I hear a lot of people talking about how the new generations are getting worse and worse and will continue to do so until we run the world into the ground. I am guilty of thinking that too, but why do we think that? Our whole philosophy and source of morals are crumbling. What are the staples of our worldview as American youth?
Look at our heroes: Lil Wayne, LeBron, Justin Beiber, Steve Jobs, and lots of other really rich people. We idolize rappers, who only ever care about themselves and brag about their riches that they never give back. We idolize athletes who don't know our name, "musicians" who are "Christian" but we have never met them, and smart guys who made materialism look like easier. Why do we idolize (and pay crazy money) people who couldn't care less about who we are? Maybe there is no one else who seems worth looking up to.
In a "globalized" country like ours, I'm not sure what is so global about it. Sure we can do business and Facebook with almost any country, but that doesn't mean anything. We have all this global knowledge and availability, yet our perspective seems increasingly more miniscule. All we know is our tiny little habitat. If we only knew the atrocities outside our borders...and we can watch all the Unicef videos we want, but we will never help anyone until there is a name, a face, and a creation behind the picture. We need to take back our perspective; go outside of ourselves.
The family is a wreck. Divorce is getting way out of control. At lease half of the elementary school kids I work with have divorced parents. It is obvious which ones have broken family relationships. We are growing up in a world with no men because everyone's dads are not man enough to love. All dads seem to be now are sperm donors. We are growing up with women who see no other message than that they are a piece of meat. Our families are dying.
A buzz phrase that I thought was quite helpful (but isn't really) has become a motto for our attempt at recovery. That phrase is "personal responsibility." This is the idea that if each person took care of themselves, and handled their business, then we would begin to recover as a society. That sounds wonderful at first glance. When you think deeper, however, there is a problem. Some people don't know how to handle themselves (prob. cause of family issues), also each person has a different idea of how to take care of themselves. So some philosophies will clash and the whole thing falls apart. Instead we need accountability. We need each other, like it or not, and accountability is much stronger than personal responsibility. If you don't believe me, try it.
Possibly a good thing is that although we are increasingly more materialistic, we are also find increasing value in experience. That may stem from selfishness, but like anything else it could be used positively. Experience means that relationships are more important than things, and pictures more important than junk. Maybe we could use our relational, experiential culture to take back our cultural values.
We can't start over. We can't take back the past. But we can take back our future. Take back what is truly valuable. No matter what your worldview or belief is you can't take your stuff with you when you die. On a basic human level we know that how we live cannot be right. Everyone is waiting for a hero. There is a lot of "is this really it?" going on. This isn't it-- we are in the in-between. There is a God who is personal and calls us to himself through the life and death of his son. Christians aren't perfect, and most people who claim Christ have never met him. But there are those of us who mean what we say and practice what we preach. We have to start somewhere. There is someone worth giving your life to. Take back our future through him.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Count It All As Loss
Philippians 3:7-8 is Paul's plea to Philippi to consider everything they once had to be loss "compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord..." That is to say, all your money, your prosperity, your comfort, health, authority, prominence, everything. However, I have noticed in myself and some others the opposite idea.
There are a lot of people, including myself at times, who come to Ozark and tell stories about how great they were in highschool (usually at sports), which is easy considering no one is here to tell the whole story. If it's not sports it's smarts, how many girls you pulled or could've pulled, how well known you were, how much your church adored you, etc. Why though?
Another way that we tend to do this is quite a bit more dangerous. "If I wasn't a Christian I would..." That is not at all how Christ desires us to feel about his grace. We think sometimes that we are missing out! Holy cow, how selfish of us is that!? I have the grace of the living God to save me from hell and make a holy life desirable, but I missed out on all the sex I could've had, all the money I could've made, all the sports scholarships I dropped for you Jesus. Right now I hope you fill as foolish as I do for ever thinking such a thing...Maybe it's when we see it in writing that makes us really know that we are as silly as we thought.
I feel so selfish for ever thinking about what I gave up for Jesus. My word, he took on so much shame when he was the epitome of glory...If anyone ever gave up anything for a Christian college, it would be him. Are we sad; did we get the raw end of the deal from Jesus? Or was the alternative so much better than Christ to us? Let's not ever talk about what we left for Christ, instead what he left for us (Full-ride scholarship to heaven, great job at the right hand of God, so smart that he devised the entire universe). Tell me, what did we give up again?
What it all boils down to is our security with who we are in Christ. I have harped on that a lot lately, and that's because it is a problem for our developing identities as college students. If we are secure in who we are in Christ we will realize that we don't need to brag about any of that stuff anymore, because our new identity is so much more desirable. We didn't give that stuff up, we should be embarrassed that we ever found our identity in those things. Praise God for renewing our minds, and killing the old us. So let's not "give it up" anymore, let's consider it all loss for the sake of knowing Christ as our only identity. God bless you in that desire.
There are a lot of people, including myself at times, who come to Ozark and tell stories about how great they were in highschool (usually at sports), which is easy considering no one is here to tell the whole story. If it's not sports it's smarts, how many girls you pulled or could've pulled, how well known you were, how much your church adored you, etc. Why though?
Another way that we tend to do this is quite a bit more dangerous. "If I wasn't a Christian I would..." That is not at all how Christ desires us to feel about his grace. We think sometimes that we are missing out! Holy cow, how selfish of us is that!? I have the grace of the living God to save me from hell and make a holy life desirable, but I missed out on all the sex I could've had, all the money I could've made, all the sports scholarships I dropped for you Jesus. Right now I hope you fill as foolish as I do for ever thinking such a thing...Maybe it's when we see it in writing that makes us really know that we are as silly as we thought.
I feel so selfish for ever thinking about what I gave up for Jesus. My word, he took on so much shame when he was the epitome of glory...If anyone ever gave up anything for a Christian college, it would be him. Are we sad; did we get the raw end of the deal from Jesus? Or was the alternative so much better than Christ to us? Let's not ever talk about what we left for Christ, instead what he left for us (Full-ride scholarship to heaven, great job at the right hand of God, so smart that he devised the entire universe). Tell me, what did we give up again?
What it all boils down to is our security with who we are in Christ. I have harped on that a lot lately, and that's because it is a problem for our developing identities as college students. If we are secure in who we are in Christ we will realize that we don't need to brag about any of that stuff anymore, because our new identity is so much more desirable. We didn't give that stuff up, we should be embarrassed that we ever found our identity in those things. Praise God for renewing our minds, and killing the old us. So let's not "give it up" anymore, let's consider it all loss for the sake of knowing Christ as our only identity. God bless you in that desire.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Simple Request
I would like to ask you to no be offended by what I say (not that I plan on being offensive) because I don't say what I say to sound smart or holier than thou, but I am genuinely trying to get all of us to strive for Christ-likeness. One of my life goals is to try and never feel offended when somebody suggests how I can be more Christ-like, so I am just asking that you would feel the same way.
This is going to be directed at the issue of modesty in our little Christian school. I wont pretend that these are all new thoughts or that I am a genius, but maybe it will help for you to read it again.
There is a lot of blame being thrown around for the issues of modesty, lust, and the dress code. "Well if the girls would just wear longer dresses..." "Well if guys didn't wear cut-offs and just be little pervs..." That will never solve anything. So where does the blame fall? The blame falls on every individual. That is less than unhelpful, so let me explain.
Media: Of course the media is jacked up and pushing the lines as far back as they can, and of course they are using sex for marketing, and of course they exploit our desire to be desirable. They do that because it works! I put little to no blame on the media because they are driven by us, not the other way around. If you want to fix the media problem, just get rid of it...T.v. hasn't always been a necessity, you know.
Women: Now something you can't get rid of (little joke to ease the tension). We love to blame the girls for wearing short dresses, skirts, shorts, shirts, etc. Here's the deal: the dress code says don't wear that stuff, so just freaking obey that! That should go without saying. What that promotes about you, from a man's perspective, is that that is what you want from us. You are advertising, so we are looking. That's just the fact of it. However, man's desire for the form of a woman is instilled by God (Genesis 2:21-25 (thanks Zus)). You better be glad we find you so attractive, otherwise marriage would be rough! At the same time, men have perverted that plan for God-given sex-drive and our wandering eyes are the result. With all that being said you need to accept that you are in a fallen world, so you need to adjust to such. In 1 Corinthians 8:12-13 Paul is talking about meat sacrificed to idols and how that works with our freedom in Christ. In verse 13 he says "Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall." He is saying that I will give up all the things I enjoy if that means I can keep my brother from stumbling. Women: for you that may mean that you can't wear some of the pretty stuff you own. If that is the worst thing to ever happen to you, count yourself lucky. Stop being high school girls and become godly women who are uncomfortable in their identity in Christ.
Men: I get sick of blaming girls and the media. Sure they play their part, but are you still a boy? It is time to cut that crap out and make the covenant with your eyes that Job did. It's time to say that you are a man whom God has called to take responsibility for your actions. Sure we are physical creatures, but that excuse doesn't fly when you are called to be DEAD to that. Let's not give girls the excuse of "we wouldn't do it if that's not what they wanted." Let's give them reason to think that what we want from them is a respectful relationship as Christian brothers and sisters. Men don't make excuses. Men were designed to lead, and what are we leading our sisters too? Last thing: quit freaking wearing cut offs when you aren't in the dorm or gym. Go up and change before dinner. Why? Because that is the rule that the godly leaders of this school told us to do, and a real man bows down to authority. Again, nothing they ask is unreasonable. Man up you little boys.
It's time to quit pointing fingers and hindering progress. I apologize for looking at you, sisters, with lustful eyes. Forgive me for just being angry for things out of my control, when I can control my eyes. Just fess up and own your part of the problem. The Gospel isn't a matter of talk, friends. Let's do what we are called to do, even in this seemingly small part. I love you, and I will struggle with you!
This is going to be directed at the issue of modesty in our little Christian school. I wont pretend that these are all new thoughts or that I am a genius, but maybe it will help for you to read it again.
There is a lot of blame being thrown around for the issues of modesty, lust, and the dress code. "Well if the girls would just wear longer dresses..." "Well if guys didn't wear cut-offs and just be little pervs..." That will never solve anything. So where does the blame fall? The blame falls on every individual. That is less than unhelpful, so let me explain.
Media: Of course the media is jacked up and pushing the lines as far back as they can, and of course they are using sex for marketing, and of course they exploit our desire to be desirable. They do that because it works! I put little to no blame on the media because they are driven by us, not the other way around. If you want to fix the media problem, just get rid of it...T.v. hasn't always been a necessity, you know.
Women: Now something you can't get rid of (little joke to ease the tension). We love to blame the girls for wearing short dresses, skirts, shorts, shirts, etc. Here's the deal: the dress code says don't wear that stuff, so just freaking obey that! That should go without saying. What that promotes about you, from a man's perspective, is that that is what you want from us. You are advertising, so we are looking. That's just the fact of it. However, man's desire for the form of a woman is instilled by God (Genesis 2:21-25 (thanks Zus)). You better be glad we find you so attractive, otherwise marriage would be rough! At the same time, men have perverted that plan for God-given sex-drive and our wandering eyes are the result. With all that being said you need to accept that you are in a fallen world, so you need to adjust to such. In 1 Corinthians 8:12-13 Paul is talking about meat sacrificed to idols and how that works with our freedom in Christ. In verse 13 he says "Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall." He is saying that I will give up all the things I enjoy if that means I can keep my brother from stumbling. Women: for you that may mean that you can't wear some of the pretty stuff you own. If that is the worst thing to ever happen to you, count yourself lucky. Stop being high school girls and become godly women who are uncomfortable in their identity in Christ.
Men: I get sick of blaming girls and the media. Sure they play their part, but are you still a boy? It is time to cut that crap out and make the covenant with your eyes that Job did. It's time to say that you are a man whom God has called to take responsibility for your actions. Sure we are physical creatures, but that excuse doesn't fly when you are called to be DEAD to that. Let's not give girls the excuse of "we wouldn't do it if that's not what they wanted." Let's give them reason to think that what we want from them is a respectful relationship as Christian brothers and sisters. Men don't make excuses. Men were designed to lead, and what are we leading our sisters too? Last thing: quit freaking wearing cut offs when you aren't in the dorm or gym. Go up and change before dinner. Why? Because that is the rule that the godly leaders of this school told us to do, and a real man bows down to authority. Again, nothing they ask is unreasonable. Man up you little boys.
It's time to quit pointing fingers and hindering progress. I apologize for looking at you, sisters, with lustful eyes. Forgive me for just being angry for things out of my control, when I can control my eyes. Just fess up and own your part of the problem. The Gospel isn't a matter of talk, friends. Let's do what we are called to do, even in this seemingly small part. I love you, and I will struggle with you!
Monday, August 1, 2011
12 Things the Church has Adopted
Basically the title is a way for me to beat around the bush...Yes, this is a list of problems in the church from a young Bible college student full of fervor and naivety. I don't want to bash the church, I am not a perfect church member, the church is still the driving force of light on earth, and I wouldn't mind offering some humble solutions. I don't pretend to have all the answers, but I would like to help bring light to some things that we could all do better as individuals and as the Body. I'm not putting these in any particular order of importance. So I'm gunna stop with all the disclaimers and trust that you feel my heart on this one.
1. Tradition
Tradition has a part to play in who we are as a church. It also has a part in how families raise their children to follow Christ. However, tradition can not get in the way of what the Spirit is doing. With the time changing and different things becoming popular the church has to adapt. That doesn't mean we sell out. The message must be the same at heart, but can me packaged in different ways. NEVER sacrifice the truth for popularity of seeker-sensitivity. This means that the early-bird crowd needs to relax about contemporary rock and us first-raisers need to be accepting of a hymn or an organ every once in awhile. If the difference between getting new folks to come to your church is switching to more contemporary upbeat music, then it's worth consideration. There is sometimes an over-indulgence in secular influence at times, and that is risky. The point is that stuffy ol' traditionalists can keep a church from going by living in the ignorance that nothing should ever change in their church. Honest to goodness I think some churches have becoming social clubs for cackling old hens and pretentious coots. Some people's actions would suggest that only people that they like, and that are like them, belong in their church. Just because something worked in 1978 doesn't mean it does now. It's very important to understand church tradition (i.e. the early church) because maybe they had good things going that we couldn't extract directly from Scripture. Just remember that your church isn't the only one who can do something right.
2. Comfort
If your church hasn't grown in 10 years, it is very possible that the members have become very comfortable with what they have. This spins right off of tradition without even the need for a pause in my thinking. Our church tradition ("who we've been for years now") leads to a level of comfort about church attendance. Some churches stop growing between 300-700 because those are pretty good numbers...don't see any problem with that. That is putting a lid on God's "jar" of plans. That is telling the Holy Spirit that "we are good here, we are highly accomplished, and we will call you when we need you...sir." A lot of people just pull the e-brake on the Spirit in their own lives too. I have done it. I have gotten to a few points in my walk that I thought "I think I really have things nailed down right now." That is to say that I felt confident in my understanding of God, felt as faithful as possible, and for some reason thought I had enough scripture stored in my mind. Those few times look so silly now. If anyone is comfortable in their understanding of the mystery of God, they are a lunatic. Also, this could be a whole different post (and it has been) or another blog even, but America is so incredibly fat and happy with everything. I question often whether I can even understand what it means to have true faith because of how easy I have it. I am typing this on my laptop while in the AC in my second living room. I just got out of my full sized bed and drank some water from the sink. Man, what would I do without faith? It is so easy to have "faith" here because we have nothing to fear...ever! Think about our worries compared to the world? You get the point. My faith waivers more on successes than failures. Meaning, I am more likely to forget God in my success than in my pain. It's real easy to get all Job-esque during those times. I think I have paper thin faith compared to my brothers in South America, the middle-east, Asia, and Africa. They're in a whole different weight class. We don't change because we don't think we have to, and that is disgraceful to everyone who came before us (talk about tradition...).
3. Timidity
No one is more scared to share their faith than the American church. I was significantly more gun-ho about sharing my faith as a young child than I am now. Why is that? I didn't know a dang thing about who Theophilus was, or what "exegete" meant, or the significance of the Old Testament to the New, or any scripture reference at all (not even John 3:16) and yet I still wanted to tell people about him. Where did that sense of shamelessness go? It was replaced by timidity. We are all scared to death of sharing our faith because we are afraid that we won't have the words to say, that we will somehow push them away, and even because we might lose the debate. Did someone forget about the Spirit again? We'll get to that. Part of why we are timid is because we are scared, part is cause we're lazy, and part is cause we're stupid. By stupid I mean that we don't know about anything outside our own denomination of our own faith. How could we possibly engage someone in intelligent conversation about religion if you only know a fraction of one? If you learn some things about other people before you witness that makes you a lot more confident for sure. That doesn't mean you have to sit on the bench until you acquire "adiquit" knowledge, because then you will never move. It also comes from the fear of being wrong or not knowing what to say. If you can't answer something, tell them that. If they expect you to be a Christian theologian they are strange. Seek out the answer for them, but it's okay not to know going in. Last thing to remember is that "God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline" (2 Tim. 1:7). Our timidity is a direct lack of faith in the Holy Spirit that God gave us. The Spirit is not a back-up plan.
4. Disbelief
I have been trying to figure out why our churches are so stagnant and immobile, and I think that part of the problem is disbelief in God. You might be thinking "it isn't church if they don't believe in God, you fool!" That is correct. I think a lot of churches have become social clubs. Think about it: it is a community, like high school, where there are the popular kids and the geeks and the jocks (in this case, men in their 40's who do manual labor for the old ladies), and it's a place full of juicy gossip (especially since people are willing to air out their dirty laundry or "confess"), and it's something people can feel involved in. Some people even love church because it is one area of their life where they can have power. It is very concerning that people play the church game. I'm sure I'm not the first person to notice this, but if you haven't yet, it is something to keep a cautious eye on. People who go to church may "believe" in God because it's necessary to get into the club. It isn't easy to believe in God, I mean there are literally hundreds of religions plus millions of personal beliefs that they pulled out of their...ear. It is a convenient insurance for those who are more scared of hell than excited for eternal life now. I think everyone needs to go through a time where they really have doubts or questions about the existence of God. To have a deep belief you ave to have reviewed all your doubts and possible fallacies. If you don't explore your doubts, then your faith is very shallow and your belief must come into question. It is safe to say that not every "Christian" in your church believes in God, and a lot of others can't tell you why they believe in God.
5. Watered-Down, Weak, Powerless Gospel
We have done a great job at creating God in our own image. My god happens to be a republican, who dislikes all the same people I do, and who wouldn't do things that I think he shouldn't do, and a guns rights activist. People are foolishly and dangerously distorting the true image of God so that they can be comfortable and justify their sin and doubt. There is also those who make Jesus a pansy and God a back-patting-teddy bear. I believe God's grace is more important for other people to hear about than God's wrath, however one without the other is only half the story (that is 50% (that is an F)). If you give people the watered-down sissy gospel, on purpose or not, you are leading people to believe that being a Christian is always easy, always fun, and will make you rich and happy. It is false advertising. If I said I had the cure for cancer (oh boy, another weird analogy) you would be pretty pumped if you had cancer. What if I left out the fact that this cancer cure would kill you because it's poisonous. Pretty dumb analogy, but I'm not that creative (i.e. my titles). The point is, I am portraying a cure, but not telling you that it will be your doom also. In a similar, possibly less deadly scenario I could tell people that being a Christian is just about going to church and keeping your nose, mostly, clean. It's all camps and fun stuff, and we always float around in white robes, but we can drink and cuss cause it's not a big deal, and come as you are and you don't have to change, and Jesus is chill all time, and the Bible is only necessary to have in case of a natural disaster because that's the only time that we need to be active in the community. And I almost forgot, we need to baptize you ASAP so that you can be healthy and wealthy. You will "win" folks to whatever gospel that you portray. Don't falsely advertise, give people the truth in easy to understand terms then get deeper and deeper. Imagine that... I think there's even a name for that...oh yes, "discipleship."
6. Mindless Sheep
Robin Sigars once said, in a sermon about marriage, something to the extent of "just because the man is the leader of a marriage, doesn't mean that the woman should leave her brain at the altar." That's not only very important in marriage, but also for the flock at church. If you sit there every Sunday listening to the same preacher and never questioning what he says or studying God on your own, then you are being a mindless sheep. Same goes for when you read a book. Some upperclassmen at school laugh at some freshmen when they talk because they always say "I read this...blah blah." What's even funnier is when they say that to a professor! Funnier still is when it's a book the professor assigned! It's just one book, not an inspired one either. A book almost always has a slant, and will mostly portray one or two people's interpretation of research and/or scripture. Just because one preacher, book, song, or movie tells you something doesn't mean it's God breathed. The Bible is the only infallible work. It is the only source of pure truth. That doesn't mean that other people's commentaries or opinions are useless, but you have can't be a zombie-stooge. Getting the Bible for an hour (or less) one day a week (or less) isn't good enough. No one can ever have a full grasp of the total mystery of God. Maybe it's part of our apathetic, self-fulfilling, check-list faith.
The other six will have to wait, because any more on this one and no one will read it cause it looks like a novel. Thanks for reading, please comment and let me know if you need prayer for anything too. Love you all, and will finish this later.
1. Tradition
Tradition has a part to play in who we are as a church. It also has a part in how families raise their children to follow Christ. However, tradition can not get in the way of what the Spirit is doing. With the time changing and different things becoming popular the church has to adapt. That doesn't mean we sell out. The message must be the same at heart, but can me packaged in different ways. NEVER sacrifice the truth for popularity of seeker-sensitivity. This means that the early-bird crowd needs to relax about contemporary rock and us first-raisers need to be accepting of a hymn or an organ every once in awhile. If the difference between getting new folks to come to your church is switching to more contemporary upbeat music, then it's worth consideration. There is sometimes an over-indulgence in secular influence at times, and that is risky. The point is that stuffy ol' traditionalists can keep a church from going by living in the ignorance that nothing should ever change in their church. Honest to goodness I think some churches have becoming social clubs for cackling old hens and pretentious coots. Some people's actions would suggest that only people that they like, and that are like them, belong in their church. Just because something worked in 1978 doesn't mean it does now. It's very important to understand church tradition (i.e. the early church) because maybe they had good things going that we couldn't extract directly from Scripture. Just remember that your church isn't the only one who can do something right.
2. Comfort
If your church hasn't grown in 10 years, it is very possible that the members have become very comfortable with what they have. This spins right off of tradition without even the need for a pause in my thinking. Our church tradition ("who we've been for years now") leads to a level of comfort about church attendance. Some churches stop growing between 300-700 because those are pretty good numbers...don't see any problem with that. That is putting a lid on God's "jar" of plans. That is telling the Holy Spirit that "we are good here, we are highly accomplished, and we will call you when we need you...sir." A lot of people just pull the e-brake on the Spirit in their own lives too. I have done it. I have gotten to a few points in my walk that I thought "I think I really have things nailed down right now." That is to say that I felt confident in my understanding of God, felt as faithful as possible, and for some reason thought I had enough scripture stored in my mind. Those few times look so silly now. If anyone is comfortable in their understanding of the mystery of God, they are a lunatic. Also, this could be a whole different post (and it has been) or another blog even, but America is so incredibly fat and happy with everything. I question often whether I can even understand what it means to have true faith because of how easy I have it. I am typing this on my laptop while in the AC in my second living room. I just got out of my full sized bed and drank some water from the sink. Man, what would I do without faith? It is so easy to have "faith" here because we have nothing to fear...ever! Think about our worries compared to the world? You get the point. My faith waivers more on successes than failures. Meaning, I am more likely to forget God in my success than in my pain. It's real easy to get all Job-esque during those times. I think I have paper thin faith compared to my brothers in South America, the middle-east, Asia, and Africa. They're in a whole different weight class. We don't change because we don't think we have to, and that is disgraceful to everyone who came before us (talk about tradition...).
3. Timidity
No one is more scared to share their faith than the American church. I was significantly more gun-ho about sharing my faith as a young child than I am now. Why is that? I didn't know a dang thing about who Theophilus was, or what "exegete" meant, or the significance of the Old Testament to the New, or any scripture reference at all (not even John 3:16) and yet I still wanted to tell people about him. Where did that sense of shamelessness go? It was replaced by timidity. We are all scared to death of sharing our faith because we are afraid that we won't have the words to say, that we will somehow push them away, and even because we might lose the debate. Did someone forget about the Spirit again? We'll get to that. Part of why we are timid is because we are scared, part is cause we're lazy, and part is cause we're stupid. By stupid I mean that we don't know about anything outside our own denomination of our own faith. How could we possibly engage someone in intelligent conversation about religion if you only know a fraction of one? If you learn some things about other people before you witness that makes you a lot more confident for sure. That doesn't mean you have to sit on the bench until you acquire "adiquit" knowledge, because then you will never move. It also comes from the fear of being wrong or not knowing what to say. If you can't answer something, tell them that. If they expect you to be a Christian theologian they are strange. Seek out the answer for them, but it's okay not to know going in. Last thing to remember is that "God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline" (2 Tim. 1:7). Our timidity is a direct lack of faith in the Holy Spirit that God gave us. The Spirit is not a back-up plan.
4. Disbelief
I have been trying to figure out why our churches are so stagnant and immobile, and I think that part of the problem is disbelief in God. You might be thinking "it isn't church if they don't believe in God, you fool!" That is correct. I think a lot of churches have become social clubs. Think about it: it is a community, like high school, where there are the popular kids and the geeks and the jocks (in this case, men in their 40's who do manual labor for the old ladies), and it's a place full of juicy gossip (especially since people are willing to air out their dirty laundry or "confess"), and it's something people can feel involved in. Some people even love church because it is one area of their life where they can have power. It is very concerning that people play the church game. I'm sure I'm not the first person to notice this, but if you haven't yet, it is something to keep a cautious eye on. People who go to church may "believe" in God because it's necessary to get into the club. It isn't easy to believe in God, I mean there are literally hundreds of religions plus millions of personal beliefs that they pulled out of their...ear. It is a convenient insurance for those who are more scared of hell than excited for eternal life now. I think everyone needs to go through a time where they really have doubts or questions about the existence of God. To have a deep belief you ave to have reviewed all your doubts and possible fallacies. If you don't explore your doubts, then your faith is very shallow and your belief must come into question. It is safe to say that not every "Christian" in your church believes in God, and a lot of others can't tell you why they believe in God.
5. Watered-Down, Weak, Powerless Gospel
We have done a great job at creating God in our own image. My god happens to be a republican, who dislikes all the same people I do, and who wouldn't do things that I think he shouldn't do, and a guns rights activist. People are foolishly and dangerously distorting the true image of God so that they can be comfortable and justify their sin and doubt. There is also those who make Jesus a pansy and God a back-patting-teddy bear. I believe God's grace is more important for other people to hear about than God's wrath, however one without the other is only half the story (that is 50% (that is an F)). If you give people the watered-down sissy gospel, on purpose or not, you are leading people to believe that being a Christian is always easy, always fun, and will make you rich and happy. It is false advertising. If I said I had the cure for cancer (oh boy, another weird analogy) you would be pretty pumped if you had cancer. What if I left out the fact that this cancer cure would kill you because it's poisonous. Pretty dumb analogy, but I'm not that creative (i.e. my titles). The point is, I am portraying a cure, but not telling you that it will be your doom also. In a similar, possibly less deadly scenario I could tell people that being a Christian is just about going to church and keeping your nose, mostly, clean. It's all camps and fun stuff, and we always float around in white robes, but we can drink and cuss cause it's not a big deal, and come as you are and you don't have to change, and Jesus is chill all time, and the Bible is only necessary to have in case of a natural disaster because that's the only time that we need to be active in the community. And I almost forgot, we need to baptize you ASAP so that you can be healthy and wealthy. You will "win" folks to whatever gospel that you portray. Don't falsely advertise, give people the truth in easy to understand terms then get deeper and deeper. Imagine that... I think there's even a name for that...oh yes, "discipleship."
6. Mindless Sheep
Robin Sigars once said, in a sermon about marriage, something to the extent of "just because the man is the leader of a marriage, doesn't mean that the woman should leave her brain at the altar." That's not only very important in marriage, but also for the flock at church. If you sit there every Sunday listening to the same preacher and never questioning what he says or studying God on your own, then you are being a mindless sheep. Same goes for when you read a book. Some upperclassmen at school laugh at some freshmen when they talk because they always say "I read this...blah blah." What's even funnier is when they say that to a professor! Funnier still is when it's a book the professor assigned! It's just one book, not an inspired one either. A book almost always has a slant, and will mostly portray one or two people's interpretation of research and/or scripture. Just because one preacher, book, song, or movie tells you something doesn't mean it's God breathed. The Bible is the only infallible work. It is the only source of pure truth. That doesn't mean that other people's commentaries or opinions are useless, but you have can't be a zombie-stooge. Getting the Bible for an hour (or less) one day a week (or less) isn't good enough. No one can ever have a full grasp of the total mystery of God. Maybe it's part of our apathetic, self-fulfilling, check-list faith.
The other six will have to wait, because any more on this one and no one will read it cause it looks like a novel. Thanks for reading, please comment and let me know if you need prayer for anything too. Love you all, and will finish this later.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Trust me on this one.
I would really like to be rich. I wouldn't have to worry about finding a summer job, I wouldn't have to worry about paying for school, and I could buy whatever I "needed." But wouldn't that just be too easy? For most of us it is easy to forget how much we need Jesus when things are going just fine. If we look deep down we realized that we aren't alright, but it seems that way at the time. If I had a fat bank account to fall back on, where would the trust be? I trust that Benjamin Franklin has my back...and that's it.
The thing is, my middle-class circumstances don't lead me to Christ because I have a psychological need for comfort. At the same time, I find myself forgetting to pray when life is treating me well, not when it's awful. Ironically enough, even our money says, "In God We Trust." Little did they know in 1957 that we would actuaylly have the mindset of "In our assets we trust." How ironic...
I really want to have it easy, and when I say "bring the rain," I find myself regretting it. Putting trust in God is not something I want to do very often, but it's well worth the reward. God doesn't promise not to let us down, because we will have a lot of trouble even while trusting him. It's not easy, and it's not fun. I guess Joel Osteen forget to read Acts 14:22 (and the whole rest of the book of Acts). Whoops. Trust me on this one, God is much more eternal than our bank accounts.
In God We Trust...
The thing is, my middle-class circumstances don't lead me to Christ because I have a psychological need for comfort. At the same time, I find myself forgetting to pray when life is treating me well, not when it's awful. Ironically enough, even our money says, "In God We Trust." Little did they know in 1957 that we would actuaylly have the mindset of "In our assets we trust." How ironic...
I really want to have it easy, and when I say "bring the rain," I find myself regretting it. Putting trust in God is not something I want to do very often, but it's well worth the reward. God doesn't promise not to let us down, because we will have a lot of trouble even while trusting him. It's not easy, and it's not fun. I guess Joel Osteen forget to read Acts 14:22 (and the whole rest of the book of Acts). Whoops. Trust me on this one, God is much more eternal than our bank accounts.
In God We Trust...
Thursday, June 9, 2011
NEW BLOG
I started a new blog to take a look at, basically, why people should believe in God. This was spurred by getting a new job. My boss questioned my faith within the first few hours of working there. It made me realize that the issue of faith is unavoidable by any man. So all five of you that read this blog are welcome to check out both blogs!
http://whygodisgod.blogspot.com/2011/06/introduction.html
http://whygodisgod.blogspot.com/2011/06/introduction.html
Thursday, May 5, 2011
My Way
Why is sin so bad? There are some sins that only effect you, and you only harm yourself. So why is it bad? I think sin has been greatly misrepresented as something less than it is. We think of sin as breaking a law, white lies, and hurting someone's feelings.
Unfortunately sin is more than that. Whether we are willing to admit it or not, here are some of the things that your sin says.
What I want to do is more important than my relationship with you, God. My way is superior. You don't know what's best for me. I am in control, and I am on the throne of my life. I will listen to your advice when I need it. You are insufficient. You are not king. I am God. I know more about how to live than you. I will find more joy in this sin than I could find in you. I am bigger, better, stronger, smarter, wiser, and I can see the full effect that my sin will have. I would like to take advantage of your grace, and your son's death is merely a card I can play when I need help. Your son died for nothing. He didn't raise, because I would rather celebrate my life than his.
Maybe you are thinking these are causal fallacies, and that may be true depending on your situation. Our sin is an open act of rebellion, a prideful defiance of God's lordship. Our sin effects God (Eph. 4:30 (among many others)). Thankfully Jesus has defeated sin. We no longer have an excuse to sin, but thanks be to God we no longer have an accuser either. Grace covers over our foolishness and rebellion. Let's not take that for granted.
Unfortunately sin is more than that. Whether we are willing to admit it or not, here are some of the things that your sin says.
What I want to do is more important than my relationship with you, God. My way is superior. You don't know what's best for me. I am in control, and I am on the throne of my life. I will listen to your advice when I need it. You are insufficient. You are not king. I am God. I know more about how to live than you. I will find more joy in this sin than I could find in you. I am bigger, better, stronger, smarter, wiser, and I can see the full effect that my sin will have. I would like to take advantage of your grace, and your son's death is merely a card I can play when I need help. Your son died for nothing. He didn't raise, because I would rather celebrate my life than his.
Maybe you are thinking these are causal fallacies, and that may be true depending on your situation. Our sin is an open act of rebellion, a prideful defiance of God's lordship. Our sin effects God (Eph. 4:30 (among many others)). Thankfully Jesus has defeated sin. We no longer have an excuse to sin, but thanks be to God we no longer have an accuser either. Grace covers over our foolishness and rebellion. Let's not take that for granted.
Monday, April 25, 2011
...A Little Cheese with that Whine
Would I sound to much like a rapper if I said, "I know it's been awhile, but I'm back again?" Well it's true. I've been going through a season of laziness lately, but with some fasting God has gotten me through it. I have had time to think clearly again, and I missed that. What I feel led to share today is the question: why should I complain?
Here's is a little rebuke for us complainers first...we complain about our "stupid phones," our slow internet, our less than brand new cars, our caff food, our wallet, our lack of time, our homework, and how little sleep we are able to get. I feel stupid when I complain about those things because: my internet and phone can be one in the same, my car runs fine we are lucky to even have food, 12 meals a week if you choose, most of the world lives on $2 a day, Call of Duty..., homework at Ozark is a blessing to you and your future ministries, and we can sleep without the fear of being kidnapped in the night and conscripted into the children's military. We flush water down the toilet that some people would be lucky to find (that clean) anywhere within several miles. The thing is, we've heard it all before. At Ozark we already have all the answers; it's old hat. We have some real problems, of course, but I hope you won't ever consider the ones above to be so problematic.
One thing I hate more than everything above combined is complaining about the church. That's my mom you're talking about, after all. I'll even give away the best part: the best complainers are the worst doers. The more they complain, the less they do. Irony. I've heard some slanderous things about the church in my short life with it. Christ died for that church...that's the very thing he loves the most. He wants everyone to be a part of it, and for it to be united under the cross. Jesus thinks way too highly of the church for its own members to tear it up. Sure it has problems, I mean DUH, there are people in it...but let those with solutions straighten them out. It is a good thing to discuss what can be done better, and great to have solutions, but when pride is the source of your complaints or solutions....trouble.
If you have a problem with complaining keep your mouth shut, listen, and pray for release from it. Complaining is just another side-effect of pride, which we all suffer from. Just remember Philippians 2:14-15 " 14 Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe."
As always, I will struggle with you in this sin. But I respect my mother, and I ask you to do the same! Pray for guidance, humility, and a discerning heart. I love ya all, thanks for reading.
Here's is a little rebuke for us complainers first...we complain about our "stupid phones," our slow internet, our less than brand new cars, our caff food, our wallet, our lack of time, our homework, and how little sleep we are able to get. I feel stupid when I complain about those things because: my internet and phone can be one in the same, my car runs fine we are lucky to even have food, 12 meals a week if you choose, most of the world lives on $2 a day, Call of Duty..., homework at Ozark is a blessing to you and your future ministries, and we can sleep without the fear of being kidnapped in the night and conscripted into the children's military. We flush water down the toilet that some people would be lucky to find (that clean) anywhere within several miles. The thing is, we've heard it all before. At Ozark we already have all the answers; it's old hat. We have some real problems, of course, but I hope you won't ever consider the ones above to be so problematic.
One thing I hate more than everything above combined is complaining about the church. That's my mom you're talking about, after all. I'll even give away the best part: the best complainers are the worst doers. The more they complain, the less they do. Irony. I've heard some slanderous things about the church in my short life with it. Christ died for that church...that's the very thing he loves the most. He wants everyone to be a part of it, and for it to be united under the cross. Jesus thinks way too highly of the church for its own members to tear it up. Sure it has problems, I mean DUH, there are people in it...but let those with solutions straighten them out. It is a good thing to discuss what can be done better, and great to have solutions, but when pride is the source of your complaints or solutions....trouble.
If you have a problem with complaining keep your mouth shut, listen, and pray for release from it. Complaining is just another side-effect of pride, which we all suffer from. Just remember Philippians 2:14-15 " 14 Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe."
As always, I will struggle with you in this sin. But I respect my mother, and I ask you to do the same! Pray for guidance, humility, and a discerning heart. I love ya all, thanks for reading.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Offering
Offering time is an interesting thing to watch at church. A lot of people leave immediately before or after the offering is taken up. That leads me to think that people either come to church just to get their good works for the week, then book it before they have to talk to anyone. Or, they want to consume a feel-good message, but not offer anything in return. Is it necessary to give money every time you go to church, probably not. Should you make offering the pinnacle of your time at church, heck no. It's funny how we treat offering time as less holy than the singing or the message. Offering is an act of worship.
Imagine if someone burnt the money that people put in the offering plate. People would be scandalized, outraged, furious, and completely hostile. That is pretty understandable. Something that I'm not sure people understand is that God is the one who has all the money. God does not need our money. What is money to God? I can't pay for anything at Walmart with monopoly money, and in the same way I can't buy favor with God with green paper. If I were to explain that to people, there is no way that they would understand that. People would find a way around my explanation, "You wasted money that could've helped people!" God has the money to help people. We are trying to separate the spiritual world from our physical one. Offering is a spiritual act.
Another thing that I noticed about offering is that the people who put the most money in the plate do the least outside of the sanctuary. Disclaimer: there are always exceptions...to everything. People who pay the bills think that that's all they need to do. I recognize that giving is a spiritual gift, but I think everyone has the spiritual gift of stacking chairs. Disclaimer: there are still exceptions... You can't buy your way out of blue-collar service. You are never too good, maybe too old, for serving on your hands and knees. After all, Jesus washed feet, and no one payed a great price for the church to remain. Offering goes with service.
Finally, offering is your life (Rom. 12:1). That concept is old hat, but not something we always apply. So, as a friendly reminder to you and I, our who lives are a spiritual act of worship, sacrificial service, and humble offering. Try tithing 10% of your time. Imagine spending almost 2.5 hours a day in fellowship with the Lord! Offering is a broad idea.
Thanks for reading, comment if you'd like to. Keep pushing on saints.
Imagine if someone burnt the money that people put in the offering plate. People would be scandalized, outraged, furious, and completely hostile. That is pretty understandable. Something that I'm not sure people understand is that God is the one who has all the money. God does not need our money. What is money to God? I can't pay for anything at Walmart with monopoly money, and in the same way I can't buy favor with God with green paper. If I were to explain that to people, there is no way that they would understand that. People would find a way around my explanation, "You wasted money that could've helped people!" God has the money to help people. We are trying to separate the spiritual world from our physical one. Offering is a spiritual act.
Another thing that I noticed about offering is that the people who put the most money in the plate do the least outside of the sanctuary. Disclaimer: there are always exceptions...to everything. People who pay the bills think that that's all they need to do. I recognize that giving is a spiritual gift, but I think everyone has the spiritual gift of stacking chairs. Disclaimer: there are still exceptions... You can't buy your way out of blue-collar service. You are never too good, maybe too old, for serving on your hands and knees. After all, Jesus washed feet, and no one payed a great price for the church to remain. Offering goes with service.
Finally, offering is your life (Rom. 12:1). That concept is old hat, but not something we always apply. So, as a friendly reminder to you and I, our who lives are a spiritual act of worship, sacrificial service, and humble offering. Try tithing 10% of your time. Imagine spending almost 2.5 hours a day in fellowship with the Lord! Offering is a broad idea.
Thanks for reading, comment if you'd like to. Keep pushing on saints.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Man Up
I have been feeling absolutely convicted by the idea of wanting to be a man of God. I think I may be mature for my age, but that doesn't make me a man. So I kind of wanted to share my vision of God's man, and seek input on how to achieve that based on experience, or scripture, or additional ideas. I prayed for wisdom and fire in this post, asking the ghost writer to take over.
I consider a few things to be unconditional of manhood, that would be integrity, responsibility, respect, and leadership working with submission. If I can't be who I say I am, then I am no man. If I am unwilling to be responsible for my own actions, and at times the actions of others- I am no man. If I am unable to respect peers, superiors, my girlfriend, and my Lord, then how am I a man at all? And if I can't lead those who follow me with all of the above factors, and I refuse to submit to elders and Christ himself- there is no man here. Those are some of my basic principles that I have gathered from Scripture and those leading me.
There are some things that I (we) as a man (men) struggle with by nature. Those would be pride, lust, and more pride. Pride, I have heard, is the opposite of God. Not hate, but pride. That is because pride is an act that puts you on the throne of your life, and pride is the root of every sin. Making myself more important than God is why I sin; every time. There is no exception, pride is the root of sin. Pride is saying, "My plan is superior, I am in control, and I know what is best or feels best." Pride is what I'll focus on first. (seems fitting that pride goes first).
There are sooooo many different kinds of pride, and that is one reason why it is so hard to seek out. Another reason it is so well camouflaged is because pride is like putting a cover over your eyes, and it doesn't want to be found out. Pride definitely has a vicious personality. Pride, as I've seen often in myself and others, can come in the form of cynicism, legalism, pride in abilities, possessional pride, and some form of sexual pride. My most prideful areas are definitely the first two. I tend to doubt things quickly and discredit people for seemingly no reason. I also like to to be a smart...mouth, and correct people when you understood what they meant. I just have to get a word in. Also, I hate being corrected. That fact is potentially devastating to my faith. If I think I have the "spiritual gift of rebuke," I better have the spiritual gift of receiving rebuke with an open heart. I struggle with pride and found it hard to see. An area of pride I don't struggle with is pride in my abilities. That is because I literally don't have any abilities now, that I had before I found Jesus. Unfortunately, there are a lot of men (boys?) who struggle with this kind of pride. Quick advice for these folks: keep your mouth shut on the court/field and remain silent about your performance. That example is specific to sports, because our life is sports...we gotta win everything.
Possessional pride, or pride in your stuff, is another beast. Your $200 headphones, $150 kicks, numerous flat bills, and sound system doesn't make you a man. A lot of guys hide behind those things. Lecrae said, "Whatever you own, that you can't give away, actually owns you." That is hard, painful truth. I don't have too much stuff that I take pride in, but I know that there is stuff that I have been unwilling to give away. Hear this: do not tie yourself down with worldly things. It is comfortable, and steals your heart. The last pride I want to address is this sexual kind of pride. I'm not talking sexual endeavors, but I'm talking about your "game." Game is a bunch of garbage. Game translates to "how many hearts can I capture and break before I have to be tied down to one for good." Game makes me sick, and it is harmful to you, your exploits, and God. Don't you know you are grieving the Holy Spirit? (Eph. 4:30). I propose that a guy who is content on dating around for fun, is no man at all. Cut that crap out.
The interesting thing about pride is that you despise people who are prideful over similar things. Proud people hate proud people more than humble people hate proud people. I think you will notice it too if you think about it.
Now let's get real, and a little uncomfortable. Women, this part is awkward for you...probably. Guys, there is probably some doubt or question in your mind about the "m" word. Why is masturbation such a bad thing? While reading Every Young Man's Battle, I found the author asking the same, very awkward question. He thought that it may not be so bad, if you do it without lust, but he didn't recommend. With time and reading the Bible, I disagree. Nothing in the Bible suggests that it is okay. Suppose you actually control your mind and have no sexual motive behind doing it. It is still wrong (I think) for a few reasons. Paul's advice to the very sexual culture of Corinth is in disagreement with masturbation. 1 Corinthians 6:19 calls our body the "temple of the Holy Spirit." I should not dare desecrate the dwelling place of the Holy God. We are disgracing our body. Sin? I think so, but my knowledge is limited. 1 Cor. 9:27 says, "No, I beat my body and make it slave..." Denying ourselves is important. We are making ourselves slaves to urges. Do you think that the desire to do such a thing is a result of the fall? I do. God doesn't want us to be slaves to anything. After all "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other." (Matt. 6:24)
Finally, a bit about leadership. I believe that men are in a natural place of leadership and have a lot of impact and influence on people. If that is the case, why are we half-way doing things? Our language, our work, our time is all lackadaisical. Since when are the words "douche bag, fag, dick, queer, and homo" alright? You think Jesus would have been taken seriously if he had said foolish junk like that? James 3 tells of the power of the tongue. It can ruin our witness, or strengthen it. How is it okay to be lazy at work (Col. 3:23-24), or treat homework like a task rather than an act of worship? I'm not working hard to serve others, I'm working hard for a stinking grade...Also, why do we offer so little time... Some guys won't even get out of bed for church. It's not a part of your grade, so go back to sleep. I won't even begin on how wrong that is. What if we gave the standard tithe of 10% of our time to God. Two hours a day would be a large burden for most of us. We are lucky if we give 30 minutes, outside of church, to God. (Going to Bible College doesn't earn us extra credit by the way.)
This is a long post, but I'm sick of half-way doing it and living a pseudomanhood. Let's start something here, taking a stand for decency. Being a man is tough work! I am not there yet, and that is why this post isn't a rebuke, but rather a battle cry. Guys, we have the ultimate model, but we reject him for the Kobe's and the Tom Brady's. Manhood means so much more than we are giving attention to. Let's man up and lead the world from our following of Jesus Christ. I'm with you.
I consider a few things to be unconditional of manhood, that would be integrity, responsibility, respect, and leadership working with submission. If I can't be who I say I am, then I am no man. If I am unwilling to be responsible for my own actions, and at times the actions of others- I am no man. If I am unable to respect peers, superiors, my girlfriend, and my Lord, then how am I a man at all? And if I can't lead those who follow me with all of the above factors, and I refuse to submit to elders and Christ himself- there is no man here. Those are some of my basic principles that I have gathered from Scripture and those leading me.
There are some things that I (we) as a man (men) struggle with by nature. Those would be pride, lust, and more pride. Pride, I have heard, is the opposite of God. Not hate, but pride. That is because pride is an act that puts you on the throne of your life, and pride is the root of every sin. Making myself more important than God is why I sin; every time. There is no exception, pride is the root of sin. Pride is saying, "My plan is superior, I am in control, and I know what is best or feels best." Pride is what I'll focus on first. (seems fitting that pride goes first).
There are sooooo many different kinds of pride, and that is one reason why it is so hard to seek out. Another reason it is so well camouflaged is because pride is like putting a cover over your eyes, and it doesn't want to be found out. Pride definitely has a vicious personality. Pride, as I've seen often in myself and others, can come in the form of cynicism, legalism, pride in abilities, possessional pride, and some form of sexual pride. My most prideful areas are definitely the first two. I tend to doubt things quickly and discredit people for seemingly no reason. I also like to to be a smart...mouth, and correct people when you understood what they meant. I just have to get a word in. Also, I hate being corrected. That fact is potentially devastating to my faith. If I think I have the "spiritual gift of rebuke," I better have the spiritual gift of receiving rebuke with an open heart. I struggle with pride and found it hard to see. An area of pride I don't struggle with is pride in my abilities. That is because I literally don't have any abilities now, that I had before I found Jesus. Unfortunately, there are a lot of men (boys?) who struggle with this kind of pride. Quick advice for these folks: keep your mouth shut on the court/field and remain silent about your performance. That example is specific to sports, because our life is sports...we gotta win everything.
Possessional pride, or pride in your stuff, is another beast. Your $200 headphones, $150 kicks, numerous flat bills, and sound system doesn't make you a man. A lot of guys hide behind those things. Lecrae said, "Whatever you own, that you can't give away, actually owns you." That is hard, painful truth. I don't have too much stuff that I take pride in, but I know that there is stuff that I have been unwilling to give away. Hear this: do not tie yourself down with worldly things. It is comfortable, and steals your heart. The last pride I want to address is this sexual kind of pride. I'm not talking sexual endeavors, but I'm talking about your "game." Game is a bunch of garbage. Game translates to "how many hearts can I capture and break before I have to be tied down to one for good." Game makes me sick, and it is harmful to you, your exploits, and God. Don't you know you are grieving the Holy Spirit? (Eph. 4:30). I propose that a guy who is content on dating around for fun, is no man at all. Cut that crap out.
The interesting thing about pride is that you despise people who are prideful over similar things. Proud people hate proud people more than humble people hate proud people. I think you will notice it too if you think about it.
Now let's get real, and a little uncomfortable. Women, this part is awkward for you...probably. Guys, there is probably some doubt or question in your mind about the "m" word. Why is masturbation such a bad thing? While reading Every Young Man's Battle, I found the author asking the same, very awkward question. He thought that it may not be so bad, if you do it without lust, but he didn't recommend. With time and reading the Bible, I disagree. Nothing in the Bible suggests that it is okay. Suppose you actually control your mind and have no sexual motive behind doing it. It is still wrong (I think) for a few reasons. Paul's advice to the very sexual culture of Corinth is in disagreement with masturbation. 1 Corinthians 6:19 calls our body the "temple of the Holy Spirit." I should not dare desecrate the dwelling place of the Holy God. We are disgracing our body. Sin? I think so, but my knowledge is limited. 1 Cor. 9:27 says, "No, I beat my body and make it slave..." Denying ourselves is important. We are making ourselves slaves to urges. Do you think that the desire to do such a thing is a result of the fall? I do. God doesn't want us to be slaves to anything. After all "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other." (Matt. 6:24)
Finally, a bit about leadership. I believe that men are in a natural place of leadership and have a lot of impact and influence on people. If that is the case, why are we half-way doing things? Our language, our work, our time is all lackadaisical. Since when are the words "douche bag, fag, dick, queer, and homo" alright? You think Jesus would have been taken seriously if he had said foolish junk like that? James 3 tells of the power of the tongue. It can ruin our witness, or strengthen it. How is it okay to be lazy at work (Col. 3:23-24), or treat homework like a task rather than an act of worship? I'm not working hard to serve others, I'm working hard for a stinking grade...Also, why do we offer so little time... Some guys won't even get out of bed for church. It's not a part of your grade, so go back to sleep. I won't even begin on how wrong that is. What if we gave the standard tithe of 10% of our time to God. Two hours a day would be a large burden for most of us. We are lucky if we give 30 minutes, outside of church, to God. (Going to Bible College doesn't earn us extra credit by the way.)
This is a long post, but I'm sick of half-way doing it and living a pseudomanhood. Let's start something here, taking a stand for decency. Being a man is tough work! I am not there yet, and that is why this post isn't a rebuke, but rather a battle cry. Guys, we have the ultimate model, but we reject him for the Kobe's and the Tom Brady's. Manhood means so much more than we are giving attention to. Let's man up and lead the world from our following of Jesus Christ. I'm with you.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Sinners and Saints
I pray that this blog would change the way you understand your identity, or strengthen you understanding of who you are. I also pray that God's words are written here and not my own.
My whole life (new life) I have had the understanding that I am a sinner. In some ways, that is very true. I am very undeserving of God's grace, I sometimes am shy about making him famous, my sin weighed upon Jesus' shoulders, and at times I submit him to public disgrace all over again. I do what I don't want to do, and do what I don't want to do. I fail time and time again. I need to repent over and over again. Jesus took the cross that was meant for me. In my eyes, I am definitely a sinner. I am an unworthy recipient of grace.
Thankfully, that is not who we are. We were sinners, and we were enemies of Jesus. We were once the scoffers yelling insults at Jesus and spitting on his face, but that's not who we are now. Jesus calls us his friends (John 15:3), children of God (1 John 3:1), and Romans 8 tells us that we are co-heirs with Christ, and more than conquerors. We have been given a new identity in Christ. In Paul's epistles he calls us "saints." That is a big deal. None of that language sounds like I should name myself a sinner. What else? Several verses tell us that we are DEAD to sin and alive in Christ (Rom. 6:11, 1 Cor. 15:22, Eph. 2:1-5, Col. 2:13). A man who is dead to sin is no sinner. We are not under that banner any more.
That does not mean we can't fall, and it sure doesn't make me perfect all the time, but I am justified through the blood of the Lamb. I think that we have had the title of "sinner" put into our heads so much that we can't see that we are more than that. And I think that we have convinced ourselves that we are no more than that. Example: if you have been called worthless your whole life, you might start to think that the accusations are true. We have been found not guilty, and the accusations aren't true. We have a merciful judge behind the bench. Since we have convinced ourselves of a lowly status, we have also convinced ourselves that we have little potential, we have paralyzed ourselves. We have rendered ourselves useless. Satan has convinced us that all we are is wicked sinners, when God has told us that we are already victorious. I don't trust a fallen angel with jealousy issues more than the author of creation. Again, I do sin, but I am no sinner. I think it is disrespectful to call ourselves that, and discredits God's authority.
I refuse to accept such an unjustified title. I also refuse to take our new titles for granted, and take it as an excuse to be stale. We are saints... we are the hands and feet, the kingdom come, the royal priesthood, the co-heirs! I will not take those titles lightly. Don't give up saints, their is no time to waste. "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matt. 28:20)
My whole life (new life) I have had the understanding that I am a sinner. In some ways, that is very true. I am very undeserving of God's grace, I sometimes am shy about making him famous, my sin weighed upon Jesus' shoulders, and at times I submit him to public disgrace all over again. I do what I don't want to do, and do what I don't want to do. I fail time and time again. I need to repent over and over again. Jesus took the cross that was meant for me. In my eyes, I am definitely a sinner. I am an unworthy recipient of grace.
Thankfully, that is not who we are. We were sinners, and we were enemies of Jesus. We were once the scoffers yelling insults at Jesus and spitting on his face, but that's not who we are now. Jesus calls us his friends (John 15:3), children of God (1 John 3:1), and Romans 8 tells us that we are co-heirs with Christ, and more than conquerors. We have been given a new identity in Christ. In Paul's epistles he calls us "saints." That is a big deal. None of that language sounds like I should name myself a sinner. What else? Several verses tell us that we are DEAD to sin and alive in Christ (Rom. 6:11, 1 Cor. 15:22, Eph. 2:1-5, Col. 2:13). A man who is dead to sin is no sinner. We are not under that banner any more.
That does not mean we can't fall, and it sure doesn't make me perfect all the time, but I am justified through the blood of the Lamb. I think that we have had the title of "sinner" put into our heads so much that we can't see that we are more than that. And I think that we have convinced ourselves that we are no more than that. Example: if you have been called worthless your whole life, you might start to think that the accusations are true. We have been found not guilty, and the accusations aren't true. We have a merciful judge behind the bench. Since we have convinced ourselves of a lowly status, we have also convinced ourselves that we have little potential, we have paralyzed ourselves. We have rendered ourselves useless. Satan has convinced us that all we are is wicked sinners, when God has told us that we are already victorious. I don't trust a fallen angel with jealousy issues more than the author of creation. Again, I do sin, but I am no sinner. I think it is disrespectful to call ourselves that, and discredits God's authority.
I refuse to accept such an unjustified title. I also refuse to take our new titles for granted, and take it as an excuse to be stale. We are saints... we are the hands and feet, the kingdom come, the royal priesthood, the co-heirs! I will not take those titles lightly. Don't give up saints, their is no time to waste. "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matt. 28:20)
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Stuggle (part 2)
There are many things on my mind that I struggle with, and this is just a few more that I didn't mention earlier in part 1.
I struggle to have a strong work ethic. I haven't had to work for a whole lot in my life, and I can always run back home if I need something. Now I'm in college, and forced to work hard for good grades. I am such a lazy bum sometimes, and I have to stop and pray for just an ounce of responsibility!
I struggle sooooo much with the way women are treated. I am not going to make them the only victim, because I realize how awful they treat men too, but that isn't on my heart. Women have decided they are nothing less than the rib of men. They think that to be successful means that you have to be skinny, pretty, and caked-up in makeup. You have to be blond, of course, and tan. You have to have blue eyes and wear increasingly small strips of fabric that some call "clothing." You feel like what a guy wants is a porn star, when what he needs is a woman. You are okay with being a part time lover, and accepting the full time guilt. T.V. is against you, music is against you, stars who should be empowering you are telling you to sell out! "Just give up, you know that all he knows about love is from cheap pornos. That's what you need to be like to find love." Satan is a beast, make no mistake about it, but he is not on God's level. If you've read some of my older blogs you can find out how God really feels about his beloved daughters.
I struggle with loving someone who wants to take God out of everything and just promote the gospel of money and success. NOTHING we get is what we deserve. What makes you think that God is a deistic ATM? God doesn't guarantee you money, health, a nice house, a long life, or anything of the sort. He promises that we will be like sheep among wolves! He says that the road to destruction is broad, and narrow is the path to life. He says we have to take up our crosses daily. This God means business! The gospel rides on the back of men and women who struggle and face all sorts of pain and persecution. With all that said, Jesus also promised that his yolk is light. That yolk is only light if Jesus is the one yolked with you. He doesn't promise comfort, but he did promise us his protection.
I struggle with watching Christian couples date... I would expect a much higher level of respect in Christian dating than in secular culture ("everyone else"). However, the celibacy rate in Christian youth is barely different than that of secular culture. Some readers might just scoff at that thinking, "Well not me, I'm a mega virgin!" There is more to dating than not having sex. First of all let me make some things very clear: there shouldn't be such a thing as "friends with benefits." That peeves me to no end. Just because you save your virginity for you spouse doesn't mean you can break as many hearts as you want on the way there. Why wouldn't you want to save everything you can for the one who you are ready to marry? Amy and I didn't even kiss each other until we were sure that we were in love. That was her very wise decision, and I don't regret it for a second. Why not take it slow? If that causes problems in your relationship, then it's honestly a crappy one. Just take it slow... one more thing, don't pretend that because you are in a Christian relationship that you can't mess up. We are still a fallen creation aren't we?
Lastly, I struggle with being cynical and sceptical about parts of peoples' faith. I have an annoying tendency to question peoples' motives to worship, pray, act properly, etc. Who am I to judge? Maybe they are doing it out of selfishness, but that is between them and the Judge. I propose that we all take a step back and trust what people are doing to be genuine. No one deserves to be judged for worshiping their King.
This may or may not be my last post on struggles, considering more will come, but I take courage in knowing that God has given us the strength to overcome. Please be praying for me and your brothers and sister, those saints, because God knows we need it now more than ever! I will be doing likewise. If you want to share with me in your struggles, or just want to agree/disagree, feel free. Because you know that I want to be more approachable *wink*. I hope God has found you through these letters, cause I'm not smart enough to write this.You aren't alone in your fight. My heart is with you, forgive me for not showing it at all times. You are loved- more than you know.
I struggle to have a strong work ethic. I haven't had to work for a whole lot in my life, and I can always run back home if I need something. Now I'm in college, and forced to work hard for good grades. I am such a lazy bum sometimes, and I have to stop and pray for just an ounce of responsibility!
I struggle sooooo much with the way women are treated. I am not going to make them the only victim, because I realize how awful they treat men too, but that isn't on my heart. Women have decided they are nothing less than the rib of men. They think that to be successful means that you have to be skinny, pretty, and caked-up in makeup. You have to be blond, of course, and tan. You have to have blue eyes and wear increasingly small strips of fabric that some call "clothing." You feel like what a guy wants is a porn star, when what he needs is a woman. You are okay with being a part time lover, and accepting the full time guilt. T.V. is against you, music is against you, stars who should be empowering you are telling you to sell out! "Just give up, you know that all he knows about love is from cheap pornos. That's what you need to be like to find love." Satan is a beast, make no mistake about it, but he is not on God's level. If you've read some of my older blogs you can find out how God really feels about his beloved daughters.
I struggle with loving someone who wants to take God out of everything and just promote the gospel of money and success. NOTHING we get is what we deserve. What makes you think that God is a deistic ATM? God doesn't guarantee you money, health, a nice house, a long life, or anything of the sort. He promises that we will be like sheep among wolves! He says that the road to destruction is broad, and narrow is the path to life. He says we have to take up our crosses daily. This God means business! The gospel rides on the back of men and women who struggle and face all sorts of pain and persecution. With all that said, Jesus also promised that his yolk is light. That yolk is only light if Jesus is the one yolked with you. He doesn't promise comfort, but he did promise us his protection.
I struggle with watching Christian couples date... I would expect a much higher level of respect in Christian dating than in secular culture ("everyone else"). However, the celibacy rate in Christian youth is barely different than that of secular culture. Some readers might just scoff at that thinking, "Well not me, I'm a mega virgin!" There is more to dating than not having sex. First of all let me make some things very clear: there shouldn't be such a thing as "friends with benefits." That peeves me to no end. Just because you save your virginity for you spouse doesn't mean you can break as many hearts as you want on the way there. Why wouldn't you want to save everything you can for the one who you are ready to marry? Amy and I didn't even kiss each other until we were sure that we were in love. That was her very wise decision, and I don't regret it for a second. Why not take it slow? If that causes problems in your relationship, then it's honestly a crappy one. Just take it slow... one more thing, don't pretend that because you are in a Christian relationship that you can't mess up. We are still a fallen creation aren't we?
Lastly, I struggle with being cynical and sceptical about parts of peoples' faith. I have an annoying tendency to question peoples' motives to worship, pray, act properly, etc. Who am I to judge? Maybe they are doing it out of selfishness, but that is between them and the Judge. I propose that we all take a step back and trust what people are doing to be genuine. No one deserves to be judged for worshiping their King.
This may or may not be my last post on struggles, considering more will come, but I take courage in knowing that God has given us the strength to overcome. Please be praying for me and your brothers and sister, those saints, because God knows we need it now more than ever! I will be doing likewise. If you want to share with me in your struggles, or just want to agree/disagree, feel free. Because you know that I want to be more approachable *wink*. I hope God has found you through these letters, cause I'm not smart enough to write this.You aren't alone in your fight. My heart is with you, forgive me for not showing it at all times. You are loved- more than you know.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Struggle (part 1)
With this blog post, I just want to be honest and share some of my humanity and weakness. I prayed about this one for a long time, and have been thinking about it for over a month. This post is just about my struggle and my pain. It's going to be more than one part because I have a lot on my mind.
Life is hard; not just tough, but vicious. I struggle with sin, and how it seems to want me more than God does. I hate how I can find it more appealing than grace. I can't seem to grasp the fact that no matter what I do, I can't earn grace. Sometimes I feel like I have taken one too many soundings of the depths of God's love and mercy. I guess that is a good struggle to get to have, but it is painful at times. I know that I want God more than anything, yet I'm so content with settling for less over and over again. I feel just like Paul in Romans 7, who noticed this struggle juuust a few years before I did.
I struggle with loving people like i should. Sometimes I get the selfish thought that people just slow me down and that maintaining relationships is more of a hastle than it's worth. I know that isn't true, and it hurts me. I love people, and I care deeply for them. I just don't express it enough, or in the best way. Another struggle with people I have is that people tend to think your a completely disconnected or "falling away" if you aren't as close with that person. It's so frustrating when people make assumptions about you because they just don't know you as well. I don't want to be the judge of someone based on a lack of knowledge about them.
I struggle with growing, because I want to do it every day and don't. Because I don't grow as fast as I wish I could.
I struggle with why people see me as inapproachable. I want to be someone who always seems open to talk. I want to be a person who you would call at 5 am because you know I will care enough to listen. I don't want to ever seem condescending or stuck up. I don't want to seem too weak or too strong, but someone who is humble as dirt. I don't want to be "right" or wise, I just want to be "there."
In giving advice I also find another struggle. I'm still young in every sense of the word, and I'm still kind of raw. Sometimes I get more caught up in rebuke that encouragement. I struggle with balancing the two. So if I do slap you on the hand, just know that I wouldn't do it if I didn't care a lot. Again, I'm not trying to be right, I'm just trying to help you reach higher.
I struggle with with trust, in two ways. I trust people very quickly and easily, but it has been broken by many people. Some of my closest friends have betrayed me in the past, and I have lost some of them. I have done the same to a few, and received grace. I just want to be able to trust people and not regret it. It also pains me to desire trust from people who have been lied to for so long. Other people have ruined trust for the rest of us. I hate the feeling of ensuring someone with such fervor that you are telling the truth, yet knowing they don't believe you. I wish trust was easier.
I know everyone who reads this can relate to some of these. Let me know on the comments if you share the same struggles, or share a different one. If you're reading this, I hope you know that I love you, and that there is One who loves you even more.
Life is hard; not just tough, but vicious. I struggle with sin, and how it seems to want me more than God does. I hate how I can find it more appealing than grace. I can't seem to grasp the fact that no matter what I do, I can't earn grace. Sometimes I feel like I have taken one too many soundings of the depths of God's love and mercy. I guess that is a good struggle to get to have, but it is painful at times. I know that I want God more than anything, yet I'm so content with settling for less over and over again. I feel just like Paul in Romans 7, who noticed this struggle juuust a few years before I did.
I struggle with loving people like i should. Sometimes I get the selfish thought that people just slow me down and that maintaining relationships is more of a hastle than it's worth. I know that isn't true, and it hurts me. I love people, and I care deeply for them. I just don't express it enough, or in the best way. Another struggle with people I have is that people tend to think your a completely disconnected or "falling away" if you aren't as close with that person. It's so frustrating when people make assumptions about you because they just don't know you as well. I don't want to be the judge of someone based on a lack of knowledge about them.
I struggle with growing, because I want to do it every day and don't. Because I don't grow as fast as I wish I could.
I struggle with why people see me as inapproachable. I want to be someone who always seems open to talk. I want to be a person who you would call at 5 am because you know I will care enough to listen. I don't want to ever seem condescending or stuck up. I don't want to seem too weak or too strong, but someone who is humble as dirt. I don't want to be "right" or wise, I just want to be "there."
In giving advice I also find another struggle. I'm still young in every sense of the word, and I'm still kind of raw. Sometimes I get more caught up in rebuke that encouragement. I struggle with balancing the two. So if I do slap you on the hand, just know that I wouldn't do it if I didn't care a lot. Again, I'm not trying to be right, I'm just trying to help you reach higher.
I struggle with with trust, in two ways. I trust people very quickly and easily, but it has been broken by many people. Some of my closest friends have betrayed me in the past, and I have lost some of them. I have done the same to a few, and received grace. I just want to be able to trust people and not regret it. It also pains me to desire trust from people who have been lied to for so long. Other people have ruined trust for the rest of us. I hate the feeling of ensuring someone with such fervor that you are telling the truth, yet knowing they don't believe you. I wish trust was easier.
I know everyone who reads this can relate to some of these. Let me know on the comments if you share the same struggles, or share a different one. If you're reading this, I hope you know that I love you, and that there is One who loves you even more.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Bored to Death
I'm starting to hate boredom. I'm not talking about a grudge, I HATE it. I hate boredom because it of all the problems it causes, and because of its origin. A lot of people would say that the Bible is boring. Really, the creative and redemptive story of mankind is boring? It is the story of our family line, and of history altering battles. Yeah, that book is boring, but Twilight and Harry Potter are thrilling...Even if you aren't religious the Bible is thrilling. Just remember that it's non-fiction.
Church is boring too right? Same old guy giving you the same old message. Church isn't all about the preacher or the music, it's about family. The church is the bride of Christ, not 2 hours on Sunday mornings.
There is a lot of sitting at home bored too. Why complain about being bored at home when you have a car and cash in the bank? Why not go out and do something with the resources we've been blessed with? Don't turn into somebody who complains about an easily fixable situation.
Here's the worst part about boredom- it becomes sinful. Boredom is a little tiny virus that infects the whole body. We sin when we are wrapped in boredom. Men will sit in front of a t.v. alone and surf the channels for some skin because we are bored. Women will scrape up some gossip because it's something better to do than what they're doing at the time. Most of us will eat when we're bored. We aren't hungry, but it's something to do right? Lust, gossip, gluttony are all easy distractions. Why are we bored enough to do that?
Grace must not be so amazing to some people. We are acting like grace isn't enough to keep us satisfied. Are we bored of that? Is playing it safe with your boyfriend/girlfriend so that you can have a pure marriage boring? Is watching movies without cussing and nudity too boring? Is God's glory, his purpose, his magnificence too boring for our fickle little brains? We are becoming bored to death. The wages of boredom is sin, and the wages of sin is death. I'm not crazy about being a dead man.
How are we supposed to avoid this deadly problem? It's simple, do all kinds of boring, hard things. Read you Bible, pray alone intimately with your Father, pray with your fellow saints, stay clear of R rated type stuff, work hard at your job, leave no question in anyone's mind that you belong to Jesus Christ. Stop being bored, and start being radical. We can't afford armchair Christianity.They will know us by our love, saints.
Church is boring too right? Same old guy giving you the same old message. Church isn't all about the preacher or the music, it's about family. The church is the bride of Christ, not 2 hours on Sunday mornings.
There is a lot of sitting at home bored too. Why complain about being bored at home when you have a car and cash in the bank? Why not go out and do something with the resources we've been blessed with? Don't turn into somebody who complains about an easily fixable situation.
Here's the worst part about boredom- it becomes sinful. Boredom is a little tiny virus that infects the whole body. We sin when we are wrapped in boredom. Men will sit in front of a t.v. alone and surf the channels for some skin because we are bored. Women will scrape up some gossip because it's something better to do than what they're doing at the time. Most of us will eat when we're bored. We aren't hungry, but it's something to do right? Lust, gossip, gluttony are all easy distractions. Why are we bored enough to do that?
Grace must not be so amazing to some people. We are acting like grace isn't enough to keep us satisfied. Are we bored of that? Is playing it safe with your boyfriend/girlfriend so that you can have a pure marriage boring? Is watching movies without cussing and nudity too boring? Is God's glory, his purpose, his magnificence too boring for our fickle little brains? We are becoming bored to death. The wages of boredom is sin, and the wages of sin is death. I'm not crazy about being a dead man.
How are we supposed to avoid this deadly problem? It's simple, do all kinds of boring, hard things. Read you Bible, pray alone intimately with your Father, pray with your fellow saints, stay clear of R rated type stuff, work hard at your job, leave no question in anyone's mind that you belong to Jesus Christ. Stop being bored, and start being radical. We can't afford armchair Christianity.They will know us by our love, saints.
Quick Thoughts
- Would you still follow Jesus if there was no afterlife? I know that would eliminate the major reward of eternity in heaven, but is your finite life really better because of Jesus?
- The cross doesn't belong in the church, it may stain the new carpet. (quote I heard). Make sure that the physical church never becomes more important than the real church.
- In the movie Constantine, a demon kills Shia Lebouf after he exercises a different demon. I'm not sure that such a thing happens to a Christian, but are you fighting evil so hard that the devil wants you dead. The demons who attacked the Seven Sons of Scheva recognized the name of Paul. Do the demons recognize our names?
- If you won the lottery, wouldn't you claim it immediately? You have been given the gift of grace, and you won't except it out of pride.
- Everyone is very weird, veeery weird, but some people just choose to hide it more. Example: Every male thinks about what they would do in the event of a zombie apocolypse, but not every male would dare to admit it. Others play Fallout 3 for hours as a means of training. So don't be so quick to deem someone "weird."
- Why is it that when someone is trying to live radically better, and change the way they act to be more encouraging, we get so suspicious? Why do we always assume that the person is being fake? How are we supposed to change the world if our own brothers and sisters won't build us up, or let us build up others? We are here to encourage them, not to investigate and judge.
- These are small thoughts that are way to short for individual blogs. I love you, thanks for reading.
- The cross doesn't belong in the church, it may stain the new carpet. (quote I heard). Make sure that the physical church never becomes more important than the real church.
- In the movie Constantine, a demon kills Shia Lebouf after he exercises a different demon. I'm not sure that such a thing happens to a Christian, but are you fighting evil so hard that the devil wants you dead. The demons who attacked the Seven Sons of Scheva recognized the name of Paul. Do the demons recognize our names?
- If you won the lottery, wouldn't you claim it immediately? You have been given the gift of grace, and you won't except it out of pride.
- Everyone is very weird, veeery weird, but some people just choose to hide it more. Example: Every male thinks about what they would do in the event of a zombie apocolypse, but not every male would dare to admit it. Others play Fallout 3 for hours as a means of training. So don't be so quick to deem someone "weird."
- Why is it that when someone is trying to live radically better, and change the way they act to be more encouraging, we get so suspicious? Why do we always assume that the person is being fake? How are we supposed to change the world if our own brothers and sisters won't build us up, or let us build up others? We are here to encourage them, not to investigate and judge.
- These are small thoughts that are way to short for individual blogs. I love you, thanks for reading.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)