Reversing Mission

Speaking of Evangelism and the Church....

2011-08-30T14:14:00.003-05:00

Truth is best communicated as it is lived out in the life of the body of Christ and out of its (his)story and its stories, not one-on-one combat via evidentiary apologetics. Instead, the church itself becomes the apologetic...Evangelicals often preach that what the culture needs is absolute truth, but what the culture (actually ) needs is a church that believes the truth so absolutely it actually lives it out. Living traditions of depth that tell stories of wonder provide the basis for Christian claims of Christ's lordship to make sense in the postmodern world. - David Fitch (The Great Giveaway, p. 57)

Worship Experiences

2011-08-29T14:22:00.004-05:00

Over the last few years I have grown more and more leery with how many Christian congregations are openly marketing their gathered worship times as "experiences." While I am fine with new words and labels for new expressions of worship (see new wine skins - Matthew 9), I can't help but dig in on changes that miss the point. This is such a point. Not all changes in life - and church/worship - are for the better. Some change is necessary and good. Probably most changes in style are helpful and for the good. Yet, some are confusing and others are sadly misguided.

I will admit that it is possible that in some cases the word or concept of "experiences" has been borrowed from a larger, seemingly more hip or successful church or leader. Experience has been a huge deal to the modern world and specifically the boomer generation. It is not true in the church that the biggest church is the best church, or the most spiritual or even the right church. Nor is it true that the leader or pastor is the best that is available or that her/his words and thoughts should be mimicked, copied or borrowed. Many seemingly successful people in all phases of life are wrong about a lot of things. Don't hear me say they are sinful or stupid or even shallow. They just might be wrong and before we pick up their sayings, doings or labels, we should consider how deep and wide their faith and faithful practices really are.

To speak of worship as an experience is to suggest to the wider audience and so called "unchurched" that we are a people who put on a good show and they should be a people who are interested or intrigued by good shows. A good show will entertain us, inspire us and pump us up. A good show is a place to be seen, a place to relax and unwind, a place to get autographs and take home product to get us by to the next good or big show. No doubt a good show will draw more interest and collect more resources from a bad show or smaller show. Americans believe with all of their heart that the bigger the show- the bigger and better the experience. (Do we really believe that to our core?)

Experiences are created and are usually dependant upon the skill and charisma of the people leading them. Experiences are packaged, purposed and pointed towards a goal that is targeted towards one particular group of people and what they enjoy doing in their free time. Experience is about people and what they want and perhaps what they demand if their time, money and attention is going to be attached to it. Experience is a consumer word and smacks with a consumer mentality all the way through.

Worship is the opposite of almost everything I have just described. It is not about man/woman/people, but about God. It is not about entertainment or inspiration, but about sacrifice and transformation. Worship does not begin with the human problem and hop around for a Godly sign for help, but begins and ends with the God who created us and walks faithfully with us through life. Worship is not about meeting God at a particular place and time, but is about remembering the God who promises to never leave us or forsake us. Worship is not about making a gathered service interesting enough for people to attend, but is about calling the people who attend to be real enough before God that the life they lead away from the gathering will be so rich in worship ("a living sacrifice" - Romans 12) that others will follow us towards a life in Christ. Worship is not about making a gathering or a church for a particular group that speaks a certain language, drives a certain car or looks a certain way, but is about opening our hearts wide enough to embrace all creatures great and small. In other words, experience is about the last word we might use if we are describing or designing Christian Worship.

There are better words/images for worship if we feel that we must offer a new description. These are words/images that will shape us toward Christ and not toward culture or toward self. (All of course staring with "E"!)

Expectations - Don't we expect to hear from God when we worshipping? If we don't expect Him to speak, then...well you know. Warning: If we enter into worship expecting renewal and direction from God, we might actually receive it and will then be subject to living with it.

Expressions - While we may have varied styles of music and multiple elements of liturgical traditions (or none at all!) what we are doing should be an expression of adoration of praise towards God. Remember though, this is a plural word -not singular - because your expression might vary from mine and yet somehow God will be praised by either.

Encountering - Probably the best antonym for experiences. We may enter into and out of experiences without any change at all. We will pick and choose what we like about something and leave the undesirable. This is how consumerism works. An encounter with God though means change. It means transformation and calls for an embracing of Him fully. It means that we are paying the price before sampling the product because we sense a worthiness in God that awaits our sacrifice and surrender.

Engaging - To be engaged is to be committed. This is true of our relationships, to academic study and even to watching TV (I am engaged to watching "Parenthood" with my true love). To engage in worship with God is to enter into a commitment - a covenant in which He is the worshipped and we are the worshipper. It is not the other way around. God did good in creating the world, but He did not reverse the order of existence. Remember this when we talk about what happened in worship and what did or did not entertain us or keep us awake. Our frustration usually means that the topic and focus is not on us anymore, but has turned way too theological for modern and post modern taste. ( Bad preacher! )

Whenever and however we worship, let us direct our actions towards God and let us do so through faith in Christ. When our focus is off of us and on God - something usually happens in us. And this happening is better than any experience that is created or conjured up for it is eternal and wholesome. If we are creating or controlling God in our worship, He is not God (Omnipotent). If we are entering into and out of His presence when we worship, He is still not God (Omnipresent). Anytime we think and market a domesticated God we are missing the point and are copying the practices of a secular culture who will spend everything on experiences and will spend very little for humility and the sacrifice of self.

True and transforming worship always targets the people towards God, but is returned very quickly by Him to us to affirm us and strengthen our faith. Thanks be to God!

Minnesota - The Honest State

2011-08-16T12:57:00.002-05:00

Every state has a motto. The Texas motto is "friendship." The Tennessee motto is "agriculture and commerce." The New York motto is "our pizza is good." The motto of Minnesota should be "all of our people are honest."

Here is why. Last week at a charity hockey game. A boy's name was called to come and attempt to hit a puck in a 3 1/2 inch hole for $50,000. The boy left the stands, went on the ice and hit the shot winning the money. The crowd went wild and the boy and his family went even wilder. What a shot! What a prize! What a pickle?

The problem is that the boy that made the shot was not the boy whose name was called. The name called was of a boy playing outside of the event. The boy who hit the shot was his twin brother. In the heat of the moment the father sent the son onto the ice to stand in for his twin. Truthfully, the father never thought the shot would be made and figured no harm would be done for someone else to take the shot. He never thought for a minute that the puck would go in the hole. Surely it was a set up.

Here is where it gets weird. The father told his sons that they had to tell the truth. The next day they called the event organizer and came clean. This was before any money had been given. Before they threw the money on the bed and jumped up and down yelling "show me the money!" The didn't even spend a dime on something frivolous and silly like most contestant and lottery winners. They owned up to their deception and forfeited the money.

What would you do? Sure, it is easy to be pious from a distance, but what if this was really an option. An opportunity to gain something by skirting the truth might be a blessing in disguise. After all, no one will get hurt and no one will know. Isn't this how all lies go? "No one will know." "No one will get hurt." "I deserve this." "I need this." "It is mine."

The next time you are tempted to tell a lie about who you are, what you have done, where you have been or what belongs to you , remember this story. Remember a father who could have gotten a great start on his kid's college fund. Remember a dad who could have had the best Disney family vacation ever. Remember a dad who could have bought his kids the best back to school clothes in his state. Remember two twin boys who will forever remember how important honesty was to their father. Remember that honesty is not only the best policy, it is the only policy for someone who follows Christ and lives to display his holiness in the world.

Now in the game...

2011-08-16T12:52:00.003-05:00

1939 – Signed as rookie pitcher and short stop for the Johnson City Cardinals. 2011 – Called up to pitch in the big leagues for St. Louis at age 95. Don Ballard took the in between years with the Navy in service to his country and the Church of the Nazarene in service of the word. He is a veteran of both World War II and the Vietnam War retiring as a distinguished veteran at the rank of lieutenant junior grade. An ordained elder, he pastored churches in KY, AL, MS, TX, LA and TN before entering the field of evangelism and preaching holiness for the church in 38 states. In the past few years of ministry, he has served as pastor of a retirement center in Memphis, TN preaching at multiple campuses on Sunday mornings. His life has been filled with service and dedication to being an active and positive member of a team at every stage and stop.

On Friday, August 12, 2011, the St. Louis Cardinals honored him by calling him up to throw out the first pitch of the game against the Colorado Rockies. Previously, Rev. Ballard threw out the first pitch in Johnson City, TN and in Memphis, TN – both affiliate teams of the Cardinals. After throwing a strike down on the corner, Ballard retired to the stands to watch the Cardinals go on to win. A good night and a great memory that complete a story begun 72 years previous.

Good Question Tom

2011-08-15T14:52:00.003-05:00

"If the gospel isn't transforming you, how do you know that it will transform anything else?"
- Surprised by Hope (NT Wright, 2008)

I suppose the best way to go about answering this question posed by Bishop Wright is to ask more questions to get at heart of the question. Let's call it a test. Answer at your leisure, but be warned. Those who ask and answer such questions of themselves enter into serious spiritual searching and beyond our token cultural religious alliances. Be careful- you might discover something missing in your seeking and following of Jesus.

What is the gospel to you?
a - any good news
b- a style of music
c - a punch line
d - Jesus (specifically God in Christ reconciling the world)

What in your life has been transformed and/or is being transformed?
a - nothing
b - words, thoughts and deeds
c - body, mind, soul
d - relationships, attitudes and outlooks
e - answers b, c and d

Do you care if anyone is transformed through knowing you?
a - not really
b - sometimes
c - if I have too
d - should I?
e - yes!

What do you think salvation is about?
a - getting my carcass to heaven
b - getting me that Mercedes and cool friends
c - enabling me to sleep better at night
d - being the hands and feet of Christ
e - loving God and neighbor with all that I am
f - proclaiming the gift of God in faith, hope and love to all the world
g - letting go of who I am to grasp on to who God is calling me to be
h - answers d through g; (if you picked any other answer you fail!)

If taking this test has caused pain, suffering or deep concern over your spirituality, please see your pastor ASAP for appropriate leadership and guidance. You may be suffering from a self centered, short sighted, secular view of Christian faith and ministry. Get your faith checked out now!

About the B-I-B-L-E...

2011-01-03T10:57:00.005-06:00

Sacred Scripture does not need me to defend it, justify it or prove it. It stands alone as a witness of God speaking into our world through the ages and through tradition. My son yesterday called my preaching "God speeches" and although he was trying to be clever, he came across profound. Davis is like that, God bless him.

Preaching is interesting. It is never me or anyone else who have something worth saying on our own. It is always the Holy Spirit at work. I suspect that some of best, Spirit soaked "God speeches" are not found in the mouths of the hyper creative or the charismatically gifted, but rather flows from the heart linked to the heart of God and centered in His Holy Word/words to us. It might be helpful to the Christian church to consider what we are seeking when we engage in the study of truth. True truth of course is found in one main place - you guessed it, Holy Scripture. Preaching is never above or separated from the source of truth that carries it into the congregations ears (and hopefully their hearts.)

Let me drop two great quotes on you from Eugene Peterson on scripture.

When we submit our lives to what we read in Scripture, we find that we're being led not to see God in our stories but to see our stories in God's. God is the larger context and plot in which our stories find themselves. (The Invitation)

Christians don't simply learn or study or use Scripture; we feed on it. We assimilate it, taking it into our lives in such a way that it gets metabolized into acts of love, cups of cold water, missions into all the world, healing and evangelism and justice in Jesus' name, hands raised in adoration of the Father, feet washed in the company of the Son. (The Invitation)

Unfortunately we turn our study of Scripture over to debates over inspiration or rational critiques of its truth or relevancy. Our demands upon the text require it to do something for us while it was written to do something in us. We search to find points in scripture that prove our way of thinking and living correctly so we can feel better about the faith we are consuming in American church culture. The speeches of God are tuned out like we tune out anything else that does not scratch an itch for us. Yet, we can not afford to ignore it, tune it out or reduce it to literature or history. Scripture is revelation of God in our world, in our life, in our places of need and desperation.

In our world (our very religious, but not always spiritual world) approaching Scripture with simple faith is a tough task, but it is possible. It is possible and it is God's hope for us. Believing that Scripture is God's word is not the point. Living in the Word that God has spoken is. Faith is required before, during and most importantly after we read it. As we read it, as it is spoken into our hearts, let us receive the Sacred Scriptures with faith, in hope and for loving others as God has graciously loved us. God's revelation is not an academic study or a sermon series. It is His benevolence upon the created places and peoples of God so that we may have salvation in Him and live to glorify Him forever.

So, pick up your Bible and listen to a speech from the Holy One of Israel. He has something to say and you are gonna want to hear it. It is gggggooooooooooooooodddd!

Better Than Best Wishes ( aka...Goodbye 2010)

2010-12-31T20:28:00.002-06:00

As we launch into a new year and busy ourselves with goals and objectives, we discover the space to be honest about where we are in life and hopefully, in where we want to go with the choices that are before us. With a New Year comes new opportunity. With a New Year comes new courage. With a New Year comes new strength. With a New Year comes a new start.

Very likely, we will have goals that are similar every year: save more money, exercise more, work less, rest more, slow down and enjoy life, etc. These are the cultural automatics that many people will discuss and aspire to, but few will follow through with. Those are “t-shirt” goals that we probably aren’t that serious about making happen, even if we think they would do our lives some good. It seems that only the really disciplined, the truly ambitious, are able to pause in the middle of life and alter the course they are on so much that they are able to pursue a more healthful, happy life. Most seem stuck in the path they are walking and are only “wishful” that things will change. Unfortunately, we usually find that wishing does not change a thing. Something else is necessary.

What is necessary – crucial – if anything is to change in our lives, is hope. Hope is better than wishing in that through hope we have a cause to believe things can change. Wishing is oriented in luck and reduces us to waiting on the stars to align. Hope is wrapped up in an event, a belief, a person. One whom we believe can and will act in our behalf and empower us to a better way of life. Hope is not a vague vision of the future, but a firm certainty of a present reality that can alter our future for the better, while it is equally at work in our present circumstances and crises. We wish for something to happen. Hope is mindful that something is happening.

Right now, deep within our hearts, something is happening. The God who created the universe is stirring us to pursue Him in a deeper way. If we can still ourselves from our opinions, our dreams, our attitudes, our failures, we can hear what He says. His words are eternal and His words are holy. His words bring meaning to a meaningless world, and His words bring truth to a distorted reality. His presence brings healing to the hurting heart and direction to the misguided soul. The secret to hearing is not found in three steps or in five essential purposes, but in hearing that God has/is/will be giving us “the riches of the glory of his mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. (Colossians 1:27)”

In the midst of our need for change and newness, God gives us what we don’t know to ask for and aren’t sure we want. He gives us His glory. And through His glory we receive the riches of kingdom life (hint: these riches are kept in the heart, not in the bank), and kingdom work (hint: this work is usually done outside of the church as we bear witness to the love of God to others). Instead of giving to us a new diet, a new savings plan, a new work schedule, God gives to us a new outlook that makes it possible for us to see life as fresh and new, so that we may become aware of where and how He is working instead of lamenting over the ways He doesn’t seem to be. As we plan our path for a new year, let us act confidently in this transforming hope found through faith rather than wishes in our strength and understanding. Hoping for a “Holy New Year” is many times better than Wishing for a “Happy New Year”.

May 2011 for you and your family be full of the breath of God, and may all of your hopes be wrapped up in His presence, power and purposes.

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

2010-12-22T14:19:00.002-06:00

My favorite Christmas carol/hymn by far is "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" by my great, great, great uncle on my mother's side - Charles Wesley. Here is a tid bit about the song and a link to a great rendition at Kings College. Enjoy and Merry Christmas!

The words to "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" were written by Charles Wesley, the brother of the founder of Methodism John Wesley. He was inspired by the sounds of London church bells while walking to church on Christmas Day. The poem first appeared in Hymns and Sacred Poems in 1739 with the opening line of "Hark, how the welkin (heaven) rings." Wesley's evangelist colleague, George Whitefield, altered it to the familiar opening line over the protests of the author in 1753. Then in 1760 the Reverend Martin Madan substituted lines 7 and 8, to what we know today. The tune was originally composed by Felix Mendelssohn in 1840 for the second chorus "Gott ist Licht" ("God is Light"), of the cantata Festgesang ("Festival Song"). Festgesang was written by the German composer to commemorate Johann Gutenberg and the invention of printing. Mendelssohn died in 1847 and in 1855 Dr. William Cummings, who was an enthusiast of the German composer, put the words and music together in spite of the fact that Mendelssohn had made it clear that his music was not be used for sacred purposes. Additionally, Wesley had envisaged his words being sung to the same tune as his Easter hymn, "Christ the Lord is Risen Today." However it is Mendelssohn's tune that is generally used today.

http://http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hRq3vy7I-4&feature=player_embedded#!

My High School

2010-12-22T14:06:00.002-06:00

This last summer after graduating from Pittsburgh Seminary I realized that it was my 20th year of high school graduation. While in Summit, MS visiting mom and family we took a little tour over to my old school. I left with a diploma and returned with a beautiful family and a bit more maturity (I hope).

Vacation 2010 - Portugal

2010-12-22T14:02:00.003-06:00

We had a great time in October of 2010 in Portugal with Jamie's side of the our family (Jim, Gay, Renee and Charlie). We toured castles, drank espresso, played in the ocean, worshipped with a great group of Nazarenes and enjoyed a time with family.

OK with ordinary

2010-09-21T11:35:00.003-05:00

Church management and leadership development is big business these days. Books, videos, conferences, webinars and the likes are mass produced and marketed to pastors and congregations as products for sale and resources for help. Everyone has something to say, something to sale. Some are good. Some are really good and some are, well....

Bucer in discussing how Christ manages the church analyzes leadership from the Biblical and historical view of ecclesiological leadership. It is his opinion that our Lord has exercised his rule in the church by calling everyone to the church in commitment and that the church lacks nothing because of it. Bucer of course assumes that everyone has responded to the call of Christ to join in the ministry of Christ in commitment and service. He also assumes that church leadership will always be mindful and act with a devoted and faithful outlook on what Christ is doing and how that influences (determines) how church leaders go forth. What I think he means is that if Christ rules the church and calls us to share in the leadership of it, we should not only understand what church leaders are to do, but we are to remain in the place that Christ has put us. By place I do not necessarily mean an actual, geographical place, but a figurative place or classically put, an office of ministry.

Before going deep into these offices of pastoral leadership, Bucer gives three quick and historical categories that help guide and shape our pastoral understanding and practice.

Miracle Working Ministers - These are they who were in the beginning days of the church usually with Christ. They are prophets, evangels, healers and linguists. They are unique and one of a kind and probably never to be seen again. They are as rare as Christian politician and harder to define than military intelligence, but they did (do?) exist.

Apostles - These are the big shot leaders of the church - then and now. Apostles are bishops, general superintendents and such. They are gifted by God to spread the kingdom far and wide. Don't get me wrong. We need these leaders and we need them to have ministry in their heart and the kingdom of God in their soul. Bucer warns that there are not so many of them as used to be, but they do exist. Again, rarer than a rib eye in Amarillo.

Ordinary Ministers - Here is where the 99 percent fall. This is us. We are ordinary. And yet we too are rare for knowing and embracing such an ordinary office is not the attractive or hip thing to do. So many ordinary calls are dropped in pursuit of the higher callings which are not crafted in graduate school or purchased at a "fix everything" conference. Everyone is wanting to do extra ordinary. God has called us to do ordinary. Can we stand it? Sometimes yes. Sometimes no. Pay, benefits, fame, power all call us to move up. The Spirit of God and the cry of the church prays that we will stay in our place teaching and serving. This is our call and through it we are eternally connected and active in the rule of Christ in the church.

The ordinary ministers whom the Lord gives to his church all the time are pastors, teachers, and those ministers commissioned by the whole church to care for those in need. (Bucer - True Care of Souls and Genuine Pastoral Ministry)

To Church or Not to Church

2010-09-13T15:21:00.002-05:00

III. The Management of the Church: How our Lord Jesus Christ carries out his pastoral office and the work of our salvation in his church through his ordained ministers.

As we have already said, our dear Lord Jesus is really present in his church, ruling, leading, and feeding it himself. But he effects and carries out this his rule and the feeding of his lambs in such a way as to remain always in his heavenly nature, that is, in his divine and intangible state, because he has left this world. Therefore, it has pleased him to exercise his rule, protection and care of us who are still in this world with and through the ministry of his word, which he does outwardly and tangibly through his ministers and instruments. (Bucer - True Care of Souls and Genuine Pastoral Ministry)

The church is not perfect. In fact, far from it. Even on Easter Sunday, our best day, we are still ruined and defiled by sin. Thanks be to God that through Jesus we are perfected and washed being made whole and without spots and blemish. For as Christ is pure and holy, so is the church. Funny how we are both the best and the worst of our imaginations at the same time. That is real time Jesus at work in our world!

The plan of God to make the church pure is to work through the visible church to offer the gospel to all humanity (organized church might work better for those committed to modernism or opposed to Calvin's terms). Through the faith and witness of the church the grace of God is preached, the love of Christ is shared to all and the hope we have for holiness is affirmed through His Holy Spirit. This is the plan and it has not, will not, must not be changed. Everyone is called to believe and serve. Some are called to give their lives to preach, pray and lead. Others are even expected to die in faithfulness. (Random observation - Apparently a few of the visible Christians have been called to seek fame, build a great fortune and hold tremendous power over the innocent without accountability or sacrifice.)

For those who are called to be an instrument of the gospel we must forever remember one thing. This church belongs to God. It is not our church, our building, our ministry or our Plexiglas pulpit. Everything belongs to God and the church is especially his. He has sanctified it for His glory and to be a foretaste of His kingdom. So don't confuse things and don't forget the plan. The church is God's plan for gathering and generating Christian ministry and ministers to go outward and then retreat back to formation. Ministers are an important piece in this machine, but not the most important part. Life and ministry go on with our without us, when we are faithful and when we are faithless. We may choose how and when we serve, but God will decide how and when we are faithful, effective, fruitful for the kingdom. Eugene Peterson says that "the church is not what WE do. It is what GOD does, although we participate in it (Peterson - Practice Resurrection, p 17)."

Father, help us remember that you are at work in our church, in our ministry. It is not up to us to save every soul, feed every belly, fix every marriage, but we need to offer ourselves to such a vision. You are in our church and present in our faith. Gather us for your glory and send us in mission to homes, our neighborhoods, our schools, our clubs, our offices. Feed us on your word so that we may grow up in Christ Jesus and act righteously as your body on earth. Amen.

Christ's Rule In His Church

2010-08-23T15:03:00.002-05:00

Preaching. Check.

Leading staff. Check.

Visiting the sick. Check.

Praying for the congregation. Check.

Attending board meetings. Check (with a heavy sigh)

Protecting the church from from worldly powers. Huh?

I will admit that many things that are expected of the pastoral office are different from most professions. Pastors are more than business professionals that are expected to perform in the areas of finance, communications and strategic planning. Some of our job will require us to be involved in such, but a pastors job is not that of a CEO, but a shepherd; not a manager, but a mentor; not a expert leader, but a leader-follower. The pastoral office requires a multitude of tasks, abilities and understandings.

Among our most important tasks as a pastor is in protecting the church. Specifically we are to protect our people from empty philosophies, bad doctrine, misguided practices and self centered faith. Our collective faith is singularly pointed towards the submission of the church to the gospel of God in Christ. The primary rival of this gospel is the powers of this world that clash with the mercy of God and His kingdom that has come (and is coming). It is power against power - God's power against man's power - grace against sin- love against hate - freedom against slavery. THIS is the Clash of the Titans. God against all. And God is winning.

Faithful pastoral practice not only believes in the power of God, but calls the church to believe in such power. Some will believe. Some will not. Some will experiment. Some will flee. Pastors will preach, pray, re-preach, pray some more and protect. When we speak the truth in contrast to the power of the world we are protecting the church from the hopelessness of being lost and broken. When we pray the grace of God over the lives of our congregation we are protecting the church from living in the grip of fear and helplessness. When we act in faith as a church to establish a continued witness of God we are protecting the future in our neighborhood and family. When we oppose the misguided and sinful attacks of the critics/cynics/false prophets we are protecting the church from the song of wickedness and scandal. Of course when we are silent or when we do not act, we neglect to carry out this call of our office. God help us. Our silence and inaction makes us partners with the powers that attack God's reputation and revelation to man.

The shepherds in authority over the people of God must take the greatest care to see that no others claim for themselves any power or rule over Christ's flock, but that there should be and remain in the church none other than the single power and absolute authority of Christ, who is to be faithfully served by all who are chosen to the care of souls and pastoral office of the church. (True Care of Souls and Genuine Pastoral Ministry - Martin Bucer)

May God help us to confront the powers and voices that bring division and discouragement to the body of Christ and ultimately weaken the faith and witness of his church. May God remind us daily that He has chosen us to be shepherds of the flock under the care and guidance of the Great Shepherd. May we not be so in love with ourselves that we mistake His calling and ministry for our calling and ministry.

The Fellowship of Christians and The Nature of the Church

2010-08-17T11:44:00.002-05:00

The church of Christ is the assembly and fellowship of those who are gathered from the world and united in Christ our Lord through his Spirit and word, to be a body and members of one another, each having his office and work for the general good of the whole body and its members. (Bucer - True Care of Souls and Genuine Pastoral Ministry)

For all of the progress that the church seems to have made through the ages, the one area that can never be neglected or ignored is the root purpose of the church, the reason we exist. Yes we are to witness. Yes we are to serve. Yes we are to grow/mature in faith. Yes we are to make disciples. Yes we are to fellowship. Yes we are to pray. Yes, Yes, Yes to many others examples of the fruit of Christian existence and church relevance. However, one reason stands out among the rest. One reason is the root that gives life to our witness, our service, our maturity, our prayers, etc...

The church exists as an extension of God on earth. That is to say clearly, we are the body of Christ (broken and shed for the sin of the world.) I believe this is both a literal and a metaphorical theological claim (How can it be both?) Literal in that God has made it this way as a continuing revelation to the world that is lost and dying. Metaphorical in that this is how humanity (the church) can understand and participate in it the work that God is doing. When we organize or exist apart from the belief that we are the body of Christ we are impotent and arrogant. We will fail every time. When we live and act as the body of Christ we find assurance, meaning and power in our ministry and hope for our world.

Bucer claims that the church is the most unified gathering and communion...in the world...ever! Ballard thinks he is right. The problem is that we as the church find it impossible to believe such because we have seen and experienced the division of the church through the ages. We know exactly what the church is capable of - good and bad, but alot of the times bad. We believe in God. We believe in personal salvation. We believe in heaven. We believe in the Bible. Why don't we believe in the unity of the church and fellowship of believers? Why don't we believe that the kingdom has come in Christ and remains as a witness to eternity of God's never ending, never dying love? Why don't we believe that each of us is gifted in a unique way to function as a part of this beautiful body?

Let's start believing in the church (again) today. Let's not live as an organization or an institution trying to gain market share or prestige. Let us live (eat, pray, love, etc...) as the body of Christ. Let us place great value on belonging to the work of God and not judging it or sabotaging it. Let us exercise our gifting for ministry to others today. Let us be united together in Spirit and by word. Let us keep our eyes on Jesus - the author and perfecter of our faith and of the church. Let us do so in faith, hope and love.

Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. (Ephesians 4:15-16)

Eat, Pray, Love - like a Pastor

2010-08-16T13:38:00.007-05:00

After a summer of fairly lazy writing I am getting ready to recommit myself to frequent writing on this blog on matters regarding faith and ministry. That was really my goal when I began blogging about three years ago, but have been distracted by graduate study, professional baseball and a beautiful wife (and kids). It is my belief that a part of the call of God for me (and all ministers) is to work to improve the understanding and practice of pastoral ministry.

Although a pastor is typically employed and/or assigned to a particular parish or congregation, she/he is always a part of the greater council of elders of the global church. The call of God does not separate us by denominational title, by traditional preferences or sectarian views. We are united eternally by Christ through his life, death and resurrection and are commissioned together as disciples and apostles of His ministry. The further we are from each other, the greater the divide in our congregations and ultimately in our own soul as pastors. No one understands the plight of pastoral ministry like a pastor - past, present or future - that God has called, gifted and empowered for ministry to others. What God has joined together in Christ for ministry to others, let no one separate!

This is a similar view of the right Rev. Dr. Martin Bucer. You know, good old Marty B from Strasbourg. You went to school with him. No? OK - from the beginning. ( the picture above taken at Olan Mills for the Strasbourg First Church pictorial directory)

Martin Bucer (not Buber) was a 16th century pastor in Germany known as a Lutheran by those who slandered the Reformational leaders and churches, but known by Martin and his colleagues as a renewal movement within the body of Christ. Bucer initially served as a priest, but asked that his monastic orders be annulled after meeting Martin Luther and beginning to work with other Reformation leaders in Germany. While working in Wissembourg he was excommunicated from the RCC and fled to Strasbourg where he would work as mediator between Luther and Zwingli in their disagreement over the Eucharist and Reformational practice. Even later he would work with Philip Melanchthon in articulating certain conciliar views and decisions relating to the Reformation. His passion though was in trying to work with the leaders of the Roman church and the leaders of the Reformed movement to keep unity in the Church of Christ. Bucer clearly saw from the beginning (along with others then and now) how multiple churches and confessions would be damaging to the body of Christ in practice and witness. He believed that a renewal in the RCC was possible and unity for the church would strengthen the global Christian witness. History reveals that although his hopes were high and intentions good, his efforts were not fruitful.

Bucer would eventually pastor the Strasbourg congregation for roughly 25 years before refusing to sign an accord (the Augsburg Interim) giving the RCC more power/authority in the German church and throughout the Holy Roman Empire. His church in Strasbourg essentially voted him out. He would flee to England and work with Thomas Cranmer on the 2nd edition of the Book of Common Prayer while accepting a teaching post at Cambridge where he died in 1551. Bucer is credited with being a vital voice in the English Reformation as he brought his experience and wisdom from Germany to England always acting, writing and speaking with the faith of a pastor called by God to serve the church.

Bucer is remembered as a great pastor, capable scholar and maybe the first ecumenical Christian who believed and hoped for unity in the Church of Christ. Bucer would have agreed with Ballard that the greatest witness of the presence and power of God may be the ability for the church to stand together despite a variety of traditions or customs and confess our salvation in and through Christ Jesus. In True Care of Souls and Genuine Pastoral Ministry he said, "the fellowship of the Christian church consists not in ceremonies and outward practices, but in true faith, in obedience to the pure gospel, and in the right use of the holy sacraments as the Lord has ordained them." True Care of Souls was published in Strasbourg in 1538 and stands as his most useful individual contribution to Christian ministry and thought.

I will spend the next several weeks reading and posting from this book that is a Reformational classic and maybe the first Protestant pastoral theology. I hope three things occur: 1- that I am renewed in my practice and thought as pastor and am strengthened in offering genuine and true care to souls, 2 - that other pastors may find an interest in reading Bucer and more importantly be energized to be faithful and passionate in pastoral leadership grounded in the gospel and 3 - that the laity may be reminded of the priesthood of all believers and be inspired to pastor their home, their work place and wherever God has called them. All in all, may we collectively live - eating, praying and loving - with the heart, mind and soul of a true shepherd of God's sheep.

Favorite Words

2010-08-07T09:12:00.001-05:00

What is your favorite word? Perhaps you have more than one favorite word. I have many. Among my favorite words are baseball, cheeseburger, vacations, coffee, movies, great danes, Tennessee and Jamie. I like a whole bunch of other words too, but these really make me happy. I am smiling right now just thinking about them because they all bring me such happiness and give real definition to who I am and how I like to be known. I love those words and can’t wait to experience them again real soon!

It is all the rage today to classify your church or ministry style by using clever buzz words that might appeal to the casual shopper or consumer selecting their next church to “try out.” Among the most popular words that I routinely hear or read are the claims of being “relevant, contemporary, emergent, hopeful, casual, dynamic, ancient and/or one hour.” On the flip side would be congregations would want to be known as “old fashioned, conservative, anchored, spiritual or classic.” No doubt the congregation or minister has given careful consideration to accurately describing how they view or act in ministry. I suspect that they are deeply committed to pursuing congregational life and ministry that corresponds closely to the adjectives they value and publicize.

All churches have words that describe them and define their work although the words may be a silent pursuit instead of a printed advertisement. I can think of three more words that are very popular in evaluating ministry and developing congregational identity. However, I think these three are less a description of style and more of a philosophical perspective for ministry. Maybe they are better at describing a pattern of thought as a congregation. Maybe they are helpful in helping us describe to others what our church is about. Maybe they help remind us why we belong to the body of Christ and why we care so much about what we do and what other churches are doing in Jesus’ name.

Missional – This is THE word of the last 10 years of ministry study and analysis. It helps remind us that the church is an outward focused, outward reaching organization. The purpose of the church is to bear witness to the world that God loves all of His creation – sinners, saints, cheats, gays, liars, lovers, losers, etc – and longs to restore and reorder His kingdom. The missional church is all about such a message and is passionate about sharing this message, this community, this brand with everyone who cares and perhaps even with some people who don’t care (but might one day). There must be an aspect of missional in every congregation, every believer. The church can no longer be content to send missionaries to Africa and collect money for the Jesus Film in doing their mission duty. The church must learn to think and act as a missionary in everything from our planning to our productions and from our dreams to our daily work. The missional church at its best will spark the dormant believer into Christian service and witness in unplanned, unsanctioned acts of ministry.

Positional – This is the word that dominated the church culture of thinking before missional came along. It symbolizes a stance of church against the world, Christ against culture. A positional church has taken a stand, drawn a line in the sand, and is calling people to cross over and join the church if you agree with our position. Along the way the gospel has gotten mixed up in denominational division and sectarian systems of power and control. No one debates that the church has certain non negotiable positions that are true through the ages. The debate lies in what we are doing with such timeless truths and how we are engaging others (or not) with a truth we claim has transformed our life. In many ways the positional church is the exact opposite of the missional church. It is not necessarily a wrong, but may be short cited or perhaps misguided. The positional church is limited to by a people culturally shaped to think in black and white, wrong or right, out or in. The positional church is at its best when the proclaiming of the gospel for the lost is louder than the debate of theological particulars among the saved.

Unconditional – Perhaps this word can be pick up both of the other words and complete them in the gospel. Although the church is to be a missional body and also have distinct positions in practice, it is first unconditionally accepted by God and unconditionally sent into the world. The church is only pure as it reflects the nature and character of God. The church is only faithful as it acts in harmony with how God has acted in time and space. Therefore, as God has unconditionally forgiven us, we should forgive others. As God has unconditionally chosen us as children, we should choose others as friends/neighbors. As God has unconditionally partnered with us in His mission, we should partner with others in pursuit of God’s mission. We would do well to get more familiar with the word unconditional and allow it to infect our heart, mind and soul to such a degree that we think it reasonable to be known as a person and people who love and serve others unconditionally. The unconditional church is at its best when creation sings in harmony with the spirit of love first displayed by an unconditionally, loving Father.

We choose how others know us. To be known as effective in mission work or in preserving the faith is a noble calling. To be known as the reflection of God is a divine one. Most Christian traditions have fallen in love with the idea of being missional or positional. Let us gather up the best ideals of being missional and positional, integrating them with a spiritual view that is unconditionally anchored in the love of God, unconditionally engaged missionally with others, unconditionally uphold the theological positions that bear witness to us the presence and glory of God in our world. May we choose first to be an unconditional people of God so that in seeking the lost and keeping the faith we are acting gracefully and generously.

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)

Luther's Theses - #54

2010-08-06T12:42:00.005-05:00

54- A wrong is done to the word of God when in the same sermon an equal or a longer time is devoted to indulgences than to God's word. (Martin Luther)

I am in full harmony with Dr. Luther on many (perhaps all) of his points of reformation at Worms. I find this one to be especially interesting to where we are currently in our modern practice and exercise of worship. Unfortunately, the modern church may be more off key to Luther than the church of his day. Thankfully, the church is no longer held captive by the idea that Christians can buy or purchase any piece of our salvation or our loved ones. That idea and practice was paramount in the churches of Luther's day. The selling of indulgences in the Protestant church is a non issue and even seems far fetched for us to consider. However, we still struggle with being distracted from the center of Christian faith and practice. Let me try and explain by considering how we use our time/energy/attention when we gather for worship as the body of Christ.

Most modern churches will have some idea of what will happen when the eleven o'clock hour rolls around. This is governed in part by tradition and perhaps in part by cultural expectations. Basically there is singing, preaching, praying, offering and often fellowshiping, reading, announcing, reviewing/promoting (by video) and some waving. Here is what seems to be a popular order of worship or line up (that is if one has been designated)for many churches in America.

Song-video-song-prayer-song-song-song-song-short sermon-prayer-yawn-stretch-song-song-song-offering-video-song-song-song-lunch-nap-more singing

Is this what Luther was talking about in his day? Is this similar to the distraction that Luther loathed in the church of his day? Have we replaced the importance of gospel proclamation with music (or other items in the order)?

The majority of Christian tradition would have seen the preaching of the word and serving of the sacraments as the focus of gathered worship. Although music, offerings, prayers and fellowship have always been a part of ordered worship, the gospel presentation was at the heart of the gathering. Remove it and worship never occur ed. Today many people/churches define (or limit our definition of) worship as the music that is planned and/or played. We have even gone so far as to designate the leader of music as the worship leader in many settings rather than the pastor who is preaching and serving at the Lord's table. How a church does music is of utmost importance in the church of today although historically it was not such a big part of planned worship(except possibly for choral offerings). Things have changed in style (which is good) and substance (which is bad).

No doubt music is an important part of congregational praise and worship, but it should never be mistaken as the center, or as the most important, or even as necessary. What is forever necessary is the proclamation of the gospel (not necessarily a sermon) into a hopeless world and the offering of grace in exchange for sin and brokenness. When music is used in worship it should always be done so as a servant to the place of scripture and the service of the word. Music that serves the proclaiming of the gospel is transforming. Music that is used only because of its tempo, rhythm or style is a distraction to worship and may very well be an abomination- even if it sounds/feels holy or sacred. This complaint is for both the hymn singers and the contemporary chorus crew. Style is not the main thing. Substance - Christ crucified and resurrected - is the main thing. Music accentuates that or it perverts it. (I could make similar claim about topical preaching or "felt need" sermons that borrow loosely from the context of scripture and hint as spirituality, but never proclaim the gospel. Just saying.)

Of course music can be a vibrant vehicle of the gospel and at times may be a sermon itself, but those songs and moments are probably few and far between. Most of the time the gospel will come to us most clearly when we are silent and still before God and responsive to the Holy Spirit. We find worship meaningful when we focus on being accepted in the presence of God instead of being touched by a musical memory or moment. It is ok to have Christian concerts or productions. Let's just not confuse them with how we should worship God.

Worship is not an event or an experience. Worship is an encounter. An encounter with the story of God spoken boldly and passionately into our dark world from long ago. May we never be distracted in any way from hearing what God is saying to us and inviting us to believe/know/live/confess.

The B-I-B-L-E

2010-08-06T12:32:00.002-05:00

More than anything else the Bible invites our participation in the work and language of God. As we read the Bible, we find that there is a connection between the Word Read and the Word Lived. Everything in this book is livable. Many of us find that the most important question we ask as we read is not “What does it mean?” but “How can I live it?” So we read personally, not impersonally. We read in order to live our true selves, not just get information that we can use to raise our standard of living. Bible reading is a means of listening to and obeying God, not gathering religious data by which we can be our own Gods. – Eugene Peterson (The Message)

If this is true many (if not most) North American Christians are in trouble because we have been led to believe that we can get every answer, every action needed, from carefully reading the stories of scripture and acting as the patriarchs, the judges or Jesus’ disciples did. We have believed that by memorizing the exact words found in the story we can preserve our faith from temptation and failure by unleashing our learning in times of struggle and stress. We have believed that our tradition is the true tradition because we have doctrinal statements that are carefully mined from sacred scriptures enabling us to break down every single element of salvation and the Christian life. We have been led to believe that the Bible will serve as our personal road map to the good life and ultimately to heaven. We have believed that the more we know about the Bible, the better Christians were are or will be.

Well, the proof is not in the pudding. Sin is as rampant a problem in the church as it is outside of it. Many life long Christians who read the Bible daily are not "doers" of the word they read. Some of the best Bible resources in our congregations are also our best Pharisees. Is it possible that we have gotten many, many things about God, His Word and the Christian life wrong or at least a little off center? If so, why and how?

Space and time will not allow for a full review of “why and how”, but we can suggest one reason or perhaps clue to why we have “missed the mark” in our use and understanding of scripture. The reason is self. We are forever selfish. This is true when we are born, when we are young, when we are old. It is also true before, after and during our life as Christians. Our selfishness creates great problems for us relationally, professionally, economically, vocationally, especially spiritually. Even as we seek to live in the Christian way our own sense of self centeredness, self indulgence, self preservation, gets in the way of living in the story of God as the people of God. Just because we work to master the text or become experts on the Bible does not mean we have defeated the internal, eternal quest to be our own God. Knowing the meaning of scripture does not make us a better brand of Christian. Even atheists can discern the meaning of story or song without being converted by it. Bible experts and gifted theologians are of little use to the body of Christ if they are not first practical, actual Christians living out the word of God in faith, hope and love.

Living it is the point for all believers. Knowing what it means is simply a stop along the way as we live it. In fact, knowing or understanding the meaning of scripture is not necessarily a requirement for living it. How many people met Jesus and followed him without really knowing who he was, where he had been, why he had come, where he was going, etc? If we insist on understanding every detail or dilemma of the Christian faith we will never develop into the mature, fruitful disciples that Christian envisioned would lead the church in the most dangerous and uncertain times. In times like these, God’s word will serve as our guide (not our map, our encyclopedia, our dictionary, etc…) and will be for us the way, the truth and the life. Let us live and long daily for the encounter of God’s revelation for us so that we may live(and not just read or remember)into the fullness and the essence of Christian salvation.

GK Chesterton on our dependance on God

2010-07-26T08:56:00.003-05:00

I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.
(A Short History of England)

What Can You Really Do?

2010-06-07T14:45:00.006-05:00

If you see a young man climbing up to heaven by his own will, catch him by the foot and pull him down to earth. it is not good for him. ( from Worshipping with the Church Fathers by Christopher Hall)

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania has three rivers, about a million bridges and several really cool inclines to ascend to the height of the city and look down. It would be foolish to climb those hills, but apparently it is a treat to pay a small fee and ride. A good source assures me that they even have an ice cream shop at the top waiting on you to arrive. With ice cream in hand one can look over the river valley and view the steel city, but you better use the lift or you will die trying to climb to the top.

There is a great struggle in Christian faith between trying to do too much and not trying enough. Some will say that we can't do anything to save ourselves. Others will say that we must make every effort to live for God and live like a Christian. In fact, the leading Protestant traditions debate over this point at length. It is true to say that we are saved by the grace of God and not be our merit. It is also true to say that we are saved so that we may live the Christian life both as a witness to the world and as an offering to God for giving us grace. We can not gain our salvation by willing it, but salvation does do something to our will to empower us for the right life. This is the divine mystery of God at work in our life.

A woman was brought to Jesus to be judged for adultery. She was obviously guilty and didn't seem to deny it. She was a sinner. So were the men who brought her to him. Only Jesus is innocent of sin in this story (and any story!) Jesus judges her by calling for the innocent ones to throw the first stone. Silence. At least the sinful, judging men were honest. Jesus offers no judgement. He gives her grace and makes her whole which is his part in the story. He tells her to go and sin no more which is her part. Too bad the men were not there to hear his offer. I bet he would have made the same deal with them. Don't judge others. Just live life for God. We can't explain grace. We can only embrace it.

If you are clever you will figure out that we live by the same script as the woman caught in adultery. Jesus gives the grace and offers healing. We accept it as a gift and live in honor of it. We can never climb to heaven. We can only get there a lift. A free lift at that. Thanks be to God!

Living with the Benediction

2010-06-01T11:48:00.003-05:00

May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this. (1 Thess. 5:23-24)

Graciously, God has granted us salvation from sin. That is the foundational confession of practical theology. This news is more than a judicial act or a penitential price that was paid. It is new life, whole life and life more abundant. Good news to any generation, but particularly welcome news to a generation looking for a better way to live, to relate and to enjoy. Journey is often used to describe the way we live our lives in search of and process for that which we hunger. It alludes to a belief that, while we may never quite get “there”, it will be fun to travel and more fun if we travel together. Adventure and experience are valued greatly in our time, but one’s destination is not always the point of the trip. Paul signifies to the Thessalonian church as they depart for service that God will be going with them, and that the work they heard about and sensed through their worship together would still be at work in their ministry, their mission.

Debates about crisis and process have created much interest and discussion about the nature of when God works in us and how He does so. It is likely that these debates will continue from one camp to the other, with both sides being right about what God intends to do in us – sanctify us. This passage might help us skip the “when and how” issues and focus on the “what and who” questions of the work of God. To sanctify is to make holy, and that is the substance of God’s grace released on a sinful or unholy soul, spirit and body – the “what”. God through Christ is working our faith entirely, or through and through, so that we are not lacking any necessary element of his graceful desire to save us. This work is immediate and progressive in our lives, and “In no sense does it suggest a completion that precludes further growth.” [1] This growth fulfills the word to us that the holiness of God works through our body, soul and spirit (or through and through). God does not simply make us holy at a particular altar call or sacred place, although it may begin in such a way, for his work is completed over a lifetime of faith and service to him. It is powerful that God gave His promise to Paul who extended it to Thessalonica and now speaks it over and into our lives practicing faith.

The “who” of this text is, of course, God. Not us and not our tradition or heritage or doctrine. Through Christ we are called and assured of the faithfulness of God to do the work he has charged Christ to do in our world and, in particular, in us. Paul carefully pledges that God calls us to be sanctified through Christ, as well as, places the impetus on him to do it. He furthers this point by saying that because we believe that God is a faithful, sovereign Father, we should hold onto the belief that he is equally faithful to carry out any work that he promises us. We can believe that “He who initiates the word sanctification in his people’s lives can be relied upon to complete the word (in us).” [2] This is a distinctly Protestant bridge for believers to cross, remembering that our salvation and sanctification are not from us or because of us, but they are for us as gifts from God that give weight to His continued presence and work “through and through” in our lives. These closing words to a departing people are comforting and affirming, strengthening and straightening.

[1] H Ray Dunning, P 456.
[2] FF Bruce, Word Biblical Commentary, p 129.

About that sin in your life...

2010-06-01T11:19:00.002-05:00

Just as water runs through a pipe, so also sin runs through the heart and the thoughts. All those who deny these statements are refuted and ridiculed by sin itself, which is always intent on victory. For evil tries to hide itself and remain undetected in man's mind. (Macarius)

Most of the time we think we know where we are tempted. We think that we can avoid those spots, those situations, that might cause us to compromise our Christian confession or fall freely out of relationship with God. I think we are fooling ourselves when we think this way. Sin - our sin - is sneaky and stealth. We can not always locate it or avoid it. It is not always easy to keep in one place. We need grace.

When we pray, let us remember that Jesus taught us to pray for deliverance from temptation, not from avoidance of being tempted or for controlling temptation. His teaching on temptation in life should help us know that the goal of dealing with sin is knowing where it is, how it is tempting us and then trusting God to deliver us from such sin. Our place is to open our eyes, be honest with ourselves, confess our involvement. God's job is to forgive us, cast out our sin and strengthen us for righteousness. As evil tries to hide, let us do all that we can to expose it. Check that - let us let the Holy Spirit expose it. Any involvement on our part to undo sin might just mess things up. We need grace to trust that God can do it all by Himself!

If we can not think of any present sin in our life to be confessed, let us begin by looking where we are tempted. Are we tempted to sin in the things we say, hear, touch, taste, etc? Are we tempted to believe that for some reason we have no sin to worry about or pray over? Are we convinced that sin doesn't really matter to God if we joined the church, got baptized or sing in the choir?
Sin is hiding in those places looking to tempt us to deny our reliance on God and hope in Christ. Let us not be fooled for a moment for a moment is all it takes to fall into sin and forsake our repentance. It is better that we are proactive in facing our sin than retroactive in trying to fix what sin has broken in us or in others through us. Again, we need grace to face the sin that might not be actualized in us yet, but certainly is present and waiting. Waiting for us to not be looking, not be thinking, not be relying on God's grace for forgiveness, for cleansing, for power. We need grace!

From Gregory

2010-05-27T14:04:00.003-05:00

We have forgotten that all things begin with God's grace, the grace that continually supplies what we need to be fulfilled as human beings, though thankfully not what we want. Forgetfulness of God's grace and gifts foments a decline into materialism; fallen human nature is almost completely involved in the pursuit of material things. (Gregory of Nyssa- The Lord's Prayer)

How do YOU know if...

2010-03-30T14:06:00.002-05:00

How do you know if your car is out of balance? Obviously the car will pull to the right or to the left when you are driving. If you are not aware of the balance issue you may find yourself floating easily from one lane to the other. In addition to the damage caused to the tires and the car, a car running out of balance is a danger to other drivers and passengers. The corrective is not to slam your car into the curb in hopes that it is knocked back in line. A car is put back in balance with an adjustment by someone who can analyze, read and adjust the tires in the proper rotation.

How do you know if your checkbook is out of balance? This is a good one since most of us no longer make an effort to balance a checkbook. We assume that the email we receive each morning or week is correct and that the computer is doing its job. Think back a dozen years or so and remember how at the end of each month it was necessary to check off all of the checks and deposits for the month to make sure your personal register matched the banks records. Then you added interest or deducted service fees and came to the bottom line. If the home or the bank was in err a meeting or a phone call was made in order to bring every back on the same page. Once the balance was correct in both places business could go on as usual.

How do you know if your spiritual life is out of balance? Good one. Some of us will measure that by church attendance or church giving. Some will measure it by how many chapters of Ezekiel were read this week. Some will measure it by how many years we have been in the choir or taught children's church. Some might even measure it by how we feel right now about the pastor or the church in general. Truthfully, balance is not the real item that many people think needs to be measured. We focus on the question of "are we in or are we out" or "what kind of house will I deserve in heaven." All we know is that we are saved and have joined the church. But is that a good way to think about or measure Christian faith?

John Wesley taught his Methodists about the means of grace. Since we are saved by grace we are to live in grace and be formed by grace so that our broken and meaningless lives may be made whole and be given purpose in Christ. This teaching still is helpful to Christians - Wesleyan or other - who want to be accountable for a balanced, active, passionate faith in Christ. When we discern that our spiritual lives may be out of balance we may consider our walking in the grace of God. Specifically our acts of piety - prayer, public worship, scripture, fasting, etc... - and our acts of mercy - feeding the hungry, loving the poor, caring for the widow, etc. We can not be a private, closet Christian with our holiness kept inside of us only. Nor can we only detail Christian faith by our good works of charity and kindness. We are to be balanced. We are to be holy in heart and life. We are to be righteous in ourselves and with others. Attending to a balanced discipleship is how we contribute to the building of the body of Christ and equipping one another for ministry in the world (Ephesians 4:12).

Would You Rather?

2010-03-11T12:05:00.002-06:00

The most popular game in my neighborhood for girls ages 6 to 12 is the game 'would you rather.' That's the game in which one friend asks another friend if they would rather marry Brad Pitt or Tom Cruise (actually those guys are on the radar of a much older group of girls), if they would rather be rich or poor (duh?), if they would rather have long hair or short. The possibility list goes on and on and I continually witness the little girls playing games while the boys ride around on skate boards and shooting hoops. I can only imagine the 'would you rathers' the boys would play. No doubt it would involve discussion of knives, boogers and motorcycles. Well, at least it gets kids thinking about what they are really picking to pursue or become in life.

Seems like a lot of churches, a lot of Christians, play the same game only they don't really compare or contrast with a friend the options that are before them. They only decide on what they esteem or value and pursue it at all costs often without real reflection on how it might impact others or how a persona will have inward as well as outward consequences on life, family, faith and church life. If we could hear the internal conversation - the 'would we rather' - with some churches these days it would sound like this.

Would you rather be cool or Christlike?

Would you rather be relevant or righteous?

Would you rather be great or Godly?

Would you rather be prosperous or pious?

Would you rather be wealthy or wise?

Of course it is possible to be both. Being cool, relevant, great, etc is not necessarily sinful, but they may very well be distracting to our real pursuit. We may find that chasing cool leads us in a different direction than pursuing Christlikeness. We may find that staying relevant with a bearingless culture separates us from the life of righteousness that is ours in Christ. We may become the greatest congregation our city has ever seen, but not reflect anything Godly in our teachings, fellowship and mission. What we would rather have in life and in church matters for we are either pursuing what is truly important to us or we are headed in the other direction. Neutral ground is almost impossible to find. Few churches and fewer Christian can be cool, Christians or holy philanthropists. One adjective will always be our most prized possession or identity mark.

Think about it. What would you rather have, be, do, become in life and faith? Be honest. God knows your heart and that should matter to all believers. Confession is good for the soul. Repentance is great for everybody. True discipleship is a valid choice for the born again, continually confessing sin, ready to repent, always seeking the voice of God, made for transformation child, teen or adult.

Balance

2010-02-21T18:09:00.002-06:00

Balance keeps our lives moving in even rhythms. We know when things are balanced and when they are wobbly. Significant parts of every day are spent attending to the issues in need of balance under our management. We balance the tires on our cars. We balance our steps on the side walk. We balance working a job, keeping up the yard, playing with kids and still finding time to pursue self interests. We balance our check books (or at least attempt to!). We balance time spent with family and with friends. We spend more time balancing things in life than we are really aware of. We are nothing if not experts in pursuing and finding balance in life even when we aren't aware of it.

I find only one place where it seems most people are not all that interested in balance - church life. People are content to be completely one sided and out of balance in areas of ministry, mission and worship (not to mention stewardship, service and sacrifice.) We want ministry to be relevant, but define relevance only by our terms. We want mission to meet needs, but only the needs that we feel are important. We want worship to be exciting, dynamic and current, but only as we personally judge them to meet our criteria. Balance is too dangerous in church life because that causes us to compromise our demands or declarations. It is far better for the average American Christian to limit their imagination to think of a church that is meaningful to them, meets their needs and passes the test of coolness in our opinion. Balance is unnecessary. We know what we want and we will get it at all costs.

We are wrong though and our empty spirituality and empty church "experiences" proves my point. 'Life in the church' is synonymous with 'life in Christ' only we don't always know it. Our desire to have it our way prevents us from even considering that maybe our way is not God's way. We can not be in love with Christ and his church while keeping a healthy love for self and worldly engagements.

Balance is our only hope to correct this.

How could a proper balance change our understanding of faith and ministry as it relates to the church and how it nurtures our faith?

Well...

Instead of a young church (or an old church), let's have a young AND old church. Instead of a contemporary church (or a traditional church) let's have a contemporary AND a traditional church. Instead of free church (or a liturgical church) let's have a free AND a liturgical church. Instead of a church that chooses about intentional ministry to children or adults, let's be a church that gives equal attention and effort to caring for the kids in the nursery AND the nurturing of senior citizens who have been around for decades. Instead of a church serious about discipleship, lets have a church serious about discipleship AND mission. Instead of a church that only reaches out to the world, let's have a church that reaches out to Africa AND reaches out to the children in apartments right around the corner from our congregation. Instead of being a church that listens only for the second coming, let's be a church that looks for Christ to come AND looks to see where he is working in our world today. Instead of a church interested in better ways to protect our affluence and position, let's be a church that lives faithfully AND sacrificially. Instead of a church that is only thinking about the future, let's be a church that finishes or corrects the issues from the past AND plans for fruitful ministry in the future.

Balance is a healthy trait of a church with Christ at the core!

When we are balanced in the lordship of Christ Jesus we find the honesty to face our own sin AND short comings. We are able to be honest with ourselves AND with God. Doing so allows us to recognize our inability to see life in a true perspective apart from grace. When we do not see life in proper perspective, balance is not possible. In fact, because balance is not possible it is not pursued or valued. Balance is irrelevant because it doesn't serve me! Thus, a lack of balance creates the tension and trouble that many of us sense today and that the church through all times has faced. When we become products of a dysfunction of balance in our spirit we derail or destroy relationships with others AND render ourselves incapable of pursuing the vision that God has for our lives.

John's gospel (chapter 1) says that Jesus was "full of grace AND truth." Why not let grace and truth be our spiritual pursuits in all things? In doing so we are not simply aligning ourselves with biblical data. We are confessing our need for God to both free us and to teach us. Essentially, we are seeking the balance of a life that is in God AND of God. Balance that is offered through Christ AND bestowed by the Holy Spirit. Balance that gives us hope AND compels us to love. Balance that is freeing AND forming of our faith. Balance that is a gift for us AND gift through us to the world.

Critical Question:
* If you aren't concerned with balancing your life in Christ with the life you think you deserve or entitled to have, are you really living a Christian life?

Apostello - Tracing the Mission of Sent

2010-02-04T19:17:00.002-06:00

The Great Commission buzzes with the words “go”, “make”, “disciples”, “nations” (among others) that are much too often picked and used in isolation of each other. The careful reader, or hearer, of this text will immediately articulate a variety of questions: What does it mean “to go”? How do we make a disciple? What or who is a disciple? Which nation or nations do we do this in? Without clarity, a congregation might be left confused by the necessary questions being asked or might jump the gun and go to work without first asking the questions and discerning the answers. Furthermore, a pastor might not think through or propose these questions at all resulting in an inadequate vision for mission and underdeveloped congregational mission. The stories and statements shared in the Bible are not aloof from the mission that God has for the church to tell “the story of how the creator God is rescuing the creation from its rebellion, brokenness, corruption, and death.” Thus, as disciples are “being made” we are not only educating them in the facts of the Bible and faith history (or doctrinal tenets), but are revealing to these new disciples the vision of God’s transforming power at work in their lives as well as for the mission He is calling them (us) to join as disciples of His Son. I am concerned – greatly concerned – that we preach, plan and act in mission without understanding what the biblical mission is or what it means for us. How can a Christian congregation make disciples in a way that equips and releases believers into missional vocation rather than educating and organizing them into mission program participants or members? What are the expected outcomes of a discipleship process and how can we view that in a missional way? Is it possible to reorient Christian disciples into a more missional practice of faith and ministry?

As the Father sent me so I am sending you into the world. - John 20:21

Without a clear understanding of God’s mission, and thus the mission of the His church, our mission work is focused on acting and doing rather than being, becoming, blessing others as God’s sent people. Our plans and programs for making disciples are built around indoctrination or assimilation into our church structure/organization rather than casting a vision for mission in the very early moments of intentional discipleship. Many congregations use discipleship classes/courses to believers as members of the church by teaching them a brief systematic belief system, explaining the structure and vision of that local church and teaching the code of conduct for those who belong to the structure. It seems to be the hope of these congregations that an understanding of and involvement in mission, God’s mission, will come later through involvement and maturity. The current confusion regarding (and outright ignorance of ) mission seems to refute this as a strategy and proves it to be an inaccurate assumption. It seems to me that a reversal of process is called for if we can enter into discipleship areas/topics with a missional “package” so that as we address inward and personal issues calling for spiritual nurturing we do so with an eye on the outward and communal need for congregational witness and evangelizing. God’s mission for the church is not something for us to gawk at, but something for us to live in and through for His glory and for the redemption of humanity. A congregation that is not missional in its most basic response to faith, being discipled and making disciples, has no clue and virtually no chance to become the body of Christ in mission.

As the Father has sent me so I send you into the world. - John 20:21

When we speak about mission in the church, we are always talking about the mission of God to the world. To be clear, we see and know (and receive) this mission from above through the life and ministry of Jesus, and we are connected to the mission of God through the church filled and powered by the Spirit of the Living God. God’s mission to the world through Christ and in the Spirit points the church (or the body of Christ) in its direction for ministry and organizational purpose. Mission is not redeveloped on the local level. Neither is it subject to an individual leader’s opinion or gifting to fit vision and goals for a church or an organization. God’s mission is about sending, saving, and surrendering instead of capturing, controlling or competing. All of scripture bears witness to the mission of God, but the gospel accounts of Jesus pointing believers in the direction of a missional ministry give the most powerful evidence of God’s plan for a redeemed kingdom people. It is scripture that gives us our first clue about mission as the body of Christ and it is scripture that keep us on the path of mission as we receive and practice what the early Christian communities and apostles believed to be foundational in to Christian ministry.

As the Father has sent me so I send you into the world. - John 20:21

Giving Beyond What We Receive

2010-01-29T08:38:00.002-06:00

As the offering plates passed by the congregation I could discern – and hear – an excitement and joy in giving. This was the second offering of the day and was unplanned, unannounced before the service. It was not to raise money for a building project or to give to a specific fund of the church. Nor was it to “catch the church up” at the end of what had been a difficult year financially for everyone (for almost all Christian congregations). This was an offering that was collected benevolently and it was the highlight of the service. As I sat on the front pew I could hear the sounds of joy and celebration over the sounds of the band playing the offertory song.

The offering we collected followed the sharing of the Lord’s Table at the conclusion of the service. This second Sunday of Advent had centered our hearts in worship as a “rejoicing” people touched and shaped by God for His glory and for kingdom ministry. Philippians 1 had challenged our faith to embrace the joy of the Lord by “sharing the gospel” as Paul thanked the Philippian church for being a part of his ministry and in meeting the needs of other Christian communities. The generosity of the Philippian church is an inspiring trait for congregational practice - then and now, but the text points us beyond just giving on an impulse or in response to a formally presented need. The Philippian church had given more often than Paul had requested or presented a need. Paul, overwhelmed by their generosity, found their act as a sign of their faithfulness to God and God’s faithfulness to his ministry and calling. Likewise, our congregation sensed the goodness of God to us as survivors of a hurricane, layoffs, a falling market and a changing world. On this day God had sent a word to us via the Philippian church and Paul’s prison reflections of their sharing of the gospel.

As we share in the gospel we are allowing Christ to form us into a worshipping community aware of and engaged in the real needs of the world and witnesses of God’s love. We are not walking “the Jesus way” when we ignore, reject or disregard a need with which we are in a position to help. The very nature of Christian stewardship requires us to live as if all that we have and touch belongs to God. We are managers only. Giving is not a sacrifice of a personal nature but is an act of obedience. Sacrifice suggests ownership and loss. Obedience indicates that we are acting at the command or will of someone else. In this case, it is the will of God for us to step into situations of need when they are right before us. This kind of active, willing obedience is of special concern to a congregation calling each other to live holy and be holy signs to the world. Is it too simple to say that we cannot tell people that God loves them if we are not willing to be vessels of such love in our witness? We do tremendous harm to the gospel when we speak words that are devoid of acts of compassion, mercy and justice. Instead, “let us make visible – verbally and ritualistically – that we receive everything we are and have from the work of God in Christ and return it to him as well. (David Fitch - The Great Giveaway)”

This is what I remember most about growing up in the Nazarene church: spontaneous giving to people with real, pressing need in their life. The kind of need that requires more than the offer to add them to our prayer list or give them directions to the local food bank. People in need aren’t looking for information or classes to help them avoid/prevent living in poverty and brokenness. They are looking for food, rent money, utility bills paid, diapers, etc… Only recently have we become a church of suburban privilege that works within the restraints of operating budgets and balance sheets. At one point we believed that if a church had anything in reserve and someone was in need – member or not – it belonged to them! And if there was nothing in the bank to give to the need, it was the pastor’s privilege and the congregation’s opportunity to give in a special way to help someone out. Some of the greatest moments of congregational worship, in numerous Nazarene churches, I remember as a child/teen/young adult involved listening closely to the pastor announce that a family was in need and we would be given a chance to give to help out. Even the poorest of people in those congregations found something to contribute to the offering and did so with great joy and enthusiasm because what they had was God’s and what was God’s belonged to the one with the greatest need.

Times have changed for certain, but the need to help today may be as great as it ever was while our interest in benevolence may have grown cold. The influence of secular social strategies now prevents us from giving freely because we do not want to enable addictions or bad behavior. The influence and marketing of para-church ministry has convinced us that it is better to pool our money together and fund one big anonymous project in our city rather than take a small amount on our own and help someone near our church whom we can embrace as a community of faith and walk with in their recovery. Of greater concern is that the temptation to build a pristine, relevant upper class congregation has helped us learn to lock our church doors, turn away people seeking help (although we often market ourselves as seeker sensitive) and avoid any discussion of money in our social circles and discipleship efforts. The word “poverty” in the American evangelical world is almost as obscene as any four letter word that we reject as socially unacceptable. We almost refuse to even say poverty, much less consider how God has called, and funded, the church to meet the needs “of the least of these.”

Although the Church of the Nazarene has been blessed by progress and growth over the years, we should not outgrow our call to be holy and display our distinctive doctrine in word, thought AND deed. Our doctrine and educational practices provide for our personal understanding and appreciation of holiness, but we can not overlook the social and relational aspects of holiness. Holiness is not an intellectual ascent through scripture or a controlling of desires and tempers only. Holiness is a calling to express God’s love in and through relationships. That means that we go beyond “love in our heart” or “love through our words”. We are to love others through actions and through assistance. Our stewardship of resources and wealth as individuals and congregations is essentially tied to what we really value in life. Holiness in heart and life cannot be separated from our values and practices, but enriches them, fulfills them, even transforms them when we are tempted to retreat towards selfish and independent motives and actions to the neglect of others.

John Wesley routinely urged his Methodists to give generously. Not “simply because it was the right thing to do, or because scripture commanded it, or because it was an expression of faith, or because the poor need help….but because giving will be a means of grace, strengthening their love and, just as important, because failure to give is a means of diminishment, weakening their love and endangering their very souls. (Rebekkah Miles - The Wesleyan Tradition: A Paradigm for Renewal)” When discussing the essential practices of the Christian church, let us consider the receiving of offerings of benevolence as one of our great privileges of worship, as well as, a means of growing in grace for giving. This is not merely a “good act”. Understood properly, we can place (or replace) offerings for others alongside our precious hymns, exciting choruses, dramatic videos, topical sermons and endless announcements. In doing so, we are faithful to scripture and partners with God in redeeming the world and revealing His kingdom to the lost, the broken, the needy, the poor.

Everything Happens For A Reason!

2010-01-24T21:35:00.002-06:00

Check this out baby - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhaslI2nsrU

SAINTS Win, SAINTS Win, SAINTS Win 31-28 over the mighty Viks.

A Saturday Night Prayer for Sunday Miracles

2010-01-16T20:47:00.004-06:00

Community with God is never a mass, but a body, and in a body every member has a unique role and identity. In a mass there is duplication and replication, but not in a body, where every part is a miracle. - Leonard Sweet (The Gospel According to Starbucks)

Father, in a world where the mission of Your church is controlled by public opinion and personal interests that pursue greatness and glory, give us the courage to rebel and be free to be who You called us to be and not tempted by false religion and evangelical vainglory.

That would be a miracle of God.

Jesus, in a church where our worship is restricted by our pragmatic feelings and protective of family tradition, give us the conviction to meet you on the day of your resurrection and embrace the freedom found in knowing you and allowing you to sanctify us with spirit and truth.

That would be a miracle of God.

Spirit, in body that is twisted into selfishness and hungers for power, wealth and secrecy, lead us away from ourselves and towards the kingdom that has come to save us by transforming our hidden sins and shame.

I am a miracle of God.

We are miracles of God.

God is a maker of miracles.

Do we even believe in miracles?

Amen.

Praying the Lord's Prayer for 2010

2010-01-05T20:34:00.002-06:00

My God-My Father who is beyond the heavens, hallowed (most holy) is your name…
• Worship God for who He is which is more than we think we know. Worship him not for fear of your life, but for fear that this moment may escape without you giving yourself to God and receiving His fullness.
• What does it mean to hallow the name of God?
• How do I practice “hallowing”?

Your kingdom is coming. Your will is happening. Bring it to earth as it is in heaven…
• God is not looking for permission from us. He is looking for participation and for praise - not that He needs either. He desires them.
• In what ways has the kingdom of God come in my life?
• How do I prepare for kingdom living?

Give me this day, daily bread…
• Hunger is not just a physical problem. It is a spiritual one. We either feed ourselves on self help teachings, untested traditional practices or pragmatic hopes. The word of God, the table of the Lord and the fellowship of the saints are where we find true spiritual feeding for a hungry soul. When we don’t feed on God we fill up on the best we can find in the world even though it always falls short and has little value to our soul.
• How am I feeding on God?

And forgive my debts/sins/faithlessness as I forgive the debts/sins/faithlessness of others against me…
• If I am not forgiving others do I expect to really accept and live in the forgiveness of God?
• What does the forgiveness of God really mean to me?
• What does being forgiven change about how I view life, how I live my life?
• To what degree to I believe in the forgiveness of God? What is my foundation for believing in and receiving forgiveness?
* Why is forgiving others such a problem for me since I believe in the love and forgiveness of God?

Lead me not into temptation, but deliver me from evil…
• Is holiness really my heart’s desire and what do I do to live there?
• Where do I walk daily and who do I talk to daily that provides temptation from living a holy life?
• Is my holiness just a matter of avoiding being in sinful places and being with sinful people?
• What happens when God delivers me from sin?

For thine is the kingdom, and all the power of the universe, and all the glory of eternity, forever and forever. Amen.

• This is a doxological verse of this prayer. Doxology is a hymn of praise declaring the glory of God. As we pray a doxological theme we are declaring the glory of God that has come upon us as we have communed in His love and mercy. To speak of the glory of God in prayer is an ascending act flowing from our humbling, bowing and emptying ourselves in prayer. A doxology announces our utter faith in God as well as our desire to live in His power and glory rather than our own weakness and brokenness.
• All that I desire and need is at your hand. Can I rest in your hands today?
• Where is the kingdom of God evident in my life and ministry?
• So be it! When do I bless the power of God to reign in and through me?

Please Don't Say It

2009-12-31T18:44:00.003-06:00

During the Christmas holiday I found myself constantly seeing, hearing, reacting to a common phrase used by the church in an attempt to remind the world what the point of Christmas is - "Jesus is the reason for the season." I bet you even said it or wrote it on a Christmas card or at least thought it when it seemed like people or persons aloof of the substance of our incarnational celebration. I think I overheard someone yelling it at Santa Claus and his elves at the mall which was half embarrassing and half funny.

My criticism of this beloved little Christmas saying is simple.

First, It is not our place in Christian apologetics to prove anything about God/Christ/the Church or to tell people what they need to understand about God's purposes. We are witnesses of what God has done in our life and not experts or lecturers on how things should be different in our world. Appealing to reason and ration is not in the end a biblical argument and is actually a very impotent argument to the cultural distortion of Christmas or any other seasonal tradition. Trying to tell people the real reason of why they have time off from work, why they exchange gifts or why families gather together to eat and catch up is like using sign language with the blind community to help them cross the street. It is the wrong message, the wrong method of communicating that God has come to us in Christ. We are especially wrong when we vent anger or frustration at people who we feel have left Christ out of Christmas or devalued the sacred practices of Christian Christmas tradition.

Second, Jesus is not the reason for the season. He is the season! He is the substance, the side bar, the significant expression of the love of God. Jesus is not simply a reason or even the reason. He is the whole story. He is not a point, a principle or an outline of evidence. When we reduce Jesus to a reason for a season we are in essence making Jesus a stop off point on our grand ride of free choice and personal experience. We do more harm to our evangelical effort to separate Jesus from the Christmas season by making him a reason even if we present him as THE reason. Our hopes for cultural conversion is not to convert the practices of Christmas, but to see Christmas convert the hearts of all who sing the songs, act generously and pause to look for the grace of God in our world.

Although I get the point of our little ditty and see how a catch little phrase caught on so easily in the modern church, I believe it does more harm to our evangelical effort than it does good. (I have yet to meet anyone who testified to coming to faith after coming to properly understanding the reason for our Christmas celebration.) Let's make plans to next year not make Jesus less than he is at Christmas. We can start by refusing to be lazy with an argument that seeks to exchange logic for faith and relevance for generosity. With a year to plan and prepare I bet we can do it. Together we can make Jesus more than a reason for a season. We can make him Lord of our life and king of our kingdom.

Time Flies

2009-12-23T15:04:00.002-06:00

Ten years ago I was living in Waverly, TN, weighed less, had more hair, didn't know about blogging and still thought the tooth fairy owed me money from childhood. I also had a new baby boy living with in my home named Davis. He was wonderful as a baby, funny as a toddler and terrific as a young man and his mother and I love him deeply (Dew baby and Sugars too.) These ten years have been full of laughter as he has learned about the world and begun his ascent to the great things God has called him to.

How is it possible 10 years have passed already? Jamie still looks like the pretty co-ed I met at the block party. I still feel as young as I did at 24. My retirement account still seems to be at the level it was when I opened it 13 years ago. I am still wearing t-shirts from a youth camp I directed in 1998. It just can't have been an entire decade! Where DID time go?

This video and post is for Davis. Although he was born late 1999, he is a child of the first decade of this millennium and he seems to be loving it. I know he will identify with these kids and will probably need to explain some of it to me. His world is one that I only understand a little of, but he gets entirely. I hope that this next decade is as fun for him as this last one was for me watching him learn to eat, walk, run, play, live.

This video is also for me and for you. Watch the laughter and the joy in these kids. See how they love each other and love playing life? Remember when that was easy for us? Let's go back there. Forget about getting old, losing hair, gaining weight, losing money, fearing tomorrow. Let's love the little things in our world like music, children, learning and freedom. I still believe that their is much to life that is worth living for and worth sharing with others. Maybe this next 10 years can be the best 10 years of our life.

Check this out:
http://vimeo.com/7989835

Sign Me Up Please

2009-12-17T11:38:00.003-06:00

For most of my life I have wanted to join a protest that made sense to me. That is, a protest besides being a lifelong "Protest-ant" by faith. You know like the 1960's "taking it to the streets" kind of protest. That has always sounded like a fun way to respond to things that I don't like or oppose. Just get a sign and start yelling baby. Loudest voice, biggest crowd and coolest sign wins!

December 2009 has presented many protests and debates in our world. There is a big protest in Denmark called 'Hopenhagen' about climate change with everyone involved spouting her/his opinion (Is there really anybody that believes we don't have a climate problem?). There is the health care protest in Washington with some for it and some against it (Are we really opposed to people being cared for and treated medically?). There is the protest by Christians toward certain retail stores because they don't greet customers with "Merry Christmas" (Do we actually think that mandating store greetings will convert our culture and win back America?). These three choices, by no means, exhaust the examples of protests that are currently sparking up in our world. Seems like my wish has been granted and I have a variety of causes to join and protests to express my personal opinion. Now...what should I choose?

I choose none of the above.

My take on all of these is that they are driven by economic and political convictions of which I am not interested in joining because I don't think I can win in an economic debate nor do I have the energy to debate an issue that is not really about what people think it is about (SIDEBAR: I believe at the core of my soul that the issues mentioned earlier are not about convictions or making the world a better place but about power and control. I do not intend to prove or settle that issue in this entry but will say that nothing about the Christian life is consistent with exerting power over another...even if we think we are right. Check the gospels if you have questions. Now back to the story at hand). My pockets are not deep enough and my political ties are not tight enough to make a difference in these fights. Besides, I think these causes are issues of personal and corporate stewardship through which I can most effectively influence change by aligning my behavior and values with a justice greater than the American tradition or agenda. To me this issue is not really about climate, health care or cultural changes or concerns. It is about living just-ly with creation as stewards - not managers, owners or superintendents. It also seems to me that the point really is not who can win by debating, protesting, arguing, accusing, exposing or out-maneuvering the challenger to our beliefs or rights. What we can do most effectively is change how we live and dialogue (not argue or rant) with others about what is best for everyone and everything. The first point of protest should always be on the personal level in which we examine ourselves and consider the cause that has tipped our emotions to cry out and act (violently?) toward others. Our greatest witness to the world is a life lived consistent with our beliefs which include: mercy, justice and compassion right along with grace, faith and holiness.

One protest worthy of consideration is the Advent Conspiracy (www.adventconspiracy.org) which is an effort to promote a return to celebrating Advent and the incarnation rather than dwelling and going in to debt over Santa Claus,egg nog and elves. The Advent Conspiracy may also redirect the attention of the Christian church from arguing with society about what do or do not say about Christmas and start living a Christ-filled and shaped life with our focus being on following Him, rather than some group that has rallied us to protest and "take back our territory." Along the way to the rally of Christmas war, we have lost our way and rightfully so, as Jesus isn't showing up to get his name back in lights. He is reaching out to the lost, the needy, the hungry, the forsaken. And in his reaching out he offers life everlasting and rest for our wearied, worried souls.

If Christmas is about what we say it is about - God coming into the world - why don't we get over our hurt feelings and fears of losing ground/power and trust in God to do what He has promised to do?

A green Shoot will sprout from Jesse's stump, from his roots a budding Branch.The life-giving Spirit of God will hover over him, the Spirit that brings wisdom and understanding,The Spirit that gives direction and builds strength, the Spirit that instills knowledge and Fear-of-God. Fear-of-God will be all his joy and delight.He won't judge by appearances, won't decide on the basis of hearsay.He'll judge the needy by what is right, render decisions on earth's poor with justice.His words will bring everyone to awed attention. A mere breath from his lips will topple the wicked.Each morning he'll pull on sturdy work clothes and boots, and build righteousness and faithfulness in the land.

The wolf will romp with the lamb, the leopard sleep with the kid.Calf and lion will eat from the same trough, and a little child will tend them.Cow and bear will graze the same pasture, their calves and cubs grow up together, and the lion eat straw like the ox.The nursing child will crawl over rattlesnake dens, the toddler stick his hand down the hole of a serpent.Neither animal nor human will hurt or kill on my holy mountain.The whole earth will be brimming with knowing God-Alive, a living knowledge of God ocean-deep, ocean-wide. (Isaiah 11)

NCN News Flash

2009-12-14T08:31:00.004-06:00

This just in. A Nazarene Pastor's wife in Houston Texas has won the Jingle Bell Run (Nazarene division) and set a new running time record for women in ministry at just under a light year. The race was run through downtown Houston on Sunday afternoon as a charity event and community health initiative by one of the big gas and oil polluters of our city. Over 3,000 runners participated this year.

The victory was not without protest as some contestants cried that the race was not fair as she had apparently prayed and fasted for some time seeking the Lord's help to finish the race. "How can we win if God has helped her with special shoes or something" asked Jason Smith of The Woodlands. Video tape showed that she was wearing some suspicious shoes that may have not been legal according to the rules of the race. At least one other runner wondered aloud if Mrs. Ballard had been "juicing" as she ran so strong and effortless while other runners obviously struggled to finish. Event organizers will meet today and decide if an investigation will be necessary to determine if she can keep her crown or will need to defend herself against the allegations.

The previous record for a Nazarene runner was held by Ima Lou Thatcher- a missionary president from Kentucky. Mrs. Ballard said that she had spoken with Ima Lou leading up to the race to get tips on training and strategy citing Mrs. Thatcher as both an inspiration and the reason for her victory and new record. The new record holder said after that race that "Ima Lou Thatcher broke the barrier for Nazarene runners and because of her vision and dedication I was able to run today." Apparently Mrs. Thatcher had suggested that her time was slowed by the weight and inconvenience of carrying her Nazarene manual and NIV study bible during each race (both are standard issue equipment in Nazarene circles.) Mrs. Ballard stated that she was able to get approval from the Global Ministry Center not to carry the books during the run and that made all the difference. It is unclear at this time if future runners will be given the same permission by the GMC or if this was a unique approval for this race.

Following the race Mrs. Ballard posted to her website that "Special thanks to Ima Thatcher for coaching me in my race. Her advice and past experience as a runner helped me know what to expect today. She is a remarkable runner and mentor. I did not receive injections or pills during my training. I am drug free. Steroids were not and will not be used as a part of my training. All of my equipment was legal and met race regulations. I am sorry that some are upset about the outcome but I believe that everything happens for a reason. God will teach them something as losers of this race. I am looking forward to next year and defending my title."

---gdb (Houston Chronicle)

Church Doors

2009-12-04T21:41:00.004-06:00

If the wheels on the bus go round and round, then it must be true to say that the doors of the church must open and shut. That little analogy might remind us that in an ideal world the doors that we hang in our churches should open when we need to pass through them and close when we want privacy or need to keep something (someone) in. Of course some people would love to point out that the church should never have a need to close the doors as we are an open community bearing witness to all of God’s love and mercy. Closed doors suggest exclusivity, privacy and boundaries. Open doors suggest inclusivity, hospitality and desire to share with others. If only our imaginations were bright enough to see our church as having doors wide open, people welcomed and vibrant communities sharing faith, hope and love.

Irregardless of the door policy of a local congregation we can say with certainty that we have doors on our churches. No one builds a church without installing doors. Sometimes they are open and sometimes they are shut, but doors are definitely a detail not overlooked when building a building and then securing it as it enters into use. Doors in the church are a expected and assumed. Doors may be made of wood. They may be made of metal or plastic. Doors can be constructed by many different kinds of material. Doors may also be in place in a church because of congregational habits, sacred traditions or divided relationships. Doors come in many different shapes and sizes, colors and causes. Open doors require effort to stay open, but keep traffic flowing and traveling possible. Closed doors mean isolation and a limited vision of the world, but once they are closed they are closed. That is until someone makes the effort to open them again. Which can be a new problem in and of itself.

Doors are opened intentionally and with purpose. They don’t open by accident or at random. Someone has to open them or they remained closed, locked, even stuck. A congregation must be self aware of the potential of having closed doors and respond accordingly or at some point will discover they occupy a grand facility with doors locked tight. Congregations typically do not close doors on purpose. They just get closed over time when no one is paying attention to what might be closing them. As long as congregants can move freely within the parameters of the church, closed doors usually don’t seem problematic. In fact, congregants usually don’t notice doors at all – open or closed – until they are standing in front of a door closed to them or someone care for. Then closed doors are a problem.

Once a door is discovered to be closed action is required. It will either be immediately opened or will remain closed while discussion or confusion occurs. The longer a door stays closed the harder it will be to open it. A church door left closed for years may be impossible to open. It may also be that some will discover a closed door in the church only to ignore its closing and assume that it was closed for good reason. Perhaps the door is closed to protect the church from a threat or from a trespasser. Some may even think that church doors were designed to be closed at certain times, for certain reasons, even to certain types of people. Closed doors are almost always closed by attitudes, assumptions and the accommodation of congregational demands or expectations.

Ironically once a closed door is identified it does not automatically open nor does a member of the congregation even know how to get the door back open. A prolonged closed door may be the last thing that a congregation wants to deal with or even discuss, but until action is taken and attitudes are changed, closed doors in the church will remain closed. And closed doors in the church over time cause great damage, even death. Congregations never know how dangerous doors are until they are closed keeping the congregation in from the world and the world out from the church.

On the day that Faith Church was dedicated, all of the doors were open wide. From the front door to the closet door everything was wide open for all to see. Anyone could go anywhere. The church was completely open and available. That day was quite an occasion and a day to remember. On that day everyone felt like Faith Church belong to them. Everyone was excited about what God had done and about what He was gonna do from this day forward. Everyone assumed that the best was yet to come and the future was as bright as ever for Faith Church. No one doubted that the open doors would serve as a sign to the community that Faith Church was a great place to worship God, share in discipleship and serve others. That was in 1977. In the years since, most of the doors that were opened have been closed although most the congregation had not noticed.

Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.

(Revelation 3:20)

What do you get when you cross _with _?

2009-11-19T22:39:00.007-06:00

The ministry of the church is often split between global needs and local needs. Budgets, ministry gifting and prayers will be parsed and shared between the two needs. Maybe it is not always 50-50, but balance can be identified and achieved. If all of ministry is focused on global needs then we are deaf to the very needs calling out within our own neighborhood maybe our own church and family. If focus is all local then we are blind to the greater needs of the world that may not have a local church to care for them and minister to their real needs. Ministry and mission work should not and can not be forced to choose between being faithful to global responsibilities OR local needs. Our God is big enough to meet both needs. The question though - is our faith?

A word making the rounds on church websites and in seminary discussions that attempts to address this dilemma is the word 'glocal.' Get it? A little bit of global and a little bit of local and - voila (french for 'look at this') - we get glocal. Combining the call to "go into all the world" with the command to "love your neighbor" insists that we don't choose to do ministry in one or the other locale, but we embrace the needs in both acting faithfully in hope and love. When we merge the two needs with a servants heart the gospel is declared in its fullness and the mission of God is in high gear inside and outside of us as we live and minister glocally in His name.

Just so you know, this is not a new 21st century word or idea that has emerged from a new paradigm of ministry. Nor was it mined from a precious 1611 text previously unknown. Going glocal is THE original Christian mission. Glocal ministry is in the heart of God and it will stay there - forever. The New Testament continually casts a vision for the body of Christ reaching out into the world while keeping touch with those already all around us. Peter, Paul, John and the gang all were glocally minded, glocal in spirit.

Now the question is how do we get that glocal thing off the pages of the Bible and into our heart for action and attention?

Learning to Pray

2009-11-10T15:02:00.005-06:00

Most of us do not listen to the things we say to God. That is, we are not really paying attention to the words expressed in word and thought as we pray. Don't feel bad about that. Our words are not required or even expected to be perfect, but they should be consistent with the our confessing faith and active trust in God. Prayers with no point and empty content might not really be prayers at all, but complaints, criticism or concerns that may or may not involve any measure of spiritual faith or practice. So make the most of your time in prayer embracing the freedom and mercy of God for growth and maturity.

We may be surprised to find out that our prayers offered to God have a great influence on our continued feelings and thoughts towards others and about active and real dilemmas in life. To some degree it is accurate that we act in faith in the same or similar way that we pray in faith. It is not just our time in prayer that is forming us. It is our words spoken to God that reveals our actual faith and opens the dialogue with God.

What if we could learn to pray like this? What if our love for God was so real that our hate for those who harm us turned to love? What if our desire to bear witness to this love of God for us was greater than our need to win, seek revenge, get the last word, be relevant or have power over someone? What if our prayers were a better reflection of our faith in God and our experience of being with Him? What if prayer was not a "requirement" for being a good Christian, but a "privilege" of being a blessed child? What if prayer became less about talking at God about our problems and more like talking with God about the kingdom?

The Ravensbruck Prayer -

O Lord, when I shall come with glory into Your kingdom, remember not only the men and women of good will; remember also those of ill will.

But do not only remember the suffering they have inflicted on us.

Remember the fruits we bought thanks to this suffering: our comradeship, our loyalty, our humility, the courage, the generosity, the greatness of heart which have become part of our lives because of our suffering here.

May the memory of us not be a nightmare to them when they stand in judgment. When they come to judgment, let all the fruits that we have borne be their forgiveness.

Amen. Amen. Amen.

- Ravensbruck was a work camp for women during WW2 under the Nazi regime. This prayer was written and wrapped around the leg of a prisoner executed right before the Russian army liberated the camp. Corrie Ten Boom was also a resident of this camp before her release. Her sister Betsie died in the camp.

A Great Church!

2009-11-02T14:18:00.005-06:00

I heard a sermon recently where a pastor spent 45 minutes teaching his congregation about how they could become a great church. It seemed to me as an outsider that his church was in the middle of some decisions and changes that were critical to the future of this congregation and he had spent sometime preparing a sermon that would confront their felt need, or indecision, or lack of enthusiasm about the future (which ever might apply). His points were clear. His delivery was fluent and funny. His conviction was strong. His goal was misguided and mistaken. As he preached I heard more than a few AMENS! If they could hear me over the Internet they heard a series of groans and gasps.

Thirty seven years in the church and 13 as a pastor has helped me to realize that the goals of some pastors and some congregations vary from what seems to me to be the biblical call for local Christian congregations. Variety and diversity is good, but not when it creates a deluded ecclesiology which gives birth to generations of misconceptions of the church and her ministry. The goals we set as a congregation more often than not will give birth to our identity as a congregation – for better or for worse. Our goal is not to be a great church or even a good church (although none of us should aspire to be a bad church or a lousy congregation). Our goal is to be a faithful, missional component of the Church Universal (or Catholic for those who can manage to say that word without guilt or shame). Which means we are not to work or seek to be great, famous, popular, extravagant, glorious, or glamorous. Nor is it our goal to be relevant, edgy, buzz worthy, mainstream or contemporary (whatever that means). Somewhere along the way we have missed the mark terribly. Our aspirations as the people of God are way out of line with what we find in the biblical witness and the Christian tradition.

If our goal as the body of Christ (the church) is to be a vital, missional Christian community then we have to take to heart what that means and what that looks like and feels like in our current context and culture. It means that we are to not only believe in and rely on the ministry/grace of Jesus Christ, but we are to join in and continue his ministry on earth. We are never a church near Christ, aware of Christ or even because of Christ. We are a church that is once and forevermore IN Christ. To think otherwise is to miss the point of the gospel. To teach otherwise is to border on heresy. We (pastors and church leaders) are searching for “fools gold” when we attempt to create an image of greatness in our congregation. Our reputation or marketing identity should carry zero weight in how we pursue the call of God in our midst to be the body of Christ in the world.

I’ll admit that in our corporate, professional, “bottom line”, success and order driven society this is not a popular way of viewing how we go about “doing (being?) church.” To seek to be anything but famous, rich, cool, trendy, “on the edge” is not an easy sell to the board or the greater congregation. It is, however, the reality of leading and being a part of Christ’s church. The call of Christ is to forsake the temptation to be great and embrace the invitation to be nothing for the sake of the gospel. Our glory is forever wrapped up in the hope we have in him (Jesus) rather than in the realization that we are great, modern, hip or even necessary.

Does this not change our goal as a church from being a great church to being a part of a great move of God in which we get so lost in the joy of belonging to God that we forget about ourselves?

Let our greatness be judged by the grace of God instead of the polls or reviews of a lost culture. Let us care less about how great we are and more about how gracious we are becoming. Let us fear not the rejection of our congregation, but the disappointment of God in raising us up to lead His church. Let us pursue completely the mind of God in our goals/values/statements rather than the curb appeal, alliteration or creative potential. Let us find wholeness in living in His love and resist the urge to be somebody outside of what He is prepared (and given) to us.

If you've gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care— then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand. Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion. Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, so that all created beings in heaven and on earth—even those long ago dead and buried—will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father. (Philippians 2:1-11 - The Message)

Harvest Town 2009

2009-11-02T13:25:00.003-06:00

Hello! Are You Out There?

2009-10-27T10:20:00.003-05:00

Last week as I boarded a plane for a short trip to KC the story broke on TV that two pilots had recently flown past their destination and had to turn around and fly back. How embarrassing. Air traffic control had tried everything they knew to contact the crew and was preparing to assume that the flight was hijacked. The "situation room" at the White House had been contacted and fighter jets had been prepared to take off and meet the plane over the skies of Wisconsin. Only when a flight attendant on board called the crew did they respond. How could this happen?

Some speculated they were asleep. Others thought they may be arguing about how to complete the flight. Everybody that flies hoped they were having a prolonged time of silent prayer. Evidently they were surfing the Internet on their laptops. One pilot said he got a great deal on an Ebay auction while the other pilot was apparently reading this blog. He said he loved the bit on the bear from last Monday. Wow! Who knew I was drawing such an impressive audience?

As you can imagine this is against normal flight procedure policy. Flying a plane and surfing the world wide web is not a good mix of tricks at 30,000 feet and 300 MPH. These guys are in hot water. Real hot water and they should be as their duty as pilots is to work in harmony with what they see in the air and what air traffic control informs them of from the ground. They need to be in constant contact with each other listening, talking, sharing critical info for the safety of the mission and everybody aboard. Only bad things can happen when one side stops listening and stops responding to the voice coming in from a distance.

Here is the critical question that integrates reckless behavior and faith: What voice are you ignoring in life? You know that God is speaking to you about sin, the need to forgive, being committed to serving others and using your spiritual gifts. You know that you need the encouragement and nurture of fellow believers instead of extra "personal" time away from Congregational /Corporate worship and Christian community. You know that faith is not a side issue in life that is isolated to Sunday morning reflection only. You know that the word of God is speaking to you about living in His love, loving your neighbor, letting the Holy Spirit so fill your life with joy that you don't have time for anger, bitterness, fear or jealousy. Why are you not responding? Why are you too busy or distracted to listen? Why is God put on hold while you do other more important things in life? Why is God calling out to you, giving direction to your confusion and finding you distant, uninterested and non responsive to His mercy and love?

Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double minded...Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will exalt you. (James 4)

What would you do?

2009-10-19T14:47:00.003-05:00

Last week in Colorado the police were called when someone discovered that their car had been broken into. When the police arrived they found that the car was in fact the target of a burglary, but the thief was still on the scene. In fact, he was still in the car trying to get out. The thief was a big, black bear stuck in the car. Couldn't get out. The police report said that the bear was sitting patiently in the car listening to the BEE GEE's when they opened the door and he rambled away humming "Stayin Alive." Unfortunately that last part was not caught on video for us to enjoy.

Just in case a bear ever breaks into your car let me give you the top 5 ways to get him out and end the stand off. Write these down. They are principles for living. You need these. True insight is given only to a few. These are the sage points for ridding your car of a bear. Without these steps you would be left in the dark. You are welcome in advance for these critical precepts given to you freely. Danger must be addressed, avoided and done away with.

1- Get a group of friends to gather around the car and shake it as hard as they can yelling "earthquake." The bear will certainly head for a safer place to ride out the disaster.

2- Put a big Pizza Hut Cheese Crust Stuffed Pizza on the hood of the car and a nicely chilled two liter of Dr. Pepper. What bear could sit and do nothing at the sight of free, hot pizza?

3- Call TMZ and invite them out for a photo shoot. Once the bear sees all of the cameras he is sure to come out so the paparazzi can take some good pics for TV. Free publicity is hard to come by.

4- Invite you local ultimate fight club to come out and put their best fighter in the car with the bear. Last one living is the winner. Loser has to clean up the mess.

5- Sneak up to the car and slip a hose into the window. Release some laughing gas and see the bear get his laugh on. Make sure you have the video camera handy and a blank tape. You will want to get this up on Youtube real quick.

I could go on and on. You get the idea. There is no real good way to get a bear out of your car. The police in this case just opened the door. Huh. What a genius idea. Why didn't I think of that?

Spiritually speaking now, what would you do if you found a spiritual bear in your spiritual car? In other words, what is your plan of action when you discover that your life has a big hairy, problem that will most probably cause great damage and refuse to leave without a fight? Maybe you have a physical ordeal or limitation. Maybe you are in the middle of a real relationship debacle. Maybe your home, church, world is upside down, inside out, right side down. What do you do? Call the police? Call your best friend? Call Oprah (not recommended)? Call Ghostbusters (a better choice than Oprah at least)?

Most of the time we want to pretend it will go away. Pretend that everything will be OK. Pretend maybe that it isn't really happening. Later we discover that like the bear stuck in the car we need help with this problem. If we are lucky we might remember to call on God. After all, isn't He there just to help us? The answer is YES. Although this is not God's only divine purpose.

Although I much prefer to preach that God wants to share our life with us and be called by us continually, the reality is that many will not remember God at all until they see a bear in their car. So...call this "How to Get the Big Black Spiritual Bear Out of Your Life" or "Five ways to Find Fabulous Peace While A Bear tries to Eat You." [ Either would make most church marquees these days as the sermon title next week. ] These are things to remember when facing spiritual trouble and challenges.

1- Tell God you need Him.

2- Tell God you know He is near.

3- Tell God you trust Him.

4- Tell God you know He is near.

5- Tell God that only He can help.

Now listen close. This is the important part. After you get through telling God all of the solid theological things you can think of...Shut up! Listen. Wait. Prepare for God to speak, move and make a way. Rest in His grace and mercy. Trust Him totally. Choose up front to let Him define the future for your life. Let the Holy Spirit restore peace to your soul. Find comfort in the personal care of Jesus as your intercessor in this time of need. Last and not least... forget about what you fear that "bear" is gonna do to you and remember what God has done to bears trying to destroy His children in the past. Relax. Don't panic.

Psalm 118:6 - The Lord is for me: I will not fear; what can man do to me?

1 John 4:18 - Perfect love drives out all fear.

Psalm 137 - Missionally Stated

2009-10-16T08:09:00.004-05:00

In the midst of this crazy world I look around and wonder what
has happened. How do I talk to a kid with a ring in his nose?
Does "The Old Rugged Cross" mean anything to him?
He asks me to sing about "my Jesus."
From what I can tell he is from another planet,
or am I the stranger here?
I think it's time to sell the Wurlitzer.
So how do I tell Martians about Jesus, when the only
language I speak is 1955?
How do I write a headline for them
that doesn't screw up the Good News?
I kind of wish it were the way it was,
but it's not. So I need to figure out
how to sing the old lyrics
with a whole new tune.

- Borrowed from The Missional Leader by Alan Roxburgh

Rumors

2009-10-12T15:41:00.002-05:00

Everyday I become more aware that what really makes the world spin is rumors. I am thinking about things spoken and shared that may or may not be true. Often they are juicy and full of details. Occasionally they contain some measure of real data or truth. Rarely are they spread with good intentions. Rumors are lethal weapons that divide friends and incite enemies to great harm. It is fair to say that rumors never do anyone good, but usually harm everyone involved on some level. Beware of rumors and the danger they represent.

For instance, there is a real bad rumor going around that a certain football team based in Baton Rouge is overrated this year and that they lost a football game this last weekend. Well I am here to tell you with all honesty that what has been said is NOT true. It is a rumor. That certain team is undefeated and might very well be undefeatable. They are destined to win the NCAA championship this year and if you don't believe that you have fallen victim to a dirty, little rumor shared by a mean Texas woman (who will not be named, but has the same initials as a popular gas station.) Geaux Tigers!!!

It might be helpful for us to have a personal rumor policy. That is a way that we encounter and erase floating rumors in our world. Without a policy we might find ourselves not knowing what to do when a rumor flies into our ear or inbox. The real power of the rumor is found in the quandary of our unknown response when given the chance to bear witness to the love of God in our life and in our mouth. If we know what we should do when faced with something said unfair then we might very be a rumor slayer rather than a rumor warrior.

Here's what we should remember.

1- Rumors about someone is gossip. Rumor is the nice, polite high society word for gossip. Gossip sounds dirty, scandalous and seedy. Don't be confused. Gossip, rumors - they are both wrong and unnecessary. When we share, seek out or savor a rumor we are participating in the betrayal and depersonalization of someone who may be going through a really hard time. Don't do it.

2- To share in rumors/gossip is to do harm and to use power over someone. Again, wrong.

3- The golden rule tells us to not do something that we would not want someone doing unto us and I have yet to find someone who gets excited about people gossipping about them and sharing rumors that are a shadow of the truth. (OK...I do realize that rumors make Hollywood go around, but that is a different story. I am talking about real life.)

4- Above the golden rule is the great commandment to love our God and love our neighbor greatly. Telling things about someone (no matter how well we know them, like them or want to be them) is not loving them. The telling of our version of their life is probably not as accurate as we think it is. Let us err on the side of love and not pass on what we know or think we know. If we love someone we will respect and honor them enough to keep the details of their lives out of our mouth.

5- We know what it is like to be gossipped about or caught up in a hot rumor. It hurts even if we like the attention or if we come across as cooler because of the story. The pain of being discussed in public cuts deep. So.. since we know about it let us recall that feeling greatly before we jump into the moment and dis on a friend or enemy or frenemy. Don't do it.

6- Don't judge anyone based on what we have been told about them. To do so is unfair and on the level of the one telling the gossip. Let go of the rumor quickly so that it does not effect your feelings or thoughts. This is perhaps the most important part of defusing rumors/gossip in our relationships.

I will stop there. I could go on to delve into the need to be honest with the person telling the rumor that what they are doing is wrong. I could write about the need to forgive when we are the victims of unfair conversation. I could give a quick lesson on the technique of breaking somebodies lips in less than 3 karate chops (but I think that might only create additional issues.) You can come up with positive, helpful, Christ like ways of facing unfair, un Christian behavior based on the frequency you face it.

Let me just say this. Gossip/Rumors- Don't do it! They should be outlawed in this land after junior high with the penalty of death for those caught exchanging gossip/rumors with anybody.

An Irish proverb says that "He (or she) who gossips with you will gossip about you." Think about it.

Survey Says...

2009-09-28T12:58:00.004-05:00

As the spiritual leader of a Houston area congregation it is my job to maintain my certification as a master coffee drinker so that I can give sage advice to my flock while encouraging them to listen more clearly for God to speak in their heart. Coffee is a crucial ingredient to spiritual growth and I highly doubt that a non coffee drinker will ever really find God, or more correctly be found by Him, as I think God finds us by sniffing the coffee on our breath. The more coffee we drink, the easier it is for God to find us. Right? Isn't this how it works?

That being said I always recommend Starbucks as the beverage distributor of choice when consumming coffee. I like mine bold, grande and without room for cream, sugar or any other ingredients. Give it to me strong and black baby. Make it fresh and keep it hot. The darker the bean the better. The bolder the taste the more beautiful (to me). Just give me that brew and get out of the way.

Tomorrow Starbucks will venture out into a new area of coffee artistry. They will begin serving and selling instant coffee. This is for the "very in a hurry" traveler as well as the one out in the boon docks in need of decent java. With Starbucks new instant coffee product premiere no one will be left out on their own. Everyone now will have the necessary resource for coming to faith. No one will be left out. Starbucks instant coffee will bring us all closer to God! (Parenthetically this instant product will also meet the agenda of most of our modern church movements who cater to the spiritually seeking American demanding instant experience, but at a price point that is not to painful!)

So...I want to go on record and say that I recommend it. I am sitting right now with a cup of instant in my hand. It is not quite as bold as my normal selection, but it is more than palatable. It is downright good. Even on its worst days it will kill Folgers, Maxwell House and all other coffee "wanna bes" with ease and flavor. Make plans to try a cup tomorrow. Better yet, call a few friends and make plans to meet them for breakfast and have a nice cup of instant brew with a doughnut. No, why don't you camp out? Get your sleeping bag and pillow and radio and sleep out front tonight. That will be a true spiritual experience that might change your life forever as you become the first in your zip code to drink from the cup of God in the morning. You'll be glad you did. I officially recommend Starbucks instant coffee to anyone in need of a pick me up and breath that God can trace.

I also recommend that...

* You kiss everyone in your family today (location is up to you).

* You read the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5 and 6 and 7.

* You go for a walk in your neighborhood and whisper a silent prayer of blessing for everyone that you see.

* You make plans to actually go to worship this week prepared to engage in the worship of God and the enjoyment of Christian fellowship.

* You write a note to a long lost friend in need of encouragement and care.

* You actually talk to and tip the barista who makes your instant coffee tomorrow (Grunts are not allowed and leftover change is not an actual tip!).

* You sing a song of praise to God in the shower as loud as you can stand it.

* You think about what gift that God has given to you to use in the kingdom. Maybe you are to sing, or teach, or cook meals, or work at the shelter. A gift is a terrible thing to waste. Use it for the glory of God.

* You drive the speed limit on your way home from work and tell every car that passes you that "God loves you and so do I."

* Most importantly, that you buy some instant coffee for your pastor to keep in her/his office in case they need a spiritual pick me up. Go ahead and make a case of instant coffee packs. I think she/he is pretty discouraged today and coffee might just change that. Thank God for making coffee and helping us get it at locations all around us.

We look at this Son and see the God who cannot be seen. We look at this Son and see God's original purpose in everything created. For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels—everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him. He was there before any of it came into existence and holds it all together right up to this moment. And when it comes to the church, he organizes and holds it together, like a head does a body. He was supreme in the beginning and—leading the resurrection parade—he is supreme in the end. From beginning to end he's there, towering far above everything, everyone. So spacious is he, so roomy, that everything of God finds its proper place in him without crowding. Not only that, but all the broken and dislocated pieces of the universe—people and things, animals and atoms—get properly fixed and fit together in vibrant harmonies, all because of his death, his blood that poured down from the cross. (Col. 1:15-20)

Kseniya Simonova - Ukraines Got Talent Winner 2009

2009-09-21T12:39:00.005-05:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=518XP8prwZo&feature=fvst

Check this out. It is a video of an artist from the Ukraine who is painting with sand a picture/story of the German invasion in 1945. Quite compelling and moving for the audience who is Ukrainian. Enjoy it.

Nothing like opening a new $1.2 billion stadium like a 33-31 loss in front of a Super Bowl sized audience. Whoops! How Bout Them Cowboys?

2009-09-21T11:47:00.004-05:00

NO WAY!!!!!!

2009-09-17T10:44:00.002-05:00

WAY!

A lady who had been very nearly blind for almost a decade has regained her sight. Her eyes stopped making moisture and the corneas dried up and began to deteriorate. So the doctors have tried a procedure that has been used successfully in Europe. It is "the old tooth in the place of the eye trick." Get this. They pulled her eye tooth, root and all, to then plant in her eye with the root sticking out so that moisture can be applied and she can see again with out the fuzzy wuzzys. She now enjoys watching her grand kid swim, doing cross word puzzles and scaring people in the mall.

This is crazy. Who among us would do such a thing? Would you really want your tooth in your eye socket sticking out for the world to see? What happens if a gnat flies into that hole? If it was me I think that I might stick with the fuzzy vision and good teethe instead of a missing chicklet and one good eye.

I have two very important questions:
1- When does she get fitted for her pirate patch?

and

2- What was the first thing she said to the doctor when he said he was gonna stick her tooth up there?
a) Doc, will I still have to brush that tooth?
b) Doc, can we use a tooth from my set of Bubba teeth that I wore last Halloween?
c) What are you talking about (Dr.)Willis?

Jesus spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man's eyes. "Go," he told him, "wash in the Pool of Siloam". So the man went and washed, and came home seeing. (john 9)

None of us will be asked to do such an extreme thing to regain sight. Hopefully losing our sight will not ever be an issue for us. I can only imagine losing one of the very precious assets of our intelligent design after relying on our sight to help us get around, stay out of traffic and watch the New Orleans Saints score hundreds of touchdowns. Losing our sight at any point in life would greatly limit the quality of life that we been afforded and we no doubt we do desperate things to get it back. May we all have 20/20 vision until our last day and then may we fix our sight elsewhere.

But what about the loss of sight in so many other areas of our life? Is it possible that we lose sight of our health, our happiness, our hope? Do you think that we lose sight of the course our life is taking? Perhaps we lose sight of how we are impacting negatively the people that we share life with or the people that we could have a great impact on. Without full sight in the details of our life we are virtually walking around as the blind or at the least visually impaired. If we are honest with our self for just one moment we might discover that we are walking in darkness in so many areas that used to be full of light and clarity. With the busyness of life and the resistance to face our own limitations, failures and sins, we run the risk of total blindness and we don't know what to do about it (but we hate it.) If we had lost sight all at once in these areas we would have noticed, but we have become blind a little bit at a time until we have been taken by surprise and have a hard time believing this has happened to us.

The biggest loss of sight in our life is often our spiritual sight which is the way we see our self in and through the eyes of God. I am not just saying this as a pastor, but as a disciple who lives daily with the struggle of keeping eyes wide open for me, my family, my congregation and I tell you that the world and the church is full of spiritually blind people. Where once we were passionate about worship, active in service and faithful to following the word of God, we have grown cold, lazy and adulterous because of our spiritual lack of sight. Where we once had a burden for the lost (unsaved) we don't even think about them much anymore much less pray for them. Where love once defined our life and attitude towards others we now cling to pride, jealousy, bitterness and lust. We are selfish, stupid and sinful and we can't even see it because we are blind. We might even think that we are living our life the way God has willed it and if we are really blind we might even think that God approves of our life and that He has proud of our attitudes, behavior and stewardship. The hopelessly blind might even believe that they are actually doing God a favor with their life and He should be glad that the church has them. Blind-blind-blind! Those who live in real spiritual blindness would never allow Christ to spit or put mud in their spiritual eyes (much less transplant a tooth). They are happy to keep going even with limited vision and/or the fuzzy wuzzies. Living in blindness is better than having to admit that sin is present and that perhaps our practiced faith has been more about tradition and personal opinion than about living an honest, humble, God honoring, people helping, sight having life.

May our eyes be opened today to the needs we have spiritually. We need God in our life, in our heart, in our home. We need God to set us free and set us apart for His use. We need God to fix the broken places and heal the hurting wounds of a life lived in sin and shame. We need God to pour His love over us and breath His spirit into us so that we may be remade into His image and become His will in our world. We need God to heal our blindness so that we won't think this post is for someone else - it is for you, it is for us. We need God to bring sight to our blind and darkened eyes so that we may see ourselves as we are and be turned to Jesus for healing and help.

Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" "Who is he, sir?" the man asked. "Tell me so that I may believe in him." Jesus said, "You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you." Then the man said, "Lord, I believe," and he worshiped him. Jesus said, "For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind." Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, "What? Are we blind too?" Jesus said, "If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains. (john 9)

Just Give Me That Chicken!

2009-09-08T20:39:00.005-05:00

It is hard for me to believe that on Labor Day the Chick-fil-a corporation gave away a free chicken sandwich for anyone who came in wearing their favorite team jersey. That is it. Wear a shirt with a number on it and get free poultry. Wow! Turns out that Chick-fil-a picked the best week to have such a promotion as the highly ranked Oklahoma Sooners were knocked off by the BYU football team and band so ...very few OU shirts will be seen in public until "Big game Bob" blows out mighty Idaho State this week. It is a good thing because if OU had won last week every house trailer in the state would be on wheels pulling into the drive thru for some free bird while singing "Boomer Sooner" about 5o times very loud and off key (I hate that song.) The Chick-fil-a company dodged a big, big bullet. Chickens all over the country are breathing a bit easier today.

No one really knows why Chick-fil-a decided to give away free sandwiches, but why should we worry our little selves about such a small detail? It is their chicken and they can do with it whatever they want to. Just eat more chicken people! Instead of asking why they would do such a thing, ask what difference such an act actually makes to the public. Could it be that Chick-fil-a is setting a great example for more than what kind of grub to order and consume? Let's look now at our life Chick-fil-a style.

What if we choose each day to be a special, unique unbelievable day of service and hospitality to everyone we met? What difference would it make in the life of someone? If tomorrow we decided to smile at everyone we saw or listen closely to everyone we talked to. How would they feel? What if we quietly and anonymously (something Christians don't do very well) cut somebodies grass, washed their car or dropped dinner off on their door step? Would that help someone out? What if we wrote a letter of forgiveness, paid off an unpaid debt or made good on a promise we have been delaying? Would that shock someone and maybe change the nature of a relationship? Each day is a day to do something that may or may not be a usual business practice for us and it may not be something that flows from our natural tendencies, but if we try we can do something that surprises people, makes them wonder why we did it, but also find them mighty grateful for our unexpected kindness or charity. People with a growing, vibrant, passionate faith are not waiting for the world to take care of itself and straighten itself out, but are busy building kingdom and keeping kingdom practices as a witness to those looking for evidence that God exists and that He is at work in and through those who trust in Him.

Thanks Chick-fil-a for such a fine idea. Maybe that trend will spread beyond free food on select days. Maybe it will inspire us to be more generous, more hospitable to others even when profit is not to be gained and members are not to be added, but doing/being good just because we are called by God and long to walk with Him in reaching others and adding to their life with faith, hope and love. Maybe we won't pick particular days of the year to act like a Christian or attempt to be the church. Maybe with the help of God we can actually live as if wanted to give away all of the good things that God has put inside of us so that for just a minute of someones day...they sense the love of God in and through us.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled. (Matthew 5:6)

On a side note: After giving away free chicken on Labor Day across the country, the Houston area Chick-fil-a stores announced they will give away free sandwiches on Thursday. What? They also give away free sandwiches when a baseball player hits the foul/fowl pole at Minute Maid Park. Now I am suspicious. Real suspicious. How can they do such and stay in business? Do they understand anything about inventory, sales and sustainable margins? Do you think they ordered too much chicken in April and need to get rid of it fast before it smells like a Oklahoma road kill? Here is my theory - The American Medical Association has hired them in the war against Swine flu and they are bating the chicken with the H1N1 remedy and the fastest way to get all America to take it is to give them free food. Beware of the chicken. They may or may not be doing good by giving us this free, great tasting, deep fried chicken.

Is THAT your...pet?

2009-09-01T15:22:00.004-05:00

For as long as man has walked the earth, the cock roach has been a lethal enemy. One small cock roach can change the entire temper and mood of a home with a just a brief appearance at the wrong time and wrong place. To be honest I have the willies just writing about them and looking at this horrid picture of this giant cock roach. Where is my shoe?

This cock roach is not an enemy though. It is a pet. Australians are now buying and keeping these type of cockroaches as a pet. They are paying up to $50 for them and they live as long as 8 years, have live babies and eat Big Macs (OK...that last part is false, but probably would be true under the right study protocol). What has the world come to? Will this be the changing of the guard on what is acceptable treatment for cock roaches? Will they now become protected by PETA?

My wife has been reading a book to me at night called "All Creatures Great and Small (James Herriott)." The book was given as a gift by Charlie (the beloved NEW son in law in the Wandling family that according to everyone seems to be perfect) to Jamie at Christmas. The story is about a man who is an English veterinarian that checks on dogs, cats, cows, etc... in the English countryside under the tutelage of a more experienced, slightly gruff doctor of animal medicine. The younger doctor gets into all kinds of scenarios, is often under appreciated for his lack of experience and seems to always end up on the short end of the stick. His clients don't mind his green horns, but their owners are mighty suspicious. Yet, he loves the work he does and the animals he treats. The joy of seeing a healthy, happy animal is greater to him than the trial of a clod of an owner. I am waiting for a good bug story to see if he really is a lover of all animals or is pretending and waiting for just the right moment to unleash his inner fears of insects.

We pick and choose the animals we like. Sometimes nature helps us decide if they are scary or gross or both. Sometimes nurture helps us as we often take on the likes and dislikes of our first home and surrounding. My grandfather was born on a farm and never got over loving cows and mules and beagles. Other people I know live just fine never having a dog, a hamster, a cat or even a goldfish. No one tells us what kinds of animals to like. We just like them. Or hate them. There seems to never be a middle ground.

Liking and disliking animals is different for all of us. Kids love the zoo because the big animals look cool. Adults like the zoo because the big animals that are dangerous and hungry are kept safe behind bars. The same animal can make one person laugh and the other scream. Animals, even cock roaches, are fun to have around and necessary for life. Can you imagine a world without animals and wild life?

God spoke: "Swarm, Ocean, with fish and all sea life! Birds, fly through the sky over Earth!" God created the huge whales, all the swarm of life in the waters, And every kind and species of flying birds. God saw that it was good. God blessed them: "Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Ocean! Birds, reproduce on Earth!" It was evening, it was morning— Day Five. God spoke: "Earth, generate life! Every sort and kind: cattle and reptiles and wild animals—all kinds." And there it was: wild animals of every kind, Cattle of all kinds, every sort of reptile and bug. God saw that it was good. God spoke: "Let us make human beings in our image, make them reflecting our nature So they can be responsible for the fish in the sea, the birds in the air, the cattle, And, yes, Earth itself, and every animal that moves on the face of Earth." God created human beings; he created them godlike, Reflecting God's nature. He created them male and female. God blessed them: "Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge! Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air, or every living thing that moves on the face of Earth." Then God said, "I've given you every sort of seed-bearing plant on Earth And every kind of fruit-bearing tree, given them to you for food. To all animals and all birds, everything that moves and breathes, I give whatever grows out of the ground for food." And there it was. God looked over everything he had made; it was so good, so very good! It was evening, it was morning— Day Six. (Genesis 1)

I have always liked days 5 and 6 of the creation story. Those were big event days for God. He worked hard. He spoke. Things happened. Animals were created. People received breath. The world was in motion. On the same day he made Adam and Eve he made turtles, zebras and sting rays. THE SAME DAY! The very day He began to prepare the world for Don Ballard He made big, red nasty cock roaches. THE SAME DAY! Then He rested and although I know God has kept a pretty busy schedule He still enjoys resting and watching His work live and breath. He is in a state of continual sabbath as the world moves forward and grows up. He sees it all and loves it OK...not the sin part, but He loves to see what His creation is becoming and doing. This brings Him great pleasure and joy. Life. Animals. Cock roaches. Pets. People. Amen.

Those Crazy Brits!

2009-08-24T13:16:00.002-05:00

What do you call someone who sneaks money or valuables out of your pocket when you aren't paying attention? A pickpocket! Now what do you call someone who sneaks money into your pocket when you aren't paying attention? A "putpocket!"

In England a company that wants to encourage people with a little good news (and extra cash) has employed a group of former pickpockets to put as much as 20 pounds into people's pockets without them knowing it. The idea is for someone who may be down on their luck or down about life to find some extra money and think it is their lucky day. Those who are putting the money into the pockets are also being given the chance to give back in a way that they used to take from. The company intends on giving away thousands of dollars over the next few weeks in hopes that people really feel better about life. Stay tuned to this blog and I will try and get the address of the store as well as flight information so we can make plans to get in on the free money.

Here is a simple idea with an American twist. Why don't we put something into some body's life this week that they don't expect. Not money or valuables or something or any other tangible resource. How about a little hope or love? What about forgiveness to someone or encouragement in a tough situation? What about patience or empathy? All of these are not only free for us to give to others, but are needed in people's lives in a bad way. Some of the people we know need to be forgiven alot more than they need to be given money. They need someone to listen more than they need a fancy trip or added luxury. They need good Christian kindness and acceptance and we can certainly stand to give it. This is not trying to buy our way out of a sour economy that has altered a culture's view. It is an effort to see the bruised ego of our society be transformed by the character of a Christian witness born in the grace of God to do good deeds. Stop me if I am wrong.

Let's "putpocket" faith, hope and love into someone or some family this week. They will be glad someone cared and made the effort. They might even think it is their lucky day. It might make a difference in someone giving up or giving into the challenges of life. Our small effort might be the sign that they have prayed for and asked for God to provide. Think about it. Who in your life needs to be encouraged by the charity of a Christian brother/sister? Listen close now. God is speaking to your heart. Who has He named?

So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God, but also our own selves, because you have become dear to us. (1 Thes. 2:8)

Do You Really Know?

2009-08-21T09:24:00.002-05:00

In the world of track and field this week a crazy question has been asked. Is it possible that the winner of the 800m ladies event was actually a man - baby? That is what is being circulated around the sports world. Tests have been done. Questions have been asked. Denials have been shouted. The country of South Africa says she is not a he, but no one really knows. People will do anything these days to win a race, a title or a trophy. Do we really know who is legit and who is a fake (a poser)?

The same question is constantly asked in our world of diverse religion. What is really real? Which God is on top and who is really a false idol? Is there a point in being committed to practicing a faith that may or may not be the right one? Do we really know anything about spirituality at all or are we products of secular culture that is obsessed with feelings and experiences? Shouldn't there be some sort of testing to authenticate what we confess and believe as valid or bogus?

YES! The test is God's word. No - not simply the paper and ink that many people thump as undeniable proof of God, but the living, breathing, moving Word of God that has revealed to us in Christ His love, mercy and hope for humanity. The great convictions of Christian faith compel us to believe that God has come to us, saves us from our self and lives inside of us. No other religion makes such a claim. Yet the proof or validation is not in the confession, but in the experience of walking with God and knowing Him. We confess this because we have tried it in faith and found it full of meaning and power. Further testing is not necessary when we realize that the creator of all of the world(s) knows us by name and loves us the just the same!

As we live in times that threaten our faith and convictions, let us be reminded what we believe or rather WHO we believe in. Christ is our hope! God has revealed to us that in him is eternal life and light of which the world can never put out. Reject the fear that Christian faith is going out of style. Hold fast to the promise that there is nothing that is greater than the love of God. That is something we can really know! Knowing that, believing that, confessing that will change our life forever and will compel us to bear witness to what God has revealed to the world.

In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created,and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. (John 1:1-5)

Can You Believe It?

2009-08-14T13:03:00.004-05:00

The news this morning reported that Michael Vick has been given a contract by the Philadelphia Eagles to be the back up QB this year and maybe next. This is the same Michael Vick that was recently released from prison for dog fighting. The same MV that almost took that Atlanta Falcons to the Super Bowl a few years back and then spent his off season beating up his pit bull. He went to prison, got cut from the Falcons and found Jesus in prison (I didn't know Jesus was serving time!) Now he is back in the league, making millions and living the high life again. His agent and new team says that he has served his time and now deserves another chance in the NFL. Can you believe it?

In Nashville, a doctor recently returned from Nigeria where he volunteered to treat some of the world's most needy people. While there he was kidnapped by some of those same needy people that he had traveled to help. He was held for several days under the threat of death until his family paid a ransom and he was set free. Now he is back in the U.S. and says that in the future he will return to Africa again to treat the sick and dying. He even says that he is praying for those people who kidnapped him and took advantage of his wealth. He said they were not bad people at all. They were desperate and he has forgiven them for what they did. Can you believe that?

Paul's letter to the Ephesian church seems to tell the same story. "Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together will malice, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you. (4:31-32)" Can you believe that? Obviously Paul did not yet know about Michael Vick or about Nigerian warlords who kidnap Christian doctors on a missionary tour. If he would have known he wouldn't have suggested such silly things like forgiving, being kind and having a heart tender for the needs of those who are hurting and in need. Both Vick and the Nigerians should have fire and brimstone rain down on their heads for what they have done and it seems that the church is the one to call it down ! I bet he would have said "Church- be mad. Let the wrath of God burn inside of you. Show your righteous indignation towards those who have wronged you, mistreated or disagreed with your opinion or leadership!"

Paul might have thought to say that, but the Holy Spirit would have edited it from the sacred writings for that is not in the heart of God for His children to act in such a way. God's hope for us is that we reflect the life of Christ in all things - inside and outside of church, rain and sunshine, as victim or the victor. We are to forgive and forget 70 times 7 times (Matthew 18) and then some. Forgiving, forgetting and forging ahead with the prospects of a more perfect future is the vision that God has given us in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. How can we ignore that? How can we forget that? How can we reject that?

Empty House - Empty Life - Full Heart

2009-08-04T10:42:00.004-05:00

When my eyes opened this morning I knew immediately that this morning was different. The sun was shining. The dog was snoring. My breath was bad. The house was cool, but something was amiss. I reached over and touched the body next to me and remembered quickly that it was not Jamie. It was Julia (my daughter) who had slept with me last night since her mom was in Nashville and the boys are at summer camp. Although it is nice to wake up with my 6 year old kicker, I still prefer the 30+ year old red head from the last 13 years as my bed buddy.

This week the Ballards are all torn apart from one state to another and many miles in between. We are separated by miles, but not good wishes. We are divided by time, but not memories. We are on different paths, but still on the same journey. This week will be a little different for us all, but it can be managed and without too much pain and suffering. For we are one in Christ and that does not change when we are out of each other's presence. Our love and affection is held together in the heart of God through Christ Jesus.

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. (Ephesians 2)

I know what you are thinking. This is about salvation in Christ. That all of us who once were lost have now been found. We who were once eternally separated from God are now eternally bound by his love and mercy. In and through Christ Jesus we are unified, justified, sanctified and will be glorified for Christ has brought us together forever into the kingdom of God! PTL!

Now stay with me.

We believe that this same love that God has shown and given us in Christ Jesus is also the setting for the love that we have for all people - even our close family and friends. A love that might once have been about emotion, relation or responsibility has been transformed and is perfected in the love of God for us. It is a love that moves us past hoping that all people will be saved in Christ and towards a love that hopes all people will be ONE in Christ and be transformed (sanctified) in his power. That in Christ's love for us we are called and allowed to have a love for others and share it with them wherever we are and whatever we are doing. Since that love is never taken or destroyed our love for others is on solid ground and is continually stirring the love in our hearts to extend our love to others and for others. Therefore, regardless of time, space or reasoning we live at once in love with those who share life with us. We do not carry the love of Christ in our hearts (we do, but that is not limit of His love.) The love of God carries us and we are glad that it does. The kingdom is not here or there, but all around us and inside of us. God's love is sooooooooo much bigger than we want to realize and admit for when we recognize the greatness of His love we are forced to admit that we do not control it and the church does not dispense His love like coffee or communion wafers. The love of God has gobbled up the world through Christ and the world does not yet know it. Yet, who can deny the signs of God's love everywhere we go and in all that we do.

We are never more like God than when we love others and likewise we never honor God more with our gifts and graces than when we use them to extend love to those who need it and long for it in their lives. Love is the basis and the framework for knowing someone, loving them and even letting them go. The love of Christ has not just given us salvation from judgement, but has given us the fullness of a life lived in the love of God that gives us hope and makes life whole as we live in the way God has willed for us to live (and have). Because He first loved us we can always love others and that love (through Christ) will make our lives whole and full of meaning.

Life Note: If we are in Christ then we are never separated or away from those who we love most. For we do not love them with our love, but with the love that God has given us. Our love is temporal, fleshly, selfish, flawed, motivated by gain. His love is not limited, not fading, not subject to time or travel. His love is perfect, pure and powerful. Living in this love is living in the fullness of God who has released Himself entirely on our world so that we may know Him, trust Him, obey Him, walk with Him, rest in His grace and mercy. That is love the love of God. May God give us grace so that we might be more aware of the love He has sown on us and through us for others and for ourselves.

I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through the Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth, and the length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:14-19)

60K and Counting

2009-07-28T15:14:00.002-05:00

As I pulled into my driveway with a car full of groceries from HEB, the odometer turned over to 60,000. Wow! My Volvo has turned 6o today and I have put 98% of the miles on her. I bought her with less than 20 miles on the dashboard. Time has flown. She has been faithful. God has been good (all the time?). This is a day to remember, an event to celebrate, a milestone to acknowledge, but this is not the end. Only the beginning. How far can we go - 100K, 250k, 500k? I am looking forward to years that will soon pass by with me at the wheel of a beautiful car.

When I bought the car 4 years ago I announced to Davis that it would be his car in about 11 years. He would learn to drive in that car, go on dates on that car and get his first speeding ticket in that car. We are getting closer to that moment every day, but we aren't there yet. She and I have much road to conquer and many miles to cover. I see a road trip or two still ahead before passing her own to the boy. Although 60k she is far from used up and/or finished. She is full of life (pep) and eager to run (ride). NOW is when she is broken in good and ready to be the car that she was created to be. How can I replace her when she may be at her best condition yet?

I know what you are thinking. I can hear what you are saying. "Pastor, why don't you get a new car? That one is out of warranty and needs to be updated. You deserve it. You work hard and spend your money wisely. Go ahead and treat yourself. After all, the economy needs it. Only this time buy an American car." I can't believe you said it! Get a new car? Get rid of my silver bullet? Break my promise to little Gary? No way, no how!

I choose not to live the life of "throw away America." A car is not a disposable item to be thrown away when I get bored or need an image makeover. Age, wear and tear and/or mileage is not an excuse to throw out the old and bring in the new. I don't need a new car just because mine has a few miles on her. Only the unwise steward takes such an approach. Only the helplessly vain would think such a thing. Only those most interested in comforting self and glorifying ego would foster such a spirit. No sir. Not me. If we were really honest with ourselves we would admit that much of what we get rid of or replace is still very useful. We just wanted a change of scenery, or feeling or identity. Getting something new is a great feeling and if done right we can get rid of the old without a feeling of guilt and/or shame for not keeping our end of a friendship, commitment or promise. The newness factor will often help us get past our past (or so we think) good, bad or ugly. Be honest, have you ever bought something big just because you could even though you didn't need it?

Here is the simple plea. Don't define self worth on material things. Therefore, when you feel low or feel like you have done good enough you won't feel the need to get something that might make you feel good for a moment, but will soon grow old or add miles. A new (or newer) car will not make you worth more and will not make you happy past the first payment scheduled. I would never buy a new car to attempt to make me happy or cool or important. Neither should anyone else. What we often label as a new investment is usually a new identity or experience/feeling that we are buying at the suggestion of creative American marketing and misguided sense of stewardship. God help us!

Let's seek to find our worth in God who does not change us out because of mileage or age. He trade up from us and find a better ride or a more dependable (less fleshly) model. Nor does he trade us in because of excessive sin in our lives. He loves us as we are and longs to keep us as His precious possession. Not for control or domination, but for fellowship and communion through Christ. His love for us will never change and will never cease to exist no matter how many miles are on our life odometer. He has been along on the ride of our life and has traveled every mile with us and knows where we have traveled and what has caused the wear and tear, the bumps and bruises on our lives. That's why He is the one that knows how to fix us when we are broken down, to fuel us when we are on empty and to give us direction when we are lost on the journey. He has no plan to trade us in and retire us from use. Everyday with Him is a new trip.

Chasing Cool

2009-07-14T14:42:00.005-05:00

Last night the annual Home Run Derby was held in St. Louis as a part of the Major League Baseball All Star Celebration. Tonight the game between the AL and the NL will take place with the best of the best going at it. I am predicting the NL wins this year by a score of 7-5. Pujols will go deep and Tony Larussa will be wearing a dress. Just a guess.

During the derby last night people filled the stadium, gawked from the comfort of their couch and/or listened with close attention to the call on the radio waiting to hear the crack of the bat, the roar of the crowd and the thud of the ball landing about 450 ft away from the point of contact. It is one of the events that draws people to tune in even though they are not baseball fans and may not attend or watch a game the rest of the year. Everyone loves the homerun. Going deep is not a part of the game, it is THE game. Chicks love the long ball. The homerun is king and everyone wants to see it fly out of the park. The big boppers get all of the love and attention.

I wonder though what the attendance would be if they had a bunting contest or a contest to see which player could get dressed the fastest? What if they had the grounds crew from the MLB team come and see who could rake the infield the smoothest or cut the grass the cleanest? What about the pea-nut guy that can through the bag the farthest or the Coke with the least fizz at the top? Probably would not be a tough ticket to get. Nobody would really want to see the things that don't get us up and going. Isn't that how all things are? No problem generating excitement about the big, noisy things in life. Everyone will come to a party. Not many people interested in the less pulsating moments. Without energy or pomp most planned activities die on the vine. Where is the respect for the little things, the little guy? Don't the small things matter?

Of course they do, but only if we make room for them. Instead of chasing the cool people and drooling all over them, lets look for the least of these and give them a moment in the sun. Don't follow your pulse, follow your heart. Don't base your self worth on who you surround yourself with. Let your self worth be about building others up and encouraging them along. Don't yell for the home run hitters of the world only. Give it up for bat boy, the club house guy and the reserve catcher who never sees action. They need love too and we have love to give away.

As for faith, let us not chase the funny story in the sermon, but find the eternal truth shared within. Let us not remember the funny little song that made our foot tap, but rather the melody that helped put our heart in step with the Spirit of God. Let us not share life with those most like us, but make the effort to reach out to those most like nobody else we know. Let us not choose to only attend the Jesus parties, but let us also follow him in his work and labor. Let us not follow the roar of the American church shopper/hopper/flopper, but find the clarity of God's call for us to know His voice, follow His lead and share in His kingdom work. Don't chase the loud crowds. Follow the path that leads to abundant life.

RIP for the Famous Folks

2009-07-07T13:39:00.004-05:00

While I was away on vacation two of the biggest stars of my childhood died - Farah Fawcett and Michael Jackson. It is fair to say that I spent alot of time thinking about these two people as a child. I wanted to kiss one of them and dance like the other. Suffice it to say those were not original thoughts or wishes for many, many other people recognized and attempted to capture the greatness of these two folks. They were two of a kind and may never be topped as a beautiful model and a terrific entertainer. They have been and will be worshipped by many people now and in the years to come. She will soon replace Marilyn Monroe as the American dream girl and he will replace Elvis as the great American music artist. Generations will worship at their posters and music and remember them in nostalgic ways that forgive their imperfections and celebrate their raw beauty and talent.

They have died and been buried with the same public spotlight that followed them throughout their lives. This is probably the way they would have wanted and the only way that their fans and family would allow it. Every detail and moment of death and burial have been recorded, blogged and written down for history. Even in dying they made headlines and probably generated revenue through memorabilia and product. If anyone did not know the events of their career before they died, we all know now with clarity what made them famous and how they rolled.

I have to admit that I have found myself resenting all of the coverage of their deaths. No doubt you will agree that better people have died without one word written or said about them. People who have lived in faith and served God for decades have gone to rest without flowers, special songs or TV coverage. Yet these two who have acted, spent and lived recklessly are glorified in death for the memories of them in their greatness and not for the failures, scandals and great disappointments to those who needed them most. Why is this? Why do some bad people seem to prosper, gain popularity and die as platinum icons while the righteous of God are often broken hearted and just plain broke? Where is the justice in this? How can this be?

These are questions for God to answer. Although we might feel entitled to knowing why this is the norm, we have to be content in the power of God to save us. Knowing that our life in God is about being saved FROM this world and not saved FOR this world. That doesn't mean we are zapped into eternity, but it means that through Christ we see and approach life differently, righteously, sacramentally. Don't be fooled by the public fuss and hysteria over a celebrity death. Our fame, fortune and worth is measured in the fullness of God's grace and not in the applause of man or the accolades of all humanity. We can not be angered or distracted by the misguided views of humanity to worship the wicked things of the world. Instead, let us seek FIRST the kingdom of God and His righteousness so that our faith in God for salvation meets our hope in God to transform all of our life for His glory and honor. The real object of our worship can be and must be God. All others things are temporal and tarnished. Only God is eternal, holy and worthy of our worship/praise.

May our life on earth continually point towards our faith in God who loves us beyond measure and longs to walk with us daily so that we may know Him with the depth that He knows us.
---------------------------------------------------
"You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
"You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
"You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.
"You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.
"You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'care-full,' you find yourselves cared for.
"You're blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
- Matthew 5 (The Message)

Vacatione 2009 - Disney World

2009-06-18T10:14:00.005-05:00

Just for your information. This beloved blog will be down for maintenance while the editing team is getting down for their/his own maintenance...wait for it...at Walt Disney World baby!!! See you back here in a week or two. Don't cry. The blogger is not dead. He only left the building for a time. You may not reach him by phone, email, fax, texting, Twitter, or pony express. I repeat...he is going on vacation.

The Way It Ought To Be

2009-06-16T20:01:00.003-05:00

Last week in Des Moines, Iowa, umpire Don Briggs did something that might never have done in the history of baseball. He threw a load of people out of the game. This time though it wasn't players or coaches. It was the crowd. More than 100 people were asked to get in their cars and leave the ballpark. They were being rowdy, too rowdy for his taste. (Of course in Iowa, doing the wave, drinking root beer in public and wearing flip flops may be considered too rowdy depending on what part of the state you are in) So they had to go. They ALL had to go. Mommy's and Daddy's and Grandparents and sisters. Even pets were asked to pack their chew toys up and take it to the house. After an hour delay the game resumed with no one in the stand. Baseball- the way it ought to be. Can you imagine baseball with no one in the stands? Everyone on the field. No body in the bleachers.

That reminds me of a metaphor that is often used in talking about worship. I have heard some people say that God is in the audience and we are on stage offering Him our best efforts at glory giving. Others say that WE are the audience and God is on stage and the sight of Him stirs us to react with laughter, tears, joy and awe for no production on earth could rival what God is up to. Both metaphors are helpful to us as we think about worship, but I am not sure which one has more truth. Both have strong points. Neither seem to have big weak spots. They both speak to what we as the children of God should be thinking about doing - worshipping the almighty with all that we are while we also view as spectators the greatness of His presence and power. Wow - just talking about worship is awesome and personally transforming. Maybe just talking about worship IS worship too!

Here is the connecting question. What if God did what the umpire did at the baseball park and threw us out of worship? Not out of the garden or out of the church, but out of the realm or moment of worship. Of course He would not do that. But He could and sometimes He probably should. It should be the heavenly policy that when we are worshipping in ways or with a spirit that is not God exalting then someone (maybe a so called worship leader) could turn to us and ask us to leave. Church or Spiritual acts that are not about God, but about us, or about tradition or about relevancy is not what worship is about. True worship is with and through Christ, is for and about God as we are in and of the Spirit of God - Father, Son and Spirit. Worshipping God is not at Him or even about Him or to Him, but is IN Him by faith through Christ. It is Jesus who offers up our actions and attitudes to God in worship and gives back to us the affirmation of our faith from the Father that deepens our faith and encourages our heart to keep believing and trusting. Worship is not about knowledge or experience or even desire. It is about faith which compels us towards thanksgiving, adoration, intimacy, honesty, hope and love. Whether we think God is on stage or in the audience, our place in worship is right with Him, near Him, on His lap. We are not performers and neither is He. He is our Creator, Savior and Sustainer in faith. We are His children, His disciples, His lamp stands and witnesses to the world. That is what worship is about. Not a show or presentation or performance, but communion with God through Christ.

Give God thanks for not kicking you out of "the game" for getting it wrong or being rowdy. That seems to me to be another reason to praise Him. He is patient, kind, gentle, forgiving of us even when we are just a bit off. That is not "the way it ought to be." That is "the way it is" with God.

How Could He Do It?

2009-06-10T11:30:00.002-05:00

In Clarksville, TN (also known as Clark-Vegas by the locals) a pastor has been given three years probation for drug use, fraud and tampering with evidence. He was facing 20 years and pleaded guilty confessing to the whole crime. He is lucky. If he was caught in TX he might have been given the electric chair. Even pastors aren't safe down here when caught with smack!

Being that this story is about a pastor and I am one (a pastor that is) I am very interested in the ethics of this story. Pastors are supposed to build their entire life and ministry around the telling of one point or message - forgiveness. No other need in the pulpit is greater than the need of preaching this one focal point of the gospel. Of course that one point is about God forgiving us and is a best selling point. Forgiveness is actually an easy message for people to buy. It sounds good. It sells. It has pop. It is good news (great news!) that God is all about forgiving us because we need it and will always be dependant on the faith and conviction that God has thought long and hard about forgiving us even though we don't deserve it, can't afford it and often don't know what to do with this kind of dynamic gift. Luckily for us He decided to do it anyway. Yippee!

The challenge to a message of forgiveness is living in the light of a forgiving Father. You see, God thinks that if we are forgiven, truly forgiven, then we should also forgive. Not just often or sometimes, but all of the time. Uh-oH! We who have been forgiven for much ought to forgive that much even when we don't want to or feel like it. There is no option for us. If we are forgiven by God in Christ we are to forgive others in Christ Jesus as well. It is our very best witness of the love of God for us. When we do not forgive others for the wrong they have done then we have to question the real impact of the grace of God in our life. Being willing and able to forgive is one of the great signs of Christian transformation.

So back to the pastor. Should we forgive him? Should his church? After all, this is very embarrassing to the Christian faith and tradition. We have enough troubles in American churches without some dude getting looped on pills and breaking the law while serving communion or baptizing babies. On second thought, give him the chair!

Just kidding. Let's forgive him. Let's pray for him. Let's look past his weakness in the flesh and see the potential in Christ that is in him. While we are at it, let's take a minute to forgive all of the pastors that have let us down or failed us. Maybe they forgot to call when we were sick. Maybe they don't preach like we like. Maybe they dress too formal or too casual for our taste. Maybe they made an executive decision that we did not like. Maybe they have a personality (or attitude) that stinks. Maybe they are just too busy to give us the time of day. Maybe they embarrassed our church with their weakness. Maybe...

Forgive them. Not because you have to or because you should, but because you can. Only as we are forgiven by God of our great sin/sinfulness may we then forgive others for what they have done to us. God forgiving us flips a switch that empowers us then to forgive others. Even if it is a pastor (or not a pastor) who has failed us miserably we can forgive them thanks be to God. It is for our own good and for the good of the kingdom.

The Secret to Leftovers

2009-06-01T21:22:00.003-05:00

Tonight when we gathered as a family for supper I was forced to come to the table with my imagination cap. Jamie prepared a wonderful salad with beautiful lettuce, tomatoes, sun flower seeds, cucumbers, dressing and a little bit of chicken. It was yummy. Come to think of it, I didn't even notice that the salad was missing cheese. How can you eat anything without cheese? That ain't right!

I knew right away that I would need help in eating this meal. It was necessary for me to bring my imagination cap because of what I knew about that chicken. It was leftover from Saturday night. LEFTOVER! On Saturday night it was freshly smoked on our grill and was delicious. I made several trips back to the kitchen to refill my plate as I recall. The Saturday night chicken was fresh, hot, tasty. The same chicken on Monday night was leftover, cold from a 48 hour refrigerator vacation next to the mustard, milk and the cottage cheese. Before I could face it on my salad I had to recreate and rethink what I was about to eat. I had to imagine that the chicken that I was about to eat was right out of the market, from the grill and ready for my tummy. My imagination allowed me to see that old stinky, leftover chicken as a specially prepared, uniquely seasoned, particularly chosen piece of poultry that fit perfectly with the bib lettuce and it's produce choir. To be honest it tasted great and met all of my nutritional needs plus it kept us from throwing out food that was perfectly good and cooking more. I was able to imagine my way to using my resources wisely and eating that good old yard bird that Wal-Mart brought to Houston. Who knew that pretending wasn't just for kids?

That is how God begins each day with us. He uses His God sized imagination. He doesn't see us only as we are (stinky, left over chicken), but as we might be through faith in Christ. It is not our sin or shame or brokenness that moves God. It is our potential to serve Him, love Him, worship Him, know Him. Although God does not need to imagine what we can become, He only imagines what our life further apart from Him might be. Grace then covers and calls us to abundant life in Christ. Not as we are, but as we can be in Him. God is not looking past our sin or pretending it does not exist. It is the sin in our life that gives us that leftover feel and smell. Knowing this about us God keeps on loving us and loving us and loving us again. That love then takes what is not fresh or worth keeping and makes it new, makes it good, make us His.

So...if you are thinking too hard about how you feel about your life and how you feel that you are measuring up to God's standard/rule/expectations, take a deep breath and pull out your imagination cap. Think rather about the life that God is offering you. A life with faith, hope and love. A life that is good smelling, good tasting, good feeling. Imagine that God loves you more than anything else in this creation. Then hold onto that thought for about the next 50 years. That is the secret to living the free from the leftovers that life serves up each day.

Let Me Drop A Four Letter Word On You...

2009-05-18T12:11:00.004-05:00

OK. I admit up front that this is not a four letter word. It has 8 letters. And in case you thought I was referring to a curse word with four letters I am not. It just seems to be an inappropriate word to me. This word is perfectly acceptable to be used in nearly every setting and conversation. In fact it is used very often in some of the most Godly places in our culture – the pulpit, the Sunday School room, church advertising, etc. The word is not illegal to use in Christian circles, but I am a firm believe that it should be. It is a power word used to divide and conquer the masses into a congregation fellowship/followership. In a gathering where unity and connectionalism should be valued and pursued, this word separates us and puts us into classes of age, interests and intellect. It is also a desperate word trying to grab attention in a highly technical, highly communicative world. If I could delete words from the language of the church, this word would most likely be first on the list. I can’t stand it. Dare I say I hate this word?

The word I am thinking about (because I am too sanctified to say it) is the word….RELEVANT. There I said it. Now I need to take a bath and wash my mouth out with soap. I feel dirty just typing it here. Father forgive me, for I knew what I was doing. It just doesn’t seem right to me to talk or promote the gospel as a RELEVANT topic of discussion or a pertinent point of reference. We are reducing the gospel to the secular conversation when we attempt to justify our ministry by stating that the gospel is RELEVANT. To say such borders on begging for attention and apologizing for being so quaint with our beliefs and practices. Don’t we believe that the gospel is more than just one way of knowing God? Isn’t the core of our faith about calling people out of their life and into a life in Christ? How can we then promote our worship and ministry simply as RELEVANT? We might say daring, or fabulous or even spectacular, but never just RELEVANT. If Christ is the hope for the world we can not be satisfied to be known as a people who have relevancy at our heart. The gospel calls us beyond a relevant experience and towards a holy encounter that is like no other. THAT should be the point we are trying to make. Coming to know God through Christ is not about relevancy, but about relationship. How do leaders in the church miss this so badly?

Our gospel is not subjective to what we declare to be relevant or what the unchurched judge to be false. This gospel is graceful, powerful, loving, lifting, life changing, full of hope, meaningful, even perfect. It is not however, relevant. To say such is an abuse of the gospel and is a great reduction to the belief that we have “good news.” To say we are relevant, or preach relevant or have relevant worship (gag me with a long handled wooden spoon!) is kind of like saying that what we believe about Christ is a worthy argument among the religious dialogue of our times so it should be considered and reflected upon. It is like saying that Jesus is a possibility in our selection of a Lord for our life so give him a fair chance. To think of the gospel as being relevant is to be satisfied that some or part of what we believe to be true should have some impact on our congregation and/or community if people would just try us out for a while. Relevancy in the church has no bearing upon anything we confess or teach about God. When we state that we are relevant we are only strengthening the argument by non believers who are living in the hope that Christianity is false and irrelevant as we join in their petty arguments. By attempting to claim that our church or ministry is RELEVANT we are casting doubt on the great work and ministry of many other churches who may very well have a different call and purpose, but are marginalized to their community through our marketing ploys that seem to suggest an ongoing war of the churches as to who is legitimate. I would be willing to bet that those who are engaged in the RELEVANT discussion aren’t getting at people who are estranged from the gospel - the people they think they are reaching. They are only reaching people who sit in other congregations and feel like they need an energy boost to their church and spiritual “experience.”

Let’s change the way we think about the church. I repeat. We should not care if people think we are relevant or not. Our concern is with how God views us and affirms our work for the kingdom. We are to be an alternative Christ shaped community that is not looking for or obsessed with an elevated societal standing or market share. We would be more faithful to the gospel if we desired to be known as a LOVING, SERVING, TRANSFORMING, ACCEPTING, TRUTH SEEKING, or HOPEFUL people living in and by faith trusting God to meet us in every aspect of life and ministry instead of a relevant church, or preacher or movement. Let’s put God in the center of all that we do and then let Him draw us and others towards Him with His words and ways. Now THAT is a relevant idea. (I still hate that word!)

Jesus- the real Jesus, the living Jesus, the Jesus who dwells in heaven and rules over earth as well, the Jesus who brought God's future into present - wants not just to influence us, but to rescue us; not just to inform us, but to heal us; not just to give us something to think about, but to feed us, and feed us with himself. - NT Wright

My New Best Friends

2009-05-11T21:46:00.005-05:00

This week I did something I thought I would never, ever do. I did something that I swore at my high school graduation NEVER to do. No - I did not bungee jump or eat a raisin. I did not pick up a hitch hiker or grow a handle bar mustache. Nor did I cheer for the Chicago Cubs or the Oklahoma Sooners. I didn't buy a fannie pack or listen to Rush Limbaugh (now Oxycontin free.) I bought a pair of Converse Chuck Taylor basketball shoes similar to the ones in the picture only low profile. This is a great turning point for me as I have clear and distinct ideas about what kinds of shoes are eligible to go on the foot and for most of my life the "Chucks" did not make it. I am now a believer. I love wearing them. I even wore them to work today with my khakis. I might even wear them with my suit and bow tie on Sunday. I am sure they will be with me when I visit DisneyWorld in a few weeks. There is a good chance I will wear them in the shower tomorrow. The summer of 2009 may go down as Chuck Taylor's Super Summer Sizzle 2009.

I am beginning to wonder if this new found love might be getting out of hand. It all started a few weeks ago when my boys asked for and received some "Chucks" while we were getting new Easter duds. I thought at the time that they were silly looking and sad, but they loved them. Davis has tried to wear them nearly everyday since we brought them home. His are a nice chocolate and Drew wears black "Chucks." Mine are Navy and Sugars has purple, twinkle toed "Chucks." Everybody but momma is in the club. Hard to believe that I have denied myself this grand experience all because I thought the "Chucks" were out of style, out of date and just not that cool.

Since these new thoughts and feelings have surfaced about something that I once believed to be an eye sore, I have begun to wonder what else I might be missing out on just because I think I wouldn't like it or them. I have opinions about many things in everyday life and some of them may taste or seem better than I think they might if I could just get passed my suspicion and prejudice. Maybe I am missing out on some great things in life. Maybe I am wrong more often than I would like to admit about things that I think or suspect would not taste good, feel good or look cool. Yes sir, these Chuck Taylors have quite likely changed the direction of my life.

I wonder if this openness to the possibility of other views or ideas might also be helpful to the church. I am not talking about an interfaith compromise, but perhaps we might consider some of our traditions in the light of the gospel and see if maybe the door that Christ has opened for our freedom isn't wider than we first thought. NT Wright says that "tradition should tell us where we have been while scripture should tell us where we are going." What if we discovered that some of things we worry and fret over as a church has no concern whatsoever in the heart of God? Being open to acting with faith in previously unexplored areas might change our life for the better. What could happen if we can just get passed what we think we don't like or feel comfortable with? What would happen if we put all of our life choices - prejudices and suspicions included - on the table for God to transform?

Maybe if we think about what we think we think about worship, discipleship, evangelism, service, God might continue remaking us in His image as we are awakened to where He has longed to work in us. Maybe, just maybe, there is a Chuck Taylor experience just around the corner for all of us in our faith and following of Jesus. Let's hope so. Let's believe it to be likely, possible and just they way God works. I bet that God has a nice new pair of "Chucks" wrapped up for all of us. Yes!

Mother's Day for Pets?

2009-05-04T18:58:00.005-05:00

Today I stopped by CVS to pick up several cards to send and give away for this weekend's national holiday. This one day of the year all moms are supposed to have it easy and be pampered. I know that many will have their best day of the year. Others will be greatly disappointing. Some will have a glorious Spring Sunday and others will be mad that they were taken to the wrong restaurant. Some will greatly appreciate their flowers while others will sneeze and complain that they are allergic to spring plants. Good luck in helping your mother find the happy place on this sacred day. Your choice will greatly impact the rest of year and special holidays. Choose wisely friends.

While perusing the cards I noticed that the card companies have cards for mom from everybody that could be remotely related or responsible. Admittedly I have long been critical of the marketing ploys of the card companies, Wal-Mart and most desperate to be recognized churches. CVS stocks cards from us, from me, from son, from husband, from all God's children, from special folk, from the whole family and even cards from the cat and dog. Really. I am not lying this time. There are cards from the cat and/or the dog to mom. Now who would go for such a thing? It would make more sense to me to buy a card for mom or grandma from dead uncle Jack. At least he would have been consciously aware he was recognizing mom/grandma if he was alive. Which he is not - RIP. Cards from pets to their adopted human mother does not make any sense to me at all. I guess I am challenged when it comes to appreciating fictitious recognition for matriarchal relationships.

Let's live in the real world people. Don't waste your money on those cards that have a one day life expectancy. Make your own card. Use the crayons and markers and put on a few stickers. Your mom will be just as happy and you will be sending a strong message to the card making companies that they need to get a life. It may be the theory of Hallmark that cats and dogs are able to purchase and send a card to their mothers, but they can't make one like real people. By making our own cards and leaving all cards on the shelf we will force them to get back to the production of real cards for mom. Cats and dogs should not be included in this holiday. Let them have Halloween or Cinco De Mayo. If we don't put our foot down somewhere the whole world will go to the cats and dogs. What is next - pet clothes? pet hotels? pet toothbrushes? pet play dates? You get my point. Stop this here and now. Next year this time Mother's Day 2009 will forever be known as the day that mankind rolled back the feline and canine attempt (known in some circles as a vast right wing conspiracy) to take over all things sacred.

I Am a Hero

2009-04-26T21:22:00.006-05:00

I saved a human life on Friday. Well....I did not exactly save somebody that day, but I did join a group that matches DNA and blood marrow of people who are in need with people who are good matches to receive a donation of blood, plasma and marrow. Ideally those people in need will receive the medical help they need to sustain life and continue the blessings of the hearts of their families and others. They can keep on living once they get some Donnie blood and marrow in them. I signed up while Gulf Coast blood drained double bags of the red stuff from one of my main veins as a quarterly donor. So technically I saved several lives on Friday. I'm kind of a big deal.

I am not sure if I will ever be called by the agency to donate blood marrow, but then again I might get called tomorrow. I'll be ready. People are in need and we know how to help them now more than ever. We all should recognize the value of life and spend a good party of our efforts each day not only making someones life better, but actually offering to give part of ourselves to do so. The least that we can do is give some blood or marrow or something red and gooey to extend the hopes of others. It'll be a big help and it will make you feel good about what you have done. Don't think of me as a hero because I am saving the lives of many people, think of me as a catalyst to the preservation of the human race. Why don't you join me as the savior of humanity?

If the potential of saving a life from prolonged illness and possible death makes us feel good, can you imagine the reaction of God as we are reconciled to Him through Christ essentially saving us from sin, shame and eternal death? Saving others is what He is all about. Nothing else matters much. His creation which is separated and suffering from the self sovereign hallucination is sick, sick, sick. God is not content to watch the fruits of His work waste away. He is all about saving us only in a different way than donating a few cells or bags of blood to pep us up. He gives us what we really need even when we don't realize we need it. What we need is an infusion of the grace of God to help us and heal us. Apart from His touch we remain ourselves which is not a healthy place. Only as we are infused with (by) the atoning blood of Christ will our lives be changed. Until that happens we are reduced to living on a waiting list hoping that something, someone, comes along and offers to gives us help of some kind. As we wait we wish, we long, we hope for something to happen to help us. Something has happened and continues to happen through Christ Jesus our savior and Lord. That is the amazing thing that changes all other details of our normally ordinary and fractured lives.

Here is my challenge to you/us. Let's not move too quickly past the reality that we are living a life that has been picked up by God and made into to something. Salvation is greater than us all getting to heaven. It is a here on earth, life changing encounter with God who completes what was begun in creation and in our conception. We are saved and that is what our life is been moving towards since first breath. Let us live in the salvation life that has been freely given, freely shared with us through Christ as the Father has willed for us. Let us live like we were dying in our flesh so that we may life, truly live, in the Spirit of the Living God. Then may we pour everything about ourselves into saving the lives of others so that we all may sing the song of the saved!

I went sky diving, Rocky mountain climbing, I went 2.7 seconds on bull named Fu-Manchu. I loved deeper, and spoke sweeter and gave forgiveness I'd been denying. Son I hope you get the chance to live, live like you're dying.
- Timmy McGraw

Psalm 1

2009-04-21T21:03:00.004-05:00

Today I started a new bible study for my classic friends at church. Traditionally we have studied a book of the bible in a systematic, verse by verse format. We have a great time together and have studied Jonah, John, James and Ephesians over the last year or so. Now we tackle the great book of Hebrew worship and I have to admit that I am quite excited about the next 150 Tuesday mornings.

I know what you are probably thinking. Is there a reason to study a book of 1st and 2nd century BC poems, laments and songs? Absolutely YES - as we find a tremendous amount of relevant (or more accurately transforming) truth in this book for Christian living. Admittedly it may use language and metaphors that are possibly foreign to us because of the distance in time, but it gives a clear, pure view of what life lived in faith could and should look like. The Psalms gives us permission to cry, laugh, yell and most importantly talk with or at God. The Psalter is a tool that every believer should keep close and integrate into their spiritual development and journey. Sadly the Psalms usually are only embraced by the deeply spiritual and devoted seekers/followers/children of God who discover the open door of a passionate life of continual worship and awe.

The first Psalm takes off with a beatitude declaring that the righteous, or right with God, will be happy and/or blessed while the wicked will live in an illusion and be easily confused and uprooted from the purposes that they pursue. In short, there is no future in following the wicked path or dabbling in sin. An even greater warning for believers may be the danger of dealing with the committed scoffer, cynic and judgemental at heart. However, those who are with God ( and know it) have full, advancing lives that are deeply meaningful to themselves, to others and to God. The first Psalm ends the discussion by suggesting that those who flee wickedness and live in the abundant life find that God offers a prosperous experience in everything they do. Everything!

Prosperity for all sounds great. Many more people would pledge faith in God if all we have to do is believe in, trust in and follow God's word and we will be successful and prosperous at all that we do, touch and see. Let me warn you though of how easy it is to misunderstand this truth. The Psalmist is not promising wealth and power in exchange for devotion and obedience. In fact, although He owns the cattle on a thousand hills (Psalm 50 ) He does not measure prosperity in material value. Prosperity understood proper in Biblical truth is found in the currency of faith, hope and love. That is what we are promised and what we get as the blessed and happy children of God. As we journey with Him we are delighted in His affirmation, assurance and guidance so much so that what define our success as humans in terms of right relatedness to God rather than on how far we can go, how much we can gather and on who comes under our say so. As we understand rightly what God has extended graciously to us, we come to understand the depth of being transformed by God and find that God sanctifies entirely even our ambition and value meters. His holy call for us is not only to do something in His name, but to find joy in what the Name has done in us and for us. The happy in God are blessed by Him and that is enough to make life and faith worth while. However, the wicked pursue happiness in almost every other place and no matter how much life can be gobbled up, it never seems to be enough or right or worth while. Prosperity simply put is being content with God being sovereign in our lives and in our work and in our dreams and letting that be the "peace that passeth all understanding." As long as we search for prosperity outside of the terms of faith we will not find it. When we stop, pause, listen and see God as He is before us, we are changed forever and ever and ever.

Tonight I saw this clearly as I watched my sons play their baseball games. One son plays on the best team in his age group. The other son plays on probably the worst. Each game is an experience in the opposite of emotions as one son dominates his opponent and the other comes home crying and humiliated. Is the one son blessed by God and experiencing prosperity in baseball (baseball is a part of everything) while the other son is dejected and rejected in the same experience because he is wicked? Of course not! They are both blessed and happy because God has given them the ability and the resources to play a great sport in a great league, but greater than that is the freedom that He grants them (and us) to know that regardless of our success in life, love and baseball, we are loved by Him greatly and He is calling us to follow Him and have life more abundant. Baseball merits aside they can be happy and blessed as they follow God all through life - in success as well as in defeat. PTL!

Blessed are the prosperous in faith for they (we) will have a great view of the life that God created for us. True prosperity is defined by the glory of God that fills our heart and fuels our life for holiness. God prosperity is not a consumer experience, but an investing and liquidating faith towards others.

Theology Foxworthy Style

2009-04-12T19:50:00.004-05:00

You are probably familiar with the comedy of Jeff Foxworthy. He is a good -ole Southern boy sharing the wit and humor from a lifetime of observing some of God's most special creatures - Red Necks! Most of his jokes begin with the line "You might be a red neck if..." He is funny, real funny. Rarely does a week go by that I think of one of jokes and laugh about someone that I know personally that really personifies the joke. Sometimes I think he followed me around when I was in high school just for material.

I have found that this type of rhetoric also works with other types of unusual behavior and life situations. This is especially true with people in the church and the way we do ministry. I hope that when I retire from the pulpit I can go on the road telling Foxworthy crafted jokes beginning with things like "You might be a Baptist if..." or " You might speak in tongues if..." or "You might be asked to increase your tithe if..." or "You might learn to love a Catholic if..." Unfortunately those topics have already been pitched, put into books and sold as bestsellers in the Lifeway Bookstores Systematic Theology Section. Tough luck for me. On to new possibilities.

Anyway, here is an example of how I might have rolled as a stand up comic. My hook is simple, sweet and possibly a bit harsh, but unfortunately it seems to be accurate of how the Christian church in America misrepresents our spiritual theology, practice and distinctives. Feel free to laugh, groan or mock me. It might even occur to you to pray for me while you read these.

You might have missed the point of Resurrection Sunday (that is Easter Sunday for you Nazarenes reading this)....

* If everyone skipped church on Sunday because you were disappointed that it was raining and your new bee hive hair do might fall.

* If you had special prayer during the service for the kids who were unfortunately maimed when 10,000 eggs were dropped out of the helicopter which was THE big event of the weekend.

* If you had your Easter sunrise service on Saturday at noon to accommodate the regularly scheduled Saturday evening experience since encouraging Saturday worshippers one Sunday of the year to actually follow some sort of tradition and Christian practice seems to be intrusive or out of style.

* If the burping contest after the Easter breakfast was the highlight of the day.

* If your church had a contest for the lady that wore ugliest hat to church.

* If your church had 9 different services on Sunday so that every body's schedule could be accommodated and the staff used to their greatest efficiency (exhaustion?).

* If your pastor continued his series on the Purpose Driven Life because it was the 4th week and is really important and it was a "felt need."

* If your youth pastor offered to let the kid who found the most Easter eggs shave his head during the offering (with Pastor approval of course.)

* If the pastor was given a love offering in PEEPs to commemorate the Easter fun.

* If the responsive reading was an excerpt from a Veggie Tale movie that went along with the theme of the day.

* If the ushers did the bunny hop down the aisle as they passed the plates.

* If the church offered the option of colored water during the baptism service to match the colored eggs given out to the children.

* If the pastor tossed candy during the benediction while yelling "same time, same place, next year"

* (Addendum to the helicopter dropping eggs) If you had thought that giving away an IPod or a Wii and alot of candy is a modern way of evangelism.

* (Addendum part #2) If the only explanation of the resurrection this weekend revolved around the empty egg given out during the famous, extravagant, buzz worthy, silly egg drop.

* (Addendum part #3) If the members of your church invited neighbors to the egg drop, but somehow forgot about inviting them to the Easter service (or just decided not to bother).

* If your pastor actually preached that on the 8th day of creation God created the Easter bunny, those pretty dyed chicks and Cadbury chocolates.

OK...I think I might have made my point. I hope you are still reading. Fun is not bad. Fun in church or with the church family is not a sin. Fun is a good thing. However, allowing fun to be the main point or highlight of our gathering is a shame. On this day of the year we can not afford to continue to let culture have complete control with what we preach, when we gather and what we value. The resurrection of Christ means that we are called to live in and be agents of the new creation made possible as Christ forever cancels the power of sin and death so that all who believe may have his joy and an abundant life. May God transform our misguided acts in His name into moments filled with his grace and shaped by His love. May that be the substance of our worship and the message in our witness to others. May God help us to become a holy community consumed with thoughts and hopes in Him while forsaking all others.

When Scripture Meets Prayer

2009-04-07T21:39:00.005-05:00

In the American free Church tradition we are accustomed to writing and delivering our own prayers. In fact, we actually write them as we pray. We seem to have suspicion of those prayers written from ages past as if they were for that time only. Further, to read or pray someone else's prayer is greatly frowned upon as it edges on fraud and stealing. Most of the pastors and congregants that I know believe that prayers must be fresh, personal and relevant to what we are going through. Come with your best to prayer or don't come at all.

As Jesus hang dying on the cross we know that he was active in prayer. As others were criticizing and ridiculing him, he was praying. As his disciples and mother watched in horror hoping he would pull off a miracle, he prayed. As all of nature held its breath to see what the creative word would do, he only prayed. He made the best of his three hours of free time. Prayer kept him focused on his cause, kept him engaged in his passion, led him closer to his heavenly home. He died with his best prayers rolling off of his tongue. These prayers were shaped by scripture (read Psalms 22 and 31 among others to find the context of his cross bound prayers) and propelled by his trust in his Father. His Father did not let him down.

Thanks be to God that the gospels give us the replay so that we are familiar with this stage of his ministry. His prayers from the cross are powerful, passionate and worth repeating. Feel free to make them models for shaping and reshaping your "God talks" as we know He listened to them once on a hill far away. He is likely to listen again and when he does He will do so remembering His son, His only son. As He remembers, His heart will surely grow strangely warm as He is reminded that through Christ Jesus (and his prayers) we are given real access to the Father. Better yet, as our lives are slipping away, we find real life in the heart, mind and ministry of Jesus. The good news is that when we are praying our greatest needs and deepest hopes, our Father does not hear us praying, but hears His son, His only Son, praying and asking Him to act. That's real good news because honestly our prayers on their own are not real good. We need Christ in our prayers if we want to rest in the grace and mercy of his Father.

So let us pray with Christ this Holy week as he leads us in prayers. It will be OK that he prayed them first. His prayers are better than ours anyway. These prayers have changed the church for 2,000 Easters now. May they shake us this Easter like never before so that we may learn to die with Christ as easily as we have attempted to live with him. May we die to our own way of life this Good Friday so we may be raised with the Son on Resurrection Sunday!

We pray in company with Jesus as he prays his death. As we do this, our death gets included in his death. It is a way of prayer that brings us into an embrace and acceptance of the death we die as we are baptized into Christ and become witnesses to a resurrection into which we, having died, are raised with Christ.
-- Eugene Peterson (Tell It Slant)

Good for the Body

2009-03-30T22:14:00.005-05:00

I know what you are thinking. Don is about to post about eating for the third time this month. He has done burgers, chili and now doughnuts. It would be fair to say that I have a high affinity and a deep respect for the things that dwell in my belly and tingle my taste buds. I am here to say that nothing is better than a Krispy Kreme baby! This is probably not the kind of writing the public needs to hear right now as we fight heaviness as a society. Well, I am going another route. Although it does include a story about Krispy Kreme, this post is about a race.

In Raleigh, North Carolina, the student body holds an annual race to raise money for the local children's hospital. This year 5,500 people ran and about $50,000 was raised for the charity. However, this race is not a typical 5K or marathon. It is only 4 miles. There is a time limit of one hour. And most importantly at the mid way point, each runner is required to stop and eat a dozen Krispy Kreme doughnuts. Then finish the race. Remember, only an hour from beginning to end and not throwing up the doughnuts. In fact, throwing up in this case is highly frowned upon. Keeping down your cookies, or in this case doughnuts, divides the successful doughnut joggers from those just lurching around for the free doughnuts.

Now I don't run, but I do eat doughnuts. Do you think that qualifies me for this race? Probably not. I better stick to commentary on this one. I can't decide if I am more offended that running has gotten mixed up with eating highly fattening and unhealthy food or that the blessed glazed circle has gotten mixed up withe pain and torture of running in at a highly fatiguing pace. They just don't seem to go together. They should stay in their distinctly separate places and never overlap. God created one for his glory and the other for man's misery. They can not be friends. They must stay in their own corners at all costs. The future of our fat world depends on keeping the energy burning activity far away from the heavily saturated fatty ball of goo. (A dozen of these doughnuts requires about a 30 mile jog to burn off the 2,400 calories).

Join with me in calling on NC State to step in as an institution and put a stop to this. It is bad for the sport of running and awful for the ego of thousands of Krispy Kreme addicts. This can't go on or someone will get hurt by slipping on excessive doughnut glaze or busting a gut. Some things were meant to be sacred. What are you gonna do about it? Don't just sit there laughing in disbelief. Get mad. Only then will you become concerned with the unfair treatment of cute little doughnuts. If we ignore this we will face some difficult days ahead. Before we know it, drinking Starbucks coffee will be lumped with cleaning the toilet and your Big Mac will be linked with riding roller coasters. It ain't right!

Check it out:

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=garber/090326

The Heavens Declare...

2009-03-24T20:23:00.003-05:00

The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek after God.

Tonight I climbed up on the roof of my house on the trail of a leak that had made its way inside the parsonage. I am not a very capable handy man, but the leak was enough for the boys to yelp and momma to call for daddy. So I went. That was the right move. Ignoring the red headed lady would have made my evening quite a bit more tense and would have caused me to sleep in bunk beds with two stinky boys. Not good!

While on the roof I noticed a few missing shingles and leaves left over from the fall distribution. I saw my neighbor watering the lawn without his shirt off(Dear God- make me a bird so I can fly, fly far, far away!) I also noticed the big beautiful Texas sky after a rain. I noticed the stars peeking out earlier than normal in the evening. I noticed how much bigger the world is than me and how much bigger God is even than the world. While I was busy noticing this and that a good thought about God occurred to my tiny, pea brain. Bigger than that leak in the roof, or the TX skyline or the canvass of clouds created for the birds of the air, is the heaven that our Father spoke into place and then sat upon. The heavens that he made became our one and only heaven once he filled it with his presence. That is how big He is! No other heaven really matters to man. Only the heaven that concerns God should concern us.

The careful reader of the Psalms will recall that heaven is a popular word used and communicated in the worship of God. Heaven is not intended to be a hope placed on a shelf in the back of our prayers, but a way of centering our thoughts and hopes in the present and living God that we pray to, sing about and love without limits. To the Psalmist it is necessary to remind us in worship that God is not only other than us, His otherness stands as a glaring reminder of His nature and reality. In other words, God is not like us, He is not from us and He is not with us. He is OTHER and one of the basic ways of saying that in the words of the Psalmist is to remind us about heaven. If He was anything at all like us we would never be able to talk about Him and heaven in the same breath. It just wouldn't make sense. When we talk/think about God we must include talk/thoughts about heaven. They just go together. We can not have it any other way.

Just the mentioning of heaven puts us in a place to ponder what God is like and how that influences our faith, hope and love. Now heaven might mean alot of different things to most anybody who has given heaven much thought. It is clear that heavens can mean sky, atmosphere or any number of things related to the area above the earth. I am interested though in THE heaven or heaven as it relates to the place assigned for the people of God to gather. It may not be spiritually healthy to become preoccupied with heavenly dreams or ideas, but the hope of heaven can mean a great deal to the daily progress of faith.

Heaven is really real, but I can't tell you where it is, what is like or anything about it with serious conviction. I am not really comfortable making big, bold statements about what heaven is and what heaven is not, but I have come to believe a few things about heaven. Maybe you can think of some more. Here are mine.

1- Heaven will be more about us worshipping God and less about our getting comfort, gaining wealth or winning the contest.
2- Heaven will not have Democrats...or Republicans... or Protestants/Catholics or Baptists/Nazarenes...it will be filled with the children of God.
3- We will not win a heavenly prize or buy our way in. It will be another of God's gracious gifts to us.
4- Heaven will relieve us all of issues of failure, regrets, unworthiness, shame, guilt, addiction, etc...
5- I will have eternity to sit and ask my questions of the Trinity (Triune God)
6- Heaven - no matter how cool or beautiful it is -would be nothing without God there. God thinks the same thing about heaven without us there. Wow!
7 - John Wesley will be an MVP in the heavenly court.
8 - God will complete the work of saving the world before, during and when we all get to heaven.
9 - All board meetings, committee meetings and session meetings will be canceled and business tabled for all eternity!
10 - God will no longer be looking for those who understand that He is God and are seeking Him. We will all be there!

Monday Mooyah Madness

2009-03-17T14:35:00.004-05:00

Yesterday was a great day. In fact, maybe one of the very best Mondays I remember. It was free french fry, free t shirt, fill out your NCAA basketball bracket at Mooyah Burgers and Fries. This great event was scheduled to get our community into the spirit of basketball mania. My total caloric intake was well above 2000 for that meal, but it was worth it. I had lunch, got my digs for the tournament and entered a contest that could very well feed my family of 5 for an entire month. Imagine that- 30 days of burgers, fries and Dr Pepper. I am pumped, thrilled, jazzed, hyped baby!!! Basketball has been very, very good to me/us.

Every year I am surprised at how the casual sports fan gets pumped up for events like the Super Bowl, World Series, the NCAA tournament and other highlighted events. People can pay no attention what so ever to a team or a player or a sport, but then throw themselves completely into one event. People will buy new jerseys, travel a thousand miles, shave their head and skip a worship event (see Sunday as the sabbath if you are confused by that) just to be an eye witness to the big game. Don't hear me preaching against sports. I love them all (except hockey). I live for them. I am just pointing out something that surprises me greatly as an analyst of human behavior and life year in and year out.

This changing, radical behavior is all due to the hype. Hype makes us do unusual things, eat crazy kinds of food, buy stuff we don't need and can't afford. Hype is the American way to nudge people into buying a product or getting on board. Anything boring is not purchased or consumed. It must be cool, exciting, amped up or we don't want it. We are addicted to hype and our entire perspective seems to stem from it. Hype makes us feel good, act cool and seem together. To further my point please notice that today is St. Patrick's Day and most of us have no connection to anything Irish yet we wear green, hunt for 4 leaf clovers and gather to sing "O Danny Boy" as if it was our naitonal anthem all because of the hype that drives us.Hype is the energy drink that our generation can not (will not) live without.

Now, hype is not only a secular craze. Hype has a sacred extension too or at least it is inserted into the activity of the sacred as a necessary element. Most churches live and die on the hype generated by music, charisma, programs, buildings, tradition, etc. Hype is such a part of church life that we don't even recognize it drives us, but we know when it is missing and we don't like it. The really misguided might mistake the hype for a visit or leading of the Holy Spirit. Many casual believers are hyped into spiritual activity this time of year because of special, unique ministries offered by the church during Holy (Hyper) Week, but will return to apathy once they empty their Easter basket and wave to grandma at church during the Good Friday service.

My point is that if a worship gathering does not dedicate a portion of the service to hype upcoming events, people don't come. If a church does not hype itself as the best church in the community, people leave to look for which church is. If the pastor and/or the band is not routinely reminded that they are the best in town and everyone knows it, they begin to wonder where God is and why He has abandoned them in ministry. Churches are being hyped by motorcycles in the sanctuary, Hollywood driven discipleship and misguided service projects. I have often wondered where I missed the class in seminary on "How to hype your church to 1,000." Certainly the meaning of faith and the call to Christian life and ministry is meant to be more than emotional stirring or hyped up programming.

Questions: Does the need to hype or be hyped help us escape the call to be disciples and to go further into discipleship? In other words, do we choose to be cool and excited instead of faithful and holy? Do we choose programs and experiences over community and maturity? Do we take the easy way out by looking for what stirs us up instead of looking for God in the quiet, lonely places of our life? Are we as pastors the source of the hype as we try to keep up with culture? Is ministry possible apart from a hyped up model? What does God think about our misplaced emphasis in worship, discipleship and service? What if anthing does the church have to be hyped about (think about this carefully please)?

Fill to the max!

2009-03-09T20:53:00.004-05:00

Last week I was able to eat chili at Skyline Chili. It is great. It is better than great. It is nearly addictive. It is easily the best chili experience that man can know. Just being near that chili, cheese, red onions, cheese, spaghetti noodles and cheese make me happy. I want to laugh. I want to cry. I want to laugh and cry simultaneously as I bask in the love and warmth of that chili. I am smiling (and drooling) right now just thinking about it. I love it! Thank God for Skyline chili. I 'live to eat' food this good. I think 'eating to live' is for people who don't understand life and can not embrace the good things that God has given!

Why does food make us so happy? Is it really the taste? Certainly it has to be more than that. Eating to most of us is not about hunger, or nutrition or even fellowship. It is mostly about emotion. It is about a hidden hole we have down deep in our soul (or stomach). We are trying to feed something within that we probably have not even identified yet. Anger, disappointment, fear, failure, rage will drive our emotions to act in crazy ways and food is often the weapon we use to release the emotion, only we use it on ourselves. Why?

Being overweight and/or unhealthy is a problem and will cause us deep problems on the inside and outside of our body. We can not bury it deep enough or push it far enough to the side. Sad or bitter emotions must be dealt with our we are hostages in our own body. Yet, time and time again we choose to shut the emotion up by smothering it with extra french fries or double dutch choc0late fudge cookies. Yum, pass the cake!

Is it too simple to say that we are only filled and made whole through Christ? That doesn't mean that only thin and/or healthy people are true believers. Nothing in life that we consume will meet the needs that are planted deep in our soul except the love of God in Christ which then changes everything. We can't eat enough, drink enough, shop enough, exercise enough, sex enough, consume enough of anything that will change us, but we can certainly be thoroughly filled by His grace and find that we are changed in an unbelievable ways. Remember, Jesus declared that he was "the bread of life" and whoever took their nourishment and strength from him would never be empty. I am not talking therapy here. I am talking gospel. Those who have taken him at his word have found that we can eat to live instead of living to eat. That is the good news that our souls and stomach need to hear.

Thank goodness he did not announce he was the chili of the world. So...Skyline still sits on top. Extra cheese please. Eat up!

Special Delivery

2009-03-02T15:13:00.002-06:00

This week I am spending time thinking about and praying over the Lord's prayer. My Lenten series on prayer has called my congregation to pursue the heart of God through a deeper prayer life in Christ so that we may articulate clearly how he taught his disciples to pray (See Matthew 6 or Luke 11). Of course this is a key text in understanding the Christian life and ministry. It is our way of praying in the tradition, the knowledge, the power, the way of Jesus. It is of paramount importance that we realize it is not our technique or expertise in prayer that makes our words powerful. It is Christ who collects our prayers, sanctifies them and gives them to the Father before taking them back and giving them to us for edification and nurture. Our prayers are pitiful. His prayers are powerful. Our prayers are funny. His prayers are fruitful. Our prayers are unnecessary. His prayers are unifying. We need to pray like Jesus, but more importantly we must pray with Jesus so that we are in harmony with the life God has called us to and given to us. Thank God that we have such a high priest to intercede for us and lead us in prayer so that we do not give in to temptation and create a life from our own desires.

Today I have rested on the word deliver. As in "deliver us from evil." It is a word that reminds me of God delivering Isaac from the knife of Abraham, the Israelites from Egypt's cruelty, Jonah from the depth of a Tuna and Daniel from becoming potted meat to hungry lions. Say what you will about His timing, but our God delivers. It is not in His nature to NOT deliver. He is the delivering God that has shown Himself to us in creation, redemption and a sustained faith. The full understanding for the Greek word deliver (rhyomai) found in the Lord's prayer though is not to be known simply as rescue. It means to draw close, pull near, carefully gather. The meaning is deeper than being pulled from the flame of danger. As God delivers us we experience a powerful, yet gentle embrace of the creator who has taken an opportunity to look at us up close for a moment. That is how God delivers. It is a delivery that wrapped in the experience of relationship that does not want to let us go quickly. God's delivery of us desires to possess us and keep us as His own. That is how He has been delivering all of those mentioned before and many millions of others who have called out to Him in faith and in need. In fact, this kind of deliverance may be thought of in terms of God reconciling us to Him through Christ - not for a physical need, but for salvation.

I am praying that God will deliver Davis from the fever that kept him home from school today. I am praying that God will deliver me this week as I prepare for a busy time of writing, speaking and traveling. I am praying that God delivers my ailing grandfather recovering from pneumonia. I am praying that God will deliver the half dozen people in my congregation out of work. I am praying that God will deliver us all through political challenge, financial ruin and global unrest. I am praying that God will deliver His church and pastors from the belief that we may not be necessary or relevant in a multi faith world. I am praying that nothing we do will separate us from God's special delivery in our lives. We need it and we need to be aware of what He is doing so that we can enjoy what he is doing, be grateful for it and get in on His delivering agenda. Being delivered is the essence of a faith placed safely in the will of God for us. Glory To His Name!

We need help. And we need help even when we don't know we need help. Especially when we don't know we need help. - Eugene Peterson (who else?)

Marked By Ashes

2009-02-25T08:36:00.002-06:00

Ruler of the Night, Guarantor of the day . . .This day — a gift from you.

This day — like none other you have ever given, or we have ever received.

This Wednesday dazzles us with gift and newness and possibility.

This Wednesday burdens us with the tasks of the day, for we are already halfway home halfway back to committees and memos, halfway back to calls and appointments,

halfway on to next Sunday, halfway back, half frazzled, half expectant,

half turned toward you, half rather not.
This Wednesday is a long way from Ash Wednesday,

but all our Wednesdays are marked by ashes —

we begin this day with that taste of ash in our mouth:

of failed hope and broken promises, of forgotten children and frightened women,

we ourselves are ashes to ashes, dust to dust;

we can taste our mortality as we roll the ash around on our tongues.
We are able to ponder our ashness with some confidence,

only because our every Wednesday of ashes

anticipates your Easter victory over that dry, flaky taste of death.
On this Wednesday, we submit our ashen way to you —

you Easter parade of newness. Before the sun sets, take our Wednesday and Easter us,

Easter us to joy and energy and courage and freedom;

Easter us that we may be fearless for your truth.

Come here and Easter our Wednesday with mercy and justice and peace and generosity.
We pray as we wait for the Risen One who comes soon.

- Walter Brueggemann

Giving It Up At Lent

2009-02-23T19:34:00.007-06:00

On Wednesday of this week our church will share in the annual Service of Ashes. The service is about reminding believers that our lives are in fact fading away. Every breath that we take is one less breath that we have on our total card. We are dying people and nothing says death like ashes on the forehead. Death is not a matter of age or health, but of sin and separation. The gospel story goes beyond escaping a bad future and promises an eternal embrace of a loving, holy God who is our salvation. THAT is the good news and we receive it best when we recognize our own limits. Bring on the ashes!

Beyond being reminded that we are dying, the service is an open door for the Season of Lent. In this time we are called to be mindful of and participate in the passion and life of Jesus Christ. As surely as he denied himself and took up the cross, so should we let go of our lives as we know them and participate in the selfless service of Christ. With or without ashes let us be transformed by the reality of a dying body, but an eternal soul that belongs to God through Christ Jesus. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust we are dying yet alive in him. PTL!

Traditionally as a part of Lent we are called to give up something that is of comfort to us and allow that newly created space to be a space in which God can speak more clearly into our hearts. Confessing faith is a good start, but acting in ways that allow faith to take hold of us and become our defining story requires sacrifice, denial and self emptying (and for good Roman Catholics it will require penitence and/or alms). Lent reminds us that our belief in God is worth changing the life that we think comforts us so that we may be more comforted and complete in the love and affirmation of our heavenly Father. It is only when we rest in the grace of God that we find the wholeness that our heart longs for and needs for healing, hope and hagiasmos (holiness).

So let me suggest something about our Lenten "give up." Don't make it only about superficial or physical denial. Make it a spiritual matter. Don't give up red meat or coffee and yet retain bitterness and division. Don't separate from the internet and keep connected to negative relationships and gossipy conversations. Don't abstain from social temptations and continue in the judging of others. Lent is a matter for our spirit and soul rather than tradition and relevance. It is not about public displays of piety or spirituality, but about considering ourselves lost and in need of salvation so that we live a life thankful for what God has done through Christ. He has exchanged grace for sin and mercy for death. Hallelujah! May this be a true season of reflection, repentance and realized redemption.

Yet even now", says the Lord, "return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments". Return to the Lord, your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and repents of evil. Who knows whether He will not turn and repent, and leave a blessing behind Him, a cereal offering and a drink offering for the Lord, your God? - Joel 2:12

"Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. - Matthew 6:1-2

Don't You Judge Me!

2009-02-16T13:48:00.006-06:00

Today is President's Day...that greatest of holidays. My wife is at work, my kids are in school, my dog is asleep and I am in the middle of a Monday ministry hang over. Yet, it is President's Day - a national holiday with the banks closed, the post office closed and Monday Night Football tabled until September. What is the point? Why did I get out of bed? Did I shave my legs for this?

Don't get me wrong. I like Presidents. I think they are cool and I respect them all even if we have different political ideas. America has had some great presidents- George Washington, two Adam's boys, Old Hickory (Tennessee boy!) a Lincoln, two Roosevelt's, a Kennedy and a half (RFK would have been elected so I give them partial credit) and the Gipper. We have now had our first minority President elected and one day soon we will have a female President. Leadership is an interesting topic to critique and the President is usually on every body's roasting list. Only in America!

Most polls rank James Buchanan as the worst US President ever. He was a "doughface", he never married, was nominated for office while in England, vowed in his inauguration speech to not run for reelection, nearly bankrupted the government by cutting taxes too far, replaced Brigham Young as the governor of Utah nearly causing a bloody war out West, offered no leadership to the country as the Civil War loomed large in Washington, stated the slaves for treated "fairly and kindly", blah, blah, blah. I guess the polls are right. He was lousy.

Now, we could join the party and pile on him. Lord knows he deserves it, but why don't we try another approach. Instead of letting the past sour the present, we could be thankful for his willingness to serve, his now expired election and 150 years to forget his failure and overcome his leadership. Our country and our world does not depend on the failure of one man (or woman) nor will it depend on the success of a man (or woman) today or in the future. We are in this together and spending our time as critics and loathers of the "not so successful" will only hurt us and cool our spirits. Remember that after we said goodbye to the worst president ever, we embraced the one who may be the greatest president ever (polls support both positions) in Lincoln. God was merciful.

America take heart! Our collective whole is greater than any individual part as Americans, as Christians, as sportsmen, as families and as a people. We made it through the Buchanan administration so we can make it through anything. At the end of the very dark days we find Hope waiting for us to arrive. Christians could be the champions of this cause and offer a tremendous contribution to the country (although I regret to report that I most often hear Christians who are down in the mouth critical of presidents, congress, media, military, etc..Why is that?). Letting go of the past, good and/or bad is key to finding the successful and happy present. Remember, faith and forgiveness are partners in the Christian life that should not be separated. That is a faith in God and a willingness to forgive others- all others regardless of their status, their era or their overall impact!

Let's find better ways to feel and communicate. Leadership of any kind is tough, but we need good (Godly) leaders. Let's not be haters in life. Let's be lovers and we can start with Buchanan. I propose that we print bumper stickers that say "Buchanan- He Ain't Heavy! He's dead." There...doesn't that feel better?

God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy. God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God. God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God. (Matthew 5:7-9, NLT)

Children Give The Best Pastoral Care

2009-02-10T14:18:00.004-06:00

Sunday was a great day. I arrived at church to a sanctuary anxious to seat worshippers, class rooms ready to facilitate Christian education and a coffee pot ready to dispense sweet nectar. All three things happened and it was a beautiful day. One of the best I think during my days at Clear Lake. I preached about a pigeon...but that is another story.

After church we had BBQ with a few friends and then Jamie and I split up the church duties for the afternoon. She would take Sugars and go to a wedding shower with the promise to bring me cake. I would take the boys and make a hospital call. Then back home for 10 minutes of rest before quizzing, choir and Taco Bell. Ready-Break!

Quickly we sped down HWY 3 on our way to see Clarence M. Davis, Drew and the preacher boy on a Sunday afternoon drive. We made it just as he was finishing his pudding from lunch. After a few minutes of Q and A, I gathered the boys close and had prayer with Clarence. He was appreciative and was in fine spirits. We left that day believing that church had been had at Clear Lake hospital as five of us gathered in faith and called on God to heal, to help and to keep holy. We were certain He had heard our prayers and in Christ had answered them. Praise be to God for His undying love for us and His gracious favor on our lives.

I am glad that the boys were with me and were so good to go. They could have objected and appealed to the fact that they were tired from church and needed to rest (No Nazarene ever argues with such reason on a Sunday afternoon. The manual will not permit such nonsense). They could have cried and stated they were scared of hospitals or that they were healthy and did not want to get sick by visiting sick people. They could have said they really did not know the man very well. They could have said that they would not know what to say to an older man recovering for surgery. All of these would have been solid arguments to present to a listening pastor. They said not a word.

Then Drew said the most amazing thing about his father. He said, "Dad, I know why we came to the hospital. Because that is what pastors do. They visit the sick people of the church and help them to feel better about being sick." True words Drew. Thanks for noticing. Only we can't make people feel better. God does that. We only bear witness to His presence in the midst of sickness, disease and difficulty, but you are on the right track son. We'll go again to visit the sick and I will be glad to let you (or your brother) pray next time. You children know "God talk" better than I do anyway. I mess it up with "Thee and Thou" or "intercede and eradicate." You just say "Help us Father" and He comes running. You can pray for me anytime kid.

Seeing then this is a duty to which we are called, rich and poor, young and old, male and female, (and it would be well parents would train up their children herein, as well as in saying their prayers and going to church) let the time past suffice that almost all of us have neglected it, as by general consent. O what need has every one of us to say, "Lord, forgive me my sins of omission!" Well, in the name of God, let us now from this day set about it with general consent. And I pray, let it never go out of your mind that this is a duty which you cannot perform by proxy; unless in one only case, -- unless you are disabled by your own pain or weakness. In that only case, it suffices to send the relief which you would otherwise give. Begin, my dear brethren, begin now; else the impression which you now feel will wear off; and, possibly, it may never return! What then will be the consequence? Instead of hearing that word, "Come, ye blessed! -- For I was sick, and ye visited me;" you must hear that awful sentence, "Depart, ye cursed! -- For I was sick, and ye visited me not!" - John Wesley (Sermon 98)

Choosing Right in a Rocky Economy

2009-02-04T12:55:00.005-06:00

In 1773, England was nearing the beginning of the war with the colonies. It was an empire that was essentially crumbling and thus was attempting to act with aggression and arrogance in order to pull England back towards its ideal and glory. The best efforts of the king and queen would not prevail nor would parliament have much effect as the citizenship of England was in misery because of economic, religious and political struggle. England the empire had seen its better days and they were now behind them.

John Wesley wrote a letter describing the day and trying to explain why things were so bad. Food was short. Land was gobbled up by the wealthy. Jobs were scarce. Meat was very expensive. England's national debt was out of control. The only abundant commodities were ale, taxes and the desire to live in extreme luxury. He lamented the better days and prayed that God would act in mercy and love. His prayers would not be answered.

Sound familiar? America is in a period of great economic and political change and flux. Although I was a child in the 70's during the gas shortage and interest rate problems, our current fix seems to be a bigger problem to us for our economy is now tied to global economies and we are twice as big in population as we were in the 1970's. Farmers aren't farming anymore. Debt is not only common, but accepted and appreciated. Food is in great question for quality and nutrition as well as safety in consumption. We are losing thousands of jobs by the day. Companies are closing. Don't even mention Wall Street and corporate greed. Taxes probably won't go down and people are losing their homes. These are bad, bad times in deed.

Wesley's letter appealed to his Methodists to keep trusting God and believe that God was still available for work. Although common sense suggested that people would not change how they were living, Wesley believed and hoped that God might do some changing on his own. He prayed that all distilling would cease or be outlawed (that is the making of liquor) because it effected the food shortage in England as well as caused great social problems. He called for the government to cut taxes by taking care of the national debt and not to consider new ways of lining the king's pockets with new taxes or borrowed monies. Lastly, he urged people not to pursue and demand luxury and self indulgence at all costs. Wesley felt these three issues were the great trouble points in England's economy and social standing. His hopes were that if enough of the English would take his suggestions seriously, renewal in England might begin and change would be possible. [Confucius say: Only when people change their thoughts and beliefs do they change their words and deeds.]

What if we decided to take proactive stances as American Christians? First, Let us simply be more careful at how we buy, eat and waste food - buy better quality, eat smaller portions and waste nothing! This would steer the food producing industry to change how and what they sale to the public and would benefit the hungry by eliminating waste. Second, live without debt. The is especially true of credit cards and consumer types of debt. There should be a $50 charge on the bill of people trying to charge their meal instead of paying cash for it. (Paying interest on hamburgers and fries eaten last month is stupid!) If credit was eliminated we would benefit from the simpler life and in the end be just as happy and satisfied. Last, reject luxury. When we do purchase something does it have to be the best? Does our house need to be 65 degrees in the summer and 85 in the winter? Is it necessary for us to go to Disney twice a year and eat out every day while food goes bad in our pantry? Luxury is killing us because the pursuit of it keeps us going, spending, wasting, fooling ourselves into thinking that activity and assets will give birth to happiness. They won't.

Let us not be fools or be fooled. Life is about knowing, following, loving God in Christ. Everything else is unnecessary and fleeting. The freedom that God has given us also frees us to make good choices and experience responsible lives. Let's make the right choice. Let's change the world we have for a better one is not available for transfer.

(Taken in part from Thoughts on the Present Scarcity of Provisions by John Wesley, 1773)

The Amazing Mrs Ballard

2009-02-02T12:41:00.004-06:00

This is not the place to make a list of all of the great things Jamie can do, but if I did make such a list, baking cakes would be on it. This is her work from yesterday's big game. It is a red velvet cake that made my tummy say "yum-yum." I know you are impressed too. Stop by the house sometime this week and help us finish it off.

Have you seen it?

2009-01-31T16:01:00.006-06:00

Movie Review: Slumdog Millionaire

Last night, the beautiful lady and I made our way for burgers and fries and then hopped into theater seats at Cinemark NASA. We had a hard time deciding on what to see - The Wrestler, Milk, Grand Tarino - but we decided on Slumdog. We made a good choice.

I am going out on a limb and saying that it will be the best movie we see in 2009. It is not in my top 10 of all time (on that list is Forrest Gump, Tin Cup, Pirates of the Caribbean 1,2,3, Happy Gilmore, Wimbledon, Saving Silverman, Days of Thunder, the Notebook, Cars) but it is very, very, very good. It is atypical of most Hollywood acclaimed films that seem to be from another planet. Most of the time I avoid it if it gets the thumbs up in the Entertainment guide. Slumdog is the exception. It will win alot of awards all year long. This film has a great love story, action and adventure, a human interest angle, and much more. Go see it and then tell me what you think. I bet you like it.

2009-01-26T10:15:00.006-06:00

This week is the biggest week of the sports calendar. It is Super Bowl week and people all over the nation woke up this morning and began thinking about their plans for next Sunday. Super Bowl is an American phenomena and will probably only get bigger in the years to come. Gone are the days when people marked their life based on where they were when JFK was shot, Pearl Harbor was bombed or when Elvis died on the can. Americans now remember what they ate when the Patriots perfect season went down the toilet or what they will be wearing when the 2009/2010 Saints go undefeated and destroy the Browns in the next Super Bowl. The Super Bowl is a big, fat, American deal. Live with it baby!

Not to be out done, the American church has followed suit. Right now all over the land, congregations are planning and preparing for what may be their biggest event of the year- a Super Bowl Party. Preachers are aligning their three points with great skill and rhyme that creatively communicates the importance of competition and victory. Now the pulpit rhetoric will focus on the belief that this is a great way to invite people to church or a nice fellowship mixer. The bottom line is that it is about culture capturing the spiritual and we seem to be just fine with it. What is next for the church - Academy Award Outreach? Miss America Invite a girl to church night? A sermon series imitating Total Home Makeover?

Here are five questions to ask of yourself and your congregation to see if you have made the Super Bowl too big a deal?

1- If you schedule a Super Bowl party every year, do you also recognize the important spiritual/sacred days like All Saints Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Ash Wednesday, Pentecost? Why not?

2- How much money and advertised time is spent on Super Bowl parties compared to other events that are formative and edifying?

3- If you think new people will attend a Super Bowl party that will not attend a worship service, what are you really inviting them to? Is there any other time of the year that you actually invite someone to worship?

4- Is a Super Bowl party really just an excuse to ditch a scheduled Sunday night service?

5- Do you really have a clue about what the church is about and what we should be up to in ministry or are you fine with claiming to be culturally relevant in all matters of practice?

Let's not fool ourselves into thinking we are doing important kingdom work and let us not act like fools. The Super Bowl is about football and fellowship and those are two great things in life. Enjoy them for what they are, but don't be fooled by Christian companies wanting to sell you product or by people in your church attempting to justify a Sunday activity. Imagine how we look to the really secular folks reading our signs or getting a blast of emails about a party. Make this week a week where we do not contribute to the spiritually stupid in America. God is bigger than the Super Bowl.

By the way, Steelers 24 to 13. And Big Donnie will eat 9 hot dogs and a can of bean dip!

Remembering Martin

2009-01-19T13:08:00.007-06:00

Today is MLK day. I was in junior high when it became a national holiday for our country. I can tell you that in Mississippi even in the 1980's that was not a popular thing to do. At the time I did not understand why such a holiday was needed. I did not understand why Martin Luther King Jr was such a big deal. I did not understand why he meant so much to the black community and why he was so despised among the whites. I did not understand civil rights. I do now.

Dr King is one of the men/women I would most like to meet in all of the history of the world (also Abe Lincoln, John Wesley, Herod the Great, Socrates, Bobby Jones, Ben Franklin, King Henry the 8th, CS Lewis, Jackie Robinson, Pavarotti, 1970's Farrah Fawcett). He led in a time when it would have been easier to follow or comply. He spoke out when he could have shut up. The truth is he did it all for others. Knowing the danger of his position/platform he understood and was at peace with the reality that he would not experience the fruits of his labor. He suffered abuse so that others may experience freedom. Regardless of your color, Martin Luther King has helped America move closer to the vision of our founding fathers (MLK says such in his "I have a dream speech.)

Here is a deep cut from King's speech collection. It seems to be a sermon testifying to conversion or a deeper work of personal faith. The other is a clip of his last speech given in Memphis. Enjoy and remember a great man of God and a great American.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DV7RqizoqJA&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1L8y-MX3pg&feature=related

Children on the New Testament

2009-01-19T09:05:00.000-06:00

After the Old Testament came the New Testament. Jesus is the star of The New. He was born in Bethlehem in a barn. (I wish I had been born in a barn too, because my mom is always saying to me, 'Close the door! Were you born in a barn?' It would be nice to say, 'As a matter of fact, I was.')

During His life, Jesus had many arguments with sinners like the Pharisees and the Democrats.

Jesus also had twelve opossums. The worst one was Judas Asparagus. Judas was so evil that they named a terrible vegetable after him.

Jesus was a great man. He healed many leopards and even preached to some Germans on the Mount.

But the Democrats and all those guys put Jesus on trial before Pontius the Pilot. Pilot didn't stick up for Jesus. He just washed his hands instead.

Anyways, Jesus died for our sins, then came back to life again. He went up to Heaven but will be back at the end of the Aluminum. His return is foretold in the book of Revolution.

One Great Day

2009-01-16T21:52:00.007-06:00

Today, my family got out of bed, rushed to get dressed, shoved down some cereal and made coffee for the road. We then weeded through traffic for an hour and sped for two more hours to a place we had never been before and quite likely will never go again - Serbin, TX. It was a long day, but a good day as we attended a funeral for the father of one of the greatest Nazarene church treasurer we know (in addition to my current fabulous treasurer- Mrs Helen R.) She was glad to see us and we were happy to see her. Time has flown by and kids have grown since we left Waverly, but friends are friends forever.

The funeral was at a Lutheran church, school and campground. The church itself had no bathrooms in the main building, pews that were too tight together for a man to stand up straight, pillars in way of the view to the chancel (that is a stage for you non Lutherans) and to boot we had no song leader, a dusty organ and we sang songs we do not know out of an ancient book of prayer. The American Legion nearly shot themselves in public and until today had never practiced folding a flag to present to the family of a Veteran., but nobody noticed. We were there to celebrate a life that has achieved the ultimate goal of salvation - Mr Jesse was resurrected into the glory of God for eternity. That was what we came to witness, hear and celebrate. It was awesome! (Excuse me for a private thought: Perhaps worship IS about something more than good music, a sermon series about money and Super Bowl Parties disguised in ministry language/clothes/hopes. This just might change everything... if we believe that worship is about God and His glory instead of meeting felt needs where we put ourselves in the center of worship and make God an outsider.)

Today I got to read the Apostle's Creed with my son (formation)! I prayed the Lord's prayer twice with my family(confession)! We heard all four of the scriptural readings for the service (proclamation). We sensed the presence of God in a place that is very, very, very different than we normally experience and opposite of what the modern church says is relevant and necessary (communion). I got to see the widow pause on her way out of the sanctuary to read the words of the 23rd Psalm painted over the door and seen every time you exit. What a comforting way to enter back into the world from worship.

If I weren't preaching this Sunday myself, I might very well drive the two hours and listen to the dry, page read Lutheran sermon offered to the glory of God. That day too would be awesome. Maybe if I close my eyes and think real hard I can return to that old church and worship from here. Isn't our God big enough for that? Come on, say it with me now,...

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, the Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord:
Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried;
He descended into hell.
The third day He arose again from the dead;
He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting.
Amen.

Happily Ever After

2009-01-13T10:46:00.003-06:00

(Guest blogger this week: Josh True)

Growing up, we all had dreams. As a teenage boy one of my dreams involved a car; My Dream Car. I wanted a Ford Mustang. The year, color or engine did not matter so much but it had to be a Mustang. 1n 1998 at the age of 16, I bought a 1986 Mustang LX with T-tops and a V6 engine. The moment I was handed the keys to that fine piece of American machinery was one of the happiest moments of my life.

It was not in the best shape in the world. The dashboard was cracked and faded from too much sun. The outside of the car at one time was a fire engine red but by the time I got to it, it looked more like a faded orange. It also had some rust spots and a cracked windshield. It was not exactly in mint condition but it had a ton of potential!

I loved that car and wasted no time in getting it fixed up. I started by replacing the cracked dash board and windshield. I then moved on to the faded red paint. The rust was not horrible so I tried washing and waxing it to get it looking good. The wash and wax did make it look better but it was still not great. It really needed a paint job…but what color? Maybe red, black or Navy Blue but definitely not white. White is impossible to keep clean and boring! No way in the world would I paint my car white.

Around this same time I met a girl. Teenage girls also have dreams but they typically have nothing to do with cars. They have do with meeting their prince charming, falling deeply in love, getting married and living happily ever after. This girl was no exception and I was in puppy love. I bought her flowers, left love notes on her car and even cut back on my watching of sports. I spent every moment that I was not at school, work or going to the bathroom with her. So she had found her Prince Charming and I was him.

There was one problem. The story of prince Charming always has him riding in on a white horse and I didn’t have a white horse…or did I? A mustang is a horse isn’t it? I REALLY wanted this girl to be happy and impressed with me so I did what any helplessly romantic sixteen year old boy would do. I had my mustang painted white so that she could have her white horse along with her prince charming. My beautiful Orange Mustang was now white (“sigh”). My dream was now the dream of a Girl…A GIRL! So to paraphrase and borrow the words of Adam in the second chapter of Genesis, “That girl made me do the thing I said I wouldn’t do!”

The Girl and I eventually broke up and I still loved the Mustang even though it was white. I had such a great car and had such great ideas for how it was supposed to turn out. Then I listened to a GIRL and painted it white. It wasn’t that the car was ruined; in fact, it was still a great car. The problem was that it was my car. I bought it, I took care of it, and I loved it! I had seen such great potential which seemed to be tainted when I allowed someone else to make a decision about my car.

God offers us such amazing blessings of his grace each and every day (See Matthew 5:25-34). He gives us laughter, friendship, family, baseball and His Word which leads us to new life and relationship with Him through the Holy Spirit. Sometimes it is tempting to take suggestions on changes that we think need to be made to these amazing blessings from sources other than the one who gave us these great blessings. This is where we can find ourselves doing crazy stuff in order to impress or appease others. When in reality the only one we should be looking to please is the who gave us these great, undeserved blessings in the first place.

God knows how to give us good stuff (See Matthew 7:11) and he does! In the future as we hear loud voices coming from every direction trying to convince us to do this or that, lets listen very carefully. As we listen I am certain we will hear the still small voice of God covering us with his grace and guiding us to our very own happily ever after.

2009-01-01T10:37:00.006-06:00

"Sometimes I lie awake at night, and I ask, 'Where have I gone wrong?' Then a voice says to me, 'This is going to take more than one night.'" - Charlie Brown

Last night our congregation gathered for a New Year's Eve service. This service is planned in the spirit of a Wesleyan Covenant service and is intended to gather our focus on the spiritual issues of our life. In the same way we evaluate and resolve to do better in the new year with money management, health choices and relationships, it is healthy (faithful?) to consider our walk with Christ and how our lives reflect his teachings and tempers. I always feel this is some of the best pastoral work done all year for me as the first moments of the new year are experienced in prayer and reflection. I really enjoy the focus of the liturgy and the desire of congregants to look to Christ with "clean lenses" as the new year approaches. Our faith in God will be challenged and deepened if from time to time we take an honest look at the way we live, the values that define us and the practices we embody as a people. Confessing our sin or our personal shortcomings/weaknesses/prejudices is not an easy task, but it is true to a life lived in utter faith and obedience.

Our faith in God and His grace for us affirms us as a people with hope and love. Christ has brought us together with the Father so that we may be saved, sanctified and set free from sin (sinfulness.) In Christ we have been given a great hope and are called to live a life full of love and mercy. This love is a reflection of the love that God has shown us (and show us) in Christ. Where we were once sinners in need of a savior, we are now saints in search of sinners in need of God's love and mercy. The issue of rejecting sin and declaring the gospel through our lives is never to be forgotten or ignored by our busyness, sophistication or, God forbid, our own (self)righteousness.

Our commitment to God's family calls us away from living in sin and towards a life renewed in love. Our commitment to this faith and God's people of faith calls us to live obediently, self controlled and full of forgiveness for others. Our commitment to the way of God allows us to live as seekers, dwellers and kingdom keepers. Our commitment to such a life points us into deep dependence on Christ to not only be our salvation, but to carry and hold our salvation. Our commitment to God does not save us (Never forget that we are saved by grace and NOT our works, pledges or confessions), but commitments do reveal how we intend to live out our salvation and comply with the word of God for service and mission.

May this year be a year where we through Christ detach ourselves from all things calling and keeping us in sin and weakness so that faith, hope and love be the greatest details of who God has created us to be. May covenant and renewal be constantly considered in our faith so that we do not grow cold in our love for God's kingdom. May we live to reflect the love of God in every relationship that we are privileged to participate. May we enjoy the favor of God through the presence of Christ in all that we do. May 2009 be the year that we rely on Christ for full salvation and graceful living. May this be the year that we listen to that voice inside and confess our sins and weaknesses no matter how long it takes.

Eagle Egg Power

2008-12-28T19:20:00.003-06:00

I had an epiphany while spending some time with the family in front of the TV tonight. If you will remember in the movie Nacho Libre, Nacho and Stephen are luchadors (Gringo Wikipedia -luchador is the Spanish word for wrestler). The entire movie reflects how they fought not for fame or fortune, but for the orphans and the love of wrestling. How inspiring!

Yet losing all of the time became tiring to them and they began to search for ways to improve their plight as Mexican luchadors. They got new masks and uniforms. They trained harder. They made better plans. Yet, they continued to lose their wrestling matches. Nacho then took the ultimate step in living as a famous and successful luchador. He climbed to the top of the mountain, found an eagle's egg, cracked it open and drank the yoke. It was his belief that the eagle egg would bring him special powers in his quest to be a luchador champion. They did not. He only got messy and threw up as he dove into the sea. He soon found out that no powers had been transferred or given to him. He was still Nacho Libre -the friar in disguise.

This story reminds me of how silly we act sometimes in our attempt to capture meaning as Christians. We witness people doing anything, reading anything, acting anyway in an effort to be or seem more Christian. As foolish as it seems that eagle eggs will give a luchador/wrestler special powers, it is more ludicrous for us to think we can belong to God in anyway other than trusting Christ alone for salvation and living as people of the kingdom of God. We may be frustrated by the way our culture portrays Christianity, but we have earned much of the criticism offered. Non believers can only offer commentary on what they witness in us and through our ministry. As the church searches for "eagle eggs" to give us power, make us relevant or help us seem hip, we only reduce our faith in Christ as foolish talk and traditions that offer nothing to a world based on consumerism, pluralism and secular living.

May God grant us the faith in 2009 not to look for eagle egg power, but to encounter the reality of his mercy and love for us through Christ Jesus. May we be centered in the word of God as our light and way rather than captured by an ideal that believes all American life is Christian living. May we be transformed in our hearts, mind and communities so that we may be a living, breathing witness to what God has done for us - even sinful luchadors - by grace.

If I Was Santa Claus...

2008-12-23T13:25:00.005-06:00

If I was the real Santa Claus I would make a few changes to the tradition that now rules our world. I mean, if you are the guy that the whole world revolves around for the better part of a month, you should have some freedom and flexibility to make changes when the changes seem to fit best in the overall structure of society. What good is fame and power if it can not be taken advantage of now and then? Here is my list (and I'm checking it twice).

1- Change the suit color from red to blue. The color red is taken by Valentine's Day. Green is taken by St Patrick's Day. Thanksgiving gets brown and orange. Easter gets purple, white, and yellow. Halloween has black. Blue is all that is left to make a statement that Santa is like no other holiday patsy. Big daddy looks good in blue too. Blue in Christmas would probably help with interfaith relations with the Jews. They may finally get into the Christmas spirit all because we picked up their color.

2- Dye my beard brown so that I look younger than 255 years old. A new, hipper Santa will keep me relevant for generations to come. Appearance is everything baby.

3- Break the tradition of dropping down chimneys. That is scary yo!

4- Mandate that from this point on, any house that leaves raisin cookies of any kinds will be off the "nice list" and on the "do not leave presents ever at this house" list. Kids leaving real tasty egg nog would get extra gifts. Kids leaving nothing would get a wedgie in their sleep.

5- Require the reindeer to wear diapers. Can you imagine the pollution that occurs each year as we fly non stop over many, many houses around the world? Somebody has to clean that up. Diapers will help that problem greatly.

6- Allow for return of gifts. Modern times require customer service from every organization. Santa and North Pole Inc is not excluded. If a kid wants a Red Rider BB gun and gets a train set instead, he should be allowed to make an exchange for another gift without any problem. Each kid could take the gift they didn't like down to their local Home Depot and exchange if for A LUMP OF COAL.

7- Kids who asked for too many gifts would get toys taken from their house. You should see the lists given by our rich, snotty, middle and upper class kids in America. They ask for every electronic toy available and gift cards to laser tag while the kids in Africa are asking for sandals and rice. If a kid is greedy with her/his list something from their house is taken and no gifts are left- period. That would only have to happen one time in a kids life and they would be corrected.

8- I would put my self on a diet. Man, Santa is a whale. He and Mrs Claus should be on NBC's Biggest Loser next season. Jillian would love to yell at Kris Kringle for a week or two. Santa needs to drop about 75 lbs before next Christmas or else he has to do the delivery without the sleigh. That will get him to push away the cup cakes and candy canes.

9- No toys delivered to Ohio until Jim Tressel (Ohio State) takes off his sweater vest and returns to the North Pole as an elf. That is where he came from. That is where he belongs.

10- I would ask Joel Osteen (and his wife if she promises to behave on the flight) to travel with me on Christmas night as I deliver gifts so that we all could discover the joy of giving to others instead of exploiting, deceiving and manipulating members/partners/suckers all in the name of faith. Secular spirituality rooted in self help and self promotion is not the same as Christian discipleship, but it is more lucrative. [ It feels like I am off of the subject here a bit. ]

Well...that is a start to the things I would change. I am sure I will think of more along the way, but this list will probably guarantee that I won't be chosen to replace Santa in the years to come, but it is good for a boy to dream.

Have a very, very, very, very Merry/Mary/Mairy/Me-ree Christmas/Chris-mus

Best Christmas Carol Ever!

2008-12-22T14:59:00.001-06:00

Hark! the herald angels sing,"Glory to the new born King,peace on earth, and mercy mild,God and sinners reconciled!"Joyful, all ye nations rise,join the triumph of the skies;with th' angelic host proclaim,"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"Hark! the herald angels sing,"Glory to the new born King!"

Christ, by highest heaven adored;Christ, the everlasting Lord;late in time behold him come,offspring of a virgin's womb.Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;hail th' incarnate Deity,pleased as man with man to dwell,Jesus, our Emmanuel.Hark! the herald angels sing,"Glory to the new born King!"

Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!Hail the Sun of Righteousness!Light and life to all he brings,risen with healing in his wings.Mild he lays his glory by,born that man no more may die,born to raise the sons of earth,born to give us second birth.Hark! the herald angels sing,"Glory to the new born King!"

Come, Desire of nations, come,fix in us thy humble home;rise, the woman's conquering Seed,bruise in us the serpent's head.Adam's likeness, Lord, efface;stamp thine image in its place.Second Adam from above,Reinstate us in thy love.Hark! the herald angels sing,"Glory to the new born King!"

Adam’s likeness, Lord, efface,Stamp Thine image in its place:Second Adam from above,Reinstate us in Thy love.Let us Thee, though lost, regain,Thee, the Life, the inner man:O, to all Thyself impart,Formed in each believing heart.Hark! the herald angels sing,“Glory to the newborn King!”

- The Most Right Reverend Charles Wesley

Turn The Other Cheek

2008-12-15T09:19:00.003-06:00

Yesterday in his last trip to Iraq, President Bush was attacked during a press conference. The man was a reporter and he used a shoe...size 10. No one was hurt during the protest as the man called President Bush a "dog" and cursed him for bringing death to the country and being the image of America. Apparently the man had family members and friends killed in the Iraq war and has grieved deeply blaming the American invasion. The man was arrested and later apologized for his behavior. President Bush made some jokes and took a deep breath of relief. Thank God it was not a real attack that could have killed our President, or President Maliki or anyone else. Iraq has had enough death this year. They have had enough death for the next 20 years. May peace come soon to their land.

I like what President Bush did. He made light of the attack and seemed to affirm the frustration in the man. He didn't say as much, but he turned his cheek and carried on his business. He tried to explain the man's feelings and frustrations. Under another regime the man would be dead now, his family too. Democracy and freedom has had some effect on Baghdad. Thank God!

This report forced me to ask some personal questions about Don's life and leadership experience. Who has thrown a shoe at me? Who has insulted me? Who has been so upset and frustrated that they have risked much to protest me or my leadership? Have I forgiven them? Have I tried to be sympathetic? Would I give them their shoes back?

In Luke's gospel, chapter 6, Jesus is preaching the Sermon on the Plains (Sermon on the Mount?). He speaks about mercy and not being judgemental. He then gives the church one of our most powerful teachings about living together in faith, hope and love. This teaching is given in the context of dealing with relational divide and most particularly loving our enemies. He says "Give, and it will bee given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, they will pour in your lap." The passage goes on to indicate that we will receive the same level of mercy that we give out. This does not seem to be a commentary on God's level of forgiving us, but rather how others will forgive us. A person quick to forgive is often forgiven with ease. The focus though is not on getting mercy or forgiveness, but on giving it to others - even to our self.

Contrary to popular belief and teaching, this is not a passage on prosperity living and faith. It is about loving your enemy as well as your brother. It is about learning to be a forgiving spirit and a merciful judge. It is a lesson that must be learned by presidents, pastors and people of all walks of life if we are to reflect the nature and will of God. It is about ducking from flying shoes and trusting God to lead, guide and protect. Our greatest witness to the love of God in us may very well be our willingness to love others even when they have wronged us or threatened us or disagreed with us. The gospel of Jesus Christ is not about fame, fortune, popularity, relevance or power, but about believing in God, confessing sin, loving others, proclaiming His kingdom and learning what disciples are to be and do. Handling the issue of forgivness is at the heart of this kind of life.

I'm Kind of a Big Deal

2008-12-07T16:16:00.007-06:00

This week I became famous. I am now a local celebrity. I was on TV. I am a big deal. At church this morning the children were asking for autographs and most of the men were too intimidated to talk to me. One of my staff members had my face tattooed on their forearm. I think I overheard several of the board members talking about the need to give me a huge pay raise to cover the extra security and limousine service now required to be me. Check my style out. I am kind of a big, big deal.

Actually I was only on TV for a split second, but the local news reported that ratings soared in the short time period I was on screen. If you look close at the picture of the game ( above on the right; I am Northwest of the lady with the all natural blond hair) you will see my forehead and right arm. If you were watching the game live you saw me and some of my church friends on TV several times. Thankfully no cameras caught me picking my nose, yawning or shoving two hot dogs down at the same time. That could have been embarrassing. Feel free to print these photos and bring by the church for a quick autograph (for a small donation to my favorite charity of course.)

As I reflect on my week as a celebrity I have to admit it has been a heavy load to carry. People have begun asking when my next appearance will be or what I will do to top the Monday Night Football cameo. My friend Patrick has asked if he could write a song about me and my greatness or if his company can get me script for a movie about my life. I have some ideas, but right now I am weighing my options. Trying to make a good decision. I am discussing it with my agent, my PR guy and my management team. I have had some magazines call about a shoot, but it must be tasteful or I won't do it. It isn't only about the money. I have my celebrity reputation to think about. Keep the TV on and the DVR taping.

Reality Check: Why do you think we love to be in the spotlight? Why will we do anything, say anything, go anywhere to be on TV or in full public view to yell " Hi Mom."? What does that say about us? Who are we trying to impress? Do we need to create a public stir in order to make people think we are special or somebody important? Do we think making ourselves seem important gets the attention of the ONE who really matters? Is it possible that we make a bigger deal about being on TV or going to a ball game than we do about being in the presence of God and being affirmed by His love and care for us? Is it possible that we need to take a long look at what we think brings us joy and happiness?

Hey- want some basar?

2008-12-02T08:43:00.006-06:00

Basar (baw-sar') is the Hebrew word first found in Isaiah that declares that good news, or gospel, is coming in Christ. Since this is the Advent season and my preaching mind is wrapped around basar, I thought I would drop a little verse on you for encouragement and light. I will even give you a big time quote for further understanding of our gospel getting. Here goes. Sit back and enjoy the basar of God for us today and forevermore. This stuff is good stuff. It is gospel stuff.

Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? For He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, And like a root out of parched ground; He has no stately form or majesty That we should look upon Him, Nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him. He was despised and forsaken of men, A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; And like one from whom men hide their face. He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Surely our griefs He Himself bore, And our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed. All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him. As a result of the anguish of His soul...He will see it and be satisfied; By His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, As He will bear their iniquities. Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great, And He will divide the booty with the strong; Because He poured out Himself to death, And was numbered with the transgressors; Yet He Himself bore the sin of many, And interceded for the transgressors.
[Isaiah 53:1-6, 11-12]

Say what?

The good news is that God comes to us in Jesus to stand in for us and bring to fulfillment his purposes of worship and communion. Jesus comes to be priest of creation to do for us, men and women, what we failed to do, to offer to the Father the worship and the praise we failed to offer, to glorify God by a life of perfect love and obedience, to be the one true servant of the Lord. In him and through him we are renewed by the Spirit in the image of God and in the worship of god in a life of shared communion.
[Torrance, James. Worship, Community and the Triune God of Grace, p 14].

The basar goes beyond the arrival of the messiah. It points to the real possibility that through him we are invited into a life with God so that all of our plans, dreams and abilities (along with fears, failures and infirmities) can rest in the grace of God through faith, hope and love. Everything about us, every detail, can be placed upon the life of Christ Jesus who came to know us, died and rose again to free us then ascended to the Father to pray for us and our spiritual prosperity. The gospel is not a fact of history or of faith, but an invitation to the journey of our life in Christ Jesus. Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace and good will among men.

Did you get what you deserve?

2008-11-29T14:28:00.006-06:00

It is a common phrase or saying in our culture to announce that people deserve certain things. It is most often said when something nice is given or done for someone who has worked hard, had a hard go of it or sometimes are just genuinely nice people. This works in the opposite way as well if someone bad or hard to get along with gets dealt a difficult card to face or is challenged in a way that fits the behavior they have displaced on society. Some people will call this karma - good comes to the good and bad comes to the bad. Sometimes it seems this is the law of our universe, but if we look at the body of work in someones life we find that some days it rains and some days the sun shines, but we don't control the weather (or the world) with our behavior. Karma based spirituality is inflective (self centered) and is might make us content to believe that luck has set each of us on a particular road to destiny. Living with a karma philosophy causes people to accept the world as it is because we only do what we are destined to do - good, bad or ugly.

On a different trail we discover a mindset readily seen in American culture that reflects an attitude of entitlement. This attitude reflects the belief that because someone is an American (or white, or Southern, or any other visible sub culture group) they should get to have the life they want and in the way they want it. In fact, to some in our society they think that someone in the world owes them everything and everything should come on their terms. Some people say this is the mindset of certain generations named in American life (you know who you are!). Through marketing and popular belief an entire age group of people have come to embody the belief that the world was created just for them and everyone else was born to serve them or supply their needs. McDonald's has made a mint off of these folks as have many of the other Fortune 500 companies that have catered to a spirit of entitlement. That kind of living is good for business, but bad for just about everything else. Ultimately an attitude of entitlement becomes an issue of divine right or if taken to the farthest reach will cause a separation that is not easily overcome and perhaps is terminal to relationships. Our culture is being choked by this attitude and spirit that is individual, narcissistic and pathetic. It divides friends, families, churches and classes. It is more dangerous than the one that believes in karma for an entitled body will fight, lie, betray even kill to get what they think is theirs by divine right. They will say or do anything to get what they think they deserve. Sound familiar?

To the Christian, life is a gift and the giver of the gift is in charge how life is lived. Christianity has never been about what God owes us, but about what He has done for us in Christ. That is the ultimate gift that not only meets a need, but changes our world and worldview. Two things happen when we believe that life is a gift. First, we realize that we aren't owed anything. Everything that was owed to us has been given to us already. We are actually living with payment in full. We are not collecting everything we can in life; we are taking care of the gift that has been given. Secondly, we find that the One that gave us the gift can help us to keep it and in fact use it in a profitable way. By 'profitable way' I mean in a way that others can benefit and find a greater value in life because we have learned to life full of thanks for what we come to realize is an extravagant gift although we don't deserve it. Luck and birthright do not decide what we deserve. We deserve nothing, but we have been given a gift that gives us everything - grace, faith and holiness. What we deserve is death. What we have been given is eternal life.

Perhaps this Christmas as we open gifts, receive a bonus from work, face the year that is coming, we can let perspective help us to see that life is not about us nor is it a reckless happening. Thankfully life is not about getting what we deserve or getting a break today. Life is a gift that has been given to the undeserved. What will we do with it? What will you do with it?

The View from There

2008-11-24T08:54:00.006-06:00

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth...then God said "let there be light"...and God called the expanse heaven...and God called the dry land earth...then God said...."let there be lights in the heavens"... and there was evening and there was morning...then God said "let the bring forth living creatures"...then God said "let us make man in our own image"...thus the heavens and the earth were completed...then man went to work!

(photos courtesy of Steve Tripodi of NASA)

Living with Anamnesis

2008-11-18T10:16:00.004-06:00

At first sound anamnesis sounds like a disease. Something you get when you drink from a dirty cup or wear socks more than one day or mix peas and carrots together on a plate. The thought of getting sick might make us withdraw a little and retreat to a safe, comfy place where germs and sickness don't linger. We aren't sure how to get anamnesis, but we are almost certain we don't want it. Does amamnesis require surgery? What kind of medicine heals such an awful sounding thing? Will I have to be placed in isolation?

Relax. Anamnesis is not a medical word at all. It is actually a Greek word sometimes used to help us understand certain things about the past. It has particular validity to Christian thought as it is a memory word that gives clarity to the way we view how God has acted in the past. When God told Pharaoh to let the people go, he was alerting His children of faith for all time that He is a God that comes to release the slave and deliver the bonded. When Jesus told his disciples in the upper room to "this do in remembrance of me" he was encouraging them to recall his ministry through a heart of anamnesis-like hope. Anamnesis is a theological word that reminds us that God is not finished with His book on the earth, but is right in the middle of writing it and every chapter is connected to the one before it and the one after it. This is an eternal story of love and grace that calls us to not just remember Him when necessary (or scared, or broke, or lonely), but to "live in remembrance" of Him.

The stories of God's love for Israel as well as the ways that Christ reached out to the people who followed him were more than historical events in time. They are pictures of God's grace realized in the needs of a people who turn to Him in faith. God did not and does not retreat, withdraw or fail. He gives a constant measure of love and mercy as He fulfills His promise to Abraham (and his children) to bless and give identity to those who turn to Him. If that was just for Abraham or just for Jews, then we might be impressed by God, but not touched by Him for it would not be our promise or possibility to claim as Gentiles. However, those acts of God, those moments of grace, are points in time where God has acted for us even though we come thousands of years and many generations later. As we remember what God has done we are also making a faith statement or assent that God can and may very well do it again in our life, in our situation in our time. We also are able to celebrate that what He did in the past still has significant relevance to our time and culture. The ark, the Torah, the temple, the cross, the empty tomb are not events that are now antiquated. They are the stories that help us to see our very present and active God at work in His creation bringing about salvation. Christian faith is not recreated through time and space as the world changes, but is renewed through our remembering Him in faith and with hope.

When we read or hear those stories let us be drawn to remember (amamnesis) our God who has been a help in ages past and is again a help in our present time. Christ doesn't need to come incarnately again as he came to reveal to me the love of the Father. He doesn't need to die again as his death confirms the measure of God's love and connects the human and the divine through faith across the sin of the world. He doesn't have to be resurrected again as he has broken the power of sin and makes possible for us to live life free of the flesh (spiritually). He doesn't have to come to call us again and give us a personal Great Commission as we are a product and a partner in the mission of God to the world through Christ.

Let us remember that we are not looking for a new narrative of faith, but are in the middle of the greatest story ever told. Let us remember that life is not about our destination, but our journey and God knows the way to lead us. Let us remember that greater is He that is telling His story through us, than he that is spinning an alternative story in the world. To God be the glory.

Good Words on Godly Thought - Elizabeth Barrett Browning

2008-11-13T10:51:00.004-06:00

Earth's crammed with heaven,
And every common bush afire with God,
But only he who sees takes off his shoes;
The rest sit round it and pluck blackberries.

Movie Review - Madagascar 2

2008-11-08T18:13:00.005-06:00

Last night my family and a few friend families spent a the evening eating pizza, begging kids to stay still and watching the opening night of Madagascar 2. The first movie is one of our family's all time favorites, and this one did not disappoint either. Funny, funny, funny. Laugh out loud funny. Spit popcorn on the people in front of you funny. Drop nacho cheese on your lap funny. Forget about the problems of life funny. What a way to spend an evening! What a way to think about life, love and the pursuit of happiness.

One of the story lines in the movie is about coming to understand what you were created to do. Each of the characters/animals, who have spent the majority of their lives in a zoo, finds great comfort as they find the watering hole in Africa that frames how their individual species acts, runs, thinks and fits into the animal kingdom and, in reality, the world itself. The lion found the leadership of the pack was a natural thing for him to do. The zebra loved to run with the herd. The hippo loved to hang out in the muddy lake. The giraffe even understood that his long term illness would lead him to go and find a hole to die in (as giraffes are known to do). Being stranded in Africa wasn't such a bad thing for Alex, Marty, Gloria and Melman, after all. Perhaps it even made them more alive than they had been living the safe, well fed cages of the Bronx Zoo.

You might say that there is no place like home, or you could say that familiar settings frame fantastic feelings. We are not quite ourselves when we are not comfortable in our surroundings. That doesn't mean that we have to live our lives in the place where we were born. It means that we need to learn to make our home wherever we are, by knowing who we are. For an American that means that freedom, justice and order are inherent in our blood. For a Southerner that means we live for football, apple pie and Chevrolet. For a Christian we have to live by faith, with a hope in Christ Jesus and a love for his kingdom and way. (For a Texan that means that you think you are better than everyone else.) The details of knowing who we are, where we came from and how that shapes us makes a difference in how we live our life.

When we are confused about our identity we are disoriented in the journey. It is worth the time and energy to explore who we are so that we can discern where we may be going. God has created and gifted us to be a particular creature. To ignore that is not only an avoidance of God, but is a perversion of what He has put into us and placed around us. Finding that person, by knowing Christ, is half of the journey that we are called to travel- sometimes via Madagascar. Enjoy the trip, but don't miss the moment that you are in.