"'Even now,' declares the Lord,
'return to me with all your heart,
with fasting and weeping and mourning.
Rend your heart and not your garments.'"
Joel 2:12
O God, our great shepherd, you tenderly gather us as lambs, carrying us with your all embracing love. Yet, like sheep, we wander from you: following our own ways, ignoring your voice, distrusting your provisions.
Forgive our stubborn rebellion, our hardened hearts, our lack of trust.
Forgive us for those things that we have done though we should not and those things we have left undone that we should have done.
Refresh us once again by your quiet waters of mercy and restore our souls by your redeeming love.
Guide our paths that we might follow you more closely.
May your Season of Lent rend your heart back to your creator and Savior.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
Allen Iverson on Charity and The Afterlife
I've always been a fan of Allen Iverson despite his reputation as one the NBA's bad guys. Much of that always seemed to come from the way he dressed, the way he wore his hair and the number of tattoos he has. None of that concerns me in the least.
Recently he provided some pretty interesting quotes to a reporter. Here are the highlights:
When asked about the highly publicized charity work organized by the league, he said it was "Fake."
"I just look forward to doing it. I don't need all the publicity that comes with it. I don't need that. When it's time for me to get toward that gate, either [God is] gonna say, 'Come in,' or He [is] gonna say, 'Turn around.' And a camera won't decide whether I get in or not."
Recently he provided some pretty interesting quotes to a reporter. Here are the highlights:
When asked about the highly publicized charity work organized by the league, he said it was "Fake."
"I just look forward to doing it. I don't need all the publicity that comes with it. I don't need that. When it's time for me to get toward that gate, either [God is] gonna say, 'Come in,' or He [is] gonna say, 'Turn around.' And a camera won't decide whether I get in or not."
Someone asked if Iverson thought he was going to heaven or hell.
"I've done a lot of good things in my life and done a lot of bad things in my life so I don't know. I hope the good things outweigh the bad things. I'm damn sure I don't want to go to hell.
"I'm not saying that I'm not in, because I think I am. Unless some things go dramatically wrong in the next how many years, I think I'll be welcomed through those gates."
He was asked if athletes should be considered role models?
"We have more impact on the world than people may think, than even we might think, you know what I mean? When I was younger, when we talk about role model-type situations, I never knew that we were important like we are.
"We are role models, regardless if we like it or not. It is something that we got to accept, but it is something that people should know that we're human and we make mistakes and we are not going to be perfect. You can want to be like Allen Iverson, but I don't think people should try to be like Allen Iverson. I think people should be better than Allen Iverson."
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
The Big Brother Bother
On more than one occasion, when I have taught the parable of the Prodigal Son, people have objected on behalf of the older brother. They feel that his gripe is legitimate. They think that the Father is playing favorites with the younger brother.
One person got so upset by it that I think he missed the beauty of perhaps Jesus' most wonderful story, the outlandish compassion of our heavenly Father.
I think this is important to clear up, because it will affect how we view our Heavenly Father and all those who would approach him. This is the context of the story (see verse 1 and 2). It is important to see the failings of the older brother (as well as the younger), and the generosity the Father shows both of his sons.
With that said, here is the case against the older brother:
1. He lacks the love of the father. It's easy to judge your siblings, but what father wants his child enslaved by a Gentile, tending pigs and starving? Or what father could allow his son to be his slave, see him everyday and treat him as a stranger?
It was the older brother's responsibility to plead to his father on behalf of a wayward brother. This older brother takes the opposite route. It is hatred fueled by jealousy, pride and pettiness.
Interestingly, there was a rabbinical parable of a prodigal son whose father does force him to be a slave to teach him a lesson. But that vindictive behavior does not reflect the Father in Heaven. But that story (if well-known) would have made Jesus' twist all the more dramatic.
2. He dishonors his father. Look at the humble words the "sinful" son uses upon his return. Now look at the obstinate words the older brother uses. He does not address him as "father". He shows great disdain for his brother, and his Father's decision to celebrate his return.
It is somewhat rude in our culture. It would have been seen as much worse in such a patriarchal culture.
3. He was ungrateful for what he had been given. His emphasis was how he had earned so much and received so little. His father's retort was how he had been given everything, while not acknowledging that any of it had been earned.
4. He is hypocrite regarding his father's mercy. While he had to know that his behavior was disrespectful, he wanted his brother's disrespect punished. His father continues to show him great mercy. See the way he seeks him out. Hear the tenderness as he addresses him as "my son".
So, I say, be careful not to pity such a dark reaction to the Father's love. Show mercy to older and younger brothers alike without excusing their behavior.
One person got so upset by it that I think he missed the beauty of perhaps Jesus' most wonderful story, the outlandish compassion of our heavenly Father.
I think this is important to clear up, because it will affect how we view our Heavenly Father and all those who would approach him. This is the context of the story (see verse 1 and 2). It is important to see the failings of the older brother (as well as the younger), and the generosity the Father shows both of his sons.
With that said, here is the case against the older brother:
1. He lacks the love of the father. It's easy to judge your siblings, but what father wants his child enslaved by a Gentile, tending pigs and starving? Or what father could allow his son to be his slave, see him everyday and treat him as a stranger?
It was the older brother's responsibility to plead to his father on behalf of a wayward brother. This older brother takes the opposite route. It is hatred fueled by jealousy, pride and pettiness.
Interestingly, there was a rabbinical parable of a prodigal son whose father does force him to be a slave to teach him a lesson. But that vindictive behavior does not reflect the Father in Heaven. But that story (if well-known) would have made Jesus' twist all the more dramatic.
2. He dishonors his father. Look at the humble words the "sinful" son uses upon his return. Now look at the obstinate words the older brother uses. He does not address him as "father". He shows great disdain for his brother, and his Father's decision to celebrate his return.
It is somewhat rude in our culture. It would have been seen as much worse in such a patriarchal culture.
3. He was ungrateful for what he had been given. His emphasis was how he had earned so much and received so little. His father's retort was how he had been given everything, while not acknowledging that any of it had been earned.
4. He is hypocrite regarding his father's mercy. While he had to know that his behavior was disrespectful, he wanted his brother's disrespect punished. His father continues to show him great mercy. See the way he seeks him out. Hear the tenderness as he addresses him as "my son".
So, I say, be careful not to pity such a dark reaction to the Father's love. Show mercy to older and younger brothers alike without excusing their behavior.
Monday, February 16, 2009
The Puzzling Power of the Resurrection
If you have ever done a jigsaw puzzle you know the full range of emotions that come with the task. At times it is a struggle - desperately looking for the right pieces. The frustration that sets in as you think you found a match and then realizing that is not right. The feelings of joy that come when you get a section completed or finally find that piece you have been looking for. And of course, the great feeling of satisfaction that comes over you when you finish the puzzle, all the pieces are in place, and you can see the fruit of your labor as you have the complete picture and can see how everything worked together.
I believe a jigsaw puzzle provides the perfect picture of what Paul is talking about in Philippians 3:10-11. How can there be joy in suffering? How can he desire to go through the pain and agony that Jesus endured? Because Paul knows that each struggle is a piece that is fitting together to form a fuller picture. And every piece that fits together unites us with Christ in a profound and unexplainable way. Again and again Paul returns to the thought that when the Christian has to suffer, he or she is in some strange way sharing the very suffering of Christ. To suffer for one’s faith is not a penalty, it is a privilege, because we are working towards completing the picture.
And never doubt the promise that if we suffer with him, we will be glorified with him. If we suffer with him, we shall reign with him. Experiencing the power of the resurrection means that we are so united with Christ that day by day we come more to share in his death, so that finally we share in his Resurrection. To know Christ means that we share the way he walked; we share the Cross he bore; we share the death he died; and finally we share the life he lives for evermore.
But in order for Jesus to dispense life, death is involved. There must be death to self to experience a resurrected life. Jesus offers a new life to any of us, at any time if we are willing to give over our selfishness, our pride, our desire for complete control over to him. That may take us places that we would have preferred not to go. That may cause some suffering for the name of Christ. But the guarantee that is backed up by Jesus’ resurrection is that we will experience the power to overcome, not just when we die, but here and now. To know Jesus is to believe unwaveringly that he will complete the puzzle.
I believe a jigsaw puzzle provides the perfect picture of what Paul is talking about in Philippians 3:10-11. How can there be joy in suffering? How can he desire to go through the pain and agony that Jesus endured? Because Paul knows that each struggle is a piece that is fitting together to form a fuller picture. And every piece that fits together unites us with Christ in a profound and unexplainable way. Again and again Paul returns to the thought that when the Christian has to suffer, he or she is in some strange way sharing the very suffering of Christ. To suffer for one’s faith is not a penalty, it is a privilege, because we are working towards completing the picture.
And never doubt the promise that if we suffer with him, we will be glorified with him. If we suffer with him, we shall reign with him. Experiencing the power of the resurrection means that we are so united with Christ that day by day we come more to share in his death, so that finally we share in his Resurrection. To know Christ means that we share the way he walked; we share the Cross he bore; we share the death he died; and finally we share the life he lives for evermore.
But in order for Jesus to dispense life, death is involved. There must be death to self to experience a resurrected life. Jesus offers a new life to any of us, at any time if we are willing to give over our selfishness, our pride, our desire for complete control over to him. That may take us places that we would have preferred not to go. That may cause some suffering for the name of Christ. But the guarantee that is backed up by Jesus’ resurrection is that we will experience the power to overcome, not just when we die, but here and now. To know Jesus is to believe unwaveringly that he will complete the puzzle.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Deja Vu...It's Last Week All Over Again
I am going to repeat last week's post because it is what I am still dwelling on. Sam provided guidance, but nobody else said anything. Maybe nobody has anything to say because Sam said all that needed to be said. Who knows?
As we begin our search for a church in the Oxford area, I have some serious questions.
Here are my guiding verses.
How would a visitor measure whether a church is loving?
How would a visitor measure whether a church has a healthy fellowship?
How would a visitor measure whether a church is a praying church?
How would a visitor measure whether a church teaches proper doctrine?
For those of you in ministry, how would you show a visitor that you are striving to be what the church should be.
As we begin our search for a church in the Oxford area, I have some serious questions.
Here are my guiding verses.
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. (Acts 2:42)
On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
"What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?"
He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" (Luke 10:25-27)
How would a visitor measure whether a church is loving?
How would a visitor measure whether a church has a healthy fellowship?
How would a visitor measure whether a church is a praying church?
How would a visitor measure whether a church teaches proper doctrine?
For those of you in ministry, how would you show a visitor that you are striving to be what the church should be.
Monday, February 9, 2009
The Promise or the Premise of the Gospel?
I have been thinking about the content and nature of the gospel message – how people differ on what its contents are, how people differ on the presentation of this good news. And it has led me to ask what I consider to be a very poignant question: “Would you follow Jesus if there was no heaven and no hell?” Before you get bogged down on defending the locals of the next life, understand that I am not overtly denying their existence (though I have a discussion of Hell here – Part 1, Part 2, Part 3). So, set that aside for a second, and consider, would you follow Jesus if there was no heaven and no hell?
I believe many would have a difficult time answering this question and it may well be impossible because heaven is inseparably bound up in their gospel. A shortened version would read something like this:
Thus to extricate heaven and hell from the gospel message would prove to be a difficult task indeed. But I recommend we try because I believe that this exercise gets at the full gospel message. More than that, I believe this exercise would challenge our understanding of why we do the things we do – our motivation for loving, forgiving, and living holy lives. So really consider the following: What if the work of Jesus accomplished reconciliation with the Creator, but there was no expectation of an eternal reward? Would you still seek to live a holy life or would you still try to love God and neighbor?
Might I propose something somewhat shocking – I think that many Christians would not be as “good” (or perhaps would be less “good” as we are not doing a great job currently). Haven’t we all heard preachers and teachers repeat the words of Qohleth when lambasting atheists? These speakers tell us that if there is no God and there is no heaven then we may as well “eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die.” If we found out that there was nothing to look forward to then how would we treat this life? Probably we would seek more pleasure and selfish joy at the cost of loving others. We may not go around killing each other or swindling one another, but my cynical nature believes that we would cease putting others first.
But let me put something out there – a variance of the gospel message. Jesus came to show us the best way to live. He came for more than just saving me from my sins. He came to bring a full life (John 10:10) and that doesn’t have to include heaven. This full life contains a fulfilling existence while on this earth – a lifestyle of love and grace. When we understand that the best life is the one modeled by Jesus and that finds its fulfillment in the Kingdom of God then our motivation for emulating this lifestyle stems not from expectation of eternal reward or punishment but from the firm belief that all joy, happiness, and fulfillment can be found in this life, following the shadow of the Savior.
I believe many would have a difficult time answering this question and it may well be impossible because heaven is inseparably bound up in their gospel. A shortened version would read something like this:
God sent Jesus to save us from our sins so that we can spend eternity with God in heaven.Or perhaps on the opposite side of the coin,
God sent Jesus to deliver us from evil and the punishment of hell.
Thus to extricate heaven and hell from the gospel message would prove to be a difficult task indeed. But I recommend we try because I believe that this exercise gets at the full gospel message. More than that, I believe this exercise would challenge our understanding of why we do the things we do – our motivation for loving, forgiving, and living holy lives. So really consider the following: What if the work of Jesus accomplished reconciliation with the Creator, but there was no expectation of an eternal reward? Would you still seek to live a holy life or would you still try to love God and neighbor?
Might I propose something somewhat shocking – I think that many Christians would not be as “good” (or perhaps would be less “good” as we are not doing a great job currently). Haven’t we all heard preachers and teachers repeat the words of Qohleth when lambasting atheists? These speakers tell us that if there is no God and there is no heaven then we may as well “eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die.” If we found out that there was nothing to look forward to then how would we treat this life? Probably we would seek more pleasure and selfish joy at the cost of loving others. We may not go around killing each other or swindling one another, but my cynical nature believes that we would cease putting others first.
But let me put something out there – a variance of the gospel message. Jesus came to show us the best way to live. He came for more than just saving me from my sins. He came to bring a full life (John 10:10) and that doesn’t have to include heaven. This full life contains a fulfilling existence while on this earth – a lifestyle of love and grace. When we understand that the best life is the one modeled by Jesus and that finds its fulfillment in the Kingdom of God then our motivation for emulating this lifestyle stems not from expectation of eternal reward or punishment but from the firm belief that all joy, happiness, and fulfillment can be found in this life, following the shadow of the Savior.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
A Quote on Prayer
I ran across this quote following the discussion between Sam and I yesterday on how to find a praying, fellowshipping, loving, and doctrinally sound church.
This concerns how to discern whether a church is a praying church. This is from Emilie Griffin's Clinging: The Experience of Prayer
This concerns how to discern whether a church is a praying church. This is from Emilie Griffin's Clinging: The Experience of Prayer
People who pray, really pray, don't talk about it much. After you have looked into the matter carefully, you may be able to puzzle out who is really praying....In order to find a person who prays, you have to look for clues: charitableness, good temper, patience, a fair ability to handle stress, resonance, openness to others. What happens to people who pray is that their inward life gradually takes over from their outward life.
Friday, February 6, 2009
How to Find a Church that is...
Today I return to Chi Rho Live with questions rather than a post working through my thoughts. As we begin our search for a church in the Oxford area, I have some serious questions.
Here are my guiding verses.
How would a visitor measure whether a church is loving?
How would a visitor measure whether a church has a healthy fellowship?
How would a visitor measure whether a church is a praying church?
How would a visitor measure whether a church teaches proper doctrine?
For those of you in ministry, how would you show a visitor that you are striving to be what the church should be.
Here are my guiding verses.
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. (Acts 2:42)
On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
"What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?"
He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" (Luke 10:25-27)
How would a visitor measure whether a church is loving?
How would a visitor measure whether a church has a healthy fellowship?
How would a visitor measure whether a church is a praying church?
How would a visitor measure whether a church teaches proper doctrine?
For those of you in ministry, how would you show a visitor that you are striving to be what the church should be.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
The Shack
Okay,I just finished 'The Shack'. I don't want to give a full review. I just want to share a few thoughts.
As over-exposed as it is, the story behind the book might be the best part of it. It inspires me to want to write for smaller closer audiences. What a gift he gave his kids.
It is not as bad as you have heard, nor is it the best book ever written.
As with any book that tries to give theological answers about God that are not overtly stated in Scripture, it was at times annoying, for me anyway. Nothing horrible. The idea that God adamantly against us thinking we have responsibility was more than a little odd.
Every time the main character was shocked by the deep truths God was revealing made me laugh. These are the authors thoughts, and he thinks awe is the most natural reaction to them. I'm not knocking him. That's just one dilemma of writing words into God's mouth. If a man were not awed by God's words, then it wouldn't be God. But how do you come up with such words?
I think the book is cathartic. It was interesting (with the possible exception of the middle where it becomes all dialogue with no action for a while). It will make you think. It's worth the read for anyone who can remember that the book does not pretend to be anything more than fiction. And for that reason, I might not recommend it to everyone.
As over-exposed as it is, the story behind the book might be the best part of it. It inspires me to want to write for smaller closer audiences. What a gift he gave his kids.
It is not as bad as you have heard, nor is it the best book ever written.
As with any book that tries to give theological answers about God that are not overtly stated in Scripture, it was at times annoying, for me anyway. Nothing horrible. The idea that God adamantly against us thinking we have responsibility was more than a little odd.
Every time the main character was shocked by the deep truths God was revealing made me laugh. These are the authors thoughts, and he thinks awe is the most natural reaction to them. I'm not knocking him. That's just one dilemma of writing words into God's mouth. If a man were not awed by God's words, then it wouldn't be God. But how do you come up with such words?
I think the book is cathartic. It was interesting (with the possible exception of the middle where it becomes all dialogue with no action for a while). It will make you think. It's worth the read for anyone who can remember that the book does not pretend to be anything more than fiction. And for that reason, I might not recommend it to everyone.
A Chase After The Wind
A few weeks back a friend asked me to visit a cabin he owned in the U.P. He knew I was tired and needed some revitalization. So, he wanted to be able to get away.
However, getting there, he said, was a little tricky. "You know how to get to the bridge. That's the easy part. But after that there so many unnamed roads. And the scenery and landmarks may have changed. It seems every time I give someone directions (turn right here, go four miles, etc...) they always lose their way."
Bemused, I asked, "How exactly do you expect me to find this place then?"
"Well," he chuckled, "the wind blows and swirls toward the cabin. Follow the wind, and you will get there."
This is not an account of actual events, but is an illustration to help us think about the Holy Spirit. Remember that the word for Spirit, pneuma
How would this be helpful?
I guess it reminds me that the Spirit is not still or stagnant. He moves like the wind.
It's easier to tell where wind has been than where it is going. You just look at the things blown over.
So it is with the Spirit, I think. We can tell where he has been. His fruit is there. Love. Joy. Peace. Patience. Kindness. Goodness. Faithfulness. Gentleness. Self-Control. If you find broken Laws, then that is not the fruit of his presence.
I think that such ethereal directions are a challenge for sense of independence and control. Any time someone tries to give me landmarks, I grit my teeth and ask for road names. But it does seem to me to be the Way.
However, getting there, he said, was a little tricky. "You know how to get to the bridge. That's the easy part. But after that there so many unnamed roads. And the scenery and landmarks may have changed. It seems every time I give someone directions (turn right here, go four miles, etc...) they always lose their way."
Bemused, I asked, "How exactly do you expect me to find this place then?"
"Well," he chuckled, "the wind blows and swirls toward the cabin. Follow the wind, and you will get there."
This is not an account of actual events, but is an illustration to help us think about the Holy Spirit. Remember that the word for Spirit, pneuma
How would this be helpful?
I guess it reminds me that the Spirit is not still or stagnant. He moves like the wind.
It's easier to tell where wind has been than where it is going. You just look at the things blown over.
So it is with the Spirit, I think. We can tell where he has been. His fruit is there. Love. Joy. Peace. Patience. Kindness. Goodness. Faithfulness. Gentleness. Self-Control. If you find broken Laws, then that is not the fruit of his presence.
I think that such ethereal directions are a challenge for sense of independence and control. Any time someone tries to give me landmarks, I grit my teeth and ask for road names. But it does seem to me to be the Way.
Monday, February 2, 2009
The Path to Apostasy
I have noticed a disturbing trend. Granted, this is based on a limited set of data and I have not harnessed the resources of Barna, but I think that an alarming number of people who have attended Christian Colleges have turned away from faith. Again, I am basing this on my own experience, but just a little reflection and reconnection with people tells me that there is some sort of problem causing people who go into college as Christians to come out jaded, cynical, and disinterested in the Christian faith. Some of these same people eventually come back around again, but many do not.
It all leads me to ask, “Why?” Why does Christian education have the exact opposite effect on some people than the mission of the school? Why was my faith, though challenged, also bolstered and strengthened while others were lead down the road of apostasy? I am not just talking about my alma matter, Great Lakes Christian College. I know of various other examples from other colleges that parallel these observations.
So again, I put it out there, “Why?” Do you see the same things that I see? Are you one of those people whose college experience produced the opposite effect? If so, I would be interested in hearing your story. Let me know, because I believe the effectiveness of our Christian Colleges hinge on solving this problem.
It all leads me to ask, “Why?” Why does Christian education have the exact opposite effect on some people than the mission of the school? Why was my faith, though challenged, also bolstered and strengthened while others were lead down the road of apostasy? I am not just talking about my alma matter, Great Lakes Christian College. I know of various other examples from other colleges that parallel these observations.
So again, I put it out there, “Why?” Do you see the same things that I see? Are you one of those people whose college experience produced the opposite effect? If so, I would be interested in hearing your story. Let me know, because I believe the effectiveness of our Christian Colleges hinge on solving this problem.
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