It's funny how God works. Maybe it's more funny how much it takes for God to get my attention.
Last night I was teaching a Junior High class on Youth Night at church. We were talking about the Bible and how else God could have chosen to communicate with His creation. Of course the popular method among the kids was to have God tell us what to do at every decision. No problems with discerning God's will that way! Wondering which way to turn? God will just simply appear and tell you to turn right... or left. Trying to decide which pair of pants to wear? God will tell you which pair looks better with that shirt.
Looking for a tangible example of what I meant, I reached around and found the only thing within an armlength: a small wooden bowl. Placing it on my shoulder, I used it to illustrate a small version of God sitting on my shoulder, whispering in my ear to make a left at the intersection and telling me to pick out the new khakis.
With that bowl on my shoulder, we discussed why that wouldn't be such a good way for us to be directed by God. After all, if God told us exactly what to do at every moment -- what to say, when to raise our arms, how to fix our hair -- then how would we ever learn to make decisions for ourselves? How could we make a real choice to follow Him? How would we mature as human beings and as Christians if we didn't have to think about things? God gave us principles in Scripture and He wants us to read those words and hide them away in our hearts. He wants us to seek Him in prayer and in meditation upon what the Word has to say. Then when decision time comes, we know what pleases God and what does not. God sitting on our shoulder may be the easiest on us because all we have to do is follow instructions, not actually go to the trouble of using the grey matter in our collective craniums. But God created us to be thinking beings, seeking God's face by taking His Word and applying it to our lives.
I spent much of today with a group of pastors from my denomination. We are in the midst of a big structural change from headquarters down to the local church. In the past, the country was divided into geographical areas. All churches within each area were grouped together as a conference. The conference was led by an elected superintendent. Larger conferences were further divided into districts with district superintendents. Each conference had it's own set of commissions and committees to take care of regional business.
But this summer, the denomination voted to get rid of much of the bureaucracy. The regional conferences will be history at the end of the year. The superintendent will no longer superintend. We are left with one national organization. To bridge the gap, each local church and pastor is to join a group of other churches and/or pastors in a "cluster."
We've been told that a cluster is to have around five to seven churches and handle a lot of accountability and encouragement functions, as well as doing some common studies together. That's really all we know about clusters at this point. None have been formed. It's a little like choosing up sides to play a game on the playground, except there are no captains and no teams. The guys from headquarters were there to give us that much of an idea. We pastors are left to get the thing organized at the grassroots level.
At our meeting today, we spent a lot of time walking around with quizzical looks on our faces. "What do you think it should be like?" was the most common comment of the day. We brainstormed. We theorized. We ate. (Hey, pastors are usually ready for a good meal at any time of the day or night!) And we considered who we'd like to have in a cluster with us. Those who think like us or people who challenge our thinking? Pastors of bigger churches, smaller churches or of our own size? Older pastors? Younger pastors? Living nearby or a cluster using the Internet for much of the communication? We left the meeting with a few ideas, but relatively few answers. I'm sure we'll get it all figured out in time, but it still seems a bit up in the air right now.
On the two hour drive home it hit me. Or rather, God hit me. I had sat last night with a bowl on my shoulder, explaining that we don't have God giving us every little answer. But in our denomination over the years, we've had a strong central structure laying out the entire organization. We never had to come up with these answers ourselves because the rules were drafted long ago and ratified by the governing body. So now we find ourselves for the first time with a few guidelines and no one giving specific instructions. We have no bowl on our shoulders. We have to be the thinking beings our Creator designed us to be, seeking His direction.
I think I can understand a little better just how scary it is to try to make godly decisions when you don't know what the Bible says. With little or no input, it seems an insurmountable problem to distinguish God's will from any common thought in your head. So why would so many who wear the name of Jesus Christ neglect private Bible reading and study? Why do we seek the bowl on our shoulders with ready answers instead of growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ through the revelation He has given us?
Thursday, October 06, 2005
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
Christian Carnival XC - A Three Hour Tour
Just sit right back, and you'll read some great stuff this week at Christian Carnival 90! I am honored to be hosting this edition at Attention Span. For a theme this week, I am going to float back to my youth. One of the memories of my childhood was riding the bus home from school, going inside and turning on the television just in time for one of my favorites: Gilligan's Island. Yes, it was a stupid show. But it was my stupid show. I must have watched each of the 98 episodes at least 60 times. I still occasionally revert back to show dialogue in everyday conversation (which could explain why people don't like to talk to me for long!)
What's the appeal in Gilligan? Perhaps it's the simplicity of the characters. Seven stranded castaways, each with the same goal of getting off the island, but with their own personalities and backgrounds. This week our carnival entries will be categorized by castaway. So turn off the radio, get comfortable in your hut, grab a piece of Maryann's coconut creme pie and dive right in to a lagoon full of great thinking. Hopefully after this three hour tour, you won't find yourself longing for the world's idea of civilization.
The Skipper
We begin with the Skipper, Jonas Grumby, an old salt in these waters. The Skipper is a mighty sailin' man. And he's the man in charge... the Captain. Since he outranks us, Skipper will oversee posts dealing with religious figures from the past and present.
We'll start with another in a series of posts from Mark at Psuedo-Polymath examining a pair of heroes -- David from 1 & 2 Samuel and Achilles from Homer's Iliad. This is called David and Achilles: Reflections on Feminity.
Is it a festival or a crusade? John Luke of Blogcorner Preacher invites us to Come for the Festival -- a Luis Palau festival evangelism event this weekend in Washington D.C. He laments the need to dress up the cross of Christ in the trappings of popular culture.
Did Jesus Revise the Law? is a look at the sometimes common view that Jesus revised the standards of the law making it higher and more stringent than the Old Testament. This post refers to a series of older posts written by the bloke ...in the outer... that argues that the Law and Commandments of the Old Testament should not be viewed in a legalistic manner and that right from the start, God set out to create a relationship with His people that is based on love, mercy and grace.
The Headmistress from The Common Room discusses Francis (of Assisi) and Clare and their effect on Europe.
Was St. Ignatius' desire for martyrdom a holy quest and an indication of insanity? Next week's Christian Carnival host Matt Jones of Random Acts of Verbiage explores the story in St. Ignatius: Holy or Insane?
At Part-Time Pundit, John Bambenek digs into the Crucifixion in Broken But Not Beaten: Death With Dignity.
Thurston Howell III
Next up is the millionaire, Thurston Howell III. Mr. Howell is a man of power and authority -- a chairman of many boards. He wields influence. Senators and Congressmen all pay him respect. And so, with Mr. Howell's approval, let's look at posts featuring the high, the mighty and the matters of world importance.
The amazing capacity for coincidence and history converge and call for action in small town diners, national museums, or the entire world on the brink of war. Phil from Another Man's Meat examines how so many things come together in Convergence.
Ilona from truegrit wrestles with the idea of a Christian response to war in Warfare.
Bruce of Sprucegoose notes that while America reacts and defends against terrorism around the world, al Qaeda moves its manpower and munitions to areas surrounding Israel. Read more in How Goes the War?
A technique recently proposed would, if successful, produce human embryonic stem cells from oocytes (unfertilized eggs) without any use of human embryos. Martin of Sun and Shield considers a moral objection to using oocytes for such a purpose in his post Natural Law and Oocytes.
The blogger, Angry in T.O. claims that the hard left says the real danger to the world comes from Jews and Christians. But don't listen to their words. Watch what they do. By their actions they seem to be telling a very different story. It's all in Moonbats and Art: Highlighting the Difference Between Words and Action on the blog Angry in the Great White North.
A controversy over a university ministry and a Catholic dissident group is the subject of University Ministry Advertises Dissident Group on GOP3.com: The Triumvirate.
Mrs. Howell and her man.
Mr. Howell would be nowhere without his wife, the social butterfly, Lovie. Mrs. Howell is known in all the best social circles and registries. Whether sending regards to Prince Ranier and Princess Grace or making preparations for the annual Howell Cotillion, Lovie is impressed with the things of the world, so let's look at posts dealing with worldliness.
Are God's blessings given as a reward for our faith? In Is God Santa Claus?, Alan at Imago Veritatis heard a sermon this past Sunday portraying God as a cosmic Santa Claus, ready to hand out the goodies if you will just ask Jesus into your heart. While this is typical evangelical fare these days, it radically misses the point of Jesus's call to discipleship.
What would happen if a Recovery Band played in a park and met a homeless man who is seriously drunk? Louie of The Marshian Chronicles found out what did and didn't happen on a sunny Sunday afternoon. Read along as he guides us through his thoughts and experiences in Meeting Mr. Bear.
Sometimes as he looks around, Bill from White Ribbon Warriors feels like the church in the US is "overfed and underexercised". He wonders if sometimes we don't need to rediscover the GO factor in taking the message of the Gospel from beyond the walls of the church building and to the streets, malls, offices, and other places we go. Be challenged to Rediscover the GO Factor.
Diane from Crossroads: Where Faith and Inquiry Meet wonders why a recent study in England would show that in countries with a higher religious devotion, especially among Western nations, there is a higher crime rate. In other words, the United States, although more religious, has
a higher crime rate than less religous European countries. Discuss it with her on More Religion Means Higher Crime?
Lennie from Cross Blogging offers a brief discussion on the Pro-Family legislation in Wisconsin contrasted by the anti-family rulings about Nude dancers in Oregon and the 1 man-2 woman marriage in the Netherlands in Culture Wars Rage On.
Financial contentment may be a sore subject for some but it is sorely needed message in the church today. That's the point Brad from Happy Mills is making in his post Is "Just Enough" Too Much?
And L.C. Staples of The Staple Gun discusses the relationship between Capitalism and morality in Incurable Capitalism.
The Professor
Next up, the professor, Roy Hinkley. We're not really sure what he is a professor of, but we know he should get a Nobel Prize for developing so many uses for the common coconut. There's nothing the professor doesn't seem to know, including scientific names for butterfly species, obscure tribal languages and a little bat anatomy. And so the professor will oversee our more intellectual fare.
Chad from Eternal Revolution never disappoints and What Is the True Reality? is no exception. If you ask readers of fiction why they like that genre, most often they will tell you that it provides an escape from reality. Chad asks if that is backwards. Is it possible that the dream world of fairy tales and mythology offers a more accurate glimpse into true reality than the material world?
Sherry at Semicolon blows the shofar in celebration of Rosh Hashanah. The Jewish new year's celebration has some lessons for Gentile and Jewish Christians. Read Shanah Tovah.
Why Study Genesis? Rey from The Bible Archive points out that most studies of Genesis end up spending so much time refuting evolution that we miss some important things in the first book in this introductory post to a study of Genesis.
A Request to Any and All Calvinists goes out from philthirteen to help him make sense out of five examples of why he thinks TULIP is an incomplete definition of salvation.
This post by Abednego at Parableman raises questions about Romans 14 and disputable matters, in particular regarding whether masturbation counts as such a gray area. Read Biblical Silence as an Argument for Individual Conscience.
Was Pilate scared of truth? Are scientists afraid of truth? What is Truth? anybudee from What is God Saying To You? asks the questions.
Matthew of Journey in Search of a Soul blogs about Thomas Merton and his ideas about freedom in Free Speech.
Prayers for the dead? Jay of Deo Omnis Gloria asserts that we should be doing it and that Jesus did it twice in Scripture. His post is called Prayers for the Dead.
Cadmus of cadmusings delivers a beautiful written response to the questions and statements about the actual integrity of the Bible. With The Origin of the Bible Pt. 1 he begins a series concerning the Bible that presents its origin, history and validity
Ginger Grant
The island would be nowhere without a little sex appeal. The redhaired siren, Ginger Grant is happy to provide. As a movie star, the lovely Ginger is all over the entertainment scene like Joan Rivers on a red carpet. And so let's retire to the Bamboo Lounge for posts dealing with entertainment and technology.
Over at Cerulean Sanctum, Dan cuts through all the hype about blogging and wonders if it's truly advancing the Kingdom of God in Christian Blogging: A Waste of Time?
Celebrities are on the mind of Sara Horn at Faith at the Front. She comments on the recent celebrity rants against the Iraq war and why they don’t know what they’re talking about. She also reflects on the important religious freedom for Iraqi Christians that she saw first-hand as a writer covering stories in Baghdad. Read Out of the Mouths of Celebrities.
Bob Sterling at Smegmaster.com remarks about the similarity between the new Ipos Nano and his new Gideon Bible in the humorous Steve Jobs and God Team Up to Relaseas Bible Nano.
Maryann Summers
If Ginger's not your type, perhaps it's Maryann. Miss Summers, cute little Kansas farm girl, lives an ordinary, simple life. So we'll let Maryann lead us into carnival posts dealing with living the Christian life.
Paula at Listen In posts about a revealing remark made when her cat comes up missing showing her how much she needs to learn about love and forgiveness in her relationships. She calls it Pet Therapy.
Ever been blessed by a sign? HeyJules from Faith or Fiction? is pretty sure she was. She explains as she tells about going to meet her new spiritual mentor in Satan and the Jiffy Lube Sign.
Here's one from Rev Bill who asks "Do You Really Want To Follow God?" Many people try to
blame others -- or even "the devil" for the fact thatthey can not seem live the life Jesus calls us to live. The one to blame is really ourselves!
Donna-Jean at Liberty and Lily muses about her blessings and the needs of the Gulf Coast in her post The Apple of His Eye.
Robin of Write Thinking writes that God the Father doesn't expect us to become Christlike in an instant. It's a journey made up of many steps toward Him. Explore that idea in Baby Steps.
If you've been through any type of suffering, you have a good idea how important hope is. David from All Kinds of Time examines this idea in Hope in a Time of Suffering.
Susan of Sisters' Weblog: It Boggles the Mind asks why Christians look forward to heaven when, as Jesus said, it is only going to "pass away"? Read Heaven Will Pass Away.
Ever felt stereotyped as a Christian? Have you felt the onus and stigma of being a believer of the book? Bob Cooley takes a look at Self-serving Secular Smugness over at N With Both feet.
In Autumn Fire, a photograph of fiery autumn leaves leads to reflection about finishing well in the Christian life at Points of Light. Don't miss the spam and response in the comments!
Kim at Sharing Spirit found herself wrestling with the whole idea of the choice we have to believe. That's belief, complete with action, not just lip service to our belief. Explore belief and doubt in Believe.
Speak the truth in love we are taught, but for some that's easier said than done. Hope from A Song Not Scored For Breathing blogs about how truth is spoken in the context of a marriage in her post The Full Monty.
And as we Runalong with Pastor Mark, he gives us a short Parenting Quiz.
Gilligan
And our seventh castaway is our first mate, Gilligan. Willie Gilligan, according to the show's creator, Sherwood Schwartz, but you'd never know that watching the show. What you notice about Gilligan is that he always messes something up. It may be by eating the professor's glow-in-the-dark dye or forgetting to tie a message to a homing pigeon, but whatever it is, Gilligan is sure to have ruined any chance of a rescue. So it is only right that Gilligan introduce this section dealing with failure and sin.
Ron at Nothrern 'burbs blog submits one of his posts in his series on evil. It's All My Fault examines the cause of moral evil -- and here's hint: it's in us, not in God.
Over at A Firm Nail, Nailman drives another one home in Valuing God's Word. We are reminded through the story of King Jehoiakim, to not just listen to sermons, but to remember them and apply them in our lives.
Penitens from A Penitent Blogger reflects on how God's grace can overpower obstacles to repentance in Repent Anyway.
MWC at Mr. Smith in Washington comments on judgmentalism and what he is learning as he repents of it. Those of us who find ourselves critical of others' behavior will be especially interested in Confessional: Repenting From a Critical Spirit.
Richard blogs his thoughts about John the Baptist's call to repent in Repentance over on his blog dokeo kago grapho soi krastistos theophilos.
And that's the tale of our castaways, they're here for a long, long time. They'll have to make the best of things. It's an uphill climb. The first mate and the Skipper too will do their very best to make you more than comfortable in your tropic island nest.
So join us here next week, my friend, you're sure to get a smile. From seven stranded castaways (and a lot of great bloggers) here on Gilligan's Isle!
Thanks for watching our show!
What's the appeal in Gilligan? Perhaps it's the simplicity of the characters. Seven stranded castaways, each with the same goal of getting off the island, but with their own personalities and backgrounds. This week our carnival entries will be categorized by castaway. So turn off the radio, get comfortable in your hut, grab a piece of Maryann's coconut creme pie and dive right in to a lagoon full of great thinking. Hopefully after this three hour tour, you won't find yourself longing for the world's idea of civilization.
The Skipper
We begin with the Skipper, Jonas Grumby, an old salt in these waters. The Skipper is a mighty sailin' man. And he's the man in charge... the Captain. Since he outranks us, Skipper will oversee posts dealing with religious figures from the past and present.
We'll start with another in a series of posts from Mark at Psuedo-Polymath examining a pair of heroes -- David from 1 & 2 Samuel and Achilles from Homer's Iliad. This is called David and Achilles: Reflections on Feminity.
Is it a festival or a crusade? John Luke of Blogcorner Preacher invites us to Come for the Festival -- a Luis Palau festival evangelism event this weekend in Washington D.C. He laments the need to dress up the cross of Christ in the trappings of popular culture.
Did Jesus Revise the Law? is a look at the sometimes common view that Jesus revised the standards of the law making it higher and more stringent than the Old Testament. This post refers to a series of older posts written by the bloke ...in the outer... that argues that the Law and Commandments of the Old Testament should not be viewed in a legalistic manner and that right from the start, God set out to create a relationship with His people that is based on love, mercy and grace.
The Headmistress from The Common Room discusses Francis (of Assisi) and Clare and their effect on Europe.
Was St. Ignatius' desire for martyrdom a holy quest and an indication of insanity? Next week's Christian Carnival host Matt Jones of Random Acts of Verbiage explores the story in St. Ignatius: Holy or Insane?
At Part-Time Pundit, John Bambenek digs into the Crucifixion in Broken But Not Beaten: Death With Dignity.
Thurston Howell III
Next up is the millionaire, Thurston Howell III. Mr. Howell is a man of power and authority -- a chairman of many boards. He wields influence. Senators and Congressmen all pay him respect. And so, with Mr. Howell's approval, let's look at posts featuring the high, the mighty and the matters of world importance.
The amazing capacity for coincidence and history converge and call for action in small town diners, national museums, or the entire world on the brink of war. Phil from Another Man's Meat examines how so many things come together in Convergence.
Ilona from truegrit wrestles with the idea of a Christian response to war in Warfare.
Bruce of Sprucegoose notes that while America reacts and defends against terrorism around the world, al Qaeda moves its manpower and munitions to areas surrounding Israel. Read more in How Goes the War?
A technique recently proposed would, if successful, produce human embryonic stem cells from oocytes (unfertilized eggs) without any use of human embryos. Martin of Sun and Shield considers a moral objection to using oocytes for such a purpose in his post Natural Law and Oocytes.
The blogger, Angry in T.O. claims that the hard left says the real danger to the world comes from Jews and Christians. But don't listen to their words. Watch what they do. By their actions they seem to be telling a very different story. It's all in Moonbats and Art: Highlighting the Difference Between Words and Action on the blog Angry in the Great White North.
A controversy over a university ministry and a Catholic dissident group is the subject of University Ministry Advertises Dissident Group on GOP3.com: The Triumvirate.
Mrs. Howell and her man.
Mr. Howell would be nowhere without his wife, the social butterfly, Lovie. Mrs. Howell is known in all the best social circles and registries. Whether sending regards to Prince Ranier and Princess Grace or making preparations for the annual Howell Cotillion, Lovie is impressed with the things of the world, so let's look at posts dealing with worldliness.
Are God's blessings given as a reward for our faith? In Is God Santa Claus?, Alan at Imago Veritatis heard a sermon this past Sunday portraying God as a cosmic Santa Claus, ready to hand out the goodies if you will just ask Jesus into your heart. While this is typical evangelical fare these days, it radically misses the point of Jesus's call to discipleship.
What would happen if a Recovery Band played in a park and met a homeless man who is seriously drunk? Louie of The Marshian Chronicles found out what did and didn't happen on a sunny Sunday afternoon. Read along as he guides us through his thoughts and experiences in Meeting Mr. Bear.
Sometimes as he looks around, Bill from White Ribbon Warriors feels like the church in the US is "overfed and underexercised". He wonders if sometimes we don't need to rediscover the GO factor in taking the message of the Gospel from beyond the walls of the church building and to the streets, malls, offices, and other places we go. Be challenged to Rediscover the GO Factor.
Diane from Crossroads: Where Faith and Inquiry Meet wonders why a recent study in England would show that in countries with a higher religious devotion, especially among Western nations, there is a higher crime rate. In other words, the United States, although more religious, has
a higher crime rate than less religous European countries. Discuss it with her on More Religion Means Higher Crime?
Lennie from Cross Blogging offers a brief discussion on the Pro-Family legislation in Wisconsin contrasted by the anti-family rulings about Nude dancers in Oregon and the 1 man-2 woman marriage in the Netherlands in Culture Wars Rage On.
Financial contentment may be a sore subject for some but it is sorely needed message in the church today. That's the point Brad from Happy Mills is making in his post Is "Just Enough" Too Much?
And L.C. Staples of The Staple Gun discusses the relationship between Capitalism and morality in Incurable Capitalism.
The Professor
Next up, the professor, Roy Hinkley. We're not really sure what he is a professor of, but we know he should get a Nobel Prize for developing so many uses for the common coconut. There's nothing the professor doesn't seem to know, including scientific names for butterfly species, obscure tribal languages and a little bat anatomy. And so the professor will oversee our more intellectual fare.
Chad from Eternal Revolution never disappoints and What Is the True Reality? is no exception. If you ask readers of fiction why they like that genre, most often they will tell you that it provides an escape from reality. Chad asks if that is backwards. Is it possible that the dream world of fairy tales and mythology offers a more accurate glimpse into true reality than the material world?
Sherry at Semicolon blows the shofar in celebration of Rosh Hashanah. The Jewish new year's celebration has some lessons for Gentile and Jewish Christians. Read Shanah Tovah.
Why Study Genesis? Rey from The Bible Archive points out that most studies of Genesis end up spending so much time refuting evolution that we miss some important things in the first book in this introductory post to a study of Genesis.
A Request to Any and All Calvinists goes out from philthirteen to help him make sense out of five examples of why he thinks TULIP is an incomplete definition of salvation.
This post by Abednego at Parableman raises questions about Romans 14 and disputable matters, in particular regarding whether masturbation counts as such a gray area. Read Biblical Silence as an Argument for Individual Conscience.
Was Pilate scared of truth? Are scientists afraid of truth? What is Truth? anybudee from What is God Saying To You? asks the questions.
Matthew of Journey in Search of a Soul blogs about Thomas Merton and his ideas about freedom in Free Speech.
Prayers for the dead? Jay of Deo Omnis Gloria asserts that we should be doing it and that Jesus did it twice in Scripture. His post is called Prayers for the Dead.
Cadmus of cadmusings delivers a beautiful written response to the questions and statements about the actual integrity of the Bible. With The Origin of the Bible Pt. 1 he begins a series concerning the Bible that presents its origin, history and validity
Ginger Grant
The island would be nowhere without a little sex appeal. The redhaired siren, Ginger Grant is happy to provide. As a movie star, the lovely Ginger is all over the entertainment scene like Joan Rivers on a red carpet. And so let's retire to the Bamboo Lounge for posts dealing with entertainment and technology.
Over at Cerulean Sanctum, Dan cuts through all the hype about blogging and wonders if it's truly advancing the Kingdom of God in Christian Blogging: A Waste of Time?
Celebrities are on the mind of Sara Horn at Faith at the Front. She comments on the recent celebrity rants against the Iraq war and why they don’t know what they’re talking about. She also reflects on the important religious freedom for Iraqi Christians that she saw first-hand as a writer covering stories in Baghdad. Read Out of the Mouths of Celebrities.
Bob Sterling at Smegmaster.com remarks about the similarity between the new Ipos Nano and his new Gideon Bible in the humorous Steve Jobs and God Team Up to Relaseas Bible Nano.
Maryann Summers
If Ginger's not your type, perhaps it's Maryann. Miss Summers, cute little Kansas farm girl, lives an ordinary, simple life. So we'll let Maryann lead us into carnival posts dealing with living the Christian life.
Paula at Listen In posts about a revealing remark made when her cat comes up missing showing her how much she needs to learn about love and forgiveness in her relationships. She calls it Pet Therapy.
Ever been blessed by a sign? HeyJules from Faith or Fiction? is pretty sure she was. She explains as she tells about going to meet her new spiritual mentor in Satan and the Jiffy Lube Sign.
Here's one from Rev Bill who asks "Do You Really Want To Follow God?" Many people try to
blame others -- or even "the devil" for the fact thatthey can not seem live the life Jesus calls us to live. The one to blame is really ourselves!
Donna-Jean at Liberty and Lily muses about her blessings and the needs of the Gulf Coast in her post The Apple of His Eye.
Robin of Write Thinking writes that God the Father doesn't expect us to become Christlike in an instant. It's a journey made up of many steps toward Him. Explore that idea in Baby Steps.
If you've been through any type of suffering, you have a good idea how important hope is. David from All Kinds of Time examines this idea in Hope in a Time of Suffering.
Susan of Sisters' Weblog: It Boggles the Mind asks why Christians look forward to heaven when, as Jesus said, it is only going to "pass away"? Read Heaven Will Pass Away.
Ever felt stereotyped as a Christian? Have you felt the onus and stigma of being a believer of the book? Bob Cooley takes a look at Self-serving Secular Smugness over at N With Both feet.
In Autumn Fire, a photograph of fiery autumn leaves leads to reflection about finishing well in the Christian life at Points of Light. Don't miss the spam and response in the comments!
Kim at Sharing Spirit found herself wrestling with the whole idea of the choice we have to believe. That's belief, complete with action, not just lip service to our belief. Explore belief and doubt in Believe.
Speak the truth in love we are taught, but for some that's easier said than done. Hope from A Song Not Scored For Breathing blogs about how truth is spoken in the context of a marriage in her post The Full Monty.
And as we Runalong with Pastor Mark, he gives us a short Parenting Quiz.
Gilligan
And our seventh castaway is our first mate, Gilligan. Willie Gilligan, according to the show's creator, Sherwood Schwartz, but you'd never know that watching the show. What you notice about Gilligan is that he always messes something up. It may be by eating the professor's glow-in-the-dark dye or forgetting to tie a message to a homing pigeon, but whatever it is, Gilligan is sure to have ruined any chance of a rescue. So it is only right that Gilligan introduce this section dealing with failure and sin.
Ron at Nothrern 'burbs blog submits one of his posts in his series on evil. It's All My Fault examines the cause of moral evil -- and here's hint: it's in us, not in God.
Over at A Firm Nail, Nailman drives another one home in Valuing God's Word. We are reminded through the story of King Jehoiakim, to not just listen to sermons, but to remember them and apply them in our lives.
Penitens from A Penitent Blogger reflects on how God's grace can overpower obstacles to repentance in Repent Anyway.
MWC at Mr. Smith in Washington comments on judgmentalism and what he is learning as he repents of it. Those of us who find ourselves critical of others' behavior will be especially interested in Confessional: Repenting From a Critical Spirit.
Richard blogs his thoughts about John the Baptist's call to repent in Repentance over on his blog dokeo kago grapho soi krastistos theophilos.
And that's the tale of our castaways, they're here for a long, long time. They'll have to make the best of things. It's an uphill climb. The first mate and the Skipper too will do their very best to make you more than comfortable in your tropic island nest.
So join us here next week, my friend, you're sure to get a smile. From seven stranded castaways (and a lot of great bloggers) here on Gilligan's Isle!
Thanks for watching our show!
Monday, October 03, 2005
Getting Too Comfortable
I'm not generally a guy who pampers himself. Oh sure I may have to struggle with the occasional bout of laziness, but I rarely go out of my way to make things really comfortable. The pickup that I drive isn't exactly kept in pristine condition. My office is in my basement, and my desk sits next to the piles of Christmas decorations. My wardrobe will never be confused with Donald Trump's. I'm all for comfort, but I wonder about those people who take things beyond the simple comforts.
For instance, how does one get to the point of truly craving gourmet meals? Wearing designer clothing? Hiring household staff? I imagine some of it can be blamed on just showin' off, but part of it must be a belief that these behaviors are better. Maybe that food does taste better than Burger King. Maybe those clothes do feel better than a Jerzees t-shirt and a pair of Lee dungarees. But are they necessary?
On the other hand, some people are more comfortable in surroundings they don't need to keep clean, or eating fast food and wearing clothes from Wal-Mart. They have their own preferences. Truffles are too pretentious. Why wear a shirt from a fancy store when you can get one on sale at Dollar General that will work?
The point is that we all tend to seek our own comfort. My comfort level is found in simpler things than some people, but in far more extravagant things than others. Each of us look to make ourself happy and we hope that others will make us happy also. Let's face it, sacrifice is not something we easily embrace. And most times, we will seek to make ourselves happy instead of making God happy.
Our denomination lost a missionary pioneer last week. Archie left his native Canada in 1952 with a wife and three daughters in tow, setting off for the Central American nation of Nicaragua. He and his family went from relative comfort to an underdeveloped country. Not too long after he arrived, the English-speaking churches he went to work with left the denomination. Archie then turned to the Spanish-speaking populace, bringing the Gospel to many Honduran villages for the first time ever. When he died last week at the age of 87, he completed 55 years of his life in Central America.
How many people do you know willing to make that kind of sacrifice? I know some who have made similar sacrifices, but they are few and far between. I'd have to say I'd struggle with a call to the mission field like Archie answered. I'm far too comfortable in my surroundings.
I love being in a rural area. I can handle being in the big city for a few days, but living in Chicago or New York or even Fort Wayne, Indiana for a year or two would pull me way out of my comfort zone. I wouldn't enjoy it. But if God was calling me (and strengthening me) I'd do it.
Paul writes this in Philippians:
We live much of our lives striving to be comfortable. Live in a comfortable home. Eating what makes us happy. Wearing clothes that feel good. After being at work or at church dressed up don't we "slip into something a little more comfortable" when we get home? We do the same thing with our churches. We want to have comfortable seats, good lighting, air conditioning, plenty of convenient, clean restrooms. There's nothing wrong with having these things, however our comfort can easily become an idol in our lives.
I'll make the same challenge here that I've made numerous times elsewhere: show me in the Bible where God says we are to be comfortable. In most versions the word "comfortable" isn't even in there. I can find "comfort" as in God comforting us and we are to comfort others, but the idea of being comfortable is alarmingly absent.
The truth is that too many times we get too comfortable and become unwilling to do as God wants. We make excuses and justify our behavior. We proudly show off our jammed calendar on our PDAs to prove we can't truly dedicate ourselves to prayer and the Bible and seeking God's face. We try to twist Scripture to say what we want it to say. We seek the company of other Barkolounger-bound Christians and non-Christians to try to discredit the idea of self-sacrifice.
I struggle every day with the idea of remaining comfortable or doing something else -- stepping out on faith or giving up something I enjoy or breaking out of my bad habits. Getting comfortable can be such an idol in my life. And I know I'm not alone.
For instance, how does one get to the point of truly craving gourmet meals? Wearing designer clothing? Hiring household staff? I imagine some of it can be blamed on just showin' off, but part of it must be a belief that these behaviors are better. Maybe that food does taste better than Burger King. Maybe those clothes do feel better than a Jerzees t-shirt and a pair of Lee dungarees. But are they necessary?
On the other hand, some people are more comfortable in surroundings they don't need to keep clean, or eating fast food and wearing clothes from Wal-Mart. They have their own preferences. Truffles are too pretentious. Why wear a shirt from a fancy store when you can get one on sale at Dollar General that will work?
The point is that we all tend to seek our own comfort. My comfort level is found in simpler things than some people, but in far more extravagant things than others. Each of us look to make ourself happy and we hope that others will make us happy also. Let's face it, sacrifice is not something we easily embrace. And most times, we will seek to make ourselves happy instead of making God happy.
Our denomination lost a missionary pioneer last week. Archie left his native Canada in 1952 with a wife and three daughters in tow, setting off for the Central American nation of Nicaragua. He and his family went from relative comfort to an underdeveloped country. Not too long after he arrived, the English-speaking churches he went to work with left the denomination. Archie then turned to the Spanish-speaking populace, bringing the Gospel to many Honduran villages for the first time ever. When he died last week at the age of 87, he completed 55 years of his life in Central America.
How many people do you know willing to make that kind of sacrifice? I know some who have made similar sacrifices, but they are few and far between. I'd have to say I'd struggle with a call to the mission field like Archie answered. I'm far too comfortable in my surroundings.
I love being in a rural area. I can handle being in the big city for a few days, but living in Chicago or New York or even Fort Wayne, Indiana for a year or two would pull me way out of my comfort zone. I wouldn't enjoy it. But if God was calling me (and strengthening me) I'd do it.
Paul writes this in Philippians:
It's quite an image of people whose god is their stomach, isn't it? Yet it's so true. Paul contrasts those "who live according to the pattern we gave you" with those who live for their own happiness. The first group live as Christ's friends while those in the second group "live as enemies of the cross of Christ." Read that again so it soaks in. When we live for our own comfort instead of following God's desires for us, we live as His enemies.Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven...
We live much of our lives striving to be comfortable. Live in a comfortable home. Eating what makes us happy. Wearing clothes that feel good. After being at work or at church dressed up don't we "slip into something a little more comfortable" when we get home? We do the same thing with our churches. We want to have comfortable seats, good lighting, air conditioning, plenty of convenient, clean restrooms. There's nothing wrong with having these things, however our comfort can easily become an idol in our lives.
I'll make the same challenge here that I've made numerous times elsewhere: show me in the Bible where God says we are to be comfortable. In most versions the word "comfortable" isn't even in there. I can find "comfort" as in God comforting us and we are to comfort others, but the idea of being comfortable is alarmingly absent.
The truth is that too many times we get too comfortable and become unwilling to do as God wants. We make excuses and justify our behavior. We proudly show off our jammed calendar on our PDAs to prove we can't truly dedicate ourselves to prayer and the Bible and seeking God's face. We try to twist Scripture to say what we want it to say. We seek the company of other Barkolounger-bound Christians and non-Christians to try to discredit the idea of self-sacrifice.
I struggle every day with the idea of remaining comfortable or doing something else -- stepping out on faith or giving up something I enjoy or breaking out of my bad habits. Getting comfortable can be such an idol in my life. And I know I'm not alone.
Sunday, October 02, 2005
Always Changing...
Well... it's green.
I'm not sure I like it, but it was hard enough to get everything right, so I'm not going to mess with it for a while. As an added problem, I seem to have lost all the Haloscan comments. Maybe there's a way to restore them. If anyone knows drop me a line, would ya'? Edit: Looks like I figured that one out. Comments are back. My apologies to those receiving site feeds everytime I republish. You must be sick of me by now!
You may notice a contact me link as well as a link to my ebay store in the sidebar. Feel free to contact me this way (unless you are going to sign me up for uber-Spam... then keep your mitts off that link!).
I've also redesigned the blogroll a bit, using a few different categories. Since it's set up for me, I get to define the categories.
My Daily Routine is just that -- the blogs I try to visit daily. I try to keep this down to a dozen and since a couple of these guys only post once in a while, it's not too tough getting through 12 blogs every day.
Big Shots is for links of those folks who are well-respected and influential and whom I happen to enjoy reading. These guys don't need any publicity from little ol' me, but the links are there to remind me to stop in. They write too much good stuff for me to ignore them. And just because they are big shots doesn't mean I'll link to them. One Hand Clapping is a good blog, but there's rarely anything there for me. I'm a picky eater and a picky reader.
Brain Food is for finding out what's going on around the world. More often than not, there's a good blog post inspired by visiting one of those links.
Thinking Theology is for when I'm ready to strtch my mind a bit. Good thinkers and good thinking here.
Always Worth Reading is for everthing else that defies categorization. This list is constantly changing it seems. I know I've added at least half a dozen in the past month. Probably dropped ten or so as well. Just a reminder that if I drop your blog from the blogroll it doesn't necessarily mean I disapprove of it or that it's a bad blog. It simply means that I'm just not interested in what you've been blogging about lately. A ton of political posts will do that -- I lose interest after a while. Some blogs have been dropped due to inactivity -- usually two months without a post sets off alarms here in the Attention Span bunker. All in all though, I keep finding more and more blogs I like so I prune the blogroll to a manageable list that I actually want to go and read.
Anyway, I hope you like or at least can tolerate the new color scheme and layout.
I'm not sure I like it, but it was hard enough to get everything right, so I'm not going to mess with it for a while. As an added problem, I seem to have lost all the Haloscan comments. Maybe there's a way to restore them. If anyone knows drop me a line, would ya'? Edit: Looks like I figured that one out. Comments are back. My apologies to those receiving site feeds everytime I republish. You must be sick of me by now!
You may notice a contact me link as well as a link to my ebay store in the sidebar. Feel free to contact me this way (unless you are going to sign me up for uber-Spam... then keep your mitts off that link!).
I've also redesigned the blogroll a bit, using a few different categories. Since it's set up for me, I get to define the categories.
My Daily Routine is just that -- the blogs I try to visit daily. I try to keep this down to a dozen and since a couple of these guys only post once in a while, it's not too tough getting through 12 blogs every day.
Big Shots is for links of those folks who are well-respected and influential and whom I happen to enjoy reading. These guys don't need any publicity from little ol' me, but the links are there to remind me to stop in. They write too much good stuff for me to ignore them. And just because they are big shots doesn't mean I'll link to them. One Hand Clapping is a good blog, but there's rarely anything there for me. I'm a picky eater and a picky reader.
Brain Food is for finding out what's going on around the world. More often than not, there's a good blog post inspired by visiting one of those links.
Thinking Theology is for when I'm ready to strtch my mind a bit. Good thinkers and good thinking here.
Always Worth Reading is for everthing else that defies categorization. This list is constantly changing it seems. I know I've added at least half a dozen in the past month. Probably dropped ten or so as well. Just a reminder that if I drop your blog from the blogroll it doesn't necessarily mean I disapprove of it or that it's a bad blog. It simply means that I'm just not interested in what you've been blogging about lately. A ton of political posts will do that -- I lose interest after a while. Some blogs have been dropped due to inactivity -- usually two months without a post sets off alarms here in the Attention Span bunker. All in all though, I keep finding more and more blogs I like so I prune the blogroll to a manageable list that I actually want to go and read.
Anyway, I hope you like or at least can tolerate the new color scheme and layout.
Saturday, October 01, 2005
Carnival is Coming
A reminder that Christian Carnival XC (That's 90. Really. I looked it up.) will be appearing right here at Attention Span sometime Wednesday morning. If you've never participated before, I invite you to take part. Here's what it's all about:
To submit an entry, email your entry to this address along with the following information:
The name of your blog and a link to your main site.
The title of your post and the URL of the post.
A short (one or two sentence) description of the post. Your description may be edited or used just as it is.
Even if you don't want to enter, be sure to visit here on Wednesday and follow the links to a TON of great thinking and intriguing writing.
The Christian Carnival is open to Christians of Protestant, Orthodox, and Roman Catholic convictions. One of the goals of this Carnival is to offer our readers to a broad range of Christian thought. Posts need not be of a theological topic. Posts about home life, politics, or current events, for example, written from a Christian worldview are welcome.
As the goal of this Carnival is to highlight Christian thought in the blogosphere, entries will be limited to blogs that share that goal. Blogs with content that is focused on a business, that has potentially offensive material Christians may not want to link to on their sites, or has no reference to distinctively Christian thought may not be included in this Carnival. There are other Carnivals that would be a more appropriate venue for that material. I realize that this will be a judgment call on the part of the Carnival administrator, and being human she may make mistakes. However, as the Christian Carnival is getting quite large, and it is sometimes questionable whether the entrants are seeking to promote Christian thought, I find this necessary.
We also expect a level of discourse that is suitable for a Christian showcase. Thus entries may be refused if they engage in name-calling, ad hominem attacks, offensive language, or for any similar reason as judged by the administrator.
To submit an entry, email your entry to this address along with the following information:
The name of your blog and a link to your main site.
The title of your post and the URL of the post.
A short (one or two sentence) description of the post. Your description may be edited or used just as it is.
Even if you don't want to enter, be sure to visit here on Wednesday and follow the links to a TON of great thinking and intriguing writing.
Friday, September 30, 2005
The Anti-Meme Blogger Relents
I'm known far and wide (or at least wide) as the Anti-Meme Blogger, refusing to participate in these little games of tag. But when Tracey from Worship Naked smiles and says, "Please," it's hard for me to resist. So here I go. And I'll even throw in a bonus entry.
Twenty Years Ago: 1985. Livin' large and livin' lonely. It was my first apartment with no roommates. In hindsight I probably should have found a roommate, but I was flying solo. I was working as the evening DJ at the local top 40 radio station in Battle Creek/Kalamazoo, Michigan. This meant I spent six hours every night playing music for teenagers doing their homework. I also spent a lot of time talking to them on the telephone. Radio groupies. They can only get you into trouble. Fortunately I didn't take the (jail) bait.
The sad part was that working from 4pm until midnight, I had precious little time to meet other people. So I spent a lot of time by myself. I got rather used to it though.
One solution would have been church, but I got burned out on church shopping. That's tough enough to do, let alone when you are by yourself. I remember one big, old church where I walked in, sat and worshipped for an hour and walked out without one person even speaking to me. I probably have to share the blame though since I don't think I tried to speak to anyone else either.
Ten Years Ago: My how things had changed. I had been married for four years and had two little boys at home and had lost another boy shortly after birth. My radio career was over. I was busy with my t-shirt and sweatshirt business, operating in six malls that year. But the pressing detail of my life was my call to ministry. After years of running from it, God finally got me into a hammerlock and I gave in. My schedule allowed me to take classes full time for my Master's degree, and I was doing my best to soak myself in Scripture and in theology. It was an intense time, but it all went by so fast.
Five Years Ago: I was an established senior pastor at my current church. I had grown into being a minister in a small country church. Each year featured a challenge of it's own, but they usually boiled down to working to glorify God vs. working to glorify something or someone else. Seems like that hasn't changed much.
I was also working toward becoming part of the local community, but having a tough time fitting in. I knew the parents of my boy's friends and a few others from little league baseball. But the hardest part was finding the community. Our church is in the middle of nowhere -- eight miles from the nearest town. The congregation is involved in three different school systems and three different communities, so which community should I be a part of? I finally decided to bloom where I'm planted, but I still have a hard time straddling communities.
One Year Ago: Not a lot of different wrestling matches then from what I go through now. I still have the same struggles. A teenage boy, an almost-teenage boy and a precious little girl light up my life. A beautiful wife who loves me and whom I adore. Who can complain?
One Day Ago: I tried to mow the lawn, but I had mower problems. I spent the rest of the early afternoon doing bookwork for the shirt business. In the afternoon, my oldest son had a football game. He plays left offensive tackle. He had a good game. The team was down 14-12 with about a minute and a half left. They managed a touchdown with just over a minute remaining and also made the two point conversion to go ahead 20-14. The other team pulled a trick play and completed a touchdown pass with just 30 seconds left in the game. They took the lead 22-20 after converting the two-pointer. We were down to desperation passes. Three failed. The fourth was completed over the middle and the reciever dodged tacklers for 68 yards, crossing the goal line as time expired. We won 26-22. After that, I picked up my other son from his practice and we made it home for supper around 8:00. Grilled cheese and tomato soup on a rather chilly day. My wife and I watched some television for a change during the late evening. I climbed into bed around 12:30. My wife made it there somewhere about an hour later.
One Hour Ago: The kids and I arrived back home from the local high school football game. We won 56-0. My wife, meanwhile, was doing some shopping for my daughter's upcoming birthday party.
Five Favorite Snacks:
Pepsi. I always drink too much of the stuff.
Ice cream. Provided the temperature is above freezing. Below freezing, I'll substitute hot cooked pudding.
Little Debbie Dunkin' Stix. Junk food to the extreme, but only 50 cents a pack!
Peanut butter. Usually in a sandwich, but sometimes on saltines or just a spoonful out of the jar.
Mellocreme Pumpkins. The autumn candy of choice.
Five Songs I Know the Words to:
Oh, you've got to be kidding me! Just five? I worked in radio for ten years. I know the words to songs I cannot stand! How about that? Five songs I can't stand, but still know the words.
Rapture by Blondie. I heard it on the radio this afternoon. Still don't get the part about the man from Mars eating guitars.
Rock Me, Amadeus by Falco. OK, I'll admit I don't know the German words, but all the English ones I have down pat. This was one of those songs that eight year old children loved to call and request when I was a disc jockey twenty years ago. I tried everything to avoid playing it, but had to do it to keep my job. I would shout other lyrics to try to drown out the words -- all to no avail. But I did get people looking at me when I used to sing along, "Mashed potatoes, mashed potatoes. Please pass the mashed potatoes."
Heartbeat, It's a Lovebeat by the DeFranco Family. I remember blowing this song up live on the air. It wasn't a real explosion. (Drat!) I just got hoarse from screaming at the record, so I plugged in the sound effect of an explosion and started it as I pulled the needle off the black vinyl grooves. It got my point across.
Seasons in the Sun by Terry Jacks. Now come on. Who doesn't hate that song? But radio played the everlovin' snot out of it back when there weren't a lot of choices on the dial. So the words have stuck with me.
Convoy by C. W. McCall. Come to think of it, I really don't hate this song too much, but my wife does, so I always tend to play this song REALLY LOUD every once in a while just to assert my control. I said, let them truckers roll, 10-4.
What I would do with 5 Millon Dollars: Now this is a tough one. I'm not one for longing after expensive things. That's got to be some kind of spiritual gift, I know. First thing would be college funds for three kids followed by a retirement fund for my wife and I. I have no real desire to retire, but I wouldn't have to put any financial burden on the church as far as salary goes. Beyond those things (and of course a tithe), I'd probably get new vehicles since my truck will go over 200,000 miles next week. We'd probably make a few home improvements and get a computer for each one of us in the family so we wouldn't keep trying to push each other out of the desk chair. Then maybe I'd spend some escaping someplace for a while.
5 Places I would escape to for a while: Hey, now there's a coincidence! But seriously, I'm going to assume that these escapes would be for my wife and I, as I can't think of wanting to escape without her.
1. Cabin in the woods. We used to take a week and rent a cabin at an area state park each winter before the kids' school got to be such a pain to deal with. We'd arrive on Sunday evening and stay through Friday. In the dead of winter. No phones, no television or radio. Just a woodstove, a small kitchen and a wonderland of nature around us. At that time of year there would be absolutely no one else in the whole park, just my wife and I and a few herds of deer. Oh, and the raccoons my wife mistakely fed one night. The next night there were around 100 of the masked creatures trying to get in to raid the refrigerator!
2. Seashore. Not Florida. Someplace that isn't all "touristy" but is quiet and laid back with the sound of the waves beating against the shore to lull us to sleep at night.
3. The mountains of Colorado. Again we'd avoid all the trendy places, instead searching for something quiet and out of the way. When we were first married we lived at the foot of an almost 3000 foot mountain. Today we live on land so flat we can watch traffic on the road four miles away. The mountains would be a nice change of pace.
4. Backroads. Driving through the less traveled roads of America with no real agenda, just looking at what is around.
5. Following the IndyCars. We both love to watch IndyCar racing and would love to go from race to race to be a part of it. Races are always a thousand times more enjoyable in person than they are on television.
5 Things I would not wear: Aside from women's clothes? Hmmmm.
Sandals with socks.
Jordache jeans.
100% polyester.
Elevator shoes.
A toupee.
5 Favorite TV Programs:
CSI. I love a good mystery.
CSI Miami. I love a horrible actor in the middle of a good mystery.
Seinfeld reruns.
Andy Griffith reruns (but only the ones in black and white).
Any show that ranks things 1-100. Worst reality show moments, best country music duets, most memorable movie lines... I'm a sucker for a good list.
5 Greatest Joys:
Salvation.
Watching my children.
Snuggling with my wife.
Seeing a job accomplished.
Spending time writing.
5 Favorite Toys:
Sirius Satellite Radio. Hands down.
The computer.
A ball. Any ball.
CD player with shuffle mode.
Remote control.
5 People I will tag to play:
Oh, no you don't. I played along, but I'm not dragging anybody else into this. Tell you what, I tag the first five people who have read all the way to the end of this post. That'll teach ya'!
Twenty Years Ago: 1985. Livin' large and livin' lonely. It was my first apartment with no roommates. In hindsight I probably should have found a roommate, but I was flying solo. I was working as the evening DJ at the local top 40 radio station in Battle Creek/Kalamazoo, Michigan. This meant I spent six hours every night playing music for teenagers doing their homework. I also spent a lot of time talking to them on the telephone. Radio groupies. They can only get you into trouble. Fortunately I didn't take the (jail) bait.
The sad part was that working from 4pm until midnight, I had precious little time to meet other people. So I spent a lot of time by myself. I got rather used to it though.
One solution would have been church, but I got burned out on church shopping. That's tough enough to do, let alone when you are by yourself. I remember one big, old church where I walked in, sat and worshipped for an hour and walked out without one person even speaking to me. I probably have to share the blame though since I don't think I tried to speak to anyone else either.
Ten Years Ago: My how things had changed. I had been married for four years and had two little boys at home and had lost another boy shortly after birth. My radio career was over. I was busy with my t-shirt and sweatshirt business, operating in six malls that year. But the pressing detail of my life was my call to ministry. After years of running from it, God finally got me into a hammerlock and I gave in. My schedule allowed me to take classes full time for my Master's degree, and I was doing my best to soak myself in Scripture and in theology. It was an intense time, but it all went by so fast.
Five Years Ago: I was an established senior pastor at my current church. I had grown into being a minister in a small country church. Each year featured a challenge of it's own, but they usually boiled down to working to glorify God vs. working to glorify something or someone else. Seems like that hasn't changed much.
I was also working toward becoming part of the local community, but having a tough time fitting in. I knew the parents of my boy's friends and a few others from little league baseball. But the hardest part was finding the community. Our church is in the middle of nowhere -- eight miles from the nearest town. The congregation is involved in three different school systems and three different communities, so which community should I be a part of? I finally decided to bloom where I'm planted, but I still have a hard time straddling communities.
One Year Ago: Not a lot of different wrestling matches then from what I go through now. I still have the same struggles. A teenage boy, an almost-teenage boy and a precious little girl light up my life. A beautiful wife who loves me and whom I adore. Who can complain?
One Day Ago: I tried to mow the lawn, but I had mower problems. I spent the rest of the early afternoon doing bookwork for the shirt business. In the afternoon, my oldest son had a football game. He plays left offensive tackle. He had a good game. The team was down 14-12 with about a minute and a half left. They managed a touchdown with just over a minute remaining and also made the two point conversion to go ahead 20-14. The other team pulled a trick play and completed a touchdown pass with just 30 seconds left in the game. They took the lead 22-20 after converting the two-pointer. We were down to desperation passes. Three failed. The fourth was completed over the middle and the reciever dodged tacklers for 68 yards, crossing the goal line as time expired. We won 26-22. After that, I picked up my other son from his practice and we made it home for supper around 8:00. Grilled cheese and tomato soup on a rather chilly day. My wife and I watched some television for a change during the late evening. I climbed into bed around 12:30. My wife made it there somewhere about an hour later.
One Hour Ago: The kids and I arrived back home from the local high school football game. We won 56-0. My wife, meanwhile, was doing some shopping for my daughter's upcoming birthday party.
Five Favorite Snacks:
Pepsi. I always drink too much of the stuff.
Ice cream. Provided the temperature is above freezing. Below freezing, I'll substitute hot cooked pudding.
Little Debbie Dunkin' Stix. Junk food to the extreme, but only 50 cents a pack!
Peanut butter. Usually in a sandwich, but sometimes on saltines or just a spoonful out of the jar.
Mellocreme Pumpkins. The autumn candy of choice.
Five Songs I Know the Words to:
Oh, you've got to be kidding me! Just five? I worked in radio for ten years. I know the words to songs I cannot stand! How about that? Five songs I can't stand, but still know the words.
Rapture by Blondie. I heard it on the radio this afternoon. Still don't get the part about the man from Mars eating guitars.
Rock Me, Amadeus by Falco. OK, I'll admit I don't know the German words, but all the English ones I have down pat. This was one of those songs that eight year old children loved to call and request when I was a disc jockey twenty years ago. I tried everything to avoid playing it, but had to do it to keep my job. I would shout other lyrics to try to drown out the words -- all to no avail. But I did get people looking at me when I used to sing along, "Mashed potatoes, mashed potatoes. Please pass the mashed potatoes."
Heartbeat, It's a Lovebeat by the DeFranco Family. I remember blowing this song up live on the air. It wasn't a real explosion. (Drat!) I just got hoarse from screaming at the record, so I plugged in the sound effect of an explosion and started it as I pulled the needle off the black vinyl grooves. It got my point across.
Seasons in the Sun by Terry Jacks. Now come on. Who doesn't hate that song? But radio played the everlovin' snot out of it back when there weren't a lot of choices on the dial. So the words have stuck with me.
Convoy by C. W. McCall. Come to think of it, I really don't hate this song too much, but my wife does, so I always tend to play this song REALLY LOUD every once in a while just to assert my control. I said, let them truckers roll, 10-4.
What I would do with 5 Millon Dollars: Now this is a tough one. I'm not one for longing after expensive things. That's got to be some kind of spiritual gift, I know. First thing would be college funds for three kids followed by a retirement fund for my wife and I. I have no real desire to retire, but I wouldn't have to put any financial burden on the church as far as salary goes. Beyond those things (and of course a tithe), I'd probably get new vehicles since my truck will go over 200,000 miles next week. We'd probably make a few home improvements and get a computer for each one of us in the family so we wouldn't keep trying to push each other out of the desk chair. Then maybe I'd spend some escaping someplace for a while.
5 Places I would escape to for a while: Hey, now there's a coincidence! But seriously, I'm going to assume that these escapes would be for my wife and I, as I can't think of wanting to escape without her.
1. Cabin in the woods. We used to take a week and rent a cabin at an area state park each winter before the kids' school got to be such a pain to deal with. We'd arrive on Sunday evening and stay through Friday. In the dead of winter. No phones, no television or radio. Just a woodstove, a small kitchen and a wonderland of nature around us. At that time of year there would be absolutely no one else in the whole park, just my wife and I and a few herds of deer. Oh, and the raccoons my wife mistakely fed one night. The next night there were around 100 of the masked creatures trying to get in to raid the refrigerator!
2. Seashore. Not Florida. Someplace that isn't all "touristy" but is quiet and laid back with the sound of the waves beating against the shore to lull us to sleep at night.
3. The mountains of Colorado. Again we'd avoid all the trendy places, instead searching for something quiet and out of the way. When we were first married we lived at the foot of an almost 3000 foot mountain. Today we live on land so flat we can watch traffic on the road four miles away. The mountains would be a nice change of pace.
4. Backroads. Driving through the less traveled roads of America with no real agenda, just looking at what is around.
5. Following the IndyCars. We both love to watch IndyCar racing and would love to go from race to race to be a part of it. Races are always a thousand times more enjoyable in person than they are on television.
5 Things I would not wear: Aside from women's clothes? Hmmmm.
Sandals with socks.
Jordache jeans.
100% polyester.
Elevator shoes.
A toupee.
5 Favorite TV Programs:
CSI. I love a good mystery.
CSI Miami. I love a horrible actor in the middle of a good mystery.
Seinfeld reruns.
Andy Griffith reruns (but only the ones in black and white).
Any show that ranks things 1-100. Worst reality show moments, best country music duets, most memorable movie lines... I'm a sucker for a good list.
5 Greatest Joys:
Salvation.
Watching my children.
Snuggling with my wife.
Seeing a job accomplished.
Spending time writing.
5 Favorite Toys:
Sirius Satellite Radio. Hands down.
The computer.
A ball. Any ball.
CD player with shuffle mode.
Remote control.
5 People I will tag to play:
Oh, no you don't. I played along, but I'm not dragging anybody else into this. Tell you what, I tag the first five people who have read all the way to the end of this post. That'll teach ya'!
Thursday, September 29, 2005
Partially Completed
It really looks silly. Long here. Short there. But that's the way it's going to be, at least until tomorrow.
I've always liked mowing the lawn. I know I haven't always had the best of luck mowing, but it's one job where you can see your work. Looking out over a freshly cut lawn gives me a sense of satisfaction from a job well done. It looks like I've been working. When I finish reading a book it still looks the same. The lawn looks better... different.
But my lawn doesn't look better. It does look different, but in this case different isn't good. Today the mower gave out part way through the job. It was a free replacement mower after "The Pond Incident" so I can't really complain. But now it won't start until I get a replacement part, and the lawn looks silly. I got a few passes done on the edge and around the house. There there is a stripe down the middle of the front yard where I was cutting when something happened. It reminds me of a football field with the yard lines mowed shorter than the rest of the field. Perhaps I should paint "CARDINALS" at the end and put up a goalpost.
It looks silly. Passersby must think I'm trying to do lawn art of something. It's obvious it's not supposed to look that way. But it does. I like to think of it as a work in progress.
I'm a work in progress too. The Bible even backs me up on that. I'm slowly (very slowly) being conformed to the image of Christ Jesus. But in the meantime, I look silly.
I talk about the need to give every aspect of my life to Him, but I still hold back. I believe that we shouldn't judge the salvation of others, but in my mind I still occasionally find myself doing just that. I tell people to flee temptation, but too often I sit down on the couch with it and enjoy it's company. In short, I am not what I want to be. I am not what I should be. I'm only partially completed. I'm still a work in progress.
When people see me, they may not notice that I'm not finished yet. But I'm sure some can figure it out if they try. I'm still struggling. I'm not perfect. And I hope that people don't see that as hypocrisy because it's not. It's simply failure. I may start out with the intent of mowing the lawn, but after a few passes I tend to give out. And it's only the Mechanic's loving hand that can get me back on the right track.
Someday I'll be completed. I'll have it all together. I won't look like someone should paint a team logo across my chest. But until then, I'll continue to struggle and fail and get up again and lean on the One who can get me through. Then I'll venture off on my own again and fail. Because I'm still a work in progress. And I don't dare forget that.
I've always liked mowing the lawn. I know I haven't always had the best of luck mowing, but it's one job where you can see your work. Looking out over a freshly cut lawn gives me a sense of satisfaction from a job well done. It looks like I've been working. When I finish reading a book it still looks the same. The lawn looks better... different.
But my lawn doesn't look better. It does look different, but in this case different isn't good. Today the mower gave out part way through the job. It was a free replacement mower after "The Pond Incident" so I can't really complain. But now it won't start until I get a replacement part, and the lawn looks silly. I got a few passes done on the edge and around the house. There there is a stripe down the middle of the front yard where I was cutting when something happened. It reminds me of a football field with the yard lines mowed shorter than the rest of the field. Perhaps I should paint "CARDINALS" at the end and put up a goalpost.
It looks silly. Passersby must think I'm trying to do lawn art of something. It's obvious it's not supposed to look that way. But it does. I like to think of it as a work in progress.
I'm a work in progress too. The Bible even backs me up on that. I'm slowly (very slowly) being conformed to the image of Christ Jesus. But in the meantime, I look silly.
I talk about the need to give every aspect of my life to Him, but I still hold back. I believe that we shouldn't judge the salvation of others, but in my mind I still occasionally find myself doing just that. I tell people to flee temptation, but too often I sit down on the couch with it and enjoy it's company. In short, I am not what I want to be. I am not what I should be. I'm only partially completed. I'm still a work in progress.
When people see me, they may not notice that I'm not finished yet. But I'm sure some can figure it out if they try. I'm still struggling. I'm not perfect. And I hope that people don't see that as hypocrisy because it's not. It's simply failure. I may start out with the intent of mowing the lawn, but after a few passes I tend to give out. And it's only the Mechanic's loving hand that can get me back on the right track.
Someday I'll be completed. I'll have it all together. I won't look like someone should paint a team logo across my chest. But until then, I'll continue to struggle and fail and get up again and lean on the One who can get me through. Then I'll venture off on my own again and fail. Because I'm still a work in progress. And I don't dare forget that.
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Carnival Cruising
Christian Carnival #89 is up at In the Spirit of Grace. I'd right out 89 in romal numerals, but I lose count somewhere between XLIII and CDLVEIEIO. Next week I have the honor of hosting the 90th edition of the Carnival here at Attention Span, so this weekend I'll have to dust the profile, take out the trash and wax the blogroll. Work, work, work...
In the meantime, you might check out (Getting and Losing) Religion and the discussion at Eternal Revolution.
Also this amazing profound post, Oh... so it wasn't the music from Tiffany at To Love, Honor and Obey.
And a plug for my friend Tom at Brain Twitch and his post Developing the Developing.
Excuse me. Time to wash off the archives.
In the meantime, you might check out (Getting and Losing) Religion and the discussion at Eternal Revolution.
Also this amazing profound post, Oh... so it wasn't the music from Tiffany at To Love, Honor and Obey.
And a plug for my friend Tom at Brain Twitch and his post Developing the Developing.
Excuse me. Time to wash off the archives.
Monday, September 26, 2005
To Drink Or Not To Drink
I've got to admit that I don't understand the appeal of alcohol. I've never liked the taste of it. Beer, wine, hard liquor. None of it. So I guess I have a strike against me right there. Then there is the whole issue of spending money on the stuff. Why would I want to shell out three or four bucks for a rum and Coke when I'm happier with just the $1.95 Coke? Strike two.
But where I truly strike out is drunkenness. It's beyond me. In college, I knew people who would get good and drunk to go to a concert. In the morning, they remembered little of the event they had been waiting months to see. What's the point? Weekends were spent in pursuit of an altered state of consciousness. If there was no buzz, it couldn't have been any fun. The whole point of Friday night was to be drunk. In their way of thinking, the number of beers consumed was the indicator of how good the weekend was. I saw this far too often. And I remain puzzled to this day. Grown adults still live for the opportunity to get plastered. And from my spot, I've come to strike three.
So as I approach this subject I do so with a certain amount of knowledge on the subject, but with absolutely no desire to have even an occasional drink. But then as a kid I never liked spinning around until the room was spinning even when I stood still. Maybe I'm just funny that way.
Michael Spencer posted a commentary which really sounded familiar. His post, One Big Happy Lie: Southern Baptists, Alcohol and Me is focused on the same argument which my denomination has wrestled with for years and years -- can you be a Christian and drink alcohol? Or the way it has been tossed around in my circles -- should using beverage alcohol disqualify someone from church membership?
From the post:
I wasn't raised as a Southern Baptist. I wasn't even raised in my current denomination, but this was the same worldview I grew up in. The short answer for me was that if you are a Christian, you don't have anything to do with alcohol. You don't buy it. You don't drink it. You don't patronize places where it is sold.
It was all very cut and dried. Very simple. But there was a problem -- it wasn't biblical. Still isn't.
I was led into my denomination by the Holy Spirit. It was confirmed to me in many ways, but the clincher was that my new found denominational home lined up doctrinally with me. The essentials were stressed, but in the non-essentials there was liberty to teach any number of orthodox positions. The only doctrinal hang-up I really had was their rule that members were not to ever use beverage alcohol, period. No sip of champagne at Cousin Julie's wedding. No can of beer after mowing the lawn. Nothing. By church doctrine, a member could be disassociated because of a single swallow. And I had a problem with that. I still do.
But I was encouraged that there were many within the denomination who thought as I -- that the Bible made no such stipulation on believers. Sure, we're told not to be drunk, and not to break the law by underage drinking, and not to be a stumbling block for others, but there is no Dry Commandment.
Over the next few conferences that I attended, I saw this issue hit hot buttons with people all over our church. Some were in my boat, trying to set biblical standards without going beyond in legalism. For others though, allowing members to have a sip was akin to starting a brewery in the church sanctuary. Their emotional pleas to the conference delegates were swollen with tales of drunk drivers and alcoholic parents, but never did they refer to a biblical mandate. It was the elevation of tradition to the canonical level. The Pharisees would have been proud.
This past Summer our denomination finally changed its alcohol stance. We still discourage the use of alcohol, but drinking is not a test for membership. It's the right decision. But I've still heard a few people claim that we've taken a step backward -- that somehow we are advocating the use of alcohol.
How is it that peripheral issues can become so intertwined with Christianity?
But where I truly strike out is drunkenness. It's beyond me. In college, I knew people who would get good and drunk to go to a concert. In the morning, they remembered little of the event they had been waiting months to see. What's the point? Weekends were spent in pursuit of an altered state of consciousness. If there was no buzz, it couldn't have been any fun. The whole point of Friday night was to be drunk. In their way of thinking, the number of beers consumed was the indicator of how good the weekend was. I saw this far too often. And I remain puzzled to this day. Grown adults still live for the opportunity to get plastered. And from my spot, I've come to strike three.
So as I approach this subject I do so with a certain amount of knowledge on the subject, but with absolutely no desire to have even an occasional drink. But then as a kid I never liked spinning around until the room was spinning even when I stood still. Maybe I'm just funny that way.
Michael Spencer posted a commentary which really sounded familiar. His post, One Big Happy Lie: Southern Baptists, Alcohol and Me is focused on the same argument which my denomination has wrestled with for years and years -- can you be a Christian and drink alcohol? Or the way it has been tossed around in my circles -- should using beverage alcohol disqualify someone from church membership?
From the post:
My pastor preached against drinking in other churches with ferocity. There was no other name for his approach. It mattered deeply to him, so much that alcohol ominated many messages. What separated Southern Baptists from other ChristiansI'm sure there are plenty of people in the church who drink alcohol. I have no doubt that if you would ask if they drank, most would deny it. I've known members of other churches who kept beer in the fridge even though their church took a stand prohibiting it. I assumed it didn't come as a bonus from Amana when they bought the appliance. But I've never let it worry me. To admit to having even a beer once a year would mean risking becoming a social outcast in many congregations, so it's not exactly something you'd broadcast proudly throughout the sanctuary. But like Spencer, I'm not about to question someone's salvation because of a glass of wine.
was teetotalism. We said the church covenant's promise "to abstain from the sale and use of alcohol as a beverage" with emphasis. God was serious about this booze issue, and he was watching.
I wasn't raised as a Southern Baptist. I wasn't even raised in my current denomination, but this was the same worldview I grew up in. The short answer for me was that if you are a Christian, you don't have anything to do with alcohol. You don't buy it. You don't drink it. You don't patronize places where it is sold.
It was all very cut and dried. Very simple. But there was a problem -- it wasn't biblical. Still isn't.
I was led into my denomination by the Holy Spirit. It was confirmed to me in many ways, but the clincher was that my new found denominational home lined up doctrinally with me. The essentials were stressed, but in the non-essentials there was liberty to teach any number of orthodox positions. The only doctrinal hang-up I really had was their rule that members were not to ever use beverage alcohol, period. No sip of champagne at Cousin Julie's wedding. No can of beer after mowing the lawn. Nothing. By church doctrine, a member could be disassociated because of a single swallow. And I had a problem with that. I still do.
But I was encouraged that there were many within the denomination who thought as I -- that the Bible made no such stipulation on believers. Sure, we're told not to be drunk, and not to break the law by underage drinking, and not to be a stumbling block for others, but there is no Dry Commandment.
Over the next few conferences that I attended, I saw this issue hit hot buttons with people all over our church. Some were in my boat, trying to set biblical standards without going beyond in legalism. For others though, allowing members to have a sip was akin to starting a brewery in the church sanctuary. Their emotional pleas to the conference delegates were swollen with tales of drunk drivers and alcoholic parents, but never did they refer to a biblical mandate. It was the elevation of tradition to the canonical level. The Pharisees would have been proud.
This past Summer our denomination finally changed its alcohol stance. We still discourage the use of alcohol, but drinking is not a test for membership. It's the right decision. But I've still heard a few people claim that we've taken a step backward -- that somehow we are advocating the use of alcohol.
How is it that peripheral issues can become so intertwined with Christianity?
Saturday, September 24, 2005
Crazy or Normal?
I would take no for an answer,
Just to know I heard you speak,
And I'm wondering why I've never,
Seen the signs they claim they see,
A lotta special revelations,
Meant for everybody but me,
Maybe I don't truly know You,
or maybe I just simply believe...
...
Now I've never felt the presence,
But I know You're always near,
And I've never heard the calling,
But somehow You've led me right here,
So I'm not lookin' for burnin' bushes,
Or some Divine graffiti to appear,
I'm just beggin You for Your wisdom,
And I believe You're puttin' some here...
lyrics by Chris Rice
Those lyrics say it well for me. I don't need no stinking miracles or wild freak show. I need more of Jesus Christ in my life, and I am pretty sure I can find it in praise, prayer, worship, thanksgiving, confession, forgiveness, service and studing Scripture. I'm not looking for burning bushes or writing on the wall. I simply want to know Him better. What's more, I don't expect any huge miracle display. If I get one, fine. But our lives as Christians are basically normal.
I came across a post at Internet Monk which says much the same thing. Actually it's a three year old post, but it's plenty current. If at all possible, click here and go read it before you read on.
Spencer begins with this:
I'm tired of weird Christians. I am tired of hearing people I work with say that God is talking to them like He talked to Moses at the burning bush or like He talked to Abraham. I'm weary of people saying God speaks directly to them about mundane matters of reasonable human choice, so that their choices of toothpaste and wallpaper are actually God's choices, and therefore I need to just shut up and keep all my opinions to myself until I can appreciate spiritual things. I'm tired of people acting as if the normal Christian life is hearing a voice in your head telling you things other people can't possible know, thus allowing you a decided advantage. I mean, if all this were really happening, wouldn't these people be picking better stocks?
I've always wondered about people who stop and ask God's direction for every little decision. I've especially wondered about the people who claim they hear God tell them the right choice for every little decision. At one Bible study, we discussed whether or not God cared who would win the Super Bowl. The consensus was that God could use any outcome. Not all decisions are God's Will vs. Not God's Will. And I have to admit I'm baffled by those who claim differently.
The fact is that our lives are surprisingly normal. I don't get IMs from God. Do I seek God's leading in my major decisions? I sure do. But I'm sure that much of my life is to be led by discernment -- by using my intellectual prowess filtered through what I've learned by being His disciple.
Spencer sums it up:
[M]aybe you are like me. You are an ordinary Christian living an ordinary life. You don't hear voices, see visions, or believe you are under constant attack by demonic forces. You may have some experiences that you call supernatural or miraculous, but they are the exception, not the rule. When you pray for people, things usually don't change; you change. You have no authoritative insight into what is going to happen in the future. You suspect that if you were filled with the Spirit, you would love God and people more, and do the right thing more often. You'd be more like Jesus. You wouldn't be running around in circles pointing out angels on the roof. The fruit of the Spirit would make you a person others would want to be around, not someone who would frighten animals and small children.
I've always told people that miracles aren't an everyday occurence -- that's why they call them miracles. Yet we seek them at every opportunity. Why?
I think we struggle with the idea of a God who isn't always "in our face." Some of my friends live their lives every day denying the existance of deity, and their experiences seem to prove them right. No stray lightning bolts. No angelic visions. No ladders to heaven. No chariots of fire. They feel vindicated in their disbelief. They wonder how I can believe in a God who must obviously be painfully shy.
But shy isn't the word. The word is probably related to "stealth" or something along those lines. He is present even when we don't notice. And while that makes it difficult for some to believe, it also makes many believers nervous. Then we get people "surfing in the Spirit" or imagining visions or worse yet, believing that some esoteric feeling is always a prompting from God. I know of Christians who sought a divorce because they were certain God was leading them to leave their Christian spouse. The story has been told of the disabled woman who felt like God wanted her to steal a sum of money to illustrate the teaching that we possess all we see.
In desperation to feel closer to God, the normal won't do for too many people. Instead they go off equating God with common inner desires for love, power, money and respect. But God wants more from us than following our gut. He expects us to know Him and to seek Him in prayer, worship and especially in the study of His Word. We know Him not because He gives us feelings, but because He transforms our thinking by the renewing of our minds. It may not be as flashy as a miracle show, but it's the way to truly know God better.
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Early Halloween
I realize it's over a month before Halloween, but I've already heard a ghost story. It was a radio interview yesterday morning with a woman who bills herself as a "ghost whisperer" -- like a horse whisperer only with departed spirits instead of bashful equines. In fact the new television series, The Ghost Whisperer is supposedly loosely based upon this woman's work. How loosely? Well, I'm betting the woman I heard doesn't look like Jennifer Love Hewitt who stars in the TV series. Beyond that, it sounds like they "borrowed" this lady's gimmick to make money. Go figure.
Anyway, during the interview the ghostbuster explained that she could see departed spirits who never followed the light into the next world. According to her, it's a little like missing the last train out of town -- don't go and you can't change your mind later. Her claim is to be able to see these spirits, even if she is simply talking to you on the telephone. There were a couple of contradictions in her accounts, but finally she told the radio hosts that someone in their building who has a lot of pictures of animals around their desk has a departed spirit following them. Nobody knew of anyone in that building with a bunch of animal pictures, but our whisperer calmly assured the radio cast that they'd probably been overlooking that desk and would figure out who it was in the next few days.
Personally her schtick sounded an awful lot like some of these other paranormal experts. Be vague. Try to get the person "buying" the services to provide more information. Have limited revelations. Use descriptions so vague that almost anyone will be able to associate with them. When John Edwards (the Crossing Over guy, not the senator) had his television show everywhere, I used to try to do the trick along with him. It's not really that hard when you work with a person who desperately wants to believe.
"I'm getting a woman's name beginning with S. Is there a female in your family whose name starts with S?"
"Not really. Oh, there's Aunt Estelle!"
"Yes, that must be right. Estelle!"
Pul-eese. I couldn't watch much of that show or it's ugly twin program Pet Psychic, which still shows up on Animal Planet from time to time. These poor people were desperate for peace, but looking in the wrong place.
There was a bit of a surprise in the interview. One host asked the woman with ghost vision about her spirituality and she answered back that she is a practicing Catholic! When asked about the biblical admonitions against speaking with the dead, she claimed it all to be a matter of interpretation. She interpreted these passages to mean that we should pursue communication with the dead, but these "departed spirits" aren't really dead because she believes in eternal life. She never enlightened us on who the dead actually are if everyone is eternally alive, not surprisingly.
She also said that if you have a ghost living with you, the first thing you should do is contact your priest or minister and have them bless the house because, in her words, "it couldn't hurt!" After that blessing you should get a special Native American spirit stick and try to drive off the departed folk. There was a third step too, but it didn't make any more sense than anything else she said.
I guess I shouldn't have really been surprised. People will always twist a biblical interpretation to fit their own preconceived notions or their experiences -- real or otherwise. It was just so odd to hear a professed Christian expouse such an anti-Christian worldview.
Ghost stories have been around since Bible times. Some can be explained by understanding the mindset of sad and grieving people. Others can only be explained as demonic activity. In other words, it's not really Great Grandmother hovering in the corner bedroom telling you to listen to your heart, it's something disguised as Great Grandmother. Remember the passage of Scripture warning us that Satan disguises himself as an angel of light? While I believe some of these sightings are from honest people who genuinely see things, the majority are probably bunk. The few which aren't are reminders that we don't see all of what is going on in this world. And while it may seem pretty scary on the surface, I am comforted by the fact that "Greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world."
Anyway, during the interview the ghostbuster explained that she could see departed spirits who never followed the light into the next world. According to her, it's a little like missing the last train out of town -- don't go and you can't change your mind later. Her claim is to be able to see these spirits, even if she is simply talking to you on the telephone. There were a couple of contradictions in her accounts, but finally she told the radio hosts that someone in their building who has a lot of pictures of animals around their desk has a departed spirit following them. Nobody knew of anyone in that building with a bunch of animal pictures, but our whisperer calmly assured the radio cast that they'd probably been overlooking that desk and would figure out who it was in the next few days.
Personally her schtick sounded an awful lot like some of these other paranormal experts. Be vague. Try to get the person "buying" the services to provide more information. Have limited revelations. Use descriptions so vague that almost anyone will be able to associate with them. When John Edwards (the Crossing Over guy, not the senator) had his television show everywhere, I used to try to do the trick along with him. It's not really that hard when you work with a person who desperately wants to believe.
"I'm getting a woman's name beginning with S. Is there a female in your family whose name starts with S?"
"Not really. Oh, there's Aunt Estelle!"
"Yes, that must be right. Estelle!"
Pul-eese. I couldn't watch much of that show or it's ugly twin program Pet Psychic, which still shows up on Animal Planet from time to time. These poor people were desperate for peace, but looking in the wrong place.
There was a bit of a surprise in the interview. One host asked the woman with ghost vision about her spirituality and she answered back that she is a practicing Catholic! When asked about the biblical admonitions against speaking with the dead, she claimed it all to be a matter of interpretation. She interpreted these passages to mean that we should pursue communication with the dead, but these "departed spirits" aren't really dead because she believes in eternal life. She never enlightened us on who the dead actually are if everyone is eternally alive, not surprisingly.
She also said that if you have a ghost living with you, the first thing you should do is contact your priest or minister and have them bless the house because, in her words, "it couldn't hurt!" After that blessing you should get a special Native American spirit stick and try to drive off the departed folk. There was a third step too, but it didn't make any more sense than anything else she said.
I guess I shouldn't have really been surprised. People will always twist a biblical interpretation to fit their own preconceived notions or their experiences -- real or otherwise. It was just so odd to hear a professed Christian expouse such an anti-Christian worldview.
Ghost stories have been around since Bible times. Some can be explained by understanding the mindset of sad and grieving people. Others can only be explained as demonic activity. In other words, it's not really Great Grandmother hovering in the corner bedroom telling you to listen to your heart, it's something disguised as Great Grandmother. Remember the passage of Scripture warning us that Satan disguises himself as an angel of light? While I believe some of these sightings are from honest people who genuinely see things, the majority are probably bunk. The few which aren't are reminders that we don't see all of what is going on in this world. And while it may seem pretty scary on the surface, I am comforted by the fact that "Greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world."
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Music in the Air
I've always loved music. I've been singing for as long as I can remember. (Taking time out for meals, of course!) I remember being a small boy, perhaps five or six, singing The Lord's Prayer at the church my Grandpa pastored in southern Indiana. I'm sure it couldn't have been too wonderful. Simon, Randy and Paula would have told me it was "a little pitchy" but Grandpa loved it. After I returned to my pew he stood behind the pulpit and told the congregation, "There's no use having grandkids if you can't show 'em off!"
I miss that man.
I've tried instrumental music also. I took piano lessons for two years as a boy and can still play the introduction to White Christmas. Don't ask me to play much else though. As a sixth grader I learned to play the trombone. Jazz band, marching band and the assorted chuch orchestra are all on my resume, but I haven't played more than a scale for twenty years. I just can't be cool as a wandering trombonist. The best I can muster is being a tolerable part of a symphony orchestra.
I almost took up the saxophone, but they were mighty expensive. That would have been a wee bit cooler, but it's not much of a solo instrument unless you're watching some old film noir flick.
But my oldest boy has done me one better. He's a guitarist. I can say that now. Six months ago he was just "taking guitar lessons" but he's getting pretty good. And I enjoy hearing the strumming and plucking through the house. It just sounds "right". He's not ready for an Eric Clapton sound-alike contest or anything, but he's able to sit and make up his own rhythms and explore a whole range of chords. To be honest, I'm jealous.
Most of the time, I don't "get" art, but music is a different story. I'd love to be able to lose myself in a typical chord progression and just worship. To sing along with a steady strumming. To control the tempo and the key. To praise Him musically as I feel like it. That would be wonderful. I'd love to sing by myself in harmony too, but I'm not holding my breath on that happening either.
Music touches a place in the soul where we're inhibited to go otherwise. There's a lot of power in the song. Don't believe me? I'd be willing to bet that you could repeat the lyrics to more songs than you could recite poems or pieces of prose. Music is usually more memorable because it involves more than just the brain. Granted there are many people who never quite get the words right, but the music is still anchored in the memory. Is it any wonder that the largest book of the Bible is a collection of song lyrics?
So as the strains of the six-string serenade me, I head off to my office to plan out another day. It's a great gift -- music. Whether you play or sing or just hum off-key and enjoy, God provided this access to our soul. And for now, I'll have to be satisfied to listen or occasionally sing along. You don't want to be around if I pull out the ol' trombone.
I miss that man.
I've tried instrumental music also. I took piano lessons for two years as a boy and can still play the introduction to White Christmas. Don't ask me to play much else though. As a sixth grader I learned to play the trombone. Jazz band, marching band and the assorted chuch orchestra are all on my resume, but I haven't played more than a scale for twenty years. I just can't be cool as a wandering trombonist. The best I can muster is being a tolerable part of a symphony orchestra.
I almost took up the saxophone, but they were mighty expensive. That would have been a wee bit cooler, but it's not much of a solo instrument unless you're watching some old film noir flick.
But my oldest boy has done me one better. He's a guitarist. I can say that now. Six months ago he was just "taking guitar lessons" but he's getting pretty good. And I enjoy hearing the strumming and plucking through the house. It just sounds "right". He's not ready for an Eric Clapton sound-alike contest or anything, but he's able to sit and make up his own rhythms and explore a whole range of chords. To be honest, I'm jealous.
Most of the time, I don't "get" art, but music is a different story. I'd love to be able to lose myself in a typical chord progression and just worship. To sing along with a steady strumming. To control the tempo and the key. To praise Him musically as I feel like it. That would be wonderful. I'd love to sing by myself in harmony too, but I'm not holding my breath on that happening either.
Music touches a place in the soul where we're inhibited to go otherwise. There's a lot of power in the song. Don't believe me? I'd be willing to bet that you could repeat the lyrics to more songs than you could recite poems or pieces of prose. Music is usually more memorable because it involves more than just the brain. Granted there are many people who never quite get the words right, but the music is still anchored in the memory. Is it any wonder that the largest book of the Bible is a collection of song lyrics?
So as the strains of the six-string serenade me, I head off to my office to plan out another day. It's a great gift -- music. Whether you play or sing or just hum off-key and enjoy, God provided this access to our soul. And for now, I'll have to be satisfied to listen or occasionally sing along. You don't want to be around if I pull out the ol' trombone.
Reading
Just catching up around the 'sphere, but here's a few things to read:
Phil Johnson's reply to an email intended for the other Phil Johnson.
Last week's Christian Carnival (#87 for those of you scoring at home) was posted last week at Pseudo-Polymath. This week's carnival (#88 if my first grade math hasn't failed me) will appear on Wednesday at Digitus, Finger & Co.
A new type of carnival is readying it's debut. God Or Not will be a discussion between the faithful and faithless. Actually it would be between those with faith in God and those with faith in something else. In either case, a tip of the ol' ball cap to Eternal Revolution for the heads up. First round is about two weeks away. The topic is original sin.
Oh, and the holiday season is upon us. Be glad you missed this holiday. Apparently Jeff the Baptist has Holiday Fever.
Phil Johnson's reply to an email intended for the other Phil Johnson.
Last week's Christian Carnival (#87 for those of you scoring at home) was posted last week at Pseudo-Polymath. This week's carnival (#88 if my first grade math hasn't failed me) will appear on Wednesday at Digitus, Finger & Co.
A new type of carnival is readying it's debut. God Or Not will be a discussion between the faithful and faithless. Actually it would be between those with faith in God and those with faith in something else. In either case, a tip of the ol' ball cap to Eternal Revolution for the heads up. First round is about two weeks away. The topic is original sin.
Oh, and the holiday season is upon us. Be glad you missed this holiday. Apparently Jeff the Baptist has Holiday Fever.
Monday, September 19, 2005
Sacrifice
I've known way too many people who try to read straight through the Bible, but get stuck shortly after Moses comes down the mountain. Perhaps it's happened to you. The Leviticus Letdown. Building specifications, dietary laws, religious festivals, and oh, that list of sacrifices! Bulls, goats, doves, and lambs bite the dust. Perfectly good grain and wine are given away. In the maze of religiosity it's easy to lose focus and forget that these were called sacrifices for a reason. They were given up by people who could easily have seen them as their personal property.
When the offering plate is passed down the pew, some people understand that they are giving back a tiny portion of what they have been given, while others give with the mindset of paying a bill. Even among those who understand the principle of giving of a tithe, it's quite another matter when it comes to other giving -- or even more giving. We treasure our belongings; our treasures. Although we're willing to sacrifice our ten percent, going beyond that is pushing it. And we'd better get a receipt so we can write it off on our income taxes.
It's tough for us to read Luke 9:23-26 and hear it the way the original hearers of the words did.
Jesus is warning His followers that they will have to willingly carry around a great burden which will eventually prove to be their undoing. And if the cross doesn't kill them, then they will feel it's weight all along their journey. But the good news is that compared to the weight of the world, that cross is light. We don't have to live up to the standards of people who can't agree on what the standards are supposed to be. We are to live through the power of the Holy Spirit to love God and love our neighbors, and we uphold one another in that task.
Today we tend to underemphasize the principle of sacrifice in the Church. After all, how are we going to increase church attendance if we tell people they have to drag around a burden as Christians? They'd never go for it! And so we have churches full of people who fill a seat and get their noses counted in attendance and may even put a check in the offering plate, but they have no clue about taking up a cross every day.
One of the traditional lessons the Church has used to teach sacrifice is the celebration of Lent. For the forty days prior to Easter Sunday, a person is encouraged to give up something of value to him. Making that sacrifice for a forty day period is a way to prepare us to celebrate Jesus' ultimate sacrifice for us. But an interesting thing tends to happen. If you're like me, and you've given up, let's say chocolate, for Lent, you abstain for forty days. It's hard at first, but then you don't think about it as much. Then you see the light at the end of the tunnel entering Holy Week. Then right after leaving the church building on Easter Sunday, you're headed home, ready to overdose on chocolate eggs, chocolate bunnies, M&Ms, Hershey bars, or anything even mildly edible so long as it's DIPPED IN CHOCOLATE!!
And the experience is over. You've deprived yourself for forty days, but now you can go back to normal. There's nothing wrong with that lesson, but the sacrifice Jesus calls us to isn't just forty days long -- it's every day for the rest of our lives! Do we really get a grasp of that? At Lent we typically choose something which we may miss a little, but it won't hurt us too badly. (And it's probably something we should be cutting down on anyway.) But taking up our cross daily may entail giving up something, not just to make us feel better, but to take those resources which we would have used another way and instead offer them for God's use.
For example, I've been told numerous times, "I'd like to read the Bible every night, but I just don't have the time to do it." But from what Jesus says, I ask, "What are you willing to give up to make it happen?" The incredulous looks and the gasps are priceless. You see, usually we have time to read the Bible and pray and worship Him and seek His direction... but, American Idol is on! Or we have to read the paper. Or surf a few more blogs. Or go volunteer with the Little League team. It may be a very deserving cause, but is it more important than opening up ten minutes of your busy schedule for your Savior?
But let me get real about cross carrying. What are we willing to give up for Jesus after all He gave up for us? There are the martyrs who have given all for Christ. They continued to stand for Jesus even when threatened with death. They knew that it would soon be over and that they would be standing with Jesus in moments. In Acts, Stephen looked up as he was being executed and saw Jesus in heaven and knew he'd soon be there. Fantastic sacrifices. But at the risk of belittling them, the martyrs often got an immediate reward. What about the sacrifices you are called to make that we have to live with for years and years and years afterward? Are you so willing to make the sacrifice if we know it's not just for forty days, but for a lifetime? What is it that you are holding so dear that you'd rather keep it than give it to God?
Maybe it's your luxuries. Many people give from the abundance of our riches. The fact is that this is how far too many people give to God through the church -- whatever they think they can afford after keeping what they want. "I'll gladly give this to God, provided it doesn't hurt my lifestyle." I read somewhere that if you own a car -- that's just one car -- you're richer than 96 percent of the people of the world. That's just ONE car. How tightly we grip our extravagant lifestyle.
Maybe it's your freedom. We hold tight to our right to decide for ourselves what to do, giving only lip service to seeking God's direction. We don't like to be told we cannot do something or associate with someone. We hate being told we're not good stewards of our time and our talents, but it's usually true. But we hate even more sacrificing what we want.
The sacrifices of bulls and goats didn't accomplish any real salvation. That was accomplished by the one ultimate sacrifice of the perfect Lamb of God. But the nation of Israel was being taught that what they had was not their own, but a gift of God Almighty. Yet even today, we still haven't completely learned that lesson. If we had, would there be any sacrifice too great for our Lord? Would there be any hesistation to take up that cross every morning and drag it around with us all day?
When the offering plate is passed down the pew, some people understand that they are giving back a tiny portion of what they have been given, while others give with the mindset of paying a bill. Even among those who understand the principle of giving of a tithe, it's quite another matter when it comes to other giving -- or even more giving. We treasure our belongings; our treasures. Although we're willing to sacrifice our ten percent, going beyond that is pushing it. And we'd better get a receipt so we can write it off on our income taxes.
It's tough for us to read Luke 9:23-26 and hear it the way the original hearers of the words did.
Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels."Of course, we hear the part about taking up our cross and we see the foreshadowing of Jesus' words, but those gathered to hear Him wouldn't have known anything about that. To them, taking up our cross was an allusion to the criminals who were being led out to their crucifixion, bearing on their shoulders and backs that which would eventually kill them.
Jesus is warning His followers that they will have to willingly carry around a great burden which will eventually prove to be their undoing. And if the cross doesn't kill them, then they will feel it's weight all along their journey. But the good news is that compared to the weight of the world, that cross is light. We don't have to live up to the standards of people who can't agree on what the standards are supposed to be. We are to live through the power of the Holy Spirit to love God and love our neighbors, and we uphold one another in that task.
Today we tend to underemphasize the principle of sacrifice in the Church. After all, how are we going to increase church attendance if we tell people they have to drag around a burden as Christians? They'd never go for it! And so we have churches full of people who fill a seat and get their noses counted in attendance and may even put a check in the offering plate, but they have no clue about taking up a cross every day.
One of the traditional lessons the Church has used to teach sacrifice is the celebration of Lent. For the forty days prior to Easter Sunday, a person is encouraged to give up something of value to him. Making that sacrifice for a forty day period is a way to prepare us to celebrate Jesus' ultimate sacrifice for us. But an interesting thing tends to happen. If you're like me, and you've given up, let's say chocolate, for Lent, you abstain for forty days. It's hard at first, but then you don't think about it as much. Then you see the light at the end of the tunnel entering Holy Week. Then right after leaving the church building on Easter Sunday, you're headed home, ready to overdose on chocolate eggs, chocolate bunnies, M&Ms, Hershey bars, or anything even mildly edible so long as it's DIPPED IN CHOCOLATE!!
And the experience is over. You've deprived yourself for forty days, but now you can go back to normal. There's nothing wrong with that lesson, but the sacrifice Jesus calls us to isn't just forty days long -- it's every day for the rest of our lives! Do we really get a grasp of that? At Lent we typically choose something which we may miss a little, but it won't hurt us too badly. (And it's probably something we should be cutting down on anyway.) But taking up our cross daily may entail giving up something, not just to make us feel better, but to take those resources which we would have used another way and instead offer them for God's use.
For example, I've been told numerous times, "I'd like to read the Bible every night, but I just don't have the time to do it." But from what Jesus says, I ask, "What are you willing to give up to make it happen?" The incredulous looks and the gasps are priceless. You see, usually we have time to read the Bible and pray and worship Him and seek His direction... but, American Idol is on! Or we have to read the paper. Or surf a few more blogs. Or go volunteer with the Little League team. It may be a very deserving cause, but is it more important than opening up ten minutes of your busy schedule for your Savior?
But let me get real about cross carrying. What are we willing to give up for Jesus after all He gave up for us? There are the martyrs who have given all for Christ. They continued to stand for Jesus even when threatened with death. They knew that it would soon be over and that they would be standing with Jesus in moments. In Acts, Stephen looked up as he was being executed and saw Jesus in heaven and knew he'd soon be there. Fantastic sacrifices. But at the risk of belittling them, the martyrs often got an immediate reward. What about the sacrifices you are called to make that we have to live with for years and years and years afterward? Are you so willing to make the sacrifice if we know it's not just for forty days, but for a lifetime? What is it that you are holding so dear that you'd rather keep it than give it to God?
Maybe it's your luxuries. Many people give from the abundance of our riches. The fact is that this is how far too many people give to God through the church -- whatever they think they can afford after keeping what they want. "I'll gladly give this to God, provided it doesn't hurt my lifestyle." I read somewhere that if you own a car -- that's just one car -- you're richer than 96 percent of the people of the world. That's just ONE car. How tightly we grip our extravagant lifestyle.
Maybe it's your freedom. We hold tight to our right to decide for ourselves what to do, giving only lip service to seeking God's direction. We don't like to be told we cannot do something or associate with someone. We hate being told we're not good stewards of our time and our talents, but it's usually true. But we hate even more sacrificing what we want.
The sacrifices of bulls and goats didn't accomplish any real salvation. That was accomplished by the one ultimate sacrifice of the perfect Lamb of God. But the nation of Israel was being taught that what they had was not their own, but a gift of God Almighty. Yet even today, we still haven't completely learned that lesson. If we had, would there be any sacrifice too great for our Lord? Would there be any hesistation to take up that cross every morning and drag it around with us all day?
Thursday, September 15, 2005
Making an Impression
I spent much of the day on Monday waiting for a mechanic to fix my pickup. My old Dodge will hit 200,000 miles this month and is starting to show signs of wear. Today it was a long-needed tune up and a replacement switch for my headlights (my night driving had been restricted the past few days!). With all the wear and tear I put on the truck, I'm glad I have a good, honest mechanic to take care of these things for me. I don't have to worry about being told I need a new buckle on the fan belt or that my timing chain is short a quart of grease -- I get the straight story from Greg.
Usually I'll sit and wait for him to finish the work instead of dropping it off and coming back later. Greg's shop doesn't have one of those fancy waiting rooms with cable TV, upholstered chairs and a stack of National Geographics from the late 90's. I sit in the office. The mechanic's office. The floor is cracked concrete with various grease and oil stains. In the winter a space heater warms the room, but when it's hot the center of the place remains empty. Two desks sit on opposite sides of the room. One is the gathering place for the other guys at work to have a smoke or grab a bite to eat. The other desk is Greg's. The computer monitor is almost crowded out by papers, parts books, sparkplugs, bits of hose, cigarettes, Diet Coke cans, empty packages, and assorted pieces which must fit into the average Buick somewhere. My seat is an old chair from a dining room set, long since discarded. I lean back against a large, off-white cabinet, it's doors streaked with reminders of grease-covered hands feeling for the door handle. The walls are covered with a type of wood paneling which dates back a number of years. Since the building is quite old and has had many tenants over the decades, I've often wondered who put up such dark wall coverings. A few assorted signs adorn the walls. Near the door, a dozen different business cards are stapled. The front windows are partially covered by two large sets of blinds, leaving about a foot on either end open to the sunlight. In the rear corner is the restroom with matching wood paneling on the door. The fixtures inside that room are rust-stained, old and small. A hook and eye screw serve as the latch. Near the entrance is the door to the work area. The lighter pressed wood is covered in nonsensical graffiti. Throughout the room is the smell of oil and cigarette smoke.
I feel oddly comfortable in this room. I don't miss having a coffee machine in the corner, as Greg will offer me a Diet Coke from his lunchbox-sized cooler. The grease and oil don't bother me, as I rather expect that from a place full of people elbow-deep in engine parts every day. The rest of the surroundings are just simply a part of the experience. I remember shops like this as a boy, traveling with my Dad to get an oil change or a lube job. Greg's office fits right into my frame of reference. To be honest, a car dealer's waiting room seems much too sterile to have any real work being done there. But I would wager that a sizable majority of people would have the opposite feelings. Most would be uncomfortable with that office and certainly wouldn't sit there for an hour, talking with the workers and reading a book.
On Monday, Greg told me about his weekend at a small business workshop in Indianapolis. He and his wife stayed at the hotel where the workshop was being held. The room cost him $179, and Greg said that it sure wasn't worth it. It was simply a $79 room which happened to be in the right location. The staff was rude to him and the room was no better than the average Motel 6. All that expensive image which went along with the name on the hotel sign meant nothing to Greg. To him it was something akin to putting a tuxedo on a mechanic -- a lot of fancy hoopla covering up the average reality inside.
I've mentioned before that I'm working through Mark Waltz's book, First Impressions: Creating Wow Experiences in Your Church. I may do a few specific blog entries on some of the ways I've either hated or loved his ideas, but for now let me explain the premise. Waltz correctly states that people matter to God. The book is a compilation of various ways his church in Granger, Indiana looks to serve guests. The author talks about not simply average service, but extraordinary things which make a visitor say "Wow!" Most of the things to this simple country pastor seem over the top and showy. It reminds me of trying to put my mechanic friend, Greg, into a tuxedo.
I have no problem per se with things like valet parking, huge atriums, coffee shops with discounts for visitors, armies of greeters stationed in layers or shuttle buses with seats arranged in a U allowing you viewing access to the video presentation of the church's various ministries. Where I have the problem is when we use things like this to impress people. To me, there is a difference between impressing and serving. Comfort is one thing. Luxury is another.
How about these two extremes?
Lakewood Church
This is, of course, the former Compaq Center in Houston which now serves as Lakewood Church. Joel Osteen's flock has been in this building for a few months now. Certainly a large group like Lakewood needs a big building, but this? I can't speak to the luxuries or lack thereof, but I would imagine the facilities are very nice. It doesn't quite seem like a "church" to me, but I can accept it as such. Then there is this:
Isaac Long's Barn
This is where my denomination was born. That's right, we were born in a barn! Back in 1767, Isaac Long's barn was home base for a series of revival meetings. At one meeting the two founders of our denomination first met and a friendship was developed. The barn had a reputation for being used frequently for religious meetings, but it was still a structure built to house animals.
I imagine that somewhere between the two extremes is where we must be. Although my Savior and my denomination were each born in a barn, that doesn't mean we must meet weekly in such surroundings. On the other hand, I wonder exactly how much luxury we should worship in. The church is maintained by gifts which are given to God's service. Is it serving God if we dwell in luxury? Is it the best use of His money?
I read the comments from someone who used to work for a major ministry broadcast and wondered why the facilities needed to be so upper class when some of the donations came from people scrimping and saving on a bare bones income to send a small gift to that ministry. Indeed. I am always wondering if my church is using the money given to God through it in a manner pleasing to Him. I don't want to worship in a barn, but I don't need a palace either. And I realize that everyone isn't comfortable in a dirty, greasy mechanic's office, so I'm not sure exactly how to draw the line.
At the end of it all, it comes back to presenting Jesus Christ. I want everyone present on Sunday morning -- faithful member or visitor -- to meet and experience their Creator. I want people comfortable so that they can concentrate on that experience and not on the stains on the carpet. However I don't want them to go home with a feeling of "Wow!" about the church and no feeling whatsoever about the One we meet together to worship.
Usually I'll sit and wait for him to finish the work instead of dropping it off and coming back later. Greg's shop doesn't have one of those fancy waiting rooms with cable TV, upholstered chairs and a stack of National Geographics from the late 90's. I sit in the office. The mechanic's office. The floor is cracked concrete with various grease and oil stains. In the winter a space heater warms the room, but when it's hot the center of the place remains empty. Two desks sit on opposite sides of the room. One is the gathering place for the other guys at work to have a smoke or grab a bite to eat. The other desk is Greg's. The computer monitor is almost crowded out by papers, parts books, sparkplugs, bits of hose, cigarettes, Diet Coke cans, empty packages, and assorted pieces which must fit into the average Buick somewhere. My seat is an old chair from a dining room set, long since discarded. I lean back against a large, off-white cabinet, it's doors streaked with reminders of grease-covered hands feeling for the door handle. The walls are covered with a type of wood paneling which dates back a number of years. Since the building is quite old and has had many tenants over the decades, I've often wondered who put up such dark wall coverings. A few assorted signs adorn the walls. Near the door, a dozen different business cards are stapled. The front windows are partially covered by two large sets of blinds, leaving about a foot on either end open to the sunlight. In the rear corner is the restroom with matching wood paneling on the door. The fixtures inside that room are rust-stained, old and small. A hook and eye screw serve as the latch. Near the entrance is the door to the work area. The lighter pressed wood is covered in nonsensical graffiti. Throughout the room is the smell of oil and cigarette smoke.
I feel oddly comfortable in this room. I don't miss having a coffee machine in the corner, as Greg will offer me a Diet Coke from his lunchbox-sized cooler. The grease and oil don't bother me, as I rather expect that from a place full of people elbow-deep in engine parts every day. The rest of the surroundings are just simply a part of the experience. I remember shops like this as a boy, traveling with my Dad to get an oil change or a lube job. Greg's office fits right into my frame of reference. To be honest, a car dealer's waiting room seems much too sterile to have any real work being done there. But I would wager that a sizable majority of people would have the opposite feelings. Most would be uncomfortable with that office and certainly wouldn't sit there for an hour, talking with the workers and reading a book.
On Monday, Greg told me about his weekend at a small business workshop in Indianapolis. He and his wife stayed at the hotel where the workshop was being held. The room cost him $179, and Greg said that it sure wasn't worth it. It was simply a $79 room which happened to be in the right location. The staff was rude to him and the room was no better than the average Motel 6. All that expensive image which went along with the name on the hotel sign meant nothing to Greg. To him it was something akin to putting a tuxedo on a mechanic -- a lot of fancy hoopla covering up the average reality inside.
I've mentioned before that I'm working through Mark Waltz's book, First Impressions: Creating Wow Experiences in Your Church. I may do a few specific blog entries on some of the ways I've either hated or loved his ideas, but for now let me explain the premise. Waltz correctly states that people matter to God. The book is a compilation of various ways his church in Granger, Indiana looks to serve guests. The author talks about not simply average service, but extraordinary things which make a visitor say "Wow!" Most of the things to this simple country pastor seem over the top and showy. It reminds me of trying to put my mechanic friend, Greg, into a tuxedo.
I have no problem per se with things like valet parking, huge atriums, coffee shops with discounts for visitors, armies of greeters stationed in layers or shuttle buses with seats arranged in a U allowing you viewing access to the video presentation of the church's various ministries. Where I have the problem is when we use things like this to impress people. To me, there is a difference between impressing and serving. Comfort is one thing. Luxury is another.
How about these two extremes?
Lakewood Church
This is, of course, the former Compaq Center in Houston which now serves as Lakewood Church. Joel Osteen's flock has been in this building for a few months now. Certainly a large group like Lakewood needs a big building, but this? I can't speak to the luxuries or lack thereof, but I would imagine the facilities are very nice. It doesn't quite seem like a "church" to me, but I can accept it as such. Then there is this:
Isaac Long's Barn
This is where my denomination was born. That's right, we were born in a barn! Back in 1767, Isaac Long's barn was home base for a series of revival meetings. At one meeting the two founders of our denomination first met and a friendship was developed. The barn had a reputation for being used frequently for religious meetings, but it was still a structure built to house animals.
I imagine that somewhere between the two extremes is where we must be. Although my Savior and my denomination were each born in a barn, that doesn't mean we must meet weekly in such surroundings. On the other hand, I wonder exactly how much luxury we should worship in. The church is maintained by gifts which are given to God's service. Is it serving God if we dwell in luxury? Is it the best use of His money?
I read the comments from someone who used to work for a major ministry broadcast and wondered why the facilities needed to be so upper class when some of the donations came from people scrimping and saving on a bare bones income to send a small gift to that ministry. Indeed. I am always wondering if my church is using the money given to God through it in a manner pleasing to Him. I don't want to worship in a barn, but I don't need a palace either. And I realize that everyone isn't comfortable in a dirty, greasy mechanic's office, so I'm not sure exactly how to draw the line.
At the end of it all, it comes back to presenting Jesus Christ. I want everyone present on Sunday morning -- faithful member or visitor -- to meet and experience their Creator. I want people comfortable so that they can concentrate on that experience and not on the stains on the carpet. However I don't want them to go home with a feeling of "Wow!" about the church and no feeling whatsoever about the One we meet together to worship.
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
The Curse of a Christian Community
There is a small town near me where I spend the occasional day. The place is full of decent-sized churches (for this area) and the last statistics I've heard is that somewhere around 90 percent of the residents belong to one of the local churches. On the outside, the place would seem idyllic -- a Christian utopia. But I've always wondered about a few things, and I'd love some input from you:
Wouldn't living in a town like this make it tough to think about evangelism? I mean, any unbelievers are pretty much set in their ways. Who do you focus on serving?
Wouldn't such a place breed complacency in the church? How would you remain motivated?
Shouldn't there be an increased emphasis on missions work, especially work out of the local area?
Just one other note... the town has the reputation of being very "clique-ish" and hard to break into. What a sad label to have to place on a so-called Christian town.
Wouldn't living in a town like this make it tough to think about evangelism? I mean, any unbelievers are pretty much set in their ways. Who do you focus on serving?
Wouldn't such a place breed complacency in the church? How would you remain motivated?
Shouldn't there be an increased emphasis on missions work, especially work out of the local area?
Just one other note... the town has the reputation of being very "clique-ish" and hard to break into. What a sad label to have to place on a so-called Christian town.
Saturday, September 10, 2005
Mormon for a Day
Phil Johnson's posts at Pyromaniac this week were both enjoyable and irritating at the same time. He focused on the uproar and furor surrounding the Robert Millet book, Being close to John MacArthur, Johnson offers some great insights into the odd claims of some that the Latter Day Saints are becoming more like Evangelicals (in spite of heaps of evidence to the contrary). Here's the first and here's the second. These are worth a read, if for no other reason than to see how some will ignore context to make a point. Despite Johnson's best efforts, preconceived notions remain preconceived.
It wasn't that many years ago that I was a lazy Christian with no desire to delve into things like doctrine or theology. I was still a newlywed, building a life together with my bride. My faith wasn't really deep. I was happy with a Savior and Protector, provided He didn't intrude too much into the other areas of my life. My spiritual journey was starting to go deeper, but I still wasn't taking it seriously enough. Then one weekend I was asked to join a friend at his church for Sunday morning. I agreed.
I didn't know much about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I knew they did a lot of door-to-door evangelism and that they had some odd beliefs compared to the way I was brought up. But hey, there was "Jesus Christ" right in the name, so how bad could it be? So my wife and I came for the morning service and to get introduced to the Mormons. The church was a couple hours away from where we lived, so it wasn't quite a church shopping visit. Maybe more like a chance to sample a particular ethnic food. It's all food, though... right?
I don't remember everything about the service. In fact, most of it is buried in the back closets of my mind somewhere beneath the answers to my 12th Grade Senior Math final. I remember that the service seemed familiar in format -- hymns, Scripture, offering, speakers. There were three people who stood to give testimonies, no sermon that I remember. What I remember is one speaker who was a girl of high school age who kept repeating something to the effect of, "Why do they think that we aren't Christians? Why do they think we aren't like them?" At the time I wasn't aware that there was any controversy.
I also remember singing from a hymnal filled with songs I'd never heard before. I love to sing and tried to sing along, but the words were somehow wrong. One hymn's lyrics were "Joseph Smith built an altar..." I couldn't even choke the words out. This was just bizarre. Even in my spiritual laziness, God had given me the discernment to understand that this wasn't right. It wasn't glorifying God. It was glorifying Joseph Smith. And who was Joseph Smith, anyway?
After the service we smiled broadly and shook hands with the folks as we departed. They were sure nice people, but I felt a sickening feeling in the pit of my stomach. It was like I had eaten too many cookies or had scarfed down a rotten piece of meat. It wasn't right and I knew it. I didn't know how I knew it or how I could ever explain it, but something was wrong. I thank God for the gift of discernment and that I didn't ignore it.
My friend is still a Mormon. From all I've been able to get from him, He doesn't see the difference between Christianity and Mormonism, except for the extra books in the LDS holy writings. The gift of discernment is either lost or being ignored. The thing is, my friend is being lazy in his spirituality also. The differences between Mormonism and Christianity are huge. Even key terms like "grace alone" and "only begotten Son" have been redefined by the LDS leaders to bolster their own peculiar doctrines. Yet he, and most others with lazy spirituality (in either camp), don't take the time to see, to study, to understand, to differentiate. What a waste of the gifts granted by God. I think of the years I wasted in spiritual laziness and where I could be had I taken my faith seriously, and it brings sorrow to my heart and tears to my eyes. But thank God that He can still use me despite the failures of my past -- especially to warn those who will listen to take their faith and calling seriously.
It wasn't that many years ago that I was a lazy Christian with no desire to delve into things like doctrine or theology. I was still a newlywed, building a life together with my bride. My faith wasn't really deep. I was happy with a Savior and Protector, provided He didn't intrude too much into the other areas of my life. My spiritual journey was starting to go deeper, but I still wasn't taking it seriously enough. Then one weekend I was asked to join a friend at his church for Sunday morning. I agreed.
I didn't know much about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I knew they did a lot of door-to-door evangelism and that they had some odd beliefs compared to the way I was brought up. But hey, there was "Jesus Christ" right in the name, so how bad could it be? So my wife and I came for the morning service and to get introduced to the Mormons. The church was a couple hours away from where we lived, so it wasn't quite a church shopping visit. Maybe more like a chance to sample a particular ethnic food. It's all food, though... right?
I don't remember everything about the service. In fact, most of it is buried in the back closets of my mind somewhere beneath the answers to my 12th Grade Senior Math final. I remember that the service seemed familiar in format -- hymns, Scripture, offering, speakers. There were three people who stood to give testimonies, no sermon that I remember. What I remember is one speaker who was a girl of high school age who kept repeating something to the effect of, "Why do they think that we aren't Christians? Why do they think we aren't like them?" At the time I wasn't aware that there was any controversy.
I also remember singing from a hymnal filled with songs I'd never heard before. I love to sing and tried to sing along, but the words were somehow wrong. One hymn's lyrics were "Joseph Smith built an altar..." I couldn't even choke the words out. This was just bizarre. Even in my spiritual laziness, God had given me the discernment to understand that this wasn't right. It wasn't glorifying God. It was glorifying Joseph Smith. And who was Joseph Smith, anyway?
After the service we smiled broadly and shook hands with the folks as we departed. They were sure nice people, but I felt a sickening feeling in the pit of my stomach. It was like I had eaten too many cookies or had scarfed down a rotten piece of meat. It wasn't right and I knew it. I didn't know how I knew it or how I could ever explain it, but something was wrong. I thank God for the gift of discernment and that I didn't ignore it.
My friend is still a Mormon. From all I've been able to get from him, He doesn't see the difference between Christianity and Mormonism, except for the extra books in the LDS holy writings. The gift of discernment is either lost or being ignored. The thing is, my friend is being lazy in his spirituality also. The differences between Mormonism and Christianity are huge. Even key terms like "grace alone" and "only begotten Son" have been redefined by the LDS leaders to bolster their own peculiar doctrines. Yet he, and most others with lazy spirituality (in either camp), don't take the time to see, to study, to understand, to differentiate. What a waste of the gifts granted by God. I think of the years I wasted in spiritual laziness and where I could be had I taken my faith seriously, and it brings sorrow to my heart and tears to my eyes. But thank God that He can still use me despite the failures of my past -- especially to warn those who will listen to take their faith and calling seriously.
Friday, September 09, 2005
Brain Food - 9/9
After missing much of the beginning of this week, I'm finally getting caught up on some great writing from around the blogisphere. (Or is it blogosphere?) In any case, allow me to call your attention to these:
Kevin at Short Attention Span did some great interaction with a Cal Thomas column chiding people to stop enabling political preachers by sending them money. There are a ton of good points about what our Christian duty is and isn't. Check it out. (A tip of the ol' ball cap to Jeff the Baptist, who found it before I did.)
Hammertime at Team Hammer's Musings is moved to worship by something he never quite understood before in, "He Is Here".
And the tables have turned at Eternal Revolution, well for one post anyway. Chad has done a "pulpit swap" of sorts with I AM of Evangelical Atheist. Want to know how one real-life atheist thinks? Read this. Follow ups are here, here, here, and probably more places.
And of course, there is plenty more to digest at Christian Carnival #85 at Techogypsy.
Kevin at Short Attention Span did some great interaction with a Cal Thomas column chiding people to stop enabling political preachers by sending them money. There are a ton of good points about what our Christian duty is and isn't. Check it out. (A tip of the ol' ball cap to Jeff the Baptist, who found it before I did.)
Hammertime at Team Hammer's Musings is moved to worship by something he never quite understood before in, "He Is Here".
And the tables have turned at Eternal Revolution, well for one post anyway. Chad has done a "pulpit swap" of sorts with I AM of Evangelical Atheist. Want to know how one real-life atheist thinks? Read this. Follow ups are here, here, here, and probably more places.
And of course, there is plenty more to digest at Christian Carnival #85 at Techogypsy.
Thursday, September 08, 2005
A Lost Friend
A little over an hour ago, I found out that I had lost a friend. It wasn't a big argument that finished our friendship. It was a heart attack. Frankly, I'm still in shock. I'm typing this as some kind of catharsis -- a way to process all this -- because this really rips at me.
This afternoon Kenny's wife came home to find him on the couch. Dead. Kenny was about my age, but was at least half a foot taller. Actually I never got to meet him face to face. We passed each other once without knowing it. But we talked and talked through Internet connection. We always talked about wanting to get together, but we were separated by about 1000 miles until about a month ago. He had just relocated to be closer to his daughters who were the lights of his life. But we hadn't met up yet. Now he's gone.
We met through a couple of online bulletin boards for IndyCar fans. Sometimes we were on the same side, sometimes we were debate opponents, but Kenny always treated me with respect. He treated most everybody that way. But Kenny was very outspoken. You knew where he stood on most issues. He didn't mince words. Sometimes the pure emotion of his diatribes got him into trouble, but he was always honest. Refreshingly so.
Kenny was, what I called, a lapsed Catholic. He had a lot of problems with the Church at Rome. Their doctrines conflicted with his liberal politics and that tended to set off his temper. Kenny told me back in '98 that "we would have to sit down and have a long talk." I told him I was always ready, but he kept putting it off. Finally last year, we had an electronic conversation. He had a lot of questions about the Christian faith. It eventually turned into a series of 20 long emails. I still have a copy of that discussion. Looking over the documents, Kenny's questions weren't much different from the questions of any seeker. I answered everything, but still couldn't satisfy the conflicts within his head. The discussion was left open-ended with a promise to continue to consider all I had shared with him.
We hadn't talked much about spiritual matters over the past year. I don't know what was going through his head over the final twelve months of his life, but he didn't share any huge theological epiphanies with me. It's likely he had just pushed it all to the back burner and forgot about it. Now he's gone. The conversation that never really ended is now over.
I don't know where Kenny is now. Not knowing his heart, I certainly can't judge Kenny. I do have my suspicions, but I put my trust in the only perfect Judge who knows the contents of a man's heart.
And I am reminded that it's not my job to bring Kenny into the Kingdom -- it's the Holy Spirit's job. But it still hurts. I am grateful to God for the opportunities I had to share with Kenny and for his receptiveness to what I had to say. I am thankful for his friendship, albeit an electronic one. I am sorry that I didn't get to meet him face to face. But mostly I feel a sense of emptiness because of my lost friend.
This afternoon Kenny's wife came home to find him on the couch. Dead. Kenny was about my age, but was at least half a foot taller. Actually I never got to meet him face to face. We passed each other once without knowing it. But we talked and talked through Internet connection. We always talked about wanting to get together, but we were separated by about 1000 miles until about a month ago. He had just relocated to be closer to his daughters who were the lights of his life. But we hadn't met up yet. Now he's gone.
We met through a couple of online bulletin boards for IndyCar fans. Sometimes we were on the same side, sometimes we were debate opponents, but Kenny always treated me with respect. He treated most everybody that way. But Kenny was very outspoken. You knew where he stood on most issues. He didn't mince words. Sometimes the pure emotion of his diatribes got him into trouble, but he was always honest. Refreshingly so.
Kenny was, what I called, a lapsed Catholic. He had a lot of problems with the Church at Rome. Their doctrines conflicted with his liberal politics and that tended to set off his temper. Kenny told me back in '98 that "we would have to sit down and have a long talk." I told him I was always ready, but he kept putting it off. Finally last year, we had an electronic conversation. He had a lot of questions about the Christian faith. It eventually turned into a series of 20 long emails. I still have a copy of that discussion. Looking over the documents, Kenny's questions weren't much different from the questions of any seeker. I answered everything, but still couldn't satisfy the conflicts within his head. The discussion was left open-ended with a promise to continue to consider all I had shared with him.
We hadn't talked much about spiritual matters over the past year. I don't know what was going through his head over the final twelve months of his life, but he didn't share any huge theological epiphanies with me. It's likely he had just pushed it all to the back burner and forgot about it. Now he's gone. The conversation that never really ended is now over.
I don't know where Kenny is now. Not knowing his heart, I certainly can't judge Kenny. I do have my suspicions, but I put my trust in the only perfect Judge who knows the contents of a man's heart.
And I am reminded that it's not my job to bring Kenny into the Kingdom -- it's the Holy Spirit's job. But it still hurts. I am grateful to God for the opportunities I had to share with Kenny and for his receptiveness to what I had to say. I am thankful for his friendship, albeit an electronic one. I am sorry that I didn't get to meet him face to face. But mostly I feel a sense of emptiness because of my lost friend.
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