal to self importance and pride than that? It is almost as though Apple has supplied itself as a religion of self-worship that always promises, but can never completely deliver.
The final thing to consider is a compelling article send to me today by a friend. This Newsweek piece was written by someone [apparently not a Christian] seeking spiritual fulfilment in Apple and coming away empty. I don't think he's kidding, but you can make your own judgement. You can find the article here: http://www.newsweek.com/ID/232723.
What is the goal of technology? Is it to facilitate or substitute? Does it propel us further than we would otherwise be able to progress toward our goals? Or does it instead offer another direction, and false promises that we pursue and find ourself suddently progressing toward goals we never knew we had -- because they are Apple's goals and not ours.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
The Will of God
Have you ever said, "I want to know God's will for my life?" Not only have I said it, but I've heard countless others express the same sentiment. But the longer I ponder the question, the less certain I am of the desire. Do I really want to know God's will for my life? Or if the truth be known, is what I really want for God to choose one of my previously selected courses of action as the least offensive to Him?
The will of God is a scary thing. As I look at those faithful to Him in Scripture, I see people whose lives were miserable from a human vantage point. Although Job is an iconic example, a list of those who qualify would be easy to compile and long to complete. Did Abraham really ever settle down once God announced his plan? Was Moses journey through the wilderness with the Jews ever fun? David's psalms are full of pain and lament. Prophets like Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Amos were called upon to experience great difficulty and rejection particularly from those deemed spiritual leaders by the culture.
The fact that of the original twelve disciples, ten were martyred, one committed suicide, and the other died an old man in exile ought to give us pause. Timothy wanted to leave Ephesus, Paul told him to stay. Peter wrote about suffering shortly before being crucified upside down by an insane emperor. Do I really want to know God's will for my life when I worship a God with this set of priorities? His is an eternal perspective, one that attaches little weight to the comforts and conveniences we implicitly associate with being a faithful Christian in America. What I want is only significant to Him because He loves me. But if there is something better for me or the kingdom, that is what His will is going to be -- whether I like it or not.
We like to avoid passages of Scripture that make great demands on us. On our local Christian radio station, they have a "Spirit verse of the day" that almost never places any expectation on us. These verses seem strategically selected to come from the God who may be inclined to say, "Have a Nice Day." But the God of Scripture seldom seems inclined to such superficiality. If we are in pursuit of His will for our lives, we are likely to have a battle on our hands. In writing to the Romans, Paul expresses these sentiments as he begins talking about our response to what he has spent the previous 11 chapters saying God has already done:
The will of God is a scary thing. As I look at those faithful to Him in Scripture, I see people whose lives were miserable from a human vantage point. Although Job is an iconic example, a list of those who qualify would be easy to compile and long to complete. Did Abraham really ever settle down once God announced his plan? Was Moses journey through the wilderness with the Jews ever fun? David's psalms are full of pain and lament. Prophets like Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Amos were called upon to experience great difficulty and rejection particularly from those deemed spiritual leaders by the culture.
The fact that of the original twelve disciples, ten were martyred, one committed suicide, and the other died an old man in exile ought to give us pause. Timothy wanted to leave Ephesus, Paul told him to stay. Peter wrote about suffering shortly before being crucified upside down by an insane emperor. Do I really want to know God's will for my life when I worship a God with this set of priorities? His is an eternal perspective, one that attaches little weight to the comforts and conveniences we implicitly associate with being a faithful Christian in America. What I want is only significant to Him because He loves me. But if there is something better for me or the kingdom, that is what His will is going to be -- whether I like it or not.
We like to avoid passages of Scripture that make great demands on us. On our local Christian radio station, they have a "Spirit verse of the day" that almost never places any expectation on us. These verses seem strategically selected to come from the God who may be inclined to say, "Have a Nice Day." But the God of Scripture seldom seems inclined to such superficiality. If we are in pursuit of His will for our lives, we are likely to have a battle on our hands. In writing to the Romans, Paul expresses these sentiments as he begins talking about our response to what he has spent the previous 11 chapters saying God has already done:
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spirituala act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.Offering our bodies to God, refusing to conform to worldly patterns, and being transformed in our thinking precedes knowing God's will. These requirements seem prerequisite to truly knowing the will of God. Now do you want to know God's will for your life? Do we desire God's will with a strong enough holy passion to motivate this level of personal sacrifice? Or do we want to continue playing "Let's Make a Deal" with God and offer Him the opportunity to choose behind either what's behind door #1 or door #2?
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Training by Teaching
The first time I taught was a Sunday School class when I was 15 years old. Ever since then I've enjoyed each opportunity to teach, whether as a youth minister, preacher, or classroom teacher. When people ask me what job I've most enjoyed of all those I've held, what first comes to mind is teaching Greek. For three years I was a T.A. teaching Greek while doing my graduate work. Seeing the lights come on in the minds of students who really want to learn provides great joy.
When I first taught New Testament at Faith Christian School, I had a year to see this unfold in the lives of younger students. Although the time commitment is steep, it is worth it when students really want to learn. For a couple years, I taught the occasional class as a substitute or fill-in. Now I'm back teaching again. This time it is Systematic Theology.
Up to this point, teaching has been fairly easy in part because I've known the subject matter so well. And although I know some of the pieces of what I'm teaching now well, I've never really thought of my theology as particularly systematic. After starting with the doctrine of Christ, I'm now moving on to subjects which are not only more challenging, but also potentially more controversial. Tomorrow I'm teaching for the first time in my life on "common grace." It is a phenomenon I'm aware of, even though I've never really called it that. But having to teach it to students has made it so I really have to get a handle on it myself. By teaching the subject, I am going through a time of training myself.
And I love it.
When I first taught New Testament at Faith Christian School, I had a year to see this unfold in the lives of younger students. Although the time commitment is steep, it is worth it when students really want to learn. For a couple years, I taught the occasional class as a substitute or fill-in. Now I'm back teaching again. This time it is Systematic Theology.
Up to this point, teaching has been fairly easy in part because I've known the subject matter so well. And although I know some of the pieces of what I'm teaching now well, I've never really thought of my theology as particularly systematic. After starting with the doctrine of Christ, I'm now moving on to subjects which are not only more challenging, but also potentially more controversial. Tomorrow I'm teaching for the first time in my life on "common grace." It is a phenomenon I'm aware of, even though I've never really called it that. But having to teach it to students has made it so I really have to get a handle on it myself. By teaching the subject, I am going through a time of training myself.
And I love it.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Spiritual Red Bull
As I talked with our youth minister Jason about the TCTC youth convention, it was interesting hearing his observations. He felt the convention went well, and students seemed to enjoy the conference. Yet he could tell by watching their responses that they are used to a diet of such things. He compared this type of feeding for students to the caffeine drink "Red Bull." He was saying that while they were energized, it was the sort of short term boost one might get from a caffeine drink -- short-lived and non-nutritious.
How many of us move from peak to peak in our spiritual journeys, counting on shots in the arm and big highs to sustain us? A healthy spiritual life involves taking in good, consistent spiritual food. Life isn't always full of highs and joys and mountaintops. In fact, the greatest fruit in our spiritual journeys are often found in the valleys, not the mountaintops.
If we take this insight seriously, the question that naturally follows is how that changes our understanding of the importance of conferences and retreats and camps for spiritual health. We ought not count on them to sustain us, but rather to be in addition to healthy personal devotional habits. Caffeine has its place (thank God for morning coffee!), but makes a poor diet.
How many of us move from peak to peak in our spiritual journeys, counting on shots in the arm and big highs to sustain us? A healthy spiritual life involves taking in good, consistent spiritual food. Life isn't always full of highs and joys and mountaintops. In fact, the greatest fruit in our spiritual journeys are often found in the valleys, not the mountaintops.
If we take this insight seriously, the question that naturally follows is how that changes our understanding of the importance of conferences and retreats and camps for spiritual health. We ought not count on them to sustain us, but rather to be in addition to healthy personal devotional habits. Caffeine has its place (thank God for morning coffee!), but makes a poor diet.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
No Sacrifice for Sins?
Today I had the responsibility of preaching a particularly difficult sermon. I had to cover the issue of purity of heart from the "sermon on the mount." The passage where Jesus explains that looking lustfully at a woman is adultery is difficult for almost any man to hear (Matt 5:28). This week as I've been thinking through this message, I've wrestled with how best to approach it and what commitments God wants me to make in response to it.
Ann came for second service today (and third). I grabbed my communion and went to sit with her so we could partake together. After I'd eaten my wafer, I tipped my cup and noticed it was empty. No juice....no blood....and the phrase that came to my mind is "no sacrifice for sins is left" from Heb 10:26. The phrase is at the conclusion of a verse that explains, "If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left." It struck me that perhaps God was asking me to think through the gravity of the commitments I was making in my relationship with Ann.
As I sat there and pondered this possibility, I turned the empty plastic communion cup over in my hands and noticed it had a number written on the bottom. 23. Of all numbers that could have been written there, no number could more aptly refer to our relationship. We got engaged on November 23rd, and we got married on May 23rd. It was as if I was receiving confirmation for my interpretation of what was taking place.
As a side note, I went and looked at a bunch of other communion cups afterward and they apparently all have numbers. But I haven't seen another one with the number "23" written on it yet. Perhaps God is trying to get my attention.
Ann came for second service today (and third). I grabbed my communion and went to sit with her so we could partake together. After I'd eaten my wafer, I tipped my cup and noticed it was empty. No juice....no blood....and the phrase that came to my mind is "no sacrifice for sins is left" from Heb 10:26. The phrase is at the conclusion of a verse that explains, "If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left." It struck me that perhaps God was asking me to think through the gravity of the commitments I was making in my relationship with Ann.
As I sat there and pondered this possibility, I turned the empty plastic communion cup over in my hands and noticed it had a number written on the bottom. 23. Of all numbers that could have been written there, no number could more aptly refer to our relationship. We got engaged on November 23rd, and we got married on May 23rd. It was as if I was receiving confirmation for my interpretation of what was taking place.
As a side note, I went and looked at a bunch of other communion cups afterward and they apparently all have numbers. But I haven't seen another one with the number "23" written on it yet. Perhaps God is trying to get my attention.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Too Many Words?
"We are in great haste to construct a magnetic telegraph from Maine to Texas; but Maine and Texas, it may be, have nothing important to communicate." — Henry Thoreau
This comment of Thoreau has always struck me as particularly thought provoking. Since I was a college student, I've seen the transition from typewriters to computer. Then we went from going online with modems at 9600 baud and thought that was blazing speed. When "the internet" became publicly available and then people started getting their own high speed connections -- communication skyrocketed.
People started blogging their thoughts on LiveJournal, Xanga, Myspace. We've moved to Facebook, Twitter, and now about 210 billions emails are sent every day (70% of them spam). Eighteen years ago I had a "bag phone" that traveled with me in the car. People now find it hard to imagine living without a cell phone. Now I could give many more examples, but the exponential growth of the means of communication require little convincing. Our ability to communicate at an unparalleled level is unquestionable. Yet, I wonder if the quantity of words has degraded their quality?
How often do you come across much of anything any more that is well written? We are not wise to think that simply because we have a lot to say that what we are saying is worthwhile. What would happen if we cut down on the number of words we're sending and instead focused on making sure that what we're communicating is both well said and worth saying?
This comment of Thoreau has always struck me as particularly thought provoking. Since I was a college student, I've seen the transition from typewriters to computer. Then we went from going online with modems at 9600 baud and thought that was blazing speed. When "the internet" became publicly available and then people started getting their own high speed connections -- communication skyrocketed.
People started blogging their thoughts on LiveJournal, Xanga, Myspace. We've moved to Facebook, Twitter, and now about 210 billions emails are sent every day (70% of them spam). Eighteen years ago I had a "bag phone" that traveled with me in the car. People now find it hard to imagine living without a cell phone. Now I could give many more examples, but the exponential growth of the means of communication require little convincing. Our ability to communicate at an unparalleled level is unquestionable. Yet, I wonder if the quantity of words has degraded their quality?
How often do you come across much of anything any more that is well written? We are not wise to think that simply because we have a lot to say that what we are saying is worthwhile. What would happen if we cut down on the number of words we're sending and instead focused on making sure that what we're communicating is both well said and worth saying?
Friday, January 22, 2010
Preacher Pat is not Pete
Pat Robertson needs to learn to keep his mouth shut. His confident pronouncements about what God is doing are not even slightly helpful. Other than making headlines, I cannot fathom what he would hope to accomplish by assigning motive to God. He cannot know why events take place and what connection there is between events of the past and tragedies of the present. He has historically made moronic statements every time tragedy strikes.
That being said, it is true that on August 14, 1791, a group of houngans (voodoo priests), led by a former slave houngan named Boukman, did make a “pact with the Devil” at a place called Bois-Caiman. All present vowed to exterminate all of the white Frenchmen on the island. They sacrificed a black pig in a voodoo ritual at which hundreds of slaves drank the pig’s blood. In this ritual, Boukman asked Satan for his help in liberating Haiti from the French. In exchange, the voodoo priests offered to give the country to Satan for 200 years and swore to serve him. The slave rebellion commenced on 22 August 1791, and after 13 years of conflict, the slaves won their independence. On 1 January 1804 they declared Haiti the world's first independent black republic. An iron statue of a pig stands in Port-au-Prince to commemorate the "Boukman Contract.”
Former Haitian president Jean-Bertrand Aristide is a former Catholic priest who gained notoriety with the Catholic Church and popularity in Haiti in the late 1980s because of his liberation theology. Aristide was elected president in 1990, ousted in a coup in 1991, and re-elected as president in Nov 2000 (results disputed). He survived coup attempts in July and December 2001. November 2002 was marked by unrest and anti-government protests. In light of the historic and political facts it is therefore very interesting that in April 2003, President Aristide made voodoo an official religion in Haiti declaring, "voodoo is an essential part of national identity.” Some suggest he renewed Boukman's contract.
When Robertson made his pronouncement, I’m sure this is what he was referring to. Haiti does seem to have some serious problems for reasons that aren’t at all clear. Some suggest that if Haiti had made a pact with the devil that they would be living lives of luxury. They reason that the devil is fine with passing out goodies on this side of eternity. But they forget, that the evil one's preference is to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). He would prefer to just destroy a herd of pigs rather than let them bask in sun and mud (Mark 5:11-13). Haiti's remarkably impoverished status does make one wonder why things there are they way they are. But Robertson is the last person in the world with a right to comment. For that matter, even if there were any truth to his ramblings, people would now be less inclined to consider it.
That being said, it is true that on August 14, 1791, a group of houngans (voodoo priests), led by a former slave houngan named Boukman, did make a “pact with the Devil” at a place called Bois-Caiman. All present vowed to exterminate all of the white Frenchmen on the island. They sacrificed a black pig in a voodoo ritual at which hundreds of slaves drank the pig’s blood. In this ritual, Boukman asked Satan for his help in liberating Haiti from the French. In exchange, the voodoo priests offered to give the country to Satan for 200 years and swore to serve him. The slave rebellion commenced on 22 August 1791, and after 13 years of conflict, the slaves won their independence. On 1 January 1804 they declared Haiti the world's first independent black republic. An iron statue of a pig stands in Port-au-Prince to commemorate the "Boukman Contract.”
Former Haitian president Jean-Bertrand Aristide is a former Catholic priest who gained notoriety with the Catholic Church and popularity in Haiti in the late 1980s because of his liberation theology. Aristide was elected president in 1990, ousted in a coup in 1991, and re-elected as president in Nov 2000 (results disputed). He survived coup attempts in July and December 2001. November 2002 was marked by unrest and anti-government protests. In light of the historic and political facts it is therefore very interesting that in April 2003, President Aristide made voodoo an official religion in Haiti declaring, "voodoo is an essential part of national identity.” Some suggest he renewed Boukman's contract.
When Robertson made his pronouncement, I’m sure this is what he was referring to. Haiti does seem to have some serious problems for reasons that aren’t at all clear. Some suggest that if Haiti had made a pact with the devil that they would be living lives of luxury. They reason that the devil is fine with passing out goodies on this side of eternity. But they forget, that the evil one's preference is to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). He would prefer to just destroy a herd of pigs rather than let them bask in sun and mud (Mark 5:11-13). Haiti's remarkably impoverished status does make one wonder why things there are they way they are. But Robertson is the last person in the world with a right to comment. For that matter, even if there were any truth to his ramblings, people would now be less inclined to consider it.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
No Sweat?
This morning there was an intersection between a classroom conversation and my personal devotional time. We collided at Luke 22:44 as Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane. Aside from sleepy disciples, what many people recall about this passage is the reference to Jesus sweating. The NIV records that "his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground." One of my students understood this to be clearly saying Jesus was sweating blood. I pointed out the [to me very likely] possibility that this is a metaphor explaining how profusely Jesus was sweating -- that it was pouring down. There is also a rare physical phenomenon known as hematidrosis in which under great emotional stress, the tiny blood vessels in the sweat glands rupture to produce a mixture of blood and sweat.
As a side note, there is some question as to whether Luke actually penned these words in the first place. Although they "sound Lucan," the earliest manuscripts do not have the words included. But as this is an iconic reference and the only canonical place it occurs (see also woman caught in adultery in John 8), the decision was made to retain it in the text.
But pondering this has led me to consider the question of what we're willing to break a sweat for. On a physical level, most of us sweat when we exercise. We're willing to break a sweat to "get in shape" or to look good. Most of us also sweat when we do hard physical labor. The task, whether vocationally or some chore around the house, is worth breaking a sweat for (or we feel we have little choice but to do it). But when it comes to our relationship with God, are we willing to break a sweat? Are the tasks He gives us important enough to us that we are willing to sweat for it?
Earlier in the same verse, we're told Jesus was in agony as He prayed. This was something he wrestled with. I wonder sometimes if we agonize more over our plans for the weekend or our next big purchase than we do over the things that matter to God? If I sweat for God, what would He have me do?
As a side note, there is some question as to whether Luke actually penned these words in the first place. Although they "sound Lucan," the earliest manuscripts do not have the words included. But as this is an iconic reference and the only canonical place it occurs (see also woman caught in adultery in John 8), the decision was made to retain it in the text.
But pondering this has led me to consider the question of what we're willing to break a sweat for. On a physical level, most of us sweat when we exercise. We're willing to break a sweat to "get in shape" or to look good. Most of us also sweat when we do hard physical labor. The task, whether vocationally or some chore around the house, is worth breaking a sweat for (or we feel we have little choice but to do it). But when it comes to our relationship with God, are we willing to break a sweat? Are the tasks He gives us important enough to us that we are willing to sweat for it?
Earlier in the same verse, we're told Jesus was in agony as He prayed. This was something he wrestled with. I wonder sometimes if we agonize more over our plans for the weekend or our next big purchase than we do over the things that matter to God? If I sweat for God, what would He have me do?
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Question of the Week
While our youth minister Jason went to India for seven weeks, I began a tradition of giving a group of senior high students a "question of the week" to ponder. Each week now for about four months, I've presented them with a different question to consider. The goal is to encourage them to think critically and objectively about their life and faith.
Often before I present the question to the students, I'll bounce it off a few people to get a reaction. This week my question of them is particularly demanding. I'm asking them, "What bothers you most about American Christianity?" As I've presented this question in numerous contexts prior to giving it to them today, what has surprised me is the wide diversity of answers.
There appears to be a keen awareness that there is something wrong with the way we do church and claim Christ. As Francis Chan has commented, if someone was given a bible in isolation and then came to America and saw how we do church -- they would certainly be surprised. We miss out on so many things and add so many extraneous details to our faith!
We may be a generation away from fixing any of this. But it begins today, now, with me. With anyone reading this blog. We cannot merely project our frustration with all "those people" and not embrace our own culpability. If we are in it, we are part of it, unless we openly rebel against an unscriptural status quo. There is a right and a wrong way I suppose to do this, but Jesus certainly didn't let offending others stop him from proclaiming the truth of the kingdom. I believe people listened because they could tell He really loved them. May we be no different.
Often before I present the question to the students, I'll bounce it off a few people to get a reaction. This week my question of them is particularly demanding. I'm asking them, "What bothers you most about American Christianity?" As I've presented this question in numerous contexts prior to giving it to them today, what has surprised me is the wide diversity of answers.
There appears to be a keen awareness that there is something wrong with the way we do church and claim Christ. As Francis Chan has commented, if someone was given a bible in isolation and then came to America and saw how we do church -- they would certainly be surprised. We miss out on so many things and add so many extraneous details to our faith!
We may be a generation away from fixing any of this. But it begins today, now, with me. With anyone reading this blog. We cannot merely project our frustration with all "those people" and not embrace our own culpability. If we are in it, we are part of it, unless we openly rebel against an unscriptural status quo. There is a right and a wrong way I suppose to do this, but Jesus certainly didn't let offending others stop him from proclaiming the truth of the kingdom. I believe people listened because they could tell He really loved them. May we be no different.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Party like a Rockstar
Tonight I posted the following comment on my Facebook status:
Found written on an offering envelope in a New Hope pew: "I think Pete should enter with fireworks and the congregation jumping up and down and his theme song would be, 'Party like a Rockstar'."
Shortly after I posted it, the responses began rolling in. This is already clearly the most popular thing I've ever posted on Facebook. And ironically, I didn't even write it -- and it isn't signed, so I'm not sure who to give credit.
I'm not entirely sure what to make of the fact that people enjoyed this so much. Is it because that seems such an odd juxtaposition, or do people really see me in that light? Either way, its an amusing thought and one I've enjoyed watching people respond to in a public forum.
There are two things I left out of the public version. One is the word "like" right before fireworks, and the other is the response of the first person who read it. They wrote, "No, 'Back in Black.'"
Found written on an offering envelope in a New Hope pew: "I think Pete should enter with fireworks and the congregation jumping up and down and his theme song would be, 'Party like a Rockstar'."
Shortly after I posted it, the responses began rolling in. This is already clearly the most popular thing I've ever posted on Facebook. And ironically, I didn't even write it -- and it isn't signed, so I'm not sure who to give credit.
I'm not entirely sure what to make of the fact that people enjoyed this so much. Is it because that seems such an odd juxtaposition, or do people really see me in that light? Either way, its an amusing thought and one I've enjoyed watching people respond to in a public forum.
There are two things I left out of the public version. One is the word "like" right before fireworks, and the other is the response of the first person who read it. They wrote, "No, 'Back in Black.'"
Monday, January 18, 2010
Music and Life
As I wrestled with my latest round of "trying to make sense out of life," the metaphor of music seemed particularly fitting. I want to find a way to turn it into a pithy statement, but for now at least writing out what I'm thinking is probably a good start. Otherwise I may end up with this [potentially] great idea that I can't remember while I'm trying to figure out how to say it. That has sadly happened far too often.
The idea is that our lives are like a piece of music, an opus, a song. Of course "Mr. Holland's Opus" has already explored this theme. But the thought I had is that life sometimes strikes discordant chords, notes that don't seem to go together. And at the end, the last chord may not resolve.
One of our worship leaders loves to do this. He'll play an entire song, and at the end he won't play the last chord. It drives me completely bananas. I'll either play the base note on my bass guitar, or I'll have to sing it. Lack of resolution drives me bananas! It is particularly fitting to me that after I began writing this blog, my son went into the family room and began playing his festival piece on our piano. Some of his notes are off, his timing is flawed, and I wait impatiently for the resolution of the song. And for a moment, I want to run into the family room and yell, "Son, you're playing my song -- please get it right."
Meanwhile, he plunks along, oblivious to my inner torment. I don't suppose I would want him to know any better.
The idea is that our lives are like a piece of music, an opus, a song. Of course "Mr. Holland's Opus" has already explored this theme. But the thought I had is that life sometimes strikes discordant chords, notes that don't seem to go together. And at the end, the last chord may not resolve.
One of our worship leaders loves to do this. He'll play an entire song, and at the end he won't play the last chord. It drives me completely bananas. I'll either play the base note on my bass guitar, or I'll have to sing it. Lack of resolution drives me bananas! It is particularly fitting to me that after I began writing this blog, my son went into the family room and began playing his festival piece on our piano. Some of his notes are off, his timing is flawed, and I wait impatiently for the resolution of the song. And for a moment, I want to run into the family room and yell, "Son, you're playing my song -- please get it right."
Meanwhile, he plunks along, oblivious to my inner torment. I don't suppose I would want him to know any better.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Middle School Basketball
Yesterday I went to see one of my old students score her 1,000th career point in basketball, the first player in Faith Christian School history to do so. When I arrived, the middle school boys were playing. Apparently they were running behind schedule. Faith was up by about nine points most of the way through the game -- until the fourth quarter. That's when the visiting team kept scoring and the home team just quit. The game ended up going to overtime.
In overtime, that gymnasium came to life, with both team's crowds screaming their heads off and the fortunes of both teams going up and down many times in the three minutes allowed for the extra period. As the crowd around me went crazy, I allowed myself to become captive to the moment. Before long I really cared who won the game. Moments ago, I didn't care, and this game was merely an obstacle prolonging how long it was going to take me to see the game I came to watch! But now, it mattered to me.
Perhaps part of the reason it is so important to spend time with people other than friends and family is so that we'll learn to genuinely care about them. It is hard to muster much genuine concern for others when they remain but a vapor to us. But when we are with them in the midst of their struggle, we empathize with them in the moment and suddently they and their circumstances matter to us.
In overtime, that gymnasium came to life, with both team's crowds screaming their heads off and the fortunes of both teams going up and down many times in the three minutes allowed for the extra period. As the crowd around me went crazy, I allowed myself to become captive to the moment. Before long I really cared who won the game. Moments ago, I didn't care, and this game was merely an obstacle prolonging how long it was going to take me to see the game I came to watch! But now, it mattered to me.
Perhaps part of the reason it is so important to spend time with people other than friends and family is so that we'll learn to genuinely care about them. It is hard to muster much genuine concern for others when they remain but a vapor to us. But when we are with them in the midst of their struggle, we empathize with them in the moment and suddently they and their circumstances matter to us.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Amusing Ourselves to Death
Aside from Scripture and a few seminal devotional books, the most influential book I've ever read was Neal Postman's book Amusing Ourselves to Death. The concept of the book began when Postman was discussing Orwell's book 1984, in 1984. Postman suggested that reality was more accurately reflected by Aldous Huxley's vision than Orwell's. Orwell posits a world where the populace is oppressed by pain. But in Brave New World, Huxley suggests that culture will be oppressed by pleasure. Just give people what they think they want, and they will be complacent, docile, and content. Ambition and achievement will be lost not because they are taken, but rather surrendered.
Twenty-five years after the book's release, I cannot imagine a more accurate prophetic vision of modern culture. When I look around, I cannot help but ask what our culture would look like if we got what it appears we're seeking. For a while, I had to use my imagination. But then the movie Wall*E came out. And I saw in animated form what Postman described. People lounging around in ideal climate, slurping their beverage, rotund and reclined. As I watched the film (well after most of the American populace), I couldn't help but wonder if anyone was watching. Did we see this? How are we any different? We're not quite at that point, but isn't that where most of us would be if we were able?
Gag! What a sad existence. No challenge, hardship, difficulty, no hurdles to force us to stretch or strive at all. Yet aren't most of us pining for this as though it were an idyllic vision? Aren't we longing for leisure with our centrifugal bumble puppies, drugging ourselves with our soma so life is happy and easy? Today I woke up and began my devotional time. Jesus warns his disciples, "Be careful, or your hearts will be weighted down with dissipation . . ." (Luke 21:34). When I went to see what that word meant, I was shocked to find one of the definitions reads, "mental distraction, amusement, diversion." Jesus warned us about this pursuit. But I wonder if anyone is listening? Or are we captive to the devices and substances we have pursued in making happiness our highest cultural ideal?
Twenty-five years after the book's release, I cannot imagine a more accurate prophetic vision of modern culture. When I look around, I cannot help but ask what our culture would look like if we got what it appears we're seeking. For a while, I had to use my imagination. But then the movie Wall*E came out. And I saw in animated form what Postman described. People lounging around in ideal climate, slurping their beverage, rotund and reclined. As I watched the film (well after most of the American populace), I couldn't help but wonder if anyone was watching. Did we see this? How are we any different? We're not quite at that point, but isn't that where most of us would be if we were able?
Gag! What a sad existence. No challenge, hardship, difficulty, no hurdles to force us to stretch or strive at all. Yet aren't most of us pining for this as though it were an idyllic vision? Aren't we longing for leisure with our centrifugal bumble puppies, drugging ourselves with our soma so life is happy and easy? Today I woke up and began my devotional time. Jesus warns his disciples, "Be careful, or your hearts will be weighted down with dissipation . . ." (Luke 21:34). When I went to see what that word meant, I was shocked to find one of the definitions reads, "mental distraction, amusement, diversion." Jesus warned us about this pursuit. But I wonder if anyone is listening? Or are we captive to the devices and substances we have pursued in making happiness our highest cultural ideal?
Friday, January 15, 2010
Oops, I blew it again
Perhaps the most difficult thing about spiritual discipline and progressing in the Christian life is guilt. We miss a day, we fail, we struggle -- and those moments are quickly defeating. We wallow in our frustration over not having done what we said we would do. In doing so, we essentially hand Satan a stick to beat us with. "Here, go ahead and beat me with this."
As I sit here writing my sermon for this weekend, ideas are coming to me for blogs, and its hard to stop what I'm doing to write. But when I checked my blog I was horrified to find that there are now 12 blogs for 14 days of January. What? I missed another one? When did that happen? After checking dates and times, I sigh at yet another failure.
Intellectually, most of us know failure has great power to motivate. We can use these moments to propel us forward as well as allowing them to drag us down. Our response to them is what makes the decisive difference. Father, I pray that my failures be minor so they do not impact others or the kingdom. Help me use them to motivate me to press forward with greater diligence. In Christ I pray. Amen.
As I sit here writing my sermon for this weekend, ideas are coming to me for blogs, and its hard to stop what I'm doing to write. But when I checked my blog I was horrified to find that there are now 12 blogs for 14 days of January. What? I missed another one? When did that happen? After checking dates and times, I sigh at yet another failure.
Intellectually, most of us know failure has great power to motivate. We can use these moments to propel us forward as well as allowing them to drag us down. Our response to them is what makes the decisive difference. Father, I pray that my failures be minor so they do not impact others or the kingdom. Help me use them to motivate me to press forward with greater diligence. In Christ I pray. Amen.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Helping Haitians
Having visited Haiti several times on mission trips, it is overwhelming to think of this nation having to deal with tragedy of any magnitude. These people are barely alive, scraping by as the only truly third world nation in the Western Hemisphere. Their existence is day to day and the poorest of our poor live as the truly rich by Haitian standards.
The inevitable "why" cannot help but creep in. Who knows for what reason God has allowed such tragedy to befall this nation? Who knows what glory He desires to be brought to himself through it? Pat Robertson's comments that the nation has been cursed as a result of their pact with the devil may or may not have any truth to it. But how would he know? And how does it profit these people to make such a comment, particularly now?
The Christian communities I'm intimately connected with are already asking how they can help. What can they do? You can text "Haiti" to 90999 to donate $10 to the Red Cross relief efforts there. You can donate to the Lazarus Project (see www.lazarusprojecthaiti.org for more information). Compassion International is in Haiti, or you can donate through IDES (www.ides.org). There are many arms of the church already present in the midst of these people.
But we can also pray, that these people will feel the love of God through His people even in the midst of this tragedy. Its difficult not to blame him when something like this happens -- particularly to those who seem least equipped to handle it. The amount of suffering in the world is vast, and modern technology has now brought it to our doorstep. So pray, give if you're led. But let our discipleship not be confined to a place we may never go. Let us express our obedience and devotion first and foremost to those whom God has put right in front of us.
The inevitable "why" cannot help but creep in. Who knows for what reason God has allowed such tragedy to befall this nation? Who knows what glory He desires to be brought to himself through it? Pat Robertson's comments that the nation has been cursed as a result of their pact with the devil may or may not have any truth to it. But how would he know? And how does it profit these people to make such a comment, particularly now?
The Christian communities I'm intimately connected with are already asking how they can help. What can they do? You can text "Haiti" to 90999 to donate $10 to the Red Cross relief efforts there. You can donate to the Lazarus Project (see www.lazarusprojecthaiti.org for more information). Compassion International is in Haiti, or you can donate through IDES (www.ides.org). There are many arms of the church already present in the midst of these people.
But we can also pray, that these people will feel the love of God through His people even in the midst of this tragedy. Its difficult not to blame him when something like this happens -- particularly to those who seem least equipped to handle it. The amount of suffering in the world is vast, and modern technology has now brought it to our doorstep. So pray, give if you're led. But let our discipleship not be confined to a place we may never go. Let us express our obedience and devotion first and foremost to those whom God has put right in front of us.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Why Journal?
The oddest thing has happened. Apparently I missed a day blogging and I didn't even realize it. But I began pondering the rationale for blogging or journaling in the first place. Since the routine of doing this on a regular basis is rather new to me, I've been asked quite a few times why I'm doing it. Frankly, its a good question.
I don't think everyone's answer to this question is going to be the same as mine. Some people likely blog because they're looking for a response or a reaction from other people. I think when I used to blog on Myspace, this was my secondary motive. (Not my primary though, no one was on Myspace when I first got there and began blogging). But my reasons for journaling and/or blogging are a bit different.
I have found about myself that when God is trying to teach or show me something difficult or unpleasant; its easier to try to ignore it. If I just pretend I don't really know what God wants, I can go on acting ignorant. Writing these reflections concretizes the things I know I'm supposed to be hearing and responding to. Once its out there, I can't act like I don't know. And the fact that this is a semi-public forum means there is some measure of accountability here. Although there are relatively few people who will ever read these words, the ones who do will generally know if I'm living in response to the truths I'm being shown.
I don't think everyone's answer to this question is going to be the same as mine. Some people likely blog because they're looking for a response or a reaction from other people. I think when I used to blog on Myspace, this was my secondary motive. (Not my primary though, no one was on Myspace when I first got there and began blogging). But my reasons for journaling and/or blogging are a bit different.
I have found about myself that when God is trying to teach or show me something difficult or unpleasant; its easier to try to ignore it. If I just pretend I don't really know what God wants, I can go on acting ignorant. Writing these reflections concretizes the things I know I'm supposed to be hearing and responding to. Once its out there, I can't act like I don't know. And the fact that this is a semi-public forum means there is some measure of accountability here. Although there are relatively few people who will ever read these words, the ones who do will generally know if I'm living in response to the truths I'm being shown.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Bored? I'm Over It.
I can't count the number of times I wish I was able to be in more than one place at a time. At any given moment, I feel like there are several different places I'd like to be and things I'd like to be doing. Then I see people who are on Facebook or hear people say they are bored.
We have more opportunities to keep ourselves occupied and entertained than any generation in history. Bored? Really? Can there be anything more sad that people who have the world at their fingertips still expressing discontent with their cicumstances?
When I was on vacation in Florida back in November, I remember I had one evening that I was "bored" for about 15 minutes or so. It was the weirdest feeling. I didn't know what to do with myself. But at the prompting of my wife and daughter, I did something (late night Wal-Mart run), and I haven't been bored since.
Life is short. We don't have long here, so we need to make the most of it. Time is the most precious commodity we have. Trade it for something worthwhile. And by all means, if you're going to waste it, or worse, do something you consider "killing time" -- please don't tell me. I will mourn the loss.
We have more opportunities to keep ourselves occupied and entertained than any generation in history. Bored? Really? Can there be anything more sad that people who have the world at their fingertips still expressing discontent with their cicumstances?
When I was on vacation in Florida back in November, I remember I had one evening that I was "bored" for about 15 minutes or so. It was the weirdest feeling. I didn't know what to do with myself. But at the prompting of my wife and daughter, I did something (late night Wal-Mart run), and I haven't been bored since.
Life is short. We don't have long here, so we need to make the most of it. Time is the most precious commodity we have. Trade it for something worthwhile. And by all means, if you're going to waste it, or worse, do something you consider "killing time" -- please don't tell me. I will mourn the loss.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Time and Healthy Habits
The older I get, the more I'm recognizing the need for daily healthy habits in my life. With most of them, they are things I've done from time to time. But, one at a time, I'm trying to incorporate them into my life as daily habits. As I'm adding these habits to my routine, I'm starting to realize that these habits take a lot of time! No one of them is particularly time consuming, but cumulatively they are starting to really fill my days and weeks before I've "done" anything.
These habits include things like reading scripture, prayer, journaling, reading other books, exercise (which i'm not doing atm), and accountability. When you add these habits to basic human habits like showering, eating, brushing teeth, taking allergy meds, etc; it doesn't take long before it takes quite a while to get ready in the morning. I began realizing this afresh at the Passion Conference, but trying to remain committed to these habits now that I'm home has punctuated the point.
I'm trying to project what this may look like when I'm in my 60's if I continue discovering habits the Lord wants me to include in my routine. If I end up finding many more things to include, I may find it impossible to get out of the house in a timely fashion. No wonder people end up having to retire! Although these habits don't always feel particularly productive or give a particular sense of accomplishment, I believe their purpose is not to produce material result but to try to shape a particular sort of character. I hope they achieved the desired goal, but the motive always ought to be obedience and following the prompting of the Spirit.
These habits include things like reading scripture, prayer, journaling, reading other books, exercise (which i'm not doing atm), and accountability. When you add these habits to basic human habits like showering, eating, brushing teeth, taking allergy meds, etc; it doesn't take long before it takes quite a while to get ready in the morning. I began realizing this afresh at the Passion Conference, but trying to remain committed to these habits now that I'm home has punctuated the point.
I'm trying to project what this may look like when I'm in my 60's if I continue discovering habits the Lord wants me to include in my routine. If I end up finding many more things to include, I may find it impossible to get out of the house in a timely fashion. No wonder people end up having to retire! Although these habits don't always feel particularly productive or give a particular sense of accomplishment, I believe their purpose is not to produce material result but to try to shape a particular sort of character. I hope they achieved the desired goal, but the motive always ought to be obedience and following the prompting of the Spirit.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Truth and the Invitation
We typically offer an opportunity to make a public decision at the end of our worship services. But we try very hard not to make that an emotional plea. Because a commitment to Jesus Christ is supposed to last far longer than the emotion that can compel someone to walk the aisle. Of course that doesn’t mean there is anything wrong with emotion. Anyone who has worshiped with us more than a few times knows we have no problem getting emotional. But that is a fundamental belief we share with the Passion movement. I believe Jesus Christ shared this same belief. That is that the truth changes people more than emotion. Jesus explained, "the truth will set you free," not seven verses of "Just as I Am" or "Kum-ba-Yah."
Matthew is the first of four gospels that tells the gospel – the good news – of Jesus Christ. He explains that first John the Baptist and then Jesus himself announce the coming kingdom of God (3:2, 4:17). And in chapters 5-7, Matthew shares Jesus’ explanation of the kingdom. We typically call this teaching the "Sermon on the Mount," although it wasn’t really a sermon, it was more instruction. Jesus wasn’t on top of the mountain, but on the mountainside. And Jesus wasn’t standing addressing the crowds, he was sitting as he taught his disciples.
That’s a pretty different picture than what I typically have when I think of the Sermon on the Mount. But whatever your picture of the event, the real point is the content, the truth Jesus teaches us about the nature of the kingdom He has come to bring. This truth changes the world. It has for centuries, and it will for eternity. For twelve weeks we will sit with Jesus and learn with them about the kingdom of God. I believe we will discover the truth Dorothy Sayers expressed when she wrote:
"The Christian faith is the most exciting drama that ever staggered the imagination of man--and the dogma is the drama. That drama is summarized quite clearly in the creeds of the Church, and if we think it dull it is because we either have never really read those amazing documents or have recited them so often and so mechanically as to have lost all sense of their meaning." – Dorothy Sayers
Thursday, January 7, 2010
The Power of Motivation
When I wake up in the morning, I have to hope my brain doesn't get started. Once I begin thinking through the activities of the day, rest will elude me until the next night (or the occasional afternoon nap). Typically on Thursdays I like to sleep in a bit later, since it is my "day off" (those in ministry understand the quotes). But this morning, despite getting to bed rather late, once I was roused by Jordan's departure for school I had no chance of getting back to sleep.
As I thought about today's lecture for systematic theology, I couldn't wait to begin putting the pieces together. I've now been at work for about three hours on this day of rest, and feel as relaxed and enthusiastic as I can imagine. Perhaps this has something to do with recently returning from a worship conference. My soul has already rested, and I don't really need a "day off" right now.
That being said, its amazing how powerfully we can be motivated to a particular course of action. When we are motivated to accomplish something for a cause bigger and higher than ourselves, obstacles seem insignificant. We can go many hours without sleep and food and comfort if we are sufficiently motivated to complete a task. We can endure a great deal of discomfort and inconvenience if the goal is worth it to us.
We live in a culture I believe is seldom motivated by anything other than momentary pleasure or gratification. We pursue our comfort, but our longings are ingrown and don't push us to discomfort and growth since comfort is exactly what we're seeking. We live in a Brave New World with our centrifugal bumble puppies and our soma and think we've got it made. We have seized our reproductive "freedom" and can now do what we want when we want. However, the slightest annoyance is magnified many times, since we are not accustomed to them. We complain and argue about the most petty things because we do not live in the pursuit of any greater or higher goals (cf. Phil 2:14).
The tragedy of this is that Christians have been sucked into this view of the world. I'm not much different from anyone else. I find myself drawn to selfish leisure like a moth to a flame. We dare not live like this -- I dare not -- in view of Paul's counsel to make "the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil" (Eph 5:16). Our time here is brief, like a mist (Jms 4:14). The end of our days will come far sooner that we expect. If there is anything you think worth doing on this side of the grave, use that motivation to push you through whatever obstacles are in the way.
As I thought about today's lecture for systematic theology, I couldn't wait to begin putting the pieces together. I've now been at work for about three hours on this day of rest, and feel as relaxed and enthusiastic as I can imagine. Perhaps this has something to do with recently returning from a worship conference. My soul has already rested, and I don't really need a "day off" right now.
That being said, its amazing how powerfully we can be motivated to a particular course of action. When we are motivated to accomplish something for a cause bigger and higher than ourselves, obstacles seem insignificant. We can go many hours without sleep and food and comfort if we are sufficiently motivated to complete a task. We can endure a great deal of discomfort and inconvenience if the goal is worth it to us.
We live in a culture I believe is seldom motivated by anything other than momentary pleasure or gratification. We pursue our comfort, but our longings are ingrown and don't push us to discomfort and growth since comfort is exactly what we're seeking. We live in a Brave New World with our centrifugal bumble puppies and our soma and think we've got it made. We have seized our reproductive "freedom" and can now do what we want when we want. However, the slightest annoyance is magnified many times, since we are not accustomed to them. We complain and argue about the most petty things because we do not live in the pursuit of any greater or higher goals (cf. Phil 2:14).
The tragedy of this is that Christians have been sucked into this view of the world. I'm not much different from anyone else. I find myself drawn to selfish leisure like a moth to a flame. We dare not live like this -- I dare not -- in view of Paul's counsel to make "the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil" (Eph 5:16). Our time here is brief, like a mist (Jms 4:14). The end of our days will come far sooner that we expect. If there is anything you think worth doing on this side of the grave, use that motivation to push you through whatever obstacles are in the way.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Convention and Devotion
Having spent over twenty years in ministry, I've seen more than my share of conventions. From statewide youth conventions to youth minister gatherings and most recently Passion conferences, I've experienced a wide variety. The goal of each of these gatherings is ostensibly both to help people be refreshed and to encourage spiritual growth.
I just returned from Passion 2010, which was an excellent conference as such things go. But I have again noticed something which I've found is true of nearly every convention. The nights are so late and the mornings early enough that it is very difficult to spend time in personal devotion. At the morning session on the second day, Andy Stanley spoke. In his message, he made reference to Daniel 6, and I thought surely he was going to address this issue as he talked about Daniel's character. But he only read verses 3-5, placing emphasis on what his peers thought of him. Although there was nothing wrong with this, I felt this was a tragic missed opportunity.
Just a little later in the chapter, Daniel responds to an edict railroaded by Darius that prohibited prayer to anyone but the king. Daniel's response?
"Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before."
We may be inspired and moved by great sermons. We may be filled with joy and passion by great worship. But real roots and depth in our faith begins with a deeply personal walk with Christ that is then integrated into community. The people who most often go to these conventions -- youth, college, young adults -- need the encouragement and model of quiet time. Yes, we may have to shorten some other things. But I heartily contend it is worth it. We can handle 2-3 fewer songs each day to spend 15 minutes hearing from the Lord.
As it is, the schedule is so full, that its very difficult even for people who already have a devotional habit to practice it in these settings. We need to address and fix this. The long-term results of these conventions may depend upon these spiritual disciplines sticking once we all go home.
I just returned from Passion 2010, which was an excellent conference as such things go. But I have again noticed something which I've found is true of nearly every convention. The nights are so late and the mornings early enough that it is very difficult to spend time in personal devotion. At the morning session on the second day, Andy Stanley spoke. In his message, he made reference to Daniel 6, and I thought surely he was going to address this issue as he talked about Daniel's character. But he only read verses 3-5, placing emphasis on what his peers thought of him. Although there was nothing wrong with this, I felt this was a tragic missed opportunity.
Just a little later in the chapter, Daniel responds to an edict railroaded by Darius that prohibited prayer to anyone but the king. Daniel's response?
"Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before."
We may be inspired and moved by great sermons. We may be filled with joy and passion by great worship. But real roots and depth in our faith begins with a deeply personal walk with Christ that is then integrated into community. The people who most often go to these conventions -- youth, college, young adults -- need the encouragement and model of quiet time. Yes, we may have to shorten some other things. But I heartily contend it is worth it. We can handle 2-3 fewer songs each day to spend 15 minutes hearing from the Lord.
As it is, the schedule is so full, that its very difficult even for people who already have a devotional habit to practice it in these settings. We need to address and fix this. The long-term results of these conventions may depend upon these spiritual disciplines sticking once we all go home.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Parking lot doctrine
A couple more thoughts on my $75 parking lesson . . .
Ignorance is no excuse. Although someone may well be sympathetic when a person unknowingly violates the rules/law, this is not an adequate defense for breaking it. My lack of information and attentiveness to the details of how downtown parking works may be lamentable, but it is not sufficient to get me off the hook. Even the fact that I once paid $10 to park legally doesn't suffice to alleviate the burden of the boot. Which brings me to the second thing . . .
I believed in "once parked always parked," but unless the owner of the lot shares that belief, my belief is inconsequential. No matter how legally and appropriately parked I was, I could not come back in without cost. Re-entry was going to involve another process that would be costly. Isn't it ironic how some things seem so obvious at a theological level, but we struggle to grasp them in life? Perhaps the reverse is more common, where we understand these truths in life, but fail to integrate them into our theology. But in either case, there is little doubt in my mind that God shows His children truth if they are willing to seek it.
Ignorance is no excuse. Although someone may well be sympathetic when a person unknowingly violates the rules/law, this is not an adequate defense for breaking it. My lack of information and attentiveness to the details of how downtown parking works may be lamentable, but it is not sufficient to get me off the hook. Even the fact that I once paid $10 to park legally doesn't suffice to alleviate the burden of the boot. Which brings me to the second thing . . .
I believed in "once parked always parked," but unless the owner of the lot shares that belief, my belief is inconsequential. No matter how legally and appropriately parked I was, I could not come back in without cost. Re-entry was going to involve another process that would be costly. Isn't it ironic how some things seem so obvious at a theological level, but we struggle to grasp them in life? Perhaps the reverse is more common, where we understand these truths in life, but fail to integrate them into our theology. But in either case, there is little doubt in my mind that God shows His children truth if they are willing to seek it.
Monday, January 4, 2010
On Living Intentionally
Since Jan 1, my conversation with Michal and the Routh's has focused on many different specifics. But a central theme has emerged. It is reminiscent of the purpose driven concept, but plays out in a broader way. The idea is of living intentionally.
Living intentionally doesn't necessarily mean having a specific direction or goal in mind. But it does mean giving thought to why we do the things we do. It means giving serious thought to why we spend our days the way we do. How much of life is wasted when we don't stop to consider how we will spend our moments.
We invest our selves and our time in relationships, and make decisions about what's important to us that shape our direction. Even in moments of rest, it is wise to think through why we would want to rest in a particular way. This keeps coming up, as though God is asking us to stop and think about our days. Here at Passion, every moment is precious and multiple things compete for the time. There is more to do than we can ever accomplish. Yet our overarching purpose here is clear.
I want to live intentionally, and not allow myself to waste the moments before me, no matter where I am. Perhaps not new or revolutionary, but a thought worth repeating.
Living intentionally doesn't necessarily mean having a specific direction or goal in mind. But it does mean giving thought to why we do the things we do. It means giving serious thought to why we spend our days the way we do. How much of life is wasted when we don't stop to consider how we will spend our moments.
We invest our selves and our time in relationships, and make decisions about what's important to us that shape our direction. Even in moments of rest, it is wise to think through why we would want to rest in a particular way. This keeps coming up, as though God is asking us to stop and think about our days. Here at Passion, every moment is precious and multiple things compete for the time. There is more to do than we can ever accomplish. Yet our overarching purpose here is clear.
I want to live intentionally, and not allow myself to waste the moments before me, no matter where I am. Perhaps not new or revolutionary, but a thought worth repeating.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Joy and Getting the Boot
Today at Passion was the sort of day you come hoping will happen. Great worship, good community times, Hillsong concert, a restful afternoon and a fortuitous restaurant discovery. What more could one ask for?
Gleaming from the appreciation of such moments, what could possibly go wrong? A bright orange sign on the car window and a boot on the wheels are good candidates. That's exactly what I got, despite paying for a parking spot that said it didn't expire on that spot until 2 am. Only someone forgot to tell me what "in and out" means. Apparently that's not allowed. So when I took my car out for the afternoon and came back, I couldn't park in the same spot. I parked as close as I could and kept my ticket in the window. That, apparently, is not acceptable.
$75 later, we were driving off. I expressed my frustration to an insistent employee who assured me there was no other option. I took pictures in the likely vain hope I could do something about it after the fact.
What a fitting picture of what happens any time God sows seed in our souls. Jesus described a sower sowing his seed. Some seed fell on the path, and the birds quickly came and ate it up before it had a chance to take root. If you have a great moment of worship or service, expect that shortly after that the evil one will look for an opportunity to sabotage your joy. He doesn't fight fair and he plays for keeps.
Perhaps $75 was a cheap way to be reminded of this lesson, but its still a frustrating finish to an otherwise glorious day. I guess it at least settled what I would be blogging about today.
Gleaming from the appreciation of such moments, what could possibly go wrong? A bright orange sign on the car window and a boot on the wheels are good candidates. That's exactly what I got, despite paying for a parking spot that said it didn't expire on that spot until 2 am. Only someone forgot to tell me what "in and out" means. Apparently that's not allowed. So when I took my car out for the afternoon and came back, I couldn't park in the same spot. I parked as close as I could and kept my ticket in the window. That, apparently, is not acceptable.
$75 later, we were driving off. I expressed my frustration to an insistent employee who assured me there was no other option. I took pictures in the likely vain hope I could do something about it after the fact.
What a fitting picture of what happens any time God sows seed in our souls. Jesus described a sower sowing his seed. Some seed fell on the path, and the birds quickly came and ate it up before it had a chance to take root. If you have a great moment of worship or service, expect that shortly after that the evil one will look for an opportunity to sabotage your joy. He doesn't fight fair and he plays for keeps.
Perhaps $75 was a cheap way to be reminded of this lesson, but its still a frustrating finish to an otherwise glorious day. I guess it at least settled what I would be blogging about today.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Expecting God
Day two, only 363 to go to accomplish my non-resolution. I suspect my reluctance to describe my decision to attempt daily blogging for a year as a "resolution" has much to do with my skepticism about people keeping them. I'm also uncertain I will sustain enough momentum to care about this through January, much less the year. But in the moment I'm in, the blog feels as though its serving me and not the other way around.
I'm in Charlotte, NC with dear friends. We're soon leaving to rendezvous with a friend of Michal's, and will then be heading to Atlanta, GA for Passion 2010. I expect to hear from God there. I've felt that way for a couple weeks, and I find myself wondering why. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that I haven't been at any sort of conference event for three years? Maybe its connected with my past experiences at Passion, which have certainly been filled with insights. There may even be a connection with the fact that the "new" year has just begun, and like most people, there is a sense of hope for improvement and positive change in this year.
But this whole idea of putting God on a clock or calendar is intriguing. We schedule an event -- church, conference, mission trip, small group -- and expect God to show up. And the crazy thing is, he often does. Even though the Spirit is a free agent, He seems to cooperate far more often than one might think since He's under no obligation or compulsion to do so. It makes me wonder whether God is just so universally available that we can experience Him powerfully at any moment but that He requires our focused attention for us to perceive His movement. Elijah didn't perceive God moving until after the dramatic grasped his attention. Then he heard the still small voice I suspect he could have heard any time he'd been ready to listen. But he needed to shut up long enough to be able to hear it over his own chattering (both internal and external).
Which takes me to Atlanta and the next four days. I'm pretty sure God's no more in Atlanta than in Roanoke (though some days I may wonder). But its very difficult for me to stop and listen even when I try. The forces of routine and distraction are strong. The expectations of others laid upon us are much more insistent than the gentle tugs on our heart. And the two aren't meant to be exclusive anyway, but cooperative. The balance is a struggle I believe we can improve our ability to address. But I suspect finding it is a lifetime project.
So I'm expecting God.....I think. Because under the layers of "I just need to slow down," there is also a fear. The fear of disappointment looms larger after the spectre of 2009. After waiting for a year for resolution, I'm not sure I'm any closer than I was last January to knowing what it is God has in mind for me "next." I don't even really know if there IS a next. And that recognition has helped me identify my greatest fear in life. My greatest fear is that life won't make sense. That the disparate pieces of my journey will never fit together and I will die with a pile of puzzle pieces that I've spent my life futilely trying to assemble.
I'm in Charlotte, NC with dear friends. We're soon leaving to rendezvous with a friend of Michal's, and will then be heading to Atlanta, GA for Passion 2010. I expect to hear from God there. I've felt that way for a couple weeks, and I find myself wondering why. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that I haven't been at any sort of conference event for three years? Maybe its connected with my past experiences at Passion, which have certainly been filled with insights. There may even be a connection with the fact that the "new" year has just begun, and like most people, there is a sense of hope for improvement and positive change in this year.
But this whole idea of putting God on a clock or calendar is intriguing. We schedule an event -- church, conference, mission trip, small group -- and expect God to show up. And the crazy thing is, he often does. Even though the Spirit is a free agent, He seems to cooperate far more often than one might think since He's under no obligation or compulsion to do so. It makes me wonder whether God is just so universally available that we can experience Him powerfully at any moment but that He requires our focused attention for us to perceive His movement. Elijah didn't perceive God moving until after the dramatic grasped his attention. Then he heard the still small voice I suspect he could have heard any time he'd been ready to listen. But he needed to shut up long enough to be able to hear it over his own chattering (both internal and external).
Which takes me to Atlanta and the next four days. I'm pretty sure God's no more in Atlanta than in Roanoke (though some days I may wonder). But its very difficult for me to stop and listen even when I try. The forces of routine and distraction are strong. The expectations of others laid upon us are much more insistent than the gentle tugs on our heart. And the two aren't meant to be exclusive anyway, but cooperative. The balance is a struggle I believe we can improve our ability to address. But I suspect finding it is a lifetime project.
So I'm expecting God.....I think. Because under the layers of "I just need to slow down," there is also a fear. The fear of disappointment looms larger after the spectre of 2009. After waiting for a year for resolution, I'm not sure I'm any closer than I was last January to knowing what it is God has in mind for me "next." I don't even really know if there IS a next. And that recognition has helped me identify my greatest fear in life. My greatest fear is that life won't make sense. That the disparate pieces of my journey will never fit together and I will die with a pile of puzzle pieces that I've spent my life futilely trying to assemble.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Will the New Year be New?
New is such an intriguing word. There are two different concepts reflected in the new testament translated with the word "new." One has the idea of renewal or revision -- the idea that something previous has been changed to make it different than it previously was. The idea here is like the King James Version being made the New King James Version; or the Revised Standard Version becoming the New Revised Standard Version.
The other concept of newness implies something brand new, never done before -- unlike any other. I suppose the New International Version may suffice as an example here. Because there wasn't an "International Version" prior to its publication. It was a new translation of Scripture in the sense that it was intentionally unique from previous versions.
Now I say all that as I'm parsing the words "Happy New Year!" I'm wondering what sort of year may be signified by new. Certainly I expect this one will have twelve months, and 365 days, unless Jesus returns before we get to the end of it. Yet hope propels most of us to long for some sense of improvement, of upgrade, in the "new" year. We'd like to think this year will be new, as opposed to 2009, which is now "old," I suppose.
This desire prompts many to make resolutions. Usually these resolutions have to do with trying to progress toward some longed for aim -- to get in better shape, lose weight, learn, drop a habit, read, or a host of other ambitions. I'm tempted to resolve to blog in 2010. Its a discipline that I was motivated to do for months in 2009. But as hope for the new year waned, so did the impetus to continue to write. My daughter reminded me that there's no such thing as writer's block, only fear or laziness. Yep, guilty as charged.
Last Sunday when I preached on waiting (ironically, a message postponed a week by snow), I observed that 2009 seemed to be a year that involved waiting for a lot of people I know. I'm one of them, though I didn't share that sentiment publicly. Despite that, its hardly a secret among those who know me more than casually. The Survivor runaround last year made me feel I was going in circles. And ironically, the year ended in a similar fashion in which it ended -- with hope.
As I write, I'm five minutes from leaving for Passion 2010. I'm eager to see what God has in store for me there. And I hope to record what I can of it. Someday I may even share this blog with others, who knows?
The other concept of newness implies something brand new, never done before -- unlike any other. I suppose the New International Version may suffice as an example here. Because there wasn't an "International Version" prior to its publication. It was a new translation of Scripture in the sense that it was intentionally unique from previous versions.
Now I say all that as I'm parsing the words "Happy New Year!" I'm wondering what sort of year may be signified by new. Certainly I expect this one will have twelve months, and 365 days, unless Jesus returns before we get to the end of it. Yet hope propels most of us to long for some sense of improvement, of upgrade, in the "new" year. We'd like to think this year will be new, as opposed to 2009, which is now "old," I suppose.
This desire prompts many to make resolutions. Usually these resolutions have to do with trying to progress toward some longed for aim -- to get in better shape, lose weight, learn, drop a habit, read, or a host of other ambitions. I'm tempted to resolve to blog in 2010. Its a discipline that I was motivated to do for months in 2009. But as hope for the new year waned, so did the impetus to continue to write. My daughter reminded me that there's no such thing as writer's block, only fear or laziness. Yep, guilty as charged.
Last Sunday when I preached on waiting (ironically, a message postponed a week by snow), I observed that 2009 seemed to be a year that involved waiting for a lot of people I know. I'm one of them, though I didn't share that sentiment publicly. Despite that, its hardly a secret among those who know me more than casually. The Survivor runaround last year made me feel I was going in circles. And ironically, the year ended in a similar fashion in which it ended -- with hope.
As I write, I'm five minutes from leaving for Passion 2010. I'm eager to see what God has in store for me there. And I hope to record what I can of it. Someday I may even share this blog with others, who knows?
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