Videos for the Elpis message
Opening video
dance with doubt and faith-- woman battling cancer; faith is there to carry her
Handed out ribbons to share with others or remind us of the covenant God has with us
Sunday, July 14, 2013
Tuesday, January 08, 2013
The God of 'Small Ball'
The following clip is one of my favorite scenes about baseball. Oddly enough, it involves 'women's baseball' back during WWII, but it's still a wonderful clip (there is a bad word so users/viewers beware) :-) It's the perfect set-up for this blog.
"The hard is what makes it great"
The God of Small Ball
I was thinking about my sister tonight, and I am struck with a theory of how God works... well, how He works in my world.
I love baseball. It was my favorite sport as a youth and had I not had my head up my rear, as many youth do, I 'might' have been able to actually do something with the skills I had developed practicing this game. Many a hour I spent outside our home in Greensboro hitting rocks into the woods with my Easton bat pretending to be Johnny Bench or Joe Morgan. Many days spent throwing a ball in the air, catching it, winning yet another World Series title for the Reds. Many a time my dad played catch with me and with with every throw I was more determined to make him proud. Many glorious moments in the Pleasant Garden little league system, playing for various teams all through Jr. High. There were All-star games, trips to McDonald's after a win (or after a loss for that matter). Pool parties to celebrate the end of the season and always a cool trophy to add to the collection in my room. High School came along and because of a silly 'personality' conflict with the coach, I ended my baseball career as a Sophomore. It seemed such a principled stand at the time, but now just seems like a waste of 2 years.
I grew up a major Cincinnati Reds fan and still am a proud member of the Red Army, and supporter of 'The Big Red Machine'. I spend much of my time these days in late winter/early spring here in Wichita watching the Wichita State Shockers baseball team. I truly love and embrace every game I get to watch in person along side my dad. There really is no pastor alive that can dress down an umpire like my father. "COME ON BLUE!" :-)
That is all just a quick background leading to my belief that God plays 'small ball'. I have long been frustrated because God doesn't seem to do the Grand Slam miracles in my life. He doesn't simply end the stress or worry or the praying with a 'no doubter' that leaves us all breathless. He doesn't make it 'easy'; it often seems 'too hard', or too complicated. You see many people don't like baseball because of the slow pace, the strategy, the countless pitching changes, the trips to the mound by managers and coaches. Well I love that stuff.
Don't get me wrong, I used to get pretty jazzed up watching Michael Jordan drop 50 on the Knicks and prior to that, playing for the Heels. I have 2 walls in my basement devoted to those moments. I love a football game where the Panthers, Browns or Chiefs maul someone... of course those moments are now like that of unicorn sightings. But what I really love, I mean really love is a 2-1 or 3-2 baseball game that is flawlessly played and brilliantly won because of clutch play, great defense and timely strategy.
See in baseball, it's not the grand slams that win many games. It's not the bottom of the 9th double, scoring a runner from second, that often wins the game. What wins most games, especially in the pros is 'small ball', the 'hard' stuff. It's sacrifice bunts; it's hit and runs, it's taking a pitch so the runner can steal; it's middle relief; it's a double steal; it's a sacrifice fly; it's swinging at a bad pitch just to protect the runner; it's knowing when to call a pitch-out to catch a runner stealing, it's knowing where to position fielders based on a batter's known tendencies; it's knowing when to pinch-hit or pull your starter when he's gassed. Some people like checkers; baseball is chess.
I was reminded tonight of how God works in my stadium and in 'my game'. I was growing frustrated again with my sister's issues and those of her kids and how it just seems like God is not coming through when the bases are loaded. Actually he's barely hitting above the Mendoza line (baseball fans will know what that is). I just feel like there's a lot of talent and no results... then God lays down a sacrifice, a runner advances. Or He draws a walk, extending the inning. Or he steals 2nd with 2 outs.
I was on my way home and had texted Lisa telling her that I loved her and I was sorry that her surgical issues were still lingering and that I would pray for her. Her reply was:
'Wow! How big is my God?! I was at this very moment thinking of you and praying for your family. Gets kinda creepy. :-) And yes, I could for sure use the prayers and love ya back'.
In my analogous world, God just laid down the perfect bunt single and the home team is still in this game and has some momentum. Obviously and theologically, God hit the Grand Slam with his death and resurrection. But in the day-to-day, in this 60-70-80 year window we have (if we're lucky), it's 'small ball' that sees us through.
You may not get the Grand-Slam prayer answer you're looking for. You may feel like your team is getting so whipped that there's little point in trying or cheering. But God is managing and playing this out with perfection. It may not move fast enough for you, but unlike the teams I pull for and the games I watch, I know this games ends in victory... if I but hang in there and watch His signs.
God often sounds like coach Al Byrd from my little league days: (in full North Carolinian voice) "Heaven's to Betsy son! What are you doing?" I remember struggling with ground balls in about the 3rd of 4th grade. Coach Byrd kept me after practice and hit about 100 ground balls at me at a feverish pace. I had bruises all over me afterwards and while he was doing it he kept saying, 'Heaven's to Betsy Robinson! It won't hurt if you stop 'em in your glove'. Good point; I really never again struggled with those things and wound up being quite proficient at short-stop. That's how you teach small ball, the basics, the little things. God may pepper you with things you struggle with and at some point it would be best to simply learn how to 'field them' and improve your chances of staying in the game and not getting all beat up.
Ok, I really could go on for days with baseball analogies... you get the point. :-)
Blessing to you all.
"The hard is what makes it great"
The God of Small Ball
I was thinking about my sister tonight, and I am struck with a theory of how God works... well, how He works in my world.
I love baseball. It was my favorite sport as a youth and had I not had my head up my rear, as many youth do, I 'might' have been able to actually do something with the skills I had developed practicing this game. Many a hour I spent outside our home in Greensboro hitting rocks into the woods with my Easton bat pretending to be Johnny Bench or Joe Morgan. Many days spent throwing a ball in the air, catching it, winning yet another World Series title for the Reds. Many a time my dad played catch with me and with with every throw I was more determined to make him proud. Many glorious moments in the Pleasant Garden little league system, playing for various teams all through Jr. High. There were All-star games, trips to McDonald's after a win (or after a loss for that matter). Pool parties to celebrate the end of the season and always a cool trophy to add to the collection in my room. High School came along and because of a silly 'personality' conflict with the coach, I ended my baseball career as a Sophomore. It seemed such a principled stand at the time, but now just seems like a waste of 2 years.
I grew up a major Cincinnati Reds fan and still am a proud member of the Red Army, and supporter of 'The Big Red Machine'. I spend much of my time these days in late winter/early spring here in Wichita watching the Wichita State Shockers baseball team. I truly love and embrace every game I get to watch in person along side my dad. There really is no pastor alive that can dress down an umpire like my father. "COME ON BLUE!" :-)
That is all just a quick background leading to my belief that God plays 'small ball'. I have long been frustrated because God doesn't seem to do the Grand Slam miracles in my life. He doesn't simply end the stress or worry or the praying with a 'no doubter' that leaves us all breathless. He doesn't make it 'easy'; it often seems 'too hard', or too complicated. You see many people don't like baseball because of the slow pace, the strategy, the countless pitching changes, the trips to the mound by managers and coaches. Well I love that stuff.
Don't get me wrong, I used to get pretty jazzed up watching Michael Jordan drop 50 on the Knicks and prior to that, playing for the Heels. I have 2 walls in my basement devoted to those moments. I love a football game where the Panthers, Browns or Chiefs maul someone... of course those moments are now like that of unicorn sightings. But what I really love, I mean really love is a 2-1 or 3-2 baseball game that is flawlessly played and brilliantly won because of clutch play, great defense and timely strategy.
See in baseball, it's not the grand slams that win many games. It's not the bottom of the 9th double, scoring a runner from second, that often wins the game. What wins most games, especially in the pros is 'small ball', the 'hard' stuff. It's sacrifice bunts; it's hit and runs, it's taking a pitch so the runner can steal; it's middle relief; it's a double steal; it's a sacrifice fly; it's swinging at a bad pitch just to protect the runner; it's knowing when to call a pitch-out to catch a runner stealing, it's knowing where to position fielders based on a batter's known tendencies; it's knowing when to pinch-hit or pull your starter when he's gassed. Some people like checkers; baseball is chess.
I was reminded tonight of how God works in my stadium and in 'my game'. I was growing frustrated again with my sister's issues and those of her kids and how it just seems like God is not coming through when the bases are loaded. Actually he's barely hitting above the Mendoza line (baseball fans will know what that is). I just feel like there's a lot of talent and no results... then God lays down a sacrifice, a runner advances. Or He draws a walk, extending the inning. Or he steals 2nd with 2 outs.
I was on my way home and had texted Lisa telling her that I loved her and I was sorry that her surgical issues were still lingering and that I would pray for her. Her reply was:
'Wow! How big is my God?! I was at this very moment thinking of you and praying for your family. Gets kinda creepy. :-) And yes, I could for sure use the prayers and love ya back'.
In my analogous world, God just laid down the perfect bunt single and the home team is still in this game and has some momentum. Obviously and theologically, God hit the Grand Slam with his death and resurrection. But in the day-to-day, in this 60-70-80 year window we have (if we're lucky), it's 'small ball' that sees us through.
You may not get the Grand-Slam prayer answer you're looking for. You may feel like your team is getting so whipped that there's little point in trying or cheering. But God is managing and playing this out with perfection. It may not move fast enough for you, but unlike the teams I pull for and the games I watch, I know this games ends in victory... if I but hang in there and watch His signs.
God often sounds like coach Al Byrd from my little league days: (in full North Carolinian voice) "Heaven's to Betsy son! What are you doing?" I remember struggling with ground balls in about the 3rd of 4th grade. Coach Byrd kept me after practice and hit about 100 ground balls at me at a feverish pace. I had bruises all over me afterwards and while he was doing it he kept saying, 'Heaven's to Betsy Robinson! It won't hurt if you stop 'em in your glove'. Good point; I really never again struggled with those things and wound up being quite proficient at short-stop. That's how you teach small ball, the basics, the little things. God may pepper you with things you struggle with and at some point it would be best to simply learn how to 'field them' and improve your chances of staying in the game and not getting all beat up.
Ok, I really could go on for days with baseball analogies... you get the point. :-)
Blessing to you all.
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Over and Over again....
Forgiveness.
For some reason just the mention of this word brings some pretty intense emotions for a lot of people. In my mind it is one of the key words, if not the key word, in the Christian faith. But even for those outside the faith, this word is crucial, I mean CRUCIAL, in being able to have and maintain healthy relationships. I'm going to share some pretty personal stuff and the only reason I'm doing it is because I think we all are going to need to dig pretty deep here. I'm not your counselor, your sponsor or, in most cases, your parent. But I am going to ask some tough things of you; I'm going to ask that you dig out a lot of nasty stuff that is shoved back in your emotional/spiritual closet. Do you ever wonder if you'll ever 'figure it out' and 'quit hurting yourself or others'? Does it seem like we are constantly needing forgiveness Over and Over again? Watch this and think about where you are when it comes to forgiveness. (music by King's X)
Before I get into some personal stuff, let's lay out some key verses of scripture to ponder: (all from The Message)
Psalm 130:3-4
If you, God, kept records on wrongdoings, who would stand a chance? As it turns out, forgiveness is your habit, and that's why you're worshiped.
Matthew 6:14-15
"In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can't get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God's part.
Matthew 18:21-22
[ A Story About Forgiveness ] At that point Peter got up the nerve to ask, "Master, how many times do I forgive a brother or sister who hurts me? Seven?" 22Jesus replied, "Seven! Hardly. Try seventy times seven. (for this message let's just say 'over and over again')
From CS Lewis: To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.
Everyone says 'forgiveness is a lovely idea' until they have something to forgive.
Boy have I had to forgive some things and even more so, have I had to be forgiven. My angel of a wife Konnie can attest to the fact that I love to blow off steam, spew my rants, lay waste to every thing in my path and then come back with the puppy-eyed look and say, 'uh, I'm sorry'. (and that's just when we run out of bacon) I'm sure she tires of it; I know I'd tire of it. But there she is time and time again forgiving me. I'm not sure she understands how much that means to me, but I do know this, it is the glue that keeps us together. Forgiveness is the glue that keeps us as people together. It's what God expects and what He freely offers.
Some of you may not know that I was married before, from 1991-1994 We were young, 'in love' and fresh out of Bridal College (Barclay College for those of you not from here). As much of a basket case as I am now, I was worse then. Neither of us were ready for the stresses involved in being married and we coupled that with being in the ministry.So we were young, immature, broke and lonely. To spare you the long details of a relationship gone wrong, we left Ark City Friends in late '93 and eventually divorced in the spring of '94. It was hard on both of us and enough blame to go around.
Now my ex-wife took a lot of the heat for that breakup. Some of you will know the story as I've shared some of this before. But let's be clear: I was a lousy, selfish, self-absorbed, foul-mouthed husband. Period. As the years went on, I really felt I needed to make some peace with her; for I had no peace in me about what had happened. We were able to see each other, back a few years ago and I did something I should have done long ago-- I owned up to my failures and asked forgiveness. Nowadays she and I are pretty good friends. She is a loving wife and mother of 3 beautiful kids.
There are steps to forgiving others and forgiving yourself. Yes, forgiving YOURSELF. I know that many of you reading this have a lot of garbage piled up. It might be addiction to drugs, porn, money, greed, pride, anger, abuse, self-abuse... the list could go on for days. We all have SOMETHING. There's something in you that causes you to look away when in front of a mirror. There's something going on that causes you to be unable to look someone you've wronged in the eye... there's always something. It's time to *Forgive*Accept and *Love.
Many of you may also know that my family, the one I grew up in, has had our share of 'issues' and hard times. My sister Lisa has battled. She has battled addictions, her parents, her kids, God and most of all herself. I love my sister. But honestly, in recent years I have walked away from her. Tired of the drama and the problems, I simply said, 'I don't want to be around this or even know about it.' I've hurt her and I know it.
Recently, Lisa called me and she was very upset; to the point of tears. She is presently in a program that is helping her put her life on the right path and she has also taken very positive steps toget on a better path by finding a Church she loves and people that will love her back. But on this day she was faced with another of life's dramas and another moment where she was possibly going to have to face the reality of not being able to control some negative outcomes... including not being in her middle daughter's life for a while. As I listened to her talk, and cry, I just sat silent not knowing what to say or how to comfort her. So many things from the past were coming up and I didn't know what I should do... so I ended the call and gave it a minute and then called her back. It was time to say I'm sorry. It was to time to forgive, accept and move on in love.
What I encourage Lisa to do is something I have to do and something you HAVE to do. Whatever things are out there, lurking behind you, mocking you, taunting you, hurting you it's time to forgive, accept and move on in love. Perhaps you are the one that has been wronged; the one that's been hurt; the one that's been abused; the one that's been betrayed; the one that has been left bleeding... it may be time to forgive, even though it hasn't been requested or even owned up to by the other person; time to accept your place or your roll in whatever happened and vow to move on in love. There may even be a situation where you simply have to make the first move. You walk up to this person and say, 'please forgive me; I accept what happened and I promise to move on in love from now on.'
Those of you that have made a habit of self-loathing will possibly have a more difficult task: you are going to have to forgive yourself.
The scene I picture when thinking about this, looks like this: you make the move. It's painful, it's humbling, it's terrifying but you have to make it. You look the person in the eye (or yourself) and say, 'I'm sorry, please forgive me'. Now we often hear that we need to 'let it go'. Well, at some point yes, but not at this point. At this point you say, 'I accept this'. By doing this you look straight on at whatever this nastiness is and you say,'we will have no more to do with each other. I'm tired of the hurt, I'm tired of the pain. You are not welcome here any longer. I will give you to another.' At that moment, you look to Jesus. 'Lord, can you.....' and before you can even finish your request, He smiles and says, 'I got this' and takes this burden from you. In fact, this happens enough that all the burdens He lifts from us take the shape of a cross.He carries it. He is nailed to it. He bleeds on it. He cries on it. He dies on it. For you. He doesn't hate you; he doesn't resent you... He loves you and He forgives you. He conquers death, rises again and simply asks for your love, your faith and for you to forgive others. Can you do it?
Pray this: "Lord, forgive me. I accept where I am and what I've done. From this moment, we move on in Love." When it comes to breaking before God and asking him to forgive us, I go to one song, one hymn.I'm not sure there's ever been a time that I've heard this that I didn't 'break' just a little. (Music by Jars of Clay)
Here's the thing-- we all know that this isn't a one time deal right? There seems to be a never-ending wash, rinse, repeat cycle when it comes to forgiveness. And the truth is, you need to follow the steps as many times as you have to. When I reach my end and cry out, 'God how many times can you forgive me and love me through this mess I make?' He simply answers, 'Over and over and over and over.... again'.
For some reason just the mention of this word brings some pretty intense emotions for a lot of people. In my mind it is one of the key words, if not the key word, in the Christian faith. But even for those outside the faith, this word is crucial, I mean CRUCIAL, in being able to have and maintain healthy relationships. I'm going to share some pretty personal stuff and the only reason I'm doing it is because I think we all are going to need to dig pretty deep here. I'm not your counselor, your sponsor or, in most cases, your parent. But I am going to ask some tough things of you; I'm going to ask that you dig out a lot of nasty stuff that is shoved back in your emotional/spiritual closet. Do you ever wonder if you'll ever 'figure it out' and 'quit hurting yourself or others'? Does it seem like we are constantly needing forgiveness Over and Over again? Watch this and think about where you are when it comes to forgiveness. (music by King's X)
Before I get into some personal stuff, let's lay out some key verses of scripture to ponder: (all from The Message)
Psalm 130:3-4
If you, God, kept records on wrongdoings, who would stand a chance? As it turns out, forgiveness is your habit, and that's why you're worshiped.
Matthew 6:14-15
"In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can't get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God's part.
Matthew 18:21-22
[ A Story About Forgiveness ] At that point Peter got up the nerve to ask, "Master, how many times do I forgive a brother or sister who hurts me? Seven?" 22Jesus replied, "Seven! Hardly. Try seventy times seven. (for this message let's just say 'over and over again')
From CS Lewis: To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.
Everyone says 'forgiveness is a lovely idea' until they have something to forgive.
Boy have I had to forgive some things and even more so, have I had to be forgiven. My angel of a wife Konnie can attest to the fact that I love to blow off steam, spew my rants, lay waste to every thing in my path and then come back with the puppy-eyed look and say, 'uh, I'm sorry'. (and that's just when we run out of bacon) I'm sure she tires of it; I know I'd tire of it. But there she is time and time again forgiving me. I'm not sure she understands how much that means to me, but I do know this, it is the glue that keeps us together. Forgiveness is the glue that keeps us as people together. It's what God expects and what He freely offers.
Some of you may not know that I was married before, from 1991-1994 We were young, 'in love' and fresh out of Bridal College (Barclay College for those of you not from here). As much of a basket case as I am now, I was worse then. Neither of us were ready for the stresses involved in being married and we coupled that with being in the ministry.So we were young, immature, broke and lonely. To spare you the long details of a relationship gone wrong, we left Ark City Friends in late '93 and eventually divorced in the spring of '94. It was hard on both of us and enough blame to go around.
Now my ex-wife took a lot of the heat for that breakup. Some of you will know the story as I've shared some of this before. But let's be clear: I was a lousy, selfish, self-absorbed, foul-mouthed husband. Period. As the years went on, I really felt I needed to make some peace with her; for I had no peace in me about what had happened. We were able to see each other, back a few years ago and I did something I should have done long ago-- I owned up to my failures and asked forgiveness. Nowadays she and I are pretty good friends. She is a loving wife and mother of 3 beautiful kids.
There are steps to forgiving others and forgiving yourself. Yes, forgiving YOURSELF. I know that many of you reading this have a lot of garbage piled up. It might be addiction to drugs, porn, money, greed, pride, anger, abuse, self-abuse... the list could go on for days. We all have SOMETHING. There's something in you that causes you to look away when in front of a mirror. There's something going on that causes you to be unable to look someone you've wronged in the eye... there's always something. It's time to *Forgive*Accept and *Love.
Many of you may also know that my family, the one I grew up in, has had our share of 'issues' and hard times. My sister Lisa has battled. She has battled addictions, her parents, her kids, God and most of all herself. I love my sister. But honestly, in recent years I have walked away from her. Tired of the drama and the problems, I simply said, 'I don't want to be around this or even know about it.' I've hurt her and I know it.
Recently, Lisa called me and she was very upset; to the point of tears. She is presently in a program that is helping her put her life on the right path and she has also taken very positive steps toget on a better path by finding a Church she loves and people that will love her back. But on this day she was faced with another of life's dramas and another moment where she was possibly going to have to face the reality of not being able to control some negative outcomes... including not being in her middle daughter's life for a while. As I listened to her talk, and cry, I just sat silent not knowing what to say or how to comfort her. So many things from the past were coming up and I didn't know what I should do... so I ended the call and gave it a minute and then called her back. It was time to say I'm sorry. It was to time to forgive, accept and move on in love.
What I encourage Lisa to do is something I have to do and something you HAVE to do. Whatever things are out there, lurking behind you, mocking you, taunting you, hurting you it's time to forgive, accept and move on in love. Perhaps you are the one that has been wronged; the one that's been hurt; the one that's been abused; the one that's been betrayed; the one that has been left bleeding... it may be time to forgive, even though it hasn't been requested or even owned up to by the other person; time to accept your place or your roll in whatever happened and vow to move on in love. There may even be a situation where you simply have to make the first move. You walk up to this person and say, 'please forgive me; I accept what happened and I promise to move on in love from now on.'
Those of you that have made a habit of self-loathing will possibly have a more difficult task: you are going to have to forgive yourself.
The scene I picture when thinking about this, looks like this: you make the move. It's painful, it's humbling, it's terrifying but you have to make it. You look the person in the eye (or yourself) and say, 'I'm sorry, please forgive me'. Now we often hear that we need to 'let it go'. Well, at some point yes, but not at this point. At this point you say, 'I accept this'. By doing this you look straight on at whatever this nastiness is and you say,'we will have no more to do with each other. I'm tired of the hurt, I'm tired of the pain. You are not welcome here any longer. I will give you to another.' At that moment, you look to Jesus. 'Lord, can you.....' and before you can even finish your request, He smiles and says, 'I got this' and takes this burden from you. In fact, this happens enough that all the burdens He lifts from us take the shape of a cross.He carries it. He is nailed to it. He bleeds on it. He cries on it. He dies on it. For you. He doesn't hate you; he doesn't resent you... He loves you and He forgives you. He conquers death, rises again and simply asks for your love, your faith and for you to forgive others. Can you do it?
Pray this: "Lord, forgive me. I accept where I am and what I've done. From this moment, we move on in Love." When it comes to breaking before God and asking him to forgive us, I go to one song, one hymn.I'm not sure there's ever been a time that I've heard this that I didn't 'break' just a little. (Music by Jars of Clay)
;
Here's the thing-- we all know that this isn't a one time deal right? There seems to be a never-ending wash, rinse, repeat cycle when it comes to forgiveness. And the truth is, you need to follow the steps as many times as you have to. When I reach my end and cry out, 'God how many times can you forgive me and love me through this mess I make?' He simply answers, 'Over and over and over and over.... again'.
Sunday, July 22, 2012
God loves you
Audio of sermon:
http://www.northridgefriends.org/sermonFiles/2012-07-22_Sermon.mp3
Key passage: Romans 8:39
Videos used:
Sweet Love (you know that God loves you, right?)
Leper video
Just remember I love you
Cindy Blagg closed with an amazing rendition of 'Come thou Fount of every blessing'. It didn't make the audio portion but it was truly moving. It was when I was talking about the song of God.... thanks Cindy and thanks Randy for playing piano.
http://www.northridgefriends.org/sermonFiles/2012-07-22_Sermon.mp3
Key passage: Romans 8:39
Videos used:
Sweet Love (you know that God loves you, right?)
Leper video
Just remember I love you
Cindy Blagg closed with an amazing rendition of 'Come thou Fount of every blessing'. It didn't make the audio portion but it was truly moving. It was when I was talking about the song of God.... thanks Cindy and thanks Randy for playing piano.
Heroes and Warriors
Audio of sermon @
http://www.northridgefriends.org/sermonFiles/2012-07-15_sermon.mp3
Key verse/passage: 'But even if He doesn't.....' Daniel 3 v. 18
Videos used in message:
"Geoff Intro"
What's a Hero look like?
God is my rock
Goodwell video
http://www.northridgefriends.org/sermonFiles/2012-07-15_sermon.mp3
Key verse/passage: 'But even if He doesn't.....' Daniel 3 v. 18
Videos used in message:
"Geoff Intro"
What's a Hero look like?
God is my rock
Goodwell video
Sunday, October 03, 2010
'I know, I know'
Ah, back to blogging. Bare with me, it's been a while and I'm a bit rusty. I was moved today to write and so with a little kicking of the tires and changing of some soul oil, here we go for a spin. What's the speed limit here again?
I have recently been moved by two words: I know. Well actually it's four words: I know, I know. You see my oldest son Kaden has these words in his back pocket, ready to use at any moment. Regardless of what I tell my soon-to-be teenage son, his reply is usually 'I know, I know'. I will say 'Son, you need to get your homework done'. He'll reply with 'I know, I know'. I will say, 'Kaden, you need to feed the cat.' He'll come back with a stinging retort: 'I know, I know'. Or I will say, 'Hey Kaden, it's time for bed. Brush your teeth'. And without any prompting, he will string together that classic line: 'I know, I know'.
I recently mentioned this to him by saying, 'dude, if you really do 'know' then why am I having to remind you?' He smiled and said.... wait for it.... here it comes....
'I know, I know'. (he has his Dad's smarty pantsness) I mean Kaden gets it; he's a smart kid. He knows that he needs to do his homework. He knows what time he has to go to bed. He knows that if he doesn't feed the cat, the cat will feed itself and then barf said food all over the porch... I mean, it's wild kingdom type gross. He 'knows' this stuff.
Yet, I regularly have to prod him, push him, remind him and basically tell him all the things he already 'knows'. I mean if I didn't, that boy would permanently adhere himself to his bed and XBox controller and one day we would cut him out of the room and feature him on the Discovery Channel. A great kid, but lacking a bit of motivation to do what he 'knows' he needs to do.
I know another Father/son relationship that plays this out. Of course it's God and myself. 'Love your neighbor'... "I know, I know". 'Feed the hungry'..."I know, I know". 'Don't cuss at your kids'. "I know, I... wait, really? I can't can't curse the wee ones when they do the stupidest things I've ever seen? Ok, I know". 'Spend some time with Me'. "I know, I know."
I know this stuff. I mean I've got a degree in Youth Ministry and a minor in Bible Theology after all. I once Pastored a Church, as shocking as that may be. I've read CS Lewis and George MacDonald and even watched Dr. Gene Scott late at night while hammering some Mountain dew and eating pizza; it's how I got through college. 'I KNOW THIS STUFF!'
But oh how I refuse to live it these days. I don't want to follow the rules because I didn't get to make the rules. And in my house we follow the rules I make which usually ends up with me not having to follow any rules. I'm a 12 year old child in the body of a bacon-obsessed railroader that has a gift in stringing together profane words when he could simply say 'oh shoot'. That's how I roll in my non-Sunday outfit.
Well, it's time to get over it. It's time to no longer 'fix' what's wrong with me, but to replace it with something entirely different. It's time for my old self to be thrown on the scrap heap. This would be a good time to insert a CS Lewis quote:
“But if you are a poor creature – poisoned by a wretched upbringing in a some house full of vulgar jealousies and senseless quarrels – saddled, by no choice of your own, with some loathsome sexual perversion – nagged day in and day out by an inferiority complex that makes you snap at your best friends – do not despair. He knows all about it. You are one of the poor whom He blessed. He knows what a wretched machine you are trying to drive. Keep on. Do what you can. One day (perhaps in another world, but perhaps far sooner than that) He will fling it on the scrap heap and give you a new one. And then you will astonish us all – not least yourself; for you have learned your driving in the hard school. (Some of the last will be first and some of the first will be last).”
It's time to have God say 'I know, I know'. God, I love you. "I know, I know". God, I want to serve you. "I know, I know" God, only you can fix this mess. "I know, I know". God, I'm a dork. "I know, I know". :-)
There just comes a time to quit saying it and actually do it. I'm not going to launch some crazy ministry or start a Church. I'm not going to quit my job and walk the earth like Caine. I'm simply going to love my wife better. Love my kids better. Love my friends better and even love my enemies... finally. It's about widows and orphans. It's about loving the poor and the needy. It's about living a life that at least partially reflects the desires of the one who made me. I'm not sure I can leave out the profanity because it's just a language to me... but I'll try. There are better words to use.... I know, I know.
The song I thought of was from the great Stevie Wonder:
I have recently been moved by two words: I know. Well actually it's four words: I know, I know. You see my oldest son Kaden has these words in his back pocket, ready to use at any moment. Regardless of what I tell my soon-to-be teenage son, his reply is usually 'I know, I know'. I will say 'Son, you need to get your homework done'. He'll reply with 'I know, I know'. I will say, 'Kaden, you need to feed the cat.' He'll come back with a stinging retort: 'I know, I know'. Or I will say, 'Hey Kaden, it's time for bed. Brush your teeth'. And without any prompting, he will string together that classic line: 'I know, I know'.
I recently mentioned this to him by saying, 'dude, if you really do 'know' then why am I having to remind you?' He smiled and said.... wait for it.... here it comes....
'I know, I know'. (he has his Dad's smarty pantsness) I mean Kaden gets it; he's a smart kid. He knows that he needs to do his homework. He knows what time he has to go to bed. He knows that if he doesn't feed the cat, the cat will feed itself and then barf said food all over the porch... I mean, it's wild kingdom type gross. He 'knows' this stuff.
Yet, I regularly have to prod him, push him, remind him and basically tell him all the things he already 'knows'. I mean if I didn't, that boy would permanently adhere himself to his bed and XBox controller and one day we would cut him out of the room and feature him on the Discovery Channel. A great kid, but lacking a bit of motivation to do what he 'knows' he needs to do.
I know another Father/son relationship that plays this out. Of course it's God and myself. 'Love your neighbor'... "I know, I know". 'Feed the hungry'..."I know, I know". 'Don't cuss at your kids'. "I know, I... wait, really? I can't can't curse the wee ones when they do the stupidest things I've ever seen? Ok, I know". 'Spend some time with Me'. "I know, I know."
I know this stuff. I mean I've got a degree in Youth Ministry and a minor in Bible Theology after all. I once Pastored a Church, as shocking as that may be. I've read CS Lewis and George MacDonald and even watched Dr. Gene Scott late at night while hammering some Mountain dew and eating pizza; it's how I got through college. 'I KNOW THIS STUFF!'
But oh how I refuse to live it these days. I don't want to follow the rules because I didn't get to make the rules. And in my house we follow the rules I make which usually ends up with me not having to follow any rules. I'm a 12 year old child in the body of a bacon-obsessed railroader that has a gift in stringing together profane words when he could simply say 'oh shoot'. That's how I roll in my non-Sunday outfit.
Well, it's time to get over it. It's time to no longer 'fix' what's wrong with me, but to replace it with something entirely different. It's time for my old self to be thrown on the scrap heap. This would be a good time to insert a CS Lewis quote:
“But if you are a poor creature – poisoned by a wretched upbringing in a some house full of vulgar jealousies and senseless quarrels – saddled, by no choice of your own, with some loathsome sexual perversion – nagged day in and day out by an inferiority complex that makes you snap at your best friends – do not despair. He knows all about it. You are one of the poor whom He blessed. He knows what a wretched machine you are trying to drive. Keep on. Do what you can. One day (perhaps in another world, but perhaps far sooner than that) He will fling it on the scrap heap and give you a new one. And then you will astonish us all – not least yourself; for you have learned your driving in the hard school. (Some of the last will be first and some of the first will be last).”
It's time to have God say 'I know, I know'. God, I love you. "I know, I know". God, I want to serve you. "I know, I know" God, only you can fix this mess. "I know, I know". God, I'm a dork. "I know, I know". :-)
There just comes a time to quit saying it and actually do it. I'm not going to launch some crazy ministry or start a Church. I'm not going to quit my job and walk the earth like Caine. I'm simply going to love my wife better. Love my kids better. Love my friends better and even love my enemies... finally. It's about widows and orphans. It's about loving the poor and the needy. It's about living a life that at least partially reflects the desires of the one who made me. I'm not sure I can leave out the profanity because it's just a language to me... but I'll try. There are better words to use.... I know, I know.
The song I thought of was from the great Stevie Wonder:
Monday, July 06, 2009
One by One......
It seems they've faded a bit from the headlines. It seems that maybe we are so war weary that we have put them on the back burner, only to remember them at holidays. As the changing of administrations in Washington has occurred, so has our feelings about what they're doing and what they've done. I don't want their actions to fade from my mind. I don't want their lives simply mentioned on page 3 of the paper while the stars of yesterday demand the headlines of today. I don't want to debate war and it's cost. I don't want to argue for or against based on political blinders. I simply want to acknowledge these men and women that serve this nation and each of us. 'For no greater love has a man but that he lay down his life for his friend.' I simply don't want to forget that. For my family members and yours that are serving or have served over seas, this video is for them. It's a song by 'Alter Bridge' called One by one and it speaks of the costs of war.
The lyrics to the song:
Underneath the desert sun
They bid my brother's blood to run
Many miles away
Hell has come today
Fire raining from the sky
See the face of fear asking one last time
Let me get home safe
Before it's too late
[Chorus:]
One by one
The brave will fall
Life is lost again
They gave it all
Deep within the castle walls
So many grieve as funeral songs
Echo endlessly
Ode to memories
This sacrifice of flesh and blood
For a promised land that may not be won
Let us not forget the hero laid to rest
[Chorus]
And they gave it all
A price we can't ignore
Is there hope in what they're dying for?
For every hero born
From every family torn
We will honor you forevermore
The lyrics to the song:
Underneath the desert sun
They bid my brother's blood to run
Many miles away
Hell has come today
Fire raining from the sky
See the face of fear asking one last time
Let me get home safe
Before it's too late
[Chorus:]
One by one
The brave will fall
Life is lost again
They gave it all
Deep within the castle walls
So many grieve as funeral songs
Echo endlessly
Ode to memories
This sacrifice of flesh and blood
For a promised land that may not be won
Let us not forget the hero laid to rest
[Chorus]
And they gave it all
A price we can't ignore
Is there hope in what they're dying for?
For every hero born
From every family torn
We will honor you forevermore
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
One for all....
Nothing much to write but this... Don't care if you're Protestant, Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, Quaker, Agnostic, even Atheist.... this blood was for you. I'm humbled by it; I'm awed by it and I'm completely unworthy of it.
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Institutionalized
One of my all-time favorite movies is 'The Shawshank Redemption'. If you haven't seen this movie, then you are missing out on an amazing experience. It will give you many themes and messages if you watch it multiple times as I have. Sometimes the word 'hope' will come through. Sometimes the word from the title, 'Redemption' will scream its way into your mind. Perhaps you will watch it and see the themes of 'truth', 'pain', and maybe even 'death' will play out. I've probably seen this movie 50 times either in whole or in part and I always come away with something. It makes me think, feel and question. It's really more than a movie.
I was riding on the train the other day and watching it again on my iPod. Now, we are no longer 'allowed' to do that but I wasn't the actual conductor and was hanging out on the rear unit so I felt ok with it. Let's keep that between us shall we? Anyway, I was watching Shawshank again and a great scene came up that had to deal with the concept of being 'institutionalized'--meaning that one has spent so much time in one place, or institution, that they have no idea how to live outside of those confines.
In the scene prior to the one you'll watch, one of 'Shawshank's' (which is a prison by the way) oldest prisoners, Brooks, receives his parole. To the shock of his friends in the prison, he becomes so distraught with this that he holds a knife to one of their throats thinking that if he kills the man he'll get to stay. It's a powerful moment in the film and later we follow Brooks as he tries to make it on the 'outside'. I won't ruin that for you if you haven't seen the film.
In this scene, one of the main characters, Red, is trying to explain the concept of being 'institutionalized' to his fellow prisoners. It has some language in it that you may not find appropriate, but it is what it is... you've been warned. :-)
I want to make special note of this line from Red:
'These walls are funny. First you hate 'em, then you get used to them. Enough time passes, you get so you depend on them.'
You know where I'm going with this don't you? Yeah, I'm going to Church. And if you thought that right off then you are tapping into something that I think is a very important point and I would even say, is a warning for us Christians.
I've spent 39 years in Church. I grew up a preacher's kid, went to Bible college, served both as a youth pastor and head pastor and I've also just been 'Joe attender'. How many times have you felt 'bad' for not 'going to church'? How many times have you felt like you 'did what you were supposed to' because you went to church? How many times have you sat in church and been quite content only to completely freak out when you go back to 'the real world'? I've done all these things... often.
This isn't a diatribe against the Church at all. No, this is more of a warning to you and to me... the members, the 'regular attenders' or even the visitors. I think many of us have been 'institutionalized' by attending church and completely losing sight of what it mean to actually 'live like Christ'. I'm not sure that many of us have a faith that goes far beyond those walls. (I'm speaking pretty hard to me here) I'm not sure that we really could 'make it' on the outside of those walls. Brooks felt he had nothing to offer the outside because he had spent most of his life inside the walls of Shawshank.
You are more than the building you go to. You are more than what the people in that building think of you. You are more than a program or a song. You are more than the sins you've committed and you are more than simply a number on an attendance sheet. You are 'the church'. You are it's body, it's life. You are the very message of love and hope that so many need to see and hear... The many that are 'outside' the walls you worship behind. I often hear and I've often said, 'man, I really have trouble getting up and going to church'. I think the problem is a different one-- I think we have a problem getting up and getting out of church. I think many of us are 'institutionalized'.
I was riding on the train the other day and watching it again on my iPod. Now, we are no longer 'allowed' to do that but I wasn't the actual conductor and was hanging out on the rear unit so I felt ok with it. Let's keep that between us shall we? Anyway, I was watching Shawshank again and a great scene came up that had to deal with the concept of being 'institutionalized'--meaning that one has spent so much time in one place, or institution, that they have no idea how to live outside of those confines.
In the scene prior to the one you'll watch, one of 'Shawshank's' (which is a prison by the way) oldest prisoners, Brooks, receives his parole. To the shock of his friends in the prison, he becomes so distraught with this that he holds a knife to one of their throats thinking that if he kills the man he'll get to stay. It's a powerful moment in the film and later we follow Brooks as he tries to make it on the 'outside'. I won't ruin that for you if you haven't seen the film.
In this scene, one of the main characters, Red, is trying to explain the concept of being 'institutionalized' to his fellow prisoners. It has some language in it that you may not find appropriate, but it is what it is... you've been warned. :-)
I want to make special note of this line from Red:
'These walls are funny. First you hate 'em, then you get used to them. Enough time passes, you get so you depend on them.'
You know where I'm going with this don't you? Yeah, I'm going to Church. And if you thought that right off then you are tapping into something that I think is a very important point and I would even say, is a warning for us Christians.
I've spent 39 years in Church. I grew up a preacher's kid, went to Bible college, served both as a youth pastor and head pastor and I've also just been 'Joe attender'. How many times have you felt 'bad' for not 'going to church'? How many times have you felt like you 'did what you were supposed to' because you went to church? How many times have you sat in church and been quite content only to completely freak out when you go back to 'the real world'? I've done all these things... often.
This isn't a diatribe against the Church at all. No, this is more of a warning to you and to me... the members, the 'regular attenders' or even the visitors. I think many of us have been 'institutionalized' by attending church and completely losing sight of what it mean to actually 'live like Christ'. I'm not sure that many of us have a faith that goes far beyond those walls. (I'm speaking pretty hard to me here) I'm not sure that we really could 'make it' on the outside of those walls. Brooks felt he had nothing to offer the outside because he had spent most of his life inside the walls of Shawshank.
You are more than the building you go to. You are more than what the people in that building think of you. You are more than a program or a song. You are more than the sins you've committed and you are more than simply a number on an attendance sheet. You are 'the church'. You are it's body, it's life. You are the very message of love and hope that so many need to see and hear... The many that are 'outside' the walls you worship behind. I often hear and I've often said, 'man, I really have trouble getting up and going to church'. I think the problem is a different one-- I think we have a problem getting up and getting out of church. I think many of us are 'institutionalized'.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
The Grapefruit and The Caramel Popcorn
It's funny when certain things come to us. I don't mean just the random, everyday things like where we decide to go eat or which 'off-brand' can of corn to buy. I mean the deeper things; the things that move us closer to each other and closer to God. You know, those 'moments'.
I recently had a conversation with my friend Seth. It was one of those late night brand of talks that often can take you into the wee hours of the morning and, in fact, it did just that with us. I believe I finally walked out of his side door at approximately 1:30 am. It was a great talk. We have had many talks that have been similar to that one for the better part of 20 years, but this one has stuck with me a bit longer than many. We shared things and heard things that may have not been our own voices if you get my meaning. Granted, at one point Seth said that if I were to ever utter any of these things that he and I were saying in a church, we would perhaps be burned at the stake and maybe he was right. But the one thing I will mention, without fear of being Bar-b-cued on the fine piece of wood that is our modern day church, is that God is still speaking and God is still moving.
Duh! You might be saying. Well, when I say God is still speaking, I think He is still speaking in the same ways that He spoke to Paul, John, Peter, etc. No, I'm not going to write an epistle but I do believe that the God I worship has not remained silent-I think we have grown deaf. I'm going to leave this alone for now, but I want you to think about a God that still moves and still speaks. Perhaps I'll finish this thought another day. Now, on to the Grapefruit and the Caramel Popcorn...
I've been reading a book of letters that CS Lewis wrote to various people throughout his amazing life. In reading these letters, those that have read any of his books can see where much of his writings (in a professional way) came from and the inspirations behind those writings. It has been a great read and I would encourage you to pick up a copy (Yours, Jack).
I recently had a conversation with my friend Seth. It was one of those late night brand of talks that often can take you into the wee hours of the morning and, in fact, it did just that with us. I believe I finally walked out of his side door at approximately 1:30 am. It was a great talk. We have had many talks that have been similar to that one for the better part of 20 years, but this one has stuck with me a bit longer than many. We shared things and heard things that may have not been our own voices if you get my meaning. Granted, at one point Seth said that if I were to ever utter any of these things that he and I were saying in a church, we would perhaps be burned at the stake and maybe he was right. But the one thing I will mention, without fear of being Bar-b-cued on the fine piece of wood that is our modern day church, is that God is still speaking and God is still moving.
Duh! You might be saying. Well, when I say God is still speaking, I think He is still speaking in the same ways that He spoke to Paul, John, Peter, etc. No, I'm not going to write an epistle but I do believe that the God I worship has not remained silent-I think we have grown deaf. I'm going to leave this alone for now, but I want you to think about a God that still moves and still speaks. Perhaps I'll finish this thought another day. Now, on to the Grapefruit and the Caramel Popcorn...
I've been reading a book of letters that CS Lewis wrote to various people throughout his amazing life. In reading these letters, those that have read any of his books can see where much of his writings (in a professional way) came from and the inspirations behind those writings. It has been a great read and I would encourage you to pick up a copy (Yours, Jack).
The other night I was called to work a yard job from 2300 (that's 11pm for you 9-5 folks) until whenever... turned out to be about 6am. We finished up the majority of our switching and the guy I was working with, and myself were sitting in the crew room eating our 'lunches'. I was reading a letter that CS Lewis wrote to his lifelong friend, Arthur Greeves. It covered many things but the bulk of the letter was about 'evil' and whether or not it could exist along side the 'goodness' of God. I won't do it justice, but I will pick out 'part' of what he says regarding how God uses evil, or better said, how we try to use evil to 'fill holes' that only God can fill with perfect good.
"Therefore God does really in a sense contain evil--i.e. contains what is the real motive power behind all our evil desires. He knows what we want, even in our vilest acts: He is longing to give it to us. He is not looking on from the outside at some new 'taste' or 'separate desire of our own'. Only because he has laid up real goods for us to desire are we able to go wrong by snatching them in greedy, misdirected ways. The truth is that evil is not a real thing at all, like God. It is simply good spoiled. That is why I say there can be good without evil, but no evil without good..... Evil is a parasite. It is there only because good is there for it to spoil and confuse."Now, as I read these words I tried to take it in. 'Is Lewis saying that evil isn't real'? 'Is he saying that God created evil to show us how flawed we are?' But I think I made it too complicated and then something helped me formulate an analogy. Good is to Grapefruit as evil is to Carmel Popcorn. Surely you are asking why I chose these foods. Well, as I mentioned I was at work and my co-worker and I were killing some time and decided it was a good moment to take in some nourishment. I will give you 10 guess as to which one of us had the Grapefruit and the first 9 guesses don't count. That's correct, I DID NOT have a Grapefruit. I'm pretty sure that it is a fruit that is soon to be banned for public consumption. But I kid you not just as I read the words, 'It is simply good spoiled' I thought, 'Ah crap! I'm eating evil!'.
You see both of us had a desire for something good. Both of us were hungry. Both of us resorted to seeking out a product to fill this 'need' that we were experiencing at that moment. Both of our intentions were right and noble: God made us creatures that need food and we were simply following our Lord's design by seeking food. My co-worker chose a very 'good' source of food. There is no doubt of the healthiness and the out right juicy wonderment that is a grapefruit... it is, as God would say, Goooood. And then there's me. And my popcorn. A really freaking big bag of popcorn I might add. It was a 'Dillons card' purchase of $1.99. It was cheap, it was easy and it was coated in a sugary potion that seemed to force my right hand to continually enter it and withdraw these little bites of hell. As I looked at my sad, bag of corny goodness I felt bad because did it know that is was simply 'good spoiled'?
I know there are some really horrific things that happen to us and to people throughout the world. It's a much bigger situation than to simply quantify one side as 'Grapefruits' and the other side as 'Carmel Corn'. But in this analogy lies a truth: sometimes we really have the intentions of doing right but simply choose the wrong avenues to travel and the wrong materials to help fill our 'God-shaped' voids. We aren't necessarily bad people, but sometimes that is how evil works it's greatest power--in making 'good people' choose 'spoiled things'. It may be in what we wear, what we eat, what we drink, what we watch, etc. Sometimes we simply aren't being all that we were made to be because we are 'settling' for what's cheap and easy and tastes ooooooh so yummy.
There are Grapefruits and there are bags of Caramel Corn--both aimed at filling a need, but giving very different results.... choose wisely.
You see both of us had a desire for something good. Both of us were hungry. Both of us resorted to seeking out a product to fill this 'need' that we were experiencing at that moment. Both of our intentions were right and noble: God made us creatures that need food and we were simply following our Lord's design by seeking food. My co-worker chose a very 'good' source of food. There is no doubt of the healthiness and the out right juicy wonderment that is a grapefruit... it is, as God would say, Goooood. And then there's me. And my popcorn. A really freaking big bag of popcorn I might add. It was a 'Dillons card' purchase of $1.99. It was cheap, it was easy and it was coated in a sugary potion that seemed to force my right hand to continually enter it and withdraw these little bites of hell. As I looked at my sad, bag of corny goodness I felt bad because did it know that is was simply 'good spoiled'?
I know there are some really horrific things that happen to us and to people throughout the world. It's a much bigger situation than to simply quantify one side as 'Grapefruits' and the other side as 'Carmel Corn'. But in this analogy lies a truth: sometimes we really have the intentions of doing right but simply choose the wrong avenues to travel and the wrong materials to help fill our 'God-shaped' voids. We aren't necessarily bad people, but sometimes that is how evil works it's greatest power--in making 'good people' choose 'spoiled things'. It may be in what we wear, what we eat, what we drink, what we watch, etc. Sometimes we simply aren't being all that we were made to be because we are 'settling' for what's cheap and easy and tastes ooooooh so yummy.
There are Grapefruits and there are bags of Caramel Corn--both aimed at filling a need, but giving very different results.... choose wisely.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
What is wrong with you people?
Christians I mean. Yeah, you... the ones sitting there going over, once again, what you think this verse or that verse means and how many people you can now send to hell based on your new found theology. I'm not holding punches in this post. I'm sick of you... all of you.
My blessed, little evangelical friends cannot seem to EVER get it or leave well enough alone. The new target-of-the-month? A book called 'The Shack' by William P Young. A great, somewhat disturbing book, about a guy that suffers a loss like no other and in his quest to heal meets up with God in a very unique way and in a very unique place. 'The Shack' has met surprising success in the literary world and has sold over 1.1 million copies. Usually when this happens in the 'Christian' world, criticism usually follows such success. (unless your church now draws thousands of people, then it's 'all good') So what is the problem with this book about grace and healing? Mr. Young apparently is trying to send us all to hell with a 'warped' presentation of the Trinity--God, the Father- Jesus, the Son- and The Holy Spirit. Mind you, this wonderful word, trinity, is NEVER used in the Bible, but apparently Mr. Young must now be called out in public by 'really hip' and 'really young' new breeds of pastors that can release their ill-conceived rants on youtube for one and all to see and hear. I believe in the concept of the Trinity, but I get a real kick out of the millions that have tried to explain it and can't seem to agree with each other on many of the finer points. Pretty solid doctrine there huh?
One of these great 'new stars' in the evangelical universe is Mr. Mark Driscoll. Oh, he's an impressive guy. He's a pastor of Mars Hill Bible Church (not the one Rob Bell started) in Seattle and has an adoring flock of about 6000 sheep. Mr. Driscoll's favorite word is heretic. He throws this word to William Young and even to the likes of Rob Bell. What's a heretic? Thanks for asking.
"Someone who disobeys or disbelieves fundamental tenets of a religion they claim to belong to; Of or pertaining to heresy or heretics."
Another fun definition is
My blessed, little evangelical friends cannot seem to EVER get it or leave well enough alone. The new target-of-the-month? A book called 'The Shack' by William P Young. A great, somewhat disturbing book, about a guy that suffers a loss like no other and in his quest to heal meets up with God in a very unique way and in a very unique place. 'The Shack' has met surprising success in the literary world and has sold over 1.1 million copies. Usually when this happens in the 'Christian' world, criticism usually follows such success. (unless your church now draws thousands of people, then it's 'all good') So what is the problem with this book about grace and healing? Mr. Young apparently is trying to send us all to hell with a 'warped' presentation of the Trinity--God, the Father- Jesus, the Son- and The Holy Spirit. Mind you, this wonderful word, trinity, is NEVER used in the Bible, but apparently Mr. Young must now be called out in public by 'really hip' and 'really young' new breeds of pastors that can release their ill-conceived rants on youtube for one and all to see and hear. I believe in the concept of the Trinity, but I get a real kick out of the millions that have tried to explain it and can't seem to agree with each other on many of the finer points. Pretty solid doctrine there huh?
One of these great 'new stars' in the evangelical universe is Mr. Mark Driscoll. Oh, he's an impressive guy. He's a pastor of Mars Hill Bible Church (not the one Rob Bell started) in Seattle and has an adoring flock of about 6000 sheep. Mr. Driscoll's favorite word is heretic. He throws this word to William Young and even to the likes of Rob Bell. What's a heretic? Thanks for asking.
"Someone who disobeys or disbelieves fundamental tenets of a religion they claim to belong to; Of or pertaining to heresy or heretics."
Another fun definition is
- a person who holds religious beliefs in conflict with the dogma of the Roman Catholic Church or
- a person who holds unorthodox opinions in any field (not merely religion)
Albert Mohler, a leading theologian of the Southern Baptist Convention, which takes the Bible literally, trashes The Shack in his weekly radio show, calling it "deeply subversive," "scripturally incorrect" and downright "dangerous."
Says Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill Church in Seattle: "If you haven't read The Shack, don't!"
(this by the way, is my favorite Driscoll quote. I mean let's make sure people don't read anything for themselves you dolt as not to possibly question your unshakable standing as knowing the complete truth of all theological banter)
Driscoll, whose multi-campus non-denominational church is packed with 6,000 people each weekend in the least-churched corner of the nation, says he is "horrified" by Young's book. He says "it misrepresents God. Young misses the big E on the eye chart."
The trinity is a major theme of the book. Again, this isn't in dispute. But it's the way God, in particular, is presented that has many, like Driscoll, so unnerved. Mark’s view has no tolerance for God the Father represented as a female (sorry to give that away), and he believes that to represent Him as a fictional character is making a graven image (Hey dill weed, ever read CS Lewis and a Lion named Aslan?) . Also, Mark’s doctrine strongly opposes a non-hierarchical understanding of the trinity.
According to him, those who accept the picture of God - Father, Son, and Spirit - described in the book The Shack are not thinking folks and are embracing a heretical doctrine. Are you kidding me? Driscoll actually thinks there are people that think, after reading The Shack, that God is a large black woman? Seriously? Really? Honestly? Did these same people vote for Al Franken?
If you haven't read this book then this blog is hitting you like me telling you all about a movie you haven't seen. Well, read the book. If you think it's garbage, fine. I have no problem with that. My problem is egomaniacs like Driscoll telling me that this or that is garbage and encouraging me not to look into it myself. I AM SO SICK of that brand of Christianity. I have fought that my whole life when it comes to music. I'm sure Mark would say that it's 'heretical' to play Van Halen for an alter call. Well guess what 'pastor'? I've done it and I'd do it again. Again, my problem isn't that Driscoll has a problem with the book. Fine. It's that he calls people heretics without ever meeting them and says that I'm, or anyone reading 'The Shack' isn't not sharp enough to figure out that the book is fiction and it may lead me to hell. Give me a break. I have soooooo many other things that would do that before this book would. :-)
Here's the conclusion of the USAtoday article and I love Young's comments:
Mohler, Driscoll and other evangelicals pick The Shack apart plank by plank.
No, God can't be a presented as a woman. No, the three parts of the Trinity did not all become fully human. Yes, there is a hierarchy in the Holy Trinity with God the Father in command. Yes, God will punish sin.
Young shrugs them off. Out there in America, where only three in 10 people attend weekly worship services and millions are ignorant of the Bible, his readers struggle to find a good God amid their pain.
As for critics, he shakes his head.
"I don't want to enter the Ultimate Fighting ring and duke it out in a cage-match with dogmatists. I have no need to knock churches down or pull people out," he says.
"I have a lot of freedom by knowing that you really experience God in relationships, wherever you are. It's fluid and dynamic, not cemented into an institution with a concrete foundation."
"But it's not about me. I have everything that matters, a free and open life full of love and empty of all secrets."
Well said sir. Well said.
People you may not like many things about popular culture or even things found trolling around in Christian book stores, that's fine. What needs to stop, or at least have the brakes applied to it to slow it down, is this constant drumbeat of 'well meaning Christians' screaming SINNER!!!! or HERETIC!!!! Enough already. Haven't we sent enough people to hell by not simply modeling what Jesus wanted of us in regards to widows and orphans? Have we not already been heretics by watching people around us struggle and suffer and yet we spend $70,000 on a new Church sign? I dare say that millions will come to better understand the grace of God by reading 'The Shack'. If that be the work of a heretic then SIGN ME UP!
I'm glad William (Paul) Young wrote 'The Shack'. I'm glad it made me think. I'm glad it made me feel something that I hadn't felt in a while. I'm glad 'thinking people' can discuss the book without issuing tickets for hell. I'm glad that my God isn't above searches and isn't above questions. I'm glad my God welcomes those that wish to express and explore and not simply 'accept' the alms fed to the masses.
___________________________________________________________________
I challenge all of you to something: Give more away this Christmas than you spend on yourself or your own family. Have some sort of interaction with someone this Christmas that has far less than you. I know we can all give to this charity or that charity and that is a good thing. But I want you to think about actually handing something to someone directly and telling them that they are being thought of in a special way. I will fire up the 'Elpis Van' (my minivan) and hit downtown on some cold nights and hand out gloves and blankets. Come join us. Find a family close to you that isn't going to have much for Thanksgiving or Christmas and do something for them. I'm tired people. I'm tired of disussing this verse and that verse coupled with this wing of dogma vs. that tree of theology. I'm tired of worrying about whether I'll ever be 'good enough' to let God love me or even to love myself. I'm tired. I just want to see myself and others around me help each other and love each other. You know, 'widows and orphans'. You know, 'do unto others'. You know, 'Love your neighbor'. I'm pretty sure Jesus never said, 'don't screw up the doctrine of the Trinity or there'll be hell to pay'. Pastors, lead your flock to the truth. Don't 'become' their truth.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Why parents matter
I could make this a really long blog that would point out more obvious things than a Presidential debate, but I'll keep it fairly short because the point SHOULD be so clear that I should have no need of repeating it... but I will.
Parents matter. I did not grow up in a broken home but in my life I have been able to witness the effects of broken homes on kids from all walks of life. From Texas to Kansas, white kids to black kids to hispanic kids, rich kids to poor kids.... I worked with a wide variety to say the least. I can easily say that 99% of these kids came from a broken home. They were either being raised by a mom, a dad or in many cases the Grandparents were being called on to help out. Most of the kids I worked with were boys and most of these boys were either in, or nearing membership in a gang of some kind. All of these kids were broken and in most cases, their lives had spun out of control through no fault of their own. Sure, many of them made stupid choices and couldn't see beyond their own pain to make better decisions. But the act that got that ball rolling was usually a parent, or two, deciding that they couldn't make it together and in some cases, couldn't make it as parents period.
My son just had a bit of a crying session this morning. I barked at him a bit because I thought he and the other kids were fighting about toys. Konnie came down afterwards and let me know that it wasn't toys they were fighting about, it was heaven. Apparently somehow the topic of dying came up and one of the kids that stays with us during the day said, 'when you go to heaven you live there forever.' Kenyon, who is 5, said 'but after 3 days you get to come home again'. He was getting parts of the story confused. When it was made clear to him that you do not get to come home again, he started crying. When pressed about this by Konnie, he simply said, 'I don't want to be without you and dad, I want to be able to come home.' Damn that kid is sweet.
It reminded me that parents matter. We get caught up in so many other things in our lives; bills, job, 401(k) plans, fighting about this and that, worrying about those things over there. Sometimes we lose focus. I found this article by Kerby Anderson. It's located at http://www.leaderu.com/orgs/probe/docs/broken.html
Here's a quote from it:
Parents matter. I did not grow up in a broken home but in my life I have been able to witness the effects of broken homes on kids from all walks of life. From Texas to Kansas, white kids to black kids to hispanic kids, rich kids to poor kids.... I worked with a wide variety to say the least. I can easily say that 99% of these kids came from a broken home. They were either being raised by a mom, a dad or in many cases the Grandparents were being called on to help out. Most of the kids I worked with were boys and most of these boys were either in, or nearing membership in a gang of some kind. All of these kids were broken and in most cases, their lives had spun out of control through no fault of their own. Sure, many of them made stupid choices and couldn't see beyond their own pain to make better decisions. But the act that got that ball rolling was usually a parent, or two, deciding that they couldn't make it together and in some cases, couldn't make it as parents period.
My son just had a bit of a crying session this morning. I barked at him a bit because I thought he and the other kids were fighting about toys. Konnie came down afterwards and let me know that it wasn't toys they were fighting about, it was heaven. Apparently somehow the topic of dying came up and one of the kids that stays with us during the day said, 'when you go to heaven you live there forever.' Kenyon, who is 5, said 'but after 3 days you get to come home again'. He was getting parts of the story confused. When it was made clear to him that you do not get to come home again, he started crying. When pressed about this by Konnie, he simply said, 'I don't want to be without you and dad, I want to be able to come home.' Damn that kid is sweet.
It reminded me that parents matter. We get caught up in so many other things in our lives; bills, job, 401(k) plans, fighting about this and that, worrying about those things over there. Sometimes we lose focus. I found this article by Kerby Anderson. It's located at http://www.leaderu.com/orgs/probe/docs/broken.html
Here's a quote from it:
Families are the bedrock of society. When families fall apart, society falls into social and cultural decline. Ultimately the breakdown of the American family is at the root of nearly every other social problem and pathology.
Just a few decades ago, most children in America grew up in intact, two-parent families. Today, children who do so are a minority. Illegitimacy, divorce, and other lifestyle choices have radically altered the American family, and thus have altered the social landscape.
Karl Zinsmeister of the American Enterprise Institute has said, "There is a mountain of scientific evidence showing that when families disintegrate, children often end up with intellectual, physical and emotional scars that persist for life." He continues, "We talk about the drug crisis, the education crisis, and the problem of teen pregnancy and juvenile crime. But all these ills trace back predominantly to one source: broken families."
Just a few decades ago, most children in America grew up in intact, two-parent families. Today, children who do so are a minority. Illegitimacy, divorce, and other lifestyle choices have radically altered the American family, and thus have altered the social landscape.
Karl Zinsmeister of the American Enterprise Institute has said, "There is a mountain of scientific evidence showing that when families disintegrate, children often end up with intellectual, physical and emotional scars that persist for life." He continues, "We talk about the drug crisis, the education crisis, and the problem of teen pregnancy and juvenile crime. But all these ills trace back predominantly to one source: broken families."
Recently Konnie and I have been a part of a small group that is part church affliated and part our own creation. It's part of 'Elpis Church' (see family site for details). We have decided in this group that we want to do things for people in need. Konnie had a friend that had recently been going through some difficult times and found herself alone with her 5 kids to care for. We went over, as a group, to her house to help her out with some things that needed to be done. As we worked around the house, the 5 children were checking us out and I'm sure they were wondering 'what are these people doing here'. Really beautiful kids. As a couple of us were painting the steps that led to the back yard it was getting close to nightfall and we had been there for over an hour. As we painted I heard the youngest child crying. Then I heard her broken little voice saying, 'I want my daddy.... I want my daddy.' I don't need to tell you how hard that was to hear. I don't need to tell you how a little heart cries out for it's mom or dad. I don't need to tell you because you've heard it haven't you? You know that voice and you know that cry.
So I will now cuss at you and me. Parents, it is time to get your (our) crap together. It is time for you to quit whinning about where you thought life would take you and relish the place you are now. It is time answer the cry of that little girl. When the cry comes saying 'I miss my daddy', Dads, it's time to answer with 'I'm right here honey'. Moms, when that little boy says he doesn't want to be without you he isn't kidding and it's time for you to answer, 'Baby, I'll always be here'. Nobody winds up with the marriage they thought they were getting. People change and circumstances change. But I want to challange all of you with kids to lesson your focus on yourself and increase the attention on your kids. I need to work on this and I hope that you will join me in surrounding our kids with a hedge of love that is unbreakable. I remember a line from the movie 'The Crow': 'Mother is the word for God on the lips of every child'. You matter. Your choices matter. Your lack of choices matters. Why? Because what matters the most is the impact you are and will have on these beautiful kids.
Monday, September 15, 2008
When a train blows up
When a train blows up, it changes things. As many of you know, Union Pacific lost some great men in the last couple of weeks. Richard Pendarvis (whom I knew) and Larry Williams (whom I did not know) of Oklahoma were killed August 31st when a train they took from Wichita, heading to Oklahoma, hit a propane truck killing both of them and the driver of the propane truck. Ironically, the driver of the truck was a former conductor on the Rock Island railroad; you would think he'd know better. Here is a photo of the engine that Pendarvis and Williams were on.
I'm not going to sugarcoat it for you, they died in a fiery explosion that is the fear of every railroader riding a train. The scary thing for us is they did nothing wrong. They were simply going about their business, running things how they should be run. The truck pulled out in front of them after having just loaded his truck with propane. He apparently didn't even look because it was a clear day and you could see down the rail for miles. It was also the driver's first solo run.
I never handle things like this very well. I tend to empathize with people maybe a bit too much during tragic events and lose the ability to remove myself from the event. It didn't help that 2 days later we lost a man that worked in Wichita and was a mentor to many of us in Wichita. John Wylie died September 2nd at his farm from a freak accident. He was a quiet man that led by deed, not just word. He was very laid back and a pleasure to work with.
Crap happens doesn't it? I mean, everyday people are lost from this earth through no fault of their own. The phrase 'wrong place at the wrong time' just doesn't seem to do justice to it but it is the reality of it. I've cried a lot the last 2 weeks, but not just about this. I wondered what plans these men all had. Did they have their 401k plans high enough to retire on? Did they have trips planned that they hadn't been able to do yet? Did they have kids they had not talked to in awhile? Did they have friends they had been meaning to call, but just didn't get around to it?
I want to propose something to you. I want to propose 'The Pendarvis Rule'. I named it that not only because I knew Richard Pendarvis but he also has a fun last name to say. My friend 'Johnny Train' (who I mentioned in another blog) used to love saying his name; drawing it out nice and long--- Pendaaaaaaaaaaarvis. Here's the rule: quit putting things off. If there is something you want to do, do it. If there is something you need to say to someone you love, say it. If there is somewhere you need to go, go there. If there is something you've done that needs 'cleaned up', then clean it up. If you want to go to school, go. If you want to quit your job and try something else, then do it. Granted, your bills, like my bills, my not allow for such freedom but I think you get the basic idea.
The writer in Ecclesiastes 11:6-8 gets it right when he says,
And how wonderful to live in the sunshine!
Even if you live a long time, don't take a single day for granted.
Take delight in each light-filled hour,
Remembering that there will also be many dark days
And that most of what comes your way is smoke.
I'm not sure how good I will be at this. I tend to 'wait' or 'fear what might happen' but I do know that life is short, too short.
I know every routine those men went through on that fateful day; I do them every time I'm at work and on a train. I know the things you think. I know the conversations they were having. It's almost like I was there; all of us railroaders have been there. I'm sure they made calls telling loved ones where they were and what time they'd be home. I'm sure they had plans.... and this sounds cliche and pardon the pun, but those plans literally went up in smoke in the flash of an eye. Based on the reports I've read, they had about 10 seconds to know they were in serious trouble. They tried to make a run for it out the back door but the blast was simply too great. It blew part of the tank on the truck over 1/2 mile away. Our friends were found in the ditch next to the rail.
'The Pendarvis Rule' simply reminds us all that we aren't guaranteed a single moment more on this earth and with this life. I've blown so many chances to do so many things but I've also filled my life with great memories by doing things that weren't always 'planned'. Enjoy your lives. Quit brooding over all that you don't have and simply bask in the glory of all you have been given. Quit fighting with your spouse. Get over it already. Quit forcing your kids to do things they don't want to do; love them. Quit harping about the past and start milking the present for all it's bloody worth.
I got a notice in the mail the other day about how my 401k is doing. I simply smiled and threw it away. Rest in peace John, Larry and Richard.
I'm not going to sugarcoat it for you, they died in a fiery explosion that is the fear of every railroader riding a train. The scary thing for us is they did nothing wrong. They were simply going about their business, running things how they should be run. The truck pulled out in front of them after having just loaded his truck with propane. He apparently didn't even look because it was a clear day and you could see down the rail for miles. It was also the driver's first solo run.
I never handle things like this very well. I tend to empathize with people maybe a bit too much during tragic events and lose the ability to remove myself from the event. It didn't help that 2 days later we lost a man that worked in Wichita and was a mentor to many of us in Wichita. John Wylie died September 2nd at his farm from a freak accident. He was a quiet man that led by deed, not just word. He was very laid back and a pleasure to work with.
Crap happens doesn't it? I mean, everyday people are lost from this earth through no fault of their own. The phrase 'wrong place at the wrong time' just doesn't seem to do justice to it but it is the reality of it. I've cried a lot the last 2 weeks, but not just about this. I wondered what plans these men all had. Did they have their 401k plans high enough to retire on? Did they have trips planned that they hadn't been able to do yet? Did they have kids they had not talked to in awhile? Did they have friends they had been meaning to call, but just didn't get around to it?
I want to propose something to you. I want to propose 'The Pendarvis Rule'. I named it that not only because I knew Richard Pendarvis but he also has a fun last name to say. My friend 'Johnny Train' (who I mentioned in another blog) used to love saying his name; drawing it out nice and long--- Pendaaaaaaaaaaarvis. Here's the rule: quit putting things off. If there is something you want to do, do it. If there is something you need to say to someone you love, say it. If there is somewhere you need to go, go there. If there is something you've done that needs 'cleaned up', then clean it up. If you want to go to school, go. If you want to quit your job and try something else, then do it. Granted, your bills, like my bills, my not allow for such freedom but I think you get the basic idea.
The writer in Ecclesiastes 11:6-8 gets it right when he says,
6 Go to work in the morning
and stick to it until evening without watching the clock.
You never know from moment to moment
how your work will turn out in the end.
Before the Years Take Their Toll
7-8 Oh, how sweet the light of day,And how wonderful to live in the sunshine!
Even if you live a long time, don't take a single day for granted.
Take delight in each light-filled hour,
Remembering that there will also be many dark days
And that most of what comes your way is smoke.
I'm not sure how good I will be at this. I tend to 'wait' or 'fear what might happen' but I do know that life is short, too short.
I know every routine those men went through on that fateful day; I do them every time I'm at work and on a train. I know the things you think. I know the conversations they were having. It's almost like I was there; all of us railroaders have been there. I'm sure they made calls telling loved ones where they were and what time they'd be home. I'm sure they had plans.... and this sounds cliche and pardon the pun, but those plans literally went up in smoke in the flash of an eye. Based on the reports I've read, they had about 10 seconds to know they were in serious trouble. They tried to make a run for it out the back door but the blast was simply too great. It blew part of the tank on the truck over 1/2 mile away. Our friends were found in the ditch next to the rail.
'The Pendarvis Rule' simply reminds us all that we aren't guaranteed a single moment more on this earth and with this life. I've blown so many chances to do so many things but I've also filled my life with great memories by doing things that weren't always 'planned'. Enjoy your lives. Quit brooding over all that you don't have and simply bask in the glory of all you have been given. Quit fighting with your spouse. Get over it already. Quit forcing your kids to do things they don't want to do; love them. Quit harping about the past and start milking the present for all it's bloody worth.
I got a notice in the mail the other day about how my 401k is doing. I simply smiled and threw it away. Rest in peace John, Larry and Richard.
Monday, August 04, 2008
But now....
I was reading my bible the other day and, as often happens, I stumbled on something that I wasn't sure if I had ever read. Or if I had read it, it never took hold the way it did this day. I have struggled with something in my life and I'm currently struggling with this same issue as I see it in others' behavior in the church. That thing, or issue, is judgment. You know the sanctimonious type of judgment that essentially says to someone or even to yourself, 'you have offended me and you are no longer worthy of my love or respect. I must shun you now until you learn your lesson'. I bet you are thinking that that quote actually sounds harsher than the simple word judgment.
What is judgment? There are basically two occasions in which the bible talks about judgment. One we are to do and one we are not to do. There is a righteous kind of judgment we are supposed to exercise—with careful discernment (John 7:24). When Jesus told us not to judge (Matthew 7:1), He was telling us not to judge hypocritically. Matthew 7:2-5 declares, "For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?"
It's my opinion that unless you have the first one figured out, you need to be very wary of the second one. What I'm starting to hear among the faithful is that they now have the ability to confront others on their sins because they are able to discern when to 'judge' the sins of others as opposed to confronting the sin in their own life and keeping balance between the two. Granted, there are times that sins have to be confronted and other's actions should be questioned. Frankly, I think very few of us have figured out how to balance judment, but if you have, good for you. I guess my point isn't that we shouldn't confront sin, but it's how we confront it and how we shoul keeping check our intentions in bringing up the sins of others.
I said to start this that it was something I have always struggled with. I come across as very judgmental when it comes to the sins of others. But I'm also very judgmental when it comes to those that think it's their duty to mention the sins of others. In other words, I can do it, but you can't. So I have been looking for some answers to this. How does God judge? How does He want us to judge; both our sins and the sins of others?
The verse I read was Acts 26: 12-16
What is judgment? There are basically two occasions in which the bible talks about judgment. One we are to do and one we are not to do. There is a righteous kind of judgment we are supposed to exercise—with careful discernment (John 7:24). When Jesus told us not to judge (Matthew 7:1), He was telling us not to judge hypocritically. Matthew 7:2-5 declares, "For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?"
It's my opinion that unless you have the first one figured out, you need to be very wary of the second one. What I'm starting to hear among the faithful is that they now have the ability to confront others on their sins because they are able to discern when to 'judge' the sins of others as opposed to confronting the sin in their own life and keeping balance between the two. Granted, there are times that sins have to be confronted and other's actions should be questioned. Frankly, I think very few of us have figured out how to balance judment, but if you have, good for you. I guess my point isn't that we shouldn't confront sin, but it's how we confront it and how we shoul keeping check our intentions in bringing up the sins of others.
I said to start this that it was something I have always struggled with. I come across as very judgmental when it comes to the sins of others. But I'm also very judgmental when it comes to those that think it's their duty to mention the sins of others. In other words, I can do it, but you can't. So I have been looking for some answers to this. How does God judge? How does He want us to judge; both our sins and the sins of others?
The verse I read was Acts 26: 12-16
12-14"One day on my way to Damascus, armed as always with papers from the high priests authorizing my action, right in the middle of the day a blaze of light, light outshining the sun, poured out of the sky on me and my companions. Oh, King, it was so bright! We fell flat on our faces. Then I heard a voice in Hebrew: 'Saul, Saul, why are you out to get me? Why do you insist on going against the grain?'
15-16"I said, 'Who are you, Master?'
"The voice answered, 'I am Jesus, the One you're hunting down like an animal. But now, up on your feet—I have a job for you. I've handpicked you to be a servant and witness to what's happened today, and to what I am going to show you.
Doesn't seem like much of a verse really except that this is the moment when the guy that wrote most of the New Testament became a believer. So, it was kind of a big deal. Now this was part of Saul, now Paul's, testimony to King Agrippa. He was explaining to the king how he got where he was and the things he had done. What did Paul do while he was still Saul? Here's what he says earlier in the chapter.
9-11"I admit that I didn't always hold to this position. For a time I thought it was my duty to oppose this Jesus of Nazareth with all my might. Backed with the full authority of the high priests, I threw these believers—I had no idea they were God's people!—into the Jerusalem jail right and left, and whenever it came to a vote, I voted for their execution. I stormed through their meeting places, bullying them into cursing Jesus, a one-man terror obsessed with obliterating these people. And then I started on the towns outside Jerusalem.
What struck me as I read through these verses was the manner in which God dealt with Saul regarding his sin. After knocking him to his knees he questions him in a manner that basically says, 'dude, what is your deal'? Saul naturally asks, 'what are you talking about and who are you'. God says, 'I'm the one your jacking with'. Now, I would think this would be a great time for God to really lower the boom on Saul. I mean he could go through the whole list of things that Saul has done to spite Him and mock Him and even kill those who believe in Him and let Saul know that it was wrong and he's no longer able to associate with God. But this doesn't happen. I almost read a pause after Jesus says, 'I am Jesus, the One you're hunting down like an animal'. There had to be a pause and let that soak in a bit for Saul.
Has your bluff ever been called? Have you ever bitten off more than you can handle? Saul did. I'm sure he was on his knees going, 'oh crap. This isn't how I thought this would go. He's going to kill me and that will be that.' But no. Jesus says, 'But NOW, up on your feet- I have a job for you.' Saul had to be saying, 'what? that's it?' (in the actual story found earlier in Acts, Saul is blind for 3 days, so there is a bit more to the story). Notice the verse later where Paul says,
"What could I do, King Agrippa? I couldn't just walk away from a vision like that! I became an obedient believer on the spot. I started preaching this life-change—this radical turn to God and everything it meant in everyday life—right there in Damascus, went on to Jerusalem and the surrounding countryside, and from there to the whole world.
That phrase has stuck with me now for 3 weeks. 'But NOW, up on your feet- I have a job for you'. I have taken that as Jesus saying, 'THAT part of your life is over and we've talked about it.... time to move on big boy and do something for me.'
We don't handle the sins of others with such grace do we? Oh no. We must remind them constantly of how they wronged us or others. It's not enough to say, 'hey what's up with that?' And after it's been confessed or dealt with, to simply move on and love them or yourself just seems 'too easy'. Surely they must kiss my hand or mow my yard or pay me some money or..... something. We can't just say 'Hey, that was then, this is now.... let's move on'. You messed up but it's all good now.''
I'm probably way off base in how I'm reading this but you know what? I don't care. I'm at a point in my life where I need to be able to hear Jesus say, 'But NOW, up on your feet- I have a job for you.' I'm at a point where the things I've done and the mistakes I've made need to be left on the Damascus road and I need to move on to whatever God has for me. I've wronged Him and I've wronged others and even myself in the past; time to move on. Have you been wronged? Have you watched someone sin and just thought it was your job to point it out to them? Be careful with that. You may find yourself on a road one day and this Jesus fella knocks you to your knees and asks you to look at Him and yourself, no one else. It's amazing what a little grace shown can do for someone.
Make sure you hear what He has for you. He gives you the opportunity to admit what you've done, confront it and then leave it behind and move on to 'the job' that lies ahead. That's good news people... that is the Gospel.
Monday, April 28, 2008
The 'F' word
I know what you're thinking, especially those of you that may know me 'too' well. No, I'm not going to write about THE 'f' word or the art of cursing. I probably could spend some time on the matter but why abash myself more than I have already in the past? No, I have an even more important 'f' word on my mind these days. This word, in fact, is so important to me right now that I'm getting very close to saying that the entirety of the Christian faith and of your personal faith hinges on this word. This is going to be a long blog; a preachy blog. It will have the feel of a coach talking to a team at halftime that is underachieving, ignoring the playbook, fighting amongst each other and getting their butts handed to them by the other team. It is a speech that will focus on one word and one word only: Forgiveness.
I struggle with forgiveness. If you knew the level of resentment that I am capable of holding inside me towards others that I feel have either wronged me or wronged those around me, you would rightfully think a bit lower of me. This blog is part confession and part challenge and part butt chewing. I've never been very afraid of pointing out what I think are problems in the Church. Now this isn't because I think I'm above these same problems. Hardly! I readily admit to being a part of the problem and not very helpful on the solution side. When I was a pastor I would occasionally put a large mirror on the front pew just so that I could see myself; as a reminder that I was never above any sermon. I need to hear my own words at times.
Church, we have a problem.
Christians, you and I have a serious problem. As I said before I think the subject of forgiveness is so great that your very faith could hang in the balance. I have grown utterly disgusted with the level of forgiveness that you all offer each other and that I offer you. I am saddened to an equal degree to the level of forgiveness that we even offer ourselves. You see, one of my points is going to be that you simply CANNOT forgive others in a right manner if you haven't learned to forgive yourself and accept God's forgiveness for your sometimes inane behavior. We spend so much time beating ourselves up for things that we have done or said that we simply do not have the time, patience or energy to properly forgive others when they honestly seek peace and reconciliation. I'm growing sick of it. I'm growing sick of me.
I'm going to quote 2 sources: The Bible and CS Lewis. From my perspective those 2 sources should end all debate and question on this matter. If you feel the need to argue with either of them, then you may as well go hunting for purple elephants because you have officially left for crazy town. I will use 'the message' translation of the New Testament and it will read a little more 'modern' than some of you are used to.There are two great commandments in the Bible: Love God, Love People. I went to a local church near Goddard that is really growing in the city. They have a unique ministry style and worship service and recently they started a series called 'LGLP'. Love God, Love People. Granted they aren't quite as cutting edge as they think they are and they may throw their collective shoulders out patting themselves on the back, but I appreciate the heart of what they do. It's pretty much senior high camp on steroids but I think they are doing good things and they are appealing to a lot of needy people and that's never a bad thing. Anyway, during the message kicking off this series this verse was quoted: Matthew 22: 36-40
Jesus said, "'Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.' This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: 'Love others as well as you love yourself.' These two commands are pegs; everything in God's Law and the Prophets hangs from them."
Everything hangs from them. But when you hang something it has to have a base, a foundation. Hang a picture on a wall and you will usually want to find a stud to anchor that picture to and keep it from falling. In my opinion, forgiveness is that stud, that anchor on which the pegs of love God, love people hang from. If you do not have forgiveness as your anchor, then the 2 great 'pegs' of the law will fall and not be able to withstand any weight.
I don't think Jesus could be any clearer than He was about how important forgiveness is. I Mark he says,
"That's why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large. Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you'll get God's everything. And when you assume the posture of prayer, remember that it's not all asking. If you have anything against someone, forgive—only then will your heavenly Father be inclined to also wipe your slate clean of sins."
Did you catch that? ONLY then will your heavenly Father be incline to also wipe your slate clean of sins. If you can't forgive someone, then your very soul is on the line; it's that big of a deal.
Is there a limit to forgiveness? Hardly! The words limit and forgiveness are incongruous. In Matthew 18 is this exchange between Jesus and his disciples:
"Take this most seriously: A yes on earth is yes in heaven; a no on earth is no in heaven. What you say to one another is eternal. I mean this. When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it, my Father in heaven goes into action. And when two or three of you are together because of me, you can be sure that I'll be there."At that point Peter got up the nerve to ask, "Master, how many times do I forgive a brother or sister who hurts me? Seven?"Jesus replied, "Seven! Hardly. Try seventy times seven."
CS Lewis' thoughts on forgiveness have always blown me away. No one wrote like Lewis on matters of faith. Read these quotes..... I said READ them. Drink them in with every bit of your spiteful little souls. :-) This is long but it is so important for all of us to 'get it' and 'get it' right now. You are killing yourselves and each other with the stealth blows of resentment and bitterness.
"…If you don’t forgive you will not be forgiven. No part of His teaching is clearer, and there are no exceptions to it. He doesn’t say that we are to forgive other people’s sins provided they are not too frightful, or provided there are extenuating circumstances, or anything of that sort. We are to forgive them all, however spiteful, however mean, however often they are repeated. If we don’t, we shall be forgiven none of our own…"I find that when I think I am asking God to forgive me I am often…asking Him to do something quite different. I am asking Him not to forgive me but to excuse me. But there is all the difference in the world between forgiving and excusing. Forgiveness says, ‘Yes, you have done this thing, but I accept your apology; I will never hold it against you and everything between us will be exactly as it was before.’ But excusing says, ‘I see that you couldn’t help it or didn’t mean it; you weren’t really to blame.’ If one was not really to blame then there is nothing to forgive… what we call ‘asking God’s forgiveness’ very often really consists in asking God to accept our excuses… We are so very anxious to point these [‘extenuating circumstances’] out to God (and to ourselves) that we are apt to forget the really important thing; that is, the bit left over, the bit which the excuses don’t cover, the bit which is inexcusable but not, thank God, unforgivable. And if we forget this, we shall go away imagining that we have repented and been forgiven when all that has really happened is that we have satisfied ourselves with our own excuses…
"Real forgiveness means looking steadily at the sin, the sin that is left over without any excuse, after all allowances have been made, and seeing it in all its horror, dirt, meanness, and malice, and nevertheless being wholly reconciled to the man who has done it. That, and only that, is forgiveness, and that we can always have from God if we ask for it."When it comes to a question of our forgiving other people…here also, forgiving does not mean excusing. Many people…think that if you ask them to forgive someone who has cheated or bullied them you are trying to make out that there was really no cheating or no bullying. But if that were so, there would be nothing to forgive. They keep on replying, ‘But I tell you the man broke a most solemn promise.’ Exactly: that is precisely what you have to forgive. (This doesn’t mean that you must necessarily believe his next promise. It does mean that you must make every effort to kill every taste of resentment in your own heart—every wish to humiliate or hurt him or to pay him out.)… In our own case we accept excuses too easily; in other people’s we do not accept them easily enough… To excuse what can really produce good excuses is not Christian charity; it is only fairness. To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable, because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you."This is hard. It is perhaps not so hard to forgive a single great injury. But to forgive the incessant provocations of daily life—to keep on forgiving the bossy mother-in-law, the bullying husband, the nagging wife, the selfish daughter, the deceitful son—how can we do it? Only, I think, by remembering where we stand, by meaning our words when we say in our prayers each night, ‘forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those that trespass against us.’ We are offered forgiveness on no other terms. To refuse it is to refuse God’s mercy for ourselves. There is no hint of exceptions, and God means what He says."
There are two sentences that as I read the words of Jesus, will be said on the day of judgement: 'Well done good and faithful servant' or 'Depart from me, I never knew you'. What are the odds of us hearing 'well done' when we harbor such feelings towards others? I'm all for justice and consequences. So, when I speak of the unspeakable horrors of the Carr brothers I'm not saying they walk free and clear simply because they want forgiveness. No, they have a price to pay for the evil they unleashed on this town a few years ago. But am I allowed to hate them? Am I allowed to remind them of their crimes daily and pretend that I am sinless? I'm afraid not.
Is it not amazing that Jesus suffered and died so that we might have the freedom that forgiveness gives? Is it not more amazing that we mock it, misuse it and abuse it? To forgive is to live. I know that sounds like Johnnie Cochran but it's true. It is truly amazing that sinful little worms like us are offered the chance to be 'right' with a Perfect God. A God that so loves us that he suffered all and lost all so that your sins could be forgiven. And you're telling me that you are going to put conditions on forgiving others or yourself?
This is a big deal to me right now. I don't care about light shows, children's programs, catchy road signs, 5 year plans, the new carpet in the hallway.... I care about forgiveness and how that relates to loving God and loving people. If this has found you in a bad place, I hope it helps you out of that place. If this offends you, forgive me. :-)
Believe me, you haven't been so wronged by someone that you can't offer them the same grace, love and forgiveness that God offers you. Granted some injuries are so painful that it may literally take a life time to forgive the deed and the person, but take heart, God is right there with you and has already worked it out. Give it to Him and learn how to truly live free.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Youtube, Mariah, the Government and the big, 'ole church on the corner
People, we have lost our way and lost our focus. I know, 'another negative blog'. But more than just being negative I'm hoping to ask some questions of our great land and of our people: Have you lost your way? Do you know your history? Does being pleasant and decent mean anything any more? Are you more concerned with truth or image?
I have been watching the HBO mini-series on John Adams. One of our founding fathers and 2nd President, Mr. Adams was a remarkable man, in a remarkable time. To watch this show and see what it was like for our founders that argued for and against Independence from Great Britain has been inspiring and yet depressing. So much of their mistakes then are the same ones we make now. Yet, so much of their greatness is in very little of today's government. We still make the same mistakes, but we have none of their greatness. We fight now because of a (D) or an (R) before one's name. We fight now because someone associated with a large company said, 'go fight'. We fight now because we seriously 'hate' many that don't agree with us. We fight now, not as representatives of a people, but as egotists in search of headlines. What was once done for the betterment of millions in the future we now ignore for the profit of the present. Our government has lost it's way. They have lost focus.
Our kids. Children have always been curious and bearers of great joy to parents as well as bearers of great stress and grief. It used to be that children not only were expected to treat their parents with respect, but each other as well. Sure, they argued and fought but they were called down on it and taught a better way. It used to be that children would explore, read and create from their own minds. Now they have things created for them and lazily sit around waiting for something new to show up after the newest thing has worn off. Now they video tape each other doing horrible things to each other and post them on youtube for each other to revel in. Now there is little understanding or little care for their history. Now they kill each other if they are found with the wrong color on or flash the wrong sign. Our kids are losing their way. They have lost focus. But I wonder if it's because the parents lost theirs first?
Our worship. It used to be that people would seek God and wait to hear from Him. It used to be that people would share with each other all they had and care for the widows and orphans. It used to be that no one person was looked to for divine knowledge. It used to be that people met wherever they could; as often as they could to meditate and speak on the things of God. Now, we build big, ole buildings that are used about as often as I use an 'Ab lounge'. We pay people to tell us what to think, what to pray and how to dress. Now we listen to one voice and silence our own. We argue about songs and about carpet. We argue about meeting times and how much to pay the person we want to speak. The widows haven't changed. The orphans haven't changed. God hasn't changed. We've lost focus.
So much of our problem can be summed up by Mariah Carey on 'American Idol'. Huh? Yes, I will make the analogy whether you like it or not. Know this, I like to listen to her sing. She has an amazing voice and great talent for song. But she symbolizes so much of what's wrong with Government, kids, the Church.... all of us. Here's a snip it about what she did and how she acted while helping to mentor potential singers on the Fox show 'American Idol'.
Mariah Carey made her way to the FOX lot on Wednesday afternoon as the guest mentor on "American Idol." And true to her rep, our girl was quite the diva. Donning a (typical) tight-fitting outfit, Mariah worked the press area backstage — but it took a little longer than expected. Tech and camera guys apparently were made to put in the extra effort putting up lights and having them angled perfectly, with Carey's people "double checking" that she was positioned perfectly at all times. "We had to re shoot one of the questions," one cameraman told Tarts. "I had to change the lighting and alter the position and do it again because we went off angle slightly. She has a director of photography with her at all times and can only be shot from the waist up."
Well, when you are a multimillion-dollar music mogul, you do have a little authority in demanding your best angle, right? However, Maz did lose quite a few fans on Thursday night when she decided to turn up two hours late to an album-signing at Universal City.
"She strolled in with sunglasses on when it was nighttime and by that point a lot of people got fed up and had left," a photographer told Tarts. "It was ridiculous."
We want everything shot from the 'waist up' as a people, as a country and as a church. We don't want people to see us 'out of position' or see the 'imperfections'. We want things on our time-table, giving little regard to those who are expecting things from us or that need things from us. We are simply bigger than the moment; bigger than those in our care. Our politicians want 'waist up' shots. Our kids only care about 'waist up' shots. As parents we highlight 'waist up' shots. And even as a Church we want 'waist up' shots; hiding the nasty, ugly parts of our sinful natures. You know what? The world is getting fed up and they are leaving for something else.
I don't mean to paint with such a broad brush and throw out the baby for the bath water. I don't intend to only highlight the negative when our country, our kids, our churches do much good that should be mentioned. I don't mean to make you think that I'm somehow above this because I certainly am not. We all have 'director's of photography' haunting us and watching our every move. We all want to be seen 'in a good light'. Yet it has led us to doing many dark things. No, I only mean to point the camera down a bit and say to everyone....'focus down there for a bit because I think we may be losing our way.' We all look good from a certain point of view. But the law of give-and-take suggests that from some points-of-view we are hideous indeed and are in need of refocusing and focusing on the proper places.
Say cheese.....
I have been watching the HBO mini-series on John Adams. One of our founding fathers and 2nd President, Mr. Adams was a remarkable man, in a remarkable time. To watch this show and see what it was like for our founders that argued for and against Independence from Great Britain has been inspiring and yet depressing. So much of their mistakes then are the same ones we make now. Yet, so much of their greatness is in very little of today's government. We still make the same mistakes, but we have none of their greatness. We fight now because of a (D) or an (R) before one's name. We fight now because someone associated with a large company said, 'go fight'. We fight now because we seriously 'hate' many that don't agree with us. We fight now, not as representatives of a people, but as egotists in search of headlines. What was once done for the betterment of millions in the future we now ignore for the profit of the present. Our government has lost it's way. They have lost focus.
Our kids. Children have always been curious and bearers of great joy to parents as well as bearers of great stress and grief. It used to be that children not only were expected to treat their parents with respect, but each other as well. Sure, they argued and fought but they were called down on it and taught a better way. It used to be that children would explore, read and create from their own minds. Now they have things created for them and lazily sit around waiting for something new to show up after the newest thing has worn off. Now they video tape each other doing horrible things to each other and post them on youtube for each other to revel in. Now there is little understanding or little care for their history. Now they kill each other if they are found with the wrong color on or flash the wrong sign. Our kids are losing their way. They have lost focus. But I wonder if it's because the parents lost theirs first?
Our worship. It used to be that people would seek God and wait to hear from Him. It used to be that people would share with each other all they had and care for the widows and orphans. It used to be that no one person was looked to for divine knowledge. It used to be that people met wherever they could; as often as they could to meditate and speak on the things of God. Now, we build big, ole buildings that are used about as often as I use an 'Ab lounge'. We pay people to tell us what to think, what to pray and how to dress. Now we listen to one voice and silence our own. We argue about songs and about carpet. We argue about meeting times and how much to pay the person we want to speak. The widows haven't changed. The orphans haven't changed. God hasn't changed. We've lost focus.
So much of our problem can be summed up by Mariah Carey on 'American Idol'. Huh? Yes, I will make the analogy whether you like it or not. Know this, I like to listen to her sing. She has an amazing voice and great talent for song. But she symbolizes so much of what's wrong with Government, kids, the Church.... all of us. Here's a snip it about what she did and how she acted while helping to mentor potential singers on the Fox show 'American Idol'.
Mariah Carey made her way to the FOX lot on Wednesday afternoon as the guest mentor on "American Idol." And true to her rep, our girl was quite the diva. Donning a (typical) tight-fitting outfit, Mariah worked the press area backstage — but it took a little longer than expected. Tech and camera guys apparently were made to put in the extra effort putting up lights and having them angled perfectly, with Carey's people "double checking" that she was positioned perfectly at all times. "We had to re shoot one of the questions," one cameraman told Tarts. "I had to change the lighting and alter the position and do it again because we went off angle slightly. She has a director of photography with her at all times and can only be shot from the waist up."
Well, when you are a multimillion-dollar music mogul, you do have a little authority in demanding your best angle, right? However, Maz did lose quite a few fans on Thursday night when she decided to turn up two hours late to an album-signing at Universal City.
"She strolled in with sunglasses on when it was nighttime and by that point a lot of people got fed up and had left," a photographer told Tarts. "It was ridiculous."
We want everything shot from the 'waist up' as a people, as a country and as a church. We don't want people to see us 'out of position' or see the 'imperfections'. We want things on our time-table, giving little regard to those who are expecting things from us or that need things from us. We are simply bigger than the moment; bigger than those in our care. Our politicians want 'waist up' shots. Our kids only care about 'waist up' shots. As parents we highlight 'waist up' shots. And even as a Church we want 'waist up' shots; hiding the nasty, ugly parts of our sinful natures. You know what? The world is getting fed up and they are leaving for something else.
I don't mean to paint with such a broad brush and throw out the baby for the bath water. I don't intend to only highlight the negative when our country, our kids, our churches do much good that should be mentioned. I don't mean to make you think that I'm somehow above this because I certainly am not. We all have 'director's of photography' haunting us and watching our every move. We all want to be seen 'in a good light'. Yet it has led us to doing many dark things. No, I only mean to point the camera down a bit and say to everyone....'focus down there for a bit because I think we may be losing our way.' We all look good from a certain point of view. But the law of give-and-take suggests that from some points-of-view we are hideous indeed and are in need of refocusing and focusing on the proper places.
Say cheese.....
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