Patriotism Revisited...
So, I've started commenting on this idea a few times now, but just haven't found the words to express it quite right.
First, let me 'splain. (**Cue the dream sequence harp music to signify some sort of time warp and/or disclaimer). I came darn close to joining the military on at least a couple of occasions in my life. I got several persuasive and persistent calls from recruiters after I scored in the upper ***th percentile on the ASVAB in High School and was promised quite a bit should I decide to join. I have also thought about it on several other occasions. Needless to say, I love our country, feel very patriotic and proud and have defended our countries honor (at least verbally) while on foreign soil; As it happens, I had the occasion to exchange fairly harsh words with a South African park ranger/tour guide while exploring a cave in the Mpumalanga province This park ranger made nasty comments about US taxes and needing to fund the "War Machine" - kinda cheesed me off - so, I felt the need to set him straight about what we are really fighting for. At any rate - I am a patriot - true-blue, red-blooded, proud, "ugly American." End of preface****
One thing that breaks my heart is how I recall that after 9-11 so many Americans came back home to the church, as if they realized that they knew they were missing something and knew where they could find it. One of my favorite worship songs ("We will embrace Your move" by Darrell Evans) contains the words - "to those who've rejected Him, He's reaching His arms out again..." That one line really summed up what was happening across the U.S. in the weeks following the 9-11 tragedy. The problem is, for many what they found in the church was not the true answer, but rather a call to patriotism. In a word - we are guilty as a nation of substituting patriotism for a geniune relationship with Christ.
Don't get me wrong - many churches get it right day after day, week after week, solidly preaching and living out the message of hope through a true relationship with Jesus. But why hasn't the church really grown in the wake of such tragedy? One thing we are guilty of is that as a church in generl, we have allowed people to buy into the lie that just being a "good" and patriotic American citizen, that God will bless and protect them, and somehow they will earn a spot for themselves beyond the "pearly gates" when they die.
What is the answer? I certainly wouldn't propose that we become ashamed of our heritage or anything but exceptional. My point is, I think it is a tragedy in itself that in many instances the church has somehow missed the opportunity to bring people the true message of hope. We Americans willingly settle for patriotism instead of the grace, forgiveness and true sense of purpose that can only be found in a relationship with Jesus.
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Other intersting stuff!!!!! (To me anyway...)
Just keeping up with tradition here, but I found it interesting that Joey Chestnut won his FOURTH coveted Yellow Mustard Belt in the 95th annual Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, held at Coney Island, N.Y. Read more about it here.
Apparently, this years' competition was a bit easier for Chestnut who ate just 54 dogs to defend his title. He set a new world's record last year downing 68 dogs and buns in 10 minutes. The REAL excitement occurred a few minutes after the competition was over when former 6-time winnner (and Chestnut's arch-rival) Takeru Kobayashi (who couldn't compete due to contractual restrictions) tried to rush the stage and was apprehended by police and subsequently taken into custody. Phew! Talk about your sour grapes (or weenies?). Better luck next year Kobayashi!
In Other News...
We had a great day with Kimberly and the boys. We ate dinner (Bratz, Pulled Pork and LOTS of other great stuff). We then went to a concert where Christopher and Clayton played with a commuity band at the Gazebo in Community Park. Cool Stuff.
Later it was fireworks at Nichols park with Darian, Erica, Beth, Cameron and Austin (Bryce stayed home with a sneezing fit - alergies?) At any rate - I'm pooped!
Showing posts with label stuff that will definitely be in the book I am not writing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label stuff that will definitely be in the book I am not writing. Show all posts
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Something is stirring....
O.K. - so here I am at Hardee's (Carl's Jr.'s cousin for those of you on the Left-coast). And though they are making some of those wonderful hand-scooped shakes in the background - that's not what is currently stirring.
Lemme 'splain.
I'm here having lunch with my trusty new Notebook computer open, and I just finished a homework assignment for one of my MBA classes. The other assignment I wanted to work on requires me to watch a Youtube video which their network won't allow me to access (probably wise on their part to restrict certain things in this VERY public location).
The point is - I feel something stirring within me, as if God is preparing me for new and exciting things. I still can't quite explain why I'm back in school - studying BUSINESS of all things. But, though I see through a glass, darkly, I believe things will get clearer as we get closer to our goal. As I've written before, in these posts and elsewhere, I still can't explain why we don't "belong" in vocational ministry somewhere - but I know that we just aren't supposed to be there right now. So what is a fellow with a B.A. in Biblial Languages supposed to do to feed his family? Should I stand on the corner wearing a sign that says, "Will parse Greek verbs for food" - ????? Nope.
The fact is, I work in an office setting. The stranger fact is, I'm good at it! How could that be - especially in light of the fact that I truly belive that I am called to the ministry? Well - for starters, I know that God has a plan for me, for us, for my family. He hasn't left us high and dry yet, and I know that He won't - despite my failures and my profound ability to make masses of things. The second thing is, I always have to remember to ask - what does "the ministry" look like? I love people - that's a topic for another day I s'pose. Ministry, of course doesn't involve working at a church or "christian" organization. However, I do feel ultimately called to that sort of thing - but perhaps in a different context. It's all quite fuzzy still. But I believe that in the near future, full-time vocational ministry will be the "exception" but not the rule- particularly in the U.S. This goes to my belief about the church in North America - get ready for some toe-stepping folks. Two things:
First, I really, truly believe that the church is in transition. Basically, I think we're really good at having meetings - but we're notso great at meeting people where they are "at" (bad grammar alert). I was excited to talk to a dear friend (and my former pastor) regarding their church's transition from the "traditional" model of having lots of meetings, to a small-group structure that seems to be taking root. Again - this obviates the point that by and large, the church is in transition - from having meetings, to reaching people where they live. Don't get me wrong - there's still a need for corporate worship - but by and large, the people aren't coming in droves just to attend one of our "meetings" - which are generally designed "by us, for us" - those of us who are already "In" so to speak.
Secondly, I firmly believe that churches who don't face the facts and do something to change in this regard are going to become irrelevant - soon, if they aren't already. (Ouch!) How can you say that, Steve? Well - look around! Are we reaching the next generation? Not only are they not even coming through the door, but what if our ultimate goal is to actually disciple people? In most cases (not all, but most) - our goal has been to somehow get them through the door, and down front mumbling "the prayer" at one of our "meetings." But, what if the goal is to help them become Jesus-like? Are we doing the job? Are we anywhere close? With little exception - in my opinion, nope.
But we do have some really great meetings,... don't we?
I'll probably regret posting this later.
Lemme 'splain.
I'm here having lunch with my trusty new Notebook computer open, and I just finished a homework assignment for one of my MBA classes. The other assignment I wanted to work on requires me to watch a Youtube video which their network won't allow me to access (probably wise on their part to restrict certain things in this VERY public location).
The point is - I feel something stirring within me, as if God is preparing me for new and exciting things. I still can't quite explain why I'm back in school - studying BUSINESS of all things. But, though I see through a glass, darkly, I believe things will get clearer as we get closer to our goal. As I've written before, in these posts and elsewhere, I still can't explain why we don't "belong" in vocational ministry somewhere - but I know that we just aren't supposed to be there right now. So what is a fellow with a B.A. in Biblial Languages supposed to do to feed his family? Should I stand on the corner wearing a sign that says, "Will parse Greek verbs for food" - ????? Nope.
The fact is, I work in an office setting. The stranger fact is, I'm good at it! How could that be - especially in light of the fact that I truly belive that I am called to the ministry? Well - for starters, I know that God has a plan for me, for us, for my family. He hasn't left us high and dry yet, and I know that He won't - despite my failures and my profound ability to make masses of things. The second thing is, I always have to remember to ask - what does "the ministry" look like? I love people - that's a topic for another day I s'pose. Ministry, of course doesn't involve working at a church or "christian" organization. However, I do feel ultimately called to that sort of thing - but perhaps in a different context. It's all quite fuzzy still. But I believe that in the near future, full-time vocational ministry will be the "exception" but not the rule- particularly in the U.S. This goes to my belief about the church in North America - get ready for some toe-stepping folks. Two things:
First, I really, truly believe that the church is in transition. Basically, I think we're really good at having meetings - but we're notso great at meeting people where they are "at" (bad grammar alert). I was excited to talk to a dear friend (and my former pastor) regarding their church's transition from the "traditional" model of having lots of meetings, to a small-group structure that seems to be taking root. Again - this obviates the point that by and large, the church is in transition - from having meetings, to reaching people where they live. Don't get me wrong - there's still a need for corporate worship - but by and large, the people aren't coming in droves just to attend one of our "meetings" - which are generally designed "by us, for us" - those of us who are already "In" so to speak.
Secondly, I firmly believe that churches who don't face the facts and do something to change in this regard are going to become irrelevant - soon, if they aren't already. (Ouch!) How can you say that, Steve? Well - look around! Are we reaching the next generation? Not only are they not even coming through the door, but what if our ultimate goal is to actually disciple people? In most cases (not all, but most) - our goal has been to somehow get them through the door, and down front mumbling "the prayer" at one of our "meetings." But, what if the goal is to help them become Jesus-like? Are we doing the job? Are we anywhere close? With little exception - in my opinion, nope.
But we do have some really great meetings,... don't we?
I'll probably regret posting this later.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Thoughts on Integrity and Friendship...
Here’s a little story that I am somewhat reluctant to tell, because it might sound a little bit like self-promotion. Well, it isn’t. This is a story about integrity, and about how easy it is to let great friendships disappear into the sands of time.
I first met Darrell Evans as a freshman at LIFE Bible College, Los Angeles (Now LIFE PACIFIC College, San Dimas) back in 1987. He was among a group of guys I used to hang out with. We would play guitar for hours on end in my dorm room, and outside in the quad by the café. Most of us were on the college worship team and we would take turns leading worship
for classes, at parties (why not?) and other events. Among that group were a couple of other guys – Tim Gillis and Craig Davis – (I’m just now making contact with both of them again.) In lieu of studying, we would all play and learn from each other, trading guitar licks and learning Phil Keaggy songs among other things. Good times!- :)
Darrell was always singing and writing songs. Even back then we knew there was something different about that skinny, curly-haired kid – just that way he sang so passionately and didn’t care what people thought of him. He also had a great sense of humor!
I remember one afternoon in particular, I believe it was nearing spring break, me and Darrell were jamming and singing in my room and he said, “Stop! What is that you’re playing? – show me.” So, we played with the melody a little bit. The next day, he came back with a nearly finished song, and we played with it some more. A couple of days later, we were playing it in chapel in front of a few hundred students and faculty - his doing, not mine! (I was a big chicken at that point and I distinctly remember trying to back out at the last minute). At the end of the school year I remember how we said goodbye in Craig’s room, he moved out of state, and we lost touch.
About five or six years later, he called me up – at work. He had tracked me down somehow. (I have no idea how to this day!) He had big news! One of his songs (Let the river flow) was getting a lot of attention and was being put on a compilation album and being used as the theme for a large Teen Mania youth event. He was also talking to Don Moen (Integrity, Hosanna!) about doing a live worship album. I congratulated him and we traded info and promised to stay in touch. He also asked my permission to record that little song we had written and played in chapel. How could I refuse?
Over the years we’ve stayed somewhat in touch – a phone call here, an e-mail there. He of course became “the” Darrell Evans, so I didn’t bug him too much. I was always humbled and flattered when he would call or e-mail me – always politely reminding me he just couldn’t get that little tune out of his head and some day he would record it. It’s been 20 + years now since our 87’/88’ freshman year. He tracked me down again a few months ago via the comments on THIS BLOG – how on earth did he find me again?
My reason for relating this story is two-fold. First and foremost, I am grateful for Darrell’s integrity. He is a very gifted and anointed psalmist who has accomplished a lot over the past 15 or so years. He didn’t have to record “our” song, nor did he have to even offer to give me any credit for putting a couple of chords together that caught his ear twenty years ago. But it speaks volumes about his integrity as an artist and as a loyal friend. For that I am grateful. Secondly, though it is awesome to be back in touch with another one of my friends from college (btw, there are others who’ve done big things too!) it kind of bums me out to think of all of the other great friends I have lost contact with over the same span of time. I then realize that I am really lousy about staying in touch and I haven’t been a very good friend to many of them. I find this very painful and hard to take. (This is definitely good fodder for another blog!)
Lastly, as for “self-promotion”, let me publicly state that although I am excited, honored, proud and humbled all at the same time to have my name in the credits on Darrell’s latest album, I cannot in any way consider it an accomplishment of mine. Here’s the best analogy I can come up with:
I first met Darrell Evans as a freshman at LIFE Bible College, Los Angeles (Now LIFE PACIFIC College, San Dimas) back in 1987. He was among a group of guys I used to hang out with. We would play guitar for hours on end in my dorm room, and outside in the quad by the café. Most of us were on the college worship team and we would take turns leading worship
for classes, at parties (why not?) and other events. Among that group were a couple of other guys – Tim Gillis and Craig Davis – (I’m just now making contact with both of them again.) In lieu of studying, we would all play and learn from each other, trading guitar licks and learning Phil Keaggy songs among other things. Good times!- :)Darrell was always singing and writing songs. Even back then we knew there was something different about that skinny, curly-haired kid – just that way he sang so passionately and didn’t care what people thought of him. He also had a great sense of humor!
I remember one afternoon in particular, I believe it was nearing spring break, me and Darrell were jamming and singing in my room and he said, “Stop! What is that you’re playing? – show me.” So, we played with the melody a little bit. The next day, he came back with a nearly finished song, and we played with it some more. A couple of days later, we were playing it in chapel in front of a few hundred students and faculty - his doing, not mine! (I was a big chicken at that point and I distinctly remember trying to back out at the last minute). At the end of the school year I remember how we said goodbye in Craig’s room, he moved out of state, and we lost touch.
About five or six years later, he called me up – at work. He had tracked me down somehow. (I have no idea how to this day!) He had big news! One of his songs (Let the river flow) was getting a lot of attention and was being put on a compilation album and being used as the theme for a large Teen Mania youth event. He was also talking to Don Moen (Integrity, Hosanna!) about doing a live worship album. I congratulated him and we traded info and promised to stay in touch. He also asked my permission to record that little song we had written and played in chapel. How could I refuse?
Over the years we’ve stayed somewhat in touch – a phone call here, an e-mail there. He of course became “the” Darrell Evans, so I didn’t bug him too much. I was always humbled and flattered when he would call or e-mail me – always politely reminding me he just couldn’t get that little tune out of his head and some day he would record it. It’s been 20 + years now since our 87’/88’ freshman year. He tracked me down again a few months ago via the comments on THIS BLOG – how on earth did he find me again?
My reason for relating this story is two-fold. First and foremost, I am grateful for Darrell’s integrity. He is a very gifted and anointed psalmist who has accomplished a lot over the past 15 or so years. He didn’t have to record “our” song, nor did he have to even offer to give me any credit for putting a couple of chords together that caught his ear twenty years ago. But it speaks volumes about his integrity as an artist and as a loyal friend. For that I am grateful. Secondly, though it is awesome to be back in touch with another one of my friends from college (btw, there are others who’ve done big things too!) it kind of bums me out to think of all of the other great friends I have lost contact with over the same span of time. I then realize that I am really lousy about staying in touch and I haven’t been a very good friend to many of them. I find this very painful and hard to take. (This is definitely good fodder for another blog!)
Lastly, as for “self-promotion”, let me publicly state that although I am excited, honored, proud and humbled all at the same time to have my name in the credits on Darrell’s latest album, I cannot in any way consider it an accomplishment of mine. Here’s the best analogy I can come up with:
If Darrell were Gold-Medalist Swimmer, Michael Phelps, I might be able to take as much credit as say, one of the towels he used to dry off with during a high-school swim meet.
That about sums-up my contribution to this latest album, which, of course you should buy immediately – especially track #4.
Btw – if you purchase the song from Digstation – my name is NOT there in the credits on track 4 – no biggie – just FYI.
Btw – if you purchase the song from Digstation – my name is NOT there in the credits on track 4 – no biggie – just FYI.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Thoughts on dealing with the past...
O.K., so I've started posts like this a few times already, but gave up because my thoughts weren't all that clear. But, I think I've got it now, so here goes...
There's a very common, yet true illustration that history professors use and it goes something like this. Our historical perspective is a lot like looking at a distant mountain range.
When you look at the mountains what do you see? If you are close - you see different shapes and some distance between peaks. If you are far away, they look flat - like one big blob all squished together. In either case, what you don't see are the valleys between the peaks. Regardless, the further you get from the mountain peaks - the flatter they appear.
So it is with my own personal history. As I look back at my short life (I am currently 39), I can see a lot of big events - mountain peaks. Some of those events are significant milestones in my life - like getting married, or the birth of our children. Some of those peaks are accomplishments and realized goals - like earning a degree or taking on a new ministry position.
In other cases they were tragic events like the death of my father, or a job loss - or maybe a broken relationship. These are all events that stand out in the past. For me, when I look back, some of these events run together. Don't get me wrong, they haven't lost their overall importance, but over time, my perspective has changed. These events take on more (or less) meaning in relation to other experiences and "peaks" in life.
As my perspective changes, these events - the mountain peaks, begin to look different - rather I view them differently. With any big event, fortunate or tragic I can easily become overwhelmed by it. The event consumes my entire field of vision. This isn't necessarily always a bad thing - I often call it "focus" or chalk it up to my own personal diligence. What I don't do is put this all-encompassing event in its proper perspective. How can I? - It is currently the most important thing in my world! This has been a big problem for me throughout my life - my tendency to get overwhelmed.
Paul didn't say to just forget about the bad stuff behind us. There's good stuff that happened too! Earlier in his thoughts he said that all of his religious accomplishments amounted to nothing more than POOP! (If you don't believe me - look it up!) The message that I (continually) need to learn is that I cannot let the bad stuff hold me back. Those things are history. I need to learn what I can from them, forgive, and allow the Lord to heal me. Likewise - I can't rely on the good stuff to carry me through. Anything that I may have accomplished in the past is just that - it's in the past. I have to be diligent in the here and now and press on.
There's a very common, yet true illustration that history professors use and it goes something like this. Our historical perspective is a lot like looking at a distant mountain range.
When you look at the mountains what do you see? If you are close - you see different shapes and some distance between peaks. If you are far away, they look flat - like one big blob all squished together. In either case, what you don't see are the valleys between the peaks. Regardless, the further you get from the mountain peaks - the flatter they appear.
So it is with my own personal history. As I look back at my short life (I am currently 39), I can see a lot of big events - mountain peaks. Some of those events are significant milestones in my life - like getting married, or the birth of our children. Some of those peaks are accomplishments and realized goals - like earning a degree or taking on a new ministry position.
In other cases they were tragic events like the death of my father, or a job loss - or maybe a broken relationship. These are all events that stand out in the past. For me, when I look back, some of these events run together. Don't get me wrong, they haven't lost their overall importance, but over time, my perspective has changed. These events take on more (or less) meaning in relation to other experiences and "peaks" in life.
Changing Perspective...
As my perspective changes, these events - the mountain peaks, begin to look different - rather I view them differently. With any big event, fortunate or tragic I can easily become overwhelmed by it. The event consumes my entire field of vision. This isn't necessarily always a bad thing - I often call it "focus" or chalk it up to my own personal diligence. What I don't do is put this all-encompassing event in its proper perspective. How can I? - It is currently the most important thing in my world! This has been a big problem for me throughout my life - my tendency to get overwhelmed.
The Space Between...
Over time though, the biggest thing I have lost sight of is the space between the peaks. That is where my faithfulness (or lack of faithfulness) is fleshed out. The space between; the valleys, the dull dry spots, even the times in "recovery" from a tragedy or the let-down after a huge exciting event - these are the times that really count. These empty spaces are usually the places where I set myself up for my biggest failures. It is in these empty spaces where faithfulness and tenacity can dictate potential fruitfulness (or lack thereof) down the line. I have always had the tendency to rest on my big fat laurels a bit too long after every little accomplishment, and I am also too slow to recover after a let-down or tragedy.
The Apostle Paul tells us very plainly,
"... Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which
God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:13,14 (NIV)
Paul didn't say to just forget about the bad stuff behind us. There's good stuff that happened too! Earlier in his thoughts he said that all of his religious accomplishments amounted to nothing more than POOP! (If you don't believe me - look it up!) The message that I (continually) need to learn is that I cannot let the bad stuff hold me back. Those things are history. I need to learn what I can from them, forgive, and allow the Lord to heal me. Likewise - I can't rely on the good stuff to carry me through. Anything that I may have accomplished in the past is just that - it's in the past. I have to be diligent in the here and now and press on.
"Not that I have already obtained all this,
or have already been made perfect,
but I press on to take hold of that
for which Christ Jesus took hold of me." Phil. 4:12 (NIV)
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Holiness revisited...
O.K. - after my garbled thoughts from Yesterday I believe I have at least a better illustration to obviate the point.
My main thought from yesterday was this - Holiness = separateness or set-apartness UNTO something.
In clarification, here are some more thoughts. Being Set Apart / Sanctified / Made Holy - doesn't necessarily mean being Set Apart for the sake of ISOLATION. Someone or Something is Set Apart in order to be useful. Usually that usefulness has to do with something SPECIAL. Here is just one example.
In Exodos 30:34ff the Lord commanded Moses to have special incense made specifically for use in the Tabernacle. The Israelites were prohibited from making anything like it or burning it for their own enjoyment - it was to be used solely in worship to the Lord. In this way - the incense formula was Set Apart. It was special, it was to be used ONLY for this purpose and not for common or everyday use.
This concept doesn't often jive with our preaching with regards to Holiness. Lemme 'splain for just a moment.
(***Big Disclaimer*** These thoughts pertain to me - in the context of when, where and how I grew up and the churches I have been a part of, lest we forget - this is my blog! Nevertheless, I have observed this line of preaching ALL over the place!)
Holiness is usually preached in the context of staying away from "bad" things. We are also discouraged from associating with "bad" people for fear of being either tainted by them, or being seen as tacitly approving of what these "bad" people do. Our personal righteousness is usually tied in with this point - which is only half-right in my opinion. There is very rarely a distinction made between personal righteousness and the true deeper meaning of Holiness - being set-apart. By focusing on behavior I believe that our preaching is often just the same old "Guilty by association" logic that we Christians are so good at***.
(***Pardon my grammar. This is just the sort of poor grammar that, up with, we shall no longer put. I shall try to do better in future posts.) Now where was I?
Back in the day, Steve Taylor had a song by the same title "Guilty By Association" - which was a satire of our isolated Christian sub-culture. It went something like this:
However, I believe we run into danger when we equate a believer's behavior with their right-standing with God. Righteous behavior does not LEAD to Holiness. Holiness is God ordained, outside of the believer. It is His decree, God calling us to be who He called us to be. Righteous living then, is the RESULT of our right-standing with God. Holiness is something God does - he set's us apart - UNTO righteous living, not because of our own righteousness. God does not keep a "balance sheet" of all our good and bad deeds and reward us accordingly. All have sinned! There is none righteous - not one! We cannot do it apart from what Jesus has done for us.
Putting it another way, saying that my own righteous behavior LEADS to Holiness is quite like saying that I drink lots of Root Beer BECAUSE I belch a lot. It really IS and should be seen the other way around. Righteous behavior is the RESULT of what God did in setting us apart unto himself - our behavior should fall in line. Because my eyes have been made Holy (set apart unto God) - I will look upon no unclean thing. Because my hands have been made Holy (set apart) I will not use them to steal. Because my tongue has been made Holy I will not curse, lie or slander my brother. That is the distinction.
By focusing on behavior we fool ourselves into believing that we can be good enough to please God. That is not Holiness - it's legalism.
(See Galations if you don't believe me!)
My main thought from yesterday was this - Holiness = separateness or set-apartness UNTO something.
In clarification, here are some more thoughts. Being Set Apart / Sanctified / Made Holy - doesn't necessarily mean being Set Apart for the sake of ISOLATION. Someone or Something is Set Apart in order to be useful. Usually that usefulness has to do with something SPECIAL. Here is just one example.
In Exodos 30:34ff the Lord commanded Moses to have special incense made specifically for use in the Tabernacle. The Israelites were prohibited from making anything like it or burning it for their own enjoyment - it was to be used solely in worship to the Lord. In this way - the incense formula was Set Apart. It was special, it was to be used ONLY for this purpose and not for common or everyday use.
This concept doesn't often jive with our preaching with regards to Holiness. Lemme 'splain for just a moment.
(***Big Disclaimer*** These thoughts pertain to me - in the context of when, where and how I grew up and the churches I have been a part of, lest we forget - this is my blog! Nevertheless, I have observed this line of preaching ALL over the place!)
Holiness is usually preached in the context of staying away from "bad" things. We are also discouraged from associating with "bad" people for fear of being either tainted by them, or being seen as tacitly approving of what these "bad" people do. Our personal righteousness is usually tied in with this point - which is only half-right in my opinion. There is very rarely a distinction made between personal righteousness and the true deeper meaning of Holiness - being set-apart. By focusing on behavior I believe that our preaching is often just the same old "Guilty by association" logic that we Christians are so good at***.
(***Pardon my grammar. This is just the sort of poor grammar that, up with, we shall no longer put. I shall try to do better in future posts.) Now where was I?
Back in the day, Steve Taylor had a song by the same title "Guilty By Association" - which was a satire of our isolated Christian sub-culture. It went something like this:
- So you need a new car? Let your fingers take a walk, through the business guide for the "born-again" flock. You'll be keeping all your money in the "kingdom" now. And, you'll only drink milk from a "Christian" cow!" (Watch it from the link above - it's a great song!)
However, I believe we run into danger when we equate a believer's behavior with their right-standing with God. Righteous behavior does not LEAD to Holiness. Holiness is God ordained, outside of the believer. It is His decree, God calling us to be who He called us to be. Righteous living then, is the RESULT of our right-standing with God. Holiness is something God does - he set's us apart - UNTO righteous living, not because of our own righteousness. God does not keep a "balance sheet" of all our good and bad deeds and reward us accordingly. All have sinned! There is none righteous - not one! We cannot do it apart from what Jesus has done for us.
Putting it another way, saying that my own righteous behavior LEADS to Holiness is quite like saying that I drink lots of Root Beer BECAUSE I belch a lot. It really IS and should be seen the other way around. Righteous behavior is the RESULT of what God did in setting us apart unto himself - our behavior should fall in line. Because my eyes have been made Holy (set apart unto God) - I will look upon no unclean thing. Because my hands have been made Holy (set apart) I will not use them to steal. Because my tongue has been made Holy I will not curse, lie or slander my brother. That is the distinction.
By focusing on behavior we fool ourselves into believing that we can be good enough to please God. That is not Holiness - it's legalism.
(See Galations if you don't believe me!)
Monday, September 29, 2008
Under deconstruction...
I apologize in advance if this post seems a bit garbled.... I am feeling the same.
Where to begin? I heard a message recently on a Focus on the Family broadcast featuring a chapel address from Dennis Prager, a radio talkshow host I used to enjoy listening to in So. Cal on KABC. (He's not there anymore - now he's here). In the broadcast, Mr. Prager (an Orthodox Jew) spoke about the sanctity of marriage - being a union between a man and a woman) and what the current climate of change in this area means for our society. I strongly urge everyone to have a listen. It is well worth the 45 minutes or so of your time.
There is one statement that stuck out to me, and it really didn't have much to do with the topic, but I want to share it here because I believe it is important, and it is important for me on my personal journey. The statement was this - rather the question was this: What did God do on the second day of creation? Answer: He SEPARATED. (sea from dry land, etc...) The hebrew word in the passage is Kadosh - which is more frequently translated HOLY. Hence, separate, or set apart. This concept should be nothing new to many of us who have sat in church lo these many long years, but it struck me in such a way, that I got all teary-eyed. I believe God wanted to remind me of what my life, and our lives - what the life of the church is and should be all about.
What does true Holiness look like? I dunno! I do however think the church has done a rotten job as an example to our society. We define ourselves too often by the things we "don't" do rather than who we are. When we do talk about holiness and separateness in the church today, there is almost a fear in our eyes that if we get too close to real sinners we might somehow get our hands dirty or something. What did Jesus have to say about this? Didn't he say it wasn't the healthy who needed a doctor, but the infirm? (Mt. 9:12) He was called a glutton and a drunkard - spent time talking with prostitutes and tax collectors and lepers.....
We fall FAR short of Jesus' example of being set apart for our true purpose:
More to come...
Where to begin? I heard a message recently on a Focus on the Family broadcast featuring a chapel address from Dennis Prager, a radio talkshow host I used to enjoy listening to in So. Cal on KABC. (He's not there anymore - now he's here). In the broadcast, Mr. Prager (an Orthodox Jew) spoke about the sanctity of marriage - being a union between a man and a woman) and what the current climate of change in this area means for our society. I strongly urge everyone to have a listen. It is well worth the 45 minutes or so of your time.
There is one statement that stuck out to me, and it really didn't have much to do with the topic, but I want to share it here because I believe it is important, and it is important for me on my personal journey. The statement was this - rather the question was this: What did God do on the second day of creation? Answer: He SEPARATED. (sea from dry land, etc...) The hebrew word in the passage is Kadosh - which is more frequently translated HOLY. Hence, separate, or set apart. This concept should be nothing new to many of us who have sat in church lo these many long years, but it struck me in such a way, that I got all teary-eyed. I believe God wanted to remind me of what my life, and our lives - what the life of the church is and should be all about.
- Holiness = being separated unto God, set aside for a specific purpose or use.
What does true Holiness look like? I dunno! I do however think the church has done a rotten job as an example to our society. We define ourselves too often by the things we "don't" do rather than who we are. When we do talk about holiness and separateness in the church today, there is almost a fear in our eyes that if we get too close to real sinners we might somehow get our hands dirty or something. What did Jesus have to say about this? Didn't he say it wasn't the healthy who needed a doctor, but the infirm? (Mt. 9:12) He was called a glutton and a drunkard - spent time talking with prostitutes and tax collectors and lepers.....
We fall FAR short of Jesus' example of being set apart for our true purpose:
- Today, the church is separated unto God - on Sundays.
- We have meetings, and we call it "serving God".
- We do things 'for God" that are By Us, For Us - and call it worship.
- If things didn't quite go right in our services, we get all bummed.
- If people are critical about certain aspects of our "services" we "correct" our mistakes and do our best to "get it right" the next time we meet.
I have been caught up in ALL of that! I am GUILTY as charged! What I am not - is Holy.
*like I said. This post may seem a little garbled.More to come...
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Thoughts on the dangers of having influence...
Soo, here we go again...
I did a little post two days ago and Jason (one of my two faithful readers, but one of the only ones who actually leave a comment) reminded me about my old Fender acoustic. This got me to thinking a bit -then my mind wandered completely. I hearkened back to my days as a young youth pastor, and then back to my days as a young yout' - not-so many years, but several pounds and hairstyles ago...
(Cue dreamy harp music)
What struck me, is how I am still in awe of, and profoundly influenced by my old youth ministers from that day (One died and 2 others are "out of the ministry" - one is a school principal I think). I learned a lot about leadership, leading worship, setting goals, dealing with conflict and even "dreaming big" from one guy in particular I lost touch with several years ago. (Scott - wherever you are - I miss you, man - you meant a lot to me.) The reality is, I look an aweful lot like the people who influenced me early on.
(Fade to black)
As I was thinking, I remembered an event that happened about 11 Summers ago.
(Fade in to a panning shot of cornfields on a hot sunny day)
I had the surprise of my life one day in July, 1996 while I was standing under a tent in McComb, Il (at the Cornerstone festival) and Jason (yes, my "buddy" who leaves me snyde comments on this here blog thingy) showed up out of the clear blue. We got to hang out that week at C-stone and he was one of a handful of people who actually caught our show. Since he was camping I brought him back to my motel room so he could shower and he let me fiddle around on his guitar. He then made a comment I'll never forget. He said that all the years he had been playing he didn't realize how much he sounded like me on the guitar. In a sense, he didn't realize that I had been a musical influence on him. This of course blew me away, shocked and humbled me and I hesitate to share it now except to say that it stands to reason - the more we hang out with somebody, the more alike we become. (Can anyone here say the word "DISCIPLESHIP" ??????) I think that is the whole point.
(Fast forward to present day)
Though it is something I have known all along, now more than ever, I am humbled and just a little bit scared that I can have a powerful influence on the people that I am around. I have heard it said that our strengths are passed on to those we mentor, but our weaknesses at times are MAGNIFIED..... that is a scary thought. This means that my cynical, critical attitude - my know-it-all, agrumentative, opinionated, judgementalism - could not only be passed on, but magnified (if this is true...) in those I lead and mentor - and especially in my own kids!
I hope people catch the good stuff. I wish that I could say, as Paul did: "Follow me as I follow Christ..." but I can't always say that. I am pretty messed up at times.
I have a friend and mentor named Dan. Dan was one of my college professors, a pastor/teacher-type guy who was very down to earth. He even spent a few years recently as the college President. He made a little plaque - one of those shiny brass thingy's you get at a trophy shop, engraved with a saying that has stuck with me through the years and has really influenced me in ministry and life in general. He attaches this plaque on his pulpit wherever he goes. It reads:
I did a little post two days ago and Jason (one of my two faithful readers, but one of the only ones who actually leave a comment) reminded me about my old Fender acoustic. This got me to thinking a bit -then my mind wandered completely. I hearkened back to my days as a young youth pastor, and then back to my days as a young yout' - not-so many years, but several pounds and hairstyles ago...
(Cue dreamy harp music)
What struck me, is how I am still in awe of, and profoundly influenced by my old youth ministers from that day (One died and 2 others are "out of the ministry" - one is a school principal I think). I learned a lot about leadership, leading worship, setting goals, dealing with conflict and even "dreaming big" from one guy in particular I lost touch with several years ago. (Scott - wherever you are - I miss you, man - you meant a lot to me.) The reality is, I look an aweful lot like the people who influenced me early on.
(Fade to black)
As I was thinking, I remembered an event that happened about 11 Summers ago.
(Fade in to a panning shot of cornfields on a hot sunny day)
I had the surprise of my life one day in July, 1996 while I was standing under a tent in McComb, Il (at the Cornerstone festival) and Jason (yes, my "buddy" who leaves me snyde comments on this here blog thingy) showed up out of the clear blue. We got to hang out that week at C-stone and he was one of a handful of people who actually caught our show. Since he was camping I brought him back to my motel room so he could shower and he let me fiddle around on his guitar. He then made a comment I'll never forget. He said that all the years he had been playing he didn't realize how much he sounded like me on the guitar. In a sense, he didn't realize that I had been a musical influence on him. This of course blew me away, shocked and humbled me and I hesitate to share it now except to say that it stands to reason - the more we hang out with somebody, the more alike we become. (Can anyone here say the word "DISCIPLESHIP" ??????) I think that is the whole point.
(Fast forward to present day)
Though it is something I have known all along, now more than ever, I am humbled and just a little bit scared that I can have a powerful influence on the people that I am around. I have heard it said that our strengths are passed on to those we mentor, but our weaknesses at times are MAGNIFIED..... that is a scary thought. This means that my cynical, critical attitude - my know-it-all, agrumentative, opinionated, judgementalism - could not only be passed on, but magnified (if this is true...) in those I lead and mentor - and especially in my own kids!
I hope people catch the good stuff. I wish that I could say, as Paul did: "Follow me as I follow Christ..." but I can't always say that. I am pretty messed up at times.
I have a friend and mentor named Dan. Dan was one of my college professors, a pastor/teacher-type guy who was very down to earth. He even spent a few years recently as the college President. He made a little plaque - one of those shiny brass thingy's you get at a trophy shop, engraved with a saying that has stuck with me through the years and has really influenced me in ministry and life in general. He attaches this plaque on his pulpit wherever he goes. It reads:
"What on earth are you doing to these people...?"
I think that just about sums it up.
(Fade out...roll credits...)
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