Random Thoughts

Lethargic

2011-03-02T10:15:00.000-05:00

does my discourse lead to action
or is my faith just planted in theory
do I dare to find You in insecure motions
when it's so comfortable to find You here.
these motions that bring no emotion
are like an easy Sunday nap
lethargically but comfortably
I again move about.

Cycle

2011-03-02T10:14:00.001-05:00

I make a mess
of this faith that I confess.
Unable to rein in myself
my passions and my pride.
And as my needs and ego grows
Faintly, I think I hear the rooster as it crows.
Why am I so easily satisfied?
too many times already I have cried.

Bigger Than Me

2011-03-02T10:13:00.001-05:00

"Our Father in heaven..."
What do you mean, that I have to share?
My life is the center, adjust my easy chair!
How I've shaped you and molded your image
Creating my own personal deity to grant my demands.
Expand me to your glory. A life lived by your plans.

Thoughts on Prophesy

2010-11-23T08:55:00.003-05:00

I was reading in Matthew 1 today about the birth of Christ. Verse 22-23 says that " All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel." This is a quote from Isaiah 7.

So I went to Isaiah 7 to look at the prophesy. Here is what I found:

¹³ Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also? ¹⁴ Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.¹⁵ He will be eating curds and honey when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, ¹⁶ for before the boy knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, the land of the two kings you dread will be laid waste. ¹⁷ The LORD will bring on you and on your people and on the house of your father a time unlike any since Ephraim broke away from Judah—he will bring the king of Assyria.”

Then I went to this website to read the Jewish response to this prophesy:

http://www.messiahtruth.com/is714a.html

Prophesy is difficult, especially when the immediate context seems to lead to one thing yet Messianic implications seem evident and are later applied by New Testament writers.

Many religious leaders steer people away from difficult questions and hard to understand text-not necessary because they are afraid of the truth, but it involves arduous scholarship and questioning comfortable presuppositions.

I don't think it paramount for every Christian to dig into these debates but I think it's helpful to for those with inquiring minds to question anything in order to grow in faith. On one side, too many accept predigested theology, but others are too quick to reject all dogma.

Just some random thoughts for the day.

2010-05-04T09:17:00.002-04:00

¹ In those days John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness and began preaching. His message was, ² “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near."

¹³ Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. ¹⁴ But John tried to talk him out of it. “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,” he said, “so why are you coming to me?”

¹⁵ But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.” So John agreed to baptize him.

¹⁶ After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. ¹⁷ And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.” Matthew 3

John came out preaching, "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near." Wonder what the Jewish audience thought when they heard John's prophetic words? We know they believed he was truly a prophet. (John 14:5) The Jewish world was under the Gentile rule of the Romans, whom many Jews, especially orthodox Jews, despised. They longed for God to reestablish the greatness of Israel, to the prominence achieved during the reign of David. The people knew the Tanakh said that a human decedent of David would once again occupy the throne of Jerusalem and restore the Kingdom. They must have been convinced that the rule of Yahwah was imminent. Understanding this historical setting, the words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount must have been shocking and refreshing, depending upon the audience.

Knowing God's Will, part 1

2010-03-09T08:42:00.007-05:00

"The will of God." In our modern era this phrase seems so abused, misused, and confusing. My first "hit" when I googled this phrase was a sermon from the prominent evangelical pastor, John Piper. He writes, "There are two clear and very different meanings for the term “will of God” in the Bible. We need to know them and decide which one is being used here in Romans 12:2. In fact, knowing the difference between these two meanings of “the will of God” is crucial to understanding one of the biggest and most perplexing things in all the Bible, namely, that God is sovereign over all things and yet disapproves of many things. Which means that God disapproves of some of what he ordains to happen. That is, he forbids some of the things he brings about. And he commands some of the things he hinders. Or to put it most paradoxically: God wills some events in one sense that he does not will in another sense." Clear?

My next search result (after a few books on the subject from Amazon) is from christiananswers.com. I find here a very practical approach to God's will, presented by George Muller, a Nineteenth Century evangelist and director of orphanages in England. He writes,

I seek at the beginning to get my heart into such a state that it has no will of its own in regard to a given matter. Nine-tenths of the trouble with people generally is just here. Nine-tenths of the difficulties are over come when our hearts are ready to do the Lord's will, whatever it may be. When one is truly in this state, it is usually but a little way to the knowledge of what His will is.

Having done this, I do not leave the result to feeling or simple impression. If so, I make myself liable to great delusions.

I seek the Will of the Spirit of God through, or in connection with, the Word of God. The Spirit and the Word must be combined. If I look to the Spirit alone without the Word, I lay myself open to great delusions also. If the Holy Ghost guides us at all, He will do it according to the Scriptures and never contrary to them.

Next I take into account providential circumstances. These often plainly indicate God's Will in connection with His Word and Spirit.

I ask God in prayer to reveal His Will to me aright.

Thus, through prayer to God, the study of the Word, and reflection, I come to a deliberate judgment according to the best of my ability and knowledge, and if my mind is thus at peace, and continues so after two or three more petitions, I proceed accordingly. In trivial matters, and in transactions involving most important issues, I have found this method always effective.

I landed on this topic this morning because of my reading of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1-7:29) where Jesus says, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father in heaven.

Over the next few morning I hope to explore this topic in greater depth.

What is man? lol

2010-03-01T08:08:00.003-05:00

This semester I've had the privilege to teach U.S. History for the first time. It's fascinating to see U.S. history from this new perspective-as a nearly 40 year old man. Interpreting our history with some experience allows for much greater insight than I had as an inept high school and college student. I had the world figured out back then and it seemed that everyone who had influence over me saw the world from the same perspective. It was the Regan era, a time of "prosperity", supply-side economics, tax cuts, and a common enemy-the USSR. I was young, energetic and naive. I though I was invincible!

Although the framework through which I interpret the world has been challenge and dismantled and I usually find myself ambiguous and schizophrenic with many of my positions on life, one belief has strengthen over time. This perspective is best communicated in the meditation of David, found in Psalm 8.

³ When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,

⁴ what is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?

In light of our insignificance and transitory condition, how can arrogance make it's way into our hearts? When I recognize that my life is but a blip on the radar screen of history, how can I ever respond with anything but humility and gratefulness to our great Father and Creator. The vastness of the universe and the delicate construction and balance of even the smallest of substances is enough to bring about an audible laugh when we encounter our selfishness and pride.

David finishes with the conclusion that we are valuable, but only because of our Creator God's image stamped upon us. This is The Message translation. Although Peterson takes liberty in his translation/interpretation, I think he gets the tone correct.

Yet we've so narrowly missed being gods,
bright with Eden's dawn light.
You put us in charge of your handcrafted world,
repeated to us your Genesis-charge,
Made us lords of sheep and cattle,
even animals out in the wild,
Birds flying and fish swimming,
whales singing in the ocean deeps.

⁹ God, brilliant Lord,
your name echoes around the world.

We matter because God matters! Because we are His unrivaled creation, we have purpose, value, and permanence. And although my life may only be a faint ink spot in the annals of history, I can take confidence that the Immortal God, the Ancient of Days, placed me here for this brief journey. And during this time, I want to echo His name, not my own, around the world!

Obsession: Song by Delirious

2010-02-24T10:03:00.000-05:00

Obsession

What can I do with my obsession?
With the things I cannot see
Is there madness in my being?
Is it wind that blows the trees?
Sometimes you're further than the moon
Sometimes you're closer than my skin
And you surround me like a winter fog
You've come and burned me with a kiss

And my heart burns for you
And my heart burns

And I'm so filthy with my sin
I carry pride like a disease
You know I'm stubborn God and I'm longing
to be close
You burn me deeper than I know
I feel lonely without hope
I feel desperate without vision
You wrap around me like a winter coat
You come and free me like a bird

And my heart burns for you
And my heart burns for you

silence please!

2009-12-14T16:49:00.002-05:00

To pray is to listen attentively to the One who addresses us here and now. To pray is to listen to God's voice of love. Why am I so hard of hearing? I am so restless. Where is the quietude? I can't wait to be busy again.

God, what am I that you are mindful of me, and the Son of Man, that he came to visit me?

Move my heart toward Yours. Teach me Your ways, O Lord so I can walk in your truth. Give me an undivided heart so I can fear your name!

My heart bounces from one thing to the next. Activity covers up my shallow knowledge and weak relationship with You.

Follow the Cotton Trail

2009-10-13T14:30:00.007-04:00

Several years ago we moved to southwest Georgia. This was the first time for me to see a cotton field ready for harvest. It was a breathtaking sight, acre after acre of snow white fields.

Over the next few weeks I started seeing small pieces of cotton littering the sides of the road throughout our county. Soon, cotton bolls seemed to be everywhere-in stark contrast to the dark fall foliage.

The snow white fields and the alabaster bolls serve as a great reminded of a principle found in the Scriptures. "The sins of some men are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not cannot be hidden" (I Timothy 5:24-25).

Who we are and the seeds we sow will be displayed sooner or later and time will clearly display our motives and agendas. I wonder if we'll be surprised?

Bema Seat * Petra
Words and music by Bob Hartman

When our labor all retire
There will be a trial by fire
Will your treasure pass the test
Or will it burn up with the rest
You may build upon a sure foundation
With your building in dilapidation
When it all comes down to rubble
Will it be wood, hay, or stubble
Or precious stones, gold and silver-
Are you really sure?
(Chorus)
And we all will stand at the Bema Seat
All will be revealed - it will be complete
Will there be reward in the fiery heat
When we see our lives at the Bema Seat
Every talent will be sure counted
Every word will have to be accounted
Not a story will be left untold
We will stand watch the truth unfold
Every score - will be evened - nothing to defend
Every building will be shaken
Every motive will be tried
He'll give reward to the faithful
Will you receive or be denied?

Collision of Comfort and Christ

2009-09-21T09:32:00.011-04:00

This school year I was asked to teach high school Economics. Broadly defined, Economics is the social science that deals with how society allocates resources among its unlimited wants and needs.

Another way of stating it would be to say that Economics is the study of how people try to satisfy what appears to be seemingly unlimited and competing wants through the careful use of relatively scarce resources.

A few weeks prior to teaching this course, I read and taught 8 lessons using the paradigm-shaking book Crazy Love. This book is a loving "wake-up" call to the Church to break out of a system built around personal comfort and safety.

I feel quite a tension between modern economics and Jesus' life and teachings. We live in a world where economic success is measured by the number resources extracted from the environment and turned into non-durable (temporary) goods that are bought, used, and then thrown away into a landfill." The better this cycle works, the more "successful" a countries' economy.

To be a good consumer in this cycle we must believe the delusion that we constantly need more and more stuff. Jesus would not be a good consumer in today's marketplace.

Here is Jesus' take on consumerism and stuff: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21 Then he goes on to say, "For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them (food, clothing). But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

I've been sprinting with the pagans and today I collided into the piercing words of Christ. Ouch! Doesn't feel too good.

Kingdom of Comfort by Delirious

Save me save me
From the kingdom of comfort where I am king
From my unhealthy lust of material things
I built myself a happy home In my palace on my own

My castle falling in the sand
Pull me out, please grab my hand I just forgot where I came from

Save me save me
From the kingdom of comfort where I am king
From my unhealthy lust of material things I rob myself of innocence
With the poison of indifference I buy my stuff at any cost
A couple of clicks and I pay the price

Coz what I gain is someone else's loss
Save me save me
From the kingdom of comfort where I am king
From my unhealthy lust of material things

Save me save me
From the kingdom of comfort where I am king
To this kingdom of heaven where you are king

Don't get tired of doing good!

2009-08-21T14:29:00.009-04:00

Having now worked in churches as the Minister to Students for over thirteen years, I've ministered to many middle and high school students. It didn't take long to recognize that students this age are motivated to come to church for multiple reasons, and seeking hard after God isn't one of the top reasons for most.

It can be tough work! Pouring your heart and life out for students only to see them lack spiritual maturity or a desire to take up their crosses and follow Christ. Far too many graduate from high school and turn away from their faith, choosing to follow their own pleasure rather than losing their lives to gain a far greater one for eternity.

But last week I received an encouraging phone call from a former student, Evan, a 21 year old college senior. He informed me that he desired to be baptized, publicly announcing his faith in Jesus! Last Sunday he was baptized.

This was an awesome reminder of why I continue in student ministry, long after many of my peers pay their dues, opting instead to become "real pastors."

Here is Evan in his own words. Thanks Evan!

Small, but not Insignificant

2009-07-13T10:00:00.002-04:00

Too many of us fail to see the importance of doing the small things. Often times, the things that seem insignificant make such a big difference. A thoughtful word, a smile, patience, respect, understanding-these things behaviors don't often happen naturally, but they must be significant to God.

A few days ago we were at the beach, staying in a high-rise condo. I was in the elevator, on my way down to the parking garage to take some items to the car. On the way down, the elevator stopped and an employee of the condo, who looked Nigerian entered. He was pushing a large container of trash. He looked very tired, head down, no eye contact. In a kind and sincere manner, I said, "Hey, how you doing?" His expression changed. His face lit up and he nodded.

A few floors later he exited. On his way out smiled and said, "Have a nice day!" Our exchange didn't change his life, but it did change the moment. It also reminded me that respect and kindness toward others is valuable. Each day we have so many opportunities to sow seeds of love and compassion. And not only are these valuable to our fellow man, they are important to God.

May I look for the presence of Jesus in every person I meet and serve today!

37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' 40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' Matthew 26

Getting off the Sick Carousel of Guilt

2009-06-29T11:43:00.010-04:00

A friend of mine said last night that he never feels like he can do enough for God. He said when he has these thoughts, they make him so discouraged that he feels like a failure. As a result, he finds himself in depression, unable to do anything at all.

At times, I find myself in a similar sick cycle. When I get to the place where I'm not feeling guilty about doing more, I start feeling guilty about not feeling guilty. Crazy! To steal a song title from Lifehouse, it's a sick cycle carousel!

Thoughts, such as, "Why am I so content and complacent when there is a world out there dying without Christ? Thousands are physically dying each day from the lack of access to clean water and I'm feeling content, sitting in the coffee shop with a $4 cup of coffee in hand.

I'm reminded of the words of Jesus. "Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Eugene Peterson says, "He (Jesus) doesn't tell us to go out into the world and conquer it; he calls us into a yoked companionship with himself. He doesn't ask us to do anything that he doesn't promise to do with us. We are not so much sent out as invited along." (Praying With Jesus)

Jesus, give me your eyes today to see what you are seeing. I know that if we are yoked together today we won't be caught on this sick cycle carousel but will be moving to the rhythm of the Father's will. Amen

"Keep spinning around I know that it won't stop, Till I step down from this for good."

Abba, Be Near

2009-06-15T16:07:00.005-04:00

Guilt, obligation, selfishness, duty, fear. To be totally honest, I must mention these words when I think about my relationship with God. I have fluctuated from one motive to another during my life, but my relationship with my Heavenly Father has consistently been tainted with one of these motivators.

I desire pure love for God, the type of love I see from my three year old when I return home from a trip. Upon opening the garage door, he comes running to meet me, yelling, "Daddy!"

I desire that type of love, love that is free and uninhabited. Love free of anxiety and fear, motivate by a deep personal connection.

What stops me from having that type of love for God? Loving God is hard. Faith is arduous. My connection with God often feels like a "Long-distance" relationships, lacking both physical affection and proximity.

I don't think I'm alone in this struggle. Many "religious" people use the idea of God for their own agendas. Many have landed here by default, growing up in the church in America, accepting a theology which requires no real shift in the direction of life, while seeing God as a way to escape eternal punishment and ease their conscience.

So we play the religious game, even talking a good religious talk, but rarely talking to God! Few of us are honest enough to admit that God feels just beyond our reach so we are content with pseudo spirituality that lacks authentic love encounters with God.

15 So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” 16 For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. 17 And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.

22 For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children...26 And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. Romans 8

Your fullness is mine
Revelation divine
But oh to taste,
to know much more than a page
To feel your embrace...

Be near oh God Be near oh God of us
You're nearness is to us our good.

What is God doing?

2009-06-04T09:12:00.012-04:00

Friday is the 15th anniversary of the death of my brother, Mark. He was killed in an airplane crash in China. He was in China teaching English and doing missions work. This week was a bittersweet time for my parents, as the high school we attended dedicated the yearbook in his honor during a special ceremony.

The story of the loss of my brother is not unusual. Everyone has stories of personal tragedy, often loved ones like Mark, who are taken before "their time."

One of the greatest questions we try to answer when something like this happens are “Why do tragedies happen?” “Where is God when bad things happen?”

In John chapter 9, Jesus helps us get God's perspective on tragedies. In this passage we find a man whose life has been a tragedy since birth.

1 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" 3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. 4 As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world." 6 Having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man's eyes. 7 "Go," he told him, "wash in the Pool of Siloam" (this word means Sent). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing. 8 His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, "Isn't this the same man who used to sit and beg?" 9 Some claimed that he was. Others said, "No, he only looks like him." But he himself insisted, "I am the man." 10 "How then were your eyes opened?" they demanded. 11He replied, "The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see." The blind man sat that every day, probably for many years. The scum of the earth, a “sinner” begging for mercy from those coming in and out of the Temple so he could he and live for one more day.

The religious of the day thought that the reason one suffered more than another was because of an offense against God. Having been born blind, he was thought to have sinned against God in his mother’s womb! I can’t think of what could be worse than being blind and then having to stumble through life believing it was a result of something I did before I was even born. But Jesus removed this blind man’s darkness and revealed his marvelous light through his healing.

You especially learn to appreciate sight when your eyes stop working properly. I remember the day when I could go to the eye doctor and read the eye chart all the way down to the copyright notice on the bottom of the page! But after an eye injury playing basketball in high school, I've slowly lost much of my vision in my left eye. It's very frustrating not having good vision.

I think all my children, around the age of 2, learned the value of eyesight. I can recall each of them putting a blanket over their head and trying to navigate through the house. I would warn them, “You’re going to run into something.” But they wouldn’t get it until you heard a loud thump, followed by an even louded cry. This usually put an end to the blanket over eyes routine.
Spiritual Vision

But in the same way that we can have physical problems with our eyesight, it is much more of a tragedy having spiritual vision problems.

I think if I were the blind man, the physical burden of being blind would not have been as bad as the burden of believing that God was against me and my entire life has been one long punishment for something I couldn't even remember doing.

The Pharisees

The guys who thought they had God figured out during Christ's time was the Pharisees. They thought they could clearly see spiritual things and understand how God thought. They had high moral standards. They knew the Scriptures. Yet they were blind because they could not see that Jesus was who he claimed to be-the Messiah, sent by the very God they worshiped.

At the end of Chapter nine, after the blind man's sight had been restored, he went before the Pharisees and gave Jesus credit. Because of their spiritual blindness could not acknowledge what had happen.

33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing."

34 To this they (Pharisees) replied, "You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!" And they threw him out.

In John chapters 7-8, we find an intriguing narrative describing Jesus' trip to Jerusalem and earlier conflicts with the Pharisees, all setting the stage for the healing of a blind man. Many Jews had migrated into Jerusalem for the Feast of the Tabernacles. Jesus, knowing that it was not time for the Father to send him to the cross, kept a low profile and traveled to Jerusalem in secret. But while he was there he went to the Temple and began to teach (7:14), stirring up even more controversy. The Pharisees had had enough. They were so irate with Jesus that they sent Temple guards to have Jesus arrested. The Temple guards returned empty handed because they were so blown away by Jesus and his powerful teaching. At this point Nicodemus, a member of the Pharisees, comes to Jesus' defense and delayed the inevitable.

During the Feast of the Tabernacles, the mood was festive around the Temple. The lighting ceremony, where four enormous golden candlesticks were lit in the and the religious men, members of the Sanhedrin, and heads of different religious schools would dance well into the night holding bright torches and singing psalms of praise to God" was probably the backdrop for the spiritual analogy Jesus would use.

Jesus tells the Pharisees, "I AM the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (8:12)

Jesus was light, and he would show it both physically and spiritually in the poor, spiritually rejected blind man. Jesus saw this man's dilemma, not as some type of punishment for a crime committed against God's law, but instead as an opportunity to show God's light through a weak, worthless outcast of society!

"But this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life." (John 9:3)

Jesus did not deny the connection between sin and suffering. Although sin may be a cause of suffering, clearly seen in Scripture, it is not always the case, as with the blind man. When tragedy strikes, I think it’s scriptural and appropriate to ask ourselves, “Is there any unconfessed sin I are holding onto in my life, areas I am unwilling to submit to God?

But in this narrative, this healing was not only a sample of Jesus' ability to restore sight to a man who had been blind since birth, but it also represented, figuratively, and for the blind man, experientially, the light Jesus brings into the world.

But within the amazing illustration, Jesus also brought new light to the disciples on one of the mysteries of God that puzzled them-"whose sin resulted in this man's blindness?"

This makes us rethink the whole idea of God’s will. We make God's will about us rather than about Him. I know this is difficult to comprehend, but the blind man suffered for years and years, but it was all part of God's plan to display the light of Jesus and bring glory of God.

Have you ever been to the eye doctor and had one of those Refraction tests. Looking into that big device, the doc keeps asking, "Which is better, this one or this one?" After going through that drill what seems like about a hundred times, the extent of your vision difficulty can be determined and the doctor can provide you with the correct prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses.

When we deal with difficult circumstances, God, in his wisdom and plan, uses these things to prompt us to make adjustments in the direction or focus of our life so we can be more in line with His will and purpose. Our spiritual vision will be enlarged to see that life is about Him.

We must choose to turn on our spiritual vision and ask the Holy Spirit for help in understanding what God is doing through these testings.

In fact, James says it's a gift when we're tested.

James 1:2-4 2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

We need our spiritual vision adjusted if...

1. We are unable to see that what God allows, he allows for a reason.

We must bank on the truth that “All things work together for the good of those who love God and have been called according to his purpose. Difficult times and trials can sharpen your awareness of how thoroughly God has already and always been at work in every detail of our life.
We are 100% certain to suffer, and Christ is 100% certain to meet us, to come for us, comfort us, and restore our joy.

2. We spend too much time focused on cures, fixes, and ways out of the situation and not enough time casting our cares on God.

It is not wrong to be informed and use the brain God has given to us. But human efforts to escape the situation at the expense of knowing God in greater ways could be symptomatic of a lack of faith. In fact, remember what James said-be patient, let it have time to do it's work.

Jesus desires that His light shine through us, especially during dark times of life. So where is God when bad things happen? He is still God, and He is the artist painting on this canvas was call life. The painting doesn't reveal the artist's full intentions until it is complete.

Prayer:

"Do whatever you need to do in me today to display Your glory and accomplish Your work!"

Why I follow Jesus

2009-05-18T15:58:00.007-04:00

This past Easter Sunday morning I found myself awake and restless several hours before I needed to get out of bed. I began to think about Jesus and his resurrection and the influence he has had on me. What was is so special about a man who walked this earth nearly 2000 years ago and died at the early age of thirty-three? Why do I put all of my trust and hope in him?

I decided that morning that I needed to put these things into a list. Some of the reasons I came up with were experiential while others were more logical. While any one of these reasons in itself is not that impressive, the total weight of the list gives me confidence to passionately pursue Christ, train my children to follow him, and devote my life to making him known others.

Prior to reading my list, see if you can come up with 10 reasons why you follow Jesus and his teachings and trust in him as the only path to eternal life. If you are not following Jesus, list some reasons why you can't or don't put all your confidence and trust in him.

1. I grew up in the faith.
2. My faith gives hope, purpose and meaning to life.
3. It seems natural and logical to believe that there is a God. I just can't accept the idea that we are here by chance. The universe is to vast and amazing to believe it evolved independently of a Intelligent Designer.
4. The teachings of Jesus are remarkable. They are so profound and yet so simple.
5. Jesus altered history and is unique in history by claiming to be God and validating those claims through supernatural demonstrations of power witnessed my many.
6. Jesus commissioned his message (of his coming Kingdom) to the disciples (Matthew 16:19), who in turn carried it out by building the church and writing the Scriptures. Writers of Scripture have Jesus' authority because he personally authorized its writers.
7. I have experienced joy and satisfaction through a relationship with Jesus, especially during difficult times in life.
8. The narrative of Scripture does better to explain the biggest questions of life and existence. There are other philosophies, theories and religions which attempt to answer these questions, but to me they fall well short of Scripture.
9. Believing in a God allows me to arrive at the conclusion that He would want to make a way for us to understand and know him. That is why Jesus is so important!
10. The resurrection! To me, the empty tomb cannot be explained away. Many people saw and touched Jesus after he arose from the grave!

Jesus, Interrupted

2009-05-14T10:29:00.008-04:00

A guy named Burt Ehrman has just released a book by the title Jesus, Interrupted: Revealing the Hidden Contradictions in the Bible. I ran across Ehrman first time a few days ago as he was highlighted in the main news feed on CNN.com.

What attracted my attention to Ehrman was what separates him from the millions of other critics and skeptics of Christianity. He began his education in very conservative evangelical schools (Moody Bible and Wheaton College). But over time he became an skeptic, writing books challenging the core beliefs of the Christian faith.

Ehrman has an unique vantage point as he communicates his views. He can speak the "insider" language of the Christian community, knowing that average Christians are unfamiliar with the arguments he presents and the "contradictions" he alleges are found in Scripture through critical comparisons of the gospel narratives. While Ehrman's suggestions and assertions are in no way original, the manner in which it is presented is unique.

Ehrman attempts to "enlighten" the masses by what he says Biblical scholars have known a long time. He asserts that pastors and ministers aren't telling their churches what the "real" story is for fear that they can't handle the truth. His target is primary directed at casting doubts on the historical reliability of Scripture and the resurrection of Jesus.

While we are unable to historically or scientifically prove if the resurrection occurred, readers of Ehrman's works need to realize that there are convincing arguments on both sides of this issues. Some would like you to think that being a Christ-follower and believing in the resurrection of Jesus is only for the intellectually blind and illogical who refuses to examine the facts. But the truth is, clever arguments and philosophical reasoning can be used to support both sides of the argument. (See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjOSNj97_gk)

Although a debate by two really smart guys does not prove a thing, it does show that people of faith have historical and logical reasons for believing Jesus is God. But ultimately, it comes down to a matter of faith because we cannot empirically prove matters of faith (or any historical event.)

I think it is helpful for believer or non-believers to look into the claims of critics. People must take ownership of their faith. We need not be scared of Ehrman or others who attempt to cast doubts on our beliefs, but instead be diligent in seeking out other voices who have researched and studied the matters and arrived at a different conclusion. This is a healthy process.

Although I put these doubts to rest over 10 years ago, I find it helpful to revisit the reasons for my faith. Most recently it was very early this past Easter Sunday morning I awoke and found myself unable to fall back to sleep. I was thinking about the reasons why I am a Christi follower, why is every aspect of my life is influenced by a man who walked this earth nearly 2000 years ago? Some of my reasons were experiential and others were more logical. While one of these ten reasons in itself is not that impressive, the total weight of these reasons gives me confidence to passionately pursue God and train my children and our church to follow Jesus Christ.

Prior to reading my list, see if you can come up with 10 reasons you follow Jesus.

1. I grew up in the faith.
2. Faith gives hope, purpose and meaning to life.
3. It seems natural and logical to believe that there is a God. I just can't accept that we are here by chance. The universe is to vast and amazing to believe it just evolved.
4. The teachings of Jesus are so profound and yet so simple.
5. Jesus altered history and is unique in history by claiming to be God and validating those claims through supernatural demonstrations of power.
6. Jesus commissioned his message (of his coming Kingdom) to the disciples (Matthew 16:19), who in turn carried it out by building the church and writing the Scriptures.
7. I have experienced joy and satisfaction through a relationship with Jesus.
8. The narrative of Scripture does better to explain the biggest questions of life and existence. There are other attempts to answer these questions, but to me they fall way short.
9. Since I believe there is a God then it only makes sense to arrive at the conclusion that He would make a way for us to understand and know him.
10. The resurrection! To me, the empty tomb cannot be explained away. Many people saw and touched Jesus after he arose from the grave!

Secrets of the Kingdom-Final Shack Post

2009-05-04T09:40:00.013-04:00

"But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. For I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it." Jesus in Matthew 13:16-17

The parables of Jesus are fascinating! Simple yet profound. Open but secret. Plain yet puzzling. Apparent but obscure. Transparent yet hazy.

How could the religiously educated, the scholars and teachers of the day, miss it?

Humility. They lacked humility!

The weak, the poor, the simple, the outcasts, the sinners--they knew they needed what Jesus had to offer. The world's systems had no place for them. In fact, in the eyes of the pious they deserved their condition--they or their father's had sinned against God and they were reaping the windfall of their transgressions. The humble desired to participate in the message and the Kingdom Jesus had to offer. The parable served as a simple door for which they could enter.

The religious desired to debate, discuss, and denounce Jesus and His teachings. And they were unable to open the door of the Kingdom.

I finally finished The Shack. As with any human illustration, there are times when it breaks down and fails to coordinate with every aspect of truth. If you would like a critical evaluation, see http://www.normangeisler.net/theshack.html.

I was able to recognize The Shack as a wounded man's attempt to discover God's beauty. How does one gain a greater understanding of a God who is Spirit, omnipotent, all-knowing, immutable, and a perfect mixture of love and justice? We can make a theologically resume for God with all His qualities listed nice and tidy, but can we really know Him through a list?

The Shack seems to be an honest struggle to understand more God's nature and character. I did not feel manipulated. I felt no hidden agenda with this book. I laughed, I cried, became angry, and celebrated. Like a parable in Jesus' day, for those who want to have conversations about God, the story is opaque. For those who will look and listen and pray, the story becomes a means for participation in the life of faith (Eugene Peterson thoughts on parables). For me, The Shack was just that.

Young (the author) opened up his heart to us through this book and allowed us to journey with him through the redemption process of dealing with his own hurts and frustrations inflicted upon him by life. Does this book have flaws-sure. Is it humble-definitely. I don't know William P. Young, but from reading this book and hearing about his story he appears to be a serious seeker of the Truth.

I trust God enough to rise above our frail attempts to understanding Him and allow His glorious, beauty and power to draw all people to Jesus Christ!

I want eyes to see and ears to hear the mysteries of God and His Kingdom.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Running without The Shack

2009-03-05T15:49:00.011-05:00

Last Sunday morning I was up extra early. I was excited about getting a good, long run in while listening to The Shack. I quietly slipped out into the garage, grabbed my running shoes, and made my way out to my car. I opened the console to discover my personal items were in disarray. "No" I thought to myself, remembering that my two year old had been playing in my car the day before. Did he get hold of my iPod shuffle?

You may recall that this 8 hour and 49 minute audiobook has no section breaks-just one long piece of audio. I put one of the ear buds in my ear and pressed the play button. I quickly recognized that I was back toward the beginning of the audiobook. No Shack this morning-just a very long, quiet run. My only companion this morning would be my thoughts.

Running with The Shack, Part III

2009-02-27T15:51:00.011-05:00

Well, a very long run last Sunday afforded me much time to listen to Mac's dialog with the unusual Trinity. For those just joining the conversation, scroll down and read parts I & II.

I must admit, by the second half of my run, my focus on this audiobook was fading, as most of my thoughts swirled around taking my next step and taking in that next breath.

In the dialog between Mac and "God" many profound theological truths were discussed and I found myself thinking often, "I need to listen to that again." But I know from experience, messing with the controls of an Ipod shuffle with a 9 hour book downloaded on it (with no section breaks-what were they thinking?) would be disastrous. So I'll do the best to recall key thoughts and some of reactions.

First, the book reinforces my opinion that it is very difficult to separate our thoughts of God from the unique angle by which we each approach Him. The presuppositions we have, our gender, life experiences, religious upbringing, etc., sculpt our view of God. Mac is able to accept the "Jesus" figure rather easily but struggles with "God" because of his abusive, hypocritical father and strict religious upbringing.

Some might point to this as a reason to focus solely upon Scripture to understand God's character and nature. But this is difficult. I think there are 4 "God is..." statements found in Scripture: God is love; God is light; God is Spirit; and God is a consuming fire. These illustrate how diverse and difficult an analysis of God's character is from Scripture. While I feel that the Scriptures must be our primary means of learning about God and His nature, we must not limit God's ability to speak and reveal Himself in whatever why He chooses. "We can't put God in a box" seems to be a central theme.

It's important to remember the "The Shack" is a work of fiction and we shouldn't suspect every large, black woman of being God. But it is interesting to remember that Hebrews tells us, "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it." And Jacob wrestled with God (and won!). These examples sure throw a curve at our theological comfort zone.

This brings me to my second issue. The idea of God speaking to individuals does seem reckless, risky and messy, especially when it seems to violate Scripture (or our interpretation of Scripture). I fear that someone will tell me God said this or that and we should all follow it-like a Jim Jones or David Koresh figure. But God anticipates these issues and addresses them.

I John 4 tells us we should "test the spirits" to see if they are from God. John gives two tests-1. A person must recognize and communicate that Jesus is God manifested in human flesh (verse 2) and 2. We must accept the apostle's teachings (verse 6). Anyone who claims to hear from God must not communicate "revelation" which goes against the teachings of the apostles.

I was meeting with an engaged couple for a series of premarital counseling sessions. I did not know the couple prior to these meetings, but they wanted to use our church for their wedding and ask one of the pastors on staff at our church to preform the ceremony. During the course of one of our meetings I told them that it was God's plan to wait until marriage to have sex. It was still about a month out from the wedding and I told them that it would be healthy for their marriage if they abstained until the wedding. The guy got a funny look on his face, informed me that they were already living together and told me that "God led them this way and it was okay for them to be sexually active." Will God speak and lead contrary to His revealed Word? Clearly "God" didn't communicate that.

But to go to the other extreme because of fear is just as damaging to our ability to know God, enjoy Him, and love others. We can fall into the trap of living by the book without ever really communicating with the author.

In his book, "Surprised by the Voice of God" Jack Deere writes, " When we make the goal of our lives to know the Bible, we exalt knowledge over experience. When we think the key to life is how much of the Bible we know, it becomes more important to us to know than to experience. The truths of Scripture can only be fully know through experience." He continues, " Our biblical interpretations don't give us power. Only a Person can do that. But the Person requires us to put our confidence in him, not in our knowledge, before he give us power. This explains why sometimes there is such a gulf between what we preach and the reality of our daily experience. Why is it that on Sunday morning we confidently proclaim that 'the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus' (Phil. 4:7), but on Monday we fill the psychiatrists' offices and stand in line for Prozac like the rest of the world?
(Jack Deere, Surprised by the Voice of God, page 153-154).

Wow! That stings. During that long, cold run last Sunday, The Shack prompted me to remember that God does still speak-maybe even in ways which I never expect. I need to know Him, hear Him, and respond to Him!

Running with The Shack, Part II.

2009-02-17T08:39:00.006-05:00

I was reading book reviews of The Shack on Amazon and one guy who wrote in was so distraught. Not because of his reaction to the theological suggestions made in the book but because he was expecting a book about the life of NBA star Shaquille O'Neal. So for those of you who stumble upon this blog because you think I spend my mornings running with Shaq, sorry to disappoint you.

Well, this morning during a quick five mile run and also ran into some of the issues which have apparently stirred-up controversy with this book. Mack, allured by the note, is unable to resist the urge to return to the shack where his daughter was apparently murdered. After an emotional screaming, cursing, and yelling session with God and brief thoughts of suicide, Mack begins to walk away from the shack and away from any hope of an encounter with God. He is suddenly drawn back, as the shack is transformed into a blissful, radiant home, alive with activity. Inside the house, he finds "God" portrayed as an affectionate African-American woman, referred to as "Papa," Jesus, as a laborer of Jewish descent, and the Holy Spirit as an ethereal woman-like person with Asian features.

My run with The Shack ended at this point. I'm looking forward to wrestling with these portrayals and the dialog between Mack and William P. Young's trinity. Maybe my next run will take me through Penuel?

Running with The Shack

2009-02-16T11:08:00.007-05:00

It's very early on a Sunday morning-5:45 am. The neighborhood streets of my small, south Georgia town are deserted, but for the erratic, abstracted driver delivering the Sunday newspaper. There is a dense fog that hangs in the air, limiting visibility to 20 or so feet. I carefully watch the small car erratically move from mailbox to mailbox, hoping my reflective clothing will catch his attention. A dog barks as my feet land on the damp pavement with a constant rhythm, beneath the mossy oak trees that line the neighborhood.

As if this morning isn't eerie enough, I have a heightened sense of anxiety and anticipation because of what is playing on my iPod. It's an audiobook, chosen at random from the "most popular" selection of iTunes, titled The Shack.

The Shack is about a man, Mackenzie Philips, who feels extremely blessed with his life until his youngest daughter, Missy, is abducted during a family vacation and evidence suggests that she was brutally murdered in an abandoned shack deep in the Oregon wilderness. Four years later, Mack receives a suspicious note, signed by "God" inviting him back to that shack for a weekend.

Since my Sunday morning run I've read that there is controversy surrounding this book, that it slams "legalistic" religions, denominations and doctrines. There is nothing like a little Theological controversy to get the juices moving for those early morning runs.

Last Sunday morning's run afforded me two hours of listening pleasure. With nearly seven hours of this intriguing novel left (or about 50 miles) I look forward to the journey!

Sin Box Remix

2008-12-04T15:53:00.009-05:00

The "Sin Box," was once a popular skit in youth groups. Someone would get into a box labeled "Sin." After a few moments of euphoria they would try to get out, only to find themselves "stuck." People would come by the box and offer suggestions on how to get out or condemnation toward the one stuck in "sin." Finally, a spiritual looking student, Bible in hand, would stroll up and offer this advice: "Trust God and Pray, He can get you out of there!" So the stuck guy, in desperation, would pray. ZAP! Effortlessly the student then emerged from the box-free from sin! This was usually followed by a good-meaning message about deliverance from sin through Jesus.

While this skit contains truth-Jesus does bring freedom from sin, it sends a message of frustration to all those who have cried out to Jesus yet remained stuck in their "sin box." Many frustrated Christians left wondering, "Is my faith just not strong enough?"

I remixed the skit so that after the desperate guy in the box cried out to God, one foot partially came out of the box. He then begin to "walk" forward, dragging and scooting the box with him with resolve but without much success. On cue, two individuals from the audience jumped from their seats, locked arm in arm with the guy in the box and helped him continue to walk forward.

Is that a better message? Freedom from sin is freedom to move forward toward God. Our sins have been forgiven. God accepts us. We don't have to be immobilized by it. Our brothers and sisters in Christ need to support us and help us move forward.

I afraid too often in the church this doesn't happen.

Still More Mind Games: Obama Falls Off The Wagon

2008-11-17T11:18:00.010-05:00

Don't know how I missed this during the election season. This morning I read a news story that President-Elect Obama was a heavy smoker prior to his successful run for the presidency. He credits his wife for encouraging him to quit. I quickly googled the matter and learned that last summer he admitted to "falling off the wagon" and smoking a few cigarettes. (The story is fact but I question the authenticity of this picture.)

Why do we "fall off the wagon" when it comes to destructive behaviors and actions? Self-defeating, dangerous, sinful, and consumptive behaviors often seem to have our number, even if we abhor the behavior.

I'm reminded of the lyrics to the song "In the Light."

I keep trying to find a life
On my own, apart from you
I am the king of excuses
Ive got one for every selfish thing I do
What's going on inside of me?
I despise my own behavior.

I think the way we normally respond to addictions and intense compulsions is just as destructive, if not more destructive, than the behavior we are attempting to discard. Here are a few of the common dysfunctional ways we address our issues.

1. Will Power. How easily we forget that we our powerless over our sin. We are slaves to it. The Apostle Paul speaks of his struggle in Romans 7. "I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing."

Paul is speaking of his sinful nature-the flesh. This is our humanness. Being human is not sinful but left to ourselves we lust for things which are not good for us. Our "flesh" is constantly on the prowl for pleasure, comfort, power and approval. Our flesh is the beachhead where sin can still operate in the life of a person who has placed their faith in Christ.

Too often, the advice we get from church is just to try harder, make better choices and follow more rules to control our flesh and manage our sin. I grew up hearing harsh, angry preachers scream about sin. While their messages contained some truth, it didn't work because it assumed a person's ability to choose right over wrong. Most of the time all it brought about was guilt, rebellion, anger, and fear.

2. Masochism. Throughout the centuries, many good men and women, sickened by their own behaviors and their inability to control themselves, turned their destructive tendencies inward. Physical and mental self-punishment and condemnation often leaves us broken and impotent in our mission to bring glory to God.

3. Hypocrisy. Attempts to deal with our shortcomings often lead toward judgemental attitudes and hypercritical attitudes of everyone else.

4. Spiritual Formulas or Self-Help Remedies. I'm reminded of a skit that was once popular in youth groups. Someone would get "stuck" in a box labeled "Sin." Various people would come by the box and offer suggestions on how to get out or condemnation toward the one stuck in "sin." Finally, a spiritual looking student, Bible in hand, would stroll up and offer this advice: "Trust God and Pray, He can get you out of there!" So the stuck guy, in desperation, would pray. ZAP! Effortlessly the student then emerged from the box-free from sin! This was usually followed by a good-meaning message about deliverance from sin through Jesus.

While this skit contains truth-Jesus does bring freedom, it sends a message of frustration to all those who cried out to Jesus yet remained stuck in their box. Many frustrated Christians left wondering, "Is my faith just not strong enough?"

On my next blog I'll tell you how I remixed this skit last Wednesday night to our Student Ministry and give you a better way of dealing with relentless sins and behaviors.

"This only serves to confirm my suspicions
That I'm still a man in need of a Savior!"

More Mind Games: Paradoxical Pleasure

2008-10-23T11:22:00.007-04:00

Have you ever stuck your hand in water and for a microsecond thought it was cold, when, in reality, it was extremely hot? Our brain becomes confused as the receptors in our hands send the wrong message. This odd sensation is referred to as paradoxical cold-a sensation of coldness that is experienced when a warm stimulus touches a cold receptor spot on the skin.

A similar condition happens in our brains all the time. I'll call it paradoxical pleasure. Our minds are bombarded every second with impulses, images, and emotions which seem to come out of nowhere. Random thoughts and memories which bring us pleasure will, in the end, just confuse us, hurt us and those we love while leaving us damaged goods.

I hate birds! They are nasty, dirty, detestable! I've had a few bad experiences with these flying freaks which has not helped my feelings toward them. There was once on the beach at South Padre Island, Texas. I was laying on the beach, soaking in some rays-minding my own business when a bird decides to do his business on my face!

A few years later our family was attempting to enjoy a nice, quiet lunch at Mexico Beach, Florida when an entire legion of seagulls attacked us. No amount of throwing sand, yelling, arm waving, name calling, and chasing would discourage the soaring scavengers. We finally gave up and made a run for the beach house.

An ancient proverb says, "You can't stop the birds from flying over your head (or pooping on your face), but don't let them nest in your hair." I would say Amen to that!

We can't allow paradoxical pleasure to take up residence in our minds. Our minds will take on the colors of whatever we soak in. As we allow sinful thoughts, fantasies, or accusing words to freely soak, it will alter our lives. Just like a mirror shows our face, a complacent, unchecked mind shows our character, and others will begin to see the real us.

In the book "Every Young Man, God's Man," the author writes, "Sow a thought, reap an action. Sow an action, reap a habit. Sow a habit, reap a character, sow a character, reap a destiny."

We must keep the alertness level of our minds at "Code Read" and fight against the nesting of sinful thoughts. Don't buy the lie of paradoxical pleasure. Jeremiah 17:9 tells us the "The human mind is more deceitful than anything else. It is incurably bad. Who can understand it?" Verse 10 gives the answer to this question-only Yahweh can understand it! He not only understands it, He can save us from a destiny of destruction! Only He brings lasting pleasure!

Mind Games

2008-10-22T16:29:00.003-04:00

I've played and watched many a game of baseball in my life without ever really pondering the single most important element of the game-the baseball. Well, I've got my hacksaw in one hand and the ball in the other and I'm going to find out exactly what makes that little thing so hard and durable. (Sawing going on) It looks to my untrained eye like the core consists of a cork and rubber material wrapped in wool and yarn, covered by stitched cowhide or something that is supposed to look like it.

Unless we're watching the movie, The Natural, we never think about the inside of a baseball. We just enjoy the game. In the same way, as we deal with people throughout our lives, we rarely are able to get past the external chit-chat and superficial smiles and really understand the battles and the pain which goes on in their minds. And sometimes when we do get in there, it ain't too pretty!

It was my 8th grade year and a few rowdy and bored classmates swiped a girl's diary off her desk. As she returned from the restroom, they began reading personal entries, letting the entire class know of her secret crushes and private thoughts. The girl let our a scream that caused the boys to stop in their tracks. She darted to where they stood, snatched the diary and ran from the room in tears. It was awkward to even look her in the eyes for about a week.

Why are we so protective of our thoughts? Why do we guard ourselves so carefully? I believe we are terrified of the wild and random thoughts that go through our head and we realize that we would be rejected and ridiculed if they were ever known, just like the classmate in the 8th grade.

Proverbs 4:23 tells us, Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of life. In scripture, the heart refers to the mind, emotions, and will. It the inner us-under the hood. What happens deep inside us can shape our entire lives. It must be guarded above all else! Satan loves for us to dwell on the lies and fantasies he puts into our minds. He wants us to believe those lies in our head and waste our time in worthless mind games rather than receive God's acceptance, follow God's will, and make an impact for His kingdom.

Old School Music but lyrics still rock

2008-10-13T12:45:00.004-04:00

As a Christian kid growing up in a church culture of rules and judgmental attitudes towards culture and personal preferences, rock music was off-limits and of the devil-even Christian rock. My parents, although not near as strict in this issues as many, forbid me to listen to it.

My friend Perry introduced me to Petra in 1985. I fell in love with the sound immediately. I had been exposed to rock music in friends cars and a little on TV, but because of my upbringing, I refused to enjoy it. But Petra allowed me to enjoy rock music with a clear conscience because it had a positive message and was "Christian."

Every now and then, I'll put a Petra song onto my iPod to listen to as I run. Although the sound is very dated, I can't help but marvel at the lyrics. Each song has an incredible message and even as a young teen I remember being impacted by the lyrics.

One song, "Computer Brains", which is very antiquated today due to the blaring synthesizer and cheesy sound effects, brought into view the power of thinking and the mind. If you would like to hear it, follow this link:

http://www.actionext.com/names_p/petra_lyrics/computer_brains.html

Here are the lyrics:

COMPUTER BRAINS
Words & Music by Bob Hartman
Everything that you do and see, one more event in your memory
Every bit takes another bite without control over wrong or right
You must screen every entry made, the consequences must be weighed
The only way to security is every thought in captivity
Computer Brains, put garbage in
Computer Brains, get garbage out
Computer Brains, programming you
Computer Brains, what can you do Break out
Are you a user or being used; has your memory been abused
Take random samples from your mind and analyze what you may find
You can clear all memory and be transformed when you find the key
Think on the things that will bring you peace, confusing data soon will cease

More to come on this topic...

Socialism, Captialism, and Hope!

2008-09-25T09:08:00.004-04:00

This stuff is way over my pay grade (stole that from Obama) but I think we're on the fast-track toward socialism or some other type of system. A form of universal health care is inevitable in the near future. Corporate greed makes a mockery out of the free market system. Sin and selfishness taints everything, from welfare to Wall Street. It seems to me that our country is quite bipolar. On one hand we're an Oligarchy (rule by the few rich) yet the masses must be appeased by the promise of life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. The next generation must have it better than the previous generation. The "poor" must have a living wage (rich by the standards of many developing countries), regardless of the choices they make and the effort they put forth. So politicians must tell the masses what they want to hear and give them their entitlements (aka, the bread and circuses of Rome.) The USA is still a great county, but I don't know where we'll be in 20 years. I do know that God will continue to reign while kingdoms rise and fall.

Join the Flat Earth Society!

2008-08-04T16:49:00.009-04:00

I'm not kidding about a Flat Earth Society! Google it right now and see what I'm talking about. I heard about it on NPR the other day so I went checking. Can you believe that a Flat Earth Society exists in the 21st Century? The crazy thing is that they have all these Physics and scientific explanations for their belief. I thought the website was a joke at first, but no, there are over 3000 people who believe this.

In spite of overwhelming proof, photographs, and testimony from people who have actually orbited the earth, they still don't believe. How can they be so stupid?

But lets not be too quick to condemn them when we often have these big blind spots in our own lives. I see students who have been taught Truth for years, yet graduate from high school and walk away from Jesus. I realize at this point there may be some who would argue that my belief in Jesus is as bad as the Flat Earth people but this is not the blog to deal with that. If your presupposition is that we can't know truth, you may want to just stop reading at this point.

Over 70% of students who grow up attending church disengage from their faith in their 20's. That's an alarming statistic, especially for one who has dedicated his entire life to pastoring students. How can students know the truth and then turn away and believe empty lies? How can life how purpose and meaning apart from God? The narrative of God's interaction with humans found in Scripture is amazing! Someone couldn't just make up these stuff. It's too paradoxical, supernatural, and amazing.

As a pastor to students, in a few days I'll be facing a situation that I've been anxious about for a long time. My oldest child is officially old enough to attend our student ministry and hear her dad talk every Wednesday night about God and faith. I think I've been so anxious about it because I know that I must live what I preach-24 hours a day. She sees the real me. I don't want to be another two-faced preacher who is a joke to his family. I want her to know that the things I talk about are an overflow of my relationship with God. Sure, she will see me make plenty of mistakes, but I want her to know I'm real.

I personally think two big reasons students are walking away from God are:

1. Low expectations for teenagers.
2. Parents who don't live out their faith.

There is so much more which could be said. But it's after 5:00, so I'm heading home to live out my faith. I think my children need that more than this blog needs more thoughts on this subject tonight. I need to walk to the "edge" of the world with my children and show them that there is nothing to fear!

Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8

And They Glorifed God Through You

2008-07-30T11:26:00.006-04:00

Last weekend was a great weekend. We had a weekend long gathering at the church for students. We all hung out together from Friday at 6:00 until Sunday at noon. We slept on the floor (for a couple hours each night), worshiped together, ate together, prayed together, thought and talked about God together. It was pretty intense. Also, it was great to reunite with two former students, Michael and Mary Ashley!

When I was a youth pastor in Dallas, there was this kid named Michael in our student ministry. He was creative, artistic, very entertaining, but confident enough to be a little goofy at times. Another student in our church, Mary Ashley, was quite a unique individual as well. She had a spark. She was full of life and energy. You could almost feel the molecules pinging around her when she entered the room. She was also a wonderful dancer.

Well, these two kids got to know one another, fell in love, and married. After college they decided to take on the world. So they packed up all their things and moved to New York City.

It was so exciting to have them come to our retreat and minister to our students. This was my first opportunity to see them since they married.

Sunday morning we were having our final gathering and Michael, Mary Ashley, and I were in front of the students chatting about faith and the pressure our culture has on young people. Maybe because of the lack of sleep, but I had this verse in my brain I wanted to share but just couldn't upload it to my month. It's a very simple verse. Paul says, "And they glorified God in me." (Galatians 1:24)

God was glorified through Michael and Mary Ashley during our weekend with the students! With so many former students walking away from the faith, it was satisfying to see two who are as passionate as ever about God. Thanks guys! My He continue to glorify himself through you!

Would Jesus Recognize Himself Today?

2008-07-16T11:24:00.013-04:00

Matthew 20:17-28

Confession time. Usually I'm very reluctant to tell people about my faith. It's not so much pride or embarrassment as it the feeling that I'm selling them a bill of goods. It's a lot like one time when I started selling this stuff called Juice Plus

Juice Plus was sold via multi-level marketing, so a person couldn't just walk into a store and purchase it. That made me suspicious. Juice Plus claims they can provide benefits such as reducing inoxidative stress and promoting cardiovascular health. I never fully believed the grandiose claims made by the manufacturer and was very reluctant to hit up my friends for $40.00 a month to get on this stuff. I've known distributors who were pulling in lots of money each month. But I couldn't bring myself to promote something I didn't believe in.

Over the month I've been spending a lot of time reading the book of Matthew (see last several posts). My religion doesn't look much like the Kingdom values Jesus shared with his disciples. This truth has been difficult for me to digest.

I like distance running. A piece of my "training" is to run intervals once a week. So most Wednesdays, early in the morning, I can be found running round and round at the local high school track. I hate running on the track. It's boring. I hate running in circles but it's just too convenient. The distances are clearly marked, there are lights, and the track is completely flat. I keep telling myself I'm going to go to the local park where I often run and mark off intervals . But I've put that off for years now.

I feel like I have been running in boring circles in my faith, with little desire to step outside my comfort zone and share Jesus with those who need him most. Maybe it's because I know I don't have complete faith in the Jesus I have to offer people. Will they come to my church and find people more selfish and indulgent them themselves? Will they see that I love my neighbors less than they do? Sure, we may have the story of the gospel correct. We believe Jesus' atonement for our sins. But is the "Jesus" who we have hanging on the cross for our sins also worth the sacrifice of following? Am I willing to lose myself for His sake?

I think the more literally I embrace the person and teachings of Jesus, the more confident I will be to share Him with others. Not because it will be more popular. No, quite the opposite. The real Jesus is not the Jesus of least resistance. Culture mocks Kingdom values. Culture persecutes Kingdom values. Culture abuses and runs over Kingdom values. Culture sees Kingdom values as vices to be disposed off. I must place my trust in Jesus' sacrifice AND in his Kingdom values, for there life to the fullest is found.

"You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over their subjects, and their high officials throw their weight around. It's not going to be that way with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave-just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Hey hey, Hollywood, here we come!

2008-06-19T14:33:00.037-04:00

I sat down on the couch a few days ago during our vacation to eat a salad. The kids were watching a show called "Drake and Josh" on TV. As I chomped on my greens I began watching this show, apparently very popular among kids. It was actually the "Drake and Josh go Hollywood" movie, which was mildly entertaining considering the lethargic state I was in. Drake, who is the lead singer in a band, was fortunate enough to land a guest-spot on MTV's TRL (Total Request Live) show. As he shows up in a borrowed Ferrari at the very last minute due to a plot that I don't care to rehearse, he is ushered on stage in front of hundreds of screaming females and live TV cameras. My kids were on the edge of their seats as Drake grabbed the mic and began to rock.

In our media saturated society, nearly every child seems to dream of being famous, important, known by millions, and noticed by adoring fans. But these desires do not stop after adolescence. We learn cleaver ways to disguise our overwhelming lust to be noticed. We often are even schizophrenic when it comes to these narcissistic tendencies. On one hand we tell ourselves we don't want it or need it while other times we catch ourselves dreaming about it and craving it like a drug. The lottery, reality TV, American Idol-"normal" people can now dream of being a celebrity. We can be somebody! We can go Hollywood!

I've been reading the gospel of Matthew a lot lately, taking a fresh look at the words of Jesus. I'm really seeing that the Kingdom of Heaven and Hollywood have nothing in common. They are bipolar opposites. The path to the Kingdom of Heaven is usually down the Walk of Shame rather than the Walk of Fame.

As I heard the expression "Kingdom of Heaven" growing up in church, thoughts of some magical theme park in the sky would come to my mind. In my imagination, it was a full of green rolling hills, crystal lakes, and large mansions scattered around the hilltops. The streets were gold, of course, and the main gold street led up to the throne, where God sat. This was the Kingdom of Heaven.

Well, my thoughts have evolved a bit...but, who knows, maybe I was closer then than I am now. I think that the Kingdom of Heaven has come when whatever God desires to be done is done. It seems a bit awkward to even write that statement. God is God, right? God can get whatever He wants anytime he wants. But then again, why would Jesus pray, "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven?" So, it seems apparent that God would allow His will not to be done on earth.

In the gospels, the teachings of Jesus allow us to gaze through the windows of his Kingdom and gain a greater understanding of the desires of God. I'm truly amazed each time I read these passages of how different the values of God's Kingdom are in light of the kingdoms we build.

PETER'S CONFESSION (Matthew 16:13-20)
In Matthew chapter 16 we have Peter's famous confession of Christ. At this point, Jesus tells Peter, " I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."

Peter's understanding of Jesus as the Messiah seems to be the reason that Jesus gives Peter the keys to his kingdom. This was followed by Jesus' words, "Whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever you release on earth will have been released in heaven.” Peter (and the other apostles) were empowered by Christ to now have authority and access into this Kingdom through there confession of Christ as the Messiah.
ILLUSTRATION OF A LITTLE CHILD (Matthew 18:1-4)
Fast forward to Chapter 18. Now that Jesus has indicated that Peter has some special authority in this new Kingdom, the disciples seem to be jockeying for other positions of authority. "At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, 'Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?'" (Mt. 18:1) As they eagerly awaited his answer, I bet the disciples were shocked as Jesus detoured around the twelve of them to find a small child . "Excuse me son" Jesus might have said as he waved a small child into the huddle of dumbfounded disciples. "Unless you change your attitude and become like this child, you'll never see my Kingdom."

Again, don't just think of the Kingdom as a geographical location up with the stars somewhere. The Kingdom comes when God's will is done. And apparently, the Kingdom can't come to those who just desire greatness and aspire for recognition and reward based upon their accomplishments. Jesus goes on to say that the greatest in this Kingdom is the one who humbles himself like the little child standing among them. The kid had no accomplishments or achievements which he could insist qualified him for greatness. He had no resources of his own to enable him to purchase a place of prominence. He was a helpless little kid. I'm sure the disciples were thinking, "A child has no say in anything, he just does as he's told. Why would I want to be like him?"

RESTORATION AND FORGIVENESS (Matthew 18:15-20)
Jesus goes on to give additional illustrations about the value system of his Kingdom. He talks of restoration and being a person who chronically forgives others. His conversation with the rich young ruler leads him to tell the disciples that good works and money are not the path to his Kingdom. At this point, the disciples are so confused they ask Jesus who in the world then can be saved? Who can be citizen of this Kingdom? Jesus' answer...it's not possible through our efforts. Entrance is only possible and granted through the humble acceptance of God's grace!

God's Kingdom is not found through pushing our way to the front of the line. It's not about keeping moral laws so we can feel better about ourselves. We don't see the Kingdom come by making a name for ourselves, by demanding our way, and by craving the spotlight in order to push our agenda. God didn't grant the keys to the Kingdom so that I can be served by other but so that I can serve others! This was radical! It still is radical. But it gets even crazier!

RICH YOUNG RULER (Matthew 19:16-30)
As the rich young ruler is walking away, Peter (I love this guy) seizes the opportunity to remind Jesus that, unlike the rich guy, he and the disciples left everything to follow him. And he wants to know what's in it for him when Jesus' Kingdom comes in it's fullness. Jesus confirms to Peter that his reward will be great. He will rule from a throne as well as gain eternal life with Jesus. Jesus adds the following statement: "But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first."

Jesus is either saying that although it appears to the disciples that the rich young ruler has all the qualities necessary for leadership in Jesus Kingdom, he does not possess the Kingdom qualities of leadership. Possibly, Jesus detect some wrong motives in Peter also, so he tacks on the statement to confront his improper motives. In light of Jesus' words about childlike trust, wealth, as well as the parable that follows, it seems to me that Jesus is teaching that those who strive for and possess power, prominence and riches on earth will not occupy those positions in heaven. There are not winners and losers in his Kingdom. Everyone finishes even. Jesus uses a parable of workers in a vineyard to illustrate.

WORKERS IN THE VINEYARD (Matthew 20:1-16)
I presented this parable to my 12 year old daughter using another hypothetical situation. I ask her if she would can up the yard, a job which would take quite a while, for $20.00. With a big smile on her face, she said, "Sure." I then ask her how she would feel if her brother showed up and only worked about an hour but I paid him $20.00 as well. Her smile quickly faded. "That wouldn't be fair!" she stated. "Why would he get the same as me but for a lot less work?"

I think this is a normal response to Jesus' parable. But the point isn't about economics and wages. Jesus was showing us that God's grace and his Kingdom values are like nothing ever encountered on earth. We don't need to insist on knowing what we are going to get out of serving God. God is so incredibly generous and always gives us much more than we could ever deserve. In God's kingdom, many people will be surprised! Jesus ends the parable with, "So the last will be first, and the first will be last."

JESUS PREDICTS HIS DEATH (20:17-19)
JAMES AND JOHN'S REQUEST (Matthew 20:20-28)
Jesus follows with an explicit prediction of his death. Although Jesus has went to great lengths to explain his Kingdom values and his upcoming death, his disciples are still thinking about privilege, status, and power. James and John actually have the nerve to recruit their mom to help them try and secure powerful positions in Jesus' future Kingdom. Maybe thoughts of Peter with the keys to the Kingdom are still on their mind. The other 10 get perturbed with the Zebedee brothers for asking Jesus for places of honor in the Kingdom. Jesus responds by giving them a proverbial statement. Jesus called the disciples together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over their subjects, and their high officials throw their weight around. It's not going to be that way with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Jesus was clear, greatness among his disciples was based on serving. In the disciple's culture, humility was a vice. They couldn't imaging a slave being given leadership. Jesus' Kingdom values were revolutionary! In order for God's will to come, my will must go. I have no rights. I must trust and depend on God's grace with the simpleness of a child. I must fight the walk of fame and embrace the walk of shame.

The Fear of Grace

2008-06-12T09:08:00.012-04:00

To this day I still don't know why Jon Thompson befriended me. I was an awkward, overweight, slow, annoying fourth grader. Jon, on the other hand, was the biggest kid in the sixth grade. He was fast and athletic. Everyone looked up to him. He was, by far, the alpha male of the elementary school.

Once Jon and I became friends, we even developed our own secret handshake. Boy, did I feel cool! He even spent the night at my house once and talked me and my brother and my brother's friend into spending the night in our creepy, scary basement! That was a great accomplishment! Strange noises, lurking shadows and nearly complete darkness described our basement at night. I would never have been caught down there, alone, after midnight. We stuck it out until about 2:00am, then we drug our sleeping bags up the stairs-not that we were scared-no way! It was just "more comfortable" up there. I still remember my mom fighting back laughter as she met us at the top of the stairs as we explained to her our location change.

Although our close friendship lasted only a short time, I'll never forget what he did for me during one crisp October afternoon. In our small school, the 4th-6th grade boys had a combined P.E. class. During this time of year we often played football. Many of the guys played city-league football. I never did. My parents were against organized sports for children. I think the wanted to avoid the screaming, fighting, and ruthlessness that is so prevalent-not among the players, but the parents. So many of the guys dressed out for P.E. with cool football gear, receiver gloves, mouthpieces, and cool jerseys. Most importantly, they actually understood how to play the game. I wondered out to the playing field in over-sized hand-me-down shorts from my cousin Mike.

Of course, Jon was always one of the captains who picked teams. He, along with a guy named Mike Onion, would be responsible in dividing up the guys. Onion was farm-tough. He lived in some backwoods town, I think across the river in Ohio. He had about 4 siblings, and each of them were just as hard-nosed as Mike. In fact, I remember that Mike's sister made me cry once.

As the team picking begin, I fully expected to be well down the line of draft choices, as usual. There were all the 6th graders who had superior speed and size. Some of the 5th graders were good athletics as well. And even in my class, the fourth grade, there were some real football studs. Roy Rothemburger, Chad Hall, and Nathan Nelson towered over me like Shaq playing in a high school basketball game.

Yet, I never forget it, after Jon made several obvious picks, my eye caught his eye. I'm not sure exactly what was going through his mind-pity, loyalty to his firend, or just grace. But Jon gave me a gift that I certainly didn't deserve and will never forget. His eyes met mine, he nodded once and said, "I'll take Woodrum." Are you kidding!? Fourth overall pick for his team? As I walked toward Jon and the 3 other guys he had picked, I could see a look of disbelief on some of their faces. I was unworthy. I had little to offer this team. There were guys still standing in the draft prospect pool who where so much more deserving than I was. Yet he choose me!

I've been a full-time youth minister for over 12 years. During this time I have taught hundreds of lessons and facilitated countless small group discussions. As best as I can remember, I have never given a series of talks on grace. Something that occurred yesterday prompted me to think about this. I ask myself why this was? Something so at the core of faith and Christian Theology. Why would I avoid it? I think the answer is fear.

I think my fear is rooted to some degree in my personality, some in the way I view God, and partially in a concern that students will see grace as a license to sin and take advantage of God.

I have a "try harder" personality. All that is needed is a little more persistence, effort and commitment. But the bottom line for all this is fear. I fear looking weak.

I've coached my son's soccer team over the years. It's so much more natural for me to jump on him for doing bad than encourage him when he does good. "With more effort, you could have scored that goal!" "Why did you back down from that big kid, it won't hurt for long!" "Why didn't you listen to me when I told you to pass?" "You're scared, aren't you?" It's not about him, it's about me. My son better be good. My team better be respectful. This is the fear that is ingrained into my personality. It comes from pride. So grace doesn't come very natural when I feel like someone let me down or didn't perform well enough for me.

Then there is my view of God. This fear probably comes from growing up in a legalistic church where we heard about hell and God's judgment on a weekly basis. God was never quite happy with me. I usually felt guilty. If I sin, who was God going to kill in my family? I was wearied from the constant pressure and mind games I played with myself and from the constant mental negotiation I had to make with God. He was never happy with me and I feared not doing enough or being good enough for Him. I couldn't fully embrace grace.

Finally, there is the fear that grace gives us a license to sin. This is not a new one at all. The Apostle Paul was accused of this. He preached justification (being made right with God) based solely upon the free grace of God (see Romans 5-6) in the face of the Judaizers' works system. I fear that the students will think God is easy to run over, like my children feel about their grandparents. They love when we leave them with Mimi and Pappa, or Mamaw and Papaw for a few days. That know that all our rules will be basically ignored and they will get whatever they want.

Despite my fear, I will not avoid speaking of grace any longer. I cannot ignore it, push it aside, or remain terrified of the consequences of grace. Like the undeserving fourth grader on the schoolyard, God has looked me in the eye and said, "John, you're with Me!" I have nothing to offer and I am completely unworthy. My only response is to push the fear aside and receive this awesome gift, accept the undeserving hand that is reaching out to me and then extend the same grace to everyone else I come into contact with!

"When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father..." "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him." Luke 15

Amazing grace!

Childish Faith?

2008-06-09T15:53:00.011-04:00

Want an honest confession? For me, my faith journey has had this ongoing tension between trusting and doubting.

On one hand, I have this calm assurance that the story of God, as revealed in Scripture, makes complete sense. It is an amazing narrative which gives meaning and purpose to those of us who are alive on this little ball of dust flying through an enormous universe. Like Homing Pigeons, there is an instinct within me that continuously pushes me toward Jesus, his teachings and the gospel message.

But on the opposite end of the tension meter is doubt. These doubts aren't directly about belief in Jesus, God, and the truths of the Bible. As I said, I have a calm assurance in these matters of faith. But my doubts arise when I look at Scripture, and see the power of God unleashed in forms of miracles, signs, and wonders. All throughout the pages of Scripture, God revels himself to mankind in many supernatural ways. The lack of God's intervention into our world in my day and age in a similar manner promotes doubt. I want some empirical evidence too!

I can't help but think of Hebrews 11. There we find a tribute to the faith of great men of the Bible. Hebrews 11 contains summaries of the stories I remember so fondly as a child. Sitting in the dingy, damp basement Sunday School classroom, I watched my teacher place the flannelgraph images of Noah, Abraham, Moses, Samson, and Jesus on the board! These figures rivaled any superhero cartoon from Saturday morning! These men possessed super-human strength, power staffs, the ability to walk on water and multiply a small lunch to feed massive amounts of people. I distinctly remember trying to imitate Jesus and walk on the surface of the swimming pool. One day I took my sandwich apart and attempted to divide it into pieces, fully anticipating that my piece of bread would be more than adequate to make thousands of bite size pieces. I believed! My faith was strong! As a young boy, I was confused. When this miracle didn't occur, I concluded that I just didn't have enough faith.

There was once when I feared my mom had cancer. She had been to the doctor, which was very rare for her. Over the course of the next several days, she and my father would have many quiet conversations. I caught just enough of one conversation and distinctly remember hearing the word 'tumor" used. I was frightened! Was my mom going to die? I remember praying so hard, to the point of tears, that God would spare my mom! I recalled Jesus' words to his disciples, after they were unable to cast a demon out of a boy and heal him of his seizures. The disciples ask Jesus, "Why couldn't we drive the demon out?" Jesus told them, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." I wanted more faith. I believed. My mom's tumor turned out not to be cancer.

There have been other situations where prayers like this were answered, even great and amazing answers, yet none rise to the level of an Apostle-like miracle, sign, or wonder. I've even had a few close friends tell me about supernatural healings and exorcisms they have witnessed, but even now I remain skeptical. I was taught growing up that those signs and wonders were to validate Christ and the early church, but those things ended upon completion of the Bible. It's a theological argument, backed by a few proof text found here and there. I was never convinced by those arguments.

As I grew older, I remember reading Hebrews 11 for myself. I come upon another group of people who didn't quite make the cut as flannelgraph figures for Sunday School hour. As a 6 year old child, maybe I should have seen and heard about the great people of the faith who were imprisoned, murdered in cold blood, sawn in two, homeless, destitute, and wandering in deserts and caves because of their faith. I ask myself, "Why didn't God step in and revel Himself to them?" Yet, they had faith! Even without the evidence. They rested upon God's divine assurance!

C.S. Lewis said that faith is merely the virtue by which we hold to our reasoned ideas, despite moods to the contrary. That's where I find myself. There is no doubt that I'm going to cling to Jesus, He is my only hope and he has proven it again and again through the peace and satisfaction I feel inside me. But there is still a piece of the 9 year old boy inside me who still anticipates that his sandwich can feed the masses. Is it childish faith or faith like a child?

A Prayer Against Complacency

2008-06-09T15:19:00.003-04:00

God, it's so easy to just go through the motions and be "spiritual" and somehow think that I'm better off than others. Your words in Revelation, to the church at Laodicea, rings loud and clear, "But since you are lukewarm and not hot or cold, I'm going to spit you out of my mouth."

Father, help me to overcome complacency through the power of the Holy Spirit. May my life be a testimony to Your greatness and power. Help me to know the Truth more and more each day and allow the Truth to set me free--free from pretense, free from ego, free from the flesh, free from "me".

Thank you for your Word which speaks Truth. Help me to understand your Truth, how it applies to my culture and context, and be willing to adjust my life to it. Word of God speak! Be still and know that You're here!

God, You are amazing and Your character and Spirit is beyond my ability to understand. Teach me Your ways, O Lord, that I can walk in Your Truth. Give me an undivided heart that I may fear your name. I will praise you, O God, with ALL my heart, I will glorify Your name forever! Great is Your love for me!!

Amen

Three Words

2008-06-04T16:13:00.005-04:00

One. Someone once sang that "One is the loneliest number that you'll ever do."

Dissatisfaction. "I can't get no satisfaction." We know those lyrics.

What do these two things have in common. Not the Rolling Stones song and the Three Dog Night tune, but the words "One" and "Dissatisfaction?"

Well, let me throw one more word into the mix: running.

I love to run. Up until three years ago, I hated running. I hated it with a passion. But now I can't wait to get up in the morning, long before the sun and the neighbors get up (which is difficult as I write, since we have about 16 hours of light every day during early June.)

Why do I like it so? It's the competition of pushing further and faster. It's the compulsion of conditioning. It's the feeling of complete exhaustion mixed with euphoria as I near the end of a 16 mile run.

But back to the three words. One. Dissatisfaction. Running. What do these words have in common? Philippians 3:12-16.

12Not 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. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

15All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

More to come later...

The Pale Blue Dot and the Holy Spirit

2008-06-02T14:52:00.009-04:00

No, that photo is not a distorted image that screwed up when I uploaded it to my blog. It is the famous Pale Blue Dot photo. On February 14, 1990, NASA commanded the Voyager 1 spacecraft, having completed its primary mission, to turn around to photograph the planets of the Solar System. One image Voyager returned was of Earth, showing up as a "pale blue dot" in the grainy photo. The photograph was taken from over 4 billion miles away from earth.

Carl Sagan said, "Look again at that dot. That's here. That's home. On it, everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives...on this Pale Blue Dot...suspended on a sunbeam."

I was made aware of this photograph by Louie Giglio. His series called "Indescribable" is a wonderful talk on how amazing God is and how small we are. All I can think about is Psalm 8:

3 When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,

4 what is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?

There seems to be a lot of tension out there--academic arguments about evolution and creationism. There is Ben Stein's Expelled movie, Richard Dawkins and his book and lectures, blogs and websites. It's almost to the point of a religious war between these two sides.

While I am aware that these battles may need to be fought in the educational arena, from the local school board to the Capital, I can assure you that a logical argument, slick movie, or scholarly book will not ultimately convince many people that there is a God who sent His Son to die for our sins because He loves us and is mindful of us.

Jesus said, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:35-36) I think this is the path to bringing utmost glory to God. Sacrificial love illustrates the amazing transformation power of the Holy Spirit.

God, you are love.
God, I am weak.
You said that rivers of living water will spill out of the depths of me if I trust you and drink of You. You said that the Holy Spirit would allow Christ's life to live through me.
Why are we so selfish then? Why am I so selfish? Why are we as Christ-followers so weak?
Paul's words, "And they glorified Christ in me," seem so lofty and unreachable on most days.
Father, I pray for more or You in me today so you may be glorified!
I want my existence on this pale blue dot to count!
Thank you for life!
Of all the great people who have lived out their lives and died here., their time to make an impact of this planet is over, regardless of how great they were.
Yet I am alive! I have this time and how much ever more You so graciously give me.
I want maximum impact for Your kingdom!
I need You, Holy Spirit to fill me up today and everyday.

Amen

Who are you?

2008-05-28T10:18:00.013-04:00

"When we are finished with you, you will no longer be David Webb. You may not even remember who you are." This is a quote from the Bourne Ultimatum (watch clip below, then continue reading--yes, I spelled "ultimatum" incorrectly.)

Many former Christ-followers find themselves in the same place as Jason Bourne. They have made choices which have enabled the world and the lies of Satan to strip away in confidence in their true identity. The life which Christ gave them, the new birth which they experienced, the very life of Christ inside of them through the Holy Spirit, has been forgotten. They have spiritual amnesia!!

II Peter 1:9 tells us, "But if anyone does not have them (virtues and qualities mentioned in vv. 5-7), he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins."

A Christian has no excuse for being in this catatonic state. Peter tells us in verses 3 and 4, "God’s divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these (God’s glory and goodness) God has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may share his divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires."

A few months ago, I did a survey on Facebook. I sent an email out to all my "friends" who were in student ministry during the years I was in Tallahassee (1995-1999) and Dallas (2000-2004). I questioned around 30 former students. Some of the questions I ask were:

Are your parents Christians?

Growing up, did your parents teach/talk to you about faith and God?

Do you still consider yourself a Christian?

Do you believe in absolute truth?

Do you attend church?

I have not crunched the numbers of the survey, but I would say that 25% of the former students do not believe in absolute truth. Four or five indicated they were no longer a Christian, and over 70% said they did not attend church!

Spiritual amnesia-what a horrible condition to be in! What a tragedy--to have experienced the joy and satisfaction of knowing Christ and to walk away from it.

Who are you?

A 3 Am conversation with myself

2008-05-27T15:36:00.009-04:00

So, I'm asked to do the talk in our main church service a few weeks ago. That night, I'm awake at about 3am talking to God and thinking about what I'm going to say. Some of my best work is done during these sleepless times. Too bad I can remember most of the stuff the next day. And sometimes, the things I do remember, that I think are inspired at 3am, are actually crazy, disoriented thoughts from being caught in that mindless state somewhere between awake and asleep.

But one productive thought I think I had was a memory back to a sermon I heard in college from a guy named David Busby. Busby died quite a few years ago now. He had some strange disease. But he was an incredible speaker. The college I attend, an Independent Baptist College, was very conservative at the time. I believe they have mellowed out now. But back then, it was a place were a necklace on a guy or pants on a woman were big no-nos. Busby was a graduate of the school, and he was ask to do a week's worth of services. I remember, he comes in with longer hair than our school would allow for students and a style of speaking most of us had never heard before. He was authentic. He spoke in normal language, without all the Baptist jargon we were used to hearing from preachers.

He opened up the week with a powerful message about the Holy Spirit and built the series on that theme. The talk that came to mind that night during my comatose brainstorming session had to do with receiving from Jesus. Hurting, desperate, broken people, people tired of religion--come to Jesus and receive from Him. Jesus' words were "If anyone thirst, come to me and drink," from John 7.

I don't remember exactly how he said it, but to the shock of 2,500 stuffy Independent Baptists, he said sometimes about being to the point where we are so broken that all we can do is hold out our hands to Jesus and receive from him. Then he told a story about a women who was hurting and desperate, in the hospital. Busby said the Holy Spirit spoke to him and told him to tell her to stretch out her hands and just receive from Jesus. What? This was pentecostal to us! A minister of the gospel and his best theological advice was just to stretch out her hands and receive!?! We don't do that. That's pure emotionalism. What's next, telling her to speak in tongues?

But I think he had it right. In a religious world full of Marthas, we need to be Mary. Our churches are full of broken and hurting people, busy with God activity but often a stranger to the very God they are serving.

26In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 27And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. Romans 8

Unless I have some new 3 Am revelations, I think that's my message next Sunday. Reach out and receive.

Like a Child

2008-05-01T17:01:00.009-04:00

A few days ago I was home in bed with a nasty stomach virus. I picked up my wife's Bible, which was on the nightstand next to the bed, and opened it. This note was inside. It was a prayer written by one of my children a few years ago.

As a father, my heart was moved and touched by the authenticity and honesty of the prayer. Although simple, as we expect a child to write, it was fresh, honest, and heart-felt.

Too often, we as adults fall into ruts and rituals when talking to our Heavenly Father. There is much we can learn from children.

Jesus said this about the children: “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children." The disciples thought the children were a bother to Jesus. But Jesus used this as a teaching time for his disciples. We must become like children to enter the Kingdom.

God's Kingdom, according to Dallas Willard in The Divine Conspiracy, is where what God wants done is done. Maybe like children who trust their parents, regardless of the perceived risk, we must trust God that His will is always what is best--for His glory and our joy. Like little children, we enter the Kingdom by doing God's will--even when it seems foolish.

Father. Daddy. I pray that I will be willing to look foolish in the eyes of the world in order to listen to Your voice. Allow me, through the Holy Spirit's power living in me, to know your voice and your will.

Father God, there has to be so much more to your Kingdom then following rules, being tame, blending in. Maybe some John the Baptist moments are in order. He had much to say about your Kingdom.

Jesus, I want to know you, and the power of your resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in your sufferings.

Amen.

A second try following a communication disaster

2008-04-10T10:28:00.006-04:00

I spent quite a few minutes composing the following phrase for a recent talk (sermon) with our student ministry: Your life is perfectly designed to get the exact results you are currently getting. I actually felt pretty proud of it until I saw the blank stares on the faces of middle and high schoolers alike. I asked, who knows what this means?

It's always the uninhibited middle schoolers who are going to give you their best guess, even if they're light years away. So then I put the seniors on the spot. Not much closer. I laughed to myself. These guys aren't stupid, so it must be the communicator who is not getting it right. Ouch!

I followed with an impromptu illustration having to do with working out and spring break. There, now they understand. More blank stares! After the meeting, I check with a few of the students. "Did you understand what I was trying to say with that?" I asked. Nope, nothing. Wild guesses.

My carefully crafted sentence missed the mark. But I must attempt to redeem this thought using my never read, rambling blog posted on an over-crowed world-wide web overflowing with pointless ramblings and worthless commentaries. I'm in good company. (not so subtle attempt at self-deprecating humor.)

I guess what I was trying to say was this: Our results often reveal the truth about our life and the decisions we make. GIGO (for anyone over 35.)

I like to run. If I train for a 5K, and put in the time and effort necessary to push myself over 3.1 miles, I probably will be satisfied with my 5k result. But that would not translate into half-marathon success. I will get the results for which I train for.

If my intimacy with God is lacking, I most often need to look no further than my life--probably full of hollow and routine religion. I need to evaluate my life that is full of idols and misplaced worship.

Well, I feel better now. At least maybe someone gets my point? Or not?

A Real Nobody or a Fake Somebody?

2008-03-20T15:02:00.003-04:00

Back in college, I was required to take a class titled, “Testing and Measures” in my psychology program. This course peeked my interest in the many tests which existed that enabled the Psychologist to peer into the subconscious of disturbed patients. One such test was the Rorschach inkblot test. This test has worked itself in popular culture on movies and sitcoms due the humor related to what some people see in the ten images.

If it really were possible for us to actually peer into one’s heart, the motives and inner desires which motive us, I’m sure we would be disgusted. I know I am usually disgusted with myself whenever I really get down to the root of my motives for doing most things.

Jesus was the ultimate example of single mindedness and wholeness when he walked the earth. The response of the crowds following Jesus’ amazing Sermon on the Mount illustrates this clearly.

28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law. 1 When he came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him.

Bible scholars will tell you that Jesus spoke with authority because he didn’t have to quote the prophets and others as his source of authority. In contrast, what he said was authoritative. He was revealing previously unknown truth. It wasn’t, “Thus saith the Lord.” His tone was, “This is the deal, this is what God’s kingdom is about!”

But why did the people respond with such amazement? I think The Message translation more clearly brings our the reason.

It was apparent that he was living everything he was saying--quite a contrast to their religion teachers! This was the best teaching they had ever heard. (Matthew 7:28,29)

Jesus was completely the same inside and out. The passion and confidence he communicated in his message were completely authenticated in his love for others and the execution of his Father’s will. Others took notice!

In the movie, The Talented Mr. Ripley, Matt Damon’s character so desires money, fame and status that he’s willing to go to any length, including murder, to obtain and maintain the identity stolen from the man whose life he long to live. One line in the movie sums up his heart: “It’s better to be a fake somebody than a real nobody.” This movie line also sums up much of our culture today. We are willing to go to almost any length to get the things we want and appear important.

I must fight this hypocrisy within me everyday though the Holy Spirit’s supernatural empowerment. Small fractures in my integrity, when not properly dealt with through confess and accountability, will produce fatal results. Being a fake somebody reveals itself in subtle ways: Little lies, bits of gossip, small cases of dishonesty, playing games, hidden agendas, lust, daydreaming, flirting, using others, holding onto anger, jealousy and pride. If I allow these things and others like them go unchecked in my life, the thunderous crash of my influence and integrity will be disastrous.

Today, with God helping me, I choose to be a real nobody rather than a fake somebody! I choose confession and accountability!

Whisper

2008-03-17T14:29:00.004-04:00

Trying my best to figure this thing out.
My mind pleads for evidence
afraid of my doubts.
Am I looking for certainty?
Am I waiting for a sign?
Listening for a whisper or a visit from the divine?

Empty-handed I return to the place
this journey began
And in my daze I peer through the haze
and cling to my faith like a child.
Because it’s there that Your words come to life
As if You breathed them into my heart
It’s more than a touch, more than a whisper
It’s more than a feeling, more than a shiver.
I’ve found a reality that’s beyond what I feel
Hope and faith that’s supernaturally surreal.

Still trying my best to figure this thing out
my soul finds contentment, but I’m still unsure about
This “certainty” that I’ve found
is more than a sign or a whisper I can hear--
the still small voice screaming, “believe”
deafening to my ear.

In this solitary search
Your words rattle in my soul
Words that take me to a place of peace
It’s only there have I ever rested
And the chaos seems to cease.

Still trying my best to figure this thing out…

John Woodrum, 2004

Faith and Reason Quote

2008-03-13T17:08:00.000-04:00

Reason alone cannot prove the existence of God. Faith is reason plus revelation, and the revelation part requires one to think with the spirit as well as with the mind. You have to hear the music, not just read the notes on the page. Ultimately, a leap of faith is required.

Francis Collins

Today

2008-03-11T17:10:00.005-04:00

Today. It got away from me again.
Good intentions, bad decisions.
Time that was and now has been.
A fleeting memory in a continuous sea of distortion.
Insignificant, lackluster, mundane.
May tomorrow bring more passion
toward the One who granted this priceless piece of history.

In the Light

2008-02-25T15:06:00.000-05:00

Yesterday in church we sang "In the Light" by DC Talk.

I keep trying to find a life
On my own, apart from you
I am the king of excuses
Ive got one for every selfish thing I do

Whats going on inside of me?
I despise my own behavior
This only serves to confirm my suspicions
That I'm still a man in need of a Savior.

This was a great reminder for me. I'm still a man in need of a Savior. When I became a follower of Jesus, I realized full-well that only Jesus, and He alone, could offer me the forgiveness of sins, fellowship with God, and hope for freedom from sin's curse and power.

Why can't I live everyday with that type of dependence upon Him? Why can't I see that my only hope to live for Him is with that same degree of faith. I will stumble and fall day after day unless I put all my hope and trust in Him.

Jesus, I need you as much today as I did all those years ago. My only hope is You. I can't deny myself, take up my cross and follow You with my own strength. You said, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

I can't do it on my own. I am spiritually bankrupt without You. The weight and pressure of attempting to "pull-off" a spiritual life without you is impossible. Laboring through the day trying to be a spiritual role model is a labor and a heavy burden. Displaying the greatness of God with You, Holy Spirit, is beyond a burden.

Why church is boring

2008-02-21T17:20:00.000-05:00

Early on in middle school I began owning faith in Christ for myself. Many restless nights of thinking about God, eternity and salvation and praying for faith resulted in a fairly solid personal relationship with Jesus by the time I hit high school. With that said, often times church was very boring for me. My nap during Sunday morning Sunday school was usually followed by a deeper slumber during the church service.

Why? Did I not care about God? No. Was I too tired from the weekend? Well, maybe sometimes. I'm not trying to shift the blame completely off myself but I must say that my teachers were not very convincing that it really mattered--that the truth they were telling me had changed their lives. There was no passion!

In Psalm 27, David had a much better experience in "church" than I did. In verse 4 he says, "One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life. To gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple."

Wow, that guy must have had some great experiences in "church" to narrow down the primary desire of his life to one thing--being there all the time. David experienced the presence of God in such a real way at the Temple (or Tent as it probably was at that time) that he longed to see more and more of God's beauty.

It is my desire to communicate Truth with such passion, purpose and obvious longing for God that others will desire what David desired. John Piper calls it Expository Exultation. That term sounds a bit boring in itself but the concept is right on. I want to communicate in such a way that God's glory, character, and beauty are irresistible! And I know that begins with me being able to narrow down my list of desires and dreams to one primary thing--more of God in my life!

Time and God's Kingdom

2008-02-14T17:14:00.000-05:00

I went to the hospital today to visit a man who is in his last days of life. He was asleep so I spent some time talking with the family. Time moves so fast! I'm reminded to slow down and breathe in life after these types of visits. But on the other hand, it reminds me of the urgency I should have to share the life and love of Christ with others.

A few days ago I walked into our high school gym. There is such a unique smell associated with a gymnasium. I was caught off guard by the rush of memories associated with the smell. I was back in my hometown of Ripley, WV at the Ripley High School gym--19 years old. It brought back some fond memories.

Nearly 20 years have past. What does my life have to show for the last 20 years? A wonderful family. An amazing wife and four awesome children. God has blessed so much. But I wonder about my impact for God's kingdom. The clock is ticking. Each year more students move beyond my scope of influence. My children move closer to adulthood.

God, help me in the time you've give me. Use me. I pray that they will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.

Run the Race

2008-02-08T10:32:00.000-05:00

Last weekend our city concluded a multi-church DiscipleNow. For all who are far removed from the "youth group" era of life, this is a weekend long "camp-like" experience where students spend the night in homes (in our area) and come together for worship and other events.

It was awesome to see six churches, from various denominations, come together and make this happen. Over 300 students from our little city participated. It was a real spiritual high for many students.

March 1 is a day circled in red on my calendar. It is the day I'll attempt to run the Albany Marathon. A marathon is a grueling run of 26.21875 miles. Yes, it is necessary for me to include the .21875 because every inch of the race takes all the determination and perseverance from this last 30 something body of mine. In fact, this may be interesting to you, it was for me. My running buddy, who has completed quite a few marathons, told me a few weeks ago that you're halfway home during a marathon when you hit mile 20. Now, I wasn't a math major in college, but I can clearly see he wasn't referring to the mileage.

Remember, all of you who made decisions at DiscipleNow. Standing at the front of the church during an emotional alter call--you're halfway home. Now come the arduous mileage. This is where the race is won or lost!

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Hebrews 12 (NLT)

Free Hugs

2008-02-07T16:56:00.000-05:00

I know this video has been floating around the internet for some time now, but I used it as an illustration of Christ's love last night when I spoke to our student ministry. There is something that just draws you to it again and again. Maybe it is the music. Or the story. But possibly it is the appeal of an offer of love and acceptance without expecting anything in return.