These are two questions that often come up in life. The circumstances that come about that lead to the asking of these two questions are endless, meaning it can be for good or for bad. The reason why these questions are so important for me to think about is it shows within myself a lack of understanding, a weakness. The fact is there are things that i cannot and will not ever understand. I don't know why things happen the way they do.
The question is often asked, 'If God is all-powerful and He is good, then why is there evil and suffering." If my response towards this question were to be anything besides "I have no idea" then my speech is shallow and full of fluff. But what do you say when you are hurting and the one person you love more than anyone else in the world is hurting? How am I supposed to be there for her when I hold NO ANSWERS! Sure I could say, "God works all things for good for those who love him and are called according to his purpose." I could also say, "Somehow this pain is bringing God glory." Or I could say, "Because of our choice to sin it leads to death." While these may be true, to the hearer it can be deeply hurtful... especially if they already know these truths.
All I can do is sit, hold her, and weep. There is no answer within me. I cannot fix this. The greatest thing i can do is be quick to listen and very slow to speak (assuming i speak at all).
From my perspective, the beauty in it all is I don't have to know why or how. I don't have to know God's reasoning in order to know that He has a reason. I know this because I know HIM! "I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith." Philippians 3:7-9
I don't know How or Why things happen the way they do. But God knows... and I know Him. In this I have a living hope.
"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, the the former things have passed away. And he who was seated on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new."
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Thursday, November 6, 2008
The Bride
With all the political excitement that has gone on this week. I think i will spin off this hot topic and spend time on something a little more important. Don't get me wrong, i think politics are important but this issue which i intend to address deserves careful thought.
As this election process has gone on, i have noticed an over-whelming amount of political blog posts discussing crucial issues such as abortion, homosexual marriages, and our broken economy. Don't get me wrong, I think these issues need to be written about at some level. However, my aim is not to discuss these issues but to point out what the discussion of these issues has done to brothers and sisters in Christ. I have seen guys that call themselves Christians straight up bad mouth their brothers, sisters, and the church as a whole. So it is not politics that has been my concern, but the division that i see it has caused between believers.
Before i get into what has been heavy on my heart i want to throw out a few questions regarding the church (I will use the terms church and people of God interchangeably). The answering of these questions is what has been on my heart:
Within the Scriptures, what terms do the authors use to describe the church?
Why and for whom did Christ die? God's glory is a given... next!
In Paul's address to the churches in the New Testament, what title does he ascribe to them?
First, the terms that I see used when talking about the people of God are numerous. These few come to mind: ambassadors, royal priesthood, holy nation, disciples, and most amazingly,the bride. Does anyone find in Scripture where God refers to us as stupid, jacked up, or slutty? If there is no where in Scripture where Jesus refers to his bride in a derogatory way, then why do we? This has recently slapped me in the face. If I bad mouth the church. I am bad mouthing Jesus' bride. I am not quite married yet but if someone talks bad about my fiance, I am ready to battle. This leads me to the second question, let us never begin to tear down the bride for whom Jesus laid down his life. I know if i was Jesus (which i am not) that would make me furious. One of my favorite modern day theologians said, "Yeah she may look gritty but When her man come back she gonna look so pretty - She the Church You might see her acting crazy, be patient with her tho cause she still God's baby - She the Church
Before you dis her get to know her, Jesus got a thing fo her and He died just to show her ." None other than Lecrae...
Finally, In Paul's letter to the church at Corinth, he refers to the people there as saints. This is a church that was plagued by immorality. As a matter of fact, from the first letter to the second letter, there seems to be strong similarities in the content of his message. Why is that? Because they didn't get it the first time! The Corinthians were over run with division and they thought the more they sinned the more Jesus was pleased to save. I don't know if we would say we believe that but maybe if we are honest, do we live like this?
I think we recognize that there are many things that plague the church today. Our tendency has been to just drop the church, church structure, and move on. But don't you see that it was a lack of church structure that hindered the Corinthian church. It was what Paul was working toward all along. My prayer is that we wouldn't have the mentality to disregard the church just because we are frustrated. If God still calls us saints, are we justified in calling the church anything else?
I plan to write on this issue at length at some point but i just felt a need to plead with my fellow brothers and sisters not to trash the bride even thought it seems that she has lost her mind. I know there are things that need to be fixed within the church. But abandoning the bride is not the answer. If we will keep in mind, the church is made up of redeemed people who are a work in progress. It is only natural that the church would be a work in progress as well.
As this election process has gone on, i have noticed an over-whelming amount of political blog posts discussing crucial issues such as abortion, homosexual marriages, and our broken economy. Don't get me wrong, I think these issues need to be written about at some level. However, my aim is not to discuss these issues but to point out what the discussion of these issues has done to brothers and sisters in Christ. I have seen guys that call themselves Christians straight up bad mouth their brothers, sisters, and the church as a whole. So it is not politics that has been my concern, but the division that i see it has caused between believers.
Before i get into what has been heavy on my heart i want to throw out a few questions regarding the church (I will use the terms church and people of God interchangeably). The answering of these questions is what has been on my heart:
Within the Scriptures, what terms do the authors use to describe the church?
Why and for whom did Christ die? God's glory is a given... next!
In Paul's address to the churches in the New Testament, what title does he ascribe to them?
First, the terms that I see used when talking about the people of God are numerous. These few come to mind: ambassadors, royal priesthood, holy nation, disciples, and most amazingly,the bride. Does anyone find in Scripture where God refers to us as stupid, jacked up, or slutty? If there is no where in Scripture where Jesus refers to his bride in a derogatory way, then why do we? This has recently slapped me in the face. If I bad mouth the church. I am bad mouthing Jesus' bride. I am not quite married yet but if someone talks bad about my fiance, I am ready to battle. This leads me to the second question, let us never begin to tear down the bride for whom Jesus laid down his life. I know if i was Jesus (which i am not) that would make me furious. One of my favorite modern day theologians said, "Yeah she may look gritty but When her man come back she gonna look so pretty - She the Church You might see her acting crazy, be patient with her tho cause she still God's baby - She the Church
Before you dis her get to know her, Jesus got a thing fo her and He died just to show her ." None other than Lecrae...
Finally, In Paul's letter to the church at Corinth, he refers to the people there as saints. This is a church that was plagued by immorality. As a matter of fact, from the first letter to the second letter, there seems to be strong similarities in the content of his message. Why is that? Because they didn't get it the first time! The Corinthians were over run with division and they thought the more they sinned the more Jesus was pleased to save. I don't know if we would say we believe that but maybe if we are honest, do we live like this?
I think we recognize that there are many things that plague the church today. Our tendency has been to just drop the church, church structure, and move on. But don't you see that it was a lack of church structure that hindered the Corinthian church. It was what Paul was working toward all along. My prayer is that we wouldn't have the mentality to disregard the church just because we are frustrated. If God still calls us saints, are we justified in calling the church anything else?
I plan to write on this issue at length at some point but i just felt a need to plead with my fellow brothers and sisters not to trash the bride even thought it seems that she has lost her mind. I know there are things that need to be fixed within the church. But abandoning the bride is not the answer. If we will keep in mind, the church is made up of redeemed people who are a work in progress. It is only natural that the church would be a work in progress as well.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
True Community
I love people. I like to be around people and getting to know their background. I like sitting down with a person and listen to their view on the world, Jesus, and whatever else. But i have come to a shocking realization in my own life that i think many people can resonate with. I am absolutely terrified for someone to truly know me. If you know me at all, you will be able to see that i usually dont blog or journal about something in length unless i have wrestled through it for some time. This is one of those times. It seems as though every sermon i hear, passage i read, or person i talk to all at some point or another turn or point toward true community.
I just started Seminary about a month ago and i am really enjoying it so far. One of the things that is required of students is the involvement in a Spiritual Formations group. Basically its a community group (there is that word again) where we meet together and talk about struggles, thoughts, and offer encouragement to one another. So needless to say, the theme of community has been a reoccurring thing in my life for some time now. I was just slapped in the face with this today that i am in desperate need to be lifted up at times. The past few years i have been in a ministry position and i was constantly investing in students lives and offering my two cents and prayers. I have a questoin: When did we get to the point where we have to act like we have it all together?
I just had one of the sweetest, Christ centered moments with a friend of mine. His name is Robert and we have been friends for about 3 years. I admire him because i can see that he truly loves Jesus. I was telling him that sense i moved to Dallas i have been really uneasy. For the first time in my life i am starting to struggle with the sin of worry and anxiety... as if Jesus, the sovereign ruler doesn't know what he is doing. I told Robert my struggles: worry, anxiety, financial stress, balancing school, work, fiancee, family, and friends (not necessarily in that order). I am at a completely different place right now than i have ever been before. The kicker is... I know that no matter what I will have all i need in Christ, that he will meet my needs and that he is trust worthy! But I knew all these things! I didnt feel like i needed any type of brother or sister to tell me that because i know these things! But something happened tonight.. although i knew this truth, hearing come from Robert's mouth totally knocked me on my butt.
Robert told me that in those moments where you feel anxious, when you don't know how you are going to make ends meet, when you dont have a stocked refrigerator and you might have to sacrifice a meal that you find what you really need. See i have fooled myself into thinking security is ultimate. I have made a little god out of being financially stable with no worry of where money for food is going to come from. Now granted i am still very blessed. I am still richer than the majority of the worlds population where an entire family lives on $3 a day. Not saying that boastfully... i just recognize that i could be a lot worse off. What is really sweet about this is since i began struggling with these things, when i get in my Word it is a sweet time between be and Jesus. God is showing me that although i may not be as comfortable as i would like, he is everything that i need! What better way is there to teach me that he is sufficient than to strip me of some luxuries in order that he might show me the glorious riches of his grace? There is none!
Through true, genuine community i learned that i am in desperate need of community. It is okay if i am not okay. It is okay if i have struggles. It is through my struggles that God has shown me that i may not have much... but i have him! So for the season, or for the rest of my life (however long God chooses to allow me to stay in this spot), I will continually be reminded of God's mercy. What once looked so horrible to me, financial insecurity, has become a warm blanket of God's mercy to my soul.
I just started Seminary about a month ago and i am really enjoying it so far. One of the things that is required of students is the involvement in a Spiritual Formations group. Basically its a community group (there is that word again) where we meet together and talk about struggles, thoughts, and offer encouragement to one another. So needless to say, the theme of community has been a reoccurring thing in my life for some time now. I was just slapped in the face with this today that i am in desperate need to be lifted up at times. The past few years i have been in a ministry position and i was constantly investing in students lives and offering my two cents and prayers. I have a questoin: When did we get to the point where we have to act like we have it all together?
I just had one of the sweetest, Christ centered moments with a friend of mine. His name is Robert and we have been friends for about 3 years. I admire him because i can see that he truly loves Jesus. I was telling him that sense i moved to Dallas i have been really uneasy. For the first time in my life i am starting to struggle with the sin of worry and anxiety... as if Jesus, the sovereign ruler doesn't know what he is doing. I told Robert my struggles: worry, anxiety, financial stress, balancing school, work, fiancee, family, and friends (not necessarily in that order). I am at a completely different place right now than i have ever been before. The kicker is... I know that no matter what I will have all i need in Christ, that he will meet my needs and that he is trust worthy! But I knew all these things! I didnt feel like i needed any type of brother or sister to tell me that because i know these things! But something happened tonight.. although i knew this truth, hearing come from Robert's mouth totally knocked me on my butt.
Robert told me that in those moments where you feel anxious, when you don't know how you are going to make ends meet, when you dont have a stocked refrigerator and you might have to sacrifice a meal that you find what you really need. See i have fooled myself into thinking security is ultimate. I have made a little god out of being financially stable with no worry of where money for food is going to come from. Now granted i am still very blessed. I am still richer than the majority of the worlds population where an entire family lives on $3 a day. Not saying that boastfully... i just recognize that i could be a lot worse off. What is really sweet about this is since i began struggling with these things, when i get in my Word it is a sweet time between be and Jesus. God is showing me that although i may not be as comfortable as i would like, he is everything that i need! What better way is there to teach me that he is sufficient than to strip me of some luxuries in order that he might show me the glorious riches of his grace? There is none!
Through true, genuine community i learned that i am in desperate need of community. It is okay if i am not okay. It is okay if i have struggles. It is through my struggles that God has shown me that i may not have much... but i have him! So for the season, or for the rest of my life (however long God chooses to allow me to stay in this spot), I will continually be reminded of God's mercy. What once looked so horrible to me, financial insecurity, has become a warm blanket of God's mercy to my soul.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Teaching
For the past several years, i have done a lot of leading worship through music. I really enjoy doing it. I love to see the body of Christ come together and seek God in worship through music. It breaks my heart that some people's (even mine at times)worship is limited to a certain day... but that is another post. All this time that i have been leading worship there is something within me that longs and desires to teach. I won't lie, this scares me a little because teachers are judged more harshly than others and i do my fair share of sinning, but i am no longer a sinner. It is no longer who I am but something I do. My heart yearns to be rid of it!
So having these desires within me to teach have waged war in me because i long to be a good teacher and i have no idea what it takes to be a good teacher. I don't mean a good speaker who doesn't use too many fillers. I mean a dynamic communicator who has the ability to proclaim the Gospel in a way that people can understand. I know ultimately it is the Holy Spirit that speaks so i can say things that are barely English and the Holy Spirit can make them clear.
What I have come to realize is this.. the development of gifts, like salvation, is a process that gets better the more i do it. I am being transformed from one degree of glory to another. I am a work in progress of becoming more like Jesus.
So i doubt i have faithful readers of this blog... that is not the reason i began writing this blog. I just need to know for anyone who comes across this post... what does it take to be a good teacher/communicator? What is it that set Jesus apart in his teaching. Okay maybe Jesus is a pretty hard teacher to follow. But what about guys like Matt Chandler, Mark Driscoll, Francis Chan, Louie Giglio, or John Piper? What is it that makes these guys good teachers/communicators?
So having these desires within me to teach have waged war in me because i long to be a good teacher and i have no idea what it takes to be a good teacher. I don't mean a good speaker who doesn't use too many fillers. I mean a dynamic communicator who has the ability to proclaim the Gospel in a way that people can understand. I know ultimately it is the Holy Spirit that speaks so i can say things that are barely English and the Holy Spirit can make them clear.
What I have come to realize is this.. the development of gifts, like salvation, is a process that gets better the more i do it. I am being transformed from one degree of glory to another. I am a work in progress of becoming more like Jesus.
So i doubt i have faithful readers of this blog... that is not the reason i began writing this blog. I just need to know for anyone who comes across this post... what does it take to be a good teacher/communicator? What is it that set Jesus apart in his teaching. Okay maybe Jesus is a pretty hard teacher to follow. But what about guys like Matt Chandler, Mark Driscoll, Francis Chan, Louie Giglio, or John Piper? What is it that makes these guys good teachers/communicators?
Sunday, June 8, 2008
I once was blind, but now i see
Well I have been out at Andrews, Tx for 2 weeks now. I am really missing my family, friends, adopted family in Brownwood, and my girl friend. Its kinda one of those feelings where you know you are in the right place because you are out of your comfort zone. I have a peace about being here in Andrews and yet my heart is torn because i miss Brownwood. I miss Coggin Ave. Baptist. Don't get me wrong, FBC Andrews is awesome but Coggin was my home for 4 years and i poured my self into students there that i now miss dearly. But to every season turn, turn, turn... I know that there are a new set of students that i can invest in. I can be a fresh voice here and an encouragement to Billy and Lindz.
Today i was at my house (a lovely couple here in Andrews decided they wanted to try and house and feed me... great people) flipping around on tv. I found a DVD and popped it in. It was the recent movie Amazing Grace. This was my second time to see it and it was just as good. The story is absolutely amazing to me. To see the burden that William Wilberforce had for slaves and his passion to see them set free made me start questioning my life. Why do I not have a passion on my heart like he did? What if God has called me to something that he has set for me to do and I am wasting time? My prayer is God give me ears to hear, eyes to see, and lips to proclaim.
The famous line "I once was blind but now i see" that could be my call. To proclaim that hey i dont know a whole lot but i do know that i once was blind but now i see. The beauty of it is, i do not take part in this alone. This is the call of every believer and it is the one of UTMOST importance. Every time i hear the song Amazing Grace (the oldie and the my chains are gone version) my spirit is stirred. We as Christians often ask God to do a work in us and ignite a passion. But when he does... what do we do with it? We usually say.. once i get done with my education, then i will be ready to take on this call. But lets be honest... Jesus has used some of the most social awkward and down right weird people to do great things for his glory.
I am confident that Christ WILL make known his name in all the earth. Sometimes i am just so ready to go home. I just want to be with Christ. To behold him and enjoy him forever. There is another song that i have heard recently by Phil Wickham that says:
When we arrive on eternity's shore
Where death is just a memory and tears are no more
We'll enter in as the wedding bells ring
Your bride will come together and we'll sing... You're Beautiful!
I cannot even fathom the moment when i no longer have to wrestle with sin. My heart longs for the fight to be over! I want nothing more than to be with Christ. One day i will sit on eternity's shore with my Savior and my God and my death will just be a memory and the sin that has entangled me for so long will be left with my body. PRAISE CHRIST the God of my salvation.
God teach your saints how to treasure you. May we guard our steps when we approach you. Would we draw near to listen..
"To see the Lord and the promised land, where in all sin's pearly gates look bland. What was once a pearl is now sand that blows away in light of Him." ~ Shane Barnard
Today i was at my house (a lovely couple here in Andrews decided they wanted to try and house and feed me... great people) flipping around on tv. I found a DVD and popped it in. It was the recent movie Amazing Grace. This was my second time to see it and it was just as good. The story is absolutely amazing to me. To see the burden that William Wilberforce had for slaves and his passion to see them set free made me start questioning my life. Why do I not have a passion on my heart like he did? What if God has called me to something that he has set for me to do and I am wasting time? My prayer is God give me ears to hear, eyes to see, and lips to proclaim.
The famous line "I once was blind but now i see" that could be my call. To proclaim that hey i dont know a whole lot but i do know that i once was blind but now i see. The beauty of it is, i do not take part in this alone. This is the call of every believer and it is the one of UTMOST importance. Every time i hear the song Amazing Grace (the oldie and the my chains are gone version) my spirit is stirred. We as Christians often ask God to do a work in us and ignite a passion. But when he does... what do we do with it? We usually say.. once i get done with my education, then i will be ready to take on this call. But lets be honest... Jesus has used some of the most social awkward and down right weird people to do great things for his glory.
I am confident that Christ WILL make known his name in all the earth. Sometimes i am just so ready to go home. I just want to be with Christ. To behold him and enjoy him forever. There is another song that i have heard recently by Phil Wickham that says:
When we arrive on eternity's shore
Where death is just a memory and tears are no more
We'll enter in as the wedding bells ring
Your bride will come together and we'll sing... You're Beautiful!
I cannot even fathom the moment when i no longer have to wrestle with sin. My heart longs for the fight to be over! I want nothing more than to be with Christ. One day i will sit on eternity's shore with my Savior and my God and my death will just be a memory and the sin that has entangled me for so long will be left with my body. PRAISE CHRIST the God of my salvation.
God teach your saints how to treasure you. May we guard our steps when we approach you. Would we draw near to listen..
"To see the Lord and the promised land, where in all sin's pearly gates look bland. What was once a pearl is now sand that blows away in light of Him." ~ Shane Barnard
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Seeing God as Father
I just arrived in Andrews, Texas for the summer. Andrews is a very flat place, it has been said that you can watch your dog run away for three days. It is going great so far and i am really enjoying getting to know the students.I just graduated earlier this month. I wont lie, the transition has been hard. I miss Coggin, my friends, and most important my main lady Em.
Since i have been here, I have had the opportunity to hear a lot of the student’s background. Even though they are in a different place, many of the problems are the same as the students in Brownwood. There are many students who do not have a great relationship with their dad. I know here are some at Coggin where their father is pretty much non-existent. The book of Hebrews describes Jesus as a High Priest that is able to sympathize with us? That means even for those of us that grew up without a father. Jesus did not have an earthly father. The one who adopted him, Joseph, died pretty early in Jesus’ life. That was a huge barrier for many people. The couldn’t see Jesus as the Messiah for that reason. Do you remember when Jesus went back to his hometown? The account is in Luke 4:18-19. In short, Jesus goes to church just like all good Jewish people did. He pulls out His handy scroll and starts reading a prophecy from the book of Isaiah, it reads, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
After He gets done, He sits down and I bet you could have heard a pin drop. Jesus looked at the people and said, “Today, this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” He then gives two examples: the one widow out of many who was provided for and the one leper out of many who was healed. He pretty much claimed to be the Messiah in front of his home town. All the while the people were thinking, “I know this guy! He was Joseph’s son.” However, we know that Joseph was not his real father, and that Joseph died fairly early in the life of Jesus. You know what they did? They tried to throw Jesus off a cliff. But the Scripture says and I am not lying to you, “But passing through their midst he went away.” I can imagine the chaos… “Hey you got him?” “No where did he go?” I get this picture of a dog pile where everyone comes out holding each other but the one they were after slips away. That is good comedy.
So I realize that when many people hear the words “father or dad” the thought that comes to mind is not a pleasant one. So what do we do with this? How do we begin to see God in this light? For some of us it is easy. We have a great relationship with our Dads… so it is easy to see God in that way. When I was little I was scared of thunderstorms… now I mean really little… at least 15 or 16. At night, if there was a thunderstorm, I ran to daddy. If I was afraid there was no other person I wanted near than my own Dad; all 6’5” 230 lbs of him.
In those moments, I felt safe. But you know what happened as I lived out my life? My dad disappointed me (and I have disappointed my dad…on several occasions). In some way or another, no matter how great your dad, mom, sister, brother, best friend, wife is… they will disappoint you. So before we see God as our Father, we have to get rid of our preconceived notions about what a Father is.
First, there is the unpleased Father, the one who says that no matter what you do, it is never good enough. Has there ever been a point in your life where you thought of God like this? Where you thought God was waiting for you to mess up so he could throw lightning bolts at you… or send some tragedy in your life? Its crazy to talk about but that is one idea that we carry when speaking about Fathers. Secondly there is the Apathetic Father. This is the far off distant dad. Perhaps a Dad who works a lot and then when he comes home sits in front of the television or just goes to bed. He may not say it but maybe he just doesn’t care. Let me ask this, if this is a picture of who God is, and he doesn’t care about us… then why send Jesus? We get this idea in our heads that God kind of winds us up like toys, sets us in motion and then turns his back. But what we will see in a few minutes is that we have a Heavenly Father who has gone through major depths to have a relationship with us. For the sake of not being completely depressing, I actually threw in a good one, the Loving Father. This is the type of Dad who is close, is proud, and loves his son/daughter very much. But what we must realize is that even in this third model, it still falls so short of who God is. God is not the reflection of our Father; rather he is the perfection of our Father. This means that where our dads fall short, God is strong. He is merciful, He is intimate, and he is Love.
The reality is, is that God as our Father is willing to go to any depths to get us home. If you are a Christian the Bible makes it clear that you are adopted by God into his family, as his child. That is not symbolic, that is your identity! John 1:12 says, “to those who believe in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”
Since i have been here, I have had the opportunity to hear a lot of the student’s background. Even though they are in a different place, many of the problems are the same as the students in Brownwood. There are many students who do not have a great relationship with their dad. I know here are some at Coggin where their father is pretty much non-existent. The book of Hebrews describes Jesus as a High Priest that is able to sympathize with us? That means even for those of us that grew up without a father. Jesus did not have an earthly father. The one who adopted him, Joseph, died pretty early in Jesus’ life. That was a huge barrier for many people. The couldn’t see Jesus as the Messiah for that reason. Do you remember when Jesus went back to his hometown? The account is in Luke 4:18-19. In short, Jesus goes to church just like all good Jewish people did. He pulls out His handy scroll and starts reading a prophecy from the book of Isaiah, it reads, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
After He gets done, He sits down and I bet you could have heard a pin drop. Jesus looked at the people and said, “Today, this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” He then gives two examples: the one widow out of many who was provided for and the one leper out of many who was healed. He pretty much claimed to be the Messiah in front of his home town. All the while the people were thinking, “I know this guy! He was Joseph’s son.” However, we know that Joseph was not his real father, and that Joseph died fairly early in the life of Jesus. You know what they did? They tried to throw Jesus off a cliff. But the Scripture says and I am not lying to you, “But passing through their midst he went away.” I can imagine the chaos… “Hey you got him?” “No where did he go?” I get this picture of a dog pile where everyone comes out holding each other but the one they were after slips away. That is good comedy.
So I realize that when many people hear the words “father or dad” the thought that comes to mind is not a pleasant one. So what do we do with this? How do we begin to see God in this light? For some of us it is easy. We have a great relationship with our Dads… so it is easy to see God in that way. When I was little I was scared of thunderstorms… now I mean really little… at least 15 or 16. At night, if there was a thunderstorm, I ran to daddy. If I was afraid there was no other person I wanted near than my own Dad; all 6’5” 230 lbs of him.
In those moments, I felt safe. But you know what happened as I lived out my life? My dad disappointed me (and I have disappointed my dad…on several occasions). In some way or another, no matter how great your dad, mom, sister, brother, best friend, wife is… they will disappoint you. So before we see God as our Father, we have to get rid of our preconceived notions about what a Father is.
First, there is the unpleased Father, the one who says that no matter what you do, it is never good enough. Has there ever been a point in your life where you thought of God like this? Where you thought God was waiting for you to mess up so he could throw lightning bolts at you… or send some tragedy in your life? Its crazy to talk about but that is one idea that we carry when speaking about Fathers. Secondly there is the Apathetic Father. This is the far off distant dad. Perhaps a Dad who works a lot and then when he comes home sits in front of the television or just goes to bed. He may not say it but maybe he just doesn’t care. Let me ask this, if this is a picture of who God is, and he doesn’t care about us… then why send Jesus? We get this idea in our heads that God kind of winds us up like toys, sets us in motion and then turns his back. But what we will see in a few minutes is that we have a Heavenly Father who has gone through major depths to have a relationship with us. For the sake of not being completely depressing, I actually threw in a good one, the Loving Father. This is the type of Dad who is close, is proud, and loves his son/daughter very much. But what we must realize is that even in this third model, it still falls so short of who God is. God is not the reflection of our Father; rather he is the perfection of our Father. This means that where our dads fall short, God is strong. He is merciful, He is intimate, and he is Love.
The reality is, is that God as our Father is willing to go to any depths to get us home. If you are a Christian the Bible makes it clear that you are adopted by God into his family, as his child. That is not symbolic, that is your identity! John 1:12 says, “to those who believe in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Christianity-Lite
I often find myself chuckling hysterically when evangelical pastors stand in the pulpit and say, "It is not a sin to drink beer, just lite beer." I love the brutal honesty and i have to admit... i get a little frustrated when people get so bent out of shape about something that God created. In moderation, it is absolutely fine and can be part of enjoying life. Now i will admit, i have tried beer before... i do not like it. Some people just aren't beer drinkers. From what i hear, light beer just doesn't taste as good. In my mind it is like diet dr. pepper. I love dr. pepper! It is the greatest thing to ever happen to soft drinks. Diet Dr. Pepper is not and never will be as good as the original. It is just not going to happen. The commercials try to tell you that Diet Dr. Pepper belongs on the dessert aisle. They are liars! Diet Dr. Pepper is nothing like the original
We are living in a time, especially in our culture, that says "I want it and I want it now". So we have to do what comes easily. We can often find ourselves taking short cuts on tasks and they are not as good as they could be. This reminds me of when my three roommates and I moved into our house. My roommate acquired an entertainment center to put in our living room. He neglected to tell us how huge it was for one thing... and another one of the sides was in pieces. So what did my roommate do? He glued it together. He didn't screw it so that no matter what it would hold... He glued it. We like to joke about that around the house but the reality is he didn't equip the entertainment center to last.
Many authors in the Christian realm call this Christianity-lite. When we take the gospel and make it easier than it was originally intended to be. I mean, do you think Jesus was kidding when he said, "Unless you hate your whole family and even your own life you cannot be my disciple." He also said, "I didn't come to bring peace, but a sword." The problem with us is we do not like to think of Jesus in these terms. They are uncomfortable! It makes us reconsider what we have learned about Jesus in Sunday School. We like to think of Jesus that loves all, saves all, heals all, and would never let anyone go to hell.
Christianity was never meant to be simple. It was never meant to fit in our box that we have formed. The question that it boils down to for me is, "Is what i believe transformative?" Am I different because of what i believe? This teaching against Christianity Lite is not a new thing. It has been a reoccurring them sense the time of Paul to Augustine to Luther to Bonhoeffer and all the way to John MacArthur. I think i prefer Bonhoeffers terminology over Christianity-lite. Bonhoeffer described this kind of untransformative faith as "cheap grace". We take the happy-go-lucky parts of Christ and leave out the hard sayings.
When it comes down to it, what kind of faith do you want? Do you want a cheap faith or a joyful faith. The outcome will be the type of grace you have chosen. If you choose cheap grace then you are doomed to live a life of superficiality. However, if you choose not to ignore the hard sayings of Christ and walk in obedience... it will cost you your life. But..."he who loses his life shall find it". Glory to Christ in the church!
We are living in a time, especially in our culture, that says "I want it and I want it now". So we have to do what comes easily. We can often find ourselves taking short cuts on tasks and they are not as good as they could be. This reminds me of when my three roommates and I moved into our house. My roommate acquired an entertainment center to put in our living room. He neglected to tell us how huge it was for one thing... and another one of the sides was in pieces. So what did my roommate do? He glued it together. He didn't screw it so that no matter what it would hold... He glued it. We like to joke about that around the house but the reality is he didn't equip the entertainment center to last.
Many authors in the Christian realm call this Christianity-lite. When we take the gospel and make it easier than it was originally intended to be. I mean, do you think Jesus was kidding when he said, "Unless you hate your whole family and even your own life you cannot be my disciple." He also said, "I didn't come to bring peace, but a sword." The problem with us is we do not like to think of Jesus in these terms. They are uncomfortable! It makes us reconsider what we have learned about Jesus in Sunday School. We like to think of Jesus that loves all, saves all, heals all, and would never let anyone go to hell.
Christianity was never meant to be simple. It was never meant to fit in our box that we have formed. The question that it boils down to for me is, "Is what i believe transformative?" Am I different because of what i believe? This teaching against Christianity Lite is not a new thing. It has been a reoccurring them sense the time of Paul to Augustine to Luther to Bonhoeffer and all the way to John MacArthur. I think i prefer Bonhoeffers terminology over Christianity-lite. Bonhoeffer described this kind of untransformative faith as "cheap grace". We take the happy-go-lucky parts of Christ and leave out the hard sayings.
When it comes down to it, what kind of faith do you want? Do you want a cheap faith or a joyful faith. The outcome will be the type of grace you have chosen. If you choose cheap grace then you are doomed to live a life of superficiality. However, if you choose not to ignore the hard sayings of Christ and walk in obedience... it will cost you your life. But..."he who loses his life shall find it". Glory to Christ in the church!
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