It never ceases to amaze me how God puts the right book in my hand at just the time when I am ready for it. He did that with Brennan Manning’s “Ragamuffin Gospel”, Wayne Jacobsen’s “The Naked Church” and “He Loves Me”, N. T. Wright’s “The Challenge of Jesus”, and now Brian McLaren’s “A Generous Orthodoxy”. This book is helping me clarify some of my thoughts, and perhaps why I bristle at certain interpretations of the Gospel.
I haven’t read the whole book, but I really resonate with his brief descriptions of the “different Jesuses" he has come to know. I couldn’t help but smile as I read....So, I decided I would put some of it in writing and maybe see if some discussions emerge... I’ll start with lifting some stuff from the chapter “The Seven Jesuses I Have Known” that apply to me, then I'll write about my own journey and the discovery of these "Jesuses".
I am Conservative Protestant
...because I believe that Jesus’ death on the cross opens the door to heaven in the future, and allows me to have a relationship with Him now.
I am Charismatic/Pentecostal
...because I believe that the Holy Spirit is the real presence of Jesus, and is alive and active right now.
I am Roman Catholic
...because I believe that the resurrection of Jesus “changes forever the whole equation of existence.”
I am Eastern Orthodox
...because I believe God has taken human life into His life through Jesus, and God has enters His creation through Jesus, and has saved the world by doing so.
I am Liberal Protestant
...because I believe the teachings and acts of love of Jesus offer a way of life that brings blessing to the whole world, and I believe Jesus confronts the corrupt religious and political systems of the world.
I am Anabaptist
...because I believe the Church is a continuation of the original disciples, a group of people learning the ways of Jesus in voluntary community.
The discovery of these Jesuses in my own life has been a long road. I am still learning and open to more. I've spent a long time only knowing a Conservative Protestant Jesus. I realized sometime ago that he was only a fraction of the whole. It was like thinking you know someone because you talk to them in a store occasionally. There is so much more.... I want ALL of Jesus!
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Sunday, February 12, 2006
Enjoyment and Shame
I don’t have this all figured out by any means, but I am thinking through and getting to experiences glimpses of what it means to walk freely with Jesus. There are many hindrances to enjoying God. Religion, misunderstanding God, shame, guilt and obligation just to name a few.
Shame is looking at ourselves through the view of what we have done, rather than what Christ has done for us, and how He sees us.
Why is it important to understand that Jesus dealt with shame on the cross? Simply because shame and guilt are barriers to the full enjoyment of God which comes through relationship with Him.
I was a member of a 12-Step program for many years. I am in debt to that program and those people. And for all the positive things that I think we can glean from them, there is one thing that really bothers me. Before speaking at any meeting people introduce themselves by saying’ Hi, my name is Roger and I am a _________ .” (Fill in the blank with any addictive sin). I was reminding myself of my sin at every meeting. I was keeping myself in bondage to a particular addiction, and much like many religious institutions, I was told that if I left the meetings I was doomed to return to a life of addiction and sin. My self-concept had become completely centered on a the particular sin with which I struggled.
Shame keeps us focused on the sin within ourselves rather than on the One who dealt with the penalty, power, and one day, the presence of that sin. We see ourselves as dirty when Christ views us as clean. We view ourselves as guilty when Christ views us as innocent. We see ourselves as powerless when Christ has given His power to us through His Spirit. We wait for the day when the presence of sin is removed and forget that the kingdom of God has brought about a destruction of the power of sin here and now.
Does this mean that I should ignore my sin? No. It is not a matter of ignoring it; it is a matter of focus. I’ve related to God through the filter of my sinfulness for a long time and I wound up “gratefully depressed.” Yes, I was grateful for the cross, but I was depressed in the failures, shortcomings, and sin of my life. I was focused on my sin. I came to God as a groveling, shameful servant rather than a child, friend and Bride. I was measuring my self-worth by what I was doing and not doing, and what others were doing and not doing, instead of how the Father and Bridegroom saw me.
Heb 4:16 Therefore let us come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
This verse tells us that we may come before the throne of grace boldly. Unfortunately, many people have interpreted this to mean loudly and forcefully. But in the context of the Father who wants us to know Him it means that we can live with God confidently, bluntly, freely, openly, cheerfully, courageously, fearlessly. . . How can that be possible? Because shame has been dealt with on the cross allowing us free access to the throne of grace!
Knowing the love of Father, who wanted a Bride that was a perfect match for His Son, and the passionate Son who saw Her, and was willing to do anything for Her makes all the difference in the world. God accepts you as you are! Right in the middle of your process of transformation! He is not discouraged or frustrated with your sin. His power is sure! At the end of all things we will be part of a holy, pure and blameless Bride! And He sees you as you will be....
See yourself through God’s eyes today!
Shame is looking at ourselves through the view of what we have done, rather than what Christ has done for us, and how He sees us.
Why is it important to understand that Jesus dealt with shame on the cross? Simply because shame and guilt are barriers to the full enjoyment of God which comes through relationship with Him.
I was a member of a 12-Step program for many years. I am in debt to that program and those people. And for all the positive things that I think we can glean from them, there is one thing that really bothers me. Before speaking at any meeting people introduce themselves by saying’ Hi, my name is Roger and I am a _________ .” (Fill in the blank with any addictive sin). I was reminding myself of my sin at every meeting. I was keeping myself in bondage to a particular addiction, and much like many religious institutions, I was told that if I left the meetings I was doomed to return to a life of addiction and sin. My self-concept had become completely centered on a the particular sin with which I struggled.
Shame keeps us focused on the sin within ourselves rather than on the One who dealt with the penalty, power, and one day, the presence of that sin. We see ourselves as dirty when Christ views us as clean. We view ourselves as guilty when Christ views us as innocent. We see ourselves as powerless when Christ has given His power to us through His Spirit. We wait for the day when the presence of sin is removed and forget that the kingdom of God has brought about a destruction of the power of sin here and now.
Does this mean that I should ignore my sin? No. It is not a matter of ignoring it; it is a matter of focus. I’ve related to God through the filter of my sinfulness for a long time and I wound up “gratefully depressed.” Yes, I was grateful for the cross, but I was depressed in the failures, shortcomings, and sin of my life. I was focused on my sin. I came to God as a groveling, shameful servant rather than a child, friend and Bride. I was measuring my self-worth by what I was doing and not doing, and what others were doing and not doing, instead of how the Father and Bridegroom saw me.
Heb 4:16 Therefore let us come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
This verse tells us that we may come before the throne of grace boldly. Unfortunately, many people have interpreted this to mean loudly and forcefully. But in the context of the Father who wants us to know Him it means that we can live with God confidently, bluntly, freely, openly, cheerfully, courageously, fearlessly. . . How can that be possible? Because shame has been dealt with on the cross allowing us free access to the throne of grace!
Knowing the love of Father, who wanted a Bride that was a perfect match for His Son, and the passionate Son who saw Her, and was willing to do anything for Her makes all the difference in the world. God accepts you as you are! Right in the middle of your process of transformation! He is not discouraged or frustrated with your sin. His power is sure! At the end of all things we will be part of a holy, pure and blameless Bride! And He sees you as you will be....
See yourself through God’s eyes today!
Wayne and Friends
We had a great time last night meeting with people who are on a similar journey. Some were still in traditional congregations and some had been out of traditional settings for some time, but all of us are passionate about living loved by the Father. I'm sure we will be seeing each other again...
Wayne is a breath of fresh air for those who want to learn to have a dynamic relationship with the Father outside of obligations, rules, rituals and traditions. I highly suggest his writings and podcasts if you are on this journey!
Wayne is a breath of fresh air for those who want to learn to have a dynamic relationship with the Father outside of obligations, rules, rituals and traditions. I highly suggest his writings and podcasts if you are on this journey!
Saturday, February 11, 2006
Migrating
Kid3: Dad, do angels have wings?
Me: I dunno son, I guess so...
Kid3: Do they migrate?
LOL
Getting the oil changed. Getting our licenses renewed. Going to the girls basketball game. Going to hang out with Wayne Jacobsen and meet some folks on a similar journey. Looking forward to it.
Me: I dunno son, I guess so...
Kid3: Do they migrate?
LOL
Getting the oil changed. Getting our licenses renewed. Going to the girls basketball game. Going to hang out with Wayne Jacobsen and meet some folks on a similar journey. Looking forward to it.
Monday, February 06, 2006
Christian Hedonism
Found this is John Piper's book Desiring God which is online:
Christian Hedonism is a philosophy of life built on the following five convictions:
Christian Hedonism is a philosophy of life built on the following five convictions:
 | l. The longing to be happy is a universal human experience, and it is good, not sinful. | |
| 2. We should never try to deny or resist our longing to be happy, as though it were a bad impulse. Instead we should seek to intensify this longing and nourish it with whatever will provide the deepest and most enduring satisfaction. | |
| 3. The deepest and most enduring happiness is found only in God. | |
| 4. The happiness we find in God reaches its consummation when it is shared with others in the manifold ways of love. | |
| 5. To the extent we try to abandon the pursuit of our own pleasure, we fail to honor God and love people. Or, to put it positively: the pursuit of pleasure is a necessary part of all worship and virtue. That is, | |
The chief end of man is to glorify God
BY
enjoying him forever.
I haven't read the book yet, but there are a lot of implications in these few sentences....
Why don't more Christians enjoy God?
Is praise the natural result of thorough enjoyment of something or someone?
In what ways does my enjoying God bring Him glory?
Are there things I can do to help me enjoy God more often and more deeply?
Why don't more Christians enjoy God?
Is praise the natural result of thorough enjoyment of something or someone?
In what ways does my enjoying God bring Him glory?
Are there things I can do to help me enjoy God more often and more deeply?
Monday, January 30, 2006
The Personal Scoop
If you have followed the exploits, thoughts, ramblings and rantings on this blog for anytime, you know that we have been on a journey. We haven't always knows where that journey was going, still don't, but it has always been toward the Father, with His Son, in the Spirit.
We have been outside of institutional forms of church for about 3-4 months. I've lost track really. I can say without equivocation that it has been the best thing we could have done. The anger over the things I've experienced, and haven't experienced in organized forms of religion has subsided. It has been replaced by a passion to know Christ more fully. Religious things just don't seem to matter in light of Bridegroom who passionately loves me. This journey has consistently become less about how I express my relationship with God and more about the relationship with God. It has become about learning to live loved instead of trying fabricate love I didn't really have. By doing that Jesus is renewing my heart, breathing fresh air into clay, and making dry bones dance. Now, please don't get me wrong. We still desire and pray for some people in our area that are like-minded to just ask God, "What do you want to do in this little town that would bless others?"....it will be in His time.... I'm willing to wait.
In further news....the Blues suck. They have officially thrown away the rest of the season. They make it hard to be a hockey fan.
Trish took a new job. She will rock it! She is smart and beautiful! The total package!
Wayne Jacobsen is coming to the St. Louis area in a couple weeks. If you are in the area don't miss time to hang out with an awesome brother! More details to come...
We have been outside of institutional forms of church for about 3-4 months. I've lost track really. I can say without equivocation that it has been the best thing we could have done. The anger over the things I've experienced, and haven't experienced in organized forms of religion has subsided. It has been replaced by a passion to know Christ more fully. Religious things just don't seem to matter in light of Bridegroom who passionately loves me. This journey has consistently become less about how I express my relationship with God and more about the relationship with God. It has become about learning to live loved instead of trying fabricate love I didn't really have. By doing that Jesus is renewing my heart, breathing fresh air into clay, and making dry bones dance. Now, please don't get me wrong. We still desire and pray for some people in our area that are like-minded to just ask God, "What do you want to do in this little town that would bless others?"....it will be in His time.... I'm willing to wait.
In further news....the Blues suck. They have officially thrown away the rest of the season. They make it hard to be a hockey fan.
Trish took a new job. She will rock it! She is smart and beautiful! The total package!
Wayne Jacobsen is coming to the St. Louis area in a couple weeks. If you are in the area don't miss time to hang out with an awesome brother! More details to come...
Saturday, January 28, 2006
Saturday, January 21, 2006
HS
I have been part of churches where the cross was focused on so heavily that there was no mention of the Spirit. And I have seen some wackiness in the name of the Spirit too. I so don't want to come off as not giving enough do to the work of Christ on the cross. But, can we talk for a moment? While I am fully aware of all of the ramifications, the story did not end there!
Act 1:4-8 And having met with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to await the promise of the Father which you heard from Me. For John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days from now. Then, indeed, these coming together, they asked Him, saying, Lord, do You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel? And He said to them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power, the Holy Spirit coming upon you. And you shall be witnesses to Me both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
I love this passage! Under pressure, these are the guys that ran off and denied the Lord at the crucifixion. There were barren, full of dread and doubt. Jesus has been hanging out with them for 40 days teaching them about the kingdom. Jesus is going to trust these guys with His Bride. He tells them to wait for the Spirit. Wait...I'm leaving, but you stay here and wait. They obviously didn't get it at first. Not even after 3 years of "in the flesh" teaching, plus 40 days of teaching from the Risen Lord! They were recent spiritual failures still worrying about things that weren't on God's mind. But, Jesus' promise to them stood. They would receive power when the Holy Spirit came on them. Then they would begin being the Church.
I can relate. I'm about that dense. I'm a spiritual failure. I worry about a lot of things that are not on God's mind. I've tried to live a good portion of my Christian life without truly relying on God's power. I've read books. Bought on to the latest method. Listened to preachers. Gone to conferences. Listened to tapes and CD's. . . But, I cannot say that I have experienced relying on the Spirit, in any consistent way, the way that Paul talks about in his letters.
Jesus sent something from heaven that radically transformed this rag-tag bunch of uneducated people. Something from heaven gripped them, flooded their lives, and they were changed forever. Isn't it interesting that the disciples were not really transformed by the teaching of Christ, but by experiencing a new dimension of God's Spirit.
How many times have I read a new book, received some enlightenment on a Scripture, been blessed by some teaching, but it never really "stuck." Too many to count. The real times of transformation in my life have come not when I understood what Christ has done for me, but when I experienced what Christ has done for me. God has enlightened my mind, healed my emotions, and reshaped my will when I have placed myself in positions for the Spirit to work in my life and the love of God has been poured out in my heart through the Holy Spirit (Rom. 5:5). It isn't an issue of salvation. But how salvation works in my life. And I think Paul's view is that we are being saved through our experience with the Spirit, renewing our minds, wills and emotions.
That's all I have time for now. I'll end with a quote from Jim Cymbala:
While Christ's work on the cross, the shedding of His blood, was the only way to settle the problems of guilt, sin and condemnation, the coming of the Holy Spirit was God's way of changing human beings from the inside out. The Law given to Moses had failed at this very point. It was in itself holy and just, but the problem was the sinful nature within the people. Now the Holy Spirit dwelling in the hearts of believers would conquer the age old dilemma of "I want to be different but I keep doing it anyway." This empowering of the Spirit would be the dynamic source throughout time for all who live for, and labor with Jesus.
Act 1:4-8 And having met with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to await the promise of the Father which you heard from Me. For John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days from now. Then, indeed, these coming together, they asked Him, saying, Lord, do You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel? And He said to them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power, the Holy Spirit coming upon you. And you shall be witnesses to Me both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
I love this passage! Under pressure, these are the guys that ran off and denied the Lord at the crucifixion. There were barren, full of dread and doubt. Jesus has been hanging out with them for 40 days teaching them about the kingdom. Jesus is going to trust these guys with His Bride. He tells them to wait for the Spirit. Wait...I'm leaving, but you stay here and wait. They obviously didn't get it at first. Not even after 3 years of "in the flesh" teaching, plus 40 days of teaching from the Risen Lord! They were recent spiritual failures still worrying about things that weren't on God's mind. But, Jesus' promise to them stood. They would receive power when the Holy Spirit came on them. Then they would begin being the Church.
I can relate. I'm about that dense. I'm a spiritual failure. I worry about a lot of things that are not on God's mind. I've tried to live a good portion of my Christian life without truly relying on God's power. I've read books. Bought on to the latest method. Listened to preachers. Gone to conferences. Listened to tapes and CD's. . . But, I cannot say that I have experienced relying on the Spirit, in any consistent way, the way that Paul talks about in his letters.
Jesus sent something from heaven that radically transformed this rag-tag bunch of uneducated people. Something from heaven gripped them, flooded their lives, and they were changed forever. Isn't it interesting that the disciples were not really transformed by the teaching of Christ, but by experiencing a new dimension of God's Spirit.
How many times have I read a new book, received some enlightenment on a Scripture, been blessed by some teaching, but it never really "stuck." Too many to count. The real times of transformation in my life have come not when I understood what Christ has done for me, but when I experienced what Christ has done for me. God has enlightened my mind, healed my emotions, and reshaped my will when I have placed myself in positions for the Spirit to work in my life and the love of God has been poured out in my heart through the Holy Spirit (Rom. 5:5). It isn't an issue of salvation. But how salvation works in my life. And I think Paul's view is that we are being saved through our experience with the Spirit, renewing our minds, wills and emotions.
That's all I have time for now. I'll end with a quote from Jim Cymbala:
While Christ's work on the cross, the shedding of His blood, was the only way to settle the problems of guilt, sin and condemnation, the coming of the Holy Spirit was God's way of changing human beings from the inside out. The Law given to Moses had failed at this very point. It was in itself holy and just, but the problem was the sinful nature within the people. Now the Holy Spirit dwelling in the hearts of believers would conquer the age old dilemma of "I want to be different but I keep doing it anyway." This empowering of the Spirit would be the dynamic source throughout time for all who live for, and labor with Jesus.
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Enjoy God
Our God Who Rejoices
Zep 3:17 The LORD, your God, is in the midst of you, a mighty one who will save. He will rejoice over you with joy. He will rest in his love. He will rejoice over you with singing.
Isa 62:5 For as a young man marries a virgin, so shall your sons marry you; and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.
Our God Who is Passionate
Son 1:15 Behold, you are beautiful, my love; behold, you are beautiful; you have doves' eyes.
Joh 15:9 As the Father has loved Me, so I have loved you; continue in My love.
Joh 17:23 I in them, and You in Me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that You have sent Me and have loved them as You have loved Me.
1Jo 4:16-19
And we have known and believed the love that God has in us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. In this is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment, that as He is, so also we are in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has torment. He who fears has not been perfected in love. We love Him because He first loved us.
Rom 5:5 And hope does not make us ashamed, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit given to us.
Luk 15:10 Likewise I say to you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.
Luk 15:20 And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.
Our God Who Reveals Himself
Eph 3:16-19
that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth and length and depth and height, and to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge, that you might be filled with all the fullness of God.
Joh 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.
Col 1:27 For to them God would make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the nations, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory,
Our God Who is Kind
Psa 36:7-8
How precious is Your loving-kindness, O God! And the sons of men take refuge under the shadow of Your wing. They shall be satisfied with the fatness of Your house; and You shall make them drink of the river of Your pleasures.
Our God Who Shares His Glory
Joh 17:22 And I have given them the glory which You have given Me, that they may be one, even as We are one
Rom 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the coming glory to be revealed in us.
Our God Who Lifts Us Up
Eph 3:19 and to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge, that you might be filled with all the fullness of God.
Eph 4:13 And this until we all come into the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a full-grown man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;
2Pe 1:4 through which He has given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, so that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
Zep 3:17 The LORD, your God, is in the midst of you, a mighty one who will save. He will rejoice over you with joy. He will rest in his love. He will rejoice over you with singing.
Isa 62:5 For as a young man marries a virgin, so shall your sons marry you; and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.
Our God Who is Passionate
Son 1:15 Behold, you are beautiful, my love; behold, you are beautiful; you have doves' eyes.
Joh 15:9 As the Father has loved Me, so I have loved you; continue in My love.
Joh 17:23 I in them, and You in Me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that You have sent Me and have loved them as You have loved Me.
1Jo 4:16-19
And we have known and believed the love that God has in us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. In this is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment, that as He is, so also we are in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has torment. He who fears has not been perfected in love. We love Him because He first loved us.
Rom 5:5 And hope does not make us ashamed, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit given to us.
Luk 15:10 Likewise I say to you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.
Luk 15:20 And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.
Our God Who Reveals Himself
Eph 3:16-19
that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth and length and depth and height, and to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge, that you might be filled with all the fullness of God.
Joh 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.
Col 1:27 For to them God would make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the nations, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory,
Our God Who is Kind
Psa 36:7-8
How precious is Your loving-kindness, O God! And the sons of men take refuge under the shadow of Your wing. They shall be satisfied with the fatness of Your house; and You shall make them drink of the river of Your pleasures.
Our God Who Shares His Glory
Joh 17:22 And I have given them the glory which You have given Me, that they may be one, even as We are one
Rom 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the coming glory to be revealed in us.
Our God Who Lifts Us Up
Eph 3:19 and to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge, that you might be filled with all the fullness of God.
Eph 4:13 And this until we all come into the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a full-grown man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;
2Pe 1:4 through which He has given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, so that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
Sunday, January 15, 2006
Spirit, Soul and Body
I've been giving some thought to the fact that we have a spirit, soul and body.
1Th 5:23 And may the God of peace Himself sanctify you, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blamelessly at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Now, I've always been told that the soul is composed of the mind, will and emotions. It is what makes us a unique person. The body is pretty self-explanatory. But the spirit....my spirit....hmmm.
1Co 6:17 But he being joined to the Lord is one spirit.
So, if Paul is saying that God has placed His uncreated Spirit in my created body it makes sense of some other motifs of Paul. My spirit is God's Spirit. The working of God in my life is an inside-out job.
Now, if all Christians have God's Spirit why are there crabby-assed, sour, sick, sin-filled Christians around who have gone to church most of their lives? I'm not trying to be judgemental, but you know the people that I'm talking about. The folks who usually sit on the church boards, run the church councils.... Why is the Spirit apparently not working in their lives? Is the Spirit weak? Can't be.
Col 1:29
For which I also labor, striving according to the working of Him who works in me in power.
Eph 3:20
Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us...
Why do most of us not experience the power that we are promised? Where is the wisdom? Where are the changed desires? Why are our minds, will and emotions still broken?
This is what I think. I need my soul saturated by God's Spirit. I need my mind, will and emotions renewed, conformed, and filled with power. You know what? It happens in the context of relationship with God. Specifcally, the fellowship of the Spirit. And I play a part in the process. More later...
2Co 13:14
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.
1Th 5:23 And may the God of peace Himself sanctify you, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blamelessly at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Now, I've always been told that the soul is composed of the mind, will and emotions. It is what makes us a unique person. The body is pretty self-explanatory. But the spirit....my spirit....hmmm.
1Co 6:17 But he being joined to the Lord is one spirit.
So, if Paul is saying that God has placed His uncreated Spirit in my created body it makes sense of some other motifs of Paul. My spirit is God's Spirit. The working of God in my life is an inside-out job.
Now, if all Christians have God's Spirit why are there crabby-assed, sour, sick, sin-filled Christians around who have gone to church most of their lives? I'm not trying to be judgemental, but you know the people that I'm talking about. The folks who usually sit on the church boards, run the church councils.... Why is the Spirit apparently not working in their lives? Is the Spirit weak? Can't be.
Col 1:29
For which I also labor, striving according to the working of Him who works in me in power.
Eph 3:20
Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us...
Why do most of us not experience the power that we are promised? Where is the wisdom? Where are the changed desires? Why are our minds, will and emotions still broken?
This is what I think. I need my soul saturated by God's Spirit. I need my mind, will and emotions renewed, conformed, and filled with power. You know what? It happens in the context of relationship with God. Specifcally, the fellowship of the Spirit. And I play a part in the process. More later...
2Co 13:14
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.
Friday, December 30, 2005
The Desert and the Bride
The Desert sucks.
Figuratively and literally.
I know.
I've lived in both.
I won't lie. I've wondered what God was doing during some of these desert times. The times when I am seeking Him and there is nothing but silence. The times when I need to be comforted and I get another thorn in my side (usually my backside!). The times I hoped someone else would understand where I'm at and I get a blank stare.
How do we make sense of this silence? Of this seemingly lack of caring by the God that we've all been told loves us? I'm not saying I've got a total handle on it, in fact, I think I've still got a little desert walking to do, but the only way I can make sense of it is understanding the Bridal Paradigm.
When I look at the end of the Bible, which tells us about the end of all things, this is what I find
(Actually, the Bible is full of Bridal symbolism, and it's a pretty interesting study.) :
Rev 21:1-4 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth. For the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. And the sea no longer is. And I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of Heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her Husband. And I heard a great voice out of Heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away all tears from their eyes. And there will be no more death, nor mourning, nor crying out, nor will there be any more pain; for the first things passed away.
Rev 21:9 And one of the seven angels who had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues came to me and talked with me, saying, Come here, I will show you the bride, the Lamb's wife.
Can you sense the excitement in the angel's voice as he shows John the Bride? Have you ever met a bridegroom that was not passionate for his bride?
The culmination of human history will be a wedding ceremony! The final state of God's people will be as a Bride adorned for her Husband. God is preparing us for the ultimate wedding ceremony. It is in this reality that I need to interpret God's dealings with me.
The attitude God has taken toward us has never been one of pity, irritation or impatience. He has succumbed neither to despair nor a performance orientation. His attitude has always been that of the delighted Father, preparing the perfect partner for His perfect Son. The Son's posture has eternally been that of the enthralled Bridegroom, captured by the beauty of one created specifically to be His counterpart. The assurance of the power of God guarantees that at the end of it all we will be what He intended. - Gary Wiens
How does the desert play into this scenario? I think the book of Hosea gives us a sense of God's heart towards His Beloved.
In the context of Israel's "harlotry" as she chases after other lovers:
Hos 2:13-16, 19-20
And I will visit on her the days of the Baals, in which she burned incense to them, and she adorned herself with her nose-rings and her jewels, and she went after her lovers and forgot Me, says Jehovah. Therefore, behold, I will lure her and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably to her. And I will give her vineyards to her from there, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope. And she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt. And it shall be at that day, says Jehovah, you shall call Me, My Husband, and shall no more call Me, My Baal. And I will betroth you to Me forever. Yea, I will betroth you to Me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in loving-kindness, and in mercies. I will even betroth you to Me in faithfulness. And you shall know Jehovah.
The desert time. The times of silence and despair. The times of confusion and hopelessness. They are a necessary part of the preparation. Our trouble (Valley of Achor) will be turned into a doorway of hope. God is wooing us back. Restoring us. Preparing us for a deeper sense of his presence. Opening the doorway for communication with his heart in deeper, more full ways. And songs will spring forth from our hearts....
Figuratively and literally.
I know.
I've lived in both.
I won't lie. I've wondered what God was doing during some of these desert times. The times when I am seeking Him and there is nothing but silence. The times when I need to be comforted and I get another thorn in my side (usually my backside!). The times I hoped someone else would understand where I'm at and I get a blank stare.
How do we make sense of this silence? Of this seemingly lack of caring by the God that we've all been told loves us? I'm not saying I've got a total handle on it, in fact, I think I've still got a little desert walking to do, but the only way I can make sense of it is understanding the Bridal Paradigm.
When I look at the end of the Bible, which tells us about the end of all things, this is what I find
(Actually, the Bible is full of Bridal symbolism, and it's a pretty interesting study.) :
Rev 21:1-4 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth. For the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. And the sea no longer is. And I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of Heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her Husband. And I heard a great voice out of Heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away all tears from their eyes. And there will be no more death, nor mourning, nor crying out, nor will there be any more pain; for the first things passed away.
Rev 21:9 And one of the seven angels who had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues came to me and talked with me, saying, Come here, I will show you the bride, the Lamb's wife.
Can you sense the excitement in the angel's voice as he shows John the Bride? Have you ever met a bridegroom that was not passionate for his bride?
The culmination of human history will be a wedding ceremony! The final state of God's people will be as a Bride adorned for her Husband. God is preparing us for the ultimate wedding ceremony. It is in this reality that I need to interpret God's dealings with me.
The attitude God has taken toward us has never been one of pity, irritation or impatience. He has succumbed neither to despair nor a performance orientation. His attitude has always been that of the delighted Father, preparing the perfect partner for His perfect Son. The Son's posture has eternally been that of the enthralled Bridegroom, captured by the beauty of one created specifically to be His counterpart. The assurance of the power of God guarantees that at the end of it all we will be what He intended. - Gary Wiens
How does the desert play into this scenario? I think the book of Hosea gives us a sense of God's heart towards His Beloved.
In the context of Israel's "harlotry" as she chases after other lovers:
Hos 2:13-16, 19-20
And I will visit on her the days of the Baals, in which she burned incense to them, and she adorned herself with her nose-rings and her jewels, and she went after her lovers and forgot Me, says Jehovah. Therefore, behold, I will lure her and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably to her. And I will give her vineyards to her from there, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope. And she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt. And it shall be at that day, says Jehovah, you shall call Me, My Husband, and shall no more call Me, My Baal. And I will betroth you to Me forever. Yea, I will betroth you to Me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in loving-kindness, and in mercies. I will even betroth you to Me in faithfulness. And you shall know Jehovah.
The desert time. The times of silence and despair. The times of confusion and hopelessness. They are a necessary part of the preparation. Our trouble (Valley of Achor) will be turned into a doorway of hope. God is wooing us back. Restoring us. Preparing us for a deeper sense of his presence. Opening the doorway for communication with his heart in deeper, more full ways. And songs will spring forth from our hearts....
Friday, December 16, 2005
Who Is This King of Glory?
Aaahhh. Ain't he cute? Little baby Jesus laying in the manger. Docile animals all around. Sweet little cherub overhead....
Peace and safety.
The world is lullabied by peace and safety.
The church is lullabied by peace and safety.
And the magi bring their gifts. Gently bowing before the tiny baby. Knowing that a great future awaited him....
Peace and safety.
The world is lullabied by peace and safety.
The church is lullabied by peace and safety.
Aaahh. Mary and Joseph looking with love and awe at their little bundle of joy wrapped in swaddling clothes. To bad they had to be run out of town because they had a bastard child.
Who is this King of Glory?
Laying in a barn that stinks like animal crap and wet hay. No room for him in his town. No room for him in a home. No room for him in his people's hearts.
Who is this King of Glory?
Is he still a baby laying in a manger?
NO! He is no longer a baby in a manger! He is no longer cute and cuddly. He has walked this life in the flesh. He loved and lost. He has been beaten, whipped and crucified. He has seen death and conquered it. His eyes are like fire. He wears many crowns. He has a sword in his mouth and rod of iron in his hand. He rides a white horse. No swaddling clothes here, but a garment dipped in blood. He is risen from the dead and full of glory. . .
Who is this King of Glory?
You do not choose to be friends with someone so powerful, so awesome. . . someone like this chooses friendship with you. And he HAS chosen you to be his friend! He has chosen you to be his bride! AND HE IS PASSIONATE FOR YOU!
Who is this King of Glory?
He is Jesus Christ!
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Army of the Broken
Our friends from England have been here and gone. Rich is my oldest and dearest friend. We met in Hollywood, CA at music school when neither of us knew the Lord and now we are both followers. Rich is always a breath of spiritual fresh air. He brought two friends this time: Simon and Val who are also gems.
They spent a week at IHOP. Not eating pancakes either. It is the International House of Prayer in K.C. When they arrived here they felt like they had some unfinished business there and that we should join them. I can be spontaneous, but a 5 hour trip with the kids is a stretch for me. We threw some stuff in a suitcase, packed up the kids and a cooler and went. I was a bit skeptical....organized religion.....charismatic prophecy.....and all of that.....
When we got there the worship didn't seem like anything special, other than it has been going on 24/7 for the last 4 years. And it definately was not a show. These people could care less how the people were reacting. They were going for it for God and God only. But I sensed God telling me that I wasn't going to get anymore of Him there than I would anywhere else. I was willing....but no real connection.
At 10:00pm another worship team was taking over (seamless transitions of whole bands by the way). The leader sat down at the piano and played a couple of familar tunes as her band got into place. Then it happened. Misty Edwards began spontaneous prophecying/preaching as she sang. I have never experienced anything quite like it. Quite definately God-led.
The next day we met one of Rich's friends from England (Who "happened" to be there the same week). Paul is an older gentleman with gentleness in his spirit and wisdom in his words. He knew a little of our story and he had been through some similar stuff. A pastor booted out of his church....lost it all....broken...angry.....desperate in the silence....
And as he prayed over us he said:
"What you have been through was not a mistake or a failure. You have been led by God so that you could join an army of the broken."
Hos 2:14-16
Therefore, I am going to persuade her, lead her to the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her. There I will give her vineyards back to her and make the Valley of Achor into a gateway of hope. There she will respond as she did in the days of her youth, as in the day she came out of the land of Egypt. In that day--the LORD's declaration--you will call Me: My husband. . .
They spent a week at IHOP. Not eating pancakes either. It is the International House of Prayer in K.C. When they arrived here they felt like they had some unfinished business there and that we should join them. I can be spontaneous, but a 5 hour trip with the kids is a stretch for me. We threw some stuff in a suitcase, packed up the kids and a cooler and went. I was a bit skeptical....organized religion.....charismatic prophecy.....and all of that.....
When we got there the worship didn't seem like anything special, other than it has been going on 24/7 for the last 4 years. And it definately was not a show. These people could care less how the people were reacting. They were going for it for God and God only. But I sensed God telling me that I wasn't going to get anymore of Him there than I would anywhere else. I was willing....but no real connection.
At 10:00pm another worship team was taking over (seamless transitions of whole bands by the way). The leader sat down at the piano and played a couple of familar tunes as her band got into place. Then it happened. Misty Edwards began spontaneous prophecying/preaching as she sang. I have never experienced anything quite like it. Quite definately God-led.
The next day we met one of Rich's friends from England (Who "happened" to be there the same week). Paul is an older gentleman with gentleness in his spirit and wisdom in his words. He knew a little of our story and he had been through some similar stuff. A pastor booted out of his church....lost it all....broken...angry.....desperate in the silence....
And as he prayed over us he said:
"What you have been through was not a mistake or a failure. You have been led by God so that you could join an army of the broken."
Hos 2:14-16
Therefore, I am going to persuade her, lead her to the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her. There I will give her vineyards back to her and make the Valley of Achor into a gateway of hope. There she will respond as she did in the days of her youth, as in the day she came out of the land of Egypt. In that day--the LORD's declaration--you will call Me: My husband. . .
Sunday, December 04, 2005
The News - One Foot In Front Of The Other
Christmas time is approaching....
I like Christmas. I don't care what consumerism and capitalism have done to it. I like giving and receiving gifts. Guess I'm not spiritual enough to just like giving. Sorry. But have you thought about our role in our relationship with God? He is the giver....we are the receivers. I have a lot to learn about receiving.
In other news.
"Conservative Christians" are going to bat for Christ by putting the "Christ" back in Christmas! I'm glad someone fights the battles that matter. (Insert sarcasm here)
In personal news.
We are coming closer to some decisions about our future. Trish and I both want to finish our degrees. I'm basically an idiot. I have spent most of my life not knowing what I wanted to be when I grew up. I started out as a psychology major. Switched to music. Then compromised for a degree in Organizational Leadership because I could get it done quickly. Funny thing is I am going back to where I started and persuing a degree in Social Work.
Updates to come...
P.S. Thanks for all the moral and spiritual support!
I like Christmas. I don't care what consumerism and capitalism have done to it. I like giving and receiving gifts. Guess I'm not spiritual enough to just like giving. Sorry. But have you thought about our role in our relationship with God? He is the giver....we are the receivers. I have a lot to learn about receiving.
In other news.
"Conservative Christians" are going to bat for Christ by putting the "Christ" back in Christmas! I'm glad someone fights the battles that matter. (Insert sarcasm here)
In personal news.
We are coming closer to some decisions about our future. Trish and I both want to finish our degrees. I'm basically an idiot. I have spent most of my life not knowing what I wanted to be when I grew up. I started out as a psychology major. Switched to music. Then compromised for a degree in Organizational Leadership because I could get it done quickly. Funny thing is I am going back to where I started and persuing a degree in Social Work.
Updates to come...
P.S. Thanks for all the moral and spiritual support!
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
First Day Back
The first day back to school after Thanksgiving.
Yea, it is usually a little stressful with the kids getting back on schedule. But, this is a behavioral disorder classroom. Magnify it. Then magnify it again.
There is a little boy in our class. I'll call him N. He is small for his age. About a head smaller than most. He is witty and can be as cute as they come....when he wants to be. And that ain't often.
From what I gather he spends most of his life being ignored by his family. When he does get attention it is in the form of a big brother's taunts and fists.
As a result, every little thing is a power struggle. EVERY LITTLE THING. In order to feel like he belongs and is accepted N. must be in control. Probably because he feels everyone else controls his circumstances.
Today N. lost it. Not his usual playing gymnastics with the desk and chair, or making loud noises to disrupt the rest of the class. No. We had to restrain him after he started throwing chairs around the room. When the teacher got tired of being hit and kicked we had to do a more restrictive restraining technique. When he realized he was truely powerless he cried like a baby.
To tell the truth it was hard for me not to cry with him. What happens at his home to cause this behavior breaks my heart. Any communication of love is met with complete resistance and defiance. But, I will not give in or give up.
Jesus claimed this as His mission:
Luk 4:18-19
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim release to the captives, recovering of sight to the blind, to deliver those who are crushed, and to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord."
I think it is mine too. Right in my little broken classroom.
Yea, it is usually a little stressful with the kids getting back on schedule. But, this is a behavioral disorder classroom. Magnify it. Then magnify it again.
There is a little boy in our class. I'll call him N. He is small for his age. About a head smaller than most. He is witty and can be as cute as they come....when he wants to be. And that ain't often.
From what I gather he spends most of his life being ignored by his family. When he does get attention it is in the form of a big brother's taunts and fists.
As a result, every little thing is a power struggle. EVERY LITTLE THING. In order to feel like he belongs and is accepted N. must be in control. Probably because he feels everyone else controls his circumstances.
Today N. lost it. Not his usual playing gymnastics with the desk and chair, or making loud noises to disrupt the rest of the class. No. We had to restrain him after he started throwing chairs around the room. When the teacher got tired of being hit and kicked we had to do a more restrictive restraining technique. When he realized he was truely powerless he cried like a baby.
To tell the truth it was hard for me not to cry with him. What happens at his home to cause this behavior breaks my heart. Any communication of love is met with complete resistance and defiance. But, I will not give in or give up.
Jesus claimed this as His mission:
Luk 4:18-19
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim release to the captives, recovering of sight to the blind, to deliver those who are crushed, and to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord."
I think it is mine too. Right in my little broken classroom.
Sunday, November 06, 2005
Can we get honest here...?
Honestly.
The past five years have been difficult. I won't bore you with the details. The few that read this drivel know most of it anyway.
Trish and I recently had an argument that escalated far beyond what is acceptable. It scared the kids and it scared us too. No, we are not getting divorced. No, we are not separated. Yes, we are getting some help to work through it. . .
This incident has forced me to look at my life and verbalize some things that had been swirling around in my demented head for sometime anyway. As most of you know a series of events began when we left a stable job, good friends, and the church where we started our journey with Jesus in Dallas. I was unhappy with my job and believed God was calling us to "full-time ministry" (whatever that is). We moved to El Paso so I could work at a church as worship and youth leader. It was a complete disaster and we left confused, hurt and disillusioned. We moved to Illinois where I was going to complete a degree in music and be a worship leader at a hopefully healthy church. I changed my major with that in mind. Then the screwball. We began to seriously questions the motives and usefulness of organized religion.
So, during this time Trish, who wants to be a stay-at-home mom has been the primary bread winner. I now have a degree that is worthless. I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up. The decisions over the last five years have not worked out like we had hoped, and it has left me confused, depressed, disillusioned, angry, and directionless. Any dreams that I had are gone. They need to be replaced with something else. I don't really care what....but I am a dreamer....I gotta have something to shoot for....
I think I have been a functional Agnostic for the past few months. Yea, God is there, but I just ain't feelin' it. I'm fine with that. I've resolved that the next move is His.
The past five years have been difficult. I won't bore you with the details. The few that read this drivel know most of it anyway.
Trish and I recently had an argument that escalated far beyond what is acceptable. It scared the kids and it scared us too. No, we are not getting divorced. No, we are not separated. Yes, we are getting some help to work through it. . .
This incident has forced me to look at my life and verbalize some things that had been swirling around in my demented head for sometime anyway. As most of you know a series of events began when we left a stable job, good friends, and the church where we started our journey with Jesus in Dallas. I was unhappy with my job and believed God was calling us to "full-time ministry" (whatever that is). We moved to El Paso so I could work at a church as worship and youth leader. It was a complete disaster and we left confused, hurt and disillusioned. We moved to Illinois where I was going to complete a degree in music and be a worship leader at a hopefully healthy church. I changed my major with that in mind. Then the screwball. We began to seriously questions the motives and usefulness of organized religion.
So, during this time Trish, who wants to be a stay-at-home mom has been the primary bread winner. I now have a degree that is worthless. I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up. The decisions over the last five years have not worked out like we had hoped, and it has left me confused, depressed, disillusioned, angry, and directionless. Any dreams that I had are gone. They need to be replaced with something else. I don't really care what....but I am a dreamer....I gotta have something to shoot for....
I think I have been a functional Agnostic for the past few months. Yea, God is there, but I just ain't feelin' it. I'm fine with that. I've resolved that the next move is His.
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Rapid Increase in Alternative Forms of The Church Are Changing the Religious Landscape
Here is an excerpt from an interesting article from Barna that Trish turned me on to.... seems the "alternative" forms of church are more mainstream than most people thought....
A new book by George Barna, entitled Revolution, indicates that since the turn of the millennium there have been major changes occurring in how people experience and express their faith. Based on a regular series of national surveys conducted by his company during the past quarter century, Barna discovered that discontent with congregational churches, changes in lifestyles, and a burgeoning desire to get closer to God, have caused many people to seek new ways of being in relationship with God and other God-seeking people.
In 2000, most of the nation’s organized religious activity took place at or through local churches. Today, Barna’s research points out, the action is shifting to newer forms of corporate religious commitment. In a typical week, 9% of all adults participate in a house church. An even greater proportion – 22% - engages in spiritual encounters that take place in the marketplace (e.g., with groups of people while they are at their place of work or play, or in other typical daily contexts). The Internet serves as the foundation for interactive faith experiences for more than one out of every ten adults, although most of them currently use it in tandem with another form of corporate religious experience.
A new book by George Barna, entitled Revolution, indicates that since the turn of the millennium there have been major changes occurring in how people experience and express their faith. Based on a regular series of national surveys conducted by his company during the past quarter century, Barna discovered that discontent with congregational churches, changes in lifestyles, and a burgeoning desire to get closer to God, have caused many people to seek new ways of being in relationship with God and other God-seeking people.
In 2000, most of the nation’s organized religious activity took place at or through local churches. Today, Barna’s research points out, the action is shifting to newer forms of corporate religious commitment. In a typical week, 9% of all adults participate in a house church. An even greater proportion – 22% - engages in spiritual encounters that take place in the marketplace (e.g., with groups of people while they are at their place of work or play, or in other typical daily contexts). The Internet serves as the foundation for interactive faith experiences for more than one out of every ten adults, although most of them currently use it in tandem with another form of corporate religious experience.
Saturday, October 22, 2005
The Road Less Traveled
I am not very motivated to blog right now, though there are lots of things I could blog about.... Yea, I'm lazy...
I've been reading The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck. It isn't exactly a "Christian" book, but I've been really challenged by some of his concepts and thoughts.
Peck believes that love is at the core of any spiritual change. It is how Peck defines love, and the implications that follow, that I find really interesting.
Peck's definition of love: "The will to extend one's self for the purpose of nurturing one's own or another's spiritual growth."
According to Peck one cannot love someone else without loving their own self. I know. That sounds like modern psychological BS. But think about it. Can you really give someone else something you don't have? Can we impart character or discipline to our children that we don't have? Or, that God is not living in us and through us?
Next, Peck emphasizes the word "will" in his definition of love. "Will is desire of sufficient intensity that it is translated into action." There is a difference between desire and action. We can desire to be loving, and not be loving. This sounds trite, but when I think about my own life, and my "lived-out" definition of love, it tends to be nebulous. This definition forces me to think about love on an individual level rather than the "we are the world" level. Who is God putting right in front of me, right now?
Last, this definition implies that love is work. (I'm sure there are some with a "romantic" view of love who will have problems with this. The romantic view of love is based on feeling so would fall outside of the definition that we are using here.) In Peck's view, love is always a form of work and/or courage because we are extending ourselves to include someone else in our "world". That extension of ourself implies risk and work.
After pointing out the many things that love is not, Peck discusses the "work of attention". The fact is that a large part of love is attention. It is listening. It is entering in to the other person's world. If you have ever really tried to that, you know that it is work. I don't know about you, but my thoughts drift so easily...."What will I say next?"...."Oh, I can fix that."...."Dang, I forgot to put that load of laundry in."....."My kids are being to loud."..... I've thought about how often I truly enter in to my kid's world too. Peck points out that there are many different levels of listening and we need to use each one at certain times. But, how often do I fully enter in to my kindergartener's world with all my attention? Not often enough.
I'll end with a quote from a part of the book about the role of love in psychotherapy. I think it describes a way in which we, as the Church, can and should be present to the broken in our world.
"It is not "unconditonal positive regard," nor it is magical words, techniques or postures; it is human involvement and struggle. It is the willingness of the therapist to extend himself or herself for the purpose of nurturing a patient's growth - willingness to go out on a limb, to truly involve oneself at an emotional level in the relationship, to actually struggle with the patient and with oneself. In short, the magical ingredient of successful deep and meaningful psychotherapy is love."
Am I willing to go to the broken places and broken people of the world and enter struggle?
Who, specifically, am I struggling with?
How am I doing at struggling with my wife and kids?
I've been reading The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck. It isn't exactly a "Christian" book, but I've been really challenged by some of his concepts and thoughts.
Peck believes that love is at the core of any spiritual change. It is how Peck defines love, and the implications that follow, that I find really interesting.
Peck's definition of love: "The will to extend one's self for the purpose of nurturing one's own or another's spiritual growth."
According to Peck one cannot love someone else without loving their own self. I know. That sounds like modern psychological BS. But think about it. Can you really give someone else something you don't have? Can we impart character or discipline to our children that we don't have? Or, that God is not living in us and through us?
Next, Peck emphasizes the word "will" in his definition of love. "Will is desire of sufficient intensity that it is translated into action." There is a difference between desire and action. We can desire to be loving, and not be loving. This sounds trite, but when I think about my own life, and my "lived-out" definition of love, it tends to be nebulous. This definition forces me to think about love on an individual level rather than the "we are the world" level. Who is God putting right in front of me, right now?
Last, this definition implies that love is work. (I'm sure there are some with a "romantic" view of love who will have problems with this. The romantic view of love is based on feeling so would fall outside of the definition that we are using here.) In Peck's view, love is always a form of work and/or courage because we are extending ourselves to include someone else in our "world". That extension of ourself implies risk and work.
After pointing out the many things that love is not, Peck discusses the "work of attention". The fact is that a large part of love is attention. It is listening. It is entering in to the other person's world. If you have ever really tried to that, you know that it is work. I don't know about you, but my thoughts drift so easily...."What will I say next?"...."Oh, I can fix that."...."Dang, I forgot to put that load of laundry in."....."My kids are being to loud."..... I've thought about how often I truly enter in to my kid's world too. Peck points out that there are many different levels of listening and we need to use each one at certain times. But, how often do I fully enter in to my kindergartener's world with all my attention? Not often enough.
I'll end with a quote from a part of the book about the role of love in psychotherapy. I think it describes a way in which we, as the Church, can and should be present to the broken in our world.
"It is not "unconditonal positive regard," nor it is magical words, techniques or postures; it is human involvement and struggle. It is the willingness of the therapist to extend himself or herself for the purpose of nurturing a patient's growth - willingness to go out on a limb, to truly involve oneself at an emotional level in the relationship, to actually struggle with the patient and with oneself. In short, the magical ingredient of successful deep and meaningful psychotherapy is love."
Am I willing to go to the broken places and broken people of the world and enter struggle?
Who, specifically, am I struggling with?
How am I doing at struggling with my wife and kids?
Sunday, October 09, 2005
This is our first Sunday not being part of an institutional church in about 12 years. I didn't miss is it this weekend.... We had a time of reading the OT and Psalms as a family, sang a song or two and chilled out on the couch and enjoyed each other. We had a nice bonfire on Friday night with some good friends....gotta like that....something about friends, fire and a few beers that I really enjoy.... We continue to pray for God to put people into our life that want to journey with us.... We will be having biscuits and gravy "church" at our house in the near future.
Been reading N.T. Wright's "Challenge of Jesus". Really challenges me in putting Jesus in a historical context rather than viewing him as a "supernatural" being that floated his way through life. I'm sure I'll have some more to say at a later time about that....
My job as a teacher's asst. continues to be interesting. I pray for my kids everyday....in a public school even....they don't know it though.....that wouldn't be "legal". My heart breaks for some of these kids. The home life they must have that causes them to act out like they do.... sigh....heartbreak....prayer....
Been reading N.T. Wright's "Challenge of Jesus". Really challenges me in putting Jesus in a historical context rather than viewing him as a "supernatural" being that floated his way through life. I'm sure I'll have some more to say at a later time about that....
My job as a teacher's asst. continues to be interesting. I pray for my kids everyday....in a public school even....they don't know it though.....that wouldn't be "legal". My heart breaks for some of these kids. The home life they must have that causes them to act out like they do.... sigh....heartbreak....prayer....
Thursday, September 22, 2005
The Midwest Camping Experiment
Reality Show Update:
Can three families whose only contact has been on the internet camp together for a weekend? Will their kids get along? Will they be able to share food and water? Will they be able to share the life of Christ without devolving into petty theological arguements? Will they be able to endure a three mile wilderness hike with meager provisions, little water, and nine whiney children? Stay tuned. . .
The answer to all these questions was a resounding YES! Last weekend we camped with Bob and Amy, and Matt and Amy and their children. Some people might think we were crazy for camping with people we met on the internet. Of course they could have been axe murders, but I can verify that there were hatchets available, and yet, we all came back alive. Physically and spiritually.
It didn't cease to amaze me the whole weekend how easily and effortlessly our children connected. They played like they have known each other for years! It reminded me of a family get-togethers as a kid, which my kids don't get to enjoy due to family strangeness. It was cool to see them share, and mostly get through their small disagreements on their own. My kids couldn't stop talking about the fun they had on the way home!
I think that sense of immediate connection was shared among the adults too. We shared food and spiritual journeys around the campfire. We shared carrying each others children on our wilderness adventure. (Note to self: Never do a three mile hike with children under 8.) We shared songs. From my point of view it just felt "right".
I am reminded how important it is to spend time with others in the family of God. We all have different expriences that shape our theology, ecclesiology and worldview, and I am reminded how much I need my theology, ecclesiology and worldview shaped by others.
It never ceases to amaze me how God connects His people. It was great to have a family outing and we can't wait for the next one.
I would say our "reality show" was a success....
Can three families whose only contact has been on the internet camp together for a weekend? Will their kids get along? Will they be able to share food and water? Will they be able to share the life of Christ without devolving into petty theological arguements? Will they be able to endure a three mile wilderness hike with meager provisions, little water, and nine whiney children? Stay tuned. . .
The answer to all these questions was a resounding YES! Last weekend we camped with Bob and Amy, and Matt and Amy and their children. Some people might think we were crazy for camping with people we met on the internet. Of course they could have been axe murders, but I can verify that there were hatchets available, and yet, we all came back alive. Physically and spiritually.
It didn't cease to amaze me the whole weekend how easily and effortlessly our children connected. They played like they have known each other for years! It reminded me of a family get-togethers as a kid, which my kids don't get to enjoy due to family strangeness. It was cool to see them share, and mostly get through their small disagreements on their own. My kids couldn't stop talking about the fun they had on the way home!
I think that sense of immediate connection was shared among the adults too. We shared food and spiritual journeys around the campfire. We shared carrying each others children on our wilderness adventure. (Note to self: Never do a three mile hike with children under 8.) We shared songs. From my point of view it just felt "right".
I am reminded how important it is to spend time with others in the family of God. We all have different expriences that shape our theology, ecclesiology and worldview, and I am reminded how much I need my theology, ecclesiology and worldview shaped by others.
It never ceases to amaze me how God connects His people. It was great to have a family outing and we can't wait for the next one.
I would say our "reality show" was a success....
Monday, September 19, 2005
Friday, September 09, 2005
"D"
Her shaggy brown hair covered her face, providing shelter from those who might make fun of her. She dressed in classic second hand clothes. Just out of style enough to stick out. At the start of every day she came to the fifth and sixth grade gym, searched out a place in the middle of the gym where she wouldn’t be noticed, and sat alone. While the other kids socialized, swapping stories about their latest video game, or who the cutest boy in their class is, or what happened at the ball game last night, or even finished their homework . . . she looked at the gym floor.
A bald, directionless, teacher’s assistant who happens to believe that God loves people like this little girl with deep affection enters the picture. He is just stupid enough to believe that God has put this little girl on his heart. He knows enough about feeling alone and left out to not want others to feel the same way, and just naive enough to think that he can make a difference. He introduces himself, asks some general questions and invites her to join his little band of misfits. She smiles and politely declines.
In a conversation with the social worker the next day he points out the little girl sitting alone with her hair in her face. It just so happens the social worker knows another little girl who has some social issues and she introduces them. Can you believe that these two little girls used to be friends a long time ago and hadn’t talked in a long time? Can you believe that they happen to have enough in common to strike up a conversation? I knew you could. . .
The next day the bald, directionless teacher’s assistant walks in the gym with his boys and looks for the shaggy-haired little girl. She isn’t in her usual spot. Scanning the gym he catches sight of her. What a beautiful sight it was! The wilting flower of a girl had gotten a drink of water and was blooming among a group of new friends. Smiling and laughing, and not looking much at all like the girl of the previous day. . .
The bald, directionless teacher’s assistant is learning to measure success in small increments. . .
A bald, directionless, teacher’s assistant who happens to believe that God loves people like this little girl with deep affection enters the picture. He is just stupid enough to believe that God has put this little girl on his heart. He knows enough about feeling alone and left out to not want others to feel the same way, and just naive enough to think that he can make a difference. He introduces himself, asks some general questions and invites her to join his little band of misfits. She smiles and politely declines.
In a conversation with the social worker the next day he points out the little girl sitting alone with her hair in her face. It just so happens the social worker knows another little girl who has some social issues and she introduces them. Can you believe that these two little girls used to be friends a long time ago and hadn’t talked in a long time? Can you believe that they happen to have enough in common to strike up a conversation? I knew you could. . .
The next day the bald, directionless teacher’s assistant walks in the gym with his boys and looks for the shaggy-haired little girl. She isn’t in her usual spot. Scanning the gym he catches sight of her. What a beautiful sight it was! The wilting flower of a girl had gotten a drink of water and was blooming among a group of new friends. Smiling and laughing, and not looking much at all like the girl of the previous day. . .
The bald, directionless teacher’s assistant is learning to measure success in small increments. . .
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Reflections
My first week of working with Behavior Disorder students has been challenging, interesting and tiring. Let me see. . . I've been cussed at, threatened and had to restrain a child in my first week. I'm told it will get worse as the kids get more comfortable....Great.....!
I am so grateful for my children, as knuckleheaded as they can be! Our family isn't perfect, but at least there is some love and concern there. Just about every kid has home issues that contribute to their behavior problems. I'm sure that doesn't come as a surprise. But, there is not a kid that I don't have hope for (great grammar). I hope that many of them will return to normal classes in the future.
Speaking of my kids. My middle has been diagnosed with Asperger's Disorder. To be honest, it is a relief. She doesn't have the social debilitating issues that many people have, but it is enough that we have been concerned for awhile about her social growth. This answers a lot of questions for us! I look forward to learning how to help her!
If you've read Trish's blog, you've seen we decided to leave the church where we currently serve. This is a big step in our journey. It has been a long time coming, and if you've read here you know the many reasons. All I can say is that I have peace about it, and I look forward to what God has in store, though we have no clue what that is....
I am so grateful for my children, as knuckleheaded as they can be! Our family isn't perfect, but at least there is some love and concern there. Just about every kid has home issues that contribute to their behavior problems. I'm sure that doesn't come as a surprise. But, there is not a kid that I don't have hope for (great grammar). I hope that many of them will return to normal classes in the future.
Speaking of my kids. My middle has been diagnosed with Asperger's Disorder. To be honest, it is a relief. She doesn't have the social debilitating issues that many people have, but it is enough that we have been concerned for awhile about her social growth. This answers a lot of questions for us! I look forward to learning how to help her!
If you've read Trish's blog, you've seen we decided to leave the church where we currently serve. This is a big step in our journey. It has been a long time coming, and if you've read here you know the many reasons. All I can say is that I have peace about it, and I look forward to what God has in store, though we have no clue what that is....
Thursday, August 25, 2005
First Day Conversation
My boy had his first day of kindergarten this week. Here is an excerpt of the conversation after his first full day. . .
Me: How was your first day!
Bubba: Good.
Me: Were you nervous?
Bubba: Not really.
Me: You seemed a little scared when I dropped you off at the Gym...
Bubba: Well, maybe half- scared.
Me: Why only half-scared?
Bubba: God is with us wherever we are!
Me: Yeah, you're right dude!
(Silence)
Bubba: Does God make tornadoes?
Me: I guess so.....kind of....
Bubba: Why does God make bad stuff?
My boy has an interesting train of thought here. If God is with us during even the "bad stuff" why would he create the "bad stuff" in the first place.... not bad for a kindergartener!
I love Bubba!
Me: How was your first day!
Bubba: Good.
Me: Were you nervous?
Bubba: Not really.
Me: You seemed a little scared when I dropped you off at the Gym...
Bubba: Well, maybe half- scared.
Me: Why only half-scared?
Bubba: God is with us wherever we are!
Me: Yeah, you're right dude!
(Silence)
Bubba: Does God make tornadoes?
Me: I guess so.....kind of....
Bubba: Why does God make bad stuff?
My boy has an interesting train of thought here. If God is with us during even the "bad stuff" why would he create the "bad stuff" in the first place.... not bad for a kindergartener!
I love Bubba!
Monday, August 22, 2005
First Day
This is the first day of school, both for me and my youngest. Bubba is excited and a little nervous, but overall I think he is ready for his first day of kindergarten. Kind of makes me sad to think of him as a student now. . .
I have found out some more about the students I will be working with. Most of them have severe behavior disorders. Most come from troubled families. Some have been sexually abused. Some have . . . the list could go on. My first introduction to the school system was a "restraint" class. . . nice . . .
I am going just hoping to reflect the light of Christ. Patience and tolerance with defiant kids are not strong suits of mine, but I am praying that God will give me the power and grace that are His alone to give. . .
I have found out some more about the students I will be working with. Most of them have severe behavior disorders. Most come from troubled families. Some have been sexually abused. Some have . . . the list could go on. My first introduction to the school system was a "restraint" class. . . nice . . .
I am going just hoping to reflect the light of Christ. Patience and tolerance with defiant kids are not strong suits of mine, but I am praying that God will give me the power and grace that are His alone to give. . .
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Brat Camp
Sorry for the silence. Our internet has been down since a storm Saturday evening.
Trish and I stumbled across the reality show "Brat Camp" this past weekend. They had a marathon to get people up to date. It's about an intense wilderness camp that teaches troubled kids to be responsible and deal with their emotions in healthy ways in an intense environment. It reminded me so much of going through drug treatment as a teenager. My mom and dad should have thrown me in one of those camps. I deserved it. But I also relate to the counselors who give a large portion of their own lives to help these kids. I think that kind of sacrifice is Jesus in action in our world today... It also reminds me of the comraderie and fellowship that I experienced in NA groups for many years that I have yet to find in the institutional church. . .
Trish and I stumbled across the reality show "Brat Camp" this past weekend. They had a marathon to get people up to date. It's about an intense wilderness camp that teaches troubled kids to be responsible and deal with their emotions in healthy ways in an intense environment. It reminded me so much of going through drug treatment as a teenager. My mom and dad should have thrown me in one of those camps. I deserved it. But I also relate to the counselors who give a large portion of their own lives to help these kids. I think that kind of sacrifice is Jesus in action in our world today... It also reminds me of the comraderie and fellowship that I experienced in NA groups for many years that I have yet to find in the institutional church. . .
Friday, August 12, 2005
Silent Fun
We just got back from taking the kids to HolidayWorld. We had a great time! I love hearing my kids laugh! I think we liked the waterpark better than the the regular rides actually. We stayed in a trailer and didn't bring a TV or radio. It was nice to have silence for awhile. You realize how addicted you are to noise when you don't have any around. I like silence. It provides space for conversations...
Now it is time to prepare for school...Part of me is excited, the other dreads it. Part of me is glad to get the kids back in a routine, the other part is going to miss the time with them.
If you get time add your list to the "Seven Great Lies of Organized Religion".
Now it is time to prepare for school...Part of me is excited, the other dreads it. Part of me is glad to get the kids back in a routine, the other part is going to miss the time with them.
If you get time add your list to the "Seven Great Lies of Organized Religion".
Thursday, August 04, 2005
Slinky Job
In our quest to figure out a way to earn some money while not neglecting our kids and other relationships, I got a job at our local school. I am going to be a personal aid to a young man with a behavior disorder. It will be challenging.... I really don't know what to expect.... I am already praying for him though...
The upside is that we finally will have some medical benefits, and I will be off work when the kids are off school! The downside is that the pay isn't great...but I have had some thoughts about getting my Master's Degree at some point...so who knows...
We are doing the music for Vacation Bible School at our church this week. This is probably the only time I truely enjoy playing for the church. 200 screaming kids, who actually enjoy what we do! We've been singing Born To Be Wild and I'm A Believer and everyone's favorite Lions (The Slinky Song)!
Find out more about the song that won the Joh Lennon songwriting award, and happens to be one of the most powerful songs of spiritual warfare ever: The Slinky Song.
The upside is that we finally will have some medical benefits, and I will be off work when the kids are off school! The downside is that the pay isn't great...but I have had some thoughts about getting my Master's Degree at some point...so who knows...
We are doing the music for Vacation Bible School at our church this week. This is probably the only time I truely enjoy playing for the church. 200 screaming kids, who actually enjoy what we do! We've been singing Born To Be Wild and I'm A Believer and everyone's favorite Lions (The Slinky Song)!
Find out more about the song that won the Joh Lennon songwriting award, and happens to be one of the most powerful songs of spiritual warfare ever: The Slinky Song.
OH THEM LIONS THEY CAN EAT MY BODY, BUT THEY CAN'T SWALLOW MY SOUL. THEY KEEP ON TRYING TO CRASH MY PARTY BUT THEY CAN'T GET CONTROL.
NO WAY, BABY.
SATAN PROWLS LIKE A ROARING LION, SEEKING WHOM HE WILL DEVOUR.
YET I KNOW THAT THOUGH HE KEEPS ON TRYING, HE'S NO MATCH FOR JESUS' POWER!
EVEN DEMONS BELIEVE AND TREMBLE, BUT THEY TRY TO RUIN YOUR LIFE THE SAME. YET I KNOW THAT WHEN THE SAINTS ASSEMBLE, SATAN RUNS AT EVERY SIGN OF JESUS' NAME!
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
Reality Check
I've been accused of focusing to much on the problems and the negative of my institutional church experiences. I'll try to share some of our direction from a positive point of view...
We really desire to have fellowship with a small group of people who desire to see the reality of the Kingdom expressed in our little town. We desire to let God use us in the context of a community to do "mission" (helping people in real ways as part of Kingdom come). We desire to have a couple of close friends who "get" our desires. We desire to be part of a group of people who share and teach each other, in dialogue, the truths they are learning. We desire a community based on deepening relationships with God and each other, rather than a specific meeting time.
The reality is that we've tried. It ain't happening.
I've also been accused of being depressed lately. I don't think I am, but I do know that I don't feel like we are experiencing any of the things I've listed. . . and to be honest, I've given up trying.
Reality Check:
I'm an idealist and a romantic.
I'm a self-centered ass.
I'm a dreamer.
I'm a terrible housekeeper.
I'm an introvert by nature.
I'm never satisfied.
I can the negative side of anything.
Want to be in community with me?
We really desire to have fellowship with a small group of people who desire to see the reality of the Kingdom expressed in our little town. We desire to let God use us in the context of a community to do "mission" (helping people in real ways as part of Kingdom come). We desire to have a couple of close friends who "get" our desires. We desire to be part of a group of people who share and teach each other, in dialogue, the truths they are learning. We desire a community based on deepening relationships with God and each other, rather than a specific meeting time.
The reality is that we've tried. It ain't happening.
I've also been accused of being depressed lately. I don't think I am, but I do know that I don't feel like we are experiencing any of the things I've listed. . . and to be honest, I've given up trying.
Reality Check:
I'm an idealist and a romantic.
I'm a self-centered ass.
I'm a dreamer.
I'm a terrible housekeeper.
I'm an introvert by nature.
I'm never satisfied.
I can the negative side of anything.
Want to be in community with me?
Thursday, July 21, 2005
Cardinals!!!!
We took the kids to Busch Stadium last night to witness the greatness that is the Cardinals! It was HOT and HUMID!!! We got to walk on the field with the Highland Parks and Recreation group! Pretty cool!
We ALL had a good time, which is difficult to pull off with 5 people with diverse interests. Hannah's "man" is Albert Pujols and she got to see him smack a two run homer. Abbie's man is Scott Rolen. . .well, he's working through it. . . Brenden loved munching on a giant snow cone and guessing whether the batter would hit or miss.
Is it really necessary to charge $4 for a bottle of water?
It was weird to think that may be the last time I see the Cards in the old Busch Stadium....lots of good childhood memories there. . .progress marches on...
Did I mention the greatness that is the Cardinals?
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
Thoughts
So, we attended a church service for the first time in a month this past week. Someone asked me if I missed it. . . I can honestly say that I didn't miss the service one bit, but I did miss seeing some of the people.
I find it interesting how many people say that they miss you when they make no attempt to contact you. Seriously, other than our close friends maybe two people got a hold of us. I realize that many of the people in our institution aren't where we are at, but the lack of any resemblance of community is disheartening. I think what they missed was what we bring to the service in way of music. To be honest, that makes me feel a little used, but I guess I already knew that. . .
During our time off I can honestly say that I did not feel any closer to God, or any farther away from God, than I usually do. What I did feel was far less busy. We had more time to spend with our family. No crazy Wed. night running around, and Sunday mornings were actually pleasant for a change!
I know there are a lot of people who don't understand our decisions and our direction. I'm not even sure that I do some of the time. But I know this. God is not relegated to a church building. God does not talk through the same person week after week. God wants people to take responsibilty for their own spirituality. God does not want a building full of consumers.
If you care about us, and really don't understand what the heck we are talking about please read THIS. It probably explains much about how we feel about institutional church better than we could. . .
I find it interesting how many people say that they miss you when they make no attempt to contact you. Seriously, other than our close friends maybe two people got a hold of us. I realize that many of the people in our institution aren't where we are at, but the lack of any resemblance of community is disheartening. I think what they missed was what we bring to the service in way of music. To be honest, that makes me feel a little used, but I guess I already knew that. . .
During our time off I can honestly say that I did not feel any closer to God, or any farther away from God, than I usually do. What I did feel was far less busy. We had more time to spend with our family. No crazy Wed. night running around, and Sunday mornings were actually pleasant for a change!
I know there are a lot of people who don't understand our decisions and our direction. I'm not even sure that I do some of the time. But I know this. God is not relegated to a church building. God does not talk through the same person week after week. God wants people to take responsibilty for their own spirituality. God does not want a building full of consumers.
If you care about us, and really don't understand what the heck we are talking about please read THIS. It probably explains much about how we feel about institutional church better than we could. . .
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
Bathroom Silence
Sorry for the silence. Our bathroom drain was draining slowly, our house is old, so I decided to change the drain pipes under the sink. . .now we are remodeling the whole bathroom. . . I love old houses. . .
Friday, July 01, 2005
Pharisees Continued
Sorry for the delay. I got some new gear and I'm getting close to be able to do some halfway quality recordings of my music. I'm looking forward to it!
We are really enjoying our time off of church. All I can say that is that I feel at peace.
So, continuing the Pharisees discussion...
If Jesus was not battling "legalism" when he was dealing with the Pharisees, what was going on? I've always understood the Pharisees to be the bad guys in the story. They were oppressing people with their legalistic interpretations of the Law, right? Forcing people to "earn" their way to heaven by following dietary laws, Sabbath observance etc, right? I'm finding that maybe that's not exactly true.
First, the Pharisees were probably the more liberal of the Jewish sects of Jesus' day. The Sadducees were in control of the Temple. They wanted everything to stay status quo. They wanted everything revolving around the Temple. Next, the Essenes were the radicals who saw the Temple system as absolutely corrupt. So far gone, in fact, that they started their own community in the desert to separate themselves from the world and await the time that God would restore them as the "real Israel". The Pharisees were trying to help the common person be faithful to Israel's traditions without going to either extreme. Not quite the "Darth Vaders" of the First Century that I was taught about in Sunday school. . . Throw in to this mix Herod, who is building palaces and the Temple to try to appease the people while trying to get along with his political bosses, and the Zealots whose goal was a forceful revolution. It becomes pretty easy to see that religion and politics was not as separate as it is in our day.
I am suggesting that the Pharisees, as well as the other religions sects of Jesus' time, had a nationalistic agenda, and at least part of what Jesus was dealing with so forcefully was that Israel's vocation of being a "blessing to the world" could not be fulfilled within that nationalistic agenda. Let's remember Abraham's covenant, which superseded the Mosaic Law:
Gen 12:1-3
Now the LORD said to Abram, "Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." (Emphasis mine)
I believe that this is the controlling story of the Bible. The vocation of Israel is plain and simple: bless the world. The problem is that all of the symbols that demark Israel as a nation have been co-opted by a nationalistic agenda that wants to overthrow Rome, restore the land, and end the long exile. According the the Scriptures this will be accomplished by the Messiah. Interesting that Jesus was not the first, nor the last to claim to be the Messiah isn't it? Most of the people of Israel were not looking for a spiritual kingdom, they wanted the Roman animals off their backs and out of their land!
I know, you are skeptical. Surely there is more to the story. I'm not saying there isn't, but this is a big part of what Jesus was dealing with. What other Biblical proof is there? Check out Luke 13:
Luk 13:1-9 There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." And he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. And he said to the vinedresser, 'Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?' And he answered him, 'Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.'"
These verses aren't talking about heaven and hell like I thought when I first read them. They make much more sense in the context I am proposing. If Israel does not repent from their nationalistic rebellion against Rome they will perish. There will be Roman swords in the Temple and falling bricks in Jerusalem. Isn't that exactly what happened in AD 70 when Titus destroyed Jerusalem?
I know. You aren't convinced. Okay, lets look at Luke 19 where Jesus is approaching Jerusalem. This is the pivotal moment in the Gospels. Jesus, the Messiah, is entering the Holy City! There is great expectation that the God's Kingdom will be established. Jesus' followers are singing "Hossanna!" Save now! They a singing from Ps. 118 that were thought to reference the Messiah. Remember his followers were not looking for a spiritual kingdom. . . they wanted to boot Rome out of Israel!
Luk 19:41-44 And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, "Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation."
We are getting a clear picture of the judgment that Jesus is declaring on Israel. The writing is on the wall! If Israel continues down the path of nationalistic revolution, Rome will wipe them out!
What does Jesus do next? He marches right into the Temple and begins the judgment on the system. It too has been co-opted by this nationalistic fervor. It is not serving it's original purpose: to be a blessing to all nations. Rather, it is the place where Israel is looking for the restoration from exile. It is the place where the Messiah will return and setup his kingdom. Salvation for Israel will come from the Temple! The revolution will start there! No wonder the people are excited as Jesus is heading into Jerusalem!
This is to long as it is. I'll stop. Next, I'll look at Matthew 21-25 in this context. . .
We are really enjoying our time off of church. All I can say that is that I feel at peace.
So, continuing the Pharisees discussion...
If Jesus was not battling "legalism" when he was dealing with the Pharisees, what was going on? I've always understood the Pharisees to be the bad guys in the story. They were oppressing people with their legalistic interpretations of the Law, right? Forcing people to "earn" their way to heaven by following dietary laws, Sabbath observance etc, right? I'm finding that maybe that's not exactly true.
First, the Pharisees were probably the more liberal of the Jewish sects of Jesus' day. The Sadducees were in control of the Temple. They wanted everything to stay status quo. They wanted everything revolving around the Temple. Next, the Essenes were the radicals who saw the Temple system as absolutely corrupt. So far gone, in fact, that they started their own community in the desert to separate themselves from the world and await the time that God would restore them as the "real Israel". The Pharisees were trying to help the common person be faithful to Israel's traditions without going to either extreme. Not quite the "Darth Vaders" of the First Century that I was taught about in Sunday school. . . Throw in to this mix Herod, who is building palaces and the Temple to try to appease the people while trying to get along with his political bosses, and the Zealots whose goal was a forceful revolution. It becomes pretty easy to see that religion and politics was not as separate as it is in our day.
I am suggesting that the Pharisees, as well as the other religions sects of Jesus' time, had a nationalistic agenda, and at least part of what Jesus was dealing with so forcefully was that Israel's vocation of being a "blessing to the world" could not be fulfilled within that nationalistic agenda. Let's remember Abraham's covenant, which superseded the Mosaic Law:
Gen 12:1-3
Now the LORD said to Abram, "Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." (Emphasis mine)
I believe that this is the controlling story of the Bible. The vocation of Israel is plain and simple: bless the world. The problem is that all of the symbols that demark Israel as a nation have been co-opted by a nationalistic agenda that wants to overthrow Rome, restore the land, and end the long exile. According the the Scriptures this will be accomplished by the Messiah. Interesting that Jesus was not the first, nor the last to claim to be the Messiah isn't it? Most of the people of Israel were not looking for a spiritual kingdom, they wanted the Roman animals off their backs and out of their land!
I know, you are skeptical. Surely there is more to the story. I'm not saying there isn't, but this is a big part of what Jesus was dealing with. What other Biblical proof is there? Check out Luke 13:
Luk 13:1-9 There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." And he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. And he said to the vinedresser, 'Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?' And he answered him, 'Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.'"
These verses aren't talking about heaven and hell like I thought when I first read them. They make much more sense in the context I am proposing. If Israel does not repent from their nationalistic rebellion against Rome they will perish. There will be Roman swords in the Temple and falling bricks in Jerusalem. Isn't that exactly what happened in AD 70 when Titus destroyed Jerusalem?
I know. You aren't convinced. Okay, lets look at Luke 19 where Jesus is approaching Jerusalem. This is the pivotal moment in the Gospels. Jesus, the Messiah, is entering the Holy City! There is great expectation that the God's Kingdom will be established. Jesus' followers are singing "Hossanna!" Save now! They a singing from Ps. 118 that were thought to reference the Messiah. Remember his followers were not looking for a spiritual kingdom. . . they wanted to boot Rome out of Israel!
Luk 19:41-44 And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, "Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation."
We are getting a clear picture of the judgment that Jesus is declaring on Israel. The writing is on the wall! If Israel continues down the path of nationalistic revolution, Rome will wipe them out!
What does Jesus do next? He marches right into the Temple and begins the judgment on the system. It too has been co-opted by this nationalistic fervor. It is not serving it's original purpose: to be a blessing to all nations. Rather, it is the place where Israel is looking for the restoration from exile. It is the place where the Messiah will return and setup his kingdom. Salvation for Israel will come from the Temple! The revolution will start there! No wonder the people are excited as Jesus is heading into Jerusalem!
This is to long as it is. I'll stop. Next, I'll look at Matthew 21-25 in this context. . .
Monday, June 27, 2005
Pharisees Misunderstood
Isn't it funny when you plan on blogging about a topic and you get beat to the punch? I was planning on doing a couple of posts about Pharisees, but Scot McKnight beat me there, and I'm sure he does a much more thorough job. Also, look here.
When you read the Bible and the Pharisees come into view can you almost hear the Darth Vader music? From the earliest days of Sunday school we are taught that the Pharisees are the "bad guys". Doing some studying the past few months I've discovered that maybe I've misunderstood what was really going on between Jesus and this group of devout Jews. . .
I've always understood the Pharisees to be legalists, plain and simple. This is a group of men that are trying to earn their way to heaven by following the Mosaic Law, and to make matters worse, they are adding their own rules to it! THE HORROR!
The problem is, even if this was true, Jesus really wouldn't have been a threat to them. The issues between Jesus and the Pharisees had more to do with power and nationalism than it did religion.
To be understood correctly, we need to understand that Israel is a nation in exile. Yes, they are living within the boundaries of Israel, but their country is not their own. In truth, they have been in exile since the Babylonian captivity. The Syrians allowed them to come back to the land, but they were still under Syrian authority. They were allowed to rebuild their Temple, but have you noticed that the Shekinah of God never comes back? To make this HORROR even worse, they were being occupied by PAGANS! WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON! WE ARE GOD'S CHOSEN! WE HAVE BEEN IN EXILE FOR 600 YEARS! HELD CAPTIVE BY "DOGS"! WE ARE THE "NEW ADAM" THAT SHOULD BE CARING FOR THE "ANIMALS"! WHEN WILL GOD ACT TO FREE US?!
In this context, the scrupulous attention we see the Pharisees giving to the Law was not about earning their way to heaven, it was about marking themselves as separate from the pagans in their midst. This was a critical issue for Israel! If God was expected to act in their behalf, Israel must differentiate themselves from these pagans! They must remain faithful to the Torah in the midst of temptation, foreign customs, idolatry. . .
To make matters worse it is known that the Pharisees were not just "religious", they had political ambitions as well. They had more in common with the Zealots than with the Essenes. They were not opposed to taking Israel from the Romans by force, and were probably just waiting for a good opportunity, but in the meantime, they had to define who the "true Israel" was. . . They didn't view their strict dietary laws and keeping of the Sabbath as merely a way to get to heaven, but a way to define and separate themselves from the Hellenistic influence that surrounded them. They were nationalistic symbols that determined the true Israel.
N.T Wright says, "The focus of such activity would be the standard symbols of the culture and the culture's hope and aspirations. Did he fly the flag? Was he a loyal Torah observing Jew? (Once again we remind ourselves that this question does not mean, "Did he attempt to justify himself by works, to earn God's favor by good morals?" but rather, "Did he exhibit those symbolic actions by which the loyal Jew would show gratitude to God?')"
So, if the Pharisees were not legalists trying to earn their way to heaven, what was the problem that Jesus had with the Pharisees. . .? The answer lies more in nationalistic fervor than in religious observance. . .
When you read the Bible and the Pharisees come into view can you almost hear the Darth Vader music? From the earliest days of Sunday school we are taught that the Pharisees are the "bad guys". Doing some studying the past few months I've discovered that maybe I've misunderstood what was really going on between Jesus and this group of devout Jews. . .
I've always understood the Pharisees to be legalists, plain and simple. This is a group of men that are trying to earn their way to heaven by following the Mosaic Law, and to make matters worse, they are adding their own rules to it! THE HORROR!
The problem is, even if this was true, Jesus really wouldn't have been a threat to them. The issues between Jesus and the Pharisees had more to do with power and nationalism than it did religion.
To be understood correctly, we need to understand that Israel is a nation in exile. Yes, they are living within the boundaries of Israel, but their country is not their own. In truth, they have been in exile since the Babylonian captivity. The Syrians allowed them to come back to the land, but they were still under Syrian authority. They were allowed to rebuild their Temple, but have you noticed that the Shekinah of God never comes back? To make this HORROR even worse, they were being occupied by PAGANS! WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON! WE ARE GOD'S CHOSEN! WE HAVE BEEN IN EXILE FOR 600 YEARS! HELD CAPTIVE BY "DOGS"! WE ARE THE "NEW ADAM" THAT SHOULD BE CARING FOR THE "ANIMALS"! WHEN WILL GOD ACT TO FREE US?!
In this context, the scrupulous attention we see the Pharisees giving to the Law was not about earning their way to heaven, it was about marking themselves as separate from the pagans in their midst. This was a critical issue for Israel! If God was expected to act in their behalf, Israel must differentiate themselves from these pagans! They must remain faithful to the Torah in the midst of temptation, foreign customs, idolatry. . .
To make matters worse it is known that the Pharisees were not just "religious", they had political ambitions as well. They had more in common with the Zealots than with the Essenes. They were not opposed to taking Israel from the Romans by force, and were probably just waiting for a good opportunity, but in the meantime, they had to define who the "true Israel" was. . . They didn't view their strict dietary laws and keeping of the Sabbath as merely a way to get to heaven, but a way to define and separate themselves from the Hellenistic influence that surrounded them. They were nationalistic symbols that determined the true Israel.
N.T Wright says, "The focus of such activity would be the standard symbols of the culture and the culture's hope and aspirations. Did he fly the flag? Was he a loyal Torah observing Jew? (Once again we remind ourselves that this question does not mean, "Did he attempt to justify himself by works, to earn God's favor by good morals?" but rather, "Did he exhibit those symbolic actions by which the loyal Jew would show gratitude to God?')"
So, if the Pharisees were not legalists trying to earn their way to heaven, what was the problem that Jesus had with the Pharisees. . .? The answer lies more in nationalistic fervor than in religious observance. . .
Thursday, June 23, 2005
The Four Spiritual Laws. . .
In his critique of the Four Spiritual Laws that Campus Crusade uses in their overused and abused track, Scott McKnight makes the following quote:
Third, it is the diagram, which is the image that was used in the 2d spiritual law as well, that concerns me. Here there is "Man" and "God," and it is the Cross of Jesus that enables the human being to get back to God. Once again, we are dealing here with a truncated gospel: the diagram depicts a gospel in which the problem is separation and the resolution is reconciliation. The gospel is always defined by the problem it depicts, and the Bible describes this problem in a number of ways, including but not limited to separation. In other words, if you define the problem as separation, once separation is resolved in reconcliation, the gospel has run its course. Once a person crosses the Cross to get back to God the gospel's work is done. (Few admit this; but the image seers it into the mind of those who are being evangelized and it leads to Christians who see the Christian life as the "second phase" and not the "gospel" phase; it leads to seeing fellowship/ecclesiology as something in addition to the gospel and not integral to the gospel; it does to the same to holiness, etc..)
Is reconciliation of individuals all there is to it? What then of the Church? What then of the World? Whenever the gospel is understood as an individual person finding his or her way back to God, the gospel is reduced to Individualism -- and anyone who reads the Bible knows that page after page is about the people of God (Israel and then the Church) and that the "plan" of God is to build a people for the good of others and the world.
This is one of my critiques of many of the "gospels" that I hear going around. They are completely individualized and narrowly focused. There is little, or no regard for the Church or the concept of God's Kingdom. Many time it is completely divorced from any concept of historical context. So, the Gospel get's relegated to the improvement of individual "mental health", with very little thought for what God is doing with this world, or where it is going.
Additionally, the focus is usually on reconciliation as the cure for our separation with God. Again, we wind up with a Gospel of "mental health", rather than Jesus' solution which was the "Kingdom of God as Jesus envisions it and as Jesus embodies it and as Jesus teaches it."
Third, it is the diagram, which is the image that was used in the 2d spiritual law as well, that concerns me. Here there is "Man" and "God," and it is the Cross of Jesus that enables the human being to get back to God. Once again, we are dealing here with a truncated gospel: the diagram depicts a gospel in which the problem is separation and the resolution is reconciliation. The gospel is always defined by the problem it depicts, and the Bible describes this problem in a number of ways, including but not limited to separation. In other words, if you define the problem as separation, once separation is resolved in reconcliation, the gospel has run its course. Once a person crosses the Cross to get back to God the gospel's work is done. (Few admit this; but the image seers it into the mind of those who are being evangelized and it leads to Christians who see the Christian life as the "second phase" and not the "gospel" phase; it leads to seeing fellowship/ecclesiology as something in addition to the gospel and not integral to the gospel; it does to the same to holiness, etc..)
Is reconciliation of individuals all there is to it? What then of the Church? What then of the World? Whenever the gospel is understood as an individual person finding his or her way back to God, the gospel is reduced to Individualism -- and anyone who reads the Bible knows that page after page is about the people of God (Israel and then the Church) and that the "plan" of God is to build a people for the good of others and the world.
This is one of my critiques of many of the "gospels" that I hear going around. They are completely individualized and narrowly focused. There is little, or no regard for the Church or the concept of God's Kingdom. Many time it is completely divorced from any concept of historical context. So, the Gospel get's relegated to the improvement of individual "mental health", with very little thought for what God is doing with this world, or where it is going.
Additionally, the focus is usually on reconciliation as the cure for our separation with God. Again, we wind up with a Gospel of "mental health", rather than Jesus' solution which was the "Kingdom of God as Jesus envisions it and as Jesus embodies it and as Jesus teaches it."
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
Can I Live?
My friend Tom sent this to me. I'm sure THIS is much more approriate than calling people murders at abortion clinics...and probably will do more to sway people that life should be valued... Not exactly my style of music, but I wonder how much airtime MTV will give it?
Talking Ma
I know the Situation is Personal
But it something that has to be told
As I was making this beat
You was all I could think about you heard my voice
Yeah Just think Just Think
What if you could Just
Just blink your self away..
Just Just wait just pause for a second
Let me plead my case
It's the late 70's Huh
You Seventeen huh
And having me that will ruin everything huh
It's alot of angels waiting for their wings
You see me in your sleep so you cant kill your dreams
300 Dollars thats the price of living what?
Mommy I dont like this clinic
Hopefully you'll make the right decision
And dont go through with the Knife Decision
But it's hard to make the right move
When you in high school
How you have to work all day and take night school
Hopping off da bus when the rain is pouring
What you want morning sickness or the sickness of mourning
[Chorus]
I Will Always Be apart of you
Trust Your Soul Know it's always true
If I Could Talk I Would Say To You
CAN I LIVE
CAN I LIVE
I Will Always Be apart of you
Trust Your Soul Know it's always true
If I Could Talk I Would Say To You
CAN I LIVE
CAN I LIVE
I am a child of the king
Ain't no need to go fear me
And I see the flowing tears so know that you hear me
When I move in your womb that's me being scary
Cause who knows what my future holds
Yo the truth be told you ain't told a soul
Yo you ain't even showing I'm just 2 months old
Through your clothes try to hide me deny me
Went up 3 sizes
Your pride got you lying saying ain't nothing but a migraine
It ain't surprising you not trying to be in Wic food lines
Your friends will look at you funny but look at you mommy
That's a life inside you look at your tummy
What is becoming ma I am Oprah bound
You can tell he's a star from the Ultrasound
Our Sprits Connected Doors Open Now
Nothing But Love And Respect Thanks For Holding Me Down She Let Me Live...
I Will Always Be apart of you
Trust Your Soul Know it's always true
If I Could Talk I Would Say To You
CAN I LIVE
CAN I LIVE
I Will Always Be apart of you
Trust Your Soul Know it's always true
If I Could Talk I Would Say To You
CAN I LIVE
CAN I LIVE
It's uplifting foreal yall
I ain't passing no judgement
Ain't making no decisions
I am just telling ya'll my story
My love life
I love my mother for giving me life
We all need to appreciate life
A strong woman that had to make a sacrifice
Thanks for listening
Thanks for listening
Mama thanks for listening
Talking Ma
I know the Situation is Personal
But it something that has to be told
As I was making this beat
You was all I could think about you heard my voice
Yeah Just think Just Think
What if you could Just
Just blink your self away..
Just Just wait just pause for a second
Let me plead my case
It's the late 70's Huh
You Seventeen huh
And having me that will ruin everything huh
It's alot of angels waiting for their wings
You see me in your sleep so you cant kill your dreams
300 Dollars thats the price of living what?
Mommy I dont like this clinic
Hopefully you'll make the right decision
And dont go through with the Knife Decision
But it's hard to make the right move
When you in high school
How you have to work all day and take night school
Hopping off da bus when the rain is pouring
What you want morning sickness or the sickness of mourning
[Chorus]
I Will Always Be apart of you
Trust Your Soul Know it's always true
If I Could Talk I Would Say To You
CAN I LIVE
CAN I LIVE
I Will Always Be apart of you
Trust Your Soul Know it's always true
If I Could Talk I Would Say To You
CAN I LIVE
CAN I LIVE
I am a child of the king
Ain't no need to go fear me
And I see the flowing tears so know that you hear me
When I move in your womb that's me being scary
Cause who knows what my future holds
Yo the truth be told you ain't told a soul
Yo you ain't even showing I'm just 2 months old
Through your clothes try to hide me deny me
Went up 3 sizes
Your pride got you lying saying ain't nothing but a migraine
It ain't surprising you not trying to be in Wic food lines
Your friends will look at you funny but look at you mommy
That's a life inside you look at your tummy
What is becoming ma I am Oprah bound
You can tell he's a star from the Ultrasound
Our Sprits Connected Doors Open Now
Nothing But Love And Respect Thanks For Holding Me Down She Let Me Live...
I Will Always Be apart of you
Trust Your Soul Know it's always true
If I Could Talk I Would Say To You
CAN I LIVE
CAN I LIVE
I Will Always Be apart of you
Trust Your Soul Know it's always true
If I Could Talk I Would Say To You
CAN I LIVE
CAN I LIVE
It's uplifting foreal yall
I ain't passing no judgement
Ain't making no decisions
I am just telling ya'll my story
My love life
I love my mother for giving me life
We all need to appreciate life
A strong woman that had to make a sacrifice
Thanks for listening
Thanks for listening
Mama thanks for listening
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
Worldview
You scored as Emergent/Postmodern. You are Emergent/Postmodern in your theology. You feel alienated from older forms of church, you don't think they connect to modern culture very well. No one knows the whole truth about God, and we have much to learn from each other, and so learning takes place in dialogue. Evangelism should take place in relationships rather than through crusades and altar-calls. People are interested in spirituality and want to ask questions, so the church should help them to do this.
What's your theological worldview? created with QuizFarm.com |
I don't take many of these quizes, but this one is interesting. Doesn't shock me to much...though I refuse to be pigeon-holed! I'll be a Fundamentalist whenever I feel like it!!!
Monday, June 20, 2005
Fourth of July Memories
We had our first "break" yesterday. I had a great Father's Day breakfast on the porch, some great homemade cards from the kiddos, some grilling paraphernalia (to go with my new barrel grill/smoker!), and some new books. We went out to supper with the rest of my family to celebrate with my Dad....very nice.
Camping was interesting. Giant City State Park has some great trails! The kids were not so great on the other hand. It was one of those wake-up calls when God says "What the hell are you doing with your kids!" Parenthood is such an adventure. . .the balance of grace and law. . .or is there any balance?
With the Fourth of July approaching I though I'd share a memory. I like fire. I like things that explode. I like the Fourth of July!
We lived on a large sloaping hill when I was a kid. So everyone had railroad ties for the flower boxes in front of their houses. When I was about 12 years old I was at a neighbors house the next street over. We had scored some M-80's and figured out that we could load it into holes in the railroad tie, pack rocks around it with the wick sticking out and it would shoot the rocks like a cannon! FUN TIMES! We must have done that for awhile before we started blowing up army men and GI Joes and other stuff...
Apparently his railroad ties must have smoldered all day long . . . Around midnight someone driving down the street saw flames shooting up from this poor guy's flowerbox and started banging on his door! He had to call the fire department to put it out. . . OOOPS!
Good memories. . .
Camping was interesting. Giant City State Park has some great trails! The kids were not so great on the other hand. It was one of those wake-up calls when God says "What the hell are you doing with your kids!" Parenthood is such an adventure. . .the balance of grace and law. . .or is there any balance?
With the Fourth of July approaching I though I'd share a memory. I like fire. I like things that explode. I like the Fourth of July!
We lived on a large sloaping hill when I was a kid. So everyone had railroad ties for the flower boxes in front of their houses. When I was about 12 years old I was at a neighbors house the next street over. We had scored some M-80's and figured out that we could load it into holes in the railroad tie, pack rocks around it with the wick sticking out and it would shoot the rocks like a cannon! FUN TIMES! We must have done that for awhile before we started blowing up army men and GI Joes and other stuff...
Apparently his railroad ties must have smoldered all day long . . . Around midnight someone driving down the street saw flames shooting up from this poor guy's flowerbox and started banging on his door! He had to call the fire department to put it out. . . OOOPS!
Good memories. . .
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
Creationism - Some Thoughts
The Hebrew Universe
I really don’t think it matters if we believe in a literal creation story or not. Can someone partake of the salvation offered by Christ and believe in Evolution? I think so. Can someone be completely lost and believe in Creationism? I think so. So personally, I don’t think it is appropriate to make it a big issue in the Church.
Here are a few excerpts from a response I wrote, playing the devil’s advocate. Keep in mind. I am just throwing some alternative points of view out there. I really don’t think it matters what you believe in the scheme of things because the Bible was NEVER meant to be used as science textbook! These are my thoughts, so accept them for the B.S. that they are:
The view that one must either believe “New Earth” Creationism or Darwinian Evolution is at best oversimplified, and at worst creates a false dichotomy. There are many different views of Creationism that do not rely on believing in a literal 6-day creation, or a global flood for that matter, that are not necessarily Darwinian Evolution.
Further, other Middle Eastern creation stories are remarkably similar to the Genesis account, and actually pre-date Genesis. Genesis was a particular creation story, for a particular people, written in a particular time in history. It is the setting for the rest of the Bible, and as such is extremely important. But, it is not the only creation story from the ancient Middle East, it is not completely unique, and is in fact, probably built on previous stories. (It is unique in particular ways, but that’s not really the issue.) These stories do not invalidate Genesis, but it is fairly clear that Genesis was built on these older creation accounts.
As such, Genesis was never meant to be used as a science textbook. Genesis was written in a pre-scientific age to people who had no concern for any of the issues you brought up, by using it as such I believe is misapplying and misinterpreting Scripture. You asked me how I could believe in the Bible, and pick and choose what I take as literal. There are many things about the Bible we don’t take literally because they were never intended to be taken literally, or they were not meant for us. For instance, we don’t take some of the poetic verses in the Psalms literally, we don’t gouge our eyes out, we don’t kill Philistines etc. I say that in reading Genesis the way it was intended, from a pre-scientific point of view, I am taking it literally, and by doing so, keeping myself from arguments that are not necessary.
I am aware that this might lead to a discussion about the “inerrancy” of the Bible (another Fundamentalist topic). Please know that one can still believe that the Bible is “infallible” without believing it is “inerrant”. I believe the Bible is perfect, in that it contains the information I need for life and salvation. However, it is not a science textbook. There are views that are contrary to common sense, and basic science.
One example that comes to mind is that the ancient Hebrew universe was shaped like a giant dome (firmament), that giant dome separated the “waters”, the earth was more or less flat, and stands on pillars... In a literal interpretation of the Bible, do I have to accept this? Science has found those things not to be true at all. So, by looking at Genesis like it should teach science we are put in awkward position.
The following verses explain the picture above: Job 26.11; 37.18; Gen 1.6, 7; Ps 24.2; 148.4; Gen 7.11; 8.2; Gen 1.14-19; Ps 19.4, 6; Num 16.30-33; Isa 14.9, 15
If I am to read the Bible “literally do I have to believe this is how the universe looks? Maybe I have become to “educated” to “believe” the Bible...
I am certainly not one to buy Darwinian Evolution, but neither am I willing to totally discount science. I don’t think justice is done to the issue by discussing a few “scientific” facts that supposedly backs up a “new earth” point of view without giving equal time to the abundance of scientific evidence that refutes it.
Monday, June 13, 2005
Creationism
So, in our last Sunday before our hiatus a brother preached a sermon on Creationism. It was the typical Fundamentalist view: The Creation account must be taken literally. Creation was six literal days. Here is some scientific evidence. If you don't take the creation account literally, you don't have a need for a literal Jesus. . .
I confess. As I got up to sing the closing song I said, "That was B.S." I'm probably going straight to hell for that one. . .
So, what is your take on Creationism? "New Earth"? "Old Earth"? Evolutionism? evolutionism? Does it matter? Why, or why not?
I'll post some of my thoughts in my next post. . .
I confess. As I got up to sing the closing song I said, "That was B.S." I'm probably going straight to hell for that one. . .
So, what is your take on Creationism? "New Earth"? "Old Earth"? Evolutionism? evolutionism? Does it matter? Why, or why not?
I'll post some of my thoughts in my next post. . .
Friday, June 10, 2005
Boundary Markers
From Scot McKnight:
Two final comments: first, we need to admit that we are all involved in covenant parth marking. Sometimes more severely than other times; some more than others; but each of us uses various behaviors to judge ourselves and others.
Second, there are only two "theories" of the Christian life that simply cannot be "marked." You won't be surprised by this, but they are (1) Jesus' use of the Jesus Creed: loving God and loving others. And, (2) Paul's use of the category of "life in the Spirit."
Here's why each is "unmarkable." Because Love is a response and a life that transcends the observable and life in the Spirit is as well. Who can say "I've got love down, give me a challenge" or "I'm always in the Spirit, anything else you want me to do?" These two are unmarkable in part because they are ongoing, responsive, and qualitative features of Christian existence. And they are both almost "unjudgeable": how can we really know if someone is loving? how can we know if someone is really "living in the Spirit"? Only by converting love and Spirit into "objectified" covenant path markers, and when we do that we slip out of the embrace of love and the Spirit.
Two final comments: first, we need to admit that we are all involved in covenant parth marking. Sometimes more severely than other times; some more than others; but each of us uses various behaviors to judge ourselves and others.
Second, there are only two "theories" of the Christian life that simply cannot be "marked." You won't be surprised by this, but they are (1) Jesus' use of the Jesus Creed: loving God and loving others. And, (2) Paul's use of the category of "life in the Spirit."
Here's why each is "unmarkable." Because Love is a response and a life that transcends the observable and life in the Spirit is as well. Who can say "I've got love down, give me a challenge" or "I'm always in the Spirit, anything else you want me to do?" These two are unmarkable in part because they are ongoing, responsive, and qualitative features of Christian existence. And they are both almost "unjudgeable": how can we really know if someone is loving? how can we know if someone is really "living in the Spirit"? Only by converting love and Spirit into "objectified" covenant path markers, and when we do that we slip out of the embrace of love and the Spirit.
Thursday, June 09, 2005
5 Minute Church
Driven by the efficiency and pragmatism of our culture, the institutional church has lowered the bar yet again. Forget discipleship. Forget "taking up your cross". Forget the Shema. Forget about being the Church. Just give us 5 minutes. . .
Although, for as much as I get out of a typical church service. . . 5 minutes might be just about right. . .
Although, for as much as I get out of a typical church service. . . 5 minutes might be just about right. . .
Wednesday, June 08, 2005
Historical Context of 1st Century Israel
I am reading "The New Testament and The People of God" by N.T. Wright. It's been very helpful to read the NT in light of the context in which it was lived out and written. I happened across this summary which seems to accurately describe what I've read so far:
"The Jews had, of course, returned to the land of Israel after the exile. But nowhere in all second-temple Jewish literature do we have the slightest suggestion that the great promises and prophecies of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and the rest – including those of Deuteronomy 30, which were important for Paul – had been fulfilled. Israel had not been restored to her proper position; she was not ruler in her own land; the Temple was not properly rebuilt; YHWH had not returned to dwell in the midst of his people; justice and peace were not yet established in Israel, let alone in the rest of the world. The ‘post-exilic’ prophets such as Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi indicate pretty forcibly that things are still in poor shape; Israel is not yet all she should be, and a further great act of YHWH will be necessary. Qumran proves the point exactly: the self-understanding evident in (e.g.) CD is precisely that of people who see themselves as the advance guard of the real return from exile, which means that everybody else is still in exile, and that they are the first, secret ‘returnees’, who will be vindicated as such when YHWH finally acts. "
"Few will doubt, in fact, that the great majority of Jews in Jesus’ day were looking for a major action of their god within history to liberate his people. Even those who want to minimize this have to allow for a huge groundswell of this belief bursting out in the mid-60s of the first century. The point here is that, in thinking about and longing for this event, they did not merely draw upon patterns and types, such as the Exodus, culled at random, allegorically or typologically, from a past conceived as a scattered bunch of unconnected events. Rather, they saw themselves in sequence with, and continuing, Israel’s whole past story, waiting for that story to reach its promised goal. They were not living in an ahistorical mode, in which the only question of weight were timeless salvation or ethics, with such issues being ‘illustrated’ by ideas taken in a fairly random fashion from her distant past. Rather, they read that past not least as a story; as a story which was continuing, and in which they themselves were characters; as a story with an ending, which can variously be characterized as ‘return from exile’; ‘return of YHWH to Zion’; ‘salvation’; ‘forgiveness of sins’; ‘new covenant’; ‘new exodus’; and perhaps even, for some at least, ‘new creation’ and ‘resurrection’. "
Sadly, that last bolded statement is how many of us have been taught to read the New Testament....
I'll post some more later...for you light readers...
"The Jews had, of course, returned to the land of Israel after the exile. But nowhere in all second-temple Jewish literature do we have the slightest suggestion that the great promises and prophecies of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and the rest – including those of Deuteronomy 30, which were important for Paul – had been fulfilled. Israel had not been restored to her proper position; she was not ruler in her own land; the Temple was not properly rebuilt; YHWH had not returned to dwell in the midst of his people; justice and peace were not yet established in Israel, let alone in the rest of the world. The ‘post-exilic’ prophets such as Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi indicate pretty forcibly that things are still in poor shape; Israel is not yet all she should be, and a further great act of YHWH will be necessary. Qumran proves the point exactly: the self-understanding evident in (e.g.) CD is precisely that of people who see themselves as the advance guard of the real return from exile, which means that everybody else is still in exile, and that they are the first, secret ‘returnees’, who will be vindicated as such when YHWH finally acts. "
"Few will doubt, in fact, that the great majority of Jews in Jesus’ day were looking for a major action of their god within history to liberate his people. Even those who want to minimize this have to allow for a huge groundswell of this belief bursting out in the mid-60s of the first century. The point here is that, in thinking about and longing for this event, they did not merely draw upon patterns and types, such as the Exodus, culled at random, allegorically or typologically, from a past conceived as a scattered bunch of unconnected events. Rather, they saw themselves in sequence with, and continuing, Israel’s whole past story, waiting for that story to reach its promised goal. They were not living in an ahistorical mode, in which the only question of weight were timeless salvation or ethics, with such issues being ‘illustrated’ by ideas taken in a fairly random fashion from her distant past. Rather, they read that past not least as a story; as a story which was continuing, and in which they themselves were characters; as a story with an ending, which can variously be characterized as ‘return from exile’; ‘return of YHWH to Zion’; ‘salvation’; ‘forgiveness of sins’; ‘new covenant’; ‘new exodus’; and perhaps even, for some at least, ‘new creation’ and ‘resurrection’. "
Sadly, that last bolded statement is how many of us have been taught to read the New Testament....
I'll post some more later...for you light readers...
Monday, June 06, 2005
Camping for a month?
Some of us Midwest misfits are going to have a campout soon.... Really looking forward to getting to know some of our blog friends!
In other news: We are taking a month off from leading worship to detox and clear our heads. We are not sure what comes next. . .but God does. . .
In other news: We are taking a month off from leading worship to detox and clear our heads. We are not sure what comes next. . .but God does. . .
Tagged
Trish "tagged" me...I don't like this stuff, but it's interesting to hear about what others are reading...so...
1.Total number of books I own: Too many. I like books...
2. Last book I bought: The Jesus Creed by Scot McKnight
3. Last book I read: The Naked Church by Wayne Jacobsen
4. Five books that mean a lot to me: The Ragamuffin Gospel, Life of the Beloved, The Jesus Style, The New Testament and the People of God, He Loves Me
5. Two major books when I was a kid: The Stand, On The Beach
6. People I want to tag: I don't want to inflict this on anyone else...no offense....
1.Total number of books I own: Too many. I like books...
2. Last book I bought: The Jesus Creed by Scot McKnight
3. Last book I read: The Naked Church by Wayne Jacobsen
4. Five books that mean a lot to me: The Ragamuffin Gospel, Life of the Beloved, The Jesus Style, The New Testament and the People of God, He Loves Me
5. Two major books when I was a kid: The Stand, On The Beach
6. People I want to tag: I don't want to inflict this on anyone else...no offense....
Thursday, June 02, 2005
The Law "Unpacked"
I've become aware that how we view the Mosaic Law really matters in how we understand grace. I admit to buying into the Reformation view that Grace was totally contrary to the Law, and that maybe that wasn't what Paul was getting at. So, what was Paul's view of the Mosaic Law? Here are a few things I posted in a discussion about that topic.
"The Mosaic Law is a system of earning God's favor."
After doing some study on that, I think there are some problems with that point of view. I am not saying that Paul would not be opposed to a system of earning God's favor, but correlating the Law with that system is reading to much into the text.
First, when Paul uses the word "nomos" he is referring directly to the Mosaic Law, not a universal principle of earning favor or merit (for two good examples see Gal. 3:15-25 and Rom. 5:13-14).
Second, while Paul believes that the Torah is temporary, he does not casually dismiss it, and even quotes from it to reinforce his argument (1Cor. 9:9 to stay in the letter you are working with here).
Third, in the same letter you are working with we find this:
1Co 9:20 And to the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might gain the Jews. To those who are under the Law, I became as under the Law, so that I might gain those who are under the Law.
Now, if the Law is a system of earning God's favor, is Paul saying that he was pretending to earn God's favor by works, or that he was acting like a Law-observant Jew (ie. observing dietary requirements etc.)?
Fourth, I think you are "demonizing" the Mosaic Law by claiming it as a system of earning God's favor, something Paul didn't do. To him the Law was good, it is sin within us that made the Law ineffective (Rom. 7). Again, this is an example of Paul talking about Mosaic Law and not universalizing it.
Last, I think that Paul's issue with the Law was not that it was a system of legalism, but that it had served it's purpose in redemption-history. Christ is the goal of the Law (Rom. 10:4)! So, if the Judaizers were trying to get the Gentiles to enter it by circumcision (which is the main reason for Galatians, and underlies Romans), it is not legalistic, it is missing the point. By relying on the Law they are now missing the whole point, which was Christ! Faith has replaced Law (Gal. 3:25-26).
I suspect that our intepretation of the Law as a system of earning God's favor comes from Luther and the other Reformers who WERE battling a religious system of legalism. I think it is entirely possible that they read their contemporary issues into the text rather than asking the tough historical questions.
Feel free to poke some holes in this. I'm sure there are things that I'm missing, or have wrong...
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