Don't we make things so complicated? In our attempts to be more organized or focused we can easily end up complicating things in the name of simplicity or efficiency. We can make being a Christ follower so complicated at times that we feel overwhelmed. I recently came across these videos created by Praxis Church in Tempe, Arizona and thought I'd pass them along. I love there simplicity.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk
Rufus Wainwright’s song, “Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk,” contains the following lyrics:
“Cigarettes and chocolate milk
these are just a couple of my cravings
everything it seems I like's a little bit stronger
a little bit thicker
a little bit harmful for me
if I should buy jellybeans
have to eat them all in just one sitting
everything it seems I like's a little bit sweeter
a little bit fatter
a little bit harmful for me
and then there's those other things
which for several reasons we won't mention
everything about them is a little bit stranger
a little bit harder
a little bit deadly
it isn't very smart
tends to make one part so broken-hearted”
Hedonism seems to be the world’s motto. Most of the time we’re told that true freedom is found in hedonism. If you’re not familiar with the definition of hedonism it goes something like this, “pleasure is the greatest pursuit.” (Hedonism could also be called the devil’s playground.) Rufus Wainwright’s song, “Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk” is a pretty interesting revelation of the progression and temptation of the pleasures this world has to offer. (1 John 2:15-16)
In yesterday’s devotional we talked about our affections, our cravings. In Romans 6 Paul calls us to put away the cravings of the flesh and present our bodies to be instruments of righteousness. Simply put, we’re to take our cravings and submit them to God’s authority. Where my cravings are in conflict with God’s Word, I’m to put those cravings to death. (This isn’t easy.)
So, what’s so the big deal with our little cravings? According to Wainwright’s song these small cravings turn into bigger cravings…harder to put to death, cravings. Consider the following line in Wainwright’s song, “everything it seems I like's a little bit stronger.” Wainwright also writes, “tends to make one part so broken-hearted.” Even he knows that there is always a progression. Eventually, we need more. We need it more frequently. Eventually we’re in the fight of our life, for our life. Sometimes it’s the silliest things that turn into the most deadly things…to our body and our spiritual life. Sin always cost us something. Consider these words from Matthew 16:26, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?”
Where in your life have you already experienced the progression of sin? Where in your life are you letting the silliest things get by? Sometimes, it’s just a little bite from an apple that takes your life.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Tricky. Tricky.
Our culture rewards the proud. The confident. Those with will power. The successful. Success is a dangerous thing. Isn't it strange how fast success can breed arrogance? It always amazes me how we have to guard against arrogance and pride when we achieve any level of success. Whether you experience success in the classroom, the boardroom, or in ministry your heart can easily and quickly give birth to arrogance.
Think about it. You have a few successes and you begin to think more highly of yourself than you should. You have a few successes and other people begin to think more highly of you than they should. People begin to pay attention to you. Pretty soon success and attention lead you to think more highly of yourself and you begin to expect things. Your acclaim begins to feel like a custom made suit. You begin to embrace the esteem of your peers. You begin anticipating it. You expect it.
Eventually your heart grows cold. When you embrace success and believe your own "press" pride almost always stains your heart. This is an unfortunate cycle. Very powerful. Very seductive. Very blinding. You can easily point it out in the lives of other people, but can't see it in your own life.
Unfortunately arrogance eventually isolates you from others. Your arrogance begins to push others away and build bridges people don't think they can cross anymore. At first people placed you on the pedestal. Early on you reluctantly stood on the pedestal. Over time you began to add notches to the pedestal yourself so you could climb higher, where you belong. Eventually you're so far up on the pedestal that people are no longer your concern anymore...you're looking right over the tops of their heads. They've become your means to an end.
A few weeks ago I read the following devotional written by Charles Spurgeon:
"But there the LORD in majesty will be for us a place of broad rivers and streams, where no galley with oars can go, nor majestic ship can pass." Isa. 33:21.
Spurgeon writes, "The Lord will be to us the greatest good without any of the drawbacks which seem necessarily to attend the best earthly things...Lord, if thou send me wealth like broad rivers, do not let the galley with oars come up in the shape of worldliness or pride. If thou grant me abundant health and happy spirits, do not let "the gallant ship" of carnal ease come sailing up the flowing flood...Should I be so supremely happy as to enjoy the light of thy countenance year after year, yet let me never despise thy feeble saints, nor allow the vain notion of my own perfection to sail up the broad rivers of my full assurance."
Lord, protect us from the seduction of success. Forgive us for our pride. We look forward to the day we are able to enjoy all that you have for us without turning in on ourselves with pride and arrogance.
“God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6
Could God oppose me while the world holds me in high esteem?
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Devotional Life
How would you describe your devotional life? Students ask me this question all the time. It seems like we're in search of the right way to spend time pursuing the Lord. I know my own personality tends to be pretty systematic. I like to know what steps I should do or how I should go about something or how someone else goes about something...though I rarely read the instructions/directions to anything.One thing I've learned from asking this question is that it seems to be a little different for everyone. A lot of what your devotional life looks like will depend on your personality. Some people are morning people while others are night owls. Some people enjoy being alone outdoors while others enjoy sitting alone in the library or prayer closet, etc. Some people need to have a routine to ensure they are actively pursuing the Lord. In other words, you've got to do what works best for you. Your devotional life might not look exactly like others.
I do think you need two constants in your devotional life: prayer and the Scriptures. We need to commune with the Lord through prayer and we need to hide God's Word in our heart. Whether we spend this time during the day/night or inside/outside we need to be pursuing the Lord through prayer and Scripture. Additionally, I advocate for reading books that stir your affection for Christ and His Word.
I'd also note that our devotional life isn't just an hour with the Lord in the morning or the evening. It's something we need to walk in throughout the day - walking with Him by the Spirit, as we go.
Just for fun...here are two videos I think you may find interesting:
Friday, October 8, 2010
There is too much noise in my cave!
I read the most unfortunate and disheartening verses today in a very brief opportunity of quietness in my life:“And he said, ‘Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.’ And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind, an earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire, the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, ‘what are you doing here, Elijah?’”
This is an unfortunate text because my life is filled with constant noise. Have you ever stopped to consider how noisy your life is every day? From the sound of my iPhone alarm every morning, to the light going off at the end of the day – nothing but noise. Nearly every morning I wake up to my alarm (with a quick follow-up of the voice of my 1-year-old son, Eli). By the time my alarm goes off in the morning Eli has been asleep longer than he was awake the day before.
I leave my house on most days to meet students for one-on-one discipleship at local coffee shops here where I live – I love this part of my job. I love being able to encourage these young men that God has placed in my life. Sometime around brunch I’ll end up in my office – an office I share with two, sometimes three, other people; people whom I enjoy working with immensely. You can image the noise. Before I know it the afternoon has flown by and it’s home for dinner to see my wife and son. I love my family. I play with Eli for a while and then he’s off to bed. Finally, Cary and I have some time to unwind a little with a sitcom or two. Noise…from the sitcom…not Cary; great conversation with your spouse isn’t noise.
Aren’t all of our days similar to this? Busy. Noisy. Constantly on the go. More than likely we’re doing good things too, right? What about the “still small voice” of God? For a long time I worked hard at stealing time from my schedule during the day for a few moments with the Lord. My spiritual life really became more like multitasking. I recently heard a pastor refer to multitasking as telling the first one to get your attention that they’re not important enough for all of your attention. Wow. My multitasking spiritual life was really sending a message to God that He wasn’t important enough for “all” of my attention. This same pastor said, we get so far away from God that we can’t hear Him or have any sense of Him in our life. We get so far away from Him that we aren’t able to hear His still small voice. We get so busy that we equate busyness for intimacy with God.
I think one of the most difficult things we could do in this life is try and find a place where we can get alone in total solitude. Think about. Where could you go, right now? I’m thinking about my day…1-year-old at home (not asking him to stop acting like a 1-year-old!), share an office with 2, sometimes 3 people (can’t ask them to leave)…ideas? I could rent a hotel room for myself…expensive. I could yell fire somewhere to force everyone else to leave, but that feels like a bad idea! I can’t take a retreat into the mountains everyday…I still have to go to work.
So what can I do? I’m constantly amazed to hear about the spiritual giants of church history and their tenacious pursuit of God, men waking up before the sun to pray and read Scripture. Luther once wrote about his need to spend 2 hours a day in prayer before the Lord. These stories make me wonder…how tenacious am I? How tenacious are you? Do I really want to make time for God? Am I keeping Him at a distance, willingly? I can’t control a lot of the noise in my life...some of it I wouldn't change for anything, but I can get up before it starts.
"There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful, than that of a continual conversation with God. Those only can comprehend it who practice and experience it." -Brother Lawrence
God came to Elijah in a still…small…voice.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Restoration and Redemption
Liberal/Moderates want us to embrace people at the cost of a literal interpretation of Scripture. Just take a look at the headlines…they’re filled with a soft gospel and at least some level of tolerance toward sin. On the other hand, Fundamentalists seem to forget what it means to struggle with sin. They expect others to line up and look the part…at least on the outside…and they extend very little mercy to those who are in an ongoing struggle to overcome sin.
This week I read a blog by Donald Miller. The blog topic was about homosexuality in the church and how it should be handled. The author went on a rant about how the church seems to adopt the “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” military policy when it comes to homosexual temptations and church leaders boast about a Bear Grylls masculinity which isolates those struggling with sexual identity. The author’s main conclusion was, “Got a struggle? Talk about it. If people condemn you, move on to actual followers of Jesus who will not.”
The immediate response from the 100+ commenter’s seemed to fall along the line of tolerating sin at the risk of being intolerant. While I agree with some of the author’s points we need to remember to uphold the Scriptures regarding sin.
The bottom line…we should love people while we’re walking alongside them with a literal interpretation of Scripture…giving them room to be honest about their struggles to overcome sin. Too many times we belittle the struggle and therefore mock those who are struggling. When we do this we close the door on opportunities to minister to people.
Consider these words from Al Mohler’s blog regarding the suicides of four teenager boys connected to disclosures or struggles with homosexuality, “When gay activists accuse conservative Christians of homophobia, they are also right. Much of our response to homosexuality is rooted in ignorance and fear. We speak of homosexuals as a particular class of especially depraved sinners and we lie about how homosexuals experience their own struggle. Far too many evangelical pastors talk about sexual orientation with a crude dismissal or with glib assurances that gay persons simply choose to be gay. While most evangelicals know that the Bible condemns homosexuality, far too many find comfort in their own moralism, consigning homosexuals to a theological or moral category all their own. What if Tyler Clementi had been in your church? Would he have heard biblical truth presented in a context of humble truth-telling and gospel urgency, or would he have heard irresponsible slander, sarcastic jabs, and moralistic self-congratulation? What about Asher and Billy and Seth?”
One church’s motto I’ve read recently goes something like this…”It’s okay to not be okay, but it’s not okay to stay that way.” We’re to love people and take their struggles seriously, but that doesn’t mean we’re to sit back and let them be. After all, the Gospel is “repent and believe”.
If we know someone who is struggling to overcome sin we shouldn’t gloss over his or her struggle. We’re called by Scripture to come alongside them and walk with them toward freedom from that sin. In his blog Mohler continues, “We can only look at this news account and grieve. As Christians, we just have to wonder. Was there no believer to befriend Tyler and, without loving his homosexuality, love him? The homosexual community insists that to love someone is to love their sexual orientation. We know this to be a lie. But no one who loves me should love nor rationalize my sin. The church must be the people who speak honestly about sin because we have first learned by God’s grace to speak honestly of our own.”
1 John 5:18, “We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.”
When is the last time you had a friend call you just to ask how you were doing?
When is the last time you called a friend and asked her if she needed to talk?
When is the last time you were open and honest with someone about a struggle?
A few things we need to remember: All Christians struggle with sin: 1 John 1:8, 10. Sometimes we fall in our struggle against sin: 1 Corinthians 10:13. But, those who indulge in continuous unrepentant sin are not true believers:1 Corinthians 6:9-10.
The church is called to be a place of restoration. We’re called to lift up the Gospel of redemption and lift up people as well.
When our agenda is about anything else…I’m afraid we’re missing it.
I recommend reading Mohler’s blog post I referenced above.
This week I read a blog by Donald Miller. The blog topic was about homosexuality in the church and how it should be handled. The author went on a rant about how the church seems to adopt the “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” military policy when it comes to homosexual temptations and church leaders boast about a Bear Grylls masculinity which isolates those struggling with sexual identity. The author’s main conclusion was, “Got a struggle? Talk about it. If people condemn you, move on to actual followers of Jesus who will not.”
The immediate response from the 100+ commenter’s seemed to fall along the line of tolerating sin at the risk of being intolerant. While I agree with some of the author’s points we need to remember to uphold the Scriptures regarding sin.
The bottom line…we should love people while we’re walking alongside them with a literal interpretation of Scripture…giving them room to be honest about their struggles to overcome sin. Too many times we belittle the struggle and therefore mock those who are struggling. When we do this we close the door on opportunities to minister to people.
Consider these words from Al Mohler’s blog regarding the suicides of four teenager boys connected to disclosures or struggles with homosexuality, “When gay activists accuse conservative Christians of homophobia, they are also right. Much of our response to homosexuality is rooted in ignorance and fear. We speak of homosexuals as a particular class of especially depraved sinners and we lie about how homosexuals experience their own struggle. Far too many evangelical pastors talk about sexual orientation with a crude dismissal or with glib assurances that gay persons simply choose to be gay. While most evangelicals know that the Bible condemns homosexuality, far too many find comfort in their own moralism, consigning homosexuals to a theological or moral category all their own. What if Tyler Clementi had been in your church? Would he have heard biblical truth presented in a context of humble truth-telling and gospel urgency, or would he have heard irresponsible slander, sarcastic jabs, and moralistic self-congratulation? What about Asher and Billy and Seth?”
One church’s motto I’ve read recently goes something like this…”It’s okay to not be okay, but it’s not okay to stay that way.” We’re to love people and take their struggles seriously, but that doesn’t mean we’re to sit back and let them be. After all, the Gospel is “repent and believe”.
If we know someone who is struggling to overcome sin we shouldn’t gloss over his or her struggle. We’re called by Scripture to come alongside them and walk with them toward freedom from that sin. In his blog Mohler continues, “We can only look at this news account and grieve. As Christians, we just have to wonder. Was there no believer to befriend Tyler and, without loving his homosexuality, love him? The homosexual community insists that to love someone is to love their sexual orientation. We know this to be a lie. But no one who loves me should love nor rationalize my sin. The church must be the people who speak honestly about sin because we have first learned by God’s grace to speak honestly of our own.”
1 John 5:18, “We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.”
When is the last time you had a friend call you just to ask how you were doing?
When is the last time you called a friend and asked her if she needed to talk?
When is the last time you were open and honest with someone about a struggle?
A few things we need to remember: All Christians struggle with sin: 1 John 1:8, 10. Sometimes we fall in our struggle against sin: 1 Corinthians 10:13. But, those who indulge in continuous unrepentant sin are not true believers:1 Corinthians 6:9-10.
The church is called to be a place of restoration. We’re called to lift up the Gospel of redemption and lift up people as well.
When our agenda is about anything else…I’m afraid we’re missing it.
I recommend reading Mohler’s blog post I referenced above.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Brilliant Discussion
The following is a brilliant discussion between Francis Chan, Mark Driscoll, and Joshua Harris. I think Mark Driscoll's question regarding Francis Chan's view of sanctification regarding his recent decision to step down from Cornerstone Church is such an important topic facing the church in general. With the recent publication of "Radical" by David Platt, the church is being forced to deal with the balance of wealth and poverty in western culture. The error of the prosperity Gospel also exists in the poverty Gospel. What if God wants to bless you with wealth instead of poverty? God is for our sanctification whether he blesses us with wealth or places us in the middle of poverty. The issue in being blessed with wealth is our generosity with our wealth. Sometimes we fight against the things God might be using for our sanctification. We shouldn't seek poverty for the sake of poverty or wealth for the sake of wealth. We should see how God wants to reveal our need for sanctification in the middle of every circumstance. The problem in the church is our lack of real generosity.
Another brilliant topic of discussion in the video is the idea of discontentment in the church. Should we all just leave the church and start something new if/when we grow discontent? I think too many church plants are being planted by boys who got their feelings hurt and want to go play by themselves. We need church plants, but we need them to be planted by men who are called by God to plant. There is not shame in in being God's man in an existing church. We don't just leave because we think it would be easier to leave and start a new thing. We shouldn't make a move until God does something in our heart.
Another brilliant topic of discussion in the video is the idea of discontentment in the church. Should we all just leave the church and start something new if/when we grow discontent? I think too many church plants are being planted by boys who got their feelings hurt and want to go play by themselves. We need church plants, but we need them to be planted by men who are called by God to plant. There is not shame in in being God's man in an existing church. We don't just leave because we think it would be easier to leave and start a new thing. We shouldn't make a move until God does something in our heart.
What's Next for Francis Chan? A Conversation with Mark Driscoll and Joshua Harris from Ben Peays on Vimeo.
Me Monster Minister
One of my favorite comedians has to be Brian Regan. If you've not seen his stuff you should spend a few hours unwinding with him on YouTube.
I was recently reminded of this particular video after a few friends attended a gathering where they encountered what Regan refers to as a "Me Monster." The "Me Monster" is a person who explicitly or implicitly can't help but talk about themselves. Regan's act is based on the explicit type, but I think the implicit type is a growing blind spot so it seems.
It's been a few days, but after watching this video over and over again with a few friends in my office I feel compelled to write a little about how I've seen Regan's "Me Monster" manifest itself in the life of those who serve in the ministry. (Not a particular minister mind you.)
Regan points out how the need for "one-upmanship" seems to be a part of the human condition and the human condition certainly doesn't get cast aside when you serve in vocational ministry. Let me just go ahead and say that I know there have been times when I too have been a "Me Monster." I'm certainly not writing about this issue from the outside.
I've seen the "Me Monster Minister" syndrome manifest itself in the desperate need for validation. We need a Ph.d., we need to be published, we need a jammed speaking schedule, we need commercials and bill boards. The explicit "Me Monster Minister" craves lights camera action so it seems.
I think the formula for "Me Monster Minister" is at least one part self fulfilling narcissism, one part desperately seeking validation to overcome low self-esteem, and at least one part lights camera action for reasons not entirely known to me other than we like to think much of ourselves.
The most subtle form of the "Me Monster" is the implicit kind. We all have the ability to sit down and point out the explicit "Me Monster" but the implicit "Me Monster" is harder to detect. This implicit leek is like a subtle smell that can be hard to pick up on for a while. First it disguises itself in jockeying for position and it's kept implicit when it's accompanied with applause as a result of some level of success or natural ability. It's even drawn out of us when we receive any level of affirmation from those we look up to and admire. The "Me Monster Minister" begins to believe his own press so to speak. Finally, the "Me Monster Minister" syndrome can be so implicit that it doesn't show itself until one "Me Monster" begins to get more press than the other. It takes one to know one...sometimes.
Humility in ministry isn’t so common. The two most humble guys I've served under are Jack Graham and Ronnie Deal. Both of these men have the highest profile in their church as lead pastor and both seem to be so comfortable in their calling they share their pulpit along with other roles and seek to affirm others rather than hold everything to themselves. Nearly everyone of their church members love them and feel empowered by them because they know these guys love the Lord and aren't allowing the "Me Monster" to breath in their lives.
Think about it this way: If we really believe that God is for us - should we spend so much effort trying to be for ourselves? The "Me Monster" says we need too because God isn't working on my time table or at least He's not doing it big enough.
Finally, a call to humility and prayer. "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!" (Psalm 139:23-24) “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6)
I was recently reminded of this particular video after a few friends attended a gathering where they encountered what Regan refers to as a "Me Monster." The "Me Monster" is a person who explicitly or implicitly can't help but talk about themselves. Regan's act is based on the explicit type, but I think the implicit type is a growing blind spot so it seems.
It's been a few days, but after watching this video over and over again with a few friends in my office I feel compelled to write a little about how I've seen Regan's "Me Monster" manifest itself in the life of those who serve in the ministry. (Not a particular minister mind you.)
Regan points out how the need for "one-upmanship" seems to be a part of the human condition and the human condition certainly doesn't get cast aside when you serve in vocational ministry. Let me just go ahead and say that I know there have been times when I too have been a "Me Monster." I'm certainly not writing about this issue from the outside.
I've seen the "Me Monster Minister" syndrome manifest itself in the desperate need for validation. We need a Ph.d., we need to be published, we need a jammed speaking schedule, we need commercials and bill boards. The explicit "Me Monster Minister" craves lights camera action so it seems.
I think the formula for "Me Monster Minister" is at least one part self fulfilling narcissism, one part desperately seeking validation to overcome low self-esteem, and at least one part lights camera action for reasons not entirely known to me other than we like to think much of ourselves.
The most subtle form of the "Me Monster" is the implicit kind. We all have the ability to sit down and point out the explicit "Me Monster" but the implicit "Me Monster" is harder to detect. This implicit leek is like a subtle smell that can be hard to pick up on for a while. First it disguises itself in jockeying for position and it's kept implicit when it's accompanied with applause as a result of some level of success or natural ability. It's even drawn out of us when we receive any level of affirmation from those we look up to and admire. The "Me Monster Minister" begins to believe his own press so to speak. Finally, the "Me Monster Minister" syndrome can be so implicit that it doesn't show itself until one "Me Monster" begins to get more press than the other. It takes one to know one...sometimes.
Humility in ministry isn’t so common. The two most humble guys I've served under are Jack Graham and Ronnie Deal. Both of these men have the highest profile in their church as lead pastor and both seem to be so comfortable in their calling they share their pulpit along with other roles and seek to affirm others rather than hold everything to themselves. Nearly everyone of their church members love them and feel empowered by them because they know these guys love the Lord and aren't allowing the "Me Monster" to breath in their lives.
Think about it this way: If we really believe that God is for us - should we spend so much effort trying to be for ourselves? The "Me Monster" says we need too because God isn't working on my time table or at least He's not doing it big enough.
Finally, a call to humility and prayer. "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!" (Psalm 139:23-24) “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6)
Friday, August 13, 2010
Crowd or Community?
How many "friends" do you have on Facebook? More than 200? More than 300? More than 500? Now answer me this. How many of those "friends" would you contact right now if you needed help with battling pornography, an eating disorder, depression, temptation, etc.? How fast does your list of "friends" begin to narrow?
Surely you agree that there is a difference between "friends" on Facebook and genuine community? After all, you wouldn’t send a Facebook message to most of your “friends” to reveal your need for help with a serious issue or struggle.
Have you ever stopped to consider the failure of having genuine community in your life?
One major difference between what I call "generic" community and genuine community is honesty. Just like you wouldn’t share your deepest struggles with all our Facebook "friends" you wouldn’t expect all of them to be completely honest with you either, would you? Anyone can update their status with useless advice but how much would you take to heart from those you are "friends" with on Facebook? Not that they would out right lie to you necessarily, but they might not risk a lot to call you on our junk either, right? Sometimes the dress does make you look a little...you know. Not me of course, because I don't where dresses...I'm a dude. As much as we hate to admit it...we need a community with one part honest Abe and one part mercy. If you're really stubborn you might even need a third part slap on the back of the head once in a while.
We see this failure to be honest in community in a BIG way on TV. Any American Idol fans reading along? My wife and I sometimes watch the first couple of weeks of the show. We like to watch when they’re visiting all the major markets across the country to find out who they’re "sending" to Hollywood. So, we see failure in "generic" community in this way. Surely if some of these contestants had genuine community around them someone would have prevented them from going on national television and making a fool out of themselves, right?
So we recognize that we wouldn't contact just anyone of our "friends" on Facebook in our hour of need and we wouldn't really expect legitimate honesty from those we share "generic" community. The thing we need to do now is talk about the role and importance of genuine community according to the Bible.
I once heard Matt Chandler make the following comment regarding Biblical community, "It was not the plan of God in the Scriptures at any point to create a person or group of people, to save a person. He has created and is saving a people."
Now at the end of Acts 2, verses 42-47 describe Biblical community following Peter's sermon. There are several key things we learn about Biblical community: (1) We rejoice with one another when there are times of rejoicing, (2) We mourn with one another when there are times of mourning, (3) Where anyone is in need, we help meet the need.
So while God is in the business of saving people, community is designed to sustain us...in part. We still can't overlook the most essential element of Biblical community: Gospel-Centrality.
Take a look at Romans 15:1-7.
1. You are your brother’s keeper. (V. 1)
We need a place to fight through immaturity. Surely you can think of some mature believers who have given you room over the years to be immature, right? People have put up with you in the past. We've got to learn that church isn’t a spectator sport. Real community requires personal involvement.
2. You need others to “build you up.” (V. 2-3)
We need others to tell us the truth – not just how pretty we are. The fact is you smell and you just can’t recognize it. Additionally, gospel-centered community isn’t self-serving. You need to be a part of this kind of community for the sake of others. We all play a role in helping one another along.
3. You need a gospel-centered community. (V. 4)
We find our hope in the God of the Scriptures alone! Self-help doesn’t work. The aim of gospel-centered community is magnifying Christ and learning how to apply the Gospel to every area of our lives. You also need a place to confess sin and repent from sin.
4. Your life is messy, complicated, and difficult. (V. 5-7)
It’s God working through us where we find strength/encouragement to serve one another through weakness and immaturity rather than seek to kill one another. God is the one who grants us with what we need to live in harmony with one another while working toward further sanctification.
So...
Starting praying for God to lead you toward Biblical Community and get connected to a church! Don’t spend your life moving from church to church. If you've never found one that was right...maybe the common denominator is YOU. Find a place and get involved. Find and join a small group where you can study the Bible and live life with other believers. I'll go even further and suggest that you form or find a same sex discipleship partnership where you can move through issues that might be more appropriate for same sex accountability.
Surely you agree that there is a difference between "friends" on Facebook and genuine community? After all, you wouldn’t send a Facebook message to most of your “friends” to reveal your need for help with a serious issue or struggle.
Have you ever stopped to consider the failure of having genuine community in your life?
One major difference between what I call "generic" community and genuine community is honesty. Just like you wouldn’t share your deepest struggles with all our Facebook "friends" you wouldn’t expect all of them to be completely honest with you either, would you? Anyone can update their status with useless advice but how much would you take to heart from those you are "friends" with on Facebook? Not that they would out right lie to you necessarily, but they might not risk a lot to call you on our junk either, right? Sometimes the dress does make you look a little...you know. Not me of course, because I don't where dresses...I'm a dude. As much as we hate to admit it...we need a community with one part honest Abe and one part mercy. If you're really stubborn you might even need a third part slap on the back of the head once in a while.
We see this failure to be honest in community in a BIG way on TV. Any American Idol fans reading along? My wife and I sometimes watch the first couple of weeks of the show. We like to watch when they’re visiting all the major markets across the country to find out who they’re "sending" to Hollywood. So, we see failure in "generic" community in this way. Surely if some of these contestants had genuine community around them someone would have prevented them from going on national television and making a fool out of themselves, right?
So we recognize that we wouldn't contact just anyone of our "friends" on Facebook in our hour of need and we wouldn't really expect legitimate honesty from those we share "generic" community. The thing we need to do now is talk about the role and importance of genuine community according to the Bible.
I once heard Matt Chandler make the following comment regarding Biblical community, "It was not the plan of God in the Scriptures at any point to create a person or group of people, to save a person. He has created and is saving a people."
Now at the end of Acts 2, verses 42-47 describe Biblical community following Peter's sermon. There are several key things we learn about Biblical community: (1) We rejoice with one another when there are times of rejoicing, (2) We mourn with one another when there are times of mourning, (3) Where anyone is in need, we help meet the need.
So while God is in the business of saving people, community is designed to sustain us...in part. We still can't overlook the most essential element of Biblical community: Gospel-Centrality.
Take a look at Romans 15:1-7.
1. You are your brother’s keeper. (V. 1)
We need a place to fight through immaturity. Surely you can think of some mature believers who have given you room over the years to be immature, right? People have put up with you in the past. We've got to learn that church isn’t a spectator sport. Real community requires personal involvement.
2. You need others to “build you up.” (V. 2-3)
We need others to tell us the truth – not just how pretty we are. The fact is you smell and you just can’t recognize it. Additionally, gospel-centered community isn’t self-serving. You need to be a part of this kind of community for the sake of others. We all play a role in helping one another along.
3. You need a gospel-centered community. (V. 4)
We find our hope in the God of the Scriptures alone! Self-help doesn’t work. The aim of gospel-centered community is magnifying Christ and learning how to apply the Gospel to every area of our lives. You also need a place to confess sin and repent from sin.
4. Your life is messy, complicated, and difficult. (V. 5-7)
It’s God working through us where we find strength/encouragement to serve one another through weakness and immaturity rather than seek to kill one another. God is the one who grants us with what we need to live in harmony with one another while working toward further sanctification.
So...
Starting praying for God to lead you toward Biblical Community and get connected to a church! Don’t spend your life moving from church to church. If you've never found one that was right...maybe the common denominator is YOU. Find a place and get involved. Find and join a small group where you can study the Bible and live life with other believers. I'll go even further and suggest that you form or find a same sex discipleship partnership where you can move through issues that might be more appropriate for same sex accountability.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Jesus said it would be like this
In John 16:33 Jesus said, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have trouble. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Difficult days will come. When they do we can have peace because Chris alone has overcome the world. The peace of Christ comforts us because He alone is in control. It's the times of trouble that force us to deal with the fact that we are not in control and we need Christ to carry us.
So, when troubles times come take heart and remember…
1. Remember that God is the author of life.
Psalm 139
Where shall I go from your Spirit…even the darkness is not dark to you… you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.
2. Remember God’s benefits promised to you.
Psalm 103:2-5
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
3. Remember that God works for your good.
Ecclesiastes 3
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven…He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.
4. Remember God’s love and provision for you.
John 3:16
For this is how God loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
5. Remember God’s promise for those who are in Christ.
Revelation 21:3-4
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.
God fulfills ALL of these promises through Christ.
1 John 3:1, “See how great a love the father has lavished on us that we might be called the children of God.”
Difficult days will come. When they do we can have peace because Chris alone has overcome the world. The peace of Christ comforts us because He alone is in control. It's the times of trouble that force us to deal with the fact that we are not in control and we need Christ to carry us.
So, when troubles times come take heart and remember…
1. Remember that God is the author of life.
Psalm 139
Where shall I go from your Spirit…even the darkness is not dark to you… you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.
2. Remember God’s benefits promised to you.
Psalm 103:2-5
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
3. Remember that God works for your good.
Ecclesiastes 3
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven…He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.
4. Remember God’s love and provision for you.
John 3:16
For this is how God loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
5. Remember God’s promise for those who are in Christ.
Revelation 21:3-4
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.
God fulfills ALL of these promises through Christ.
1 John 3:1, “See how great a love the father has lavished on us that we might be called the children of God.”
Friday, June 25, 2010
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Church Membership, really?
I recently sold my road bike. Over the years I've owned a Cannondale and a Specialized road bike. Through the years I've had an on-again-off-again love relationship with cycling. The height of this relationship usually came around the months of May and July every year. In May you have the Giro d'Italia and in July you have Le Tour de France. I've been riding bikes since I was a kid and as an adult I was finally able to afford a couple of very nice road bikes at different times. My favorite part of riding was climbing. My favorite part of climbing was grinding out the gears to make it to the top...mind over matter. I loved it all. The peloton...the strategy...I used to dream about being a domestique on the tour. Anyone remember "the look" Armstrong gave Ullrich? Amazing.
Now for the off again part...while watching these two races every year and reading Lance Armstrong's biography I couldn't help but feel the adrenaline begin to pump...right up until the point I clipped in and realized it was 110 outside. The bottom line was...there was a pretty big gap between the idea and the reality of being a cyclist. So I had a road bike and all of the necessary gear, but compared to Lance Armstrong or anyone else you might actually see on the road...I wasn't really a committed cyclist.
Wait a minute...didn't the title of this post include something about church membership? Yes...so here we go. For me, cycling was a romantic idea that I didn't really have the discipline to follow through on. I think there is a similar situation facing the idea of church membership.
Now don't get me wrong, a lot of churches proudly display their membership numbers...some even hang the number in the sanctuary along with last weeks offering amount. For the most part churches boast of membership numbers that do not reflect the actual number of people sitting on the pew or in the chair. I believe the norm is about 50%. On average if a church has 100 members you'll have around 50 people coming each Sunday. I think the fact that churches don't take their membership numbers seriously tells us they don't take membership seriously.
For the most part, we don't value church membership anymore because we don't value living on mission. It used to be that believers would join together as a body for the purpose of building one another up. Early Christians needed help and support to work toward holiness and to maintain their focus in spite of difficult circumstances brought about by a counter-cultural mission for the Gospel. When living on mission cost you something you need the love and support of those in the battle with you.
Like my relationship with cycling, most of us are on board with the idea of church membership because it's biblical, but we're not on board with the mission that in it necessitates the benefits of being a member of a local body of believers. So what would you say if someone asked you why he or she should be a member of a Bible believing church? We need accountability as we pursue holiness and we need support to remain faithful to the mission God has called us to. Every position on a cycling team is important...every rider has a role in strategy and team goals...there is no waisted position on the team...everyone depends on one another to be able to finish strong. To be on the team you have to be on the bike.
Now for the off again part...while watching these two races every year and reading Lance Armstrong's biography I couldn't help but feel the adrenaline begin to pump...right up until the point I clipped in and realized it was 110 outside. The bottom line was...there was a pretty big gap between the idea and the reality of being a cyclist. So I had a road bike and all of the necessary gear, but compared to Lance Armstrong or anyone else you might actually see on the road...I wasn't really a committed cyclist.
Wait a minute...didn't the title of this post include something about church membership? Yes...so here we go. For me, cycling was a romantic idea that I didn't really have the discipline to follow through on. I think there is a similar situation facing the idea of church membership.
Now don't get me wrong, a lot of churches proudly display their membership numbers...some even hang the number in the sanctuary along with last weeks offering amount. For the most part churches boast of membership numbers that do not reflect the actual number of people sitting on the pew or in the chair. I believe the norm is about 50%. On average if a church has 100 members you'll have around 50 people coming each Sunday. I think the fact that churches don't take their membership numbers seriously tells us they don't take membership seriously.
For the most part, we don't value church membership anymore because we don't value living on mission. It used to be that believers would join together as a body for the purpose of building one another up. Early Christians needed help and support to work toward holiness and to maintain their focus in spite of difficult circumstances brought about by a counter-cultural mission for the Gospel. When living on mission cost you something you need the love and support of those in the battle with you.
Like my relationship with cycling, most of us are on board with the idea of church membership because it's biblical, but we're not on board with the mission that in it necessitates the benefits of being a member of a local body of believers. So what would you say if someone asked you why he or she should be a member of a Bible believing church? We need accountability as we pursue holiness and we need support to remain faithful to the mission God has called us to. Every position on a cycling team is important...every rider has a role in strategy and team goals...there is no waisted position on the team...everyone depends on one another to be able to finish strong. To be on the team you have to be on the bike.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Greater Vision
I've worn glasses nearly all of my life. Over the years I've tried to switch from glasses to contacts multiple times, but just can't handle poking myself in the eye every morning...not the best way to start my day. With that said, every year I usually end up at my doctor's office for a check-up to see if I need a new prescription to maintain clear vision. I wonder if we need to do the same with our personal life from time-to-time? If we don't check-up once in a while we'll find that we're pretty far off course.
I'm not going to say that all of us should pick up and move, but we shouldn't pass on the call to reach the nations though we might not be called to move to them! So what does this mean? Simply put, we should embrace the call to reach the nations! This has to change the way we live doesn't it? If we live with a mission to reach the nations we'll live with a greater purpose. Living with this purpose will change the way we spend our money and the way we make all kinds of decisions. I think there are a few simple questions we can ask to help us take a step in the right direction...First, we should ask God to break our heart for the things that break His. Second, we should make plans to go to the nations when we get a chance to take a trip. Third, we should send money in partnership with organizations who are reaching the nations with the Gospel. The bottom line question of all questions to consider..."How can I leverage all that I've been given to accomplish the most I can for the call God has given us all for the nations?"
Platt writes, "God has an ulterior motive in blessing us...we are not the end of His grace." So, let's not stand on the edge of the mighty call of God with the vision of bat.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Blessed To Be A Blessing
Have you ever stopped to consider what God has called you to do with your life? Is it all for you or for some greater purpose? It's easy to get caught up in your own life and carried away in your own goals and plans, but what should we be doing? We've all heard that we're supposed to look forward to hearing the Lord say, "Well done" but for what? What are we supposed to do in order to have those words spoke over us as we stand before the Lord? Work hard? Raise a family? Serve the church?It's easy to get caught up in great plans. So easy that most of the time we get caught up in the plans and never really do anything. I'd venture a guess that the Lord isn't going to say "Well done" for the things that many of us think we are doing to deserve those words. I think, rather than getting caught up in grand plans or epic movements we should consider what God has called us to do.
God calls us all to make much of him, much of others and to make disciples. God calls each one of us to a personal relationship with Him through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. God has gone to extraordinary measures to reconcile us to Himself through the blood of Christ. Our foremost call is to be centered and content in our relationship with God. Secondly, God has called us to make much of others. Specifically God calls us to love others as much as we love ourselves. We're to serve others and expect nothing in return. We're to live in such a way as to recognize that there are other people living on this planet other than ourselves. We're blessed to be a blessing! Finally, we are called to make disciples. We're called to share the Gospel with others and walk with them as they grow in their relationship with Christ.
It's important to understand how these three general calls go hand-in-hand. Our relationship with God is of first importance and through this relationship God-The Holy Spirit empowers us to do everything else we're called to do. First, we're called to be still and know that He is God. Then the Holy Spirit transforms us to know and love God, compels us to love others, and empowers us to share the Gospel and make disciples.
I think the answers to the following questions serve as the foundation for which we can expect to hear the words, "Well done:"
How is you're personal relationship with Jesus?
How are you serving others? You're blessed to be a blessing!
With whom are you sharing the gospel and teaching God's Word?
I think the answers to the following questions serve as the foundation for which we can expect to hear the words, "Well done:"
How is you're personal relationship with Jesus?
How are you serving others? You're blessed to be a blessing!
With whom are you sharing the gospel and teaching God's Word?
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Eli loves YouTube!
Thought I would share Eli's favorite YouTube video with you. This afternoon Cary has been having lunch with a group of girls from her table group from Freedom. Needless to say, Eli and I have a lot fun when mom's away...
Friday, April 30, 2010
Friday is Fun Day!
Friday is my favorite day! I know what you're thinking...TGIF, right? I love Friday because it's my day with Eli! During the rest of the week I only get to spend a couple hours a day with him. I usually get to feed him breakfast in the mornings and get to see him for dinner in the evenings just before bed. Although lately we've started seeing each other a couple mornings a week around 4:30. Eli doesn't like to be on his back and he's finally mobile enough to roll over...once. So, I usually hear him crying at about 4:30 because he's on his back. It's like he wakes up and doesn't know why he's look up at the ceiling.
So you can see why I love the opportunity to have Friday off every week. I'm also thankful to know that Cary is at home with him throughout the day. I know we're lucky to be able to have her with him. I'm grateful that both of us aren't out all week working outside the home only seeing him before daycare and a couple hours before bed time in the evenings. I know it's hard for those of you who might not be able to have it setup this way.
Gotta go...Eli's trying to get my attention with his "hurry up, dad let's play" scream!
Pastor?
So over the past year I've been thinking a lot about pastoral ministry. I'm beginning to feel more certain that God is calling me to serve in this capacity. It's funny how God works. After being certain that I would be in youth ministry, he called me to college ministry.
When Cary and I moved to Fort Worth for seminary I was sure that college ministry would be my life long vocation. Actually, I used to get frustrated when people would ask me what I was going to do after college ministry. I guess their initial thoughts were that you could only be in college ministry as long as you could pull of a faux-hawk, soul-patch, and skinny jeans. (I've never warn skinny jeans.) I didn't know that I couldn't be a college minister forever so I hadn't ever thought about it. After all, Louie Giglio is 50+ and he's still involved in college ministry!
So through the past year I've been talking to folks who are currently in pastoral ministry. I've had the opportunity to serve with some great guys through the years. Recently, I met with my pastor to discuss this call and to pick his brain a little. It was a great, affirming lunch meeting. This is the second time that we've met to talk about ministry and there are two things that he said that I want to pass along to whoever reads this...
1. We need to know the difference between trepidation and the influence of the Holy Spirit. Never allow trepidation to prevent you from making a decision. We've got to learn to trust the Holy Spirit's call whether he's opening or closing a door.
2. If we believe in the sovereignty of God like we say we do then we have to believe that there isn't anyone in your life that God hasn't placed there for a reason. Like I've already mentioned above God has placed some really solid men in my life that have helped me and are still helping me along the way.
Finally, I want to let you in on a very good blog I just discovered courtesy of Nine Marks. The blog, Practical Shepherding, looks like a great resource for young pastors and those considering the call to pastoral ministry. Here is an entry that I found beneficial:
How do I know if I am called into pastoral ministry?
April 22, 2010 by Brian Croft
http://briancroft.wordpress.com/
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