O Canada!

Over the next week I, and six of my college buddies, will be off to the Canadian Rockies for a new set of adventures. I will post when I return (God willing). If I happen to fall off a cliff or get eaten by a bear, let it be known...

Jesus is Lord.
His love is supreme.
His kingdom has no end.
His cross is my confession.

Trying to Be Real...Or Just Another Kind of Cool?

"I have become all things to all people,
that by all means I might save some.
I do it all for the sake of the gospel,
that I may share with them in its blessings."
- The Epistle of First Corinthians 9:22b-23 (ESV)

Isn’t it interesting how “authenticity” for some is really just pining for a different type of cool? I find it somewhat funny how some, especially those a generation younger than me, critique many “contemporary”-styled churches as being too slick because their weekend service happens to be tightly programmed and runs smoothly but a church is much more real, “organic” and authentic if, for example, what takes place on Sunday seems as if it’s just happening and put together on the fly. The “More Authenticity” movement says, “Don’t give us theatrical lighting or well-timed, seamless transitions in the service, we should just throw a band out there that ‘knows’ how to worship and some guy who can ‘bring the truth’.” Really?

I guess then we shouldn’t pay any attention to the fact that the “worship team” (read: band) always seems to be dressed in the guise of any number of one-hit-wonder rock groups on the cover of SPIN magazine? Sport some disheveled hair, a well-worn skinny-T (preferably of a secular band the fundamentalist church of your adolescence would hate), a few tats, throw in a piercing or two, and don’t forget to give some obscure writers/theologians as your influences and BAM, you too can have insta-worship-cred for many in the “More Authenticity” movement. But what do we do with the fact that both types of churches often sing the same songs? Hmmmm...

Nor should we ever think to ourselves that the pastor of the “More Authenticity” church, with his frayed jeans, leather wristband and earthy sandals, always seems to look like he just came from a photo shoot for a Hollister catalog. Maybe those “attire desires” are the product of someone who is genuinely more in tune with the Kingdom of God than the poor souls who’ve committed the sin of donning socks and slacks in the pulpit (being the superficial people they are). I’ve forgotten, but can someone please tell me the reference where Jesus took off his mother-of-pearl-buttoned cowboy shirt and used it to wipe the feet of his disciples?

Okay, okay, maybe (just maybe) this is somewhat overstated, but it’s not as hyperbolic as some might think. The truth is, while some banter about the idea that the contemporary church is too inauthentic what they really mean is that the people on stage and the environments where they gather aren’t as cool as they’d like. The bottom line is that these critics, in their noble quest for authenticity have simply taken the lesser (and ignoble) route of image management – which is as far from authenticity as you can get!

Listen, I don’t have a problem with a band who thinks guys wearing eyeliner is cool or a speaker inked with some obtuse looking tattoo on the inside of his wrist that takes him an hour and two philosophers to explain, but don’t tell me it’s more authentic than the guy who wears a sweater-vest with a local golf course crest stitched on it or the worship team where everybody sings in a line with microphones in their hands. Frankly, while I prefer probably the former to the latter, hopefully both are an attempt to contextualize the presence of the church (and the Gospel) to their community. They are simply trying to reflect what the people in their communities look like, talk like, live like - trying to live amongst them (as “normal” as they can be) to lead them to Jesus. Now that sounds authentic regardless of your style palette.

So be careful when you hear someone spouting off about how much more authentic their church is than the one down the street all because they’ve lit candles while the others have chosen to utilize Edison’s discovery! They're just promoting another kind of cool.

I close with a story. A friend of mine (who leads a contemporary church) asked a “More Authentic” devotee, who was critical about the “slick” programming of my friend's services, if being more authentic meant the church staff didn’t need to work on putting a coherent, well-ordered service together. The response: “No, they can plan it out, just don’t make it look like it was planned out.”

Authenticity indeed.

Causes and the Cause: A Case of Means and Ends

***Okay, this is bubbling in my head currently. I'm not sure if my thinking is completely straight but I reserve the right to get smarter. So let me share my semi-baked thoughts...

"And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them..."
- The Book of Acts 4:33-34a (ESV)

Right now the rage for evangelical churches is to engage in more social causes - global poverty, slavery, children militias, etc. What had been the agenda of theologically liberal mainline denominations for the past several decades has now been adopted by the wider ecclesiastical crowd.

Before I go any further let me say that I believe engaging these causes can be a very worthy endeavor. As a matter of fact I have good friends who are leading the way in a few of these causes (Fair Trade Sports, Tom's Shoes, Invisible Children). One would do well not only to look at what they are saying but consider if he or she should dig in and help. But as church upon church jumps on the social cause bandwagon I humbly suggest they should pause and ask a question: Will these become a means or an end for us?

To discover the mission of the church is to look at the Book of Acts. Page after page describes how followers of Jesus went into all the ancient world declaring that the kingdom of God had come in the person of Christ. Their strategy was quite simple - share what you have heard, seen and experienced in Jesus. Listen to the Commander-In-Chief giving the orders in Acts 1:8, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." The initial call of nascent Christianity was clear: go into the world and proclaim who Jesus is and what he has done through the Cross...be a witness. That was, if you will, the end toward which Christians were working, a soulish-end where people received forgiveness by grace through faith in Jesus as Lord (cf., Acts 2:41). Everything else the church did - healing diseases, making the lame to walk, giving sight to the blind - only served as a means towards this end. Like their Master before them, they saw these causes as supporting the greater purpose of proclaiming the Word.

We would be wise to keep this in mind today as more and more churches go for the land-grab of cause after cause. As far as the church and her ministry is concerned, these social justice endeavors should be understood in light of the Gospel and not the other way around. Is helping feed the hungry important? Yes. Is clothing the naked? Yes. Is giving aid to the sick? Absolutely. But they are important tributaries that flow from the very powerful and preeminent river of seeing others give their heart and life to Christ Jesus and his saving work of the Cross! I'm not arguing we can't give a blanket to someone who is cold unless they first read a tract we shoved in their face; I am arguing that all the blankets in the world won't mean very much for anyone's soul a thousand years from now unless, like the Book of Acts, we connect our causes to the great cause of repentance and faith in Jesus.

When the weight of what a church says and does devolves to only (and I stress only) dealing with AIDS in Africa, eliminating the debt in underdeveloped countries or building a fresh-water well minus the framework of the Cross then we've made ends out of means. Frankly, we've been there and done that - it's called the liberal church who gutted the Gospel in favor for social issues. Should it surprise us that they are drying up as quick as spit on a summer sidewalk? To embrace social causes at the expense of the Gospel is like quitting a journey halfway into it because you've convinced yourself you've arrived. This won't do. With our apostolic and ancient forbears as inspiration, the church should engage in causes because of the Gospel not in addition to it.

To do so is to confuse the means with the end...and possibly those wondering what the church is all about.

Acts 5:42, "And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ."

I Dream...

Today we had a staff getaway where we looked over a document which outlined a vision for the staff of my church. You might call it a "dream page" as each paragraph began with the wording "I dream of..." followed by the hopes of what our staff would become (e.g, people who passionately love Christ, are the best in their respective fields, have a loving rapport with each other). At the getaway we were asked to reread it and offer any edits or additions. The following is an addendum I wrote:

I dream of a staff that seeks to be sound doctrinally, where everyone considers themselves to be a theologian instead of ceding it to the academic and ecclesiastical elites. I dream of working with people who desire to be theologically astute so that both God and man might be loved with increasing intensity, frequency and fidelity. I dream of a staff who knows, believes, proclaims and defends the essentials, who is magnanimous in the non-essentials, seeking to bring every thought and action captive to Christ. I dream of a team where liberty is our flag and responsibility the staff on which it waves.

Reformed Resurgence

“I believe the doctrine of election, because I am quite certain that,
if God had not chosen me, I should never have chosen Him;
and I am sure He chose me before I was born,
or else He never would have chosen me afterwards.”
– Charles Spurgeon

Lately I’ve noticed the upsurge of Reformed theology in the evangelical church. It seems that, especially in the eyes of the twenty and thirty-somethings, historically Calvinistic understandings about salvation are on the rise (for example, see one of the seminal articles addressing this growing Reformed wave). But is this just the theology du jour, a trend ("Calvinism is cool!") that hip pastors and parishioners want to be a part of simply because it's trendy? I don’t think so.

I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s a (super)natural response to the fruits of a self-centric Christianity of the last quarter century with its inch-deep (read: trivialized) worship choruses, therapeutic (read: new law) sermons and over-sentimentalized (read: near idolatrous) view of the Holy. In the end you have a painting that claims it is about God but unfortunately amid all the brilliant colors and broad strokes the only image that seems to rise from the canvas looks a lot like us.

I like Mark Devers' quote: Where'd all these Calvinists come from? Quietly, all over the world young Christians, young ministers have had their spiritual tummies rumbling after they've been reading many of the spiritual bestsellers, books that are full of jokes and life tips, whose height of profundity have been something like "Lighten up and Live!" And someone has turned them on to [Reformed teaching]. And, by God's grace, they have learned about the grace of God, and the God of that grace.

The reality is, today, that younger generations are seeking a better frame in which to view God, one where God is displayed as the God of the Bible. And it appears many have found it in the Doctrines of Grace.

That surely was the case for me. Early in my journey with Jesus I learned about comprehensive depravity, unconditional election and the other doctrines which revolve around the fact that salvation is entirely of God alone. For that I am very grateful and indebted to the Lord because those truths have increased my sense of awe, reverence and humility toward him like few other avenues have. Needless to say, I am encouraged to think this is going on around churches throughout our nation.

For what it's worth...
I don’t like to define my understanding of what I believe as Reformed or Calvinistic. I feel that doesn’t do justice to them. I’d rather say I am attempting to believe what the Bible teaches as best as I can understand it…period. I use the term Reformed because I acknowledge there are many who have arrived at different positions than mine who would say the same thing about their pursuit of biblical truth.

Hopefully, one day they'll come to their senses. ;)

PS - At any place where a system for understanding what the Bible teaches conflicts with the Bible teaches you’ve got a problem. But let it be known that I hold to a Reformed view of theology ultimately because of what I believe the Bible, not any one particular man, has said. Big boys get that. Only the immature Christian tends to accuse others of being led astray by personalities (e.g., Luther and Calvin) instead of the Bible. The truth is all of us are taught by others. Of the teachers we embrace, we do so precisely because we believe they have interpreted the Bible most faithfully. The more spiritually mature understand that and refuse to accuse others of blindly following a person. They've learned that many who stand on the other side of the theological street do so because they believe the Bible brought them there. Keeping that in mind should help us dialogue with both fervor and respect.

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.