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.