I can remember it to this day.
I was handed the blue and white number 34 Martinsville basketball jersey.
And I had cold chills.
And not just any jersey, but the varsity jersey. The one I had seen others wear.
Now this may not seem like a bid deal to some of you, but for a tall, lanky introvert from the wrong side of the tracks, it was a huge deal.
And you have to understand, in the eighties, Martinsville basketball was something special. Other teams always had to look out for us, we may have not won every game, but we played hard, and we always won more than we lost.
Being on the team meant you were part of a special group of guys that was willing to give up a lot of time, sweat and sometimes blood for the good of the team.
And I was one of the "special" ones.
To wear this uniform however had costs. I spent a huge amount time in the gym. While some of my friends were doing stuff, I played basketball.
We had a strict code of conduct, which was good, but we had a coach that demanded perfection from us on the court. You might say he was kind of like Bob Knight, only not quite as bad.
My point?
To wear the uniform, it's going to cost you something.
Jesus said as much in the Bible, count the cost before you follow me. Understand what this will cost you.
And when I think of my life, God didn't deliver me from being a drug addict, an alcoholic or motorcycle gang member.
I remember reading amazing stories of ex-gang members being saved, drug addicts coming to Christ.
Great and wonderful stories.
But I wonder did anyone even notice the change in me?
I think as Christians we tend to put sin at different levels. My sin isn't as bad as your sin.
But remember, God doesn't see it that way.
I think we tend to find behaviors we don't like, then label it as sin. As long as we don't do it and we see others that do, we must be better than them, never mind what the the Bible says or doesn't say about it. I think the Bible calls that, the rules of men.
I've noticed 2 schools of thought on this from the church landscape of today.
View#1- The conservative approach, which I define as the don't smoke, drink or cuss approach. Those who label sin as what as seen on the outside. They have a very hard time with the thought of Jesus drinking anything but water. They feel that you can tell if someone is a believer by watching what they do or say. They just know God is against drinking and smoking and having church anywhere but in a church sanctuary.
View#2- The liberal approach, which I define as the do whatever you want since your never going to be perfect anyway approach. This group seemed to be the happier bunch, since they don't feel a need to change what they do. They love all the verses about God's grace and are content with themselves and their approach to Christianity. They want to have church anywhere but in a normal church environment.
Now these are the two extremes, and some people have a little of each. We tend to find the things we like and do those things and give up trying to do the things that are difficult.
I have problems with both views.
In the first approach I tend to find to many judgmental people who think they are perfect and make themselves feel better by pointing out sin in others. I want to state this very clearly, you are not without sin. The Bible makes this point very clear. You might have everybody fooled by your actions, but God knows your heart.
In the second approach I tend to find people who can't make up their minds who they want to follow. Since perfection is not going to happen, why try? The Bible makes it clear that we are a NEW creation. The old is gone, and we must put on the new. Does this make us perfect?
No, but I'd like to think people notice that we are a little bit different.
Should we at least try to live our lives better? If we have the uniform of Christ on, shouldn't we work as hard as we can to please Him?
As I see it, the Christian walk is a journey. Paul describes it as a race, a long race. We learn more about our Savior as we mature, and in that maturity we need to take on more of His ways. Nobody starts the race knowing everything, and we will stumble. The point is to continue running.
Jesus said in John that if we love Him we will obey Him.
Maybe we don't love Him as much as we say we do, since we can't seem to obey His word. I say this knowing that He loves me way more than I could ever love Him.
I didn't play basketball my senior year, I began to see that I just wasn't going to be good enough to start my final year. Younger and better players were coming up and it just wasn't fun anymore. You are much more willing to work hard when you know that there is a reward at the end of the tunnel.
Jesus knows I will never be good enough to approach God without His sacrifice, but the question is am I willing to sacrifice my life, all of my life, for Him?
I still have my high school basketball jersey at home. I laugh when I look at it, thinking I once could fit into it, but still I handle it with care, knowing what I sacrificed for it.
Knowing what Christ sacrificed for us, shouldn't we handle our relationship with Him with care?
Friday, April 21, 2006
Thursday, April 13, 2006
NOT THE EASTER BUNNY!!!
This is a good one.
It seems that the city council of St Paul Minnesota has outlawed (gulp) the Easter Bunny.
What's really funny is the reason.
It might offend non-Christians.
I read this while looking at an article by Cal Thomas, who said, in a nutshell, that people just don't get Easter.
I would like to inform the fine city council of St Paul that the Easter Bunny did not die a cruel death on a cross, then rise on the the third day.
In fact, the Easter Bunny was probably created to make Easter more attractive to those who either deny Christ or simply don't want to think about it.
This really doesn't surprise me, in a culture that is so paranoid about offending anyone, except Christians of course.
But pick on the poor Easter Bunny?
Shocking.
Maybe if I'm offensive, the city of St Paul will outlaw me.
Well it's not like me, but I'm going to try it.
1. I want to be offensive to those who only come to church on Easter and Christmas. The church and the sacred holidays were not created so you can dress up nice and show up twice a year. I really think some of you think your doing the church a favor by showing up. Your always welcome however, and that welcome goes for all the other Sundays as well.
2. I want to be offensive to Sunday morning "tippers". You know, the people who throw God a dollar every Sunday. I mean they have been giving God a dollar for thirty years. Doesn't God deserve a cost of living increase? You probably got a raise, shouldn't God get one? Look if your REALLY that poor, just keep your buck. You must need your cash more than the church does.
3. I want to be offensive to all of you legalistic Christians. I have actually witnessed, at a former church I attended, the women of the church accuse each other of wearing make-up and having finger nail polish on. I only wish I was kidding. When you start focusing on "rules" and stop doing ministry, it won't be long and you will be the only one sitting in your church. Nobody else is going to be able to live up to your standards. Remember, Christ had his harshest words for those who "appeared" to be following the rules, but Jesus knew better. No one is without sin, so stop acting like you haven't even heard of the word.
4. I want to be offensive to those pastors who are bad mouthing other denominations from the pulpit. Can't you come up with something to preach about besides the church across the street (usually the one that has more cars parked in the parking lot)? Aren't you to lead your flock and let the pastor of the other church lead his? Maybe your jealous, maybe you think that your denomination is the only one that is right. If your leading your church in the right direction, God will bless you. Concentrate on that.
Man that felt good.
You will notice I was offensive to some church going folk.
Why?
Because a lot of people don't attend churches for the reasons I listed above (I'm sure there's more, but I'm kind of new at this offensive thing). They see the church saying one thing and doing another.
Look, I'm not perfect (you can ask my wife about that one) and I hope I'm not making anyone believe that I am. I am a poor excuse for a follower of Christ. I sin every day with my thoughts and in my heart. I am nothing without the Grace of God, because I will never be "good enough".
And I hope your not offended by that.
It seems that the city council of St Paul Minnesota has outlawed (gulp) the Easter Bunny.
What's really funny is the reason.
It might offend non-Christians.
I read this while looking at an article by Cal Thomas, who said, in a nutshell, that people just don't get Easter.
I would like to inform the fine city council of St Paul that the Easter Bunny did not die a cruel death on a cross, then rise on the the third day.
In fact, the Easter Bunny was probably created to make Easter more attractive to those who either deny Christ or simply don't want to think about it.
This really doesn't surprise me, in a culture that is so paranoid about offending anyone, except Christians of course.
But pick on the poor Easter Bunny?
Shocking.
Maybe if I'm offensive, the city of St Paul will outlaw me.
Well it's not like me, but I'm going to try it.
1. I want to be offensive to those who only come to church on Easter and Christmas. The church and the sacred holidays were not created so you can dress up nice and show up twice a year. I really think some of you think your doing the church a favor by showing up. Your always welcome however, and that welcome goes for all the other Sundays as well.
2. I want to be offensive to Sunday morning "tippers". You know, the people who throw God a dollar every Sunday. I mean they have been giving God a dollar for thirty years. Doesn't God deserve a cost of living increase? You probably got a raise, shouldn't God get one? Look if your REALLY that poor, just keep your buck. You must need your cash more than the church does.
3. I want to be offensive to all of you legalistic Christians. I have actually witnessed, at a former church I attended, the women of the church accuse each other of wearing make-up and having finger nail polish on. I only wish I was kidding. When you start focusing on "rules" and stop doing ministry, it won't be long and you will be the only one sitting in your church. Nobody else is going to be able to live up to your standards. Remember, Christ had his harshest words for those who "appeared" to be following the rules, but Jesus knew better. No one is without sin, so stop acting like you haven't even heard of the word.
4. I want to be offensive to those pastors who are bad mouthing other denominations from the pulpit. Can't you come up with something to preach about besides the church across the street (usually the one that has more cars parked in the parking lot)? Aren't you to lead your flock and let the pastor of the other church lead his? Maybe your jealous, maybe you think that your denomination is the only one that is right. If your leading your church in the right direction, God will bless you. Concentrate on that.
Man that felt good.
You will notice I was offensive to some church going folk.
Why?
Because a lot of people don't attend churches for the reasons I listed above (I'm sure there's more, but I'm kind of new at this offensive thing). They see the church saying one thing and doing another.
Look, I'm not perfect (you can ask my wife about that one) and I hope I'm not making anyone believe that I am. I am a poor excuse for a follower of Christ. I sin every day with my thoughts and in my heart. I am nothing without the Grace of God, because I will never be "good enough".
And I hope your not offended by that.
Thursday, March 30, 2006
The Wrong Answer
As hard as it is to believe, I wasn't surprised.
I was listening to a radio program the other day while going home from work, the host was interviewing a man who had spent 3 years (off and on) as a homeless man.
He was a college student who wanted to know what life was like out on the streets and he was a Christian.
Maybe you can see where I'm going.
The host asked how he was received at the churches he attended, in the cities he did his homeless act in.
The responses he got from the churches didn't surprise me, some escorted him off the church grounds, some asked if they could help him. It was a pretty even mix.
But then he told the story of asking a pastor of a church if the church could help him get some food. The guy was really playing the part of a homeless man, he hadn't eaten for quite a while and he hadn't showered in a week.
The pastor's response?
"We don't do that, we feel God has called us just to worship".
Am I surprised by that?
No.
You see if we are honest we at least feel the same way about dirty people or lost people or hurting people as the pastor of that church. We just don't say it.
It makes following Christ pretty easy, I don't have to care about anybody or anything else. We just want to worship in our little club. There is no risk of being taken advantage of or being deceived. The best part is we can keep the undesirable people out while keeping the "good" people in.
Now I think most churches have figured out that some people simply work the system to keep from working. It's sad when the church has to look out for con artists.
But we are not talking about money in this case. We are talking about food. Driving somebody down to Mickey D's.
I wonder how the story of Jesus feeding the five thousand would have went, "I'm sorry about the fact you are all hungry, I didn't come to earth to feed you". "That's not my thing, my Father called me to die on the cross for you, that's it". "Get a job or eat before you come next time".
I don't think the story would have worked as well.
God has called us to take care of "the least of these". Like it or not (and let's be honest, you and I don't like it) the church has been called to help people. We are to worship, but it can't end there. We cannot wrap ourselves into the church and take a blind eye to the needs around us.
Now before you think I'm perfect, don't. I struggle here as much as anyone else. I have a bad habit of judging people by what I see. I have to make that leap of faith, and begin the relationship process. As I have grown older, I find it a little easier to do. I still have a long way to go.
You see our love is so conditional, I will love the people like me, who think like I do, who believe like I do. I'm really glad that Christ's love for us isn't conditional, we would all be in trouble.
I hope the dirty, lost and hurting find love when they come to you.
Or will they find that the love you claim to have for Christ leaves you with no room to love others.
I was listening to a radio program the other day while going home from work, the host was interviewing a man who had spent 3 years (off and on) as a homeless man.
He was a college student who wanted to know what life was like out on the streets and he was a Christian.
Maybe you can see where I'm going.
The host asked how he was received at the churches he attended, in the cities he did his homeless act in.
The responses he got from the churches didn't surprise me, some escorted him off the church grounds, some asked if they could help him. It was a pretty even mix.
But then he told the story of asking a pastor of a church if the church could help him get some food. The guy was really playing the part of a homeless man, he hadn't eaten for quite a while and he hadn't showered in a week.
The pastor's response?
"We don't do that, we feel God has called us just to worship".
Am I surprised by that?
No.
You see if we are honest we at least feel the same way about dirty people or lost people or hurting people as the pastor of that church. We just don't say it.
It makes following Christ pretty easy, I don't have to care about anybody or anything else. We just want to worship in our little club. There is no risk of being taken advantage of or being deceived. The best part is we can keep the undesirable people out while keeping the "good" people in.
Now I think most churches have figured out that some people simply work the system to keep from working. It's sad when the church has to look out for con artists.
But we are not talking about money in this case. We are talking about food. Driving somebody down to Mickey D's.
I wonder how the story of Jesus feeding the five thousand would have went, "I'm sorry about the fact you are all hungry, I didn't come to earth to feed you". "That's not my thing, my Father called me to die on the cross for you, that's it". "Get a job or eat before you come next time".
I don't think the story would have worked as well.
God has called us to take care of "the least of these". Like it or not (and let's be honest, you and I don't like it) the church has been called to help people. We are to worship, but it can't end there. We cannot wrap ourselves into the church and take a blind eye to the needs around us.
Now before you think I'm perfect, don't. I struggle here as much as anyone else. I have a bad habit of judging people by what I see. I have to make that leap of faith, and begin the relationship process. As I have grown older, I find it a little easier to do. I still have a long way to go.
You see our love is so conditional, I will love the people like me, who think like I do, who believe like I do. I'm really glad that Christ's love for us isn't conditional, we would all be in trouble.
I hope the dirty, lost and hurting find love when they come to you.
Or will they find that the love you claim to have for Christ leaves you with no room to love others.
Friday, March 24, 2006
Your gonna, and you do, but you may not realize it
You will worship.
Now you may be reading this and think, "I don't worship anything or anybody".
But your wrong.
I never really thought about it until I read the "Purpose driven life". The part where it says we are created to worship.
You know I really had not looked at worship that way.
I don't know how your day starts, but mine starts with a 35-40 minute commute, and I see all of you Earnhardt people. I don't think a day goes by that I don't see a number "3" on the back of somebody's windshield (also I think I have seen Calvin pee on everything that a kid can pee on). You may not think you worship the man, but I think several worship his memory.
The more I thought about it, even good Christian people worship things besides Christ, take me for instance. I have composed a list of the things I worship;
The LA Dodgers (I have enough Dodgers stuff to make a Giants fan go into a rage).
My shop (it's really cool, concrete floor and everything).
The TV (where I spend way way way to much time).
My Kubota (bigger than a garden tractor).
The Green Bay Packers (only when their winning).
Honda Ridgeline (I don't even have one of those, but man they are so cool).
The old Dodge Chargers (see old blog on that one).
My money (I don't have a great deal of this, but I can tie up what I do have in more cool stuff).
Naval history (I have enough books on this subject to start my own library).
My computer (spend way to much time playing games that make the free world safe from any possible threats).
And that's just the short list.
Now I have poked a little fun at myself, but if we are really honest with ourselves we can find all kinds of things that we chase after, cheer for, and well, worship and since God created us to do that, we are only doing what comes natural.
But here is the problem, our God is a jealous God.
Now I'm not saying that we shouldn't have hobbies or other interests, but we have to be careful that these things don't become our gods.
Even our own children can become our objects of worship.
It brings us back to our need for Christ and His grace, because as I am a blaring example, we are not a perfect people. Having said that however we do need to take a serious look at what or who we worship. I remember Christ telling His would be followers that the cost of following Him would be high. It would mean to follow and worship Him only. For some the cost was simply to high.
I have heard it said that you can tell what or who a person worships by looking at their checkbook and by looking at how they spend their time.
We might find that the person we worship the most is...ourselves.
Now you may be reading this and think, "I don't worship anything or anybody".
But your wrong.
I never really thought about it until I read the "Purpose driven life". The part where it says we are created to worship.
You know I really had not looked at worship that way.
I don't know how your day starts, but mine starts with a 35-40 minute commute, and I see all of you Earnhardt people. I don't think a day goes by that I don't see a number "3" on the back of somebody's windshield (also I think I have seen Calvin pee on everything that a kid can pee on). You may not think you worship the man, but I think several worship his memory.
The more I thought about it, even good Christian people worship things besides Christ, take me for instance. I have composed a list of the things I worship;
The LA Dodgers (I have enough Dodgers stuff to make a Giants fan go into a rage).
My shop (it's really cool, concrete floor and everything).
The TV (where I spend way way way to much time).
My Kubota (bigger than a garden tractor).
The Green Bay Packers (only when their winning).
Honda Ridgeline (I don't even have one of those, but man they are so cool).
The old Dodge Chargers (see old blog on that one).
My money (I don't have a great deal of this, but I can tie up what I do have in more cool stuff).
Naval history (I have enough books on this subject to start my own library).
My computer (spend way to much time playing games that make the free world safe from any possible threats).
And that's just the short list.
Now I have poked a little fun at myself, but if we are really honest with ourselves we can find all kinds of things that we chase after, cheer for, and well, worship and since God created us to do that, we are only doing what comes natural.
But here is the problem, our God is a jealous God.
Now I'm not saying that we shouldn't have hobbies or other interests, but we have to be careful that these things don't become our gods.
Even our own children can become our objects of worship.
It brings us back to our need for Christ and His grace, because as I am a blaring example, we are not a perfect people. Having said that however we do need to take a serious look at what or who we worship. I remember Christ telling His would be followers that the cost of following Him would be high. It would mean to follow and worship Him only. For some the cost was simply to high.
I have heard it said that you can tell what or who a person worships by looking at their checkbook and by looking at how they spend their time.
We might find that the person we worship the most is...ourselves.
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
My Prayer
I need a minute with you.
I know it seems like I ask you for a lot of stuff, like your Santa Claus. I guess it comes from hearing others pray for stuff. It just seems natural to ask for people to be well, blessings for me, my family, my church.
I've tried talking to you like I would talk to my friends, but it just doesn't seem right. Besides I find myself asking my friends for stuff too.
Why do I find myself asking for this or that? Is it my selfish heart? Probably, I can be selfish, and if anybody would know that, you would.
I can find so many more things to do than spend time with you.
I know that's not fair, you have given me far more than I deserve. You have blessed me in so many ways, my work, my family, my home, my friends, my church. Not to mention that eternal life thing. That's a pretty good return for what little I have given you.
I guess that brings up something that I know we have talked about before.
You know what this is about.
Man have we been over this ground before.
And I have a simple way out of this.
Just tell me what you want me to do. I mean it.
And I don't want the still small voice thing, I want the answer in a LOUD CLEAR VOICE.
Let's not mess around. I'm 40 for pete's sake so I've only got a few good years left.
Also, while were at it, and me being selfish of course, I hope you take into consideration what I have now. My boys love the school they attend, my wife has her dream job, and as far as my job goes, this is the best place I have ever worked. You wouldn't throw a wrench into all of that, would you?
Look, a lot of people have told me I should do this, but I'm very interested in what you think.
So let's have it, yea or nay. Tell me what you want, and then let's move on. I need to know what you want from me. This question has been driving me nuts for years, so let's finish this, here and now.
Do you really think I have the heart for this? I'm curious as to why you made me with the gifts I have. Am I doing all that you want me to do or do you have something bigger for me?
Remember, LOUD CLEAR VOICE.
Well I'm going to wrap this up, but before I go, do you remember the love letter I sent the girl I would eventually marry? I know you do. I told her that I thought you had something special planned for my life, I just wasn't sure what that would be.
Well here I am, twenty years later, and I'm still not sure.
I'm glad your a patient God.
Amen.
I know it seems like I ask you for a lot of stuff, like your Santa Claus. I guess it comes from hearing others pray for stuff. It just seems natural to ask for people to be well, blessings for me, my family, my church.
I've tried talking to you like I would talk to my friends, but it just doesn't seem right. Besides I find myself asking my friends for stuff too.
Why do I find myself asking for this or that? Is it my selfish heart? Probably, I can be selfish, and if anybody would know that, you would.
I can find so many more things to do than spend time with you.
I know that's not fair, you have given me far more than I deserve. You have blessed me in so many ways, my work, my family, my home, my friends, my church. Not to mention that eternal life thing. That's a pretty good return for what little I have given you.
I guess that brings up something that I know we have talked about before.
You know what this is about.
Man have we been over this ground before.
And I have a simple way out of this.
Just tell me what you want me to do. I mean it.
And I don't want the still small voice thing, I want the answer in a LOUD CLEAR VOICE.
Let's not mess around. I'm 40 for pete's sake so I've only got a few good years left.
Also, while were at it, and me being selfish of course, I hope you take into consideration what I have now. My boys love the school they attend, my wife has her dream job, and as far as my job goes, this is the best place I have ever worked. You wouldn't throw a wrench into all of that, would you?
Look, a lot of people have told me I should do this, but I'm very interested in what you think.
So let's have it, yea or nay. Tell me what you want, and then let's move on. I need to know what you want from me. This question has been driving me nuts for years, so let's finish this, here and now.
Do you really think I have the heart for this? I'm curious as to why you made me with the gifts I have. Am I doing all that you want me to do or do you have something bigger for me?
Remember, LOUD CLEAR VOICE.
Well I'm going to wrap this up, but before I go, do you remember the love letter I sent the girl I would eventually marry? I know you do. I told her that I thought you had something special planned for my life, I just wasn't sure what that would be.
Well here I am, twenty years later, and I'm still not sure.
I'm glad your a patient God.
Amen.
Thursday, March 16, 2006
The church revival in today's culture
Are they still relevant?
My church just completed a 4 night revival. Every spring we try to plan a revival, and we have had some great speakers.
Our latest revival was no different.
Pastor Brian Miller came and shared his heart with us. He brought his worship band from his church and they rocked.
As I listened to his messages I had to cover up my toes. Maybe Brian and I are so close that God used him to speak to me. It was the message my church and myself needed to hear.
I find that revivals have changed a lot over the years. In the old days, revivals were places where the lost came in droves to find Christ. Some revivals were extended because people just kept coming and accepting Christ. That still happens at some crusades. But church revivals have changed.
The truth is that the lost in our world are not coming to revivals, or church for that matter. In the old days people had at least grown up in or around church. They had learned some stuff in Sunday schools when they were young because almost everybody went to some church. If you didn't go to church, you were a heathen and no self respecting person wanted that label.
Fast forward about 40-50 years and we find in today's culture that many are growing up without ever stepping into a church.
What changed?
You can point your finger at many things, the church not changing with the times in respect to it's worship and it's ministries, ignoring the needs of the communities that it served, internal scandals and strife, the focus on itself. That was just the short list.
I have some other ideas, and Brian touched on them beautifully.
Reason #1
We don't want imperfect people in our midst.
That sounds strange, you know, since nobody's perfect, but I'm afraid it's true. We like order, we like to be around people who know the rules and abide by them. Sit down and shut up, keep your kids under control or take them out. You see that way everybody can come and worship without feeling uncomfortable. Of course the problem with this is two fold. First we forget that we AREN'T perfect and second, no lost person wants to come within 10 miles of the church for fear that they will have to become perfect or get "the look". People don't need to be looked down upon and guess what, they won't make an effort to get up, get them and the kids ready, just to come and feel like they don't belong. Stick a thousand "welcome" signs on the church if you want to, but it's just not going to happen. The church thinks that it's friendly, and they are, to the extent that we will stick out our hands (sometimes), but really develop a relationship?
Forget about it.
Reason #2
The church stopped jumping.
I guess you had to be at the revival to get that one, but in a nutshell the church got comfortable and it just sat down. God wants to give us an adventure, but we would rather sit on the bench. There are so many people in need, so much work for us to do, and God is waiting for His church to move. I have to agree with what Brian said, instead of moving we decide to wrap ourselves into our church so much that we stop listening to what is going on outside the four walls of our sanctuary. Following Christ becomes tradition, service times, and announcements in the bulletin. But it's safe, nice and comfortable. God gives us what we want, and our church slowly dies a quiet death.
I think that there is a need for revival in our churches today, and Brian addressed that need. The Christians of today's church need to be reminded on what the cost of following Christ is.
And if anybody needed to be reminded, that person is me.
My church just completed a 4 night revival. Every spring we try to plan a revival, and we have had some great speakers.
Our latest revival was no different.
Pastor Brian Miller came and shared his heart with us. He brought his worship band from his church and they rocked.
As I listened to his messages I had to cover up my toes. Maybe Brian and I are so close that God used him to speak to me. It was the message my church and myself needed to hear.
I find that revivals have changed a lot over the years. In the old days, revivals were places where the lost came in droves to find Christ. Some revivals were extended because people just kept coming and accepting Christ. That still happens at some crusades. But church revivals have changed.
The truth is that the lost in our world are not coming to revivals, or church for that matter. In the old days people had at least grown up in or around church. They had learned some stuff in Sunday schools when they were young because almost everybody went to some church. If you didn't go to church, you were a heathen and no self respecting person wanted that label.
Fast forward about 40-50 years and we find in today's culture that many are growing up without ever stepping into a church.
What changed?
You can point your finger at many things, the church not changing with the times in respect to it's worship and it's ministries, ignoring the needs of the communities that it served, internal scandals and strife, the focus on itself. That was just the short list.
I have some other ideas, and Brian touched on them beautifully.
Reason #1
We don't want imperfect people in our midst.
That sounds strange, you know, since nobody's perfect, but I'm afraid it's true. We like order, we like to be around people who know the rules and abide by them. Sit down and shut up, keep your kids under control or take them out. You see that way everybody can come and worship without feeling uncomfortable. Of course the problem with this is two fold. First we forget that we AREN'T perfect and second, no lost person wants to come within 10 miles of the church for fear that they will have to become perfect or get "the look". People don't need to be looked down upon and guess what, they won't make an effort to get up, get them and the kids ready, just to come and feel like they don't belong. Stick a thousand "welcome" signs on the church if you want to, but it's just not going to happen. The church thinks that it's friendly, and they are, to the extent that we will stick out our hands (sometimes), but really develop a relationship?
Forget about it.
Reason #2
The church stopped jumping.
I guess you had to be at the revival to get that one, but in a nutshell the church got comfortable and it just sat down. God wants to give us an adventure, but we would rather sit on the bench. There are so many people in need, so much work for us to do, and God is waiting for His church to move. I have to agree with what Brian said, instead of moving we decide to wrap ourselves into our church so much that we stop listening to what is going on outside the four walls of our sanctuary. Following Christ becomes tradition, service times, and announcements in the bulletin. But it's safe, nice and comfortable. God gives us what we want, and our church slowly dies a quiet death.
I think that there is a need for revival in our churches today, and Brian addressed that need. The Christians of today's church need to be reminded on what the cost of following Christ is.
And if anybody needed to be reminded, that person is me.
Monday, March 06, 2006
War
Okay, I have a question.
Think about the battles that the people of Israel fought with the surrounding nations. The ones that God told them to fight.
Got it?
Now my question, why did God make them fight?
I mean look, God could have simply said the word and blammo! Enemy dead.
The way it worked out, they fought and they died. The battle was won (or lost depending on what God wanted them to do) but at a human cost.
I know the simple answer is that man sinned and because of that we die. I got that part, but why did God make his own people fight?
War is a horrible thing, nation verses nation. Young and old, soldier and civilian suffer. Families are torn apart, huge amounts of money are expended and the scars can last a lifetime.
The only answer I can come up with is that God wanted the victory to cost something. It would make His people appreciate their freedom more if it cost them.
It may not be the right answer, but it's the only thing I can come up with.
People have asked me about the current war, is it right or is it wrong? As a Christian I have the same thoughts that Alvin York had before he entered the fighting of WWI. The book says not to kill (the book being the Bible), so we shouldn't kill.
I have to remember that the same God who gave Moses those words also told the people of Israel that when He gave the go ahead to go to war, in some of the instances they were to kill EVERYTHING. Men, women and children, period.
So when God said "Do not kill" He must have been speaking of murder, outside of the war scenario.
The human part of me wants to see Muslim terrorists pay for 9-11, and I think that's a fairly common reaction to the attacks that were made on the United States.
So my problem is balancing forgiveness and revenge.
Pretty tough to do.
I've thought a lot lately about war and it's cost. I watch youngsters play war, cowboys and Indians and I wonder, where do they learn to fight?
If we are created in God's image (which we are) and the Bible says that God is a warrior, do we have the warrior instinct in us? Are we born with the instinct to fight to protect our loved ones and our way of life?
I have a great respect for veterans of all wars. They went when their nation called. Many didn't get the chance to come home. We owe a them a great deal.
Should we be in Iraq? You can argue that one pretty hard either way and I will not muddy the waters here. As long as their are Americans risking their lives in harms way, they have my support.
So for now wars and rumors of wars will be our lot. I'm looking forward to the time Isaiah spoke about, when soldiers will have no need for their boots anymore, and we will burn all of the bandages.
Peace.
Think about the battles that the people of Israel fought with the surrounding nations. The ones that God told them to fight.
Got it?
Now my question, why did God make them fight?
I mean look, God could have simply said the word and blammo! Enemy dead.
The way it worked out, they fought and they died. The battle was won (or lost depending on what God wanted them to do) but at a human cost.
I know the simple answer is that man sinned and because of that we die. I got that part, but why did God make his own people fight?
War is a horrible thing, nation verses nation. Young and old, soldier and civilian suffer. Families are torn apart, huge amounts of money are expended and the scars can last a lifetime.
The only answer I can come up with is that God wanted the victory to cost something. It would make His people appreciate their freedom more if it cost them.
It may not be the right answer, but it's the only thing I can come up with.
People have asked me about the current war, is it right or is it wrong? As a Christian I have the same thoughts that Alvin York had before he entered the fighting of WWI. The book says not to kill (the book being the Bible), so we shouldn't kill.
I have to remember that the same God who gave Moses those words also told the people of Israel that when He gave the go ahead to go to war, in some of the instances they were to kill EVERYTHING. Men, women and children, period.
So when God said "Do not kill" He must have been speaking of murder, outside of the war scenario.
The human part of me wants to see Muslim terrorists pay for 9-11, and I think that's a fairly common reaction to the attacks that were made on the United States.
So my problem is balancing forgiveness and revenge.
Pretty tough to do.
I've thought a lot lately about war and it's cost. I watch youngsters play war, cowboys and Indians and I wonder, where do they learn to fight?
If we are created in God's image (which we are) and the Bible says that God is a warrior, do we have the warrior instinct in us? Are we born with the instinct to fight to protect our loved ones and our way of life?
I have a great respect for veterans of all wars. They went when their nation called. Many didn't get the chance to come home. We owe a them a great deal.
Should we be in Iraq? You can argue that one pretty hard either way and I will not muddy the waters here. As long as their are Americans risking their lives in harms way, they have my support.
So for now wars and rumors of wars will be our lot. I'm looking forward to the time Isaiah spoke about, when soldiers will have no need for their boots anymore, and we will burn all of the bandages.
Peace.
Thursday, February 23, 2006
The Truth part 2
I have a request.
Brian commented, "I'm not sure where you landed on this. Maybe you didn't land, but the ending felt like an abrupt landing. I'd really like to hear you say some more about this."
Well the last post may have pushed the deep thinking part of my brain past its limits, but I'll try to explain my thoughts (if that's possible).
I have always watched people from a distance, to watch how they act and react. To listen to their words, their passions. To read their body language, the volume of their voice and their swagger. But what I find most interesting is how people convey to others and how people respond to the truth.
If that truth is the Word of God, people respond differently. The parable of the sower is a good example of what people do with truth. They accept or reject.
Now let's just say for fun we want to change the truth.
Let's say we don't like what we hear, so we create our "truth". When told we are wrong we cry foul and say "there really isn't one truth" and "our truth is just as good as yours!"
But is it the truth?
Hitler was a master at creating and conveying his special "truth". He worked the podium and speaker in such a way that made people follow him to their ultimate defeat and destruction. I think these people wanted so badly to believe in what Hitler was saying, that they looked the other way and began to believe every word that he said.
Is truth, like beauty, in the eyes of the beholder?
Let's take something from today, like global warming. You can find a hundred scientist who say it exists, and you can find a hundred who say it doesn't. And while I'm sure they can all give us data to prove their points, I wonder, does how they see the world influence how the see global warming? Would a scientist who worked for Greenpeace see the data in the same way the Heritage Foundation scientist would? My guess is no.
The data would be the constant, or truth, yet these two very different groups would see the data or truth in a very different light. Each would promote their version of the truth to be the correct truth.
I guess maybe what I'm ultimately saying is that we have so many different views of the world and we now have so many ways of distributing our views that we have the ability to convince people of things, that may not be the truth.
Look at reality television.
While it claims to be "reality", I would contend that it is really the farthest thing from reality. Even shows that do a good work, like re-doing homes or the super nanny, are not reality. If you have brats for kids or need a home make over, chances are they are not going to pull up at your door. The real reality is your going to have to fix those things yourself. Waiting on the lottery? The truth is that the odds are so far out that you might have a better chance of being hit by lightning.
And yet.
Because people want to believe in something, a truth that really isn't truth, that they continue to hope their six numbers come up, or the super nanny just happens to hear the kids fighting and pops in.
Truth is sometimes what we want it to be, not what it really is.
Many people want to believe there isn't a hell, they want to believe that everybody goes to heaven with a harp and a new set of wings. That becomes their truth. They simply refuse to listen or believe anything else.
I hope as a people we never stop searching for the real truth, but when we find it we must set aside our feelings and judge the truth on its own, without an agenda.
This probably will not answer Brian's questions, and the truth is it may have him asking even more questions.
But for right now, my brain hurts.
Brian commented, "I'm not sure where you landed on this. Maybe you didn't land, but the ending felt like an abrupt landing. I'd really like to hear you say some more about this."
Well the last post may have pushed the deep thinking part of my brain past its limits, but I'll try to explain my thoughts (if that's possible).
I have always watched people from a distance, to watch how they act and react. To listen to their words, their passions. To read their body language, the volume of their voice and their swagger. But what I find most interesting is how people convey to others and how people respond to the truth.
If that truth is the Word of God, people respond differently. The parable of the sower is a good example of what people do with truth. They accept or reject.
Now let's just say for fun we want to change the truth.
Let's say we don't like what we hear, so we create our "truth". When told we are wrong we cry foul and say "there really isn't one truth" and "our truth is just as good as yours!"
But is it the truth?
Hitler was a master at creating and conveying his special "truth". He worked the podium and speaker in such a way that made people follow him to their ultimate defeat and destruction. I think these people wanted so badly to believe in what Hitler was saying, that they looked the other way and began to believe every word that he said.
Is truth, like beauty, in the eyes of the beholder?
Let's take something from today, like global warming. You can find a hundred scientist who say it exists, and you can find a hundred who say it doesn't. And while I'm sure they can all give us data to prove their points, I wonder, does how they see the world influence how the see global warming? Would a scientist who worked for Greenpeace see the data in the same way the Heritage Foundation scientist would? My guess is no.
The data would be the constant, or truth, yet these two very different groups would see the data or truth in a very different light. Each would promote their version of the truth to be the correct truth.
I guess maybe what I'm ultimately saying is that we have so many different views of the world and we now have so many ways of distributing our views that we have the ability to convince people of things, that may not be the truth.
Look at reality television.
While it claims to be "reality", I would contend that it is really the farthest thing from reality. Even shows that do a good work, like re-doing homes or the super nanny, are not reality. If you have brats for kids or need a home make over, chances are they are not going to pull up at your door. The real reality is your going to have to fix those things yourself. Waiting on the lottery? The truth is that the odds are so far out that you might have a better chance of being hit by lightning.
And yet.
Because people want to believe in something, a truth that really isn't truth, that they continue to hope their six numbers come up, or the super nanny just happens to hear the kids fighting and pops in.
Truth is sometimes what we want it to be, not what it really is.
Many people want to believe there isn't a hell, they want to believe that everybody goes to heaven with a harp and a new set of wings. That becomes their truth. They simply refuse to listen or believe anything else.
I hope as a people we never stop searching for the real truth, but when we find it we must set aside our feelings and judge the truth on its own, without an agenda.
This probably will not answer Brian's questions, and the truth is it may have him asking even more questions.
But for right now, my brain hurts.
Monday, February 20, 2006
The Truth
Is there anything more elusive?
It is something that everyone longs for, yet when confronted with it, the same people deny it. I have wanted to talk about it for so long, but I just couldn't find the words to express my feelings. I did today.
I was reading an article about the British right wing historian David Irving's contention that the holocaust did not happen. His point was that most of the millions of Jews that died at the concentration camps, died of diseases and not by the use of torture and the gas chambers.
His argument is not new, many people deny the holocaust for one reason or another, usually because it goes along with their hatred of the Jews. Now that David has been sentenced to 10 years for making these allegations, he has now stated that the holocaust did happen.
So truth is relative?
We all see the world in a different light. Conservatives see truth differently than liberals do. Pro choice people see truth differently than anti-abortion people do. The NRA people see truth differently than the gun control people do. This just goes on and on.
So is truth the truth or is truth just what we think it is?
The examples of relative truth is everywhere, many people think that Elvis is still alive, that all college and pro sports are fixed, the grassy knoll, and of course the denial of the holocaust.
And yet people can look at solid evidence to the contrary, but continue to believe their "truth".
This "relative" truth creeps into our lives. We establish a position, then we create truth around that position. We yell and scream, pound our fist on the table and hold our truth to be beyond question. Even when we are proven wrong we still cannot admit that perhaps our truth wasn't the truth after all. We then go to the name calling and fit throwing phase in hopes people won't dig to deeply into our truth.
I don't like gray areas, I want the truth. It is either right or it is wrong, black or white.
I went searching for the truth about the teachings of Calvin or in other words Calvinism. I wanted to hear both sides of the argument so I bought the book "Debating Calvinism" and in it two very intelligent Biblical scholars wrote letters back and forth to each other. Each man stated his point, the other man made a counterpoint, and on and on it went. It was interesting to read each mans passion for his "truth". I'm afraid that some Biblical truths will always be a point of conflict between believers, but it is interesting the way we use our Bibles to prove our 'truths". Here was two men reading the same truth, and yet seeing two different truths.
That has always interested me.
I want to look at truth as a rock, a solid foundation, unwavering no matter what storm is raging around it. As people we should either accept it or disagree with it, but don't try to change it just because you don't like it. It is what it is.
Which brings me to my last point. We are a spiritual people, but not everyone believes in our God. They hear the truth, but because it doesn't fit their lifestyle or whatever, they search for another god. One that fits their "truth". It happened in the Old Testament as the people of Israel chased after the gods of their neighbors. The truth they had been a witness to was simply not their "truth" anymore.
So are you searching for the real truth or do you think you know what the real truth is?
It can be a tough question,
and that's the truth.
It is something that everyone longs for, yet when confronted with it, the same people deny it. I have wanted to talk about it for so long, but I just couldn't find the words to express my feelings. I did today.
I was reading an article about the British right wing historian David Irving's contention that the holocaust did not happen. His point was that most of the millions of Jews that died at the concentration camps, died of diseases and not by the use of torture and the gas chambers.
His argument is not new, many people deny the holocaust for one reason or another, usually because it goes along with their hatred of the Jews. Now that David has been sentenced to 10 years for making these allegations, he has now stated that the holocaust did happen.
So truth is relative?
We all see the world in a different light. Conservatives see truth differently than liberals do. Pro choice people see truth differently than anti-abortion people do. The NRA people see truth differently than the gun control people do. This just goes on and on.
So is truth the truth or is truth just what we think it is?
The examples of relative truth is everywhere, many people think that Elvis is still alive, that all college and pro sports are fixed, the grassy knoll, and of course the denial of the holocaust.
And yet people can look at solid evidence to the contrary, but continue to believe their "truth".
This "relative" truth creeps into our lives. We establish a position, then we create truth around that position. We yell and scream, pound our fist on the table and hold our truth to be beyond question. Even when we are proven wrong we still cannot admit that perhaps our truth wasn't the truth after all. We then go to the name calling and fit throwing phase in hopes people won't dig to deeply into our truth.
I don't like gray areas, I want the truth. It is either right or it is wrong, black or white.
I went searching for the truth about the teachings of Calvin or in other words Calvinism. I wanted to hear both sides of the argument so I bought the book "Debating Calvinism" and in it two very intelligent Biblical scholars wrote letters back and forth to each other. Each man stated his point, the other man made a counterpoint, and on and on it went. It was interesting to read each mans passion for his "truth". I'm afraid that some Biblical truths will always be a point of conflict between believers, but it is interesting the way we use our Bibles to prove our 'truths". Here was two men reading the same truth, and yet seeing two different truths.
That has always interested me.
I want to look at truth as a rock, a solid foundation, unwavering no matter what storm is raging around it. As people we should either accept it or disagree with it, but don't try to change it just because you don't like it. It is what it is.
Which brings me to my last point. We are a spiritual people, but not everyone believes in our God. They hear the truth, but because it doesn't fit their lifestyle or whatever, they search for another god. One that fits their "truth". It happened in the Old Testament as the people of Israel chased after the gods of their neighbors. The truth they had been a witness to was simply not their "truth" anymore.
So are you searching for the real truth or do you think you know what the real truth is?
It can be a tough question,
and that's the truth.
Friday, February 17, 2006
Ode to Mr Doe.
You know who you are.
I want to talk about people that don't want to be talked about.
They attend our churches, but they are very quiet, and yet their handiwork is everywhere.
In my church we have several people who work behind the scenes, and they do a great job.
I thank the good Lord we have them.
But I'm thinking of one man, and I find that most churches have at least one, that can fix anything and is always ready to donate his time and money to the church. Now I know there can be several people who fit that mold, but what is so unique about this special person is he never wants the spotlight. He hates being recognized, he just wants to serve his God with his special talents.
Now because he wants to remain out of the spotlight I won't use his name, we will call him Mr. Doe.
Mr Doe is an artist with the hammer and saw, wiring and the hedge trimmer. The church needs a new VCR-DVD combo unit, amazingly one appears, and when he is asked about it he calmly says that "I saw one fall out of the back of a truck I was following, I stopped and picked it up and it still works", (I have to admit I fell for this at first, until he told me the same thing about a new bathroom sink the church needed).
I want so badly to tell you who he is, I love this guy and I think his work needs to be recognized, but I can't and I won't.
It is so neat that in this day and age of self gratification and ego stroking there are people who want just to serve without recognition.
So many will do things in the church, but they want the spotlight shined on them. Look what I did, look at what I have sacrificed. See how special and important I am. It becomes less Christ service and more self service.
So today Mr. Doe I want to shine a little light on you, both in my church and in the other churches your special kind attend all over the world. You may think that nobody knows what you do, but don't worry, God knows and He will reward you when it counts. I thank the Lord for you and your kind. You are an example of true servant hood, and my hope is that we all catch your kind and gentle spirit.
To coin a bad commercial slogan,
this blogs for you!
I want to talk about people that don't want to be talked about.
They attend our churches, but they are very quiet, and yet their handiwork is everywhere.
In my church we have several people who work behind the scenes, and they do a great job.
I thank the good Lord we have them.
But I'm thinking of one man, and I find that most churches have at least one, that can fix anything and is always ready to donate his time and money to the church. Now I know there can be several people who fit that mold, but what is so unique about this special person is he never wants the spotlight. He hates being recognized, he just wants to serve his God with his special talents.
Now because he wants to remain out of the spotlight I won't use his name, we will call him Mr. Doe.
Mr Doe is an artist with the hammer and saw, wiring and the hedge trimmer. The church needs a new VCR-DVD combo unit, amazingly one appears, and when he is asked about it he calmly says that "I saw one fall out of the back of a truck I was following, I stopped and picked it up and it still works", (I have to admit I fell for this at first, until he told me the same thing about a new bathroom sink the church needed).
I want so badly to tell you who he is, I love this guy and I think his work needs to be recognized, but I can't and I won't.
It is so neat that in this day and age of self gratification and ego stroking there are people who want just to serve without recognition.
So many will do things in the church, but they want the spotlight shined on them. Look what I did, look at what I have sacrificed. See how special and important I am. It becomes less Christ service and more self service.
So today Mr. Doe I want to shine a little light on you, both in my church and in the other churches your special kind attend all over the world. You may think that nobody knows what you do, but don't worry, God knows and He will reward you when it counts. I thank the Lord for you and your kind. You are an example of true servant hood, and my hope is that we all catch your kind and gentle spirit.
To coin a bad commercial slogan,
this blogs for you!
Monday, February 13, 2006
Youth Night
I hate having this feeling.
Every so often my youth group has the Sunday evening service. They pick the music and the format. They pretty much have free reign. As with most teens they needed a little prodding from me to come up with something. All in all it went pretty well, they decided to do the same thing upstairs as we do downstairs when we are by ourselves.
The way we start our time together is spending about 10 minutes just talking. I bring some pop and sometimes I'll bring some chips. I let them talk about anything and everything that goes on in their life. So to emulate that I had the adults just take 5 minutes to meet and greet. They got up a walked around and talked to each other. I thought that was pretty cool. So far so good.
I had the girls lead us in a couple of worship songs. That was fine, I like it when they pick the music because it's something that's got a pretty good beat to it.
Then came game time.
I played a version of Hollywood squares, I picked a couple of ladies from the congregation and I had my teens be the squares. Everything was going fine, until...
one of the ladies picked a teen boy. Now this kid is a great kid, but he is one of the shy ones. He would do anything that I would ask him to do, as long as it wasn't anything that would shine the spotlight directly on him. I asked him a question, and then I realized what I had done. I put the spotlight on him. He stammered, answered the question with the wrong answer and then blurted out "I don't know". I instantly knew I had messed up.
After our game we did our lesson, which funny enough was on wisdom. Boy if anyone needed to hear that one it was me. As I did the lesson I couldn't help but feel horrible about what I had done. I should have picked a multiple choice question for him. I really blew it.
I remember back to my Campus Life days, I was doing a lesson on dating. I said something like "you go to her parents house and you discover that her mom is crazy". I said it really without thinking, I thought it was funny because that situation would NEVER happen, right? Well wrong, one of my kids mothers had some mental illness issues. He was hurt by what I had said. I didn't mean to hurt anyone and I didn't know about her illness, but yet I had hurt someone.
I hate that feeling.
It's times like these that make me want to crawl back to my pew and become a spectator. Just become a pew potato. Just sit and watch others do stuff. No risk of hurting anyone, no risk of making the wrong call. No risk at all.
Many people have told me that I would make a good pastor, I always smile and thank them for their comment, but I know in my heart that sooner or later my mouth would get me in trouble. I know pastors aren't perfect and I know I'm not perfect. But the reality is that many people think that they should be. Always say the right thing at the right time. I have never been able to do that. Much like my young friend, I stammer and when something does come out, it's never good enough in my eyes.
God uses imperfect people. I understand my role as a leader is to listen to God. To do the best that I can with what God has given me. I just wish that I could do that without messing up. I know that nobody does it without making mistakes, but when your a leader, messing up can hurt a lot of people.
And I just hate that feeling.
Every so often my youth group has the Sunday evening service. They pick the music and the format. They pretty much have free reign. As with most teens they needed a little prodding from me to come up with something. All in all it went pretty well, they decided to do the same thing upstairs as we do downstairs when we are by ourselves.
The way we start our time together is spending about 10 minutes just talking. I bring some pop and sometimes I'll bring some chips. I let them talk about anything and everything that goes on in their life. So to emulate that I had the adults just take 5 minutes to meet and greet. They got up a walked around and talked to each other. I thought that was pretty cool. So far so good.
I had the girls lead us in a couple of worship songs. That was fine, I like it when they pick the music because it's something that's got a pretty good beat to it.
Then came game time.
I played a version of Hollywood squares, I picked a couple of ladies from the congregation and I had my teens be the squares. Everything was going fine, until...
one of the ladies picked a teen boy. Now this kid is a great kid, but he is one of the shy ones. He would do anything that I would ask him to do, as long as it wasn't anything that would shine the spotlight directly on him. I asked him a question, and then I realized what I had done. I put the spotlight on him. He stammered, answered the question with the wrong answer and then blurted out "I don't know". I instantly knew I had messed up.
After our game we did our lesson, which funny enough was on wisdom. Boy if anyone needed to hear that one it was me. As I did the lesson I couldn't help but feel horrible about what I had done. I should have picked a multiple choice question for him. I really blew it.
I remember back to my Campus Life days, I was doing a lesson on dating. I said something like "you go to her parents house and you discover that her mom is crazy". I said it really without thinking, I thought it was funny because that situation would NEVER happen, right? Well wrong, one of my kids mothers had some mental illness issues. He was hurt by what I had said. I didn't mean to hurt anyone and I didn't know about her illness, but yet I had hurt someone.
I hate that feeling.
It's times like these that make me want to crawl back to my pew and become a spectator. Just become a pew potato. Just sit and watch others do stuff. No risk of hurting anyone, no risk of making the wrong call. No risk at all.
Many people have told me that I would make a good pastor, I always smile and thank them for their comment, but I know in my heart that sooner or later my mouth would get me in trouble. I know pastors aren't perfect and I know I'm not perfect. But the reality is that many people think that they should be. Always say the right thing at the right time. I have never been able to do that. Much like my young friend, I stammer and when something does come out, it's never good enough in my eyes.
God uses imperfect people. I understand my role as a leader is to listen to God. To do the best that I can with what God has given me. I just wish that I could do that without messing up. I know that nobody does it without making mistakes, but when your a leader, messing up can hurt a lot of people.
And I just hate that feeling.
Thursday, February 02, 2006
Turning 40
It really caught me off guard.
My father was leaving the hospital again, I was going to bring him home. Neither of us knew that in a few short months he would be gone.
He was dressed and ready to go, all but his shoes and socks. He got himself to the edge of the bed, looked down, and asked me something that he had never asked me before.
"Could you put them on for me buddy?"
I paused for a second, and began to put my dad's shoes and socks on his feet.
It's hard to explain what I felt. This was my father, the man I never could beat arm wrestling, the man who could lift anything and work from dawn to dusk with energy to spare. He had been growing weaker as time had past and I knew that, but I was jolted by his request. How many times had he put my shoes and socks on when I was a boy, and now I was doing it for him. It just seemed strange and foreign to me.
I have not looked at life the same since.
I guess as you get older you start to understand the life cycle more, as a Christian you begin to understand God's plan for a man's life. You really start understanding the "life is but a vapor" verse.
Now I'm not whacked out about turning 40, I'm not going to buy a sports car or anything like that. In fact I feel the same now as I did when I turned 30.
But there have been some changes.
My hair certainly is grayer, I have strange spots on my face and I have noticed a few more aches and pains, but other than that, I'm okay.
If anything is bothering me it's the speed at which time flies. My next 40 years, if the good Lord grants me that, probably will not be as much fun. Will the next 40 go as fast as the first?
Well enough of that, since I have become wiser in my years, I would like to make the following observations about life.
1. I have become content with who I am. I don't mean that in the "I'm perfect and don't need to improve" way. I mean that in the "I'm not sorry I wasn't a rock star" way. I made my life choices, for better or for worse, and I'm okay with where I have ended up. God has taken all of my questionable choices and turned them into blessings. God does that kind of stuff.
2. We are a people of extremes. Some might say that this is a recent thing, but I'm not so sure. As I study history I find that free people sometimes take extreme views. Freedom allows that.
If you think I'm wrong, think about the civil war. Talk about extremes. I think we just have more media outlets and talking heads who want to talk about their views.
3. People don't listen. Listening is a lost art. Everybody wants to talk, share what they think is right, but they refuse to listen to any other view. What's worse is that we don't even let people share their views because we have made our minds up that we are right and they are wrong. Let's have some conversation, and then decide how we feel about it.
4. I have become amused and saddened at the lengths men will go to find happiness.
5. I am neither Democrat or Republican. I vote for the man I feel will do the best job.
6. A bad day at the ocean is better than the best day at work.
7. A great wife and great sons bring their husband/father much joy.
(I'm starting to sound like King Solomon)
8. If you want to help your church, start by getting yourself closer to God.
9. I really don't think Phil Collins has that great of a voice, but he is one of my favorite singers.
10. I'm not an ultra conservative, but I have to admit I read Ann Coulter and Mike Adams.
11. I don't understand some pastors who think they have to use vulgar language to get their message out. Did Jesus do that?
12. While I'm on pastors, were does it say that all Christians will and should be healthy and wealthy?
13. The homosexual lifestyle is NOT pleasing to God. If you think it is, your reading the wrong Bible.
14. I am willing to admit I have made mistakes in my life that have hurt people.
15. Christians are not perfect, but somehow the rumor got started that we are.
16. The 69-70 Dodge Charger has got to be the coolest car ever built.
17. Life goes by so fast, but we continue to live like we will be here forever.
18. Never say crazy things that will get put into your class yearbook. Those things live forever.
19. I have only taken one good picture of myself in my whole life, and by the way what are those humps above my eyes?
20. I am one of the few people who can give Brian Miller the neck slash sign and live to talk about it.
Well that's all for now, look out big 50!
My father was leaving the hospital again, I was going to bring him home. Neither of us knew that in a few short months he would be gone.
He was dressed and ready to go, all but his shoes and socks. He got himself to the edge of the bed, looked down, and asked me something that he had never asked me before.
"Could you put them on for me buddy?"
I paused for a second, and began to put my dad's shoes and socks on his feet.
It's hard to explain what I felt. This was my father, the man I never could beat arm wrestling, the man who could lift anything and work from dawn to dusk with energy to spare. He had been growing weaker as time had past and I knew that, but I was jolted by his request. How many times had he put my shoes and socks on when I was a boy, and now I was doing it for him. It just seemed strange and foreign to me.
I have not looked at life the same since.
I guess as you get older you start to understand the life cycle more, as a Christian you begin to understand God's plan for a man's life. You really start understanding the "life is but a vapor" verse.
Now I'm not whacked out about turning 40, I'm not going to buy a sports car or anything like that. In fact I feel the same now as I did when I turned 30.
But there have been some changes.
My hair certainly is grayer, I have strange spots on my face and I have noticed a few more aches and pains, but other than that, I'm okay.
If anything is bothering me it's the speed at which time flies. My next 40 years, if the good Lord grants me that, probably will not be as much fun. Will the next 40 go as fast as the first?
Well enough of that, since I have become wiser in my years, I would like to make the following observations about life.
1. I have become content with who I am. I don't mean that in the "I'm perfect and don't need to improve" way. I mean that in the "I'm not sorry I wasn't a rock star" way. I made my life choices, for better or for worse, and I'm okay with where I have ended up. God has taken all of my questionable choices and turned them into blessings. God does that kind of stuff.
2. We are a people of extremes. Some might say that this is a recent thing, but I'm not so sure. As I study history I find that free people sometimes take extreme views. Freedom allows that.
If you think I'm wrong, think about the civil war. Talk about extremes. I think we just have more media outlets and talking heads who want to talk about their views.
3. People don't listen. Listening is a lost art. Everybody wants to talk, share what they think is right, but they refuse to listen to any other view. What's worse is that we don't even let people share their views because we have made our minds up that we are right and they are wrong. Let's have some conversation, and then decide how we feel about it.
4. I have become amused and saddened at the lengths men will go to find happiness.
5. I am neither Democrat or Republican. I vote for the man I feel will do the best job.
6. A bad day at the ocean is better than the best day at work.
7. A great wife and great sons bring their husband/father much joy.
(I'm starting to sound like King Solomon)
8. If you want to help your church, start by getting yourself closer to God.
9. I really don't think Phil Collins has that great of a voice, but he is one of my favorite singers.
10. I'm not an ultra conservative, but I have to admit I read Ann Coulter and Mike Adams.
11. I don't understand some pastors who think they have to use vulgar language to get their message out. Did Jesus do that?
12. While I'm on pastors, were does it say that all Christians will and should be healthy and wealthy?
13. The homosexual lifestyle is NOT pleasing to God. If you think it is, your reading the wrong Bible.
14. I am willing to admit I have made mistakes in my life that have hurt people.
15. Christians are not perfect, but somehow the rumor got started that we are.
16. The 69-70 Dodge Charger has got to be the coolest car ever built.
17. Life goes by so fast, but we continue to live like we will be here forever.
18. Never say crazy things that will get put into your class yearbook. Those things live forever.
19. I have only taken one good picture of myself in my whole life, and by the way what are those humps above my eyes?
20. I am one of the few people who can give Brian Miller the neck slash sign and live to talk about it.
Well that's all for now, look out big 50!
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Is your church ISO9000?
I found myself in one of those meetings again.
Oh this wasn't a church meeting, it was several years ago at the company I used to work for.
They were starting a quality program, following in the footsteps of the Ford Motor company's "quality is job one" theme. In a nutshell it basically talked about doing your job better, documenting everything, and whammo, your doing better work.
Everybody is happy right?
We starting having what seemed like dozens of meetings monthly. We talked about how to do our job's better and how we could make the process smoother.
Sounds really good doesn't it.
One problem.
We didn't talk about our customers.
What was their needs, how could we serve them better.
In our meetings we focused on ourselves, and I began to wonder, was even all the time we were taking in these meetings, causing us to ignore our customers even more?
Which brings me to today's church landscape.
Somewhere the church adapted business ideas to church growth and development. It was reasoned that if it worked for Jack at GE, it will work for the church.
So we all sat down and ground out purpose statements, I guess for some reason we forgot why our church exists.
I can just see Paul talking to the elders at Cornith, "look your never going to get anywhere until you have a bunch of meetings and come up with a purpose statement".
I know I sound cynical, and I know the church needs reminded from time to time what it's supposed to be doing.
But I really dislike the purpose statement.
It would be fine if we really believed and practiced what we spent so much time writing. The truth is we write a beautiful statement, but then we just keep doing things the way we always did. The other thing is this, have we become so out of whack that we need to be constantly reminded what we are here for? If that's the case we have some serious problems anyway.
I guess I hate working on something, just for the sake of working on something. If we are going to do things better, then let's do it, all the way. If your going to take up my time and just talk about doing things better, then I can find better uses for my time.
In all of this I'm afraid we are missing the point of ministry, and gauging success on numbers alone. Numbers are nice, but moving people closer in their relationship with Jesus is even better. I find that when we do that, numbers don't become a problem.
I heard today that Ford is laying off. It's really sad that many people are losing their jobs.
Did Ford become more concerned with their profits than their customers? If Ford's culture was truly the best quality going, would they be in this mess?
Tough questions.
Maybe a better one is, which model is the church going to follow?
Ford or Jesus Christ?
Hmmmmm.
Oh this wasn't a church meeting, it was several years ago at the company I used to work for.
They were starting a quality program, following in the footsteps of the Ford Motor company's "quality is job one" theme. In a nutshell it basically talked about doing your job better, documenting everything, and whammo, your doing better work.
Everybody is happy right?
We starting having what seemed like dozens of meetings monthly. We talked about how to do our job's better and how we could make the process smoother.
Sounds really good doesn't it.
One problem.
We didn't talk about our customers.
What was their needs, how could we serve them better.
In our meetings we focused on ourselves, and I began to wonder, was even all the time we were taking in these meetings, causing us to ignore our customers even more?
Which brings me to today's church landscape.
Somewhere the church adapted business ideas to church growth and development. It was reasoned that if it worked for Jack at GE, it will work for the church.
So we all sat down and ground out purpose statements, I guess for some reason we forgot why our church exists.
I can just see Paul talking to the elders at Cornith, "look your never going to get anywhere until you have a bunch of meetings and come up with a purpose statement".
I know I sound cynical, and I know the church needs reminded from time to time what it's supposed to be doing.
But I really dislike the purpose statement.
It would be fine if we really believed and practiced what we spent so much time writing. The truth is we write a beautiful statement, but then we just keep doing things the way we always did. The other thing is this, have we become so out of whack that we need to be constantly reminded what we are here for? If that's the case we have some serious problems anyway.
I guess I hate working on something, just for the sake of working on something. If we are going to do things better, then let's do it, all the way. If your going to take up my time and just talk about doing things better, then I can find better uses for my time.
In all of this I'm afraid we are missing the point of ministry, and gauging success on numbers alone. Numbers are nice, but moving people closer in their relationship with Jesus is even better. I find that when we do that, numbers don't become a problem.
I heard today that Ford is laying off. It's really sad that many people are losing their jobs.
Did Ford become more concerned with their profits than their customers? If Ford's culture was truly the best quality going, would they be in this mess?
Tough questions.
Maybe a better one is, which model is the church going to follow?
Ford or Jesus Christ?
Hmmmmm.
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Take care of things...
"Take care of things until I get back"
Those words still echo in my mind. I was all of 10 years old, the oldest child in my family and my Dad was leaving.
He had to leave a lot when I was young, he worked at a pipeline company and sooner or later a pipe somewhere would start leaking. It was usually far enough away that Dad would have to be gone for weeks at a time, coming home only on the weekends.
Being 10 I really didn't think about it that much, Dad always came home. When he would walk in the door Friday night my sisters and I would jump on him and hug him, just tickled to death to see him again. I will never forget that oil smell in his clothes. It didn't matter what he smelled like.
Dad was home.
As I grew older I began to realize what "take care of things while I'm gone" meant. Dad's job was dangerous, he would weld on pipes that only moments before had oil, gasoline or other flammables running through it. I watched them carry my dad home once, he had broken his foot. He had been on fire, had a ditch cave in on him, and eventually he was crushed by pipe rolling down a ditch on top of him. He survived but it damaged his back to the point he couldn't do his job anymore. I never thought for a moment he wouldn't come back.
On the weeks he was gone my job was to take care of the chores, mowing and keeping wood in the stove. When we lived in the country, I fed the chickens and slopped the pigs (thankfully we only had 7 pigs and it didn't last very long). Dad counted on me to keep things going while he was gone. To keep an eye on things, help Mom and look after my siblings. Mom did most of it herself but I helped where I could.
Now that my father is with the Lord I still hear his words, "take care of things". What that means to me is that my responsibilities are to my family. My wife, children, Mom and my brothers and sisters. Dad would want me to watch over things for him in his absence. It was taught to me in my youth and I take that very seriously.
I have thought about what Jesus said when He left earth. He was saying take care of things until I get back. Take care of my family, my children. I will return, but until I do I want you to continue the work I started. Love each other and care for each other.
If I had to sum up what the church needs to do, it's to take care of things until our Father comes back. We are the Jesus that people are going to see. We are his representatives in His absence. We are to follow in His footsteps, not because of our feeling of duty, but because we love our Lord so much, we want Him to return and be pleased with us.
Church isn't about membership, money or service times.
It's about taking care of things until He returns.
Those words still echo in my mind. I was all of 10 years old, the oldest child in my family and my Dad was leaving.
He had to leave a lot when I was young, he worked at a pipeline company and sooner or later a pipe somewhere would start leaking. It was usually far enough away that Dad would have to be gone for weeks at a time, coming home only on the weekends.
Being 10 I really didn't think about it that much, Dad always came home. When he would walk in the door Friday night my sisters and I would jump on him and hug him, just tickled to death to see him again. I will never forget that oil smell in his clothes. It didn't matter what he smelled like.
Dad was home.
As I grew older I began to realize what "take care of things while I'm gone" meant. Dad's job was dangerous, he would weld on pipes that only moments before had oil, gasoline or other flammables running through it. I watched them carry my dad home once, he had broken his foot. He had been on fire, had a ditch cave in on him, and eventually he was crushed by pipe rolling down a ditch on top of him. He survived but it damaged his back to the point he couldn't do his job anymore. I never thought for a moment he wouldn't come back.
On the weeks he was gone my job was to take care of the chores, mowing and keeping wood in the stove. When we lived in the country, I fed the chickens and slopped the pigs (thankfully we only had 7 pigs and it didn't last very long). Dad counted on me to keep things going while he was gone. To keep an eye on things, help Mom and look after my siblings. Mom did most of it herself but I helped where I could.
Now that my father is with the Lord I still hear his words, "take care of things". What that means to me is that my responsibilities are to my family. My wife, children, Mom and my brothers and sisters. Dad would want me to watch over things for him in his absence. It was taught to me in my youth and I take that very seriously.
I have thought about what Jesus said when He left earth. He was saying take care of things until I get back. Take care of my family, my children. I will return, but until I do I want you to continue the work I started. Love each other and care for each other.
If I had to sum up what the church needs to do, it's to take care of things until our Father comes back. We are the Jesus that people are going to see. We are his representatives in His absence. We are to follow in His footsteps, not because of our feeling of duty, but because we love our Lord so much, we want Him to return and be pleased with us.
Church isn't about membership, money or service times.
It's about taking care of things until He returns.
Thursday, January 12, 2006
What it's all about
The room was slightly dark as my mother in law walked into the room.
She went to the nursing home to visit an elderly lady who was not expected to make it through the night. The oxygen mask could not hide the smile she gave when my mother in law squeezed her hand.
"I'm going to see Jesus, maybe tonight"
As my mother in law shared that with the Bible study group, I couldn't help but say a few "amens" to myself, my eyes teared up.
And my load lightened.
I can get really wrapped up in life. My plans and ambitions. What I feel is important. I can get equally wrapped up in church leadership. Doing stuff. Go, go, go.
And, to quote Solomon in Ecclesiastes, it is meaningless.
I don't mean that we should just sit around and be depressed because of that, but we should remind ourselves about what life is really all about.
It isn't what you see on the commercials you watch. It isn't the latest church growth fad. It isn't wealth or a hottie on your arm.
Should we work in church? Of course, but are the things that we feel are important, REALLY important?
Are we showing love or are we just talking about showing love?
Are the church doors really open to anybody or is their people we would rather not see in "our" church?
Is the property of the church, it's money and it's buildings more important than it's mission?
You see when it's all over, is it really going to matter if we had a balanced budget?
Tough questions.
And answered, at least I feel, by a little old lady who was excited and looking forward to seeing her savior face to face.
You see everything in life needs to prepare us for that meeting. I think we get so busy sometimes we wouldn't have enough time to meet with Him.
Think I'm kidding?
How much time do you spend each day talking to Him?
Don't have the time? Hmmmm.
I wish anyone who reads this success and happiness.
Just make sure in the end you can smile and say...
I'm going to see Jesus, maybe tonight!!
She went to the nursing home to visit an elderly lady who was not expected to make it through the night. The oxygen mask could not hide the smile she gave when my mother in law squeezed her hand.
"I'm going to see Jesus, maybe tonight"
As my mother in law shared that with the Bible study group, I couldn't help but say a few "amens" to myself, my eyes teared up.
And my load lightened.
I can get really wrapped up in life. My plans and ambitions. What I feel is important. I can get equally wrapped up in church leadership. Doing stuff. Go, go, go.
And, to quote Solomon in Ecclesiastes, it is meaningless.
I don't mean that we should just sit around and be depressed because of that, but we should remind ourselves about what life is really all about.
It isn't what you see on the commercials you watch. It isn't the latest church growth fad. It isn't wealth or a hottie on your arm.
Should we work in church? Of course, but are the things that we feel are important, REALLY important?
Are we showing love or are we just talking about showing love?
Are the church doors really open to anybody or is their people we would rather not see in "our" church?
Is the property of the church, it's money and it's buildings more important than it's mission?
You see when it's all over, is it really going to matter if we had a balanced budget?
Tough questions.
And answered, at least I feel, by a little old lady who was excited and looking forward to seeing her savior face to face.
You see everything in life needs to prepare us for that meeting. I think we get so busy sometimes we wouldn't have enough time to meet with Him.
Think I'm kidding?
How much time do you spend each day talking to Him?
Don't have the time? Hmmmm.
I wish anyone who reads this success and happiness.
Just make sure in the end you can smile and say...
I'm going to see Jesus, maybe tonight!!
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Keep on keeping on
I had forgotten I had it.
In 2000 a brother in Christ had given me a devotional, it was neat, but I had packed it away into one of the many piles of books I have.
Being the new year I thought I would try to get myself back into some serious devotions.
Why had I stopped?
Well that is an interesting question.
Before my father passed away I was doing a devotional, keeping a spiritual journal, and even walking on a treadmill!!
And then my world crashed, my Dad died.
This may sound weird but even the town seemed like a different place because he was not in it anymore.
I know this may seem like a strange reason to stop doing devotions, I wasn't mad at God, my Dad had made the bad choices. It just seemed like my stride had been broken.
This brings us to today.
Being the new year I thought it was time to get back into it. Some serious time into God's word and some serious prayer time.
I opened my 6 year old devotional and guess what the first topic was about.
Perseverance.
You know, going strong even when the tough times come. Working even when the end is no where in sight.
Paul likened our journey to a race, a really long race. Which got me thinking.
I hate to run.
Running long distances is not my thing. When I was younger I would have much rather run the 50 yard dash instead of a long distance run. Face it, running a long race takes endurance, endurance comes from running, did I mention I hate to run?
You see if we are going to run in this race called life, and run it in a way that reflects Christ, it will take endurance. It will take training our hearts and minds to think in a new way, it means devoting time to our Savior and His words. Only then can we be prepared to handle all the stuff that gets thrown at us while we are running on the track.
But it means taking the time. Personal study, prayer and corporate worship are the means by which we gain endurance. We have to make these things our number one priority, even when we lose our stride, even when we just don't feel like it. We will have rest one day, but until then we must keep training.
So I have committed myself to get back into the word everyday and spend some serious one on one time with God everyday. I have to say it has made a difference already.
Now if I can just get back on the treadmill...
In 2000 a brother in Christ had given me a devotional, it was neat, but I had packed it away into one of the many piles of books I have.
Being the new year I thought I would try to get myself back into some serious devotions.
Why had I stopped?
Well that is an interesting question.
Before my father passed away I was doing a devotional, keeping a spiritual journal, and even walking on a treadmill!!
And then my world crashed, my Dad died.
This may sound weird but even the town seemed like a different place because he was not in it anymore.
I know this may seem like a strange reason to stop doing devotions, I wasn't mad at God, my Dad had made the bad choices. It just seemed like my stride had been broken.
This brings us to today.
Being the new year I thought it was time to get back into it. Some serious time into God's word and some serious prayer time.
I opened my 6 year old devotional and guess what the first topic was about.
Perseverance.
You know, going strong even when the tough times come. Working even when the end is no where in sight.
Paul likened our journey to a race, a really long race. Which got me thinking.
I hate to run.
Running long distances is not my thing. When I was younger I would have much rather run the 50 yard dash instead of a long distance run. Face it, running a long race takes endurance, endurance comes from running, did I mention I hate to run?
You see if we are going to run in this race called life, and run it in a way that reflects Christ, it will take endurance. It will take training our hearts and minds to think in a new way, it means devoting time to our Savior and His words. Only then can we be prepared to handle all the stuff that gets thrown at us while we are running on the track.
But it means taking the time. Personal study, prayer and corporate worship are the means by which we gain endurance. We have to make these things our number one priority, even when we lose our stride, even when we just don't feel like it. We will have rest one day, but until then we must keep training.
So I have committed myself to get back into the word everyday and spend some serious one on one time with God everyday. I have to say it has made a difference already.
Now if I can just get back on the treadmill...
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Church on Christmas?!?
That doesn't sound like a bad thing.
But I guess there are churches that simply dismiss services on one of the two most important Christian holidays of the year.
You might think I'm baffled by this, well I'm not.
It's really an indicator of the state of some of the churches and Christians in our country.
Before I throw any stones however, let's be honest.
Church attendance on the other Sunday mornings, and for some churches Sunday nights and Wednesday nights, is becoming more of an option than a requirement for many believers. They seem to be saying I could care less.
Many churches see that their membership rolls are a lot higher than their weekly average attendance. I have heard it said in my own church, "if we could just get everybody here, we would have 300 people".
First let me say I'm guilty. When I was younger and less spiritually mature, I would miss Sunday nights and Wednesday nights because, if I'm honest, I wanted to spend that time doing my own thing. Nothing against church, I just felt like there was better uses for my time, (like watching TV). And remember folks, I was and still am an Elder of the church.
It required another Christian to hold me accountable, and bluntly told me "how can you be a leader of the church and not be here?".
Good question.
Through that other Christian, and a heavy dose of conviction by the Holy Spirit, I realized that if I am going to lead others in a committed Christian walk, I had better be willing to model that walk. I will use this time to urge any Christian leader out there who is reading this to be honest with themselves and ask themselves how important attendance is to their ministry. Are you saying "people need to be in church" but living "I'll go to church when I want and when I have nothing better to do". Pray about this.
Now what about Christians who are not leaders. Is Church attendance important or even a requirement?
In my view..Yes.
Why?
Well the Bible tells us in Hebrews 10:25 that we should not give up meeting together. Why?
Well if we read on it tells us that we need to encourage one another.
Bottom line is that we feed off of each other. That's a good thing.
The reason we don't want to come to church, or we don't want the church to change, or we don't like it when someone is sitting in "our pew", or blah blah blah, is because church is about us.
When is it convenient for us to come to church, where can I park or sit where it is more comfortable. My time and activities are far more important than anything we are doing at church.
What happened to sacrifice? What happened to carrying our cross? What happened to following Jesus no matter the cost?
We all need to remember the cost of our salvation, the agony and death of an innocent man, just so we could have the opportunity to spend eternity in a perfect place. Can you put a price tag on that? How much money and time is that worth to you? What is more important, your comfort or Jesus Christ?
Yes Virginia, we will be having service Sunday morning.
But I guess there are churches that simply dismiss services on one of the two most important Christian holidays of the year.
You might think I'm baffled by this, well I'm not.
It's really an indicator of the state of some of the churches and Christians in our country.
Before I throw any stones however, let's be honest.
Church attendance on the other Sunday mornings, and for some churches Sunday nights and Wednesday nights, is becoming more of an option than a requirement for many believers. They seem to be saying I could care less.
Many churches see that their membership rolls are a lot higher than their weekly average attendance. I have heard it said in my own church, "if we could just get everybody here, we would have 300 people".
First let me say I'm guilty. When I was younger and less spiritually mature, I would miss Sunday nights and Wednesday nights because, if I'm honest, I wanted to spend that time doing my own thing. Nothing against church, I just felt like there was better uses for my time, (like watching TV). And remember folks, I was and still am an Elder of the church.
It required another Christian to hold me accountable, and bluntly told me "how can you be a leader of the church and not be here?".
Good question.
Through that other Christian, and a heavy dose of conviction by the Holy Spirit, I realized that if I am going to lead others in a committed Christian walk, I had better be willing to model that walk. I will use this time to urge any Christian leader out there who is reading this to be honest with themselves and ask themselves how important attendance is to their ministry. Are you saying "people need to be in church" but living "I'll go to church when I want and when I have nothing better to do". Pray about this.
Now what about Christians who are not leaders. Is Church attendance important or even a requirement?
In my view..Yes.
Why?
Well the Bible tells us in Hebrews 10:25 that we should not give up meeting together. Why?
Well if we read on it tells us that we need to encourage one another.
Bottom line is that we feed off of each other. That's a good thing.
The reason we don't want to come to church, or we don't want the church to change, or we don't like it when someone is sitting in "our pew", or blah blah blah, is because church is about us.
When is it convenient for us to come to church, where can I park or sit where it is more comfortable. My time and activities are far more important than anything we are doing at church.
What happened to sacrifice? What happened to carrying our cross? What happened to following Jesus no matter the cost?
We all need to remember the cost of our salvation, the agony and death of an innocent man, just so we could have the opportunity to spend eternity in a perfect place. Can you put a price tag on that? How much money and time is that worth to you? What is more important, your comfort or Jesus Christ?
Yes Virginia, we will be having service Sunday morning.
Friday, December 16, 2005
Closet Drummer
To this day I don't know why.
When I was in High School, I decided I wanted to join the band. I wanted to play the drums.
"No" was my Dad's answer.
Now in some houses "no" means just keep bugging Dad until he gives in. The house I grew up in when Dad said "no", it meant the discussion ended.
Period.
So I picked the trombone, which I must say is not nearly as cool as being a drummer. My heart really wasn't in it. I played for a couple of years until basketball became my focus. Then I quit the trombone.
I wonder why Dad said "no". Was he worried about the noise? Did he think I would end up in some rock band with long hair and ear rings?
I mean I really enjoy the rhythms of songs. My taste in music can range across a lot of different styles. Forget the lyrics, how cool is the rhythm.
Growing up in a VERY conservative church, all that we sang was hymns. There was nothing called contemporary worship. You had your song book. That's it.
During my teen years there wasn't a lot of cool Christian bands, in fact I think there was just a handful. None of which interested me in the least.
Christian teens today can enjoy a wide range of bands and styles that have a Christian message, shoot I've found that I even enjoy some of them.
Growing up I tried my hand at writing music, playing the guitar, and of course playing the drums. I played the drums for my friend Brian who played the guitar and sang. Lets just say our band never got off the ground, although I really enjoyed playing the drums for Brian.
That brings us to today.
Being the leader of a Jr-Sr high youth group I have rediscovered how important music is to the younger generation. What they like and don't like. I can tell you this, and don't get upset about this, but they have a really hard time with traditional worship music.
Why?
I think first it is a generational issue. Look I'm sure somebody's Grandma started breaking somebody's Elvis albums. Young people think older people are out of touch. This is not new, as a kid I thought older people were out of touch. Young people think they have most of the answers, although they find out when they get older that older people were sharper than they thought.
The second, and I think more important, issue is that young people are not blind. They see adults sing hymns with about as much passion as a sit in a doctors office waiting room. They watch people worship God in a hollow, perhaps zombie type way. Young people, for the most part, are about life. They are looking for a real, genuine worship experience. That means the music has to be a little more upbeat.
At my church we try to mix hymns with more contemporary music. I know Barna says not to, but I think it is a good thing. It makes the church grow by stretching some of the older folks and letting the younger ones feel more comfortable in worship. We try to make worship better for everyone, which has worked for us, your results may vary.
I have a confession however. Every once and awhile the church turns the Sunday evening service over to my youth group. They have the freedom to do whatever they want in the service. Their music 100%.
Guess what.
I find myself tapping my foot and really enjoying the worship music they pick. Is there any hope for me?
I wonder if they will let me play the drums for them?
Hmmmmm.
When I was in High School, I decided I wanted to join the band. I wanted to play the drums.
"No" was my Dad's answer.
Now in some houses "no" means just keep bugging Dad until he gives in. The house I grew up in when Dad said "no", it meant the discussion ended.
Period.
So I picked the trombone, which I must say is not nearly as cool as being a drummer. My heart really wasn't in it. I played for a couple of years until basketball became my focus. Then I quit the trombone.
I wonder why Dad said "no". Was he worried about the noise? Did he think I would end up in some rock band with long hair and ear rings?
I mean I really enjoy the rhythms of songs. My taste in music can range across a lot of different styles. Forget the lyrics, how cool is the rhythm.
Growing up in a VERY conservative church, all that we sang was hymns. There was nothing called contemporary worship. You had your song book. That's it.
During my teen years there wasn't a lot of cool Christian bands, in fact I think there was just a handful. None of which interested me in the least.
Christian teens today can enjoy a wide range of bands and styles that have a Christian message, shoot I've found that I even enjoy some of them.
Growing up I tried my hand at writing music, playing the guitar, and of course playing the drums. I played the drums for my friend Brian who played the guitar and sang. Lets just say our band never got off the ground, although I really enjoyed playing the drums for Brian.
That brings us to today.
Being the leader of a Jr-Sr high youth group I have rediscovered how important music is to the younger generation. What they like and don't like. I can tell you this, and don't get upset about this, but they have a really hard time with traditional worship music.
Why?
I think first it is a generational issue. Look I'm sure somebody's Grandma started breaking somebody's Elvis albums. Young people think older people are out of touch. This is not new, as a kid I thought older people were out of touch. Young people think they have most of the answers, although they find out when they get older that older people were sharper than they thought.
The second, and I think more important, issue is that young people are not blind. They see adults sing hymns with about as much passion as a sit in a doctors office waiting room. They watch people worship God in a hollow, perhaps zombie type way. Young people, for the most part, are about life. They are looking for a real, genuine worship experience. That means the music has to be a little more upbeat.
At my church we try to mix hymns with more contemporary music. I know Barna says not to, but I think it is a good thing. It makes the church grow by stretching some of the older folks and letting the younger ones feel more comfortable in worship. We try to make worship better for everyone, which has worked for us, your results may vary.
I have a confession however. Every once and awhile the church turns the Sunday evening service over to my youth group. They have the freedom to do whatever they want in the service. Their music 100%.
Guess what.
I find myself tapping my foot and really enjoying the worship music they pick. Is there any hope for me?
I wonder if they will let me play the drums for them?
Hmmmmm.
Thursday, December 15, 2005
Holiday Tree?
"Let me ask you a question".
Frank usually didn't start our conversations like that, I was kind of worried about what the question was going to be.
"Sure", I said.
"At your house do you have a Christmas tree or a holiday tree?"
Frank obviously doesn't know I'm a Christian. "I have a Christmas tree", I replied in the nice but firm voice I'm famous for.
"See, that's what I say, but my wife wants to call it a holiday tree."
"Wow", was about all I could get out.
I have heard about this "holiday tree" garbage, the stores saying "happy holidays" instead of "merry Christmas". But I never thought I would actually talk to anyone who even knew anybody who bought into this stuff.
Maybe that's a problem.
I have to admit that I can really get steamed at the minority in this country, who, through shear intimidation, can ruin one of the greatest holidays there is.
I'm not usually one to scream the sky is falling every time some nut in this country tries to change how we handle God. I actually respect the rights of people who don't want anything to do with God. Why? Because God gives people the opportunity to live their life without Him. It is a simple choice and God loves you enough to let you decide. Heck, live your whole life that way and guess what, God will let you spend eternity without him, but that really won't be a pleasant experience.
But mess with Christmas?
I guess what gets me steamed is that the same minority that wants God out of their lives wants me to put God out of mine. If you don't want to celebrate Christmas the way I do, fine. Call your tree whatever you want, erase Christmas from your calendar all together if you like. That's what living in a free country is all about, you can decide how you want to live your life.
But don't mess with mine.
Why are people so afraid of Christ? Why are we so scared of the Ten Commandments? We don't keep them anyway. Why do some homosexuals try to push acceptance of their lifestyle choice on others? You can do whatever you want, just don't think that just because it's you that God is going to be okay with it.
Maybe the problem is right there.
To many people, to many churches try to create God in their image. We want a God to be okay with us, instead of us being okay with God. It is a lot easier that way.
Jesus said something that really caught my eye, Luke 6 verse 46, He said "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?". This cuts both ways, it warns Christians to be following the teachings of Jesus, and if we are going to be followers of Christ, we must obey ALL of His teachings. Not just the ones we like. What is the use of saying that Jesus is the lord of our life when we simply live life the way we want to?
In reading this some may say that I am uncaring, a homophobe, self righteous or, gasp, even conservative. But I submit I'm none of the above.
I am simply a Christian man, that fails his Lord every day. The difference is that I am trying to conform my life to what God expects, not making God see things my way.
Jesus said that if we love Him, we must obey him. Everybody runs around saying they love Jesus, but do they love Him enough to deny themselves and their desires to follow Him? It is a question we all must be brave enough to ask.
In the last times we are told not to be surprised at the events we witness, yet I can't help but be surprised at the direction we have taken as a country. At one time being a Christian was a positive thing, now it is something to be feared. Is hate that far off?
I want everyone to accept Christ as their savior, I don't want anyone to suffer hell. The Bible tells us that the road to hell is wide. The majority of people will choose to live without God.
And God loves them enough to let them.
Frank usually didn't start our conversations like that, I was kind of worried about what the question was going to be.
"Sure", I said.
"At your house do you have a Christmas tree or a holiday tree?"
Frank obviously doesn't know I'm a Christian. "I have a Christmas tree", I replied in the nice but firm voice I'm famous for.
"See, that's what I say, but my wife wants to call it a holiday tree."
"Wow", was about all I could get out.
I have heard about this "holiday tree" garbage, the stores saying "happy holidays" instead of "merry Christmas". But I never thought I would actually talk to anyone who even knew anybody who bought into this stuff.
Maybe that's a problem.
I have to admit that I can really get steamed at the minority in this country, who, through shear intimidation, can ruin one of the greatest holidays there is.
I'm not usually one to scream the sky is falling every time some nut in this country tries to change how we handle God. I actually respect the rights of people who don't want anything to do with God. Why? Because God gives people the opportunity to live their life without Him. It is a simple choice and God loves you enough to let you decide. Heck, live your whole life that way and guess what, God will let you spend eternity without him, but that really won't be a pleasant experience.
But mess with Christmas?
I guess what gets me steamed is that the same minority that wants God out of their lives wants me to put God out of mine. If you don't want to celebrate Christmas the way I do, fine. Call your tree whatever you want, erase Christmas from your calendar all together if you like. That's what living in a free country is all about, you can decide how you want to live your life.
But don't mess with mine.
Why are people so afraid of Christ? Why are we so scared of the Ten Commandments? We don't keep them anyway. Why do some homosexuals try to push acceptance of their lifestyle choice on others? You can do whatever you want, just don't think that just because it's you that God is going to be okay with it.
Maybe the problem is right there.
To many people, to many churches try to create God in their image. We want a God to be okay with us, instead of us being okay with God. It is a lot easier that way.
Jesus said something that really caught my eye, Luke 6 verse 46, He said "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?". This cuts both ways, it warns Christians to be following the teachings of Jesus, and if we are going to be followers of Christ, we must obey ALL of His teachings. Not just the ones we like. What is the use of saying that Jesus is the lord of our life when we simply live life the way we want to?
In reading this some may say that I am uncaring, a homophobe, self righteous or, gasp, even conservative. But I submit I'm none of the above.
I am simply a Christian man, that fails his Lord every day. The difference is that I am trying to conform my life to what God expects, not making God see things my way.
Jesus said that if we love Him, we must obey him. Everybody runs around saying they love Jesus, but do they love Him enough to deny themselves and their desires to follow Him? It is a question we all must be brave enough to ask.
In the last times we are told not to be surprised at the events we witness, yet I can't help but be surprised at the direction we have taken as a country. At one time being a Christian was a positive thing, now it is something to be feared. Is hate that far off?
I want everyone to accept Christ as their savior, I don't want anyone to suffer hell. The Bible tells us that the road to hell is wide. The majority of people will choose to live without God.
And God loves them enough to let them.
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Where have all the good times gone?
That's an old Van Halen song, that has a message.
Many people think that the church was so much better than it is today. I'm always hearing about the good ol' days. If you think that way, read this;
In other words, he wished to see Christians doing the things that Christ did, and using, in matters of the church, the same business sense which they brought to bear upon their own affairs. He thought of the poverty, squalor and wretchedness of some for whom Christ died, and of the costly luxuries of the church into whose hands the Master had given the care of these. He thought of the doors to places of sin, swinging wide before the young, while the doors of the church were often closed against them. He thought of the secret societies and orders, doing the work that the church was meant to do,and of the honest, moral men, who refused to identify themselves with the church, though professing belief in Jesus Christ; and, thinking of these things and more like them, he was forced to say that the church must change her methods; that she must talk less and do more;that she must rest her claims to the love of mankind where Christ rested his; upon the works that He did. He saw that the church was proving false to the Christ; that her service was a service of the lips only; that her worship was form and ceremony--not of the heart--a hollow mockery. He saw that she was not touching the great problems of life; and that, while men were dying for want of spiritual bread, she was offering them only the stones of ecclesiastical pride and denominational egotism. He saw all this, and yet,--because he was a strong man--remained full of love for Christ and taught that those things were not Christianity but the lack of it;and placed the blame where it justly belonged, upon the teaching and doctrines of men, and not upon the principles of Christ; but upon the shepherds, who fattened themselves, while the starving sheep grew thin and lean; and not upon Him who came to seek and save that which was lost.
Sound like today's church?
Well it isn't.
This was written by a man that lived from 1872 to 1944, Harold Bell Wright, and this is an excerpt from his book,"That Printer of Udell's".
What does this tell us?
That no matter what generation you want to talk about, the church has always dealt with the same problems that we deal with today.
The prescription to fix the problem is the same today as it was then. It cannot become content.
We cannot be content as a church while people are in need. We cannot be content as a church to the point we really don't want anyone else to join our club. We cannot be content as a church when people are dying and going to an eternal hell. When we do become content about these things, God simply stops using us.
Think about the church in Revelation, the one in Ephesus, that lost its first love. In other words they became content. Jesus tells them to remember the height from which they had fallen. To repent and do the things they had done before. You can argue that this letter was for the church in Ephesus or it was symbolic for every church, but the meaning is clear either way, the church can become very content with itself and God does not dig that.
In the end the question is simple for us as leaders, either we lead by example and encourage strongly our congregation to mature enough to see what church is really all about, or...
we become hospice providers for a dying church.
Many people think that the church was so much better than it is today. I'm always hearing about the good ol' days. If you think that way, read this;
In other words, he wished to see Christians doing the things that Christ did, and using, in matters of the church, the same business sense which they brought to bear upon their own affairs. He thought of the poverty, squalor and wretchedness of some for whom Christ died, and of the costly luxuries of the church into whose hands the Master had given the care of these. He thought of the doors to places of sin, swinging wide before the young, while the doors of the church were often closed against them. He thought of the secret societies and orders, doing the work that the church was meant to do,and of the honest, moral men, who refused to identify themselves with the church, though professing belief in Jesus Christ; and, thinking of these things and more like them, he was forced to say that the church must change her methods; that she must talk less and do more;that she must rest her claims to the love of mankind where Christ rested his; upon the works that He did. He saw that the church was proving false to the Christ; that her service was a service of the lips only; that her worship was form and ceremony--not of the heart--a hollow mockery. He saw that she was not touching the great problems of life; and that, while men were dying for want of spiritual bread, she was offering them only the stones of ecclesiastical pride and denominational egotism. He saw all this, and yet,--because he was a strong man--remained full of love for Christ and taught that those things were not Christianity but the lack of it;and placed the blame where it justly belonged, upon the teaching and doctrines of men, and not upon the principles of Christ; but upon the shepherds, who fattened themselves, while the starving sheep grew thin and lean; and not upon Him who came to seek and save that which was lost.
Sound like today's church?
Well it isn't.
This was written by a man that lived from 1872 to 1944, Harold Bell Wright, and this is an excerpt from his book,"That Printer of Udell's".
What does this tell us?
That no matter what generation you want to talk about, the church has always dealt with the same problems that we deal with today.
The prescription to fix the problem is the same today as it was then. It cannot become content.
We cannot be content as a church while people are in need. We cannot be content as a church to the point we really don't want anyone else to join our club. We cannot be content as a church when people are dying and going to an eternal hell. When we do become content about these things, God simply stops using us.
Think about the church in Revelation, the one in Ephesus, that lost its first love. In other words they became content. Jesus tells them to remember the height from which they had fallen. To repent and do the things they had done before. You can argue that this letter was for the church in Ephesus or it was symbolic for every church, but the meaning is clear either way, the church can become very content with itself and God does not dig that.
In the end the question is simple for us as leaders, either we lead by example and encourage strongly our congregation to mature enough to see what church is really all about, or...
we become hospice providers for a dying church.
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