If you were to ask many Christians today what they thought was the greatest Christian virtue, many I believe would answer unselfishness, or at least something along these lines. This is understandable since so much of scripture speaks about self-denial and the idea of "dying to self." Many prominent Christians would cite, "The Cost of Discipleship," as one of the best Christian books of the 20th Century, a book that deals at length with this notion of "dying to self." Yet while unselfishness is certainly a biblical theme, I believe it misses the point of what I think is most necessary when understanding human nature and how man ultimately can please God.
What exactly does please God? That is the $64,000 question is it not? For those who have faith and want to live and please God in all that they do, have to be aware of a certain principle or else they really can't worship God as they should. As much as we may laud the idea that humankind needs to be more altruistic and less individualistic in their daily lives we can't escape the simple fact that all men seek happiness. As Blaise Pascal writes, "This is without exception. Whatever different means they employ, they all tend to this end. The cause of some going to war, and of others avoiding it, is the same desire in both, attended with different views. The will will take the least step but to this object. This is the motive of every action of man, even of those who hang themselves."
Agreeing with Pascal's premise about the human motive, I think a better virtue for Christians to strive for in their daily lives than unselfishness would be one to seek enjoyment. This, I understand, makes one shake their head and say "how can that be?" It seems to run contrary to everything Christianity is about. Or does it? Think about a time you may have read a book that you especially enjoyed. If you had the opportunity later on to meet the author and told him how much you enjoyed his book, is there a better way that you can show your appreciation for him than that? But I understand how you still may question how seeking enjoyment is the greatest of virtues. Could this be because of the fact that too often we see people seeking enjoyment by "making mud pies" as C.S. Lewis would call it?
Man by his very nature is a worshiping creature. All over the world at this very moment man is worshiping something. It could be work, play, philosophy, sports, entertainment...the list goes on and on. And we always will worship things that give us enjoyment even if it is in the most primal of ways. This is what C.S. Lewis means when he speaks of gaining enjoyment from making mud pies. Seeking enjoyment as our highest aim is not wrong, it is as natural a law among humans as is the law of gravity in nature. Where the problem lies however, and perhaps why Christians don't place a value on enjoyment, is the fact that so many find enjoyment in the most common of things. Not that all things common are bad. I enjoy going out weekly with my friends just to hang out and have a couple of beers . There is nothing wrong with this in and of itself. By contrast though I get to see my friends once a week at church where we share in the worship of our God and know the joy that comes with being one of God's covenant people. I know what it is to be basking in the sun at an exclusive resort as well as making mud pies. But for too many people, and not just those outside the household of faith but people in the kingdom as well, life is too many days creating mud pies like a toddler at the beach.
All the unselfish acts that we long to practice as Christians to help out our family, friends, and neighbors all need to go piggy back on our first enjoying God and knowing Him. Nothing else compares to God and the beauty of His very nature. Finding other ways to please God without making it ones highest desire to live as Psalm 37:4 says..."Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart" is simply putting the cart before the horse.
In closing I'd like to make a reference to a book by John Piper that explains this subject in greater detail that I can. "Desiring God, Meditations of a Christian Hedonist" is a work that magnificently explores the idea of the Westminster Divines who penned the first question to the their shorter catechism to be, "What is the chief end of man?" The chief end of man is to glorify God by enjoying Him forever. May we all come to learn that enjoyment is a good thing and may we find fulfilling enjoyment in knowing God.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Monday, March 2, 2009
Are There "Safer" Tyrannies?"
One of the biggest regrets I have about the planning of my wedding was the decision not to include alcohol at the reception. This was a decision that at the time seemed like the wise thing to do. After all we belonged to a church that had baptist roots and the partaking of alcoholic beverages is frowned upon in "baptist circles" and many other denominational sects within Christianity. While I never agreed with the notion of drinking alcohol to be sinful or even remotely wrong if taken in moderation, I was captured by another idea that made me "play it safe" within Christian circles.
There is almost a universal notion among Christians to do the things that do not damage our personal testimony or do potential harm to another "brother." This belief, which has merit in some respects, too often can fall into the trap of the "better safe than sorry" idea which I spoke of in my previous blog. This idea of playing it safe is really akin to a form of tyranny that ultimately does more harm than good to the cause of Christianity.
Getting back to my regret about not having beer or wine at my wedding reception was really my falling victim to the "tyranny of the minority." First was the notion of some that drinking "strong drink" was somehow damaging to a Christian's personal testimony. This minority point of view believes that somehow drinking alcohol would make one appear to be part of "the world" so to speak and therefore might make one display conduct unbecoming of a Christian. Interesting that I never challenged this notion especially since the Lord Jesus was considered a "winebibber" by the Pharasees...and sinners seemed to delight in His company. And while the idea of protecting a "weaker brother" from the potential dangers of alcohol may seem on the surface a good idea, doesn't it actually enable the "weaker brother" to remain weak? I am not suggesting that we never use discretion and there may be times when we refrain from some things, like maybe not taking an alcoholic to a tavern. But at a time of celebration, a wedding no less, should we let the ideas of the minority run tyranny over our lives?
When reading the bible it is obvious to even the most simplest of readers that it is an R-rated book. God chose to write about things that are far from the land of "Mary Poppins." Yet why do Christians find it so necessary to live a life like Mary Tyler Moore or Julie Andrews and always stay in a G-rated world. Too often I go to events held by "church folk" that have mild salsa with their tortilla chips, decaffeinated coffee with their pastry, and certainly never a beer or a glass of wine when they host a dinner. This is all about "being better safe than sorry." But by avoiding risks are we really saying more about ourselves and our lack of comfort in our own skin? Too often we want to present a picture of ourselves that is actually not attractive to the world at all. How often do people who are perceived as "goody twoshoes" ultimately decide to "cut loose" and do something wild because they don't like to being thought of as Ward or June Cleaver. God wants us to be ourselves, step out in faith and engage the world where we are, and take some risks, and yes make some mistakes. Most of all He wants us to love and trust in Him and not fall prey to "tyrannies" of any kind. Remember it was Ghandi who said, "I love your Christ, it's just His Christians I don't like. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.
There is almost a universal notion among Christians to do the things that do not damage our personal testimony or do potential harm to another "brother." This belief, which has merit in some respects, too often can fall into the trap of the "better safe than sorry" idea which I spoke of in my previous blog. This idea of playing it safe is really akin to a form of tyranny that ultimately does more harm than good to the cause of Christianity.
Getting back to my regret about not having beer or wine at my wedding reception was really my falling victim to the "tyranny of the minority." First was the notion of some that drinking "strong drink" was somehow damaging to a Christian's personal testimony. This minority point of view believes that somehow drinking alcohol would make one appear to be part of "the world" so to speak and therefore might make one display conduct unbecoming of a Christian. Interesting that I never challenged this notion especially since the Lord Jesus was considered a "winebibber" by the Pharasees...and sinners seemed to delight in His company. And while the idea of protecting a "weaker brother" from the potential dangers of alcohol may seem on the surface a good idea, doesn't it actually enable the "weaker brother" to remain weak? I am not suggesting that we never use discretion and there may be times when we refrain from some things, like maybe not taking an alcoholic to a tavern. But at a time of celebration, a wedding no less, should we let the ideas of the minority run tyranny over our lives?
When reading the bible it is obvious to even the most simplest of readers that it is an R-rated book. God chose to write about things that are far from the land of "Mary Poppins." Yet why do Christians find it so necessary to live a life like Mary Tyler Moore or Julie Andrews and always stay in a G-rated world. Too often I go to events held by "church folk" that have mild salsa with their tortilla chips, decaffeinated coffee with their pastry, and certainly never a beer or a glass of wine when they host a dinner. This is all about "being better safe than sorry." But by avoiding risks are we really saying more about ourselves and our lack of comfort in our own skin? Too often we want to present a picture of ourselves that is actually not attractive to the world at all. How often do people who are perceived as "goody twoshoes" ultimately decide to "cut loose" and do something wild because they don't like to being thought of as Ward or June Cleaver. God wants us to be ourselves, step out in faith and engage the world where we are, and take some risks, and yes make some mistakes. Most of all He wants us to love and trust in Him and not fall prey to "tyrannies" of any kind. Remember it was Ghandi who said, "I love your Christ, it's just His Christians I don't like. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
A Different Road
I have yet to see the film, "Revolutionary Road" with Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio. I'm not sure what the film is about not do I know what is the significance of its title. I am interested in the use of the word road as a metaphor. It is an effective word picture and I am sure many who are making a decision that could ultimately change the course of their lives are familiar with the idea of facing the so-called "fork in the road."
There are also meaningful references to roads in Holy Writ that should give us pause and cause us to examine our lives. Saul of Tarsus, later the Apostle Paul, had a meeting with Jesus Christ while on the Damascus Road which made him confront his role in persecuting Christians and having them put to death. But the most important reference to a road in scripture is the idea of a "narrow" road that leads to life and a "broad" road that leads to destruction.
Rather than get into a conventional explanation of how a broad life implies a libertine, eat, drink, and be merry epicurean type of existence, or being a worldly do gooder without any care or concern for God is not what I wish to address, though it is of value. Nor do I want to demonstrate how living a pious, holy life, one that focuses more on eternal matters than temporal satisfaction or pleasure, though that certainly has great merit.
I am here to bring up the notion of a different road; one that falls under the umbrella of a "narrow" way or road, but I think it is one not much discussed and one that may make many uncomfortable. This is fine because the goal of a preacher or one who wishes to write about matters of faith should be two-fold; one to comfort the afflicted and the other to afflict the comfortable.
I believe one of the most popular and potentially damaging bumper sticker slogans for Christians is the "better safe than sorry" idea. It carries so much weight of course because on many levels it is true. You could decide to not lock your car when you stop off at the store for a few moments and probably not have your vehicle stolen. But who would disagree that it is "better safe than sorry." And while that practical advice is good in that instance, too often I believe, people take that idea, and this occurs with many good ideas, simply too far.
In his excellent book, "Blue Like Jazz" Don Miller writes about growing up in a conservative Christian home and how mortified his family was when he determined to go to a university in Oregon that was considered to be one of the most liberal and promiscuous in the country. His initial decision to go there was motivated by his desire to "cut loose" so to speak and be part of a place so unlike his own universe that he thought it would be fun. But what Miller discovered while being in the college was how much of a risk he was taking by being there. He soon discovered that many of the students he met there, many who would become his friends, challenged his faith and made him realize how he could learn from others, even those who had a world view that was completely different from his.
What Miller did was take a risk. This was far from playing it safe. While befriending a girl on campus, he realized just how far he had to get to enter her world and get to know her better.He went to poetry readings about homosexuality, went to bars where people did much more than just drink alcohol, all kinds of places that Christians are supposed to avoid..."come out from among them and be ye separate" type of thinking. By gaining her trust he began to share the person of Jesus Christ and hoped to show her His love. Miller frankly shares how his discussions with his friend rarely appeared to gain no traction. She seemed entirely without interest in Christ or Christianity. Miller was discouraged because in so many ways his friend was such a nice person, highly intelligent, and so willing to accept others and do good things.
Throughout the relationship, Miller's commented on how his friend made a point to tell him how she didn't like his message but she enjoyed him and valued their relationship. She sensed there was something different about him and she couldn't quite understand why he wished to spend time with her; particularly in light of her liberal, live and let live lifestlye, and how she often would poke fun of Christianity and at Christians. Something happened one time when Miller was consoling his friend during a difficult day. Inevitably when we have close friends, there will be times when all of us will feel a need to share our sadness and vulnerability...all part of being human, no one is exempt. After a time of listening and offering hope to a hurting young college girl, gentling sharing Christ's love with her, the young girl turned to Miller and he could see that a "light" went on. After a moment of silence she spoke to her friend these words and I paraphrase (since I lent out this book and am using recall) "Jesus was a revolutionary, a beautiful revoltionary, and I see this because I see you as one too." She then began to cry and say that she didn't know how much she could believe about all the claims of Christianity but she did know that she wanted to know more about "this revolutionary Jesus."
Thinking about this wonderful testimony of God and His love, I can't help but mention the limitations of the "better safe than sorry" idea, and is not the true Christian ideal, the road we are to follow is one that is not at all safe, no it is more a revolutionary road....one that takes great risk, but one that may yield great reward.
I conclude with a personal story and may I state that I am not telling anyone exactly what they need to do to get out of their safe comfortable lives. I just hope that people do examine whether it is a good thing in life...."to move out of the city and head for the suburbs." Years ago when my wife and I got married we thought it might be a good idea to become foster parents. We decided to give it a go, we knew others who did it, so we moved forward to explore the process. When we discussed placement options my wife and I decided upon teenage girls. Rather than be placed with small children, ones who may ultimately be reunified with a non ideal family situation, we thought that having teenagers, ones we could share life lessons with and model healthy relationships would give us the best opportunity to "make a difference."
After several months of interviews, background checks, and finding a suitable girl to take in, my wife became pregnant. Family and church members close to us asked us if we would withdraw from the process. Well meaning people freely gave us advice, typically along the "better safe than sorry" lines. "You need to protect your new family, who knows what these kids in state care are about, what they have been subject too, and obviously God is closing the door on this means of ministry at this time. You are newly married, a newborn on the way, and this need to be your focus. God has given you more than enough to handle." This, of course, is sound practical advice, advice that many would agree with. We however decided to move forward in the process and eventually were placed with a 13 year old girl named Felicia who lived with us for over a year.
Why did we decide to go ahead and be foster parents? It had to do with a revolutionary named Jesus Christ who said His Kingdom was not of this world....and " better safe than sorry" is definitely the road and the wisdom of the world. And by the way, Felicia is 28 today with a 10 year old son. We see her and "Joey" regularly and have for several years. So yes our great risk did yield great reward and though Felicia does not follow Christ in her life, I hope in some way she has a visit with Him when she spends time with our family. Perhaps the road we took was not revolutionary but just a risk we decided to take. Whatever you call it, people who have sacrificed their own comfort and made a risky investment in the lives of others, ask those who benefited from those who chose to take a risk, if it did not often yield revolutionary results
There are also meaningful references to roads in Holy Writ that should give us pause and cause us to examine our lives. Saul of Tarsus, later the Apostle Paul, had a meeting with Jesus Christ while on the Damascus Road which made him confront his role in persecuting Christians and having them put to death. But the most important reference to a road in scripture is the idea of a "narrow" road that leads to life and a "broad" road that leads to destruction.
Rather than get into a conventional explanation of how a broad life implies a libertine, eat, drink, and be merry epicurean type of existence, or being a worldly do gooder without any care or concern for God is not what I wish to address, though it is of value. Nor do I want to demonstrate how living a pious, holy life, one that focuses more on eternal matters than temporal satisfaction or pleasure, though that certainly has great merit.
I am here to bring up the notion of a different road; one that falls under the umbrella of a "narrow" way or road, but I think it is one not much discussed and one that may make many uncomfortable. This is fine because the goal of a preacher or one who wishes to write about matters of faith should be two-fold; one to comfort the afflicted and the other to afflict the comfortable.
I believe one of the most popular and potentially damaging bumper sticker slogans for Christians is the "better safe than sorry" idea. It carries so much weight of course because on many levels it is true. You could decide to not lock your car when you stop off at the store for a few moments and probably not have your vehicle stolen. But who would disagree that it is "better safe than sorry." And while that practical advice is good in that instance, too often I believe, people take that idea, and this occurs with many good ideas, simply too far.
In his excellent book, "Blue Like Jazz" Don Miller writes about growing up in a conservative Christian home and how mortified his family was when he determined to go to a university in Oregon that was considered to be one of the most liberal and promiscuous in the country. His initial decision to go there was motivated by his desire to "cut loose" so to speak and be part of a place so unlike his own universe that he thought it would be fun. But what Miller discovered while being in the college was how much of a risk he was taking by being there. He soon discovered that many of the students he met there, many who would become his friends, challenged his faith and made him realize how he could learn from others, even those who had a world view that was completely different from his.
What Miller did was take a risk. This was far from playing it safe. While befriending a girl on campus, he realized just how far he had to get to enter her world and get to know her better.He went to poetry readings about homosexuality, went to bars where people did much more than just drink alcohol, all kinds of places that Christians are supposed to avoid..."come out from among them and be ye separate" type of thinking. By gaining her trust he began to share the person of Jesus Christ and hoped to show her His love. Miller frankly shares how his discussions with his friend rarely appeared to gain no traction. She seemed entirely without interest in Christ or Christianity. Miller was discouraged because in so many ways his friend was such a nice person, highly intelligent, and so willing to accept others and do good things.
Throughout the relationship, Miller's commented on how his friend made a point to tell him how she didn't like his message but she enjoyed him and valued their relationship. She sensed there was something different about him and she couldn't quite understand why he wished to spend time with her; particularly in light of her liberal, live and let live lifestlye, and how she often would poke fun of Christianity and at Christians. Something happened one time when Miller was consoling his friend during a difficult day. Inevitably when we have close friends, there will be times when all of us will feel a need to share our sadness and vulnerability...all part of being human, no one is exempt. After a time of listening and offering hope to a hurting young college girl, gentling sharing Christ's love with her, the young girl turned to Miller and he could see that a "light" went on. After a moment of silence she spoke to her friend these words and I paraphrase (since I lent out this book and am using recall) "Jesus was a revolutionary, a beautiful revoltionary, and I see this because I see you as one too." She then began to cry and say that she didn't know how much she could believe about all the claims of Christianity but she did know that she wanted to know more about "this revolutionary Jesus."
Thinking about this wonderful testimony of God and His love, I can't help but mention the limitations of the "better safe than sorry" idea, and is not the true Christian ideal, the road we are to follow is one that is not at all safe, no it is more a revolutionary road....one that takes great risk, but one that may yield great reward.
I conclude with a personal story and may I state that I am not telling anyone exactly what they need to do to get out of their safe comfortable lives. I just hope that people do examine whether it is a good thing in life...."to move out of the city and head for the suburbs." Years ago when my wife and I got married we thought it might be a good idea to become foster parents. We decided to give it a go, we knew others who did it, so we moved forward to explore the process. When we discussed placement options my wife and I decided upon teenage girls. Rather than be placed with small children, ones who may ultimately be reunified with a non ideal family situation, we thought that having teenagers, ones we could share life lessons with and model healthy relationships would give us the best opportunity to "make a difference."
After several months of interviews, background checks, and finding a suitable girl to take in, my wife became pregnant. Family and church members close to us asked us if we would withdraw from the process. Well meaning people freely gave us advice, typically along the "better safe than sorry" lines. "You need to protect your new family, who knows what these kids in state care are about, what they have been subject too, and obviously God is closing the door on this means of ministry at this time. You are newly married, a newborn on the way, and this need to be your focus. God has given you more than enough to handle." This, of course, is sound practical advice, advice that many would agree with. We however decided to move forward in the process and eventually were placed with a 13 year old girl named Felicia who lived with us for over a year.
Why did we decide to go ahead and be foster parents? It had to do with a revolutionary named Jesus Christ who said His Kingdom was not of this world....and " better safe than sorry" is definitely the road and the wisdom of the world. And by the way, Felicia is 28 today with a 10 year old son. We see her and "Joey" regularly and have for several years. So yes our great risk did yield great reward and though Felicia does not follow Christ in her life, I hope in some way she has a visit with Him when she spends time with our family. Perhaps the road we took was not revolutionary but just a risk we decided to take. Whatever you call it, people who have sacrificed their own comfort and made a risky investment in the lives of others, ask those who benefited from those who chose to take a risk, if it did not often yield revolutionary results
Monday, February 23, 2009
Repercussions of "girl talk" or God "taking someone out"
My wife is an opinionated lady so sometimes it comes as a surprise to me when somebody says something, something that I know she disagrees with, and she just moves on. In fact when I've mentioned this on a few occasions she says she only vaguely remembers the comment in question. I've noticed that this occurs in the context of "girl talk" or trying to establish a relationship with someone new.
This got me to thinking why so many thoughtful, intelligent people can listen to some outlandish things and seem to not blink an eye. Sometimes when I watch a Christian worship service, I will hear a televangelist say something clearly off the wall and the congregation will nod in approval and holler out "amen." I wonder if what is going on here is not so much about people actually believing what is said , but is more about what occurs from time to time with my wife during "girl talk" or building a new relationship.
I would characterize this under "church talk" or" trying to fit in" that may explain this puzzling behavior of listening to some nonsense. One may argue my premise that the folks in question are actually intelligent or thoughtful, maybe they are simple sheep looking for a shepherd. I would be biased if I were to say that my wife is intelligent and thoughtful so maybe all those in the congregation are just simpletons.
Still think about this for a moment. Would you not agree that all humans (bright and slow) are relational beings and because of this they really long for a sense of belonging. Would it be surprising that in a busy world where time is hard to come by, that those who had a yearning for spiritual things and who wished to belong to something...that maybe that desire for relationship may cause them to turn off their brains and their ears just a bit.
Let me give an example of something that happened at my church recently. Those in the presbyterian denomination tend to be more anal about theology and making sure things are explained precisely. Many here have jobs that require considerable intelligence and some have advanced degrees. Still there are things that may be said that are way out there and may still fly under the radar, at least with some folks. Years ago I went to a church that was a bit crazy to be charitable. This makes me sensitive to aberrant thinking and helped me catch on to a comment made from the pews at a recent adult sunday school class. I know some folks there caught on to it but I'm not sure how many.
We had been discussing communion or "The Lord's Supper" and how serious are its implications. Scripture states that if we partake unworthily we will place ourselves into judgment and may even die. One of our church members then commented on how he saw a pastor "taken out" right in the middle of the service during communion. On first glance this may seem okay to say and it is a curious thing that someone would die during the partaking of the Lord's table during communion. But let me ask this. Did anyone ever prove this pastor was engaged in sinful behavior prior to his death? Did anyone consider that this pastor's death may have been appointed by God as a means to wake up somebody else in the congregation of their particular sinfulness? How bout this. Could it be possible that cause and effect may be taking place and the pastor just finished his 10,000 bacon cheeseburger the night before and this finally clogged his arteries ( that hadn't been checked for years) to the point where a massive heart attack was inevitable?
Why is this important and why be so sensitive about conclusions reached from scripture? You may say that there was no harm in using this pastor as an example to gain attention even if may not be accurate. I disagree. First from the example of the book of Job we should not conclude that when bad things happen to someone it is because they were in sin. Second and perhaps more important for Christians is this. We should do what we can not to look like unthoughtful idiots to others. At any time skeptics or unbelievers may walk into the "household of faith" to see what is going on. And just as I have noticed how foolish this "girl talk" or "church talk" can look when you are on the outside looking in, imagine how it is to skeptics or unbelievers who walk in and see people who may have dulled their brains a bit or stopped being inquisitive all for the sake of "belonging" and "relationships."
This got me to thinking why so many thoughtful, intelligent people can listen to some outlandish things and seem to not blink an eye. Sometimes when I watch a Christian worship service, I will hear a televangelist say something clearly off the wall and the congregation will nod in approval and holler out "amen." I wonder if what is going on here is not so much about people actually believing what is said , but is more about what occurs from time to time with my wife during "girl talk" or building a new relationship.
I would characterize this under "church talk" or" trying to fit in" that may explain this puzzling behavior of listening to some nonsense. One may argue my premise that the folks in question are actually intelligent or thoughtful, maybe they are simple sheep looking for a shepherd. I would be biased if I were to say that my wife is intelligent and thoughtful so maybe all those in the congregation are just simpletons.
Still think about this for a moment. Would you not agree that all humans (bright and slow) are relational beings and because of this they really long for a sense of belonging. Would it be surprising that in a busy world where time is hard to come by, that those who had a yearning for spiritual things and who wished to belong to something...that maybe that desire for relationship may cause them to turn off their brains and their ears just a bit.
Let me give an example of something that happened at my church recently. Those in the presbyterian denomination tend to be more anal about theology and making sure things are explained precisely. Many here have jobs that require considerable intelligence and some have advanced degrees. Still there are things that may be said that are way out there and may still fly under the radar, at least with some folks. Years ago I went to a church that was a bit crazy to be charitable. This makes me sensitive to aberrant thinking and helped me catch on to a comment made from the pews at a recent adult sunday school class. I know some folks there caught on to it but I'm not sure how many.
We had been discussing communion or "The Lord's Supper" and how serious are its implications. Scripture states that if we partake unworthily we will place ourselves into judgment and may even die. One of our church members then commented on how he saw a pastor "taken out" right in the middle of the service during communion. On first glance this may seem okay to say and it is a curious thing that someone would die during the partaking of the Lord's table during communion. But let me ask this. Did anyone ever prove this pastor was engaged in sinful behavior prior to his death? Did anyone consider that this pastor's death may have been appointed by God as a means to wake up somebody else in the congregation of their particular sinfulness? How bout this. Could it be possible that cause and effect may be taking place and the pastor just finished his 10,000 bacon cheeseburger the night before and this finally clogged his arteries ( that hadn't been checked for years) to the point where a massive heart attack was inevitable?
Why is this important and why be so sensitive about conclusions reached from scripture? You may say that there was no harm in using this pastor as an example to gain attention even if may not be accurate. I disagree. First from the example of the book of Job we should not conclude that when bad things happen to someone it is because they were in sin. Second and perhaps more important for Christians is this. We should do what we can not to look like unthoughtful idiots to others. At any time skeptics or unbelievers may walk into the "household of faith" to see what is going on. And just as I have noticed how foolish this "girl talk" or "church talk" can look when you are on the outside looking in, imagine how it is to skeptics or unbelievers who walk in and see people who may have dulled their brains a bit or stopped being inquisitive all for the sake of "belonging" and "relationships."
Thursday, February 19, 2009
More Than Just a Playground
For a good five years or so I have been on some form of social networking site. I'm certainly not alone in this; millions and millions of people of all ages have a myspace, facebook, twitter, or some other page that they go on from time to time. I imagine there are all sorts of reasons people create these places for themselves, but I guess a big reason is that it can be fun. It's a big giant playground of sorts. This is not a bad thing to help break up a day. Even if you are just on here to say, "Whatup dude"...that's probably better than frying your brain to a 125th rerun of "Spongebob Squarepants" while eating a giant bag of doritos. Still, thinking about why I go on here as often as I do, and I'm sure others will agree, there has to be to going on here than just hanging out at the playground.
Many people have jobs that leave them unsatisfied. I'm being charitable when others may more accurately describe them as "dead end" jobs. Years ago some Christian authors wrote a book, "Your Work Matters to God." This book tried to help people realize that all work was of value to God, there was no difference between the so-called secular and the sacred, and people should do their honest jobs all to the "glory of God." To their credit the authors did a good job and I'm sure their thesis on the value of work was helpful to many. Perhaps some took a second look at their job and learned to be content at the job they found so dull and uninspiring. As for me though, I found only temporarily relief in that worldview and before long I was asking, "Can we be real?"
Most of us are at work at least 8 hours of our day or a third of our day. If we sleep 8 hours a day then half of our day is spent in the workplace. Our hours here shape us and mold us in many ways into the people we become to those who see us outside of work; family, friends, neighbors. Let's say you pick up trash, or work in retail, or some other mundane job...a question I ask is this. Would you be missed if you were to die tomorrow? I'm not speaking about your co-workers or people you have relationships with, but rather would your work be missed or would you just be replaced by someone else and everything would proceed without missing a beat?
See work needs to have meaning. Malcolm Gladwell in his laterst book, "Outliers" describes 3 elements that are vital for "meaningful work." One is a person need a reasonable amount of autonomy. Tim Conway and the rest of the cast of the "Carol Burnett Show" didn't have complete autonomy of the humor they could use on CBS, but certainly they were permitted enough freedom where they probably never even thought of restrictions. This was different for Lenny Bruce obviously who fought against censorship because he thought he had no chance of being funny without "pushing the envelope" so to speak. A second is creativity in work. People need variety in work and having a chance to put their own signature on their work. Even building something as simple as a holiday display at a retail store qualifies as doing something different. Lastly, people need to know there is greater reward for harder work. The more songs a song writer can create the greater chance he has at fame an fortune. A dishwasher still gets paid the same after an 8 hour shift no matter how many dishes he washes. I'm sure you get the point.
I can't imagine how many people have jobs that do not fit the category of "meaningful work." People can adjust and make do but I think it is vital that they find an outlet that meets the meaningful criteria. On Facebook, we all have our place. This is a place managed by us where we have independence. It is also a place where we can be creative. We can do things to make others laugh, bring encouragement, voice opinions, share about God, advocate for social change, whatever one can think of. Finally, the more effort you put into facebook the greater the return. The pages that are viewed the most and get the most comments and discussion going are the ones where the creator puts time, thought, and effort into it. So by spending time on Facebook, my preference, or other social networking sites....there is great opportunity to have "meaningful time." This for many sure beats the hell out of work. So in this sense Facebook is "more than just a playground.
Many people have jobs that leave them unsatisfied. I'm being charitable when others may more accurately describe them as "dead end" jobs. Years ago some Christian authors wrote a book, "Your Work Matters to God." This book tried to help people realize that all work was of value to God, there was no difference between the so-called secular and the sacred, and people should do their honest jobs all to the "glory of God." To their credit the authors did a good job and I'm sure their thesis on the value of work was helpful to many. Perhaps some took a second look at their job and learned to be content at the job they found so dull and uninspiring. As for me though, I found only temporarily relief in that worldview and before long I was asking, "Can we be real?"
Most of us are at work at least 8 hours of our day or a third of our day. If we sleep 8 hours a day then half of our day is spent in the workplace. Our hours here shape us and mold us in many ways into the people we become to those who see us outside of work; family, friends, neighbors. Let's say you pick up trash, or work in retail, or some other mundane job...a question I ask is this. Would you be missed if you were to die tomorrow? I'm not speaking about your co-workers or people you have relationships with, but rather would your work be missed or would you just be replaced by someone else and everything would proceed without missing a beat?
See work needs to have meaning. Malcolm Gladwell in his laterst book, "Outliers" describes 3 elements that are vital for "meaningful work." One is a person need a reasonable amount of autonomy. Tim Conway and the rest of the cast of the "Carol Burnett Show" didn't have complete autonomy of the humor they could use on CBS, but certainly they were permitted enough freedom where they probably never even thought of restrictions. This was different for Lenny Bruce obviously who fought against censorship because he thought he had no chance of being funny without "pushing the envelope" so to speak. A second is creativity in work. People need variety in work and having a chance to put their own signature on their work. Even building something as simple as a holiday display at a retail store qualifies as doing something different. Lastly, people need to know there is greater reward for harder work. The more songs a song writer can create the greater chance he has at fame an fortune. A dishwasher still gets paid the same after an 8 hour shift no matter how many dishes he washes. I'm sure you get the point.
I can't imagine how many people have jobs that do not fit the category of "meaningful work." People can adjust and make do but I think it is vital that they find an outlet that meets the meaningful criteria. On Facebook, we all have our place. This is a place managed by us where we have independence. It is also a place where we can be creative. We can do things to make others laugh, bring encouragement, voice opinions, share about God, advocate for social change, whatever one can think of. Finally, the more effort you put into facebook the greater the return. The pages that are viewed the most and get the most comments and discussion going are the ones where the creator puts time, thought, and effort into it. So by spending time on Facebook, my preference, or other social networking sites....there is great opportunity to have "meaningful time." This for many sure beats the hell out of work. So in this sense Facebook is "more than just a playground.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Ongoing Struggles
Nobody ever promised me life would be easy, or I'd get a rose garden for that matter. But this process of sanctification, well, that's a whole different ball game. Being conformed more into the likeness of Christ, jeez...sometimes I wonder if I'll ever graduate from being a self-centered jerk.
Thinking about the gospel and sharing it with others makes me acutely aware of ongoing struggles in my personal life. Struggles with besetting sins and lack of visible personal growth makes me wonder if I have any right to share Jesus Christ with others particularly when my life often seems such a mess.
But as I think of my current sluggishness in my faith, a light bulb went on in my head. Fortunately that happens now and again...lol! How much is my lack of energy, enthusiasm, and current malaise in my life; work, marriage, family, etc. due to my lack of going out and telling others of what God and a personal relationship with His Son can do for them. Being overly concerned with how Christ is or is not working in my own personal life has somehow caused me to take at least from a practical point of view, that Christ may not be worth talking about. This makes me guilty of self-centeredness. This is not only a devastating sin in that it makes me both ineffective in my own personal walk with God, but it also blinds me to what can be a simple and powerful remedy.
Sin and man's own desire to be the master of his own fate, dismiss God as irrelevant, and reject the offer of salvation by placing faith in Christ are the barriers that prevent sinful humans from having a personal relationship with God. These are clear fundamental orthodox principals that people need to hear for them before they can ultimately repent and be brought to faith in Christ. This is great news for those who do wish to see those outside of the household of faith actually be adopted into the family of God. I am among those who like to hear of this great news.
It has been said that, "those who can't do, teach." I don't know how measurable that is but even if it is to a great degree, one can still say what is so bad about that. A baseball hitter who knows about hitting, but can't hit worth a damn, if he can teach others how to hit, does not this give him great reward. And with that great reward does not this give him great enthusiasm and energy to share with others the fundamentals of hitting. Like I said, he still may not hit worth a lick, but is not his life now lifted to a different level and will this spill over and cause positive repercussions in many areas of his life? Just a thought.
I know as I write this much of my struggle with mid-life crap and problems that never seem to let up will continue to be front and center. Demons from the past and the ongoing struggle with being a self-centered jerk is not going away anytime soon. Still, God is. He is there and I can know him and tell others about Him. I can know Him and learn more about Him with the same passion I have with other hobbies. Even if you have no musical ability but have a passion to talk about and listen to something like jazz, will that passion not be contagious and make others who know nothing about jazz, perhaps become jazz enthusiasts because someone like you turned them on?
May a lesson like that be learned by both you and by me even when the difficulties of life and our own sins may drag us down.
Thinking about the gospel and sharing it with others makes me acutely aware of ongoing struggles in my personal life. Struggles with besetting sins and lack of visible personal growth makes me wonder if I have any right to share Jesus Christ with others particularly when my life often seems such a mess.
But as I think of my current sluggishness in my faith, a light bulb went on in my head. Fortunately that happens now and again...lol! How much is my lack of energy, enthusiasm, and current malaise in my life; work, marriage, family, etc. due to my lack of going out and telling others of what God and a personal relationship with His Son can do for them. Being overly concerned with how Christ is or is not working in my own personal life has somehow caused me to take at least from a practical point of view, that Christ may not be worth talking about. This makes me guilty of self-centeredness. This is not only a devastating sin in that it makes me both ineffective in my own personal walk with God, but it also blinds me to what can be a simple and powerful remedy.
Sin and man's own desire to be the master of his own fate, dismiss God as irrelevant, and reject the offer of salvation by placing faith in Christ are the barriers that prevent sinful humans from having a personal relationship with God. These are clear fundamental orthodox principals that people need to hear for them before they can ultimately repent and be brought to faith in Christ. This is great news for those who do wish to see those outside of the household of faith actually be adopted into the family of God. I am among those who like to hear of this great news.
It has been said that, "those who can't do, teach." I don't know how measurable that is but even if it is to a great degree, one can still say what is so bad about that. A baseball hitter who knows about hitting, but can't hit worth a damn, if he can teach others how to hit, does not this give him great reward. And with that great reward does not this give him great enthusiasm and energy to share with others the fundamentals of hitting. Like I said, he still may not hit worth a lick, but is not his life now lifted to a different level and will this spill over and cause positive repercussions in many areas of his life? Just a thought.
I know as I write this much of my struggle with mid-life crap and problems that never seem to let up will continue to be front and center. Demons from the past and the ongoing struggle with being a self-centered jerk is not going away anytime soon. Still, God is. He is there and I can know him and tell others about Him. I can know Him and learn more about Him with the same passion I have with other hobbies. Even if you have no musical ability but have a passion to talk about and listen to something like jazz, will that passion not be contagious and make others who know nothing about jazz, perhaps become jazz enthusiasts because someone like you turned them on?
May a lesson like that be learned by both you and by me even when the difficulties of life and our own sins may drag us down.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Nobody Left Standing
Clearly there is a place for protest and activism among people of faith. When a person's conscience feels convicted to the need to say or do something regarding a particular issue then I commend those who exercise that right in a free society. We have that right under the first amendment and those who use it should be commended for standing up and having the courage to speak their mind.
There are lots of things that may get people off the sidelines and into the action so to speak. Family values are a hot button issue with many folks, particularly church folk, and many of them will voice their opinion when an organization promotes certain things which many may find offensive, indecent, sacreligious, etc. I'm sure many will agree that there are causes that are worth fighting for because they affect them personally. Many mothers who've had children die in automobile accidents may protest advertisements that somehow glamorize alcohol. Parents who may have had a child who is gay may protest information that they believe may incite gay bashing. Citizens who homeschool their children were mobilized greatly to protest legislation that may have made homeschooling practically impossible. The list goes on and on.
One of the things used by protesters is the boycott. An example may be consumers threatening a company by not buying their products because they may be promoting something the offended group may deem inappropriate. This is all well and good and people have every right to do that. I have one observation though for thoughtful educated people who keep up on all the issues of the day. Recently as I was listening to a very opinionated sports radio show following the Super Bowl, one of the hosts mentioned how great Bruce Springsteen was during half time. That comment caused ire with another of the hosts who called Springsteen a "commie pinko, " a remark that made me spill my coffee from laughing out loud. The first host then said, " You have to separate." To this the anti-communist sports host said,"You can't separate." After a brief pause a third host threw his two cents in with this classic and I'll end with it, "You got to separate or their will be nobody left standing."
There are lots of things that may get people off the sidelines and into the action so to speak. Family values are a hot button issue with many folks, particularly church folk, and many of them will voice their opinion when an organization promotes certain things which many may find offensive, indecent, sacreligious, etc. I'm sure many will agree that there are causes that are worth fighting for because they affect them personally. Many mothers who've had children die in automobile accidents may protest advertisements that somehow glamorize alcohol. Parents who may have had a child who is gay may protest information that they believe may incite gay bashing. Citizens who homeschool their children were mobilized greatly to protest legislation that may have made homeschooling practically impossible. The list goes on and on.
One of the things used by protesters is the boycott. An example may be consumers threatening a company by not buying their products because they may be promoting something the offended group may deem inappropriate. This is all well and good and people have every right to do that. I have one observation though for thoughtful educated people who keep up on all the issues of the day. Recently as I was listening to a very opinionated sports radio show following the Super Bowl, one of the hosts mentioned how great Bruce Springsteen was during half time. That comment caused ire with another of the hosts who called Springsteen a "commie pinko, " a remark that made me spill my coffee from laughing out loud. The first host then said, " You have to separate." To this the anti-communist sports host said,"You can't separate." After a brief pause a third host threw his two cents in with this classic and I'll end with it, "You got to separate or their will be nobody left standing."
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