Your Old Pal Luke

Recently Misty was going through her camera deleting old photos and came across this video Luke made of himself. The oddity of it cracked me up...I love that kid.

Peace On Earth

But an angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Suddenly a great company of heavenly hosts appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

"Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rest."

Luke 2:10-14

Oh Night Divine

Truly he taught us to love one another
His law is love and his gospel is peace.
Chains shall he break for the slave is our brother
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we
Let all within us praise his holy name

Oh Holy Night, verse 3

The Church of the Future (The Next Evangelicalism pt.6)

Throughout Soong-Chan Rah's book, The Next Evangelicalism, I've been wondering just what the Church of the future looks like. Who will be the faces leading the way and how will the "success" of their ministries be measured? The answers to some of these questions begin to take shape with questions posed by Rah himself:

"Instead of putting forth yet another white leader in his thirties with a mega-church paradigm as the model of ministry, should we be lifting up the Haitian pastor, who drives a cab during the day, attends seminary classes at night and pastors the church on the weekend?"

"Or the Dominican pastor who returns to the Dominican Republic on 'vacation' and hold numerous evangelistic rallies and ends up planting several churches?"

"Or the Hmong pastor that an entire community relies upon to be both the civic and spiritual leader, but whose church never grows past forty worshipers? Are we willing to acknowledge that the immigrant church that appears to be people in need, might actually have something to teach us?" (p.179)

Life of Discontentment

Our pursuit of meaning and purpose in this world has become big business. Go to any bookstore and spend time looking through the "Self-help" aisle and you will find books on how to achieve "Your Best Life Now", how to live a "Purpose Driven Life", and what it takes to get "From Good to Great".

Many of these books are written by pastors trying to encourage "ordinary people" to step out of whatever "rut" they may find themselves in and become "extraordinary human beings". While these books may have their place I'm wondering if they do more to perpetuate feelings of discontentment than actually help an individual live a full life in relationship to God within the parameters of their current reality.

We spend time frustrated that we want more out of life in such a way that it pushes us further and further into to future. "When my life reaches a certain point then I will be satisfied". As a culture have we become so future focused that we can only feel despair in the present? In our "future focus" orientation are we missing out on what his happening around us now?

Within the self pursuit of purpose we are not only removed further and further from the present, but we are propelled further and further into a sense of hyper-individualism: "When will I be satisfied?" "How can my life find meaning?"

The Scriptures speak of a God that is continually relating to his people (plural) in the present; trying to shape them in an understanding of what it means to be a people of God in the midst of their current situation (even if that situation seems to lack significance or meaning). What does this mean for those that may be discontent with their present situation? How can one better listen and be shaped by God and find meaning and purpose today?

"Release"

"Release", water color, 2.5 x 3 ft. The breaking of darkness and the dawning of light.

A Change In Perspective (The Next Evangelicalism pt.5)

One of the greatest mistakes we make as human beings is assuming that we see "things" (the world and all that is in it) the "right" way. Soong-Chan Rah writes, "Sin results when human beings attempt to take God's place in creation. In other words, we make ourselves the standard of reference in the determination of our values and norms" (p.80).

When we fail to recognize our own presuppositions in relationship to God and creation we give way to a defensive posture based out of a fear that truth will be compromised. The fear that keeps us from recognizing our own flawed worldview is, at best, not conducive to healthy growth and, at its worst, causes us to respond to others (and their worldviews) in ways that are violent and oppressive (i.e. racism, nationalistic imperialism, and even petty arguments).

Until we realize that none of us view this world objectively we will continue to be steeped in trying to make "our way" become "everyone else's way". And if we continue along that path then greed, violence, and anger will most certainly follow.

Yet our call as kingdom people is much different; we are to be a servants, disciples, students, and learners. If we are to engage, learn from, and benefit from the depth of others we need to posture ourselves in ways that exude meekness and humility. It is through this type of engagement with the broader world (and the many worldviews that exist within it) that the ground can become fertile for the hallmarks of our confession: faith, hope, and love.

Luke Makes Jesus Walk On Water

Our Role In the Rescue

When Christians talk about "saving souls" they miss the full hope of the Gospel. The beautiful hope is that God will one day restore all of creation. Our role as followers of Jesus is to build for the kingdom.

NT Wright puts it this way: "God longed, in other words, to reestablish his wise sovereignty over the whole creation, which would mean a great act of healing and rescue. He did not want to rescue humans from creation any more than he wanted to rescue Israel from the Gentiles. He wanted to rescue Israel in order that Israel might be a light to the Gentiles, and he wanted thereby to rescue humans in order that humans might be his rescuing stewards over creation." Surprised By Hope

As followers of Jesus this has important implications. It means that what we do, now/today, echoes. It beckons us to see salvation on a larger scale: a radical healing of all creation. It means that when we care for our created world, spend time looking after the sick, or advocating for the oppressed we do so not to gain leverage in attracting/getting people to believe what we do about God, but rather that God somehow uses our work of mercy, love, and justice as building blocks for his kingdom; a kingdom that is both, in some manner, already present (visible through the work of his Church), and yet to come (in fullness with the Lordship and victory of Christ).

Zondervan and Authors Act Justly

A few weeks ago I posted "Christian Books Pimping Culture" about a new book Zondervan released with racially insensitive material. Zondervan's response...nothing short of exceptional (read Zondervan's response from Soong-Chan Rah's blog).



Zondervan (and authors Mike Foster and Jud Wilhite) not only acknowledged that their material was racially insensitive, but took their apology the full distance: pulling all copies of the books and suspending promotion of the book until the material could be re-worked. Zondervan also went one step more...the hiring of a new editor in chief of all Zondervan products.



It would have been easy for Zondervan to dismiss the statements made about Deadly Viper (it certainly would been the least costly for business). Zondervan's corrective steps clearly shows that (like all of us) they are imperfect and make mistakes, yet through this they have put on display a level of integrity that shows how we all should respond when we hurt our brothers and sisters: we repent - acknowledge our wrong and go the distance to correct our error.

Keep'em Happy (The Next Evangelicalism pt.4)

"Our short-term desire to keep our church attendees happy has led to an effective ministry that serves white, middle-class suburbanites but has essentially become irrelevant in proclaiming and demonstrating the kingdom principles of peace and justice".

Soong-Chan Rah, The Next Evangelicalism

The Need For Forgiveness

Forgiveness is often misunderstood. When one forgives they are not saying: "what you did is 'okay'". Nor are they "forgetting" what took place (or the pain that has come along with a hurtful action).

Forgiveness is essential because it frees us from the need (burden) to collect on something that another cannot possibly re-pay: innocence, trust, hope.

Even more, it is in our capacity and availability to forgiveness that we find the forgiving God. In his book, Surprised By Hope, NT Wright writes: "Not to forgive is to shut down a faculty in the innermost person, which happens to be the same faculty that can receive God's forgiveness. It also happens to be the same faculty that can experience real joy and real grief. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. ...If you lock up the piano because you don't want to play to somebody else, how can God play to you?"

That is why we pray, "forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us."

Maybe today you need to forgive someone who hurt you; a family member that has long since past, an "enemy" of yours, or even more - yourself. In the space of your forgiveness of another may you experience the peace, hope, and love of a forgiving God.

Caption Needed

Church Marketing 101 (The Next Evangelicalsim pt.3)

As someone who is part of a new, forming, church community in Western, MI, I couldn't help but highlight, underline, and circle the following from The Next Evangelicalism:

"A few years ago I was told about a church plant in a suburban community. The church had been given a fairly healthy sum to aid in its church plant. The church proceeded to use a substantial portion of those funds to pay a graphic designer to create a logo for the church. In short, a third of the church planting budget went toward a marketing effort....I wonder if Jesus would spend a third of a church planting grant to make a logo that would give the appearance of a successful church, or would those fund have been better used by serving community?"

Welcome to the world of church marketing :) In many ways no different than our corporate world; brand it, advertise it, get people to buy it, get people to buy it again!

In all honesty I struggle with this all of the time. I never want the church (or the gospel) to become a thing that we sell, yet I value the contributions of many of the artists within our church community that design pieces that inspire and communicate. Is there an appropriate level by which a church can/should communicate what is going on? When does a church step across the line from sharing/communicating the story, to selling a product?

I Knew It, U2 Is Satanic

I am at a loss for words on this one...It's videos like this that make me want to turn and run the other way when I hear the word "Christian" (check out this video on U2).

What causes people to produce videos like this? Why do some Christians spend so much time (and money) communicating what they are against rather than what they are for? As followers of Jesus, how should we posture ourselves with art and culture?

Christian Books Pimping Culture

Last week I was drawn in to a conversation surrounding Zondervan's recent release of "Deadly Viper: Character Assassins" a book written by Mike Foster and Jud Wilhite about leadership and integrity.

Although the book has some helpful content in the area of leadership the book has crossed the line with its extremely casual use of Asian culture.

Professor Soong-Chan Rah has raised some serious questions about the book and in particular its "packaging"; from its cover to its promotional videos (one video feature a mock kung-fu movie where a cast of white guys were dressed as Asian martial artists with fake-Asian-accents). The book also uses various Asian characters (it actually mixes both Japanese and Chinese letters) in a non-sensical fashion to create a certain "feel" in order to help sell their product. This book and its promotion are a perfect example of some one's culture getting pimped out to sell a product.

I won't re-hash the other many areas that this book (and Zondervan) crossed the line (read Soong-Chan Rah's blog posts) but am bringing this up because how we view race and culture is important (particularly as followers of Jesus that seek to bring hope to all nations). Reading through the discussion in the blog world has shown me how just how oblivious I am to the privilege I hold simply because I am a white male.

My area of privilege comes because the Western world is constructed around "my" world-view (in other words; the normative is destined around the majority...which is white male) and everything else is viewed as "other" (see Rah's video on Orientalism and "What is Normative?").

Some may say that Rah's (and the many others that were offended by the presentation of the book) were an over-reaction and just another example of how "PC" this world has gotten. However, who gets to decide what is "PC" and was is offensive? Should we not listen to the perspective of others (particularly those of different backgrounds and cultures)?

Thankfully the authors are listening (read more of the conversation here) and the dialogue continues to move along in a hopeful and restorative manner (by the co-author's own admission nothing intentionally malicious or racist was done; nor was anyone accusing them of doing this intentionally). As for Zondervan, they have yet to make a statement on how they will respond to the concerns and issues raised.

How have you seen/experienced racial insensitivity (whether intentional or unintentional)? What can we do as individuals do grow deeper in our understanding of issues of race and privilege? What can we do as communities to give a common voice to peoples of all nations and cultures?

Take Home Folder Hero

Every day when our kids come home from school Misty and I take a minute and go through their "take-home" folders. Checking through their folders is an opportunity for us to discover what our kids are learning, creating, and thinking about.

This past week our middle child, Luke, came home with his folder. Filled with various construction-paper-glue-stick-creations, a spelling pre-test, and this: the description of a hero.

Illustrated to hit home his particular definition of a hero, Luke appropriately points out that heroes do things like pull people out of "big, big" burning buildings and take people to the hospital. For further clarification on who can be he hero he writes: "Dogs also save lives"... yes it's true, even a dog can be a hero. For Luke what makes a hero is not confined to a vocation, but rather expressed in the result of their actions. Quite simply..."They save lives".

The prophet Zachariah writes: "This is what the Lord Almighty said: 'Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.'" (7:9-10)

When we practice the words of God and we work to bring justice, mercy, and compassion we "save lives". When we fight against systems that are unfairly stacked against the poor and the alien we "save lives". And when we over-come acts of evil with our own relentless pursuit of love we "save lives".

While we may never have a profession that compels us to run into burning buildings for the safety of others, each day we have opportunities to respond to the "fires" of our world in ways that bring rescue, hope, and healing. We are compelled not by our own grander to be labeled as a "hero", but rather through our identity as God's children to be the kind of people that participate in "saving lives".

How can you be involved in "just ways" in your community? Are there people (or people groups) around you that need to be overwhelmed with mercy and compassion? How are you "plotting love" in your daily living?

Ice Cream Jesus

I'm pretty sure this church isn't trying to promote an upcoming ice cream social (who doesn't love a good 'ole ice cream social in a church fellowship hall?).

What message is conveyed when we communicate/promote our worship gatherings in this way?

How does this sign stand up next to Jesus' words, "If anyone would be my disciple they must pick up their cross and follow me"?

Why do we feel so compelled to make our worship gatherings/following Jesus look easy?

1st Church of the Narcissist (The Next Evangelicalism pt.2)

"The cultural captivity of the church has meant that the church is more likely to reflect the individualism of Western philosophy than the value of community found in Scripture. The individualistic philosophy that has shaped Western society, and consequently shaped the American church, reduces Christian faith to a personal, private and individualistic faith" (p.30).

The individualism of our culture has so seeped into our faith practice and church expression that much of our "faith" looks more like a faith in the ways of our culture than it does the redemptive power of the gospel.

Sermons have been constructed in a Dr. Phil psychotherapy style so that people can live their "best life now", instead of what it means to be the people (plural) of God at work in the world. Worship music has been infused with "I" so that one can "feel" God close by. And sin has been reduced to a checklist of personal morality instead of challenging the sacred community to work and pray against the evils of structural and corporate sin.

Rah calls this individualism for what it is: Idolatry.

This critique is not of one particular church, but rather our natural bent has Westerners (all of us and our churches are guilty of this individualism). As such I'm wondering: How can we move further and further away from a "personal"/"individual" expression of our faith towards one that reflects God relating to all of his people? What are some "warning" signs of church/person's faith that has been corrupted by individualism? What will the effect be when we abandon the golden calf of individualism?

"That's So Gay"

GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network) has been running a public service campaign called: "Think Before You Speak". The campaign (featuring 3 short commercials: cashier, pizza shop, fitting room) is designed to help educate people about the phrase: "That's so gay" (in reference to something that is dumb or stupid). The campaign clearly points out that this phrase is hurtful to those that are glbt.

What do you think of these public service announcements? Have the announcements shifted the way you talk or think? Aside from avoiding phrases like: "That's so gay", what else can someone do to become more sensitive to the feelings of those around them?

Eight Is Great!

Happy Birthday buddy...we love you!

Fortune Cookie Confusion

I enjoy a good fortune cookie (especially after my favorite: "sweet and sour chicken"). Many times I get a fortune and think, "This more of a proverb than a fortune".



Regardless of it being a fortune or one of life's deep and meaningful proverbs I'm usually satisfied with the insight of the little folded cookie. Yet I recently got this "fortune" and immediately felt jiped: It must be home-grown.


"What kind of fortune is this?" "What does this have to tell me about the meaning of life?" "Is this some sort of hippie drug reference?"


Your help in deciphering this code is much appreciated.

A New Vision For Israel

As Americans in the 21st Century it is difficult to approach and relate to Jesus outside of our own presuppositions and cultural traditions. As a result we end up shaping Jesus into a mold that looks more like our own ideologies and less like the God that stepped into human history during a specific time, place, people, and context.

Scot McKnight's book: A New Vision For Israel: The Teachings of Jesus in a National Context is a helpful resource to anyone that desires to understand what Jesus and his mission meant to those who would have heard (and seen) his message first hand. Taking into a account cultural and historical elements McKnight shows how Jesus' view of things like: God, exile, kingdom, conversion, salvation, and ethics radically spoke into the 1 century landscape and as a result what they mean for us today.

Here's an excerpt from the book as McKnight discusses the vision and hope Jesus came to bring: "That both John and Jesus had a vision for the nation of Israel needs to be emphasized: neither John nor Jesus was thinking down the road thousands of years, to our own time, when Christianity would have gone through a multitude of mutations and denominations and when the Church would be interacting with cultures and ideologies so remote from that encountered in the land of Israel at the time of Herod Antipas. Both John and Jesus had a single vision: the restoration of Israel."

The Next Evangelicalism (pt.1)

Over the next few weeks I will be posting some of my thoughts from Soong-Chan Rah's book, The Next Evangelicalism: Freeing the Church from Western Cultural Captivity. As one of my professors at North Park Theological Seminary, I have been challenged and also encouraged by Soong-Chan's thoughts and insight into how the church has formed (in healthy and unhealthy ways) in a Western context.

The Next Evangelicalism is in many ways a prophetic call for the Western church to face its rampant individualism, consumerism, racism, and move on a more holistic and life-giving trajectory. Soong-Chan points out some of the pit-falls of our (Western church culture's) affinity towards things like church growth and mega churches, the "Emergent Conversation", and an imbalance in our theology of celebration over suffering.

This is an important book for those who believe in the Church, and are committed to serving her well into the 21st Century.

The Invention of Lying

What would the world be like if there were no stories to be told, no yarns to be spun, no embellishments of past adventures? How would we as human beings interact if we could only communicate based on the facts; no telling people what they want to hear (advertisers would be at a loss for words)?

This is the world in which Mark Bellison (Ricky Gervais) and the rest of humanity dwell. It is an existence that is plain, ordinary, and colorless.

Then one moment something "clicks" in Mark's head and he tells the world's first lie. There is no word for "lie" because it hasn't been invented (nor are people capable of such a things) and as result people believe every thing Mark says (regardless of how outlandish his words seem to be).
This movie could have gone the road of sophomoric comedy yet ends up becoming a Truman Show of sorts when Mark tells his dying mother the greatest "story" ever told: when you die you go to a wonderful mansion in the sky. Because of this story his terrified mother dies with a hopeful peace.

This great "hope" leads the rest of civilization to turn to Mark for all of life's deep and profound mysteries through which Mark becomes part Moses, part Jesus as he communicating about "the man in the sky".

Over all this movie has more to do with how we view and relate to one another on a level far below the surface making this a film that is both fun and sincere.

For those of you that have seen the movie, what questions did this raise in your mind? Was it difficult for you to hear about "the man in the sky" as a "story"? In what ways this movie accurate in its assessment of the human need to connect with "something greater"? In what ways was this movie theologically accurate/inaccurate?

Break From Blog World

I needed a little break from the blog world. I'm back (at least for now)...I hope our continued conversations and thoughts are helpful (challenging and transformational) in our pursuit of God and his kingdom among us. Peace.

Green Parking?

On a recent trip to Chicago we did some shopping and while parking in front of one of the stores, we came across this parking sign.

There were handicap parking spaces, however there were no other special/reserved signs (sorry expecting moms).

So my questions for you:

What message(s) does this sign send?
Does this encourage being eco-friendly or pretentious behavior?
Would you park here if you didn't have a fuel-efficient vehicle?

Hurt, The Church, Being Restored

We as human beings misuse our power on a regular basis in our quest to acquire what we want in life. I hear stories over and again from people who have been hurt (and abused) by someone who they trusted. Whether the misuse of power was intentional or unintentional, the result those who have gotten in the way is the same: brokeness.

When you have been wounded you become less likely to trust, to open yourself to another, to be hopeful, to love.

Sadly this hurt comes from those who are supposed to care for one another; from parents, siblings, or another trusted relative. When hurt comes from within the family it is, perhaps, even more painful. In the same way I hear people's stories who have been wounded by the church (or a follower of Jesus) in such a way that it begins to malform their view of a loving God.

In his book Finding My Way Home, Henri Nouwen writes: "The number of people who 'have been wounded by religion' overwhelms me. An unfriendly or judgmental word by a minister or priest, a critical remark in church about a certain lifestyle, a refusal to welcome people at the table, an absence during an illness or death, and countless other hurts often remain longer in people's memories than other more world-like rejections. Thousands of separated and divorced men and women, numerous gay and lesbian people, and all of the homeless people who felt unwelcome in the houses of worship of their brothers and sisters in the human family have turned away from God because they experienced the use of power when they expected an expression of love."

While the Church is not perfect, it is my hope that the sacred community of God becomes known more and more as a place of healing and wholeness; a place where broken things go to be fixed, tired things restored. In order for this to happen, responsibility falls on each one of us to live in such a way that we sow peace and hope wherever we go. We as followers of Jesus need to be marked by his very atributes: humilty and servanthood. This also means that our reliance cannot be on ourselves but rather on the grace and work of the Spirit breathing new life and possibility into all of us.

peace.

Creepy Clowns

Misty and I came across an illustration our middle child Luke drew featuring two figures (one with a gigantic neck and some kind of phaser); apparently it is a story about clowns...

"I am uncomfortable with clowns and I don't know why. They're creepy but I think they are stupid. But I still think they're creepy."

Inflatable Gorillas

As consumers living in the 21st century we are bombarded with advertisements, jingles, and billboards all jockeying for our attention. Those peddling products use these tactics in the hopes that they will "hook" us and then "lure us in" until we purchase their product; one that most certainly will "revolutionize" our way of life.

Enter: The Gigantic Inflatable Gorilla.

Promising "Huge" savings at a "Monster" discount, the gigantic inflatable gorilla is one monkey that is tough to beat. You can find the gigantic inflatable gorilla perched atop most car dealerships hoping to create just enough of a spectacle and attraction that you are compelled to stop in. I'm not sure what gigantic inflatable gorillas have to do with automobiles, but some would say, "It doesn't matter, as long as it helps sell cars."


This is "attractional" marketing.

As church communities I think we should be attractional as well. Yet I think our attractional nature should not come from the gigantic inflatable gorillas of great music, quality programs, slick marketing campaigns, or caring for the poor (yup, even caring for the poor can be a "hook" to get people to buy our "Jesus product").

In his book, A New Vision For Israel: The Teachings of Jesus in National Context, Scot McKnight writes: "(Jesus) did not perform miracles to get attention or to coerce others to follow him, but to reveal a kingdom that would eventually embrace the world in a universal display of God's salvation."

I am all for inspiring musicianship and creative worship gatherings. I believe the church should do works of both compassion and justice. I think these elements (and other things like it) are good not because they can be useful "bait" for a "spiritual seeker", but because through those elements (and others) the living hope of the gospel can be realized and experienced. The Church should be attractional not because of what it does to grab people's attention for the kingdom, but because (through all of its expression) it embodies the very kingdom itself.

Have you ever felt like the church was trying to "sell" something? What are the true attractional elements of the Church?

"The Furious Longing of God"

"Will we let the healing power of the risen Jesus flow through us to reach and touch others, so that they may dream and fight and bear and run where the brave dare not go?"

- Brennan Manning, The Furious Longing of God

The Gospel (New Definitions pt. 2)

We've recently been discussing the need to better define words that we use without much thought within Christian sub-culture. In a recent post we asked the simple question: "What is Evangelism?" many would respond by saying that it is the proclamation of the Gospel..."the Good News".

While I would agree with this statement, it begs yet another question: What do we mean when we say: "Gospel"?

Is the Gospel reflected accurately enough when we say: "Jesus died on the cross for my sins so that I could be made right with God and go to Heaven when I die"?

What elements do we need to consider when trying to define what the Gospel is? How has our western culture influenced the way we view and understand the Gospel?

The Cost of Change

Although change is necessary component of the human existence it, most often, is not easy. Change means a departure from that which we "know" in an effort to discover that which we have no concrete experience of. Many of us want to see changes in our lives, yet change threatens our sense of security; security not in what is necessarily "best" for us, but rather security in what is familiar.

French writer Anatole France wrote: "All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another".

Jesus called his disciples to pursue change when he told a group of fishermen, "come and follow me". The scriptures go on to say, "at once they left their nets and followed him". These fishermen were willing to set aside their way, for a new way after Jesus.

This is not a one-time call for discipleship, but a continual moment-by-moment decision we are faced with; to lay down our way for the way of Christ. It is only through laying down our old life that we may experience the working change of Jesus in our life and in this world....but are we willing?

What makes it difficult for you to let go of your old ways? How might God want to bring change to your life? What do you have to "die to" to usher in that change?

A Threat To Real Christianity?

I recently was given Chuck Colson's latest book: The Faith: What Christians Believe, Why They Believe It, and Why It Matters. This book's purpose is to outline what Christians should believe so they can better live out (and defend) their faith.

Early in the book Colson points out that Christianity and the message of Christ get misunderstood by our mainstream media. In an effort to clarify the hope of Christianity he writes that "love and forgiveness are hallmarks of Christianity, real Christianity" (p.17). Colson goes on to write: "real Christianity is no threat but a glorious proposal".

The "Good News" is good news for all people...a "glorious proposal" indeed: to leave a life of greed, selfishness, and death and pursue Christ's work in this world. Colson is spot on.

Yet only 5 pages later Colson's words give reason why other people groups (and the mainstream media) see Christianity not as a welcomed remedy, but as an oppressive tyrant when he writes: "The Christian West is under assault by the twin challenges of secularism and radical Islam" (p.22). When we articulate the issues we face in this manner does the world really see the Gospel as "a glorious proposal?"

These kind of statements do more harm in creating an "us vs. them" mentality, making some out to be the "good guys" and others the "bad guys". While secularism and Islam may be on the increase are these to be seen as threats or as opportunities for communicating our hope in Christ?

Unfortunately when we begin to rally people around the "issues" that threaten our way of thinking, we end up working people up in a frenzy of fear that often times leads them to respond in such a way that looks nothing like the real love that Jesus calls us to live by.

May the Gospel relieve us of our fear and show us that the very people we thought we were to fight against are the very people we are called to fight for.

Evangelism (New Definitions pt. 1)

I was recently in Pittsburgh with with some other pastors to discuss how to help encourage "stuck churches" regain their missional focus and call.

Much of our conversation focused around this word: Evangelism. We discussed at length (and passionatley) just what we mean when we say "evangelism" and just exactly how one measures a church that is healthy in the area of evangelism.

While there were some differences between us pastors as we tried to define the word evangelism, our culture all the more has all kinds of thoughts and images when one hears, "Evangelism" or "Evangelistic" (in some ways Evangelism has become a dirty word as it conjures up images of people passing out tracts, holding picket signs, or even missionary imperialism).

So now I am curious...How do you define the word "Evangelism"? What does Evangelism look like? How does a church measure it's health in this area?

Rising Up (Philemon: A Response Of Hope pt.4)

Oppression occurs when people are abused, neglected, and treated unfairly. When another human being's rights are violated for any reason injustice is close at hand.

Injustice preys on those considered to be "weak" (the poor, children, elderly, minorities). Acts of oppression are fueled by the "powerful", the greedy, selfish, and the violent. Oppression tears apart that fabric of another human being's image and self worth.

Justice is at the very heart of God: "Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you" - Psalm 89:14

Because of God's heart he calls us to be a voice and advocate for the afflicted: "Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed" - Psalm 82:3

God's pursuit of justice for all people is a theme that carries on all throughout the Scriptures. The question is not "What does God think about injustice?", but rather "What are we doing in light of God's heart for the oppressed?" (listen to podcast "rising up against injustice").

Where do you see injustice and oppression today? What are practical things that followers of Jesus can do to break the chains of injustice?

When We Are Wronged (Philemon: A Response Of Hope pt.3)

What do we do when we've been wronged? How should we respond when others have hurt us? Paul's letter to Philemon speaks to these questions (listen to "when you've been wronged" podcast).

We all have people in our life that we have trusted and invested in. Part of our human experience are those moments when our trust in people was taken advantage of...our good nature used and abused.

Sadly, when we are wronged it is not only the immediate pain that we experience, but its lasting consequences that have such a devastating effect. When others inflict hurt on us it changes our perception of people and this world. We become less trusting, slower to invest in others, and increasingly cynical.

In these moments we have a number of various responses. Some of us try to forget, others hold a grudge, and still some decide to fight back. Although these responses may be a natural reaction, for many of us they fail to bring true lasting peace. Over and again Jesus speaks of our response to be one of forgiveness (Matthew 6:14-15).

Forgiveness does not equate to "forgetting" (much of the pain others inflict on us changes the composition of relationships making forgetting virtually impossible)...there are consequences to the hurt others cause. When one forgives, the pain and consequence of the hurt is still acknowledged yet something else takes place.

When we forgive we are communicating to the other that they no longer "owe us" anything, setting them free from any debt they may have outstanding. Further, forgiving another human being sets us free from the need to collect on the debt owed. When we forgive we no longer have to exert energy, time, and emotion on collecting what another cannot give us (how can an individual give us back our innocence?).

The hope of the Gospel is that forgiveness sets us all free from the hurt we cause one another in the hopes that a true reconciliation of all things might occur.

Grace and peace.

Works Of Charity

"He does much who loves much. He does much who does a thing well. He does well who serves the common good rather than his own interests."

- Thomas 'a Kempis; The Imitation Of Christ

Lilly's Construction

I'm going to be honest right out of the gate on this one...I have absolutely no idea what this is. Well yes, I know...it is a combination of tooth picks, styrofoam packaging, and coffee cups. However I don't have a clue as to what they now form.

Each individual piece serves (or "served") a purpose, but I'm not sure just what purpose this "structure" serves. Even more, what are you supposed to do with it?

My 6 year old daughter Lilly is the head designer and chief architect behind this project so I figured that at least she could answer my questions...

Nope.

Lilly doesn't have any idea what this is "supposed to be" or what it is "supposed to do". Further, not "knowing" what it "is" or what it "does" doesn't really bother her. She simply appreciates it because she made it and it is hers.

Lilly's construction reminds me that the value of beauty and art cannot be measured by pragmatic functionality. It is beautiful, creative, and inspiring simply because it is.

When I look at my life, with a scrutinizing pragmatic stare, and wonder just exactly what I'm supposed to "be" and "do" (so that I can measure my worth), I need reminders that my beauty and value as a human being is not measured by mere definitive functionality, but because I am the worksmanship of the master Artisan.

While In Pain

Throughout life's journey we experience pain and affliction on many levels. Some are deep relationship hurts due to our actions, others are feelings of worthlessness brought upon us with the loss of work and a meaningful purpose in life.

Pain meets us deep in our psyche through the dark hallways of depression and rests heavy on us when our bodies are broken down by sickness. As human beings we are no strangers to pain and the uncertainty and weariness that it causes.

Affliction and pain not only tear away at our body and mind, but it draws us outside of community until we find ourselves suffering alone. This space of isolation becomes the moment where death seems close at hand...we feel cut off from loved ones and forsaken by our Creator.

In this state the true nature of our self is tested, along with how we view God (who we believe God to be). If, in our darkest hour in which hope is dead, we believe God to be tired of us and ambivalent to our plight then hope is certainly dead.

Yet if the Scriptures are true, and Jesus' description of God's character accurate, then maybe we can begin view God as a caring father who is good to his children. With that understanding of God's nature, regardless of how dark and painful life may be, hope has the opportunity to be resurrected.

Who in your life needs to be reminded that God is loving and good? How can you reflect God's loving and caring nature to them in the midst of pain and darkness?

Giving Dignity (Philemon: A Response Of Hope pt.2)

In our world we make distinctions and classifications between people and people groups. We not only label people based on ethnicity, class, gender, and political ideology, but we also treat people differently. Sadly, this classification system is how our society measures one's value and meaning (holding some in a higher regard and others in a lower) and in doing so, strips those who are "less than" of their God given dignity and humanity.

In Paul's day slavery was one of those clear class distinctions. There were the "haves", the "have-nots", and the "slaves". Slaves for the people of the 1st century were nothing more than commodities; bought, used, and sold to turn a profit. Their "worth" was only found in their ability to contribute the growth of their master's economic portfolio. Slaves knew no dignity.

It is in this light that Paul's words to Philemon (a slave owner) regarding his disobedient run-away slave (Onesimus) are earth-shaking: "Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever - no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother...welcome him as you would welcome me (v.15-17)." (listen to this week's Renovate podcast on Philemon).

In his short letter to Philemon, Paul is subversively dismantling the grid of classification and status by which his world operates. Paul sees Onesimus not as a slave who committed a crime, but as a brother who is of great value. Through his words Paul puts on display a new system; one that is charitable, equitable, and just, and in so doing, Paul challenges his contemporaries (like Philemon) to live by that same system.

This is the hope of the Gospel.

"What classifications and distinctions in our world rob people of their dignity?" "What are ways in which we can give dignity to others regardless of the class distinctions of our world?"

Picture Response

In viewing this image, what thoughts/observations come to mind?

How can the church help bridge this divide and move all people towards hopeful healing?

Context (Philemon: A Response Of Hope pt.1)

This past Sunday Renovate began a teaching series on the book of Philemon. While this letter only takes up 3/4 a page in the Bible, there are some significant issues and themes that rise to the surface.

Written by Paul around 61 AD this letter regards the return of a run-away slave (Onesimus) to his slave owner (Philemon). In this letter Paul advocates for Onesimus' safe return and reception into Philemon's household.

At first glance this letter seems to affirm the unjust system of human slavery (Paul's words in other portions of the Scriptures also seem to advocate slaves submitting to their masters - 1 Tim. 6:1). In fact, over the course of America's history, some preachers in the south used the book of Philemon (and other portions of Scripture) to affirm the practice of slavery. Those preachers claimed that they're "just doing what the Bible says" and what Paul preached.

It is easy to see today that the practice of slavery is of the worst kind of evil and hated by God, yet this letter brings up an important question: "How do we read and interpret the Bible?" (listen to this past week's Renovate podcast). Is living out the commands of Scripture as simple as: "God said it, I believe it, that settles it?"

Many would claim to live a life "according to what the Bible says", so then why do we choose to follow some things (not murdering is a good idea) but not others (anyone else with tattoos?).

How should one read, interpret, and follow the Bible? What is the harm if we misunderstand the words and the intent written?

Measuring Spiritual Growth

We measure growth all sorts of ways. We track our children's growth and development by comparing video footage and pictures from the years gone by. We make pencil marks in the doorways of our laundry rooms to gauge the inches they acquire over the passing months. We even measure our own growing girth by stepping on the scale.

Growth is easy to measure...isn't it?

One may know how to track the growing inches of a child, but how does one measure the spiritual development of a human being? An above average height may make someone a "giant", but what makes someone a spiritual saint?

If physical growth can be measured by yardsticks and scales, can spiritual growth be measured by Scripture memory and devotional length? Can spiritual growth be measured at all?

Voodoo Doughnuts

I love a good doughnut. I must admit that it is a vice of mine. My favorite doughnut is a Strawberry Frosted from Dunkin Donuts. Sadly, Dunkin has gone the way of the dinosaur here in Western Michigan, so I don't have much opportunity to indulge in my favorite pastry. On a recent trip to Portland, Misty and I stopped at a local favorite: Voodoo Donuts.

Located downtown on 3rd street, Voodoo is known for their tasty and unusual donuts. Taking me back to my childhood breakfasts I had a Coco Puff (chocolate cake with chocolate frosting and Coco Puffs) and a Loop (vanilla frosted with Fruit Loops). Misty was a bit more adventurous, she had the Mexican Hot Chocolate (chocolate cake doughnut rolled in cinnamon and cayenne pepper). Although tempting, I did not try the Syrup 'n Bacon (maple frosted long-jon with 2 strips of bacon...don't you love it when your bacon gets all syrupy from your pancakes?).

While Voodoo did not invent the doughnut, they certainly have helped "refresh" it in ways that make this treat "new" all over again. At Voodoo their creativity takes them to new places. It is their freedom to create along with their willingness to experiment that makes Voodoo Doughnuts a place for originality.

Check out the video, and if that makes you want more, then the next time you are in Portland be sure you swing in.

Do you have a favorite doughnut or pastry? Where's the best place to go?

The People We Hurt

Green Day LIVE

A decade and a half ago, during one of our band practices in my friend's basement, my buddy Dan played the song "Longview" off of the album "Dookie". I was instantly hooked on the drive of the guitar and the thumping beat of the bass/drums, and lyrics that spoke of teenage angst with humor and silliness...I have been hooked on the punk rock trio from Oakland ever since.


This past Monday night Misty and I saw Green Day at the United Center on their 21st Century Breakdown Tour (this was the 3rd time I've seen them live: '94-Dookie Tour; '01-Warning Tour).

From the first chord of their opening tune to the closing lyrics of their final song, Green Day relentlessly let the energy and enthusiasm fly for 2 and half hours (see pics of the show in Chicago). Through video, pyro, and utilizing every square inch of the stage (and even jumping into the crowd), Green Day put on one of the best shows I've ever seen (sorry Huey Lewis).

Green Day didn't perform as an "act" on stage in which an audience could watch, but played as if they were going on a ride and invited all who wanted, to come along. The line between stage and seat was dismantled as people were invited up on stage to sing lead, play Billie Joe's guitar on "Jesus of Suburbia", and stage dive (read the review of the show from the Chicago Tribune).

As Green Day has progressed over the years their songs have pulled together with continuity around a common message: the fear that controls us (instilled in us through poor gov't policies, religiosity, and constant media bombardment in culture) and that each one of us has a roll to play in a movement towards hope (regardless of cultural distinctions and classifications). This is the gospel of Green Day.

After singing along with every lyric and playing air guitar with each riff Misty and I left the United Center with a t-shirt, wrist bands for the kids, and the thought that punk rock might just change the world.

The Value of Usefulness ("Man's Search For Meaning" pt. 5)

How do we measure one's value? The systems of our society teach that value comes with success. Success, a word seeming always illusive as one strives for a better career, a bigger house, and more income. We then de-value that which cannot lead to success, causing us to look at those who cannot "produce" (the poor, children, the elderly, etc) as having less value.

In "Man's Search For Meaning" Frankl writes: "...usefulness is usually defined in terms of functioning for the benefit of society. But today's society is characterized by achievement orientation, and consequently it adores people who are successful and happy and, in particular, it adores the young. It virtually ignores the value of all those who are otherwise, and in so doing blurs the decisive difference between being valuable in the sense of dignity and being valuable in the sense of usefulness."

We need to operate in such a way that preserves the dignity of all people, recognizing that regardless of age, social-economic status, or "success" level, they are intrinsically valuable. It is in the place of mutual respect and understanding for ones inherent value that we can spur one another on to a life of meaning.

I'll Do What I Want

Our Western Culture has taught us to do "what we want when we want". We look to associate with those who give in to us ("yes men"), so we can pursue whatever we deem important (or our impulses) without giving them a second thought.

In The Imitation of Christ, German monk Thomas 'a Kempis writes: "Everyone, it is true, wishes to do as he pleases and is attracted to those who agree with him. But if God be among us, we must give up our opinions for the blessings of peace."

The failing in always giving way to what we want is that we never allow ourselves to be challenged and changed by others or by God. It is only through a continual yielding of our self (our desires, our ambitions, our need to "be right") that we can be made more and more in the likeness of Christ.

What "opinions" do you need to yield to in order to allow God to challenge and change you?

Hearing The Music

The church has spent so much time inculcating in us the fear of making mistakes that she has made us like ill-taught piano students; we play our songs but we never really hear them because our main concern is not to make music, but to avoid some flub that will get us in dutch. - Philip Yancey

For many this has been their experience with church. A place of fear and condemnation. A place where we walk on egg shells, afraid to say the wrong things, do the wrong things, and think the wrong things. In this environment the rhythm and life of the gospel becomes tragically snuffed out. And sadly, the way of Jesus ends up becoming stale, mechanical, and forced.

Jesus lived a life and spoke in such a way that we might be freed from this kind of tyranny. That we might stop stressing over getting each "note" of religion perfect, and instead learn to feel the music of walking in a relationship with God.

Have you had experiences with church that felt more like grinding piano lessons? How can we foster creativity and movement so that people might feel the "rhythm" of the gospel?

Too Little to Be Knee Boarding

I am going to be a proud daddy for a minute. We took the kids out on Jason and Jamye's boat the other day for some summer fun. Our plan was to take the kids tubing and the adults knee boarding. After exhausting ourselves on the tube Caleb said, "Can I try the knee board?"

My initial thought was, "You're too little to knee board...", yet Caleb kept asking so we decided to let him give it a try. After giving him a brief explanation of knee boarding mechanics he jumped in the water and got in position. All set, Caleb gave us the "thumbs up" and Jason hit the throttle.

I wasn't sure what to expect next (maybe my oldest son being dragged behind a speed boat while gulping in Mona Lake). Needless to say I was shocked when I saw Caleb pop right up as if he had done this all his life! After getting situated on the board Caleb strapped himself in (a difficult maneuver requiring a one handed hold) and rode effortlessly in the wake. The ride ended when Caleb signaled to us that he was all done and simply let go of the rope and eased into the water.

Since when did my little boy get big enough to knee board?

I have realized that it is my role as a parent to give my kids opportunities where they can stretch, explore, and discover. This will at times mean "failure" (maybe even pain). Yet other times, giving them space to try means they not only discover the cool splash of the waves as they skim through the water, but also means that Dad discovers they are capable of more than he thinks they are.

Way to go Caleb!

Bring Your Guns To Church

In preparation for the 4th of July, New Bethel Church in Louisville, KY wanted have an outreach event for people in their community. So on June 27th the church hosted their first "Open Carry" Service in which members and non-members alike were encouraged to bring their guns to church to celebrate the 2nd Amendment.

After finally being able to find an insurance carrier that would cover the event, around 175 people turned out (pistols in tow) watched videos from gun enthusiasts, sang songs (selections: America, the Beautiful, My Country 'tis of Thee), and enjoyed a summer cookout. There were some rules for this gathering: All guns must be unloaded and holstered (however those who have "concealed-carry" permits were welcome to have their loaded gun with them). The event went off without a hitch and there are plans for the church to do this outreach event again (for a full story click this link).

This event irrupted a firestorm around the 2nd Amendment (those working hard to defend it and those who would like to see guns go by the wayside). As the firestorm ensues people get broken into 1 of two categories: a card carrying member of the NRA that likes to drink beer and carry an uzi, or the "Anti-American" who wants to burn the US constitution. Both of these categories are unhelpful.

As the Church in this world our concern should not be so much with the politics of the day, but rather what we are promoting in this world.

Jesus told his followers that he would turn their "pitch forks into plowshares"...how then does it reflect on the gospel when his followers hold tightly to their guns? The people of God should always be encouraging things that are full of creativity and life giving...what then does it communicate when we hold events that encourage people to bring weapons to public places (particularly in light of recent school and church shootings)? Further, if our trust is found in God alone what do we communicate when we worry in fear about the government taking away our "only defense"(one's firearm)?

This is not a commentary on the 2nd Amendment (for all of you who like to hunt you can let out a sigh of relief) but rather to point out that while we may be thankful for certain rights, it doesn't necessarily mean those rights need always be celebrated (would our churches hold a rally in support of the 1st Amendment where we listened to George Carlin's "7 Dirty Words You Can't Say On Television")? Is it not appropriate that certain rights we accept with great trepidation and care?

Let's remember that at whatever events the Church holds it should always communicate (and embody) the gospel of Christ: a message of hope, reconciliation, beauty, creativity, and life.

The Case for a Tragic Optimism ("Man's Search For Meaning" pt. 4)

"Live as if you were living for the second time and had acted as wrongly the first time as you are about to act now."

-Victor Frankl "Man's Search for Meaning" (p.151)