Searching for a Spark

“The Cross is the blazing fire at which the flame of our love is kindled, but we have to get near enough to it for its sparks to fall on us.”
- John Stott

This past month there's probably been no truth more in the forefront of my mind than the one which Stott is addressing. Unfortunately, I'm finding how all too often I tend to live for something else than the Gospel and how much vigilance I'm to muster in trusting that my approval, security and identity flow from Calvary. I always thought of myself as a fairly steady and sure person but after some introspection I've begun to notice a thread of doubt which runs through the fabric of my responses to people and things. Whenever I find myself uttering self-justifying statements or sense that I'm overly-critical in my assessment of a peer, I can be confident most of that flows from my unbelief, my lack of faith in the Gospel to be my sufficiency. The result is a lame (but pretty shrewd) attempt at trying to control my image.

Stott's words are a good measure of the medication I need. I need the Gospel. I need it again...and again...and again. If I'm going to make any headway into a Cross-centered life I must "take every thought captive to obey Christ" (2 Cor. 10:5) by unleashing the Gospel upon anything I'm trusting in to build me up besides the Cross.

It's the best way I know of getting close to the fire.

A Prayer

O God,

Forgive me for wanting to be
more celebrity than slave,
For desiring the bigger and brighter
instead of the holy and healthy

May I look to offer support and love
for fellow under-shepherds who are my peers
Instead of trying to tell myself all the ways
I supposedly am superior to them.

Still my confidence in the Cross
and my identity in the Gospel,
Fleeing any reliance in what I do,
who I know or any future endeavor

Blot out my transgression of filling
my day with the work of the ministry
When the truth is I am simply
beating around the bush of meeting with you.

Continue to cast your favor upon me O Lord
Thus far I have not deserved it
(and never will)
and yet still you give

I feel as Jacob who merited no advantage
and yet blessing was his portion
For you sovereignly declared,
“Jacob I loved.”

In the midst of all my failings
(and there are many)
I still hear your voice
and its declaration of love for me.

O God, you are my God.

Don't Overlook the Seemingly Insignificant

Wrestling, Britney and Systematic Theology

"What comes to mind when we think about God
is the most important thing about us."
-A.W. Tozer, The Knowledge of the Holy

Want to see people roll their eyes at something you say? You can defend wrestling on television as being real, you can proclaim how Britney Spears is an incredible singer or you can simply affirm the importance of systematic theology. Each of those testimonies will bring all kinds of negative reactions - from a magnanimous fake smile and slow nodding all the way up to a good old-fashioned yelling match. The sad thing is that only two out of the three actually merit a challenge.

If theology means the study of God and systematic means an arranged or orderly system of understanding, it is beyond me why any Follower of Jesus would harbor any amount of disdain towards it. And yet, I've heard not only Christians but Christian leaders decry how systematic theology is too academic, dry and impractical for the modern-day follower. That last critique is my "favorite". Theology is "out" because it's not pragmatic enough. "How is this going to help my marriage? What is this going to do for my business? Is this going to help me find a mate? Those are the things I want to understand from the Bible! How does knowing the Trinity impact those issues? What does "homoousias" have to do with me? Why waste my time with communicable and incommunicable attributes of the Holy when I can read this bestseller that's going to tell me how to be healthier, wealthier and wiser spiritually?"

Straw man? I wish. While many of those indifferent to theology might not express it in those exact terms the end result still holds. Systematic theology is seen as the property of naive, ivory tower Christians who only want to debate free will versus predestination at Starbucks until closing. This shouldn't be! We should desire to grow in our knowledge of God so that we might grow in our love and service of him. That's it. If God has revealed who he is then doesn't it follow that we should seek to know as much as we can of that revelation? Do we do it to become walking theological encyclopedias who spout obtuse and obscure bits of dusty information that only seeks to alienate everyone around us? Not at all! We do it to become better lovers of God, better followers of Jesus, better instruments for the Holy Spirit in his mission of reaching those far from the Father.

Listen up, reclaim that which is yours! Don't let studying theology be something for the ecclesiastical Illuminati. God, through his Word, has pulled the curtain back on who he is and, mind you, this is not just some high school buddy, chummy neighbor or even your sweet spouse that's letting you in on who they are. This is the God of the Universe inviting you to know him more. This should help us see that systematic theology is very practical. So don't cede it to others when it is divine gift for you too.

Let's leave the rolling of eyes for the men in tights and the mouseketeer.

Simple Joys

“We are nowhere forbidden to laugh, or be satisfied with food…
or to delighted with music, or to drink wine.”
– John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion

I don’t know about you but sometimes I lose sight of the simple joys God has given – food, drink, music, conversation. Sometimes they are concealed by techno-explosion that is my life. IPods, laptops, television, DVD, gizmos ad infinitum seem to crowd out the stuff I used to do before Bill Gates, Steve Jobs & Co. turned the world on its ear.

Yesterday (while staring at a computer) I called my wife (on my cell) and asked her if she would like to completely change plans for the evening (which for me was sitting at home watching TV or probing the deep recesses of the internet) and go out for dinner, just the two of us. Within a few hours we had finished dinner and were sitting down at the Kemah Boardwalk, eating overpriced but extremely tasty Marble Slab ice cream, conversing about the going’s-on of each of our lives and watching kids happily scurrying through the water spouts anxious to be the latest victim of an unannounced burst of water. All of this on a summer evening whose clear blue sky was dotted with clouds of amber, gold and crimson as the sun was bidding its farewell for the day.

Simple joys.

Even though relatively inexpensive, they seem to fill me up more often than the “shiny, digital, on/off button” stuff I let crowd my life. Maybe I need to take a step back. Maybe I should push away from the tech-table for a while. Maybe I’d be better if I picked up the phone and called a buddy or two for a drink, a bite and meaningful conversation. So I’ll try to reduce the strain on my eyes and my energy bill as I turn the shiny things off a little bit more than usual in order to carve out additional time for the simple joys.

Filling Station

"For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you--that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine."
- The Epistle to the Romans 1:11-12 (ESV)

This Friday I had the opportunity to meet a guy I'd been invited to know for a long time. He's my age and pastor of a church in St. Louis which happens to have as parishioners some close friends of mine (an old college roommate and his "girl" to be exact). For years, my "roomie" had wanted me to meet with him saying how alike we both were in passions, personalities, etc. So when the opportunity surfaced to meet with him in Houston I jumped at it. I wasn't disappointed.

I wanted to write this in light of my last post. Yes, there are times when those who have given their lives in full-time ministry immensely disappoint you with their selfish and reckless actions. But there are also times, much more frequent in my experiences I might add, where you run across fellow pastors who inspire, encourage and challenge you. You leave your time with them more fired up to serve Jesus with greater fidelity and intensity at the church he has placed you. For me, those are moments that feed my spirit. They are cool drinks of water in the sometimes arid landscape of ministry. I depart those times of fellowship with my tank fuller (or is it "more full") than it was when I shook hands in greeting.

Friday just reminded me of how important it is for me to get around guys my age, who essentially do what I do and share how the journey is going. If that's my weakness so be it. I need that time. I crave that time. There are fewer things I do that fill me up the way that does!

If you find yourself in a little slump or low on gas (or neither - you should do this no matter how good or bad it's going), grab a buddy who sails the same type of ship you do. Hit him up for a cup of coffee, a game down at the ballpark or (as in my case) breakfast. You may find yourself a little more "filled up" after it's all said and done!

Sobering News

Today I received some grave news. A friend of mine quit as pastor of his church due to moral failure. It hurt me deeply because not only was this man my friend but a mentor and leader for a significant time of my life. As a matter of fact, I would consider him one of my spiritual fathers.

With the sobering revelation I'm reminded of two things. First, our heroes all have feet made of clay. No matter how highly we regard them, it doesn't change the fact that they can bomb, implode, lock up, freak out, go off the deep end and ruin their life (and witness). I'm sure you can name some people yourself.

Secondly, it reminds me that I better watch my life, safeguard my heart and take care of my soul. It's funny how when my heart and soul get weak so does my resolve. Actually it's not that funny - it can be the difference between leading a ministry and being a recipient of it. So take care of that which needs taking care of; spend time with others in good fellowship, dig deep into the disciplines so that God may pour out his grace to you and keep watch over what's going on inside of you.

Everybody is playing for keeps.

Confession

Hi. I have a problem. Okay, I know that’s not new. I’m a sinner. Sinners and problems go hand-in-hand like Elvis and a velvet canvas. The difference is that sometimes, when we get slow down, meditate on God’s Word and allow His Spirit to speak to our heart, we can receive enough grace to discover problems we possessed but couldn’t put a finger on. So when I say I have a problem, I mean I’ve seen something in my life that’s I didn’t before.

It’s the sin of self-promotion.

It’s almost funny that I was so oblivious to this in my life, but now as I’ve narrowed down the problem in my heart I see it everywhere!

Over the past few weeks I’ve talked with a friend of mine who said that when he struggled through stuff like that it came down to him trusting (or not) the Gospel to be his validation and security. They were good words. Adding to that line of thought was a message I heard this week by Pastor Tim Keller on preaching the Gospel. One of the key thoughts he addressed was that the sin we exhibit usually has a deeper root sin as its cause whose cure is almost always the Gospel. Again, for what was going on in me, they were especially good words.

I’ve come to realize that when you boil it all down, my sin of self-promotion is due to my inability to trust the Gospel. Wanting others to see me a certain way emanates from my lack of faith that Jesus is my identity and the Cross my confession. As a result, I feel the need to validate myself before others even though that question has already been answered by the Gospel.

So I thank God for the past seven days. I’m grateful he gave me eyes to see that which kept me from living the Gospel out in my life. I know there’s more stuff in me to be dealt with but at least one stone was overturned in me that, up to now, hadn’t been. Now I simply ask that he might give me the grace to mortify that problem, and all others, which keep me from trusting in the Good News.

What are you trusting?

No Spin Zone

There is a well-known political commentator on a cable news network whose promotes his incredibly popular talk show as a “no spin zone”. Whether that is true or not isn’t what I’d like to debate (it’s “not” by the way), this is more about what the phrase touches upon. I believe it strikes a chord with many who feel like they’re always being told what something “is” or “isn’t” by the experts – people with titles, talk shows or a tome. Nothing is beyond being “spun”, not even Jesus. Unfortunately, more times than not the people I see “spinning” Jesus happen to be within the walls of the church. Some times I’m sure it’s been me doing it!

Instead of going deeper on that let me simply stop and offer a suggestion for those of you who feel like Jesus has been spun one too many times before your eyes (even, or especially, if it's of your own doing). Read the Gospels for yourself, again. Just you and Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

Over the past week I’ve spent about an hour a day reading through the Gospel accounts and the one thing that stood out to me above all else is how my view of Jesus may need to be trimmed of some “spin”. For example, in reading about what Jesus said and did, I’m taken back by how often un-meek and un-mild Jesus acted. He was pretty tough to say the least, yet the popular picture often cast of Jesus is a person almost timid in character. But that's just spin to make Jesus more accessible, distilled and disinfected for public consumption. I thought about sharing some supporting scripture references for you to check out but that would defeat the point of reading it yourself. Do it. Take one week or so and read through the Gospels in big chunks at a time. I don't know if this is fast or not, but I read about fourteen chapters and hour which means I finish Matthew in two sittings, etc. When you read in big sections you get a sense of the emotional flow and timber of Jesus as he heals, preaches and moves toward Jerusalem. Every time I finished an account I had the same feeling: I’ve forgotten more of who Jesus is than I realized.

So, read the Gospels by yourself. It’s good. It's simple. It’s truly a “no spin zone”. Who knows? You might realize the Jesus you've known has more in common with what's being spun today than the real thing?

When it comes to Jesus, get to the Gospels; leave the spin to the politicos and pundits.

(RED)talk

Let’s do some word association. Don’t worry, this will be short. I’ll give you one word. Actually, one name: Bono.

What comes to your mind? Frontman of the world’s greatest rock band? Mega-voice with sunglasses to match? Self-appointed African ambassador? The founder of the One and (RED) campaigns? I’m sure the responses would be many. Today my answer would be: one shrewd dude. I know, it doesn’t have all the sophistication and depth that others might supply but let me explain.

A week or two ago I read an article about the achievement of the (RED) campaign, which was begun by Bono as an attempt to get companies to designate one of their products (colored red of course) of which a portion of its sale would go to help fight AIDS in Africa. It was interesting to say the least, and when I asked others who were more in the know that I am what they thought of it, opinions ran across the board. I don’t really know enough still to comment intelligently about whether (RED) is successful or not. However, in doing a little (emphasis on little) research on the (RED) campaign I discovered how well Bono knows the West and has capitalized on that knowledge for his, and (RED)’s, advantage. On the (RED) webpage, after explaining what (RED) is all about, Bono concludes his pitch:

You, the consumer, can take your purchase to the power of (RED) simply by upgrading your choice. Thus the proposition: (YOU)RED. Be embraced, take your own fine self to the power of (RED). What better way to become a good-looking samaritan?!

As I said, Bono is shrewd. He knows us maybe better than we know ourselves.

• Question: How do you get a bunch of consumers, who live life thinking they are the center of the universe, to give money to your cause?

• Answer: You speak their love language of possessions and narcissism by telling them how great they will appear in the eyes of others when they don their (RED) shirts, IPods, shirts, cell phones, stuff ad infinitum, and be recognized as hip and a do-gooder at the same time!

I read his words and, once again, am amazed how we’re so consumed with ourselves that even our charity must be about us. One thing that (RED) does is tell us how culturally-savvy Bono is (he speaks fluent Western-ese) and how terribly small our national soul has become. I wonder how much we would give if it meant nobody knew anything, if it meant that we don’t get to wear a hip shirt around for others to see? What do you think? I believe you know the answer as well as I do.

Let me be clear. I’m not against (RED). I hope it raises as much money as possible to help real people who are really dying. I’m also sincere in my praise of Bono’s shrewdness. He knows the pulse of the people and is trying to do something good with it. Folks are going to spend money, why not try to take some of that consumer cash and funnel it to something that's truly worthwhile? I can't argue with that at all. More power to him! Bono has done more for those in Africa than I (and most others for that matter) probably ever will. Furthermore, I don’t think everyone who wears something (RED) has done so with self-centered intentions.

It’s just that in all this (RED) stuff I, as a Follower of Jesus, need to pause, take a moment to reflect and check my heart before I tell that salesperson at the mall to grab me a cardinal colored XL t-shirt. Why? Remember Bono’s final plea to join his cause: “What better way to become a good-looking samaritan?!” While that may be a great motive for a consumer to give it isn't for a follower of Jesus. Contrast Bono's words with the words of Jesus: “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:1-4 ESV)

As an appeal to consumers, Bono's conclusion is genius, but for those who follow Christ, it's dangerous because it seeks to arouse the stuff in us we're supposed to be trying to die to.

I know this may sound (RED)iculous but if you want to give to help those dying of AIDS in Africa just give directly and 100% of your money will be used to serve others. You may not catch the eyes of others but you will catch the eye of One.

What better way to become a Good Samaritan?

A Tough Day

There’s nothing like having children to remind you that, when it comes to sanctification, you still have a long way to go. Today I was just a flat-out bad parent. Apparently my patience-tank was running on fumes because I lit into my eldest more times than I can remember. In each episode I overreacted. He’d commit a “3” blunder and I’d counter with an “10” response. Frankly, it was utterly embarrassing and pathetic on my part.

If my son knew better he would’ve written me up for being a joke of a parent. Fortunately for me he simply looked past most of my [insert your favorite pejorative adjective] actions and still wanted to hang out, which only heightened my sense of guilt and shame.

As I tucked him into bed tonight I told him how sorry I was, how badly I acted today, how I would like to have his forgiveness, he simply responded, “Daddy, you had a tough day; we all have tough days. I forgive you.” Then he kissed me. I left after praying with him, asking God for the same forgiveness I requested from my child and feeling the same oppressive but deserved embarrassment.

[Sigh]

Today revealed that I can be a pretty sad excuse for a father.
Today reminded me how much responsibility I have as a tool to shape my son’s character.
Today is a day I wish I could do over.
Today my son deserved better.

It was a tough day.

Life, Love and Work

“For no matter what we achieve, if we don’t spend
the vast majority of our time with people we love and respect,
we cannot possibly have a great life.”
– Jim Collins, Good To Great

Every now and then I get asked if I would ever leave the church I currently serve. I don’t know the motives behind the question but I’d like to think that due to my superhuman ability to exposit God’s Word, razor-sharp leadership skills and theologically encyclopedic mind they know it’s only a matter of time 'til the ship sails to the land of being a Lead Pastor. (yes, the tongue is firmly planted in cheek) The hard truth is probably they can’t wait for me to leave.

One of the reasons I feel so strongly about where I serve and why it would be hard for me to ever leave is the leadership team I’m a part of. Life is too short to work with others you don’t like, can’t get along with or generally don’t respect or admire. Fortunately, this has not been my lot. There is no question that God’s grace has been rich to me in this area of my life because I truly feel I serve with the greatest guys on the face of the planet. I not only like, admire and respect these guys…I love ‘em! While teaching the Bible, leading others and influencing the direction of the church are activities that “fill my cup” personally and professionally, it’s “doing life with the ones you love” that seals the deal for what I do and where I do it.

Could I leave? Yes. But (unless God says, “Go. Period.”) it would need to be a situation that either meets or surpasses the deep blessings I experience currently. That would be a tall order to say the least.

If you don’t love those with whom you lead I have a word of advice. Quit. Start a church, business, whatever and get a team around you that you can love deeply and they can deeply love you. While some of us couldn’t seriously follow through with that there are some of us who can…and should.

Let me repeat. As far as God enables you to do so, do life with the ones you love. Life is too short to suffer any less.

A Poem for My Wife

Jennefer

Never in this world will there be
A more precious pearl than thee.

In thy presence is nourishing grace,
With deceit or guile, there is no trace.

Some men run after women of standard fare,
But in my possession is one beyond compare.

Of places to which God may deliver me,
All is forlorn lest it be with tbee.

If there is but one prayer I could pray,
T’would be thy presence at my side each day.

May His pow’r give reality to this rhyme,
For I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine.

Flying a Little Lower

"Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven
—for she loved much."
- The Gospel According to Luke 7:47 (ESV)

"There can be no doubt as to the center of gravity in New Testament teaching on worship. The lodestone which irresistibly draws the New Testament Church to the recognition of God's love and mercy
is His saving action in the Son of His love."
- Ralph Martin, Worship in the Early Church

For quite some time I’ve been stuck on the idea that most of the music we play in the corporate worship setting needs to revolve around Jesus and his work on the Cross.

Don’t get me wrong. It’s not that you can’t sing songs about God and his goodness, or how great of a creator he is or how much we love him. It just seems that most of the worship music I hear is cruising about 10,000 feet high when it comes to who God is and what is going on in redemptive history. The lyrics appear to be lifted from the Old Testament and are sometimes almost so generic that, frankly, any faith could almost sing along. Again, it’s not bad (I like the OT) it’s just that we could do better. We’ve been given much greater revelation to sing about, revelation that is the locus of redemptive history, revelation that all the cosmos revolves around, revelation that makes us who we are in the Church. In a phrase, “Where’s the cross?”

We are told in scripture that the greatest expression of God is in the person of Jesus, and his work on Calvary is the greatest expression of his love. If this is the zenith of both who God is and what he has done for us surely this should be the center of our worship? I wonder if some who find themselves disconnected emotionally during the time of corporate worship do so because they’re constantly bombarded with song after song laden with redemptively vague and theologically generic lyrics which give a paint-by-numbers view of God instead of a New Testament-saturated expression of Christ and him crucified?

In Luke 7:36-50 we see a former prostitute lavishly and passionately demonstrating great affection for the Savior due to the fact that she had been forgiven. Forgiveness fuels affection. It always has, it always will. What greater way can we reignite the embers of love for Jesus in the heart of the worshipper with music than by getting before him the truth that he has been greatly forgiven by God? The only way that happens is by using music that highlights Jesus and the work of the cross.

We're New Covenant members for Christ's sake (literally), let's worship like it.

The Gospel and The List

"O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?"

- The Epistle to the Galatians 3:1-3

One of the major tenets of Christianity, especially emphasized in its Reformed expression, is that we are justified by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. In other words, there is nothing that makes me righteous before God except the applied righteousness of Jesus because of his life and work on the Cross. As a Christian (especially one who’s of a Reformed character) this is a truth I embrace wholeheartedly.

At least I thought I did.

That was until through a period of reading, discussion and self-reflection that I realized there were activities I refrained from that undermined my affirmation of the cardinal truth that Jesus is my total righteousness.

Let me give a little backstory here…

Once my father became a Christian our family began to attend a church affiliated with a denomination known for abstaining from a long list of activities deemed “sinful” even though the Bible didn’t explicitly say they were sinful. Things like dancing, drinking alcohol, going to movies for example. They also used to look down on card playing, swimming with the opposite sex and long hair on men. (Some churches probably still hold to those as well). But one way or another this denomination, and others like them, always have had a list, it just gets revised and updated as time goes by.

The problem with lists is that they’re easy to create, easy to enforce and easy to judge people with; however, they take away from the Follower of Jesus a critical thing that demonstrates his maturity in Christ as he or she deals with issues that don’t fall into the black or white categories in scripture – discernment. With a list there’s no need to discern whether something is acceptable or not, it’s just wrong no matter how you slice it. The result is a Christian life which in principle says Christ’s righteousness is sufficient for being made right with God but in practice lives out a life with extra-biblical rules added on to it so that in observing them (with the approval of those in authority) the person will be holier and possess a greater righteousness that those who practice the activities on “The List”.

This was the spiritual no-man’s land in which I found myself. I believed in Jesus and his work to give me a righteousness that was not my own and yet deep-down I believed that certain activities I didn’t participate in made me better than others spiritually. Now, mind you, these activities were not mentioned in the Bible as sins, they were seen as such because for whatever reason they made “The List”. As I got older I became more lenient toward others who did things on "The List" and even got to the point where I would defend them but still I didn't dip my foot in the water, which told more of my real beliefs than I thought.

The ironic result was that in my abstinence of certain practices, instead of demonstrating my faith, I actually exposed my lack of it. My attitudes, beliefs and actions betrayed my confidence in the Gospel. With all the justifications I tried to convince myself of and straw man arguments I gave, the truth was that "The List" had invaded sacred ground. It was trespassing upon the Gospel of the Cross.

So I decided to put my actions where the Cross was. I chunked "The List" and reexamined everything, both engaging or abstaining by faith to the glory of God.

Let me ask you: Why do you do what you do? Do you do _________ and not do ___________ because the Bible says or because someone gave you a list a long time ago and told you this is what good Christians stay away from? Do you see your engagement or abstinence making you more spiritual than others? Do your actions say you trust the Gospel for your righteousness? Do you live out a life that proclaims you are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone?

I thought I did too.

Happy Chapter 15

"The Chronicles of Narnia" have always been close to my heart ever since I was young, and something happened a week or so ago that further deepened my affection for C.S. Lewis’ classic series. I was finishing the series’ most popular novel The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe in which Aslan, the Great Lion and Christ figure of the series is killed by the witch in a humiliating (they even shave off his glorious mane) and torturous fashion. Pretty big stuff for the ears of a five-year old who’s laying next to his dad in his parents’ bedroom. My son’s sobriety grew weightier with each line I read.

-End of Chapter 14-

I decided to let the moment linger: Son, how do you feel? Why would someone innocent die for someone who was guilty? Weren’t the witch and her evil helpers really mean to Aslan? He must’ve really loved Edmund to take his place, don’t you think? I wonder what will happen in the next chapter?

-Chapter 15-

“There, shining in the sunrise, larger than they had seen before, shaking his mane (for it had apparently grown again) stood Aslan himself.”

Upon hearing those words my son leapt out of bed, threw open the bedroom door and upon locating his mother in the room triumphantly shouted at the top of his voice as he jumped up and down, “Mommy, Aslan is alive! He has risen from the dead! Aslan is alive!”

Now, like with my son, let’s allow that moment to linger. Let it percolate a little bit.


...

“He is not here, for he has risen.”
- Matthew 28:6a (ESV)

Happy Easter.

The Collar

“Likewise he who was free when called is a slave of Christ.”
– The First Epistle to the Corinthians 7:22 (ESV)

I ran across an interesting article by a pastor who advocated the return to wearing a minister’s uniform (e.g., a collar) for those in ministry. It was well-written and thought through; his argument was essentially that wearing the collar helped him better perform ministry in the community as people who wouldn’t initially recognize him as a pastor would now do so. I didn’t agree with everything he said but it got me thinking, “Would I consider wearing a collared shirt…at the bookstore I frequent, the same with the coffee shop and all the other places in between?”

My resulting feelings brought me a little consternation. I shied away from the thought of wearing a minister’s collar. It made me uneasy and that troubled me. It’s not that I think every minister should wear a uniform (I don’t wear one), it’s just that the why behind my decline didn’t smell the fragrance of Christ. I think I would be hesitant to wear a collar because it might infringe on the freedoms I enjoy in public. The movies I see, the books I read, the places I visit and all others things I do in front of others now comes with the “please look at me and know that I’m a Christian minister” tag once I don the white tab.

I don’t like my answer. It has the foul odor of independence and autonomy. Two things that speak more of my being an American than a follower of Jesus, two things that keep me far from the life Jesus offers, and two things I (supposedly) gave up when I decided to become a “slave to Christ”. But being a “slave” doesn’t get much mileage in this culture, and I’m afraid with the state of the Western church it doesn’t go much further within her walls as well where a growing number of pastors fancy themselves more celebrity than shepherd. It seems ironic to me how the white tab ministers wear is to symbolize the iron collar of a slave, for he is a bondslave to Jesus. And yet it may be for that very reason that I think twice.

This really is for a larger discussion because I believe all who name the Name of Christ are ministers. In other words, all wear the collar in one sense. All are servants to Jesus. So how do you feel about walking around with a tab around your neck? The why behind your answer may tell you more than you thought it would.

Words to a Dead Father

There are a few pastors outside the four walls of my church who’ve had a great impact on me. Among names on that short list is John Piper, who is a pastor in Minneapolis. I’ve never met him, only heard him and read his books, and I recommend anything/everything he’s ever written.

I found out this week that his father William died on Tuesday and ran across John's blog where he recollected his thoughts and feelings as he attended his father in his final moments at the hospital. It was one most precious and heartfelt things I’ve read in a long time. In it you see the great love for a father who did it right and a son who has most assuredly followed in his steps as a man who God has used to touch hundreds of thousands of people…if not more. All of it was incredible, but one piece stood out to me as far as being a parent.

John looked down at now lifeless body of his father and said:

Thank you, Daddy. Thank you for sixty-one years of faithfulness to me. I am simply looking into his face now. Thank you. You were a good father. You never put me down. Discipline, yes. Spankings, yes. But you never scorned me. You never treated me with contempt. You never spoke of my future with hopelessness in your voice. You believed God’s hand was on me. You approved of my ministry. You prayed for me. Everyday.…I kissed him on his cold cheek and on his forehead. I love you, Daddy. Thank you.

Oh, to have my kids say to me what John said to his father! That when I'm on my deathbed they gather round and say, “Thanks Dad for loving me like God called you to love me! Thanks for leaving a legacy of grace and godliness that I’m going to pass on to your grandkids. I love you, Daddy. Thank you.”

Jesus, please grant me the grace to lead my children in such a way that they would know you, love you and make you known to the ends of the earth. Amen.

Needless to say, I highly recommend reading Piper's blog on his father's death. You can catch it here: Hello, my dad just died

Growlings and Roarings

This week I’ve had a few interactions with people outside the faith that have asked me to explain some things in the Bible that for one reason or another they can’t really get past. It’s a legitimate issue most of the time. People are genuinely “kicking the tires” concerning Jesus & Christianity and want to know why the Bible (i.e., the voice of the God of the Christians) holds to the views it does.

However, every once in a while I encounter those who come to the Bible with an axe to grind. It’s not that they’re trying to discover the truth of who God is, what he is doing in history and what their part is in it, they’re just mad at what the text says and want to battle a person who believes it. What’s usually funny about this kind of track is that when one textual “issue” is solved, for example by simply understanding the historical context of the scripture, the offended party simply moves to the next biblical position that sticks in their craw. So when it comes to the Bible and receiving what it says I tend to run into two types of people: those who don’t understand the Bible but are sincerely trying and those who don’t care what it really says because they know what’s truth and are simply angry that the Bible “reads” how it reads.

What’s the deal? Let me turn first to author Clive Staples Lewis.

In the famous “Chronicles of Narnia” book The Magician’s Nephew by C.S. Lewis, the sinister character Uncle Andrew is frightened to a deathly silence by the presence of the Christ-figure Aslan the Lion and his surroundings. When his young nephew Digory asks Aslan to help by speaking words that will bring peace to his devastated uncle, Aslan replies, “But I cannot tell that to this old sinner, and I cannot comfort him either; he has made himself unable to hear my voice. If I spoke to him, he would hear only growlings and roarings. Oh Adam’s sons, how cleverly you defend yourselves against all that might do you good!”

The problem with Uncle Andrew is the same dilemma with those who can’t bring themselves to embracing what the Bible says. When the pages pour forth the voice of God all that is heard is “growlings” and “roarings”. I wonder if many times the reasons they don’t hear the voice of their salvation is because, like Uncle Andrew, they’ve defended themselves against God by redefining him with their feelings, opinions and observations. They don’t want to really hear God because they can’t get past what they already believe is true. Maybe that’s why Jesus was so big on faith.

I wonder if Jesus’ words in The Gospel of John would be fitting in a Cliff Notes reading of the Lewis story: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27, ESV) Faith gives us eyes to see and ears to hear. While skeptics would say it causes us to be blind to reality, the truth is faith in Jesus is what actually enables us to receive in our hearts and minds the truth about God. In other words, to follow him is to believe him...and vice versa.

I Corinthians 2:14-16 says, “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. ‘For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?’ But we have the mind of Christ.” (ESV)

While these two groups of people who don’t embrace the Bible are on opposite sides of the spectrum in a real way, there is a common thread they share. They don’t get it because they don’t have him. Sure, they may proclaim to accept God but you can bet it’s not the God revealed in the Bible – it’s a god much safer to their belief system, more sympathetic to their views and much more accessible than the God revealed in the Bible. If any claim it is the God of the Bible usually it's the cut-and-paste version where they embrace some of what the Bible teaches about him but it rejects other scriptures that don't fit their silhouette of deity. However, all that does is defend the seeker “against all that might do [him] good”. What he needs is faith and that can only come from God (cf., Eph. 2:8-9). God must give us eyes to see and ears to hear (that is receive) his word.

This should be humble us and help us as we dialogue with those who are disappointed if not outright angry at what the Bible says. We should be humbled by the fact that to truly receive God’s Word one must be renewed by Jesus. To hear him is to know him. Even our initial coming to Christ in conversion has Jesus’ fingerprints all over it. We don’t “get it” because we’re smarter, wiser or better with logic than those who don’t follow Jesus. We believe it because Jesus enables us to believe it.

This should also temper any ill feelings we have with those who bring dull axes to their conversations with you about what the Bible says, and it should give us compassion for those who come with more sincere hearts. In a real way both have the same problem. It should encourage us to pray on their behalf that God would allow them to hear not “roarings” and “growlings” but the loving, caring and sure voice of the Almighty.

I Wish...

I wish I could write like the authors I read.
I wish I could sing like the vocalists I hear.
I wish I could preach like the preachers I listen to.
I wish I could lead like the leaders I'm around.

I think my "wishes" probably point to some broken and fallen need in me to be the center of it all, to have my ego stroked or something else that I'm sure isn't good. The list likely reveals more my faults than my desires.

Maybe I should wish to be grateful and content for the things God has allowed me to do well and forge onward in discipline and effort to do those things with greater passion and excellence.

I wish that would be my wish.