With a new year comes a new look for my blog. I hope you like it and that it is easy for you to read. I personally like the wider frames to type in. Speaking of new, here is what is on the horizon for the year 2005:
I will become a stay at home dad for my new son Elijah while my wife returns to teaching 5th grade. I relish the opportunity, but am wondering how I will be able to train him up and give him the necessary interaction while also trying to juggle my hectic youth ministry schedule and other duties at the church.
I am in the process of writing 2 dramatic worship services. One is based on the Lord's (Disciple's) prayer. The other is a Passion play using the Stations of the cross as vignettes. The dates for their debut are yet to be determined.
I am also going to seriously look into getting a lesson series published. I have a few to choose from, but think that the ones on the Beatitudes are best.
Finally I have purchased and begun to play the Tin Whistle, and hope to be as good as Brian Carter soon (This is of course a dream and will never happen on any instrument).
Tune in soon as I take stock of my past year a la Shannon's example. Hope the past year has treated you well and the next year allows for many opportunities for God to be praised and glorified.
Friday, December 31, 2004
Monday, December 20, 2004
A Christmas Story
I have a busy week getting ready to make the big trip to Alabama for Christmas with the whole family (brothers and sisters and those in-law along with the 3 nephews). So, I am posting a story that I wrote this year. It's sort of a different take on the Christmas Story. Let me know if you like it, think it stinks, think it could use something, etc. It is a little long, so, take your time. You can download it in Word format from my website (at the bottom)if you like along with a nice Christmas Greeting. Hope you enjoy.
The Innkeeper’s Indwelling Grace
Most of the people hate tax season. It serves as another reminder to the Israelites that they are a conquered people, forced to give allegiance and tribute back to Rome. The whole idea of forking over their hard earned money to some dictator just so he can line his pockets seems ludicrous. For the Israelites, the Roman promises of “Bread and Circuses” was merely taxation and entertainment at their expense. It is no surprise then, that the tax collectors are among the most hated in their society.
And in order to get ready for tax season and avoid imprisonment or further fines, they have to get their houses and finances in order. They have to take time off of work. They have to travel back to their homeland. They have to make reservations or impose upon some family member. And of course, they have to give to Caesar what is Caesar’s. It is all such a big hassle for them.
But there are some beyond the tax collectors that love tax season. There are some that can’t wait for it to come. It doesn’t come all that often, but these people plan their whole schedules around it. You see, these people rake it in. They profit quite a bit from tax season. Take for example Sar. His name means “prince” but as an innkeeper in the lowly city of Bethlehem he is far from royalty. He is not much to look at. Not overly pretty. His face is covered by a brown beard with graying tips. Thin cheeks from years of scratching by can be seen under his facial covering. Teeth a greenish-yellow from years of smoking on a pipe occasionally appear behind his cracked lips. Despite his appearance though, he is decent with his hands. After all, he did convert his home into an inn after his farming took a turn for the worse. Sar may seem like an average Israelite, but unlike most Israelites, Sar looks forward to the tax season.
You see, the hotel business in Bethlehem is, to put it mildly, slow. Most times, he could expect one, maybe two guests a week. Most are on their way to Jerusalem but arrive in Bethlehem late at night. They decide to stop, not wanting to go the rest of the way and increase the risk of getting jumped and robbed. If it weren’t for its proximity to Jerusalem, it is doubtful that anyone would stop by. No, this town doesn’t get many visitors coming around. The King David Shrine and museum is about the only tourist attraction, and everyone knows that it probably isn’t authentic. I mean, they are trying to sell the actual pebble David used on Goliath for 25 shekels. That’s right, 25 shekels! Of course they have been selling these same pebbles since the Bronze Age, so one has to think the pebbles they pass off as real fool no one anymore.
No, there is nothing to do here in Bethlehem. Even the name of the town is not really exciting—“House of Bread.” Unless you are a baker or you really love grain products, they don’t have much to offer. No, the town basically just lives in the past, struggling to get by. And that is why people like Sar love tax season. With the influx of visitors he makes enough in one week to live on for a long time. People come from far and wide back to the homeland they have abandoned. They aren’t happy to make the trip, but the law is the law. So, when they come, Sar’s inn, “The House of Bed” sells out. And boy what a party do they have. He figures, the better time the people have, the more likely they will be to come back and not go to the competition. It seems to be working. He hasn’t had an empty room during tax season for many years. Everyone knows, if you want a room at The House of Bed, you better make your reservation early.
Well, almost everyone knew. This past tax season, a couple arrived in Bethlehem without a reservation. They stumbled into the inn late one night, probably 3:00 in the morning. The innkeeper woke with a start, angry that he was disturbed from his nice, warm, straw cot by the sound of their banging on the counter. This couple was a sight to behold. As the innkeeper wiped the sleep from his eyes, he took in the situation. Here, a somewhat poor man and a pregnant woman who was probably not his wife stood before him. Sar assumed that the child was illegitimate. Sar wanted to laugh at the situation if it weren’t so sad. Before him stood two of society’s outcasts who had made no plans ahead of time and yet expected to find a comfortable place to sleep and probably give birth.
This man who looked to be in his 40s was in bad shape. His beard was not neatly shaved, but grew up in tufts all around. His clothes were dusty. His eyes had dark circles about them. His hands were worn and calloused from manual labor. And his body was clearly worn out. Fortunately for him the counter was there to hold him up or he would have fallen over.
Strangely enough, he was with a pretty, much younger girl, though she too was looking quite weary. And for good reason. Her belly looked like it was about to pop. She had to be fully pregnant. Though her attractiveness and her pregnant body shape stood out, what really drew people to her was her eyes. Though her eyes looked tired and were red from what had to be many tears of pain, they were kind. Her eyes belied the pain of her circumstances with something that he had not seen in a long time.
Well, the man, after taking a short drink from his water pouch, hoarsely mumbled to the innkeeper, “Can we have a room?”
Sar laughed wryly, “Sure. It will only cost you 100 denarrii.”
The man’s eyes widened. “100 denarrii? That’s a third of the year’s wages. I can’t afford that!”
Sar shot back, “Well, that is what it will cost for me to kick one of my good paying customers out of their beds and into the streets. We’ve been booked solid for a year. You can’t just waltz in here at tax time and expect a room. And don’t expect to find a place anywhere in town, neither. You would think that 100 denarii is a steal compared to what some of these places will charge you.”
The man replied, “Do you not have anything for us? Look at my wife. She needs a room.”
“Are you kidding me?” the innkeeper sniggered. “I won’t have you disturbing the rest of my guests with her screaming and yelling. This is an inn, not a nursery. You’ll have to head south to Tekoa if you want a room.”
The man’s shoulders slumped even further down as he turned and looked at his wife. “Can you make it 10 more miles?” The woman, through a mouth clinched in pain smiled, and nodded.
As they were walking out the woman turned and gave a nod of appreciation to the innkeeper. It was then that he realized what was so mesmerizing about her. Her eyes and her whole demeanor were full of grace. Though he had treated them rudely and cruelly, she still had the grace to respond with affirmation.
Struck by such a response, he ran out and stopped them from leaving. “Wait, wait, wait. I don’t have a room. And I hate to even offer this to you, but you seem to be in dire straights. I have a cow stall just up the way there. It is shielded from the wind, there is plenty of hay in there, no one will bother you and you can scream as loud as you want maam.”
The man thanked him and the woman gave him a grateful smile as they slowly set off for much needed rest and shelter.
As the week went on, Sar was caught up in the activities of tax season. Being counted, figuring out the appropriate tribute to give to Herod, keeping his patrons happy—he almost forgot about that couple out in the stall. That is until they came to check out—the man, his wife, and their new baby boy. Though still tired, they had a light about them that could not be quenched. The man set his money pouch on the counter and asked, “How much do we owe you?”
Sar was speechless as he looked at the bundle in the woman’s arms. That little baby had the same aura about him that his mother did. In response, all he could mumble out was, “No charge.”
The man replied, “Thank you for all you have done for us. May the grace of Yahweh rest upon you. Shalom.” He left a denarii on the counter and walked out. His wife followed with that same warm smile upon her face as she looked down upon her newborn son and murmured to him, “It’s time to go Yeshua.”
It took the innkeeper about 5 minutes to regain his breath. He was struck by this strange family. How could they seem so content in their awful circumstances? They had little money, she was an embarrassment to her family and community, the child would probably be labeled a bastard, and they could well have died making this trip. Yet, here they were, unable to mouth a disparaging word.
All he could think of was a Scripture from his days at the synagogue:
“For a child is born to us, a son is given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
and he is named Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Yes, peace and grace in the midst of turmoil. This family possessed such qualities and carried them around for all to see as though they were a bundled up child.
The words of the man reverberated in his ears: “May the grace of Yahweh rest upon you.” Somehow, Sar felt like it already had.
The Innkeeper’s Indwelling Grace
Most of the people hate tax season. It serves as another reminder to the Israelites that they are a conquered people, forced to give allegiance and tribute back to Rome. The whole idea of forking over their hard earned money to some dictator just so he can line his pockets seems ludicrous. For the Israelites, the Roman promises of “Bread and Circuses” was merely taxation and entertainment at their expense. It is no surprise then, that the tax collectors are among the most hated in their society.
And in order to get ready for tax season and avoid imprisonment or further fines, they have to get their houses and finances in order. They have to take time off of work. They have to travel back to their homeland. They have to make reservations or impose upon some family member. And of course, they have to give to Caesar what is Caesar’s. It is all such a big hassle for them.
But there are some beyond the tax collectors that love tax season. There are some that can’t wait for it to come. It doesn’t come all that often, but these people plan their whole schedules around it. You see, these people rake it in. They profit quite a bit from tax season. Take for example Sar. His name means “prince” but as an innkeeper in the lowly city of Bethlehem he is far from royalty. He is not much to look at. Not overly pretty. His face is covered by a brown beard with graying tips. Thin cheeks from years of scratching by can be seen under his facial covering. Teeth a greenish-yellow from years of smoking on a pipe occasionally appear behind his cracked lips. Despite his appearance though, he is decent with his hands. After all, he did convert his home into an inn after his farming took a turn for the worse. Sar may seem like an average Israelite, but unlike most Israelites, Sar looks forward to the tax season.
You see, the hotel business in Bethlehem is, to put it mildly, slow. Most times, he could expect one, maybe two guests a week. Most are on their way to Jerusalem but arrive in Bethlehem late at night. They decide to stop, not wanting to go the rest of the way and increase the risk of getting jumped and robbed. If it weren’t for its proximity to Jerusalem, it is doubtful that anyone would stop by. No, this town doesn’t get many visitors coming around. The King David Shrine and museum is about the only tourist attraction, and everyone knows that it probably isn’t authentic. I mean, they are trying to sell the actual pebble David used on Goliath for 25 shekels. That’s right, 25 shekels! Of course they have been selling these same pebbles since the Bronze Age, so one has to think the pebbles they pass off as real fool no one anymore.
No, there is nothing to do here in Bethlehem. Even the name of the town is not really exciting—“House of Bread.” Unless you are a baker or you really love grain products, they don’t have much to offer. No, the town basically just lives in the past, struggling to get by. And that is why people like Sar love tax season. With the influx of visitors he makes enough in one week to live on for a long time. People come from far and wide back to the homeland they have abandoned. They aren’t happy to make the trip, but the law is the law. So, when they come, Sar’s inn, “The House of Bed” sells out. And boy what a party do they have. He figures, the better time the people have, the more likely they will be to come back and not go to the competition. It seems to be working. He hasn’t had an empty room during tax season for many years. Everyone knows, if you want a room at The House of Bed, you better make your reservation early.
Well, almost everyone knew. This past tax season, a couple arrived in Bethlehem without a reservation. They stumbled into the inn late one night, probably 3:00 in the morning. The innkeeper woke with a start, angry that he was disturbed from his nice, warm, straw cot by the sound of their banging on the counter. This couple was a sight to behold. As the innkeeper wiped the sleep from his eyes, he took in the situation. Here, a somewhat poor man and a pregnant woman who was probably not his wife stood before him. Sar assumed that the child was illegitimate. Sar wanted to laugh at the situation if it weren’t so sad. Before him stood two of society’s outcasts who had made no plans ahead of time and yet expected to find a comfortable place to sleep and probably give birth.
This man who looked to be in his 40s was in bad shape. His beard was not neatly shaved, but grew up in tufts all around. His clothes were dusty. His eyes had dark circles about them. His hands were worn and calloused from manual labor. And his body was clearly worn out. Fortunately for him the counter was there to hold him up or he would have fallen over.
Strangely enough, he was with a pretty, much younger girl, though she too was looking quite weary. And for good reason. Her belly looked like it was about to pop. She had to be fully pregnant. Though her attractiveness and her pregnant body shape stood out, what really drew people to her was her eyes. Though her eyes looked tired and were red from what had to be many tears of pain, they were kind. Her eyes belied the pain of her circumstances with something that he had not seen in a long time.
Well, the man, after taking a short drink from his water pouch, hoarsely mumbled to the innkeeper, “Can we have a room?”
Sar laughed wryly, “Sure. It will only cost you 100 denarrii.”
The man’s eyes widened. “100 denarrii? That’s a third of the year’s wages. I can’t afford that!”
Sar shot back, “Well, that is what it will cost for me to kick one of my good paying customers out of their beds and into the streets. We’ve been booked solid for a year. You can’t just waltz in here at tax time and expect a room. And don’t expect to find a place anywhere in town, neither. You would think that 100 denarii is a steal compared to what some of these places will charge you.”
The man replied, “Do you not have anything for us? Look at my wife. She needs a room.”
“Are you kidding me?” the innkeeper sniggered. “I won’t have you disturbing the rest of my guests with her screaming and yelling. This is an inn, not a nursery. You’ll have to head south to Tekoa if you want a room.”
The man’s shoulders slumped even further down as he turned and looked at his wife. “Can you make it 10 more miles?” The woman, through a mouth clinched in pain smiled, and nodded.
As they were walking out the woman turned and gave a nod of appreciation to the innkeeper. It was then that he realized what was so mesmerizing about her. Her eyes and her whole demeanor were full of grace. Though he had treated them rudely and cruelly, she still had the grace to respond with affirmation.
Struck by such a response, he ran out and stopped them from leaving. “Wait, wait, wait. I don’t have a room. And I hate to even offer this to you, but you seem to be in dire straights. I have a cow stall just up the way there. It is shielded from the wind, there is plenty of hay in there, no one will bother you and you can scream as loud as you want maam.”
The man thanked him and the woman gave him a grateful smile as they slowly set off for much needed rest and shelter.
As the week went on, Sar was caught up in the activities of tax season. Being counted, figuring out the appropriate tribute to give to Herod, keeping his patrons happy—he almost forgot about that couple out in the stall. That is until they came to check out—the man, his wife, and their new baby boy. Though still tired, they had a light about them that could not be quenched. The man set his money pouch on the counter and asked, “How much do we owe you?”
Sar was speechless as he looked at the bundle in the woman’s arms. That little baby had the same aura about him that his mother did. In response, all he could mumble out was, “No charge.”
The man replied, “Thank you for all you have done for us. May the grace of Yahweh rest upon you. Shalom.” He left a denarii on the counter and walked out. His wife followed with that same warm smile upon her face as she looked down upon her newborn son and murmured to him, “It’s time to go Yeshua.”
It took the innkeeper about 5 minutes to regain his breath. He was struck by this strange family. How could they seem so content in their awful circumstances? They had little money, she was an embarrassment to her family and community, the child would probably be labeled a bastard, and they could well have died making this trip. Yet, here they were, unable to mouth a disparaging word.
All he could think of was a Scripture from his days at the synagogue:
“For a child is born to us, a son is given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
and he is named Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Yes, peace and grace in the midst of turmoil. This family possessed such qualities and carried them around for all to see as though they were a bundled up child.
The words of the man reverberated in his ears: “May the grace of Yahweh rest upon you.” Somehow, Sar felt like it already had.
Friday, December 17, 2004
The Death of Christmas
It’s official—Christmas has been ruined for me. The joy of gift giving, and lights, and all that crap has been turned to deep cynicism. I get irritable, angry, and downright hostile during this season. Many reasons could be identified, but the straw that broke my back came from television.
I have always enjoyed songs of the season—classically done Christmas songs (you can refer to my post on Christmas specials for more on that). But here I am, enjoying a show on TV, and I am bombarded by ridiculous renditions of these songs. I am sorry, but a punk version of “Joy to the World” is not an improvement.
But there is always something worse, like taking a Christmas Jingle to hawk your crappy product. Yes, I am talking to you OLD NAVY!!!
You can’t make leg warmers more appealing just because you change the words to “Jingle Bells.” Though I have never purchased anything from Old Navy, I have begun a personal boycott that I will NEVER buy anything. Their normal commercials piss me off. But this latest travesty is intolerable. I don’t intend to bring down this corporate giant. I don’t expect anyone to join me. I just want to sleep at night knowing that I don’t support such blatant disregard for anything sacred just to sell some more worthless crap probably made by oppressed Taiwanese children. Nobody needs your products. I sure don’t want any of them. And I don’t appreciate you ruining Christmas for me. Bah Humbug!
Thursday, December 16, 2004
Desperate Indeed
ABC, in my opinion, is destroying the competition with the lineup the have at night. Most people have heard and watched enthralled as “LOST” has captured the attention of the viewing public. But I have taken notice of a different show. “Desperate Housewives” has gotten rave reviews by critics and shocked responses by conservatives. Here is a show about lustful mothers and wives, wayward teenagers, suicide, divorced families, cheating spouses, etc. And on the surface, there is a lot of vice that is put out there for the world to see. But I do not see that vice is being glorified and projected as normative. Rather, these women struggle to make it through the day and the pressures of life. And often, they fail. They succumb to temptation. They are forced to lie and cheat to cover up their past sins. And they enter into a downward spiral that seems to have no end. But somehow, some way, they get relief. They have friends that support them. The last two shows have ended with Jerry Springer Final Word moments that have really impressed me. Listen to what the mother who committed suicide yet still provides a dialogue from beyond the grave says:
“There is a widely read book that tells us that everyone is a sinner. Of course, not everyone who reads this book feels guilt over the bad things they do. In contrast there are those that assume more than their share of the blame. There are others who soothe their consciences with small acts of kindness or by telling themselves their sins were justified. Finally there are the ones that vow to do better next time and pray for forgiveness.”
“People are complicated creatures. On the one hand able to perform great acts of charity. On the other…capable of the most underhanded forms of betrayal. It’s a constant battle that rages within all of us. Between the better angels of our nature, and the temptation of our inner demons. And sometimes, the only way to ward off the darkness is to shine the light of compassion.”
That is some deep stuff, even if it is from a show that is popular probably due to the overabundance of attractive actresses. I am interested to see where this all leads. Will they be forced to endure the consequences of their actions? Will they receive grace? Will their past transgressions be covered up and ignored, sending a message to the viewer that you can do whatever you want as long as you don’t get caught? I don’t know.
But in the midst of this story resides a spiritual element that cannot be overlooked. The women are desperate for more than just sex. They are desperate for stability, salvation, and compassion. And in the end, I believe they reflect more of humanity than we like to admit or are comfortable with. But the needs are there, and the "light of compassion" has already come.
“There is a widely read book that tells us that everyone is a sinner. Of course, not everyone who reads this book feels guilt over the bad things they do. In contrast there are those that assume more than their share of the blame. There are others who soothe their consciences with small acts of kindness or by telling themselves their sins were justified. Finally there are the ones that vow to do better next time and pray for forgiveness.”
“People are complicated creatures. On the one hand able to perform great acts of charity. On the other…capable of the most underhanded forms of betrayal. It’s a constant battle that rages within all of us. Between the better angels of our nature, and the temptation of our inner demons. And sometimes, the only way to ward off the darkness is to shine the light of compassion.”
That is some deep stuff, even if it is from a show that is popular probably due to the overabundance of attractive actresses. I am interested to see where this all leads. Will they be forced to endure the consequences of their actions? Will they receive grace? Will their past transgressions be covered up and ignored, sending a message to the viewer that you can do whatever you want as long as you don’t get caught? I don’t know.
But in the midst of this story resides a spiritual element that cannot be overlooked. The women are desperate for more than just sex. They are desperate for stability, salvation, and compassion. And in the end, I believe they reflect more of humanity than we like to admit or are comfortable with. But the needs are there, and the "light of compassion" has already come.
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
Spiderwoman
When I was growing up, I collected comics, mainly Punisher and Spiderman. So, when the Spiderman movies came out, I was interested. I saw the first one, and it was decent. But then I saw Spiderman 2, and I have to say…IT BLEW!!! It was one of those movies that you thought would never end, but you had already wasted too much time not to finish it out. The following are the reasons why I encourage you not to watch Spiderman 2:
Having grown up on the comic, I know that there is a relational element to the story. Peter was always dealing with Mary Jane, her relationship with him and Flash Gordon, his relationship with Aunt May. And though such relationships play into the storyline of the comic book and the Peter’s actions, in the end the story is mostly about a super hero. Well, not so in the second movie. Probably 90% of the movie was relational drivel. Most of the dialogue was as follows:
Mary Jane: “Peter, I just don’t get you.”
Peter: “I’m sorry” (Just tell her)
MJ: “Don’t you see that I love you?”
PP: “I…don’t love you” (Just tell her)
MJ: “You don’t love me?”
PP: “No.” (What are you doing?)
MJ: “I don’t understand you.”
At which point some cataclysmic event happens to break up this wonderful exchange. The worst part is that this seems to happen the entire movie!! Oh, the drama. I’m sorry, but I deal with teenagers all the time, and when I watch a movie I want to get away from reality, especially when I am watching a movie about a superhero. Enough is enough. We know your life is hard Peter. Get over it and fight some crime.
Anyway, there were some redeeming qualities in the movie. Aunt May’s speech on what a real hero is was great. She said that there is a little hero inside all of us, and what really distinguishes a hero is that s/he is able to sacrifice their own ambitions to help others (a paraphrase). Quality stuff. Also, the animation was great. It didn’t look overly cartoony, but attempted to maintain the semblance of actual filming.
So, you are welcome to disagree with me about the quality of the movie. But, if it were up to me, save your money for “Electra.”
PS - If you want to download a Spiderman Template for your blog, go here: http://spiderman.sonypictures.com/bugle/weblogs/downloads.php
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
Charity Work
I am taking the day off of my blog, but I am working nonetheless. I am doing some pro-bono work for my friend Fabian's Guest Blogger Week. I submitted an article about American Arrogance that you can read (when he posts it) at www.fabiansworld.blogspot.com. So, go support his bizarre blog.
Monday, December 13, 2004
Survivor Strategy
I will admit to the world, on this blog today, that I watch Survivor. I give many reasons for why—I like taking in the beautiful settings, I get ideas for youth group from the challenges, I get caught up in the drama and intrigue, or I just like seeing if I can guess who will be voted off. But, mostly, I like thinking of how I would play or act or react in certain of the same situations.
Lat night Chris one by both lying and acting like he was everyone’s #1 guy. It was unbelievable to see how this guy, who was up against 6 women who all at the outset wanted only women in the final, could get them to turn on each other and eventually they consumed each other. This left him to stand alone when the dust settled.
Anyway, it got me to thinking: “If I were on Survivor, how would I play?” Every time they flashed my picture and my name, right under it would read “Minister.” My ideology, conduct, and relationship with Christ would be on center stage for all to see. Would I be caught up in the game—the backbiting, the lying, the slander, etc.? Because seemingly, that is how the game is played and won. Or would I have integrity and be sent home the first night?
Well, what follows would be the strategy that I would start the game with. It may work. It probably would not.
I would change the mantra of the game from “Outwit, Outlast, Outplay” to “Outwork, Outlove, Outpatience.” These are not just glib phrases to sell Christian T-shirts, but qualities I desire and would have to work on.
There would be no treaties or alliances for me. If I happened to agree with others who were voting a certain way, then so be it. I would cherish friendships, not agreements.
I would seek to develop true relationships with the people. Can you imagine the first night sitting around an unlit campfire and doing boundary breakers? I think it would be awesome!
I would be careful to listen before reacting or speaking. Too many of the players refuse to actually listen. I am guarded anyway, so I think this would be my best play.
When it came to voting, I would use the following criteria:
1) Did the person in question mess up a challenge for the team (performance)?
2) Does what the person brings to the team outweigh what s/he detracts from it (cohesiveness)?
3) Is the person in question divisive (unity)?
4) Are there real opportunities to be Christ to this person down the road (witness)?
And when I decided on a person, I think I would tell them before the vote. Not in a mean vindictive way, but tell them what I was thinking. That would probably come back and bite me, but you never know. And when there was a problem among the team, I would look to be a peacemaker instead of resolving it with gossip and power plays. I would use encouragement rather than guilt or condescension.
I think that this way of playing has a chance, because if you get people to really trust you, and if you invest in them they will want to keep you around. Of course, like the Kingdom, this is an ideal. And, I will probably never audition to be on a Survivor, but you never know.
Friday, December 10, 2004
The Post -Modern Church
I read an article in Christianity Today that really fleshed out some of my observations about and dissatisfactions with the current church. You are welcome to read it in its entirety here But the comparison of the worldview of Evangelicals (which I equate with Modernity) with that of the Emerging church (Post-modern) is very eye opening. So, let me summarize the two views first, and then make some observations.
Evangelical Worldview
Fundamentally, the Evangelical Model is concerned with getting yourself “saved” or improving your life. The Christian life first focuses about you and your needs. Once your needs are met, then you think about how you can serve the church. Then, if there is anything left over, you ask how the church might serve the world.
“One of the greatest enemies of evangelism is the church as fortress or social club. It sucks Christians out of their neighborhoods, clubs, workplaces, schools, and other social networks and isolates them in a religious ghetto. There it must entertain them (through many means, many masquerading as education) and hold them (through various means, many of them epitomized by the words guiltfear). and This Christians are warehoused as merchandise for heaven, kept safe in a protected space to prevent spillage, leakage, damage or loss until their delivery.”
The Emerging Church Worldview
In this view the gospel and evangelism is not primarily informational but relational/missional. That is, imparting information about how to be individually saved is secondary to inviting people into relationship with a King and with members of a Kingdom whose foremost concern is wholeness for a broken world, rather than an insurance policy for eternal destiny.
It’s not about the church meeting your needs. It’s about you joining the mission of God’s people to meet the world’s needs.
When it comes to Salvation and Election, it is not about who gets to heaven; it is about who God chooses to be part of His crisis-response team to bring healing to the world. The gospel starts with God’s concern for the world (“For God so loved the world that He sent His Son”), in which God creates a community called the church, comprised of persons who stop (repent of) being ‘part of the problem’ and choose instead to join God as ‘part of the solution’—thus simultaneously entering a mission and a community in which one is accepted by grace, through faith in Jesus. Church is not a place one attends but a community to which one belongs. The church is God’s people chosen to demonstrate that love to the world.
I suppose what intrigues me is the shift of focus from self to the world. As a minister, if the world is my focus, I will refuse to limit the focal point of my preaching and teaching to the "needs" of saved and elect insiders, but instead keep the cries of the least, the last, and the lost alive in the ears of the “insiders.” Songs too have a different tone to them. Instead of thinking of how I am in a great relationship with God, we should sing songs of justice and compassion, of mission and hope, of the glory of a God who loves, not just me, but the whole world. In so doing, sermons and songs concentrate not on a self-centered gospel but on a world-blessing gospel. This concentration reminds me of God’s covenant with Abraham. It is not just blessings for Abraham for his benefit, but so that he and his descendants can return the blessing to the whole world.
And though many might agree with this sort of church, how we go about “reforming” our churches is often skewed. If we are a self-centered church in America, it is because our programs and theologies are perfectly designed to produce such a church. It has been said that the greatest obstacle to the coming of the kingdom of God is the church, preoccupied with her own existence. I am not saying we should do away with the church, but the Kingdom is bigger than the church. And until bringing healing and restoration to the world takes prominence over our own selfish preoccupation, the Kingdom will remain an ideal.
Thursday, December 09, 2004
‘Tis the Season
I remember when Christmas was marked by Christmas specials that were of high quality. They involved orchestras and singers of renown ushering in the season with classic renditions of old Christmas favorites. But those such memories are all in the past, and I wonder if they will ever become present events again.
Let me just rattle off a few of the highly touted Christmas specials:
An American Idol Christmas featuring Rueben, Anastasia, and that first chick we forgot about
Dr. Phil’s Christmas featuring Vanessa Williams and JOJO
And last, but certainly not least, An intimate evening of Christmas merriment with Clay Akins
I’ll tell you what, nothing says “Christmas spirit” like JOJO and American Idol. I am so sick of these people getting Christmas specials just because they are famous, and then proceeding to butcher classic songs. So I propose the following stipulations that one must meet in order to garner one’s own Christmas special:
- You have never competed on American Idol
- You have had a career (that consists of doing music more than 10 years and putting out more than 3 albums, none of which are a “Best of”
- You are world renown for actually being able to sing well, not just picked by American idiots (I suppose that is similar to #1, but applies to the Billboard Top 40 as well)
- You promise not to butcher the songs by doing awful renditions including numerous “runs” up and down the scale just to prove that you can hit notes
Though not comprehensive, I think it is a good start. You are welcome to add your own stipulations to the list. Hopefully, if followed, we can put the “mas” back in “Christmas.”
Tuesday, December 07, 2004
Another Christian Christmas
Now I know you are all looking for that last minute Christmas gift for loved ones. And for those of you who are buying for Christians, perhaps you feel obligated to buy a “religious” sort of gift to keep up your standing in the community.
Well look no further. I have found the perfect gift—a new Bible. No doubt many of you are saying, “How unoriginal.” But you haven’t seen this Bible. Nothing says, “I have been sucked into the vortex of Christian commercialism” like an Alligator skin covered Bible. That’s right, you read correctly. Just take a look at the picture. But the best part is the advertisement that goes with it:
“Because its more than just another book. He reads it everyday. He takes it on every trip. He will not part with it easily…he needs a Bible as enduring as the Word it contains.”
God knows I would take extra special care of His Word if it were wrapped in faux alligator skin. So don’t fret this Christmas. Let your gifts reflect your level of spirituality. Then others can boast, like you do, that they really take their Bible seriously.
PS - any other jank Christian Christmas gifts of interest are welcome to be posted here.
Well look no further. I have found the perfect gift—a new Bible. No doubt many of you are saying, “How unoriginal.” But you haven’t seen this Bible. Nothing says, “I have been sucked into the vortex of Christian commercialism” like an Alligator skin covered Bible. That’s right, you read correctly. Just take a look at the picture. But the best part is the advertisement that goes with it:
“Because its more than just another book. He reads it everyday. He takes it on every trip. He will not part with it easily…he needs a Bible as enduring as the Word it contains.”
God knows I would take extra special care of His Word if it were wrapped in faux alligator skin. So don’t fret this Christmas. Let your gifts reflect your level of spirituality. Then others can boast, like you do, that they really take their Bible seriously.
PS - any other jank Christian Christmas gifts of interest are welcome to be posted here.
Monday, December 06, 2004
#^%^@$$&^$%@#
I just don’t get it. I don’t get what is acceptable and what is unacceptable for TV, especially cable TV. The more I watch different channels, different shows, and different genres, I got more and more frustrated and confused. Let me give you a few examples.
I was watching the best of Eminem on MTV2, and his song, “The Real Slim Shady” comes on. You know the one: “Will the real slim shady please stand up; please stand up; please stand up.” And as it goes on they mute out various words, but then they mute the word “clitoris.” Last I checked, “clitoris” was a technical, medical term, and not crude slang. The same thing goes for “penis” (though I can’t think of examples currently).
Then, I am watching the movie “Showtime” with Eddie Murphy and Robert De Niro on TBS. He says “Bullshit” probably 3 times in the first hour. I have also heard “asshole” used on cable TV. Now last I checked, those were slang and pretty much unacceptable by FCC standards. Yet, these stations had no problem airing them. Also, I hear songs that use the phrase “God damn” but God is muted while damn rings out.
Let me say, I don’t have a problem with censoring or not censoring these words. I will admit that I am desensitized to them at this point. I But what I do have a problem with is the hypocrisy of another government agency. They came down so hard on CBS for the Janet Jackson incident. They kick Howard Stern off the air for his words and antics. Yet these other things go along unchallenged.
Just be consistent. Either go for clean air, and take out the “swear words” or let them all go. And don’t go editing out real words while leaving in slang. It makes no sense! If someone can explain why there are different standards and why some things are allowed and ignored while others are so stringently regulated, I am listening. Oh well, I guess if I just watch PAX all the time I have nothing to worry about.
Friday, December 03, 2004
Free iPods for everyone!!
I know we have all gotten various emails, claiming free stuff if only we do something – forward an email, subscribe to something, etc. And those have turned out to be hoaxes or pyramid schemes—I for one never got my Outback gift certificate or my $100 from Microsoft. And, I have mocked and ridiculed those that believed they would receive such freebies for doing nothing. But, something has come across my inbox that cannot be ignored.
I was watching my normal geek show, “The Screen Savers” on TechTV. The 2 hosts both decided to see if they could get free iPods based on an add they saw. So, they tried it. Sure enough, one got his free iPod a month later, and the other 2 months later. Here’s basically how it works. You go to the site using the link I provide, sign up for a service, get 5 people to sign up for a service, and you get a free iPod of your choice. I know what you are thinking: “Sign up for a service. Sounds like a scam.” Granted, that is how the people make their money. But, the services are actually pretty good. If you have ever used NexFlix (an online DVD rental) they have a similar service through Blockbuster that you can try for next to nothing. I personally got the Video Professor’s CDs about Photoshop. It cost my $6.95 for shipping. I returned 1 of the 3 CDs within 10 days. I keep the other 2 and have fulfilled my obligation. So, to say that the iPod is free may be overstating it. But a $250 iPod for $7 is pretty dang good. Plus I got the tutorials.
Anyway, all this is to say, I would love for you to help me get an iPod by enrolling yourself. Just follow the link below to get started. Let me know if you plan on getting on board. Then others can be your enrollees so you too can get a free iPod. Thanks for your time. Let me know if you have any questions. You are welcome to check it out for yourself at www.freeipods.com. But if you decide to do it, use the link below so I get the hookup.
Get your free iPod!!!
I was watching my normal geek show, “The Screen Savers” on TechTV. The 2 hosts both decided to see if they could get free iPods based on an add they saw. So, they tried it. Sure enough, one got his free iPod a month later, and the other 2 months later. Here’s basically how it works. You go to the site using the link I provide, sign up for a service, get 5 people to sign up for a service, and you get a free iPod of your choice. I know what you are thinking: “Sign up for a service. Sounds like a scam.” Granted, that is how the people make their money. But, the services are actually pretty good. If you have ever used NexFlix (an online DVD rental) they have a similar service through Blockbuster that you can try for next to nothing. I personally got the Video Professor’s CDs about Photoshop. It cost my $6.95 for shipping. I returned 1 of the 3 CDs within 10 days. I keep the other 2 and have fulfilled my obligation. So, to say that the iPod is free may be overstating it. But a $250 iPod for $7 is pretty dang good. Plus I got the tutorials.
Anyway, all this is to say, I would love for you to help me get an iPod by enrolling yourself. Just follow the link below to get started. Let me know if you plan on getting on board. Then others can be your enrollees so you too can get a free iPod. Thanks for your time. Let me know if you have any questions. You are welcome to check it out for yourself at www.freeipods.com. But if you decide to do it, use the link below so I get the hookup.
Get your free iPod!!!
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