Hey guys, thanks for all the feedback over these last few months. nathanology has become an important part of my life and I'm always looking for ways to improve it. In light of this, I have decided to switch hosts. All of the currently published blogs have already been moved to the new site, along with your comments. You can still read all of the old stuff here. Nothing is getting deleted. I just won't be monitoring this page as much, or posting any new content here. I'm pretty excited about the upcoming weeks on the blog and I really appreciate your continued feedback. The new site is live now. I hope you enjoy it.
www.nathanology.us
Monday, March 12, 2012
Friday, March 9, 2012
Jeremiah 6:14 Today
Lately I have been studying the Old Testament book Jeremiah during my
quiet time with the Lord. While reading through the
sixth chapter the fourteenth verse really jumped out at me. As I sat in my office I couldn't get this verse off of my
mind. So I decided to share my thoughts.
There is a palpable arrogance hanging heavy over much of the evangelical Christian movement. This saddens me. I realize that for some this might seem ironic coming from me. I am often known as one who can be overtly blunt in my delivery. However, I believe that in the realm of Christian thought and the arena of evangelistic communication there is a fine line between arrogance and confidence. Confidence comes from asking hard questions of yourself and your faith, developing your thoughts on God, and developing a deep understanding and trust for the Almighty that stretches far beyond simple rationale, logic, or mental contemplation. Confidence in Christ is a developed sacred trust forged from trial, testing, and triumph. Arrogance on the other hand is the result of a lazy approach to faith that is a bastardized form of assumption and bad religion (yes, I believe there is a distinction between good and bad religion). It is born out of insecurity, the twisted need to control, and the desperate clinging desire to reassure the fragility of one's faith through grandiose gestures and sweeping blanket statements.
I believe arrogance spreads it's jagged maw and spurts its wretched message in two forms these days. The first comes through those that constantly pander their message in a way that they know will be pleasing to those listening, and I'm not talking about style of delivery. They shape the content to suit the audience's expectations. In simple metaphorical terms, they tickle the audience's ears with pleasing platitudes. The second disastrous voice of arrogance is that chord made from those harsh tones of superiority combined with the dissonant absence of humility. Many Christians in their fervor to assert the innerancy of Scripture have completely missed the fact that we often err. We are so far less than perfect.
I could go on and on about how annoying arrogance can be, but this whole thing is beginning to sound arrogant itself. I am starting to sound as if I am attempting to posture my non-arrogance in an incredibly arrogant way, and I hope that is not what you might take from this. I believe, very simply, that we can find truth, communicate that truth, and care deeply for those around us without seeming belligerently self-righteous, and confoundedly pompous. The Old Testament prophet Micah put it pretty well.
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. - Micah 6:8 NIV
Other blogs in this series.
They have healed the brokenness of My people superficially,For the last couple of weeks I have written several different pieces examining Jeremiah 6:14. In this final entry I would like to address what I believe all of this means for you and I in our present situation. I have posed several questions throughout all of this, many of which may have pointedly targeted parts of your faith, but maybe none of it really landed to close to the mark for you. I won't assume or presume to know your situation, your heart, or your depth of maturity (or lack thereof) in the Christian faith. I do, however, hope that the final addition to my thoughts on this passage at least gives you a moment to pause and reflect on where you stand and how you approach your faith.
Saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ But there is no peace. - Jeremiah 6:14 NASB
There is a palpable arrogance hanging heavy over much of the evangelical Christian movement. This saddens me. I realize that for some this might seem ironic coming from me. I am often known as one who can be overtly blunt in my delivery. However, I believe that in the realm of Christian thought and the arena of evangelistic communication there is a fine line between arrogance and confidence. Confidence comes from asking hard questions of yourself and your faith, developing your thoughts on God, and developing a deep understanding and trust for the Almighty that stretches far beyond simple rationale, logic, or mental contemplation. Confidence in Christ is a developed sacred trust forged from trial, testing, and triumph. Arrogance on the other hand is the result of a lazy approach to faith that is a bastardized form of assumption and bad religion (yes, I believe there is a distinction between good and bad religion). It is born out of insecurity, the twisted need to control, and the desperate clinging desire to reassure the fragility of one's faith through grandiose gestures and sweeping blanket statements.
I believe arrogance spreads it's jagged maw and spurts its wretched message in two forms these days. The first comes through those that constantly pander their message in a way that they know will be pleasing to those listening, and I'm not talking about style of delivery. They shape the content to suit the audience's expectations. In simple metaphorical terms, they tickle the audience's ears with pleasing platitudes. The second disastrous voice of arrogance is that chord made from those harsh tones of superiority combined with the dissonant absence of humility. Many Christians in their fervor to assert the innerancy of Scripture have completely missed the fact that we often err. We are so far less than perfect.
I could go on and on about how annoying arrogance can be, but this whole thing is beginning to sound arrogant itself. I am starting to sound as if I am attempting to posture my non-arrogance in an incredibly arrogant way, and I hope that is not what you might take from this. I believe, very simply, that we can find truth, communicate that truth, and care deeply for those around us without seeming belligerently self-righteous, and confoundedly pompous. The Old Testament prophet Micah put it pretty well.
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. - Micah 6:8 NIV
Other blogs in this series.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Jeremiah 6:14 "Peace"
Lately I have been studying the Old Testament book Jeremiah during my
quiet time with the Lord. While reading through the
sixth chapter the fourteenth verse really jumped out at me. As I sat in my office I couldn't get this verse off of my
mind. So I decided to share my thoughts.
They have healed the brokenness of My people superficially,
Saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ But there is no peace. - Jeremiah 6:14 NASB
Peace: it's a word used so often that almost any socially aware person in our society is numb to the sound of it by the time they are actually consciously aware of what it means. Dictionary.com puts it this way: the normal, nonwarring condition of a nation, group of nations, or the world.
In the context of this passage, the religious authority of Jeremiah's day was saying that Israel was at peace--but that was so far from the truth. In fact, this was a point of tension throughout most of Jeremiah's ministry that continually set him at odds against both ruling authorities, and false religious authorities. He would often deliver a prophetic message of impending invasion and disaster, many times at the behest of the king, which would be contrary to both what the king wanted to hear, and what the false prophets were saying. He would be told he was wrong, ignored, often jailed, and sometimes have his life threatened for not delivering the message the people wanted to hear.
There is a significant truth for us to take away from this. Often the true message of God, be it deliverance, redemption, or correction--is willfully ignored by the masses. Even if someone broaches the subject with you, there is no guarantee they will accept the truth you share with them. The point of this particular part of the passage is to illuminate for us the principle that people will often accept what they want to hear over what they need to hear. Not everyone certainly, but in Jeremiah's day it was a majority. That makes it all the more important for the believer, to not only seek God's truth in every situation with a deep reverence, but to also communicate it with loving compassion and unwavering commitment.
In an environment where people listen to what best satisfies their expectations, will, and wants--nothing less than speaking the "truth in love" (Eph 4:14-16) will do.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
10 Lessons from Luke 15
Life usually doesn't fit into nice neat little lists, but that
doesn't keep me from trying. Welcome to my Tuesday 10, where I try to fit
the messiness of life into a list of ten.
Today I'm taking a look at the fifteenth chapter of the Gospel of Luke. It's an incredibly interesting bit where Jesus shares three parables with a mixed crowd of both "sinners" and the religious Pharisees.
1. v2 The religious people thought Jesus fraternizing with the "lost" was scandalous.
2. v7, 9, & 10 Heaven rejoices over the salvation of the lost, and so should we.
3. v13 Just because we have it, doesn't mean we should spend it.
4. v14 Don't waste it, you might need it.
5. v17-19 Your journey to forgiveness starts with your realization that you need forgiving.
6. v20 The Father welcomes back the lost without condition.
7. v21 Confession is important.
8. v22-24 Nothing but sonship will do. God doesn't make us servants. He makes us family.
9. v25-27 Don't be so caught up in your works that you miss God working.
10. v28-31 Stop trying to earn what the Father already gave you.
Today I'm taking a look at the fifteenth chapter of the Gospel of Luke. It's an incredibly interesting bit where Jesus shares three parables with a mixed crowd of both "sinners" and the religious Pharisees.
1. v2 The religious people thought Jesus fraternizing with the "lost" was scandalous.
2. v7, 9, & 10 Heaven rejoices over the salvation of the lost, and so should we.
3. v13 Just because we have it, doesn't mean we should spend it.
4. v14 Don't waste it, you might need it.
5. v17-19 Your journey to forgiveness starts with your realization that you need forgiving.
6. v20 The Father welcomes back the lost without condition.
7. v21 Confession is important.
8. v22-24 Nothing but sonship will do. God doesn't make us servants. He makes us family.
9. v25-27 Don't be so caught up in your works that you miss God working.
10. v28-31 Stop trying to earn what the Father already gave you.
Friday, March 2, 2012
Jeremiah 6:14 "Superficial"
Lately I have been studying the Old Testament book Jeremiah during my
quiet time with the Lord. While reading through the
sixth chapter the fourteenth verse really jumped out at me. As I sat in my office I couldn't get this verse off of my
mind. So I decided to share my thoughts.
Plainly Jeremiah is writing of superficial healing being touted about by the religious order of the day. What does that mean? It means that the religious leadership of Israel were not addressing any deep problems of their time.
We see this all the time in our era as well. The human heart hasn't changed much in the last 2,500 years and we still have pretty much the same disposition toward wickedness that the prophet's contemporaries did--we've only came up with flashier ways to package and present them. To remove this idea from a religious context for one moment it is very much like a physician who seeks only to treat symptoms and not the underlying problem, be it sickness, injury, or disease.
Now, think about this within the framework of Christianity. Do we do this? Do we try really hard to treat people's problems without addressing their condition? Absolutely. The movement I belong to is, I think, sometimes especially guilty of this. We become incredibly concerned with seeing people respond immediately within a religious service, but often fail to find out or follow up with how they might be responding in a month's time.
When men encounter the genuine message of the Gospel, and through it--God, it forces a change. I present this as a challenge to myself and my fellow believers: does the message we present to those around us go beyond the finite temporal struggles of a daily existence and address a deeper condition. Is the Gospel, Tylenol for a moral headache, or Virtuous Healing for a diseased soul?
Other blogs in this series.
They have healed the brokenness of My people superficially,Let's face it. We all know superficial people. To some degree each of us are guilty of it ourselves--and probably more often than we would ever be comfortable admitting. I could spend the next few paragraphs talking about the shallow superficiality of people; but that's not really what this passage is about.
Saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ But there is no peace. - Jeremiah 6:14 NASB
Plainly Jeremiah is writing of superficial healing being touted about by the religious order of the day. What does that mean? It means that the religious leadership of Israel were not addressing any deep problems of their time.
We see this all the time in our era as well. The human heart hasn't changed much in the last 2,500 years and we still have pretty much the same disposition toward wickedness that the prophet's contemporaries did--we've only came up with flashier ways to package and present them. To remove this idea from a religious context for one moment it is very much like a physician who seeks only to treat symptoms and not the underlying problem, be it sickness, injury, or disease.
Now, think about this within the framework of Christianity. Do we do this? Do we try really hard to treat people's problems without addressing their condition? Absolutely. The movement I belong to is, I think, sometimes especially guilty of this. We become incredibly concerned with seeing people respond immediately within a religious service, but often fail to find out or follow up with how they might be responding in a month's time.
When men encounter the genuine message of the Gospel, and through it--God, it forces a change. I present this as a challenge to myself and my fellow believers: does the message we present to those around us go beyond the finite temporal struggles of a daily existence and address a deeper condition. Is the Gospel, Tylenol for a moral headache, or Virtuous Healing for a diseased soul?
Other blogs in this series.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
10 Goofy Preacher Idioms
Life usually doesn't fit into nice neat little lists, but that
doesn't keep me from trying. Welcome to my Tuesday 10, where I try to fit
the messiness of life into a list of ten.
Preface: People I love, admire, and respect frequently say things from this list. This is me poking fun at my colleagues, friends, and mentors. It's meant to be in good fun. So, if you're an oversensitive type person quickly close your eyes and turn off your computer before you get your feelings hurt.
1. "If I was going to title this message I would title it, ________."
You just titled it. Skip the whole first part of that.
2. "Pray with me."
We are. You're the one with the microphone and a dozen floor monitors pointed in your direction.
3. "I'm preaching better than you're shouting."
If you have to say this, then you are not, or you just don't know your audience very well.
4. "Can I get a witness?"
Yes, we all just saw or heard you say that. What about it?
5. "Under the spout where the glory comes out."
There simply has to be a better way to say this that doesn't involve or imply strange claustrophobic plumbing imagery.
6. "God showed up and showed out."
No, no he didn't. God is not an infant.
7. "I don't know why people will shout more at a football game, than at church."
Probably has something to do with that whole being reverent thing.
8. "Fire insurance."
What kind of deductible does that come with?
9. "Take on hell with a water pistol."
What about that whole our weapons are not carnal weapons thing?
10. "In closing..."
If you have to reassure us that you're almost finished by making this statement then you took too long to get there. I do this all the time, but pretend like I don't know that I did by not making this statement.
Preface: People I love, admire, and respect frequently say things from this list. This is me poking fun at my colleagues, friends, and mentors. It's meant to be in good fun. So, if you're an oversensitive type person quickly close your eyes and turn off your computer before you get your feelings hurt.
1. "If I was going to title this message I would title it, ________."
You just titled it. Skip the whole first part of that.
2. "Pray with me."
We are. You're the one with the microphone and a dozen floor monitors pointed in your direction.
3. "I'm preaching better than you're shouting."
If you have to say this, then you are not, or you just don't know your audience very well.
4. "Can I get a witness?"
Yes, we all just saw or heard you say that. What about it?
5. "Under the spout where the glory comes out."
There simply has to be a better way to say this that doesn't involve or imply strange claustrophobic plumbing imagery.
6. "God showed up and showed out."
No, no he didn't. God is not an infant.
7. "I don't know why people will shout more at a football game, than at church."
Probably has something to do with that whole being reverent thing.
8. "Fire insurance."
What kind of deductible does that come with?
9. "Take on hell with a water pistol."
What about that whole our weapons are not carnal weapons thing?
10. "In closing..."
If you have to reassure us that you're almost finished by making this statement then you took too long to get there. I do this all the time, but pretend like I don't know that I did by not making this statement.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Jeremiah 6:14 "My People"
Lately I have been studying the Old Testament book Jeremiah during my
quiet time with the Lord. While reading through the
sixth chapter the fourteenth verse really jumped out at me. As I sat in my office I couldn't get this verse off of my
mind. So I decided to share my thoughts.
Jeremiah has over fifty chapters. Much of the content deals with the approaching judgement against the Israelites by the conquering Babylonian army. And even though God is readying the judgement that many of Jeremiah's later chapters deal with, He still stamps the Jews with His ownership in this early passage.
Something I believe that this helps to point out is the idea that God's judgement is often redemptive in nature (for more on that read Jonah's story in the book by the same name.) God often used judgement in the OT to steer His people toward correction. Of course, when we think of judgement in our modern era we usually think of some kind of terrible supernatural cataclysm (or a verdict rendered in a court); and while I believe those happen I also believe there are small judgements of a less obvious nature.
To me, the important thing to take away from this passage is the idea that once you've been adopted into God's family (see Ephesians chapter one) you belong to His family. That is something pretty awesome to consider. It doesn't free us from responsibility, or even correction, but instead it affords us the wealth of sonship that rests in the family of God.
Last thought: People is not a singular term. It is plural. It is collective. No Christian is an only child and I find it deeply unsettling when I happen across those within the faith who feel as if they are all alone.
Challenge: Plug in to the people. Find a faith family. Find a place to be a part of the collective of the Body of Christ. Find a church. Become deeply involved and let those around you become deeply involved with you. You will be all the better for it.
Other blogs in this series.
They have healed the brokenness of My people superficially,My people is an easy enough phrase to grasp the meaning of in the context of this passage. My meaning mine--as in God's; and people meaning the Jews. This prophetic writing is stating quite plainly that God is unhappy with the way that His chosen ones are being treated by the people (prophets and priests) responsible for directing them to Him.
Saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ But there is no peace. - Jeremiah 6:14 NASB
Jeremiah has over fifty chapters. Much of the content deals with the approaching judgement against the Israelites by the conquering Babylonian army. And even though God is readying the judgement that many of Jeremiah's later chapters deal with, He still stamps the Jews with His ownership in this early passage.
Something I believe that this helps to point out is the idea that God's judgement is often redemptive in nature (for more on that read Jonah's story in the book by the same name.) God often used judgement in the OT to steer His people toward correction. Of course, when we think of judgement in our modern era we usually think of some kind of terrible supernatural cataclysm (or a verdict rendered in a court); and while I believe those happen I also believe there are small judgements of a less obvious nature.
To me, the important thing to take away from this passage is the idea that once you've been adopted into God's family (see Ephesians chapter one) you belong to His family. That is something pretty awesome to consider. It doesn't free us from responsibility, or even correction, but instead it affords us the wealth of sonship that rests in the family of God.
Last thought: People is not a singular term. It is plural. It is collective. No Christian is an only child and I find it deeply unsettling when I happen across those within the faith who feel as if they are all alone.
Challenge: Plug in to the people. Find a faith family. Find a place to be a part of the collective of the Body of Christ. Find a church. Become deeply involved and let those around you become deeply involved with you. You will be all the better for it.
Other blogs in this series.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
11 Books That Changed Me
Life usually doesn't fit into nice neat little lists, but that
doesn't keep me from trying. Welcome to my Tuesday 10, where I try to fit
the messiness of life into a list of ten. Today I'm adding one.
I learned how to read when I was four and, except for a brief period during junior high when well-meaning English teachers tried to force me to read really boring girly stuff, I have been doing it pretty much ever since. I've read a lot of books. I won't even pretend like I know the number. Some were fun, some were serious, some were both; but a handful really made an impact on me. Here is a list of ten books that changed me. I hope you'll pick one, or more, of these titles up soon.
1.The Holy Bible - Obviously this one was gonna make the list. It's a library in and of itself. I've been reading it regularly for twenty years. No other written work has, or could, impact me the way the Bible continues to on a daily basis.
2. Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis - It took me almost two years to read it through for the first time because I didn't want to move on to the next page without being able to absorb and understand what I had just read. I've read it a few more times since and it gets a little easier every time, but it is always challenging. More than any other apologetic work this book helped me learn to connect my brain to my faith in a way that no preacher, teacher, sermon, or Sunday School lesson ever could. Read it online for free here.
3. Searching for God Knows What by Donald Miller - This is an interesting little book. It challenged me in a lot of ways, but it changed how I look at people, including myself, forever. This book explains the actual relational aspect of the Christian faith better than any other work I have ever read.
4. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl - Before I knew anything about Gene Wilder's whimsical film adaptation, and way before Johnny Depp and Tim Burton vomited their nauseous "artistry" on the mythos; a teacher started reading this book aloud to my class. I couldn't wait for her to finish, so I checked out a copy from our school library and started reading it on my own. As a kid with an incredibly active imagination, it was like candy for my soul. I think my life has been a little sweeter because of it. And my imagination is just as active now as it was when my little third grade self read the last words of the last page.
5. Wild at Heart by John Eldredge - During the darkest season, of the worst part of my life, a coworker who has sense grown to be a great friend told me to read Wild at Heart. I didn't learn a single thing reading this book; instead I began to understand myself with an acute awareness that connected me to my heavenly, and earthly, father in such a truly profound way. In the time since I have taught it's pages, walked dozens of guys through it's principles, and witnessed that same light-bulb light up in other young eyes. It is incredibly special to my heart.
6. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (and Huckleberry Finn) by Mark Twain - The same junior high English teacher that tried, unsuccessfully, to force me to read The Diary of Anne Frank introduced me to Mark Twain. In fact, when I saw that Huck Finn was on the list I prepared myself by reading Tom Sawyer instead of the drab diary. Because of the misadventures of two southern country boys I spent a lot of summers building tree houses and makeshift rafts--and thanks to young Tom, I love exploring caves. Read it online for free here.
7. Servolution by Dino Rizzo - It's a short story about a church called "The Healing Place" and how a pastor's vision connected with his parishioners. It has challenged me to love people without condition, and to serve them without any hidden agenda, because that's what Jesus did.
8. Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer - I've been walking though this book a paragraph at a time with a small group of young men for the last seven months. Each page is like unwrapping a delightful little package of theological wonder. Truly what goes through someone's mind when they think about God is the most important thing about them.
9. Jesus Freaks by The Voice of the Martyrs - I heard a lot of stories about persecuted Christians growing up; but this book colored in those old ambiguous tales with names, locations, and verifiable facts. A volume that could easily be depressing if read with the wrong intentions is actually one of the most encouraging books on my shelves.
10. The Hobbit & The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien - I grew up in an era when anything with magic, dragons, or imagination for that matter, was pretty much frowned upon by the American Church. So, in the eleventh grade when my pastor, who was also my English teacher, handed me a copy of The Hobbit: There and Back Again and told me that I would enjoy it, I believed him. I read it. I enjoyed it. In fact, I enjoyed it so much that it began a love for fantasy fiction that I still enjoy to this day. It also taught me that people can really miss the boat sometimes, and that I should make up my own mind about issues, rather than letting outspoken naysayers make it up for me.
11. Mossflower by Brian Jacques - I worked in a library my senior year of high school for a very wonderful lady. She frequently let me check out books and one week I picked up Mossflower. It is a fantasy story about anthropomorphic animals (read "animals that walk upright and talk") written by a former sailor and adventurer for blind children. I absolutely fell in love with the writing style, the adventure, and the innocence of the story. By the end of the week I had finished the first four books in the series, by the end of the month I had inhaled the author's entire volume of work and was anxiously awaiting the next in the series. The way that it changed me though has nothing to do with the story itself. The best word I know to use is that something about the nature of the writing and the way it connected with me, unlocked a desire within me to write. I've been writing ever since. Some I share, some I keep in private to be enjoyed first by my family and friends. One day I plan to publish a lot of it.
Books are more powerful than we often realize. I connect with stories on a deep level. Thanks for taking the time to read this. This list could have easily been expanded to include twenty or more books. What are some things that you've read that really challenged or changed you?
I learned how to read when I was four and, except for a brief period during junior high when well-meaning English teachers tried to force me to read really boring girly stuff, I have been doing it pretty much ever since. I've read a lot of books. I won't even pretend like I know the number. Some were fun, some were serious, some were both; but a handful really made an impact on me. Here is a list of ten books that changed me. I hope you'll pick one, or more, of these titles up soon.
1.The Holy Bible - Obviously this one was gonna make the list. It's a library in and of itself. I've been reading it regularly for twenty years. No other written work has, or could, impact me the way the Bible continues to on a daily basis.
2. Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis - It took me almost two years to read it through for the first time because I didn't want to move on to the next page without being able to absorb and understand what I had just read. I've read it a few more times since and it gets a little easier every time, but it is always challenging. More than any other apologetic work this book helped me learn to connect my brain to my faith in a way that no preacher, teacher, sermon, or Sunday School lesson ever could. Read it online for free here.
3. Searching for God Knows What by Donald Miller - This is an interesting little book. It challenged me in a lot of ways, but it changed how I look at people, including myself, forever. This book explains the actual relational aspect of the Christian faith better than any other work I have ever read.
4. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl - Before I knew anything about Gene Wilder's whimsical film adaptation, and way before Johnny Depp and Tim Burton vomited their nauseous "artistry" on the mythos; a teacher started reading this book aloud to my class. I couldn't wait for her to finish, so I checked out a copy from our school library and started reading it on my own. As a kid with an incredibly active imagination, it was like candy for my soul. I think my life has been a little sweeter because of it. And my imagination is just as active now as it was when my little third grade self read the last words of the last page.
5. Wild at Heart by John Eldredge - During the darkest season, of the worst part of my life, a coworker who has sense grown to be a great friend told me to read Wild at Heart. I didn't learn a single thing reading this book; instead I began to understand myself with an acute awareness that connected me to my heavenly, and earthly, father in such a truly profound way. In the time since I have taught it's pages, walked dozens of guys through it's principles, and witnessed that same light-bulb light up in other young eyes. It is incredibly special to my heart.
6. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (and Huckleberry Finn) by Mark Twain - The same junior high English teacher that tried, unsuccessfully, to force me to read The Diary of Anne Frank introduced me to Mark Twain. In fact, when I saw that Huck Finn was on the list I prepared myself by reading Tom Sawyer instead of the drab diary. Because of the misadventures of two southern country boys I spent a lot of summers building tree houses and makeshift rafts--and thanks to young Tom, I love exploring caves. Read it online for free here.
7. Servolution by Dino Rizzo - It's a short story about a church called "The Healing Place" and how a pastor's vision connected with his parishioners. It has challenged me to love people without condition, and to serve them without any hidden agenda, because that's what Jesus did.
8. Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer - I've been walking though this book a paragraph at a time with a small group of young men for the last seven months. Each page is like unwrapping a delightful little package of theological wonder. Truly what goes through someone's mind when they think about God is the most important thing about them.
9. Jesus Freaks by The Voice of the Martyrs - I heard a lot of stories about persecuted Christians growing up; but this book colored in those old ambiguous tales with names, locations, and verifiable facts. A volume that could easily be depressing if read with the wrong intentions is actually one of the most encouraging books on my shelves.
10. The Hobbit & The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien - I grew up in an era when anything with magic, dragons, or imagination for that matter, was pretty much frowned upon by the American Church. So, in the eleventh grade when my pastor, who was also my English teacher, handed me a copy of The Hobbit: There and Back Again and told me that I would enjoy it, I believed him. I read it. I enjoyed it. In fact, I enjoyed it so much that it began a love for fantasy fiction that I still enjoy to this day. It also taught me that people can really miss the boat sometimes, and that I should make up my own mind about issues, rather than letting outspoken naysayers make it up for me.
11. Mossflower by Brian Jacques - I worked in a library my senior year of high school for a very wonderful lady. She frequently let me check out books and one week I picked up Mossflower. It is a fantasy story about anthropomorphic animals (read "animals that walk upright and talk") written by a former sailor and adventurer for blind children. I absolutely fell in love with the writing style, the adventure, and the innocence of the story. By the end of the week I had finished the first four books in the series, by the end of the month I had inhaled the author's entire volume of work and was anxiously awaiting the next in the series. The way that it changed me though has nothing to do with the story itself. The best word I know to use is that something about the nature of the writing and the way it connected with me, unlocked a desire within me to write. I've been writing ever since. Some I share, some I keep in private to be enjoyed first by my family and friends. One day I plan to publish a lot of it.
Books are more powerful than we often realize. I connect with stories on a deep level. Thanks for taking the time to read this. This list could have easily been expanded to include twenty or more books. What are some things that you've read that really challenged or changed you?
Monday, February 20, 2012
Jeremiah 6:14 "Brokenness"
Lately I have been studying the Old Testament book Jeremiah during my
quiet time with the Lord. While reading through the
sixth chapter the fourteenth verse really jumped out at me. As I sat in my office I couldn't get this verse off of my
mind. So I decided to share my thoughts.
So what is Jeremiah 6:14 referring to as brokenness? A number of things come to mind. Among them is the moral bankruptcy of the time. God established the Law for His people to live by and, as I discussed in my last post, many clergy of the day had manipulated it to suit their own ends. Through study of the various Old Testament prophets it becomes readily apparent that much of God's judgement which led to the Babylonian exile is a direct result of the Jews' national moral depravity. I also believe brokenness refers to their state of being both during the conquest, and after the exile. Obviously I've never lived through such a time, and find it difficult to imagine; but the conquest and siege which preceded the exile led to a truly volatile time in Israel. A time in which both morality and morale were at a terrifying low.
Jeremiah witnessed mothers boiling their own children to avoid starvation. What kind of brokenness do you see around you today? What kind of fractured morality seems to be becoming the norm?
My prayer today is that God would open our eyes and hearts to those around us. Not only so that we would be aware of the state of things; but that so we would be able to reach out and lovingly help those who are headed toward, or are already lost in, brokenness. Unlike the prophets and priests of Jeremiah's time, let us with compassion and selflessness shower and guide people in a way that truly directs them toward God, the only one who can actually "heal their brokenness."
Other blogs in this series.
They have healed the brokenness of My people superficially,Jeremiah is often called the weeping prophet, and for good reason. Much of his writing has to do with the judgement and wrath of God and is delivered through a form of writing known as a lament. His smaller canonized work even bears the name, "Lamentations." Jeremiah lived during an incredibly tumultuous time in Jewish history. He was a prophet before and during the conquest and exile of the Jews to Babylon. It seems to me that Jeremiah was uniquely qualified among his contemporary prophets to use the word. The NASB uses the word brokenness but the transliteration for the Hebrew word is sheber. It means a fracture, something ruined; an affliction, breach, bruise, destruction, hurt, or vexation.
Saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ But there is no peace. - Jeremiah 6:14 NASB
So what is Jeremiah 6:14 referring to as brokenness? A number of things come to mind. Among them is the moral bankruptcy of the time. God established the Law for His people to live by and, as I discussed in my last post, many clergy of the day had manipulated it to suit their own ends. Through study of the various Old Testament prophets it becomes readily apparent that much of God's judgement which led to the Babylonian exile is a direct result of the Jews' national moral depravity. I also believe brokenness refers to their state of being both during the conquest, and after the exile. Obviously I've never lived through such a time, and find it difficult to imagine; but the conquest and siege which preceded the exile led to a truly volatile time in Israel. A time in which both morality and morale were at a terrifying low.
Jeremiah witnessed mothers boiling their own children to avoid starvation. What kind of brokenness do you see around you today? What kind of fractured morality seems to be becoming the norm?
My prayer today is that God would open our eyes and hearts to those around us. Not only so that we would be aware of the state of things; but that so we would be able to reach out and lovingly help those who are headed toward, or are already lost in, brokenness. Unlike the prophets and priests of Jeremiah's time, let us with compassion and selflessness shower and guide people in a way that truly directs them toward God, the only one who can actually "heal their brokenness."
Other blogs in this series.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Jeremiah 6:14 "They"
Lately I have been studying the Old Testament book Jeremiah during my quiet time with the Lord. Earlier this week while reading through the sixth chapter the fourteenth verse really jumped out at me. Any time something like this happens while I'm reading I instantly make a note of it, and as I sat in my office today I couldn't get this verse off of my mind. So I decided to do what I often do in times like these as I contemplate a passage of scripture--share it. For my next few posts I'll be taking a deeper look at this verse. What do I think it means? Who do I think it is speaking to or about? How does it challenge me?
Do you know of anyone today purporting to fill the role of prophet or priest while at the same time seeking to fill their pockets, promote their image, or presume their superiority? Take care. Look first for the humble heart, wise nature, and gentle spirit.
Other blogs in this series.
They have healed the brokenness of My people superficially,Who is "They" that this verse is speaking of? You only need to go back to verse thirteen to see that it is referencing the prophets and priests of Israel.
Saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ But there is no peace. - Jeremiah 6:14 NASB
For from the least of them even to the greatest of them, Everyone is greedy for gain,Other versions swap gain for money, profit, wealth, and other similar terms--but the point is made. The prophets and priests, the people charged with communicating and conducting the people of Israel toward God had been corrupted. And during this passage God was warning them through Jeremiah of the impending disastrous consequences of their actions.
And from the prophet even to the priest Everyone deals falsely. - Jeremiah 6:13 NASB
Do you know of anyone today purporting to fill the role of prophet or priest while at the same time seeking to fill their pockets, promote their image, or presume their superiority? Take care. Look first for the humble heart, wise nature, and gentle spirit.
Other blogs in this series.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
10 Tips for Twitterpating
Life usually doesn't fit into nice neat little lists, but that
doesn't keep me from trying. Welcome to my Tuesday 10, where I try to fit
the messiness of life into a list of ten.
In eight years of campus ministry far and away the thing I've counseled people about the most are their romantic relational issues. Love is easily one of, if not the most, talked about issue on the planet. These are ten fairly blunt things I shared with a group of college students Sunday night. This list comes from, not only years of discussing these issues with people, but from my own mistakes and experiences as well
In eight years of campus ministry far and away the thing I've counseled people about the most are their romantic relational issues. Love is easily one of, if not the most, talked about issue on the planet. These are ten fairly blunt things I shared with a group of college students Sunday night. This list comes from, not only years of discussing these issues with people, but from my own mistakes and experiences as well
- It's okay to be single. Society treats single-hood as though it is something to be shunned, feared, or mocked; but that is wrong. Being single is a lot better than committing relational suicide, sexual sin, or emotional masturbation.
- The "you complete me" line from Jerry Maguire is a giant smelly fairytale lie. Putting two messed up people together doesn't make one whole person, it makes one messed up couple--and if you're not already solid in God, it becomes a lot harder for you to be obedient to the changes He tries to make in you if you are distracted by romance. When Jesus said a man and would unite as one flesh He didn't mean actual human being. He meant one unified representation of the goodness, likeness, and image of God.
- Know who you are. If you have identity issues a relationship will only complicate them. The healthy way to find your identity is by searching for where your heart and God's heart are joined.
- Early affection is a warning sign. Someone eager for early physical contact is dangerous to your sexual, physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
- You probably don't know what you want. Guys are selfish. Girls want to be wanted. Sometimes those roles are reversed. Both are horny. Neither know what they want at 20ish years old. Know what you want in a future Mr. or Mrs. you. Make a list. Check it more than twice. Then check it again. Then let people in spiritual authority over you check it. Guys, if your list reads like a help wanted ad for a modeling agency, you don't know what you want. Girls, if your list sounds like a trailer for anything resembling a Disney, Nicholas Sparks, or Ryan Reynolds movie, you don't know what you want. Cultivate an expectation for a Christian union based around the the principles found in a Christian person.
- Relationships don't change people. A frog doesn't turn into a prince just because you kiss him. Just because she kissed you doesn't mean you're Prince Charming. Relationships don't change people; they magnify all the weird little parts of who they really are.
- You are no one's puppet. If every moment with someone is overshadowed by an expectancy to behave, act, or perform in a certain way you are in a poisonous relationship. Leave now and never look back.
- Emotion is a slippery slope. If it was a ski slope it wouldn't even be a double black diamond. It would be an uncharted run that required a helicopter dispatch and constantly ran the risk of avalanche. If all that connects you is emotion--your relationship is destined to fail. True love is so much bigger than emotion.
- Wait for sex. Wait for sex. Wait for sex. If you're not married, don't do anything that can lead to orgasm, or anything that makes you want to do things that lead to orgasm. The enemy will do everything he can to get you to have sex before you're married, and everything he can to keep you from having sex after you're married.
- True love is unconditional. "Happily Ever After," would make a better episode of Dirty Jobs than Mythbusters. Can you picture yourself changing their diaper for twenty years? What about pushing them in a wheelchair or carrying them to bed? What about listening to them snore or putting up with a really annoying relative?
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Home: A Different Kind of Revival
Growing up the word revival was always understood or
interpreted through the lens of congregational church gatherings. Revival usually meant that I had to attend
church not only on Sunday or Wednesday in a given week, but typically nearly
every other night as well. Growing up in
a Pentecostal fellowship added its own number of connotations as well. Revival was characterized by high energy,
loud preachers, louder services, crying, dancing, and more music than usual
before and after (and sometimes during) the preaching.
It wasn’t until my twenties that I began to revisit the word
revival, and exactly what I thought it meant to me. I began to ask, and attempt to answer, “What is revival?” for my own life. Not that I no longer believed in all the
things I experienced in revivals as a kid, I just felt like I wasn’t quite
getting the whole picture. Like most of what I had considered revival was really just the combined outward display of some of the things that happen to people experiencing earnest revival in their lives.
The answer to me, like so many things it seems, is found in
the word itself. Revival means
reviving. It means to revive—to take something
that is dead, or dying; and to regenerate, recuperate, revitalize it. Like Ezekiel’s vision of dry bones regaining
life, it means taking a dry and dusty shell of something and allowing God to
breathe back into it His awesome breath.
Revival to me means to find, have, understand, live, and
dwell in divine inspiration again. Like
when God inspired scripture to be written, or dust to become man, I believe He
inspires His people—the Church—to wake up, to no longer be inanimate objects
filling space and occupying time, and to reconnect with Him in a deeply, and
sometimes uncomfortably authentic way.
Understanding
your deep need for God is often an early step toward salvation. And many times the first stirrings of revival begin with the
authentic whispering of spiritual unrest found within the Church. Not unrest in the “let’s call a board meeting and rant about inconsequential matters of
bureaucratic-nonsensicalness” kind of way—constructive unrest. Unrest birthed out of the sense that God does
indeed wish us to connect with Him in a more meaningful way than we are at
present. This is the kind of unrest that
seeks to topple the status quo.
For a generation of people that have witnessed firsthand the
pitifully inadequate attempt on the part of most youth ministries to compete
with whatever is trendy and popular, we’re looking for something different. We don’t need, and don’t want, to connect
with God through; fog machines, gluttonously-loud music, light shows, or
productions. That stuff isn’t inspired. Maybe it was, once upon a time. But that ship has sailed.
Do you know what inspires me? Finding myself in right relationship through
redemption; knowing that I have forgiveness and freedom from sin in God. Discovering authentic community; belonging to
a body of fellow believers that actually care about each other and the
community around them.
That’s what I am seeing lately. It’s a different kind of revival than what I
remember as a kid. It’s a lot quieter
(so far), it doesn’t come across like a preplanned production, it is
unexpected—though very much welcomed, it is beyond the control and comfort of
leadership and layperson, it is without walls or boundaries though it fits, and
flourishes, in the hearts of those who deeply seek after earnest connection
with God.
Revival is what happens when
the Church rejects, or at least diminishes, everything that distracts from
seeking Him. It is what happens when we
find the purity of purpose in pursuit of the Almighty. Revival is taking in His breathe, filling our
lungs with it, and finding His waiting embrace.
It is being revived, being inspired, and being returned—to where we
belong in Him. If salvation is about
returning a sinner to the family of God, revival is about returning the Church
to the will of God. Revival is about coming
home.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Walking with God
The following is an excerpt from some writing I've been doing lately.
Do you enjoy walking? I do, most of the time. Sure there are those moments at a concert or some largely populated activity when walking seems completely overrated because of the massive amount of cars and people present. But let's be honest. That's mostly a first world problem created by the constantly encroaching laziness of mine, and subsequent generations.
Many people walk because it's their only means of transportation. Many do it for exercise. Many do not do it at all because of a disability.
I love recreational walking, i.e. hiking. This past weekend I spent over forty hours on a mountain with students and staff from our ministry. During a planned lull in Saturday's schedule the majority of our group went for a jaunt around the mountain. It was spectacular.
The weather was lovely. The sky was a blazing azure blue mottled by streaky wisps of cotton-esque clouds. The temperature was flirting with the fifties. It was a great afternoon. We turned a two mile, two hour walk, into a four hour hike by snaking back and forth via interconnected trails and stopping frequently to soak up the serenity of it all. It was a memorable moment shared with cherished friends that I won't soon forget, and it might not have happened.
What if we'd experienced the type of weather that typically accompanies January in Arkansas? What if we'd packed or planned too much activity for the short weekend retreat? What if no one had wanted to participate?
Christians regularly use the phrase, "walking with God." It's an innocent enough little idiom that references a passage from Genesis. Genesis 5:24 tells the story of Enoch walking with God, and "God taking him." When I think of this phrase I can't help but think back on our little hike this past weekend and not draw some serious spiritual parallels from all of the "what ifs".
What if I let the seasons of my life, the ups and downs, the hot or cold moments of emotion, dictate the depth of my relationship with the Almighty? Many people will never understand the goodness and sovereignty of God simply because they spend to much time fearing the apparent storm clouds looming over their life and not nearly enough time in communion with "the Peace Speaker."
What if I let the rapid paced, day-plannered, über-busyness of my lifestyle squeeze out my time with God? It would be easy to do. So many do it. However, my quiet time with Him is one of my most cherished daily moments. To make it habitual it must take priority, always. My life gets busy, as I'm sure yours does, but I'm never too busy to begin, or end, the day without spending time with God.
What if I had to do this alone? It's a scary thought. One of the prevailing feelings among young people today in our social media saturated society is the palpable permeance of loneliness. The facts are clear. As Christians in America we are not alone. If we think we are alone it is really only because we choose to be, or--we have been deceived. There are great Christ-centered faith families in every town, county, and parish in this country.
I can only hike so far. Physically I can only do so much. My breath, legs, lungs, and strength will only take me as far as it can take me. The trail ends, my strength ends, or my time ends. Walking with God is a walk that starts and never ends.
Do you enjoy walking? I do, most of the time. Sure there are those moments at a concert or some largely populated activity when walking seems completely overrated because of the massive amount of cars and people present. But let's be honest. That's mostly a first world problem created by the constantly encroaching laziness of mine, and subsequent generations.
Many people walk because it's their only means of transportation. Many do it for exercise. Many do not do it at all because of a disability.
I love recreational walking, i.e. hiking. This past weekend I spent over forty hours on a mountain with students and staff from our ministry. During a planned lull in Saturday's schedule the majority of our group went for a jaunt around the mountain. It was spectacular.
The weather was lovely. The sky was a blazing azure blue mottled by streaky wisps of cotton-esque clouds. The temperature was flirting with the fifties. It was a great afternoon. We turned a two mile, two hour walk, into a four hour hike by snaking back and forth via interconnected trails and stopping frequently to soak up the serenity of it all. It was a memorable moment shared with cherished friends that I won't soon forget, and it might not have happened.
What if we'd experienced the type of weather that typically accompanies January in Arkansas? What if we'd packed or planned too much activity for the short weekend retreat? What if no one had wanted to participate?
Christians regularly use the phrase, "walking with God." It's an innocent enough little idiom that references a passage from Genesis. Genesis 5:24 tells the story of Enoch walking with God, and "God taking him." When I think of this phrase I can't help but think back on our little hike this past weekend and not draw some serious spiritual parallels from all of the "what ifs".
What if I let the seasons of my life, the ups and downs, the hot or cold moments of emotion, dictate the depth of my relationship with the Almighty? Many people will never understand the goodness and sovereignty of God simply because they spend to much time fearing the apparent storm clouds looming over their life and not nearly enough time in communion with "the Peace Speaker."
What if I let the rapid paced, day-plannered, über-busyness of my lifestyle squeeze out my time with God? It would be easy to do. So many do it. However, my quiet time with Him is one of my most cherished daily moments. To make it habitual it must take priority, always. My life gets busy, as I'm sure yours does, but I'm never too busy to begin, or end, the day without spending time with God.
What if I had to do this alone? It's a scary thought. One of the prevailing feelings among young people today in our social media saturated society is the palpable permeance of loneliness. The facts are clear. As Christians in America we are not alone. If we think we are alone it is really only because we choose to be, or--we have been deceived. There are great Christ-centered faith families in every town, county, and parish in this country.
I can only hike so far. Physically I can only do so much. My breath, legs, lungs, and strength will only take me as far as it can take me. The trail ends, my strength ends, or my time ends. Walking with God is a walk that starts and never ends.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
10 Money Insights
Life usually doesn't fit into nice neat little lists, but that
doesn't keep me from trying. Welcome to my Tuesday 10, where I try to fit
the messiness of life into a list of ten.
Here are ten insights into money management from yours truly. This isn't an all inclusive list and you may already be well on your way to wise stewarding and living; but trust me--if you're not already using these ten things--they will help.
1. Make a realistic budget and live by it.
2. Learn how to cook and eat at home more than you eat out.
3. Stay away from Starbucks, except on rare occasions.
4. Don't get caught up in fashion fads and trends.
5. Don't pay your bills late, ever.
6. Learn the difference between "want" and "need".
7. Tithe to your church.
8. Be generous, but practical.
9. Repeat after me, "Credit Cards are bad. Credit Cards are bad. Credit Cards are bad."
10. Student loans aren't free money, neither are scholarships.
Here are ten insights into money management from yours truly. This isn't an all inclusive list and you may already be well on your way to wise stewarding and living; but trust me--if you're not already using these ten things--they will help.
1. Make a realistic budget and live by it.
2. Learn how to cook and eat at home more than you eat out.
3. Stay away from Starbucks, except on rare occasions.
4. Don't get caught up in fashion fads and trends.
5. Don't pay your bills late, ever.
6. Learn the difference between "want" and "need".
7. Tithe to your church.
8. Be generous, but practical.
9. Repeat after me, "Credit Cards are bad. Credit Cards are bad. Credit Cards are bad."
10. Student loans aren't free money, neither are scholarships.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Winter Retreat: Wrap Up - Moses or Joshua
This is a short recap of our Sunday morning "Wrap Up" session from Winter Retreat 2012.
After you've finished watching, go read the first chapter of the Book of Joshua for more insight. Let God transform you into the kind of leader He has always meant for you to be.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Sssshhhhhaaaaarrrrrrppppp!
I've been reading a lot of Proverbs lately. That's the point I am at right now in my regular reading plan. Last night as I was finishing it up I came across Proverbs 27:17, which has long been one of my favorite passages.
Iron sharpens iron,
So one man sharpens another.
--Proverbs 27:17 NASB
I'm not going to even attempt to be long, academic, or eloquent here. I think the Scripture speaks plainly, and pointedly, in that verse.
Being with other believers makes us better. It makes us sharper and stronger. It helps refine us for the purpose of God's good. How are you being sharpened? How are you helping to sharpen others?
Iron sharpens iron,
So one man sharpens another.
--Proverbs 27:17 NASB
I'm not going to even attempt to be long, academic, or eloquent here. I think the Scripture speaks plainly, and pointedly, in that verse.
Being with other believers makes us better. It makes us sharper and stronger. It helps refine us for the purpose of God's good. How are you being sharpened? How are you helping to sharpen others?
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
10 Things About Home
Life usually doesn't fit into nice neat little lists, but that
doesn't keep me from trying. Welcome to 10 Tuesday where I try to fit
the messiness of life into a list of ten.
This is my short list of ten thoughts about home. For those of you participating in Campus Church this semester, these are some things you will most likely hear a lot more about in the coming weeks.
1. Home is where you're protected.
2. Home is where you're loved.
3. Home is where you trust.
4. Home is where you're fed.
5. Home is where you're made.
6. Home is where you get clean. (hopefully)
7. Home is where you rest.
8. Home is where you are familiar.
9. Home is where you can ask important questions.
10. Home is where no one is cool.
This is my short list of ten thoughts about home. For those of you participating in Campus Church this semester, these are some things you will most likely hear a lot more about in the coming weeks.
1. Home is where you're protected.
2. Home is where you're loved.
3. Home is where you trust.
4. Home is where you're fed.
5. Home is where you're made.
6. Home is where you get clean. (hopefully)
7. Home is where you rest.
8. Home is where you are familiar.
9. Home is where you can ask important questions.
10. Home is where no one is cool.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
No One Greater
I've been thinking a lot lately about the incredible goodness of God. About how awesome it is that I get to live a life and work a job that is designed around serving Him and His people. About how incredibly blessed I am, in a way that is solely and completely apart from possession, property, and social success.
I was having my own little private worship time in my office earlier and this was the result. Hoping to get it added to my audio widget soon.
No One Greater
No rock is gonna take my place
As long as I can say Your name
As long as I can sing Your praise
Though all creation lifts it voice
Angelic choirs still make noise
When the Book of Life adds another name
You see me, You know me
You love me, You showed me
There is no one greater
You lift me from the grave
There is nothing better
Than the power of Your blood,
The miracle of calling out Your name
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
10 Reasons Why I'm not Vegetarian or Vegan
Life usually doesn't fit into nice neat little lists, but that
doesn't keep me from trying. Welcome to 10 Tuesday where I try to fit
the messiness of life into a list of ten.
10 Reasons why I'm not vegetarian or vegan
1. Whattaburger
2. Steak
3. Smoked Turkey
4. Fried Chicken
5. Bacon
6. Beef Brisket
7. Omelets
8. Crappie
9. Salmon
10. Crab legs
10 Reasons why I'm not vegetarian or vegan
1. Whattaburger
2. Steak
3. Smoked Turkey
4. Fried Chicken
5. Bacon
6. Beef Brisket
7. Omelets
8. Crappie
9. Salmon
10. Crab legs
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Jesus > Religion?
Ok, if you care enough about my little blog to venture here, then you have most likely already watched the now viral "Jesus>Religion" video. If you are one of the 17 people left on facebook that haven't watched it... well... here:
I have a lot to say about this video. A lot. I won't say it all. You don't really want to read it, and I probably won't have time to write it, and I'm definitely not going to write it all here and now. So let me just get to my point.
The statement, and title, "Jesus > Religion" might be the most obvious thing written. Ever. Of course Jesus > Religion because Jesus > Everything. Hello! Son of God. God incarnate. God with us. King of kings. Alpha. Omega. So at least in that respect, the title and some of what is being said is right on target.
Also, this video, and it's REALLY fast spread across the net, illuminates a glaring problem in Christianity today--people have no idea what the word religion actually means. You probably don't even agree with what you just read, you may think you know what religion means...and you might. But today when people think of the word religion they are usually actually thinking of the meaning for the word dogma.
Religion is not an invention dreamed up by men, and actually, neither is dogma--but men have often misused both to ill-affect. The word religion only appears in the KJV in the New Testament and under a variety of meanings, but you'll see that the meanings for these words are actually really common themes throughout the Old Testament as well.
The Greek word for religion in Acts 25:6 and James 1:26-27 refers to ceremonial worship. In Galatians 1:13-14 Paul was writing about the Jewish faith.
Religion is not a set of rules. Religion is not dogma. Jesus came to seek and save what was lost (Luke 19:10). What was lost? Relationship with God was lost, but so was religion--along with a lot of other things.
Not all, but some of the Pharisees and Sadducees abused their positions. The ones that did grossly warped their responsibilities and violated their trust. That's part of what Jesus came to save. God became man to fix everything, even religion. Jesus didn't and doesn't hate religion. He came to fix religion.
I find it incredibly sad when I read/hear things like Jesus hates religion. That's like saying "Jesus hates people worshiping God." For my part, I love religion, though I'm not overly fond of dogma. Jesus died so we could connect to God, so we could worship God, and so we could experience God. That is religion. If you call yourself a Christian then what do you think worship and following Him is? It is religion. You can't follow Jesus without relationship, but you can't have a relationship with Him without religion.
Please, stop confusing religion with dogma. Please, stop confusing religion with legalism. Please, stop confusing religion.
I have a lot to say about this video. A lot. I won't say it all. You don't really want to read it, and I probably won't have time to write it, and I'm definitely not going to write it all here and now. So let me just get to my point.
The statement, and title, "Jesus > Religion" might be the most obvious thing written. Ever. Of course Jesus > Religion because Jesus > Everything. Hello! Son of God. God incarnate. God with us. King of kings. Alpha. Omega. So at least in that respect, the title and some of what is being said is right on target.
Also, this video, and it's REALLY fast spread across the net, illuminates a glaring problem in Christianity today--people have no idea what the word religion actually means. You probably don't even agree with what you just read, you may think you know what religion means...and you might. But today when people think of the word religion they are usually actually thinking of the meaning for the word dogma.
Religion is not an invention dreamed up by men, and actually, neither is dogma--but men have often misused both to ill-affect. The word religion only appears in the KJV in the New Testament and under a variety of meanings, but you'll see that the meanings for these words are actually really common themes throughout the Old Testament as well.
The Greek word for religion in Acts 25:6 and James 1:26-27 refers to ceremonial worship. In Galatians 1:13-14 Paul was writing about the Jewish faith.
Religion is not a set of rules. Religion is not dogma. Jesus came to seek and save what was lost (Luke 19:10). What was lost? Relationship with God was lost, but so was religion--along with a lot of other things.
Not all, but some of the Pharisees and Sadducees abused their positions. The ones that did grossly warped their responsibilities and violated their trust. That's part of what Jesus came to save. God became man to fix everything, even religion. Jesus didn't and doesn't hate religion. He came to fix religion.
I find it incredibly sad when I read/hear things like Jesus hates religion. That's like saying "Jesus hates people worshiping God." For my part, I love religion, though I'm not overly fond of dogma. Jesus died so we could connect to God, so we could worship God, and so we could experience God. That is religion. If you call yourself a Christian then what do you think worship and following Him is? It is religion. You can't follow Jesus without relationship, but you can't have a relationship with Him without religion.
Please, stop confusing religion with dogma. Please, stop confusing religion with legalism. Please, stop confusing religion.
Belief
Rich Mullins wrote this great tune years ago which put an even older Christian creed into a melodic singable format. Years later (after Rich's death) Third Day would revamp the song, stamping it with their own southern-rocker style. The words of the song are fantastic. The theology superb. The theme--vital!
We live in the era of willfully illiterate Christianity, at least that's largely how it is here in the States. Many Americans profess Christianity, depending on which source you go to some put the number as high as nearly 75%--and yet out of that number there is an overwhelming majority of people that cannot simply and coherently explain what they believe about God, Christ, the Bible, and the Church; and there are even fewer who can effectively explain why they hold those beliefs.
Belief is powerful. It is the foundation of faith. The instigator of trust. The polar North by which we all explore our souls and do our deeds.
Even those who practice the near-militant nonreligion of skepticism are staunch adherents to what they don't believe about belief, which is only a confusing way of stating what they do actually believe.
Those of us who classify ourselves as "Believers" owe our souls, brains, conscience, and Savior--at least the simple courtesy of developing a practical means by which we can articulate, not only what we believe--but also, why we believe.
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect... - 1 Peter 3:15 NIV
We live in the era of willfully illiterate Christianity, at least that's largely how it is here in the States. Many Americans profess Christianity, depending on which source you go to some put the number as high as nearly 75%--and yet out of that number there is an overwhelming majority of people that cannot simply and coherently explain what they believe about God, Christ, the Bible, and the Church; and there are even fewer who can effectively explain why they hold those beliefs.
Belief is powerful. It is the foundation of faith. The instigator of trust. The polar North by which we all explore our souls and do our deeds.
Even those who practice the near-militant nonreligion of skepticism are staunch adherents to what they don't believe about belief, which is only a confusing way of stating what they do actually believe.
Those of us who classify ourselves as "Believers" owe our souls, brains, conscience, and Savior--at least the simple courtesy of developing a practical means by which we can articulate, not only what we believe--but also, why we believe.
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect... - 1 Peter 3:15 NIV
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
10 Tuesday: Make College Life Better
Life usually doesn't fit into nice neat little lists, but that doesn't keep me from trying. Welcome to 10 Tuesday where I try to fit the messiness of life into a list of ten.
College life is complicated, challenging, and awesome. With school set to start back here this week--here are ten bits of advice from yours truly that will help make it better.
College life is complicated, challenging, and awesome. With school set to start back here this week--here are ten bits of advice from yours truly that will help make it better.
- Rarely turn on your TV.
- Make homework a priority.
- Never procrastinate. Don't do it.
- Throw away or delete all credit card solicitations instantly.
- Don't spend a lot of time in your room, especially alone.
- Join a campus organization. I can point you to a great one!
- Develop deep relationships with a small number of people.
- Learn how to effectively manage your time. If you have a lot of free time something is wrong.
- Exercise often. Your heart will thank you twenty years.
- Cultivate healthy a diet. Your waistline will thank you now.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Kill Your TV
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| No, that is not a picture of anyone in my family. |
Usually we'd begin our visit by meeting at a small local diner for burgers, fries, and shakes and then venture on to his small house where he and dad would oooh and ah over the enormity, density, and vivaciousness of his vegetable garden. Inevitably we would seek to escape the hot humid Arkansas summer and find ourselves indoors. My great uncle did not own a TV.
He passed away just a couple of years ago, and as I sat at the funeral listening to great men of the faith talk about this great man of the faith that I honestly didn't know that well, but loved and admired just the same, I kept thinking about those summer visits and how he didn't own a TV. I honestly can't remember when I realized that Uncle Eldon didn't have a TV--or "One-Eyed Devil" as he'd been known to call it as he preached--but I remember distinctly that in all those summer visits to his house with dad it never once mattered. I would always find some other way to occupy my time and mind.
With my first child on the way, I have spent many, many hours over the last three months evaluating every facet of my life and weighing my values. You know what I've discovered? My television means nothing to me. In fact, I don't like it. At all.
Maybe you are reading this and don't know me very well, but that's a huge statement coming from a video game junkie, pop-culture enthusiast, and former video department manager for a huge entertainment company. I own hundreds of DVDs, dozens of video games, and have spent an astronomical amount of money and time (something I would probably rather not quantify) on TV.
Lately though, I'm looking for the things that add value to my life. I'm looking to simplify. My fifty-three inch flat screen 1080p DLP television doesn't make the cut. Have I enjoyed my TV? Of course, and that's part of the problem. I have enjoyed and would continue to enjoy it too much. I want my son to grow up in a house where it's more common to set around the table with mom and dad than it is to fight over the remote, or venture off to separate rooms and individual televisions.
Just to be clear, this doesn't even really have anything to do with religious conviction. I just see no redeeming value in a device designed to distract me from cultivating deeper relationships. Television is thoughtless, mindless activity. Relationally, emotionally, and spiritually I can't afford to indulge anymore. Now, I'm not going to go get my shotgun and end my machine. I may not even get rid of it, God knows my wife won't be happy at all about my change of heart about this too-expensive device, but my TV days are done. I will no longer engage in TV as a substitute for actual human interaction, and by default the same is true for my computer, video games, and facebook. There a lot of important people in my life, the most important one is only seventyish days away, and I can't afford to be distracted anymore by Storm Chasers, cable news, or even *gasp* Captain America.
Do yourself a favor; join me in killing your TV. Your brain, your soul, your wallet, and eventually probably even your family will thank you.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Resolutions
Raise your hand if you made a resolution for 2012. Many do. Ok, so how many of you have already broke it?
I'm going to be short and to the point. Most New Year's Resolutions are destined to fail. Why? Usually because they are based on some kind of guilty feeling predicated by an unhealthy self-perception. Let me clarify.
John doesn't think he's buff enough so he heads back to the gym to pursue movie star abs his physique and habits cannot maintain. Jane wants to look like all the Hollywood-harlets starring in all the raunchy dramas she watches on cable so the starving begins.
Now let me highlight the same thing through the lens of religion.
John (or Jane) feels guilty because they don't read their bible very often so they commit to reading the bible through this year.
Often resolutions begin with the wrong motives. One shouldn't wish to read through the Word simply because they failed to last year. I read my bible cover to cover every year, sometimes twice in a year, but not because of some misguided sense of correction. I read it because I love it. I read because it is vital to my spiritual health.
For this same reason I maintain an active life. I try to watch my diet, and I exercise regularly--not to assuage guilt or espouse covetousness--but to safeguard my health.
Resolutions should not be a once a year commitment made in a guilt-ridden moment of Holiday hype. For the believer resolutions should be an every day prayer.
"God, make me better today than I was yesterday."
Not so that we can better fulfill society's shallow expectations, but so that we may better reflect the Father's impeccable creativity, masterful sovereignty, and unimpeachable holiness.
I'm going to be short and to the point. Most New Year's Resolutions are destined to fail. Why? Usually because they are based on some kind of guilty feeling predicated by an unhealthy self-perception. Let me clarify.
John doesn't think he's buff enough so he heads back to the gym to pursue movie star abs his physique and habits cannot maintain. Jane wants to look like all the Hollywood-harlets starring in all the raunchy dramas she watches on cable so the starving begins.
Now let me highlight the same thing through the lens of religion.
John (or Jane) feels guilty because they don't read their bible very often so they commit to reading the bible through this year.
Often resolutions begin with the wrong motives. One shouldn't wish to read through the Word simply because they failed to last year. I read my bible cover to cover every year, sometimes twice in a year, but not because of some misguided sense of correction. I read it because I love it. I read because it is vital to my spiritual health.
For this same reason I maintain an active life. I try to watch my diet, and I exercise regularly--not to assuage guilt or espouse covetousness--but to safeguard my health.
Resolutions should not be a once a year commitment made in a guilt-ridden moment of Holiday hype. For the believer resolutions should be an every day prayer.
"God, make me better today than I was yesterday."
Not so that we can better fulfill society's shallow expectations, but so that we may better reflect the Father's impeccable creativity, masterful sovereignty, and unimpeachable holiness.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
2012's Rereads
I read the Bible through cover to cover annually, but I also enjoy revisiting some of the books that have meant a lot to me over the years. Here's a quick list of some excellent books I plan to read again in 2012. If you're looking for something challenging to read this year try one of these greats.
Wild at Heart
by John Eldredge
Wild at Heart is one of my favorite books, ever. I read it for the first time during a period of deep heartache and depression and it's encouraging message breathed a powerful breath of fresh air into my relationship with God. This is a fantastic read for anyone and everyone. Man or woman, you NEED to read this book.
Mere Christianity
by C.S. Lewis
Widely regarded by many as the best Christian book of the 20th century, this is a classic masterpiece of the faith. You will want to own a copy for highlighting and all that fun stuff, but for a preview, you can read the entire volume here for free.
Radical
by David Platt
The American Church is spoiled. We have really mixed up our priorities in a big way, often to the point of idolatry. David Platt's book does a great job of pointing out--not just the how's and why's of this--but also the way that you can begin to correct some of this in your own life. This was the most challenging book I read in 2011, and that's why I'm reading it again this year.
Wild at Heart
by John Eldredge
Wild at Heart is one of my favorite books, ever. I read it for the first time during a period of deep heartache and depression and it's encouraging message breathed a powerful breath of fresh air into my relationship with God. This is a fantastic read for anyone and everyone. Man or woman, you NEED to read this book.
Mere Christianity
by C.S. Lewis
Widely regarded by many as the best Christian book of the 20th century, this is a classic masterpiece of the faith. You will want to own a copy for highlighting and all that fun stuff, but for a preview, you can read the entire volume here for free.
Radical
by David Platt
The American Church is spoiled. We have really mixed up our priorities in a big way, often to the point of idolatry. David Platt's book does a great job of pointing out--not just the how's and why's of this--but also the way that you can begin to correct some of this in your own life. This was the most challenging book I read in 2011, and that's why I'm reading it again this year.
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