Jenn and I are on the verge of a fairly substantial change in our lives. Change can be really scary, and our situation is no different. What is funny is that change is exactly what we have been praying for these past few months. While it might be scary, there is not any anxiety because we have felt God's hand on it this whole time.
Truth be told, I am glad that we had to wait for an answer to our prayer. Think about how excited Joseph was when he was let our prison after waiting for someone to remember him. Think about how excited Sarah was when she learned that she was finally pregnant. I also think about Moses and how long he had to wander in the desert and finally got to see where his people would live and flourish under God's hand. Waiting has produced in me some very important fruit. It allowed me to know what I really wanted and why. While waiting I learned some important skills and life lessons that I probably would not have received had I not had to wait.
I am not sure what the future holds, but I know that I am excited about it. The thing is, when God has you wait, it is because He has something in store for you. Over the next couple of months Jenn and I's world might be turned upside down, but we have the confidence that God is taking care of everything so maybe that will allow us to just enjoy the ride. We shall see.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Monday, July 7, 2008
Apologetic
I recently listened to a talk given at Warehouse 242 by Kurt Graves that really brought some concepts together for me. He was talking about the need for a new apologetic, or a new way to talk about Christianity. It made me think about how Christians used to talk about being Christians. Often this involved moralistic persuasion and reasoning from the Bible with the assumption that the hearer would accept this as a bona fide source. In the past, the apologetic that was used could be described as a deontological apologetic--you should become a Christian because it is the right thing to do and the Bible says you should; it is your duty. This apologetic worked for a long time because the Bible still had significant cultural influence.
However, with the rise of Biblical criticism and competing theories and ideologies, this apologetic has lost much of its effectiveness. If someone dismisses the Bible as authoritative, how can you use arguments from the Bible to make your point. The same goes for arguing morality from the Bible. Ethical issues have become really complicated, and the simple answers just won't cut it.
So where do we go from here? I think that we go back to our stories. We talk about our lives. We talk about how much better life is when we follow God and His will. We talk about the peace and the joy that our relationship with God gives us. A relationship with God should be spoken about in positive terms, in hopeful terms. For too long Christianity has been discussed in terms of judgment or strict moralizing. The truth is that being a Christian sets us free and gives us a life of meaning and purpose. Who wouldn't want that?
However, with the rise of Biblical criticism and competing theories and ideologies, this apologetic has lost much of its effectiveness. If someone dismisses the Bible as authoritative, how can you use arguments from the Bible to make your point. The same goes for arguing morality from the Bible. Ethical issues have become really complicated, and the simple answers just won't cut it.
So where do we go from here? I think that we go back to our stories. We talk about our lives. We talk about how much better life is when we follow God and His will. We talk about the peace and the joy that our relationship with God gives us. A relationship with God should be spoken about in positive terms, in hopeful terms. For too long Christianity has been discussed in terms of judgment or strict moralizing. The truth is that being a Christian sets us free and gives us a life of meaning and purpose. Who wouldn't want that?
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Big Questions
There are certain questions in the Christian life that seem to repeatedly be raised, despite the fact that we pretty much know the answer, or at least know that we will not uncover any new approaches. One of those questions is why do people suffer. I think that it is a question that nearly everyone asks at some time in their life. Everyone experiences suffering in one form or another. And the question that accompanies suffering is "Why."
We are not the first to ask the question, nor will we be the last. Consider the Biblical witness on this topic. The Israelites during the Exodus repeatedly asked why. The whole book of Job is essentially an extended form of the question why. Psalmists repeatedly asked why. Habakkuk also wants to know why. The Bible is full of examples of people questioning their circumstances and why they are forced to experience suffering.
Just as the Bible gives us the questions, it also gives us some answers. Some people are told that their sin has led to their circumstances. Many are told that their experiences are part of the much bigger plan of God. Sometimes we learn that the point of their suffering is to teach the sufferer something about God or about themselves.
It is good to know the possible answers, but we have to be careful when we attempt to interpret other people's experiences. There are people who believe bad things happen to people because they have unconfessed sin in their lives. In the Bible these people are called Pharisees/vipers/uncircumcised hearts. In the present world, these people are often called jerks. While sometimes we do create our own suffering, there are just as many examples of suffering that we certainly did not invite.
In a world where this is sin and suffering, bad things will happen. When they do I believe that they can teach us. I also believe that it is always important for us to remember that God has a bigger plan. The story of Joseph is a source of strength for me when pondering these things. In his own words, God used the bad that happened to him for the good. It was part of God's plan to preserve his people through whom would ultimately save the world.
We are not the first to ask the question, nor will we be the last. Consider the Biblical witness on this topic. The Israelites during the Exodus repeatedly asked why. The whole book of Job is essentially an extended form of the question why. Psalmists repeatedly asked why. Habakkuk also wants to know why. The Bible is full of examples of people questioning their circumstances and why they are forced to experience suffering.
Just as the Bible gives us the questions, it also gives us some answers. Some people are told that their sin has led to their circumstances. Many are told that their experiences are part of the much bigger plan of God. Sometimes we learn that the point of their suffering is to teach the sufferer something about God or about themselves.
It is good to know the possible answers, but we have to be careful when we attempt to interpret other people's experiences. There are people who believe bad things happen to people because they have unconfessed sin in their lives. In the Bible these people are called Pharisees/vipers/uncircumcised hearts. In the present world, these people are often called jerks. While sometimes we do create our own suffering, there are just as many examples of suffering that we certainly did not invite.
In a world where this is sin and suffering, bad things will happen. When they do I believe that they can teach us. I also believe that it is always important for us to remember that God has a bigger plan. The story of Joseph is a source of strength for me when pondering these things. In his own words, God used the bad that happened to him for the good. It was part of God's plan to preserve his people through whom would ultimately save the world.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Aliens
Throughout the Bible and the history of Christianity, Christians have gone by a lot of names. One of my favorites is aliens. In 1 Peter 2, Peter admonishes the Christians to live their lives in light of their new identity. They are a chosen people called out to be holy people. Holiness means set apart, and being set apart means not becoming inundated and swept away with the culture of the world that can war against your soul.
Why call Christians aliens? What is it about Christians that would make that designation accurate or reasonable. What does it mean to be an alien? For one, it means that you are far from home. It means that the place that you dwell is a foreign land. You get homesick and long for your homeland. I think that most thoughtful Christians would tell you that they don't feel at ease with the world around them. You can't really blame them. There is a lot of bad stuff going on in this world. Isn't it somewhat of a relief to know that the world that you belong to is not the one that you see on the news? The place where you dwell is full of anger, sin, and pain. The place that you belong is a place of joy, peace, and infinite joy. Every now and then I see a Wilson County, TN, license plate and I get a little homesick for good ole Mt. Juliet. The same goes for my heavenly home. Every now and then I see little glimpses of heaven, and I say to myself, "self, wouldn't it be nice for this to be the norm?" But, it is not the norm. The norm is struggle and suffering. But this too will pass away.
Another thing that being an alien means is that the customs of the people around you are not your own. The story of the Israelites has a lot to do with this point. The reason the people were told to destroy all of the other people in the promised land is that if they did not, they would be tempted to mix their beliefs with the neighboring nations. And what happened--they mixed with the other nations, turned to other gods, and committed grievous sins. This is similar to the story of the New Testament church. Take the Corinthian church. They suddenly find themselves having to live lives that glorify God in the midst of a culture that is essentially abhorrent to God. They still want to go to the pagan temples and eat, but they promise not to do anything bad while they are there. Christianity is countercultural and that is not always an easy thing.
What we learn from the Corinthians is that how Christians are supposed to engage culture has been a question asked since the time of Paul. I don't really know the answer either. Some people storm right into culture going to bars and witnessing while they have a drink. Others people live ten miles away from the nearest sign of civilization so as not to be corrupted. Still others need grocery stores and gas stations so they live in the city, but use the sensory deprivator 2000 in order to avoid catching a glimpse of anything worldly. And here is the thing, I can't really say that any of these options are wrong because the factors are so complex. But, like most things, I am guessing that a middle way is probably more reasonable--one where Christians engage culture and even impact culture. Here is what this does not mean: you can't live as the rest of the world and think that because you are Christian your higher enlightenment makes everything you do okay. That is called antinomianism. It is also called heresy and a lack of sanctification.
This raises very practical questions. Is it okay for my kid to listen to rap? Probably not. What about Christian rap? I guess, but what culture is that Christian rap glorifying, and how does your kid interpret its message? Here is another one: What is the Christian's relationship to material possessions? Does being a Christian preclude one from buying an expensive car or eating expensive dinners? I don't know, but I think it goes back to what we value and how we live those values.
So here is the deal, there are parts of the outside culture that we should have no part in. But, we exist in this culture and are here for a reason. Just because music is not by a Christian artist does not mean that it is inherently evil. Just because a book is not written by a Christian author does not make it dangerous for our faith. If we approach life like that not only will we become irrelevant to those whom we minister to, but it would also demonstrate a contempt for common grace. Perhaps we can utilize the wisdom of Jeremiah when he called on the Israelites in captivity to seek the welfare of the city (Jer. 29:7). Maybe we too should seek the welfare of those around us by exhibiting generosity, love, and understanding.
The third thing that being an alien means is that we will not necessarily speak the language. When I moved to Tennessee from Illinois, I started the fourth grade. My teacher had a fairly heavy Southern accent and used a lot of terms that were new to me. One day when we were doing a math assignment, she asked who had not yet finished all of the math problems and I raised my hand. She asked me how much I lacked, but as you may know the words actually sound like "how much do you like. I said that I don't really like any of it because I don't like math very much. Whereas I thought we were making conversation, she thought I was being smart aleck and I got sent to the hall for the first time. When we were out in the hall, we realized that we were not speaking the same language, and from then on we got along well.
What is the language of the world? At times it is a language of deceit or falsehood. At times it is a language of disbelief in anything bigger that oneself. It is a language of pride and envy. Christians should not sound like everyone else. Our lives have encountered something tremendous and that should impact the way we communicate with others.
I like being an alien. Over the years I have grown comfortable in my alien skin. My differences open an avenue to talk about why I have an undeniable hope and a sense of worth. By standing out, I draw attention to Godly values and practices. My biggest fear should be that I start to blend in.
Why call Christians aliens? What is it about Christians that would make that designation accurate or reasonable. What does it mean to be an alien? For one, it means that you are far from home. It means that the place that you dwell is a foreign land. You get homesick and long for your homeland. I think that most thoughtful Christians would tell you that they don't feel at ease with the world around them. You can't really blame them. There is a lot of bad stuff going on in this world. Isn't it somewhat of a relief to know that the world that you belong to is not the one that you see on the news? The place where you dwell is full of anger, sin, and pain. The place that you belong is a place of joy, peace, and infinite joy. Every now and then I see a Wilson County, TN, license plate and I get a little homesick for good ole Mt. Juliet. The same goes for my heavenly home. Every now and then I see little glimpses of heaven, and I say to myself, "self, wouldn't it be nice for this to be the norm?" But, it is not the norm. The norm is struggle and suffering. But this too will pass away.
Another thing that being an alien means is that the customs of the people around you are not your own. The story of the Israelites has a lot to do with this point. The reason the people were told to destroy all of the other people in the promised land is that if they did not, they would be tempted to mix their beliefs with the neighboring nations. And what happened--they mixed with the other nations, turned to other gods, and committed grievous sins. This is similar to the story of the New Testament church. Take the Corinthian church. They suddenly find themselves having to live lives that glorify God in the midst of a culture that is essentially abhorrent to God. They still want to go to the pagan temples and eat, but they promise not to do anything bad while they are there. Christianity is countercultural and that is not always an easy thing.
What we learn from the Corinthians is that how Christians are supposed to engage culture has been a question asked since the time of Paul. I don't really know the answer either. Some people storm right into culture going to bars and witnessing while they have a drink. Others people live ten miles away from the nearest sign of civilization so as not to be corrupted. Still others need grocery stores and gas stations so they live in the city, but use the sensory deprivator 2000 in order to avoid catching a glimpse of anything worldly. And here is the thing, I can't really say that any of these options are wrong because the factors are so complex. But, like most things, I am guessing that a middle way is probably more reasonable--one where Christians engage culture and even impact culture. Here is what this does not mean: you can't live as the rest of the world and think that because you are Christian your higher enlightenment makes everything you do okay. That is called antinomianism. It is also called heresy and a lack of sanctification.
This raises very practical questions. Is it okay for my kid to listen to rap? Probably not. What about Christian rap? I guess, but what culture is that Christian rap glorifying, and how does your kid interpret its message? Here is another one: What is the Christian's relationship to material possessions? Does being a Christian preclude one from buying an expensive car or eating expensive dinners? I don't know, but I think it goes back to what we value and how we live those values.
So here is the deal, there are parts of the outside culture that we should have no part in. But, we exist in this culture and are here for a reason. Just because music is not by a Christian artist does not mean that it is inherently evil. Just because a book is not written by a Christian author does not make it dangerous for our faith. If we approach life like that not only will we become irrelevant to those whom we minister to, but it would also demonstrate a contempt for common grace. Perhaps we can utilize the wisdom of Jeremiah when he called on the Israelites in captivity to seek the welfare of the city (Jer. 29:7). Maybe we too should seek the welfare of those around us by exhibiting generosity, love, and understanding.
The third thing that being an alien means is that we will not necessarily speak the language. When I moved to Tennessee from Illinois, I started the fourth grade. My teacher had a fairly heavy Southern accent and used a lot of terms that were new to me. One day when we were doing a math assignment, she asked who had not yet finished all of the math problems and I raised my hand. She asked me how much I lacked, but as you may know the words actually sound like "how much do you like. I said that I don't really like any of it because I don't like math very much. Whereas I thought we were making conversation, she thought I was being smart aleck and I got sent to the hall for the first time. When we were out in the hall, we realized that we were not speaking the same language, and from then on we got along well.
What is the language of the world? At times it is a language of deceit or falsehood. At times it is a language of disbelief in anything bigger that oneself. It is a language of pride and envy. Christians should not sound like everyone else. Our lives have encountered something tremendous and that should impact the way we communicate with others.
We also should keep in mind that we don't always speak a language that others can understand. In seminary I was asked by a young evangelist if I had been washed in the holy, sanctified blood of the lamb of Jesus Christ that can make me a white linen. All I could think of was just how bizarre this question would be for someone who had never heard of Jesus or God. We have to make sure that we can translate our story to those who need to hear it and understand it.
The fourth thing that being an alien is that you stand out. Jenn and I definitely stood out when we were traveling in Europe. In France, people there only wear black and grey, especially in the winter. Jenn had a bright green coat on which simply screamed, "I am an American!" I suspect that there are times in your lives when you have stuck out because you are behaving as a Christian. Even in the church enriched South, true Christianity stands out as countercultural. When you don't drink around everyone else or when you spend time working at the church, people may not get it. But you should. When your values and your purpose are different from everyone else, you are supposed to look different.
I like being an alien. Over the years I have grown comfortable in my alien skin. My differences open an avenue to talk about why I have an undeniable hope and a sense of worth. By standing out, I draw attention to Godly values and practices. My biggest fear should be that I start to blend in.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Exercise
A couple weeks ago I realized that it was finally time to begin exercising regularly. So now I get up in the morning early enough to go for a jog before I begin the rest of my day. When I say jog, I mean brisk walk, though I do throw a little actual running in there.
The approach that I am using is to build up to more of a jog. In the past when I would decide to become a jogger, I would run too long without any preparation, hurt my leg/arms/eyes/elbows/ribs/etc., and then forget to keep running after laying on the couch for a week recovering from the pain. So the plan is to run a little bit longer each day--I do know that this is not a profound original concept, but this is the first time I am sticking with it.
One of my favorite things about this time is that I am able to listen to some good worship music while jogging. I am pleasantly surprised that this has become a great way to begin my day spiritually. It also allowed me to make a connection that I find useful for thinking about my relationship with God.
It should not be hard to live a spiritual life, but it really can be. I think that many of us come to times in our lives when we realize we need to rejuvenate our relationship with God. My typical response is to throw myself into some new spiritual discipline or commit to reading more, and, like my past exercise regimens, I burn out quickly because I expect the results to come a lot quicker.
The truth is that spiritual exercises are aptly named because they take commitment, dedication, and repetition to be effective. Becoming "in-shape" spiritually does not happen overnight, and we should not expect it to. It takes time to develop any relationship. People will not become saints overnight, and while becoming Billy Graham might be your goal, it will likely need to be a long-term goal.
Another connection that physical exercise has with spiritual exercises is that each person works out in different ways. Some people may do well with a morning devotional while others need to dive into books or commentaries. But, just like exercise, if you only do it for a few minutes a day, you will not see results. This is the problem with the emphasis on morning devotions or ten minutes with God at night. If I jog for 30 minutes in the morning, but eat McDonalds and Chick-fil-a milkshakes all day, then I won't be making any progress. What you put in, you will get out. This is especially true with our relationship with God. If we think that a few minutes each day will make much of a difference, we may be faced with some disappointment. Only when we have a seeking lifestyle will we effect change.
What is a seeking lifestyle? I don't know how it looks for you, but here is how it looks for me. I spend various parts of my day encountering sacred things. Sometimes it is music that reflects God. Sometimes it is listening to sermons on my iPod. Sometimes it is just practicing a sermon or Bible study lesson. Here is how you know that it is working: you encounter God throughout the day. This is manifest in more patience with a coworker. It is found in the conviction that comes when you begin to degrade another person. It is seen in the fact that you long for the next part of your day that you can spend with God. It takes time, but if I can get there, you can too.
The approach that I am using is to build up to more of a jog. In the past when I would decide to become a jogger, I would run too long without any preparation, hurt my leg/arms/eyes/elbows/ribs/etc., and then forget to keep running after laying on the couch for a week recovering from the pain. So the plan is to run a little bit longer each day--I do know that this is not a profound original concept, but this is the first time I am sticking with it.
One of my favorite things about this time is that I am able to listen to some good worship music while jogging. I am pleasantly surprised that this has become a great way to begin my day spiritually. It also allowed me to make a connection that I find useful for thinking about my relationship with God.
It should not be hard to live a spiritual life, but it really can be. I think that many of us come to times in our lives when we realize we need to rejuvenate our relationship with God. My typical response is to throw myself into some new spiritual discipline or commit to reading more, and, like my past exercise regimens, I burn out quickly because I expect the results to come a lot quicker.
The truth is that spiritual exercises are aptly named because they take commitment, dedication, and repetition to be effective. Becoming "in-shape" spiritually does not happen overnight, and we should not expect it to. It takes time to develop any relationship. People will not become saints overnight, and while becoming Billy Graham might be your goal, it will likely need to be a long-term goal.
Another connection that physical exercise has with spiritual exercises is that each person works out in different ways. Some people may do well with a morning devotional while others need to dive into books or commentaries. But, just like exercise, if you only do it for a few minutes a day, you will not see results. This is the problem with the emphasis on morning devotions or ten minutes with God at night. If I jog for 30 minutes in the morning, but eat McDonalds and Chick-fil-a milkshakes all day, then I won't be making any progress. What you put in, you will get out. This is especially true with our relationship with God. If we think that a few minutes each day will make much of a difference, we may be faced with some disappointment. Only when we have a seeking lifestyle will we effect change.
What is a seeking lifestyle? I don't know how it looks for you, but here is how it looks for me. I spend various parts of my day encountering sacred things. Sometimes it is music that reflects God. Sometimes it is listening to sermons on my iPod. Sometimes it is just practicing a sermon or Bible study lesson. Here is how you know that it is working: you encounter God throughout the day. This is manifest in more patience with a coworker. It is found in the conviction that comes when you begin to degrade another person. It is seen in the fact that you long for the next part of your day that you can spend with God. It takes time, but if I can get there, you can too.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Parenting
Parenting is one of those things that is really hard to grasp until you find yourself in the middle of it. A few people have told me lately that they are not ready to have kids. This has made me wonder what being ready for kids would look like. If you say that you are ready for kids, you are saying that you are ready for the following:
1. Pretty much give up control of your schedule for about twenty years.
2. Become more concerned about money than ever before.
3. Completely revolve your life around someone else.
4. Be prepared to care for a person's every little need.
I am sure there is a lot more, but these are just a few things to be ready for. So here is the deal--who in the world can be ready for that kind of change? People do not become great parents overnight, but great parents are those people who accept the changes and celebrate them. There are realistically some people who are not ready to become parents, but most people are more ready than they think. It is not a coincidence that you get about nine months to wrap your head around the fact that soon there will be another human being in your house.
And, while parenting can be a challenge, there are some great things about being a mom or dad:
1. You discover that you can love someone more than you ever thought you could.
2. You can't wait to get home to spend time with your child. You cannot wait for Saturdays to spend time with him or her.
3. You learn more about yourself than you thought possible.
4. You learn more about your spouse and your marriage than you ever thought possible.
5. You learn that joy is having your little girl squeal in delight because you came home from work--everyday.
Parenting is hard work. It absolutely changes your social life, your sleep habits, your time management, and your marriage, but it is so worth all of that.
1. Pretty much give up control of your schedule for about twenty years.
2. Become more concerned about money than ever before.
3. Completely revolve your life around someone else.
4. Be prepared to care for a person's every little need.
I am sure there is a lot more, but these are just a few things to be ready for. So here is the deal--who in the world can be ready for that kind of change? People do not become great parents overnight, but great parents are those people who accept the changes and celebrate them. There are realistically some people who are not ready to become parents, but most people are more ready than they think. It is not a coincidence that you get about nine months to wrap your head around the fact that soon there will be another human being in your house.
And, while parenting can be a challenge, there are some great things about being a mom or dad:
1. You discover that you can love someone more than you ever thought you could.
2. You can't wait to get home to spend time with your child. You cannot wait for Saturdays to spend time with him or her.
3. You learn more about yourself than you thought possible.
4. You learn more about your spouse and your marriage than you ever thought possible.
5. You learn that joy is having your little girl squeal in delight because you came home from work--everyday.
Parenting is hard work. It absolutely changes your social life, your sleep habits, your time management, and your marriage, but it is so worth all of that.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Teenage Poetry
In my junior and senior year of high school I went through what could only be described as my teenage angst phase. During this phase, I joined a literary magazine club with a bunch of other artsy students who would basically fit the mold of angst filled teenagers who are disaffected with the world. I don't think that I was all that disaffected, but I did think that my poetry was particularly thoughtful. I doubt that I have any samples left of my early literary prowess, but I can tell you that it fits most characteristics of cheesy teenage poetry.
Guess what my favorite book of the Bible was during these years? Ecclesiastes, of course. Talk about angst. The writer of Ecclesiastes is definitely a model for all of those disaffected youths. Anyone who declares everything about life meaningless would have fit right in at our literary magazine meetings.
The truth is that all of us have been kindred spirits with the writer of Ecclesiastes. When life hits the wall, there is not much that seems meaningful. Even when life has not hit a wall, there are times when our souls ask what is the point of all of this. Why am I working so hard just to have more money to by more stuff? Why is it so important that I go to this school or follow this career path? Why do worry so much about what I wear or what I drive? The truth--all of it is pretty meaningless.
So if all of that is meaningless, what is the point of anything? Well, the writer of Ecclesiastes explains it well when he says that the end of all of this is to fear God and keep His commandments. So what does that look like? It means that the things that we should ascribe meaning to are those things that enable us or empower us to serve God. This means that if making more money will help you to serve God, then, by all means, make the money. But, if focusing on making more money does not honor God or enable you to better serve Him, reevaluate things. The same goes for everything else.
My teenage poetry days are over, but the wisdom of the book of Ecclesiastes still impacts my worldview. It can be a great reminder that this world is not our home. What we see will pass away, but what we believe impacts forever.
Guess what my favorite book of the Bible was during these years? Ecclesiastes, of course. Talk about angst. The writer of Ecclesiastes is definitely a model for all of those disaffected youths. Anyone who declares everything about life meaningless would have fit right in at our literary magazine meetings.
The truth is that all of us have been kindred spirits with the writer of Ecclesiastes. When life hits the wall, there is not much that seems meaningful. Even when life has not hit a wall, there are times when our souls ask what is the point of all of this. Why am I working so hard just to have more money to by more stuff? Why is it so important that I go to this school or follow this career path? Why do worry so much about what I wear or what I drive? The truth--all of it is pretty meaningless.
So if all of that is meaningless, what is the point of anything? Well, the writer of Ecclesiastes explains it well when he says that the end of all of this is to fear God and keep His commandments. So what does that look like? It means that the things that we should ascribe meaning to are those things that enable us or empower us to serve God. This means that if making more money will help you to serve God, then, by all means, make the money. But, if focusing on making more money does not honor God or enable you to better serve Him, reevaluate things. The same goes for everything else.
My teenage poetry days are over, but the wisdom of the book of Ecclesiastes still impacts my worldview. It can be a great reminder that this world is not our home. What we see will pass away, but what we believe impacts forever.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Preaching
This past Sunday I had the opportunity to preach at FBC Alabaster. Every now and then someone asks me what it is like to preach, so I thought that this would be an appropriate time to reflect on the act of preaching.
Standing in a pulpit speaking as a messenger for God is certainly a humbling experience, but it is also a very rewarding experience. For me it is not the talking in front of people that is intimidating, it is the fact that you are engaging in some very serious business. You are acting as a mouthpiece for God. In pulpit your words are weighed much more than when you are speaking to a colleague or even giving a speech. Your words shape people's ideas about God and about the Bible. It is a realistic possibility that it you misspeak on a passage or concept, people can honestly get the wrong impression of God and His word.
On a really practical level, preaching can also be intimidating. Like I said, it is not the speaking in front of people. I have always been comfortable talking in front of people, as long as I have some idea what I am going to say. But, when you preach, you enter into an interaction with the congregation that leaves you vulnerable an very aware of everything around you. When I speak in front of the crowd, I see everything. I see who is interested and who is distracted. I see the response to each word, whether it is confusion, apathy, or exhilaration. It is a weird existence between two consciousnesses: the one speaking and the one observing.
And here is something that I feel that I expect lot of preachers do as well: I never feel great about my sermons. Some people hate to listen back to their sermons just as people don't like to read over a paper for school or eat leftovers. The thing is, the sermon exists in a moment that cannot be recreated. It truly is a conversation between the people and the preacher. One speaks with eyes and gestures, one with words. I have never preached a sermon that went exactly according to script. When the improvisation works, it is God speaking. When the improv makes no sense, it is my being all over the place. I cannot tell you how many times I have listened back to a sermon (I said I hated to do it, not that I didn't do it), I always encounter a part of the sermon that surprises even me.
And that is where the intimidation ends, because I know that God is faithful to speak through me. I know that I must be faithful to prepare for the sermon, and I love the preparation. I love trying to figure out the one idea that I want to get across. I enjoy trying to find the format that fits with the message. I like reading books and synthesizing the information. But, in the end, it is God who works through me to teach the people about His word. I know that this is the case because after some sermons, two people will have gotten two completely different lessons from one sermon. My guess is that I could stand up at the pulpit and talk about popes in the 12th century, and God would still use that to teach someone.
Preaching is an honor and a privilege, and I love the exhilaration and anticipation that occurs right before a sermon.
Standing in a pulpit speaking as a messenger for God is certainly a humbling experience, but it is also a very rewarding experience. For me it is not the talking in front of people that is intimidating, it is the fact that you are engaging in some very serious business. You are acting as a mouthpiece for God. In pulpit your words are weighed much more than when you are speaking to a colleague or even giving a speech. Your words shape people's ideas about God and about the Bible. It is a realistic possibility that it you misspeak on a passage or concept, people can honestly get the wrong impression of God and His word.
On a really practical level, preaching can also be intimidating. Like I said, it is not the speaking in front of people. I have always been comfortable talking in front of people, as long as I have some idea what I am going to say. But, when you preach, you enter into an interaction with the congregation that leaves you vulnerable an very aware of everything around you. When I speak in front of the crowd, I see everything. I see who is interested and who is distracted. I see the response to each word, whether it is confusion, apathy, or exhilaration. It is a weird existence between two consciousnesses: the one speaking and the one observing.
And here is something that I feel that I expect lot of preachers do as well: I never feel great about my sermons. Some people hate to listen back to their sermons just as people don't like to read over a paper for school or eat leftovers. The thing is, the sermon exists in a moment that cannot be recreated. It truly is a conversation between the people and the preacher. One speaks with eyes and gestures, one with words. I have never preached a sermon that went exactly according to script. When the improvisation works, it is God speaking. When the improv makes no sense, it is my being all over the place. I cannot tell you how many times I have listened back to a sermon (I said I hated to do it, not that I didn't do it), I always encounter a part of the sermon that surprises even me.
And that is where the intimidation ends, because I know that God is faithful to speak through me. I know that I must be faithful to prepare for the sermon, and I love the preparation. I love trying to figure out the one idea that I want to get across. I enjoy trying to find the format that fits with the message. I like reading books and synthesizing the information. But, in the end, it is God who works through me to teach the people about His word. I know that this is the case because after some sermons, two people will have gotten two completely different lessons from one sermon. My guess is that I could stand up at the pulpit and talk about popes in the 12th century, and God would still use that to teach someone.
Preaching is an honor and a privilege, and I love the exhilaration and anticipation that occurs right before a sermon.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Time
There are a lot of things that people take for granted, but time has to be one of the things on the top of the list. I never thought about time very much until I began working. I became even more enamored with the concept after Isabel was born. When I was in school, time did not matter because there was so much of it. I could spend eight hours a day just goofing off, and I would still get all of my work done. I felt as if I had all the time in the world to do whatever it is I wanted to do at that time. My activities were only limited by my lack of creative uses for the time.
Today, my activities are limited by a lot more than that. My typical weekday schedule consists of getting ready for work, traveling to work, being at work, driving home from work, having dinner, playing with Isabel, two hours of "free time," and then it is bed time. That does not leave much room for creativity. Most days I don't mind the fact that my days have become so scheduled, but sometimes it can be frustrating. When those times come, it is always fun to mix up the routine by going out to eat or meeting Isabel and Jenn for lunch.
One of the concepts that I understand a lot better now is that of redeeming the time. I have been told since I was a teenager that it is important to use time properly. Redeeming the time that God has given to us is an important concept, and it is one that makes more sense the older you get. When you have two hours to do whatever you want instead of twelve, time becomes more precious, and in a real sense, more fleeting.
Our use of time is an investment into the things that we have deemed important to us. When we spend time with our children, we are investing that time in them, acknowledging and hoping that there will be a return. When we spend time with our spouse, again, we make an investment. We are saying that this relationship is important to me and is worth this investment of a precious resource. The same applies to our relationship with God. Keep in mind that this also applies to the television, golf, Wii, football, exercise, sleep, and work. How we spend our time is a great indicator of our values and priorities.
Sometimes we don't have a choice. I don't have the option to let my boss know that I do not prioritize work very high so I will only be spending twelve hours a week at the office. Though, if I did, I would find myself with a whole lot of time to invest. It is that "free time" that comes to mind when we talk about priorities. While it is important to take some time to unwind or to play, these cannot monopolize or relationships will suffer. Time is a valuable resource, and I would love to have more of it, but the reality is that every day truly is a gift from God. How we use that gift is up to us.
Today, my activities are limited by a lot more than that. My typical weekday schedule consists of getting ready for work, traveling to work, being at work, driving home from work, having dinner, playing with Isabel, two hours of "free time," and then it is bed time. That does not leave much room for creativity. Most days I don't mind the fact that my days have become so scheduled, but sometimes it can be frustrating. When those times come, it is always fun to mix up the routine by going out to eat or meeting Isabel and Jenn for lunch.
One of the concepts that I understand a lot better now is that of redeeming the time. I have been told since I was a teenager that it is important to use time properly. Redeeming the time that God has given to us is an important concept, and it is one that makes more sense the older you get. When you have two hours to do whatever you want instead of twelve, time becomes more precious, and in a real sense, more fleeting.
Our use of time is an investment into the things that we have deemed important to us. When we spend time with our children, we are investing that time in them, acknowledging and hoping that there will be a return. When we spend time with our spouse, again, we make an investment. We are saying that this relationship is important to me and is worth this investment of a precious resource. The same applies to our relationship with God. Keep in mind that this also applies to the television, golf, Wii, football, exercise, sleep, and work. How we spend our time is a great indicator of our values and priorities.
Sometimes we don't have a choice. I don't have the option to let my boss know that I do not prioritize work very high so I will only be spending twelve hours a week at the office. Though, if I did, I would find myself with a whole lot of time to invest. It is that "free time" that comes to mind when we talk about priorities. While it is important to take some time to unwind or to play, these cannot monopolize or relationships will suffer. Time is a valuable resource, and I would love to have more of it, but the reality is that every day truly is a gift from God. How we use that gift is up to us.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Dear Search Committee
The following is pure self-promotion and entirely different from what I typically post here. However, I have given the address of this blog to people whom I am talking to about jobs so I thought that a post giving them some information would be relevant. If you are such a person, welcome to my blog. I think maybe a FAQ format would be good, so here it goes.
What experience do you have in ministry?
Well, other than serving as a Centrifuge counselor and a Crosspoint camp pastor, I have not been paid for any of my ministry experience. I was paid to speak at churches with the Samford Sunday program while I was an undergraduate, but I am not sure that counts.
The other experiences that I do have have been voluntary. Because I was not limited to paid positions, I have been able to strategically position myself in programs where I could learn. I worked with a thriving college ministry at the Church at Brook Hills. There I learned a lot about college ministry, creating and hosting small groups, working with career age young adults, and speaking/teaching. I currently work with FBC Alabaster where I developed a successful Sunday School class for young married families which I still lead. I have also gone on hospital and home visits and preached a number of times. Leading that class is very much like running a program because it is more that showing up on Sundays. There is pastoral care, programming, and setting up small group meetings.
My hope is always that people will understand that simply because I was not paid, I still acquired experiences as if I had been. I also hope that people understand that I know what church work is all about. With a father who has been a pastor since I was born, I am very aware of how churches and ministry works. I have been mentored all my life for a life in ministry.
You work at the Red Cross right now. How does that prepare you to do ministry?
Excellent question. I work at the Red Cross because after seminary I did not want to leave FBC Alabaster just as we got started, and Alabaster could not pay me. I was also toying with the idea of getting my PhD, so I did not feel that it would be appropriate to be on a church staff for a year and then leave. Having decided not to get my PhD, I began looking for a position with a church, and thus, here we are.
The Red Cross has had its benefits. For one, I get benefits, and I get paid. It has also allowed me to learn a ton about administration, volunteer development, supervision of staff, and just good organizational skills. On top of that, I get to help people who are often in the midst of the very lowest point of their lives. God has allowed me to develop in some real and tangible ways.
What is something that you want us to know?
First, please know that I have a serious passion for ministry that is birthed out of a call from God. This desire to minister and shepherd people is woven throughout my heart, mind, and soul. There are parts of me that have always pointed to ministry. God has given me special measures of compassion and patience. He has also given me a teaching heart that helps me lead people to Him.
Second, please know that I am a hard worker and a smart worker. I have had success in every job I have ever taken. I was good bookstore manager (promoted to manager after a few months). I am a good Red Cross worker (promoted after about three months). In just two years I have become one of the most highly trained Red Cross employees in Alabama, and keep in mind that this is not a job that I plan on doing very long. I don't know that these things make me a great minister, but I do know that they cannot hurt. The point is that I work hard, and my work ethic combined with my passion for ministry is something that I know God can use for His glory.
I know that God will place me where He desires. But, I do want to use every format available to express the fact that I have a true passion for ministry, and I have been preparing for this career for a long, long time. I pray as I have always prayed, that God will use me for His glory.
What experience do you have in ministry?
Well, other than serving as a Centrifuge counselor and a Crosspoint camp pastor, I have not been paid for any of my ministry experience. I was paid to speak at churches with the Samford Sunday program while I was an undergraduate, but I am not sure that counts.
The other experiences that I do have have been voluntary. Because I was not limited to paid positions, I have been able to strategically position myself in programs where I could learn. I worked with a thriving college ministry at the Church at Brook Hills. There I learned a lot about college ministry, creating and hosting small groups, working with career age young adults, and speaking/teaching. I currently work with FBC Alabaster where I developed a successful Sunday School class for young married families which I still lead. I have also gone on hospital and home visits and preached a number of times. Leading that class is very much like running a program because it is more that showing up on Sundays. There is pastoral care, programming, and setting up small group meetings.
My hope is always that people will understand that simply because I was not paid, I still acquired experiences as if I had been. I also hope that people understand that I know what church work is all about. With a father who has been a pastor since I was born, I am very aware of how churches and ministry works. I have been mentored all my life for a life in ministry.
You work at the Red Cross right now. How does that prepare you to do ministry?
Excellent question. I work at the Red Cross because after seminary I did not want to leave FBC Alabaster just as we got started, and Alabaster could not pay me. I was also toying with the idea of getting my PhD, so I did not feel that it would be appropriate to be on a church staff for a year and then leave. Having decided not to get my PhD, I began looking for a position with a church, and thus, here we are.
The Red Cross has had its benefits. For one, I get benefits, and I get paid. It has also allowed me to learn a ton about administration, volunteer development, supervision of staff, and just good organizational skills. On top of that, I get to help people who are often in the midst of the very lowest point of their lives. God has allowed me to develop in some real and tangible ways.
What is something that you want us to know?
First, please know that I have a serious passion for ministry that is birthed out of a call from God. This desire to minister and shepherd people is woven throughout my heart, mind, and soul. There are parts of me that have always pointed to ministry. God has given me special measures of compassion and patience. He has also given me a teaching heart that helps me lead people to Him.
Second, please know that I am a hard worker and a smart worker. I have had success in every job I have ever taken. I was good bookstore manager (promoted to manager after a few months). I am a good Red Cross worker (promoted after about three months). In just two years I have become one of the most highly trained Red Cross employees in Alabama, and keep in mind that this is not a job that I plan on doing very long. I don't know that these things make me a great minister, but I do know that they cannot hurt. The point is that I work hard, and my work ethic combined with my passion for ministry is something that I know God can use for His glory.
I know that God will place me where He desires. But, I do want to use every format available to express the fact that I have a true passion for ministry, and I have been preparing for this career for a long, long time. I pray as I have always prayed, that God will use me for His glory.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Disappointment
Even the most cursory look at the books of Exodus and Numbers leaves you scratching your head as to how the Israelites lost faith in God's provision so frequently and with such intensity. Numerous times the people turned on God and on Moses. They begged to go back to their life of slavery and abuse because traveling for what would have been a month or two was too much to ask.
Consider the incident with the fiery serpents. The people turned their backs on God. They complained about just having manna to eat and the fact that everything was taking too long. When they were forced to make a more circuitous route to arrive at the Promised Land, they grumble with such intensity that God sent fiery serpents among them. Then, like most people when confronted with judgement, they returned to God who graciously provided a means for their healing.
It is really easy to look at the Israelites and wonder what their problem was. These were the same people who had seen God do miraculous things. They are the people who could visibly see God leading them as the pillar of cloud and pillar of fire. Yet they gave evidence of their unfaithfulness at the first hint of trial. The thing is, before we condemn them, we need to consider our response to disappointment and our faithfulness. We need to keep in mind that we are not always the most thankful people.
I hate disappointment which makes sense because that is what disappointment involves. I have not suffered from a tremendous amount of disappointment, but the experiences that I have had still produce pain to this day. When I was not offered admission to the PhD program at Baylor or when I did not receive a job that I had hoped for, my first thought was not to just be thankful for what I did have. I lamented the loss of something that I could have had. Similarly, while my mouth said that God will provide something even better, my heart was producing scenarios where I would end up unsuccessful and unfulfilled for the rest of my life.
For me my manna is my fantastic wife, my beautiful daughter, plenty of money, a good education, great family, two newish cars, and not to mention eternal life and a relationship with God. God has definitely provided, but here I am trying to be unfulfilled and miserable. When you forget all of these provisions, God does begin to feel distant. Your mind begins to wonder whether you have failed some kind of test and now God can't work with you anymore.
But, here is the truth: God has provided everything you need and more. The more would be anything that you can see around you. The "provided everything you need" is a bit harder to see, but it is just as real and more powerful than what you can see. When God allowed us to be in a relationship with Him, we received more than we should have ever had the guts to ask for. He not only knows us, but speaks promises to us such as nothing can separate us from His love and that one day we will dwell with Him in the new creation.
When I read the books of Exodus and Numbers I am not so quick to judge the Israelites now. I am sure that I would have been right there with them, complaining because my feet hurt. The truth is that we all would have, but thankfully the story continued and Israel became a mighty nation in the land that God gave them. Even when they continued to forsake Him, God still stayed true to His promises just as He will do for us.
Consider the incident with the fiery serpents. The people turned their backs on God. They complained about just having manna to eat and the fact that everything was taking too long. When they were forced to make a more circuitous route to arrive at the Promised Land, they grumble with such intensity that God sent fiery serpents among them. Then, like most people when confronted with judgement, they returned to God who graciously provided a means for their healing.
It is really easy to look at the Israelites and wonder what their problem was. These were the same people who had seen God do miraculous things. They are the people who could visibly see God leading them as the pillar of cloud and pillar of fire. Yet they gave evidence of their unfaithfulness at the first hint of trial. The thing is, before we condemn them, we need to consider our response to disappointment and our faithfulness. We need to keep in mind that we are not always the most thankful people.
I hate disappointment which makes sense because that is what disappointment involves. I have not suffered from a tremendous amount of disappointment, but the experiences that I have had still produce pain to this day. When I was not offered admission to the PhD program at Baylor or when I did not receive a job that I had hoped for, my first thought was not to just be thankful for what I did have. I lamented the loss of something that I could have had. Similarly, while my mouth said that God will provide something even better, my heart was producing scenarios where I would end up unsuccessful and unfulfilled for the rest of my life.
For me my manna is my fantastic wife, my beautiful daughter, plenty of money, a good education, great family, two newish cars, and not to mention eternal life and a relationship with God. God has definitely provided, but here I am trying to be unfulfilled and miserable. When you forget all of these provisions, God does begin to feel distant. Your mind begins to wonder whether you have failed some kind of test and now God can't work with you anymore.
But, here is the truth: God has provided everything you need and more. The more would be anything that you can see around you. The "provided everything you need" is a bit harder to see, but it is just as real and more powerful than what you can see. When God allowed us to be in a relationship with Him, we received more than we should have ever had the guts to ask for. He not only knows us, but speaks promises to us such as nothing can separate us from His love and that one day we will dwell with Him in the new creation.
When I read the books of Exodus and Numbers I am not so quick to judge the Israelites now. I am sure that I would have been right there with them, complaining because my feet hurt. The truth is that we all would have, but thankfully the story continued and Israel became a mighty nation in the land that God gave them. Even when they continued to forsake Him, God still stayed true to His promises just as He will do for us.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Gardens
Yesterday I had the day off so I went with Jenn and Isabel to the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. With the seasons changing and the weather becoming hot it was a perfect time to go and wander around. The gardens are really an attraction here in town that is often taken for granted. I have been there a few times, most notably our wedding reception, but this was one of the first times I came there to just walk around and enjoy the surrounding nature.
One thing about the gardens is that along a major portion of their border is a fairly busy road that sits just beyond a fence. When walking near this border you can hear cars and construction, not the sounds that you are looking for when trying to dwell in God's creation. But, it allowed me think about things in a spiritual light as well. In some ways, this situation was the situation of Eden. Here is a perfect place where everything is beautiful and convenient. Just outside the garden, however, is a chaotic world where peacefulness and provision are pipe dreams. Isn't this exactly what Adam and Eve discovered?
Here is another way to look at it. There are times in our lives where we are sitting in the presence of God, experiencing the thin places, when all of a sudden a metaphorical dump truck is laying metaphorical asphalt which is loud and distracting even in a metaphor. It breaks our concentration because it call attention to the outside world. Many of us try to dwell in God, but the truth is that our beautiful relationship with God is bordered by a lot of other relationships that do tend to be chaotic and distracting. Maybe it is our relationship with a person, or with a job, or with money. Maybe it is our relationship with relationships. Dwelling in God is not easy with all of the chaos that pulls us in other directions, but the goal is to keep in mind that the chaos is temporary. And one day we will be walking in a garden just like Eden with the same God who walks with us now.
One thing about the gardens is that along a major portion of their border is a fairly busy road that sits just beyond a fence. When walking near this border you can hear cars and construction, not the sounds that you are looking for when trying to dwell in God's creation. But, it allowed me think about things in a spiritual light as well. In some ways, this situation was the situation of Eden. Here is a perfect place where everything is beautiful and convenient. Just outside the garden, however, is a chaotic world where peacefulness and provision are pipe dreams. Isn't this exactly what Adam and Eve discovered?
Here is another way to look at it. There are times in our lives where we are sitting in the presence of God, experiencing the thin places, when all of a sudden a metaphorical dump truck is laying metaphorical asphalt which is loud and distracting even in a metaphor. It breaks our concentration because it call attention to the outside world. Many of us try to dwell in God, but the truth is that our beautiful relationship with God is bordered by a lot of other relationships that do tend to be chaotic and distracting. Maybe it is our relationship with a person, or with a job, or with money. Maybe it is our relationship with relationships. Dwelling in God is not easy with all of the chaos that pulls us in other directions, but the goal is to keep in mind that the chaos is temporary. And one day we will be walking in a garden just like Eden with the same God who walks with us now.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Honesty
Do you ever wonder what happened to honesty? I do all of the time. I have to admit that trying to wade through the lies and misleading information that I encounter everyday simply wears me out. For whatever reason, honesty has lost its foothold. It is hard to know how many times we are lied to each day, whether it is by a TV commercial or a coworker. Truth telling is simply not a value that our culture promotes.
I am sure that it has always been a problem. Consider Adam and Eve. From the beginning people were trying to spin their situation to avoid consequences with "the serpent made me do it" or the woman gave it to me so I thought well who am I to say no. It just seems that the quantity of lies must have gone up. Maybe it is because it is the information age and with information comes misinformation.
I understand that people or companies have agendas and will often do what promotes that agenda. It is simply sad that we have to walk through life always asking if what we read or hear is true. Will this cereal really help me be healthy or has the FDA simply not started monitoring the use of this word. Or, is this car dealer really going to lose money if he sells this car at the price on the paper or am I getting ripped off (you are getting ripped off). It is like walking in a mine field of dishonesty.
Another thing that is sad is that we can so easily be drawn into and see no implications for our faith. Christians sell bad products or cheat people and the excuse is that well this is just the job. Question: should our standard of behavior really be the world around us? Isn't there a pretty good amount of material in the Bible about not conforming to the world around us? You know who wished that they hadn't followed the customs of the surrounding people? The Israelites as God led them into exile after they refused to stop worshipping the gods of the other nations.
Why did God tell people not to bear false witness? It's because it simply demolishes relationships. If you cannot trust someone, why be around them? Lying completely destroys a relationship because it says to the person lied to that he or she is not valuable or respected. Lying impacts people significantly, making them unable or unwilling to trust other people.
Truth-telling has become counter-cultural, but, honestly, isn't that what Christians are called to be?
I am sure that it has always been a problem. Consider Adam and Eve. From the beginning people were trying to spin their situation to avoid consequences with "the serpent made me do it" or the woman gave it to me so I thought well who am I to say no. It just seems that the quantity of lies must have gone up. Maybe it is because it is the information age and with information comes misinformation.
I understand that people or companies have agendas and will often do what promotes that agenda. It is simply sad that we have to walk through life always asking if what we read or hear is true. Will this cereal really help me be healthy or has the FDA simply not started monitoring the use of this word. Or, is this car dealer really going to lose money if he sells this car at the price on the paper or am I getting ripped off (you are getting ripped off). It is like walking in a mine field of dishonesty.
Another thing that is sad is that we can so easily be drawn into and see no implications for our faith. Christians sell bad products or cheat people and the excuse is that well this is just the job. Question: should our standard of behavior really be the world around us? Isn't there a pretty good amount of material in the Bible about not conforming to the world around us? You know who wished that they hadn't followed the customs of the surrounding people? The Israelites as God led them into exile after they refused to stop worshipping the gods of the other nations.
Why did God tell people not to bear false witness? It's because it simply demolishes relationships. If you cannot trust someone, why be around them? Lying completely destroys a relationship because it says to the person lied to that he or she is not valuable or respected. Lying impacts people significantly, making them unable or unwilling to trust other people.
Truth-telling has become counter-cultural, but, honestly, isn't that what Christians are called to be?
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Questions
I admit that I find myself questioning things more often than just accepting them right away. It is not that I am cynical, I just like to understand and investigate things before subscribing to them. I think that a lot of people in my generation are the exact same way. Here's the thing, with the amount of information available to us in this present age, we often discover that there is more to the story that what we have been told.
Maybe this is simply a result of getting older. As we get older, things make more sense to us and our worldview expands. We start to question media reports or commercial claims. We begin to seek out the background to the historical narratives that we are all familiar with. With all of the information and lines of communication out there, it is nearly impossible to be naive unless you really want to. And if you choose naivety, then you are choosing to live in a fabricated world that you can design with your own preconceived notions and predispositions.
Our approach to our faith works the same way. Many people would tell you that it is not safe to question parts of your faith. To some degree they are correct. If you cannot agree with the Nicene Creed and the Apostles' Creed, then it is hard to see how you could be considered a Christian. Don't question those kinds of things. Don't question your faith, but ask questions about your faith. It is good to ask questions about the elements of our faith and about the Bible. Our faith is rich, deep, and complex, and it deserves that attention.
Maybe your question deals with doctrine or church practices. For example, maybe you ask why people attend church rather than worship by themselves. Well, first ask yourself if your concern is not just sleeping in on Sunday. Then, go to the sources and read the Bible. Read about how the people of God have always been a community. Read about the gatherings in Acts or the temple worship in Leviticus. Then consider the benefits of attending a church and belonging to a community where you edify others and others edify you. Consider the benefit of learning about God in the midst of other people, sharing what you learned and listening to them. Remember also to ask God if attending church is what He wants or not. It is not wrong to ask the question, but it is wrong to not to seek and be open to the answer.
It is also not wrong to ask questions about the Bible. The Bible is not something that anyone ever completely understands. Passages in the Bible are often complex and have important contexts. Consider the story of Noah. Growing up the story is all about animals, rain, and a big boat. Upon further review it is a story of the judgment of God, the faithfulness of God to his promises to Adam, and to God's mercy and provision. Sadly, it is also a story of man's moral failings despite having seen God's mercy and power. The Bible that God gave to us to read requires investigation and attention. If we do not ask questions and seek answers, we have made ourselves interpreters who cannot speak the language that we are trying to interpret.
Here's the thing, our faith is something that takes humility, work, and petition. This is why people of my generation appreciate people who are not afraid to speak and write about the complexities of our faith. People appreciate people like Donald Miller or Margaret Feinberg because they come across as real people working through their faith like the rest of us. They don't try to act as if they are all-knowing or all-holy. They struggle, think, and live. The truth is that everyone appreciates the truth. If a passage in the Bible is complicated, tell me about it anyway. Don't try to gloss over difficulties or ascribe some roundabout explanation for a verse that has a few different interpretations. In the same way, don't just tell me one possibility is the answer as if there are other possibilities that are just as reasonable.
It is always more comfortable to live in a faith that we can construct. I am always wary of anyone who acts as if they have everything figured out. People who have no more questions about God are people who may not know the God that I worship. People who think that they completely understand the entire Bible must have some kind of child friendly Bible that has removed the details and the intricacies. My hope is that I am never satisfied with my knowledge of God and His word. I hope that I never take for granted the fact that God wants me to grow in my knowledge of Him.
Maybe this is simply a result of getting older. As we get older, things make more sense to us and our worldview expands. We start to question media reports or commercial claims. We begin to seek out the background to the historical narratives that we are all familiar with. With all of the information and lines of communication out there, it is nearly impossible to be naive unless you really want to. And if you choose naivety, then you are choosing to live in a fabricated world that you can design with your own preconceived notions and predispositions.
Our approach to our faith works the same way. Many people would tell you that it is not safe to question parts of your faith. To some degree they are correct. If you cannot agree with the Nicene Creed and the Apostles' Creed, then it is hard to see how you could be considered a Christian. Don't question those kinds of things. Don't question your faith, but ask questions about your faith. It is good to ask questions about the elements of our faith and about the Bible. Our faith is rich, deep, and complex, and it deserves that attention.
Maybe your question deals with doctrine or church practices. For example, maybe you ask why people attend church rather than worship by themselves. Well, first ask yourself if your concern is not just sleeping in on Sunday. Then, go to the sources and read the Bible. Read about how the people of God have always been a community. Read about the gatherings in Acts or the temple worship in Leviticus. Then consider the benefits of attending a church and belonging to a community where you edify others and others edify you. Consider the benefit of learning about God in the midst of other people, sharing what you learned and listening to them. Remember also to ask God if attending church is what He wants or not. It is not wrong to ask the question, but it is wrong to not to seek and be open to the answer.
It is also not wrong to ask questions about the Bible. The Bible is not something that anyone ever completely understands. Passages in the Bible are often complex and have important contexts. Consider the story of Noah. Growing up the story is all about animals, rain, and a big boat. Upon further review it is a story of the judgment of God, the faithfulness of God to his promises to Adam, and to God's mercy and provision. Sadly, it is also a story of man's moral failings despite having seen God's mercy and power. The Bible that God gave to us to read requires investigation and attention. If we do not ask questions and seek answers, we have made ourselves interpreters who cannot speak the language that we are trying to interpret.
Here's the thing, our faith is something that takes humility, work, and petition. This is why people of my generation appreciate people who are not afraid to speak and write about the complexities of our faith. People appreciate people like Donald Miller or Margaret Feinberg because they come across as real people working through their faith like the rest of us. They don't try to act as if they are all-knowing or all-holy. They struggle, think, and live. The truth is that everyone appreciates the truth. If a passage in the Bible is complicated, tell me about it anyway. Don't try to gloss over difficulties or ascribe some roundabout explanation for a verse that has a few different interpretations. In the same way, don't just tell me one possibility is the answer as if there are other possibilities that are just as reasonable.
It is always more comfortable to live in a faith that we can construct. I am always wary of anyone who acts as if they have everything figured out. People who have no more questions about God are people who may not know the God that I worship. People who think that they completely understand the entire Bible must have some kind of child friendly Bible that has removed the details and the intricacies. My hope is that I am never satisfied with my knowledge of God and His word. I hope that I never take for granted the fact that God wants me to grow in my knowledge of Him.
Place
Something that I think we take for granted sometimes is the power of place. There are places that we have been in our lives that are full of meaning and memories. I can think of several places from my past that evoke not just fond memories but powerful emotions of identity and formation. Glorieta, New Mexico is one such place. I love Glorieta. I spent many summer weeks at a conference center there. Some of my favorite life experiences occurred there when I was a teenager. For me it is a spiritual place, the kind that I hope to someday take a pilgrimage to. The conference center at Ridgecrest, North Carolina is another such place. Again, the place is so loaded with meaning for me that just thinking about the place makes me wonder what I need to do to go there as soon as possible.
Places evoke remembrances that take us back and enable us to relive our past. Events occur in places whether it at a college or a high school or a backyard. We think of these places to revisit a different time in our lives. Most of the time, and for good reason, we tend to revisit places that give us positive emotions, choosing to remember the good over the bad. Good for us.
Tonight I am sitting in a hotel Nashville. I am here on business, taking a class that will enable me to serve as a director for larger disaster relief operations. I come back home to Nashville every now and then, mostly for Titans games. Now that mom and dad live in Birmingham there is nothing that draws me here regularly. But every time I make the drive up here, my heart starts to beat faster and for some reason I long to drive past my old house and high school. It is not that I absolutely loved every minute in Nashville. It's just home. It is where I grew up and where I started my journey into becoming a grown up. I learned a lot of life lessons here. I feel comfortable here. All the while I realize that if I moved back here, I doubt it would feel the same as before.
Reading the stories of the Israelites in the Old Testament also speaks to me about the power of place. Think about the way they named places (Bethel: "the house of God" or Peniel "face of God"). Places for the Israelites were supposed to bring memories and emotions. The places became reminders of times when God saved them, provided for them, or judged them. Sometimes the place would continually be a site for events in Israel's history. Jerusalem is a place for Abraham where he is blessed by Melchizedek and a place for David where he will build the city that will house the temple of the Lord. Hebron is another important place that the Israelites could look upon and recall the history of their people from Abraham to that present day.
The power of place is something that we can all draw from. These places help us to understand how we came to be who we are and who we were. I wonder what the Hebrew is for "the place where I met my future wife" or "here I first saw my daughter."
Places evoke remembrances that take us back and enable us to relive our past. Events occur in places whether it at a college or a high school or a backyard. We think of these places to revisit a different time in our lives. Most of the time, and for good reason, we tend to revisit places that give us positive emotions, choosing to remember the good over the bad. Good for us.
Tonight I am sitting in a hotel Nashville. I am here on business, taking a class that will enable me to serve as a director for larger disaster relief operations. I come back home to Nashville every now and then, mostly for Titans games. Now that mom and dad live in Birmingham there is nothing that draws me here regularly. But every time I make the drive up here, my heart starts to beat faster and for some reason I long to drive past my old house and high school. It is not that I absolutely loved every minute in Nashville. It's just home. It is where I grew up and where I started my journey into becoming a grown up. I learned a lot of life lessons here. I feel comfortable here. All the while I realize that if I moved back here, I doubt it would feel the same as before.
Reading the stories of the Israelites in the Old Testament also speaks to me about the power of place. Think about the way they named places (Bethel: "the house of God" or Peniel "face of God"). Places for the Israelites were supposed to bring memories and emotions. The places became reminders of times when God saved them, provided for them, or judged them. Sometimes the place would continually be a site for events in Israel's history. Jerusalem is a place for Abraham where he is blessed by Melchizedek and a place for David where he will build the city that will house the temple of the Lord. Hebron is another important place that the Israelites could look upon and recall the history of their people from Abraham to that present day.
The power of place is something that we can all draw from. These places help us to understand how we came to be who we are and who we were. I wonder what the Hebrew is for "the place where I met my future wife" or "here I first saw my daughter."
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Reading
About a week and a half ago I began reading through the Bible. The idea is to start at Genesis and read through to Revelation. In a very real way, I felt God calling me to do this. While I have read most of the Bible, I cannot say that I have read every verse in the Bible, especially from beginning to end. As of this morning, I have made it through the book of Ruth, and I have to say that I have no idea why I did not do this before now.
I have already learned so much from this exercise. Again and again I am able to see God's sovereign hand over the course of every event from the provision of Adam to the establishment of Ruth in the line of David. I have acquired a fresh appreciation for the covenants of God and the character of God. I have been able to see myself in the people of Israel who, despite having seen the wonders of God, take every opportunity to turn from Him or take His word for granted. I have been empowered by the stories of faith and the stories of deliverance. I have been challenged by the holiness of God that is presented so clearly in Leviticus and Deuteronomy.
Reading the Bible in this way has also allowed me to have fuller appreciation for the stories that I felt that I knew so well. For so many of us who grew up in church, we never think that there is a need to dig deeper into passages about Noah or Moses or about the tabernacle. The truth is that there is so much more to these stories that we need understand. Just because we know the events, we seldom know the entire context or the theology that these events represent. For me the key has been to read with questions, asking why this or that happened. I also try to appreciate what the passages mean for me spiritually. On a practical level, I have found that it helps if you underline key verses or passages. It helps me to focus on the reading.
My hope is that every Christian can come to the point that they have a desire to do this. I know that there are passages that intimidate or seem burdensome to read, but even these passages are present for a reason. The intricate details of the tabernacle's construction help us to understand the perfection that God required in order to dwell among the people. The genealogies demonstrate the course of God's plan and how the nations of the world came to be. My prayer is that God will put a desire in your heart to read the Bible, God's word and the story of our salvation, so that you will come to a greater knowledge of Him who has given you life.
I have already learned so much from this exercise. Again and again I am able to see God's sovereign hand over the course of every event from the provision of Adam to the establishment of Ruth in the line of David. I have acquired a fresh appreciation for the covenants of God and the character of God. I have been able to see myself in the people of Israel who, despite having seen the wonders of God, take every opportunity to turn from Him or take His word for granted. I have been empowered by the stories of faith and the stories of deliverance. I have been challenged by the holiness of God that is presented so clearly in Leviticus and Deuteronomy.
Reading the Bible in this way has also allowed me to have fuller appreciation for the stories that I felt that I knew so well. For so many of us who grew up in church, we never think that there is a need to dig deeper into passages about Noah or Moses or about the tabernacle. The truth is that there is so much more to these stories that we need understand. Just because we know the events, we seldom know the entire context or the theology that these events represent. For me the key has been to read with questions, asking why this or that happened. I also try to appreciate what the passages mean for me spiritually. On a practical level, I have found that it helps if you underline key verses or passages. It helps me to focus on the reading.
My hope is that every Christian can come to the point that they have a desire to do this. I know that there are passages that intimidate or seem burdensome to read, but even these passages are present for a reason. The intricate details of the tabernacle's construction help us to understand the perfection that God required in order to dwell among the people. The genealogies demonstrate the course of God's plan and how the nations of the world came to be. My prayer is that God will put a desire in your heart to read the Bible, God's word and the story of our salvation, so that you will come to a greater knowledge of Him who has given you life.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Religion
Sometimes I like to say that things are particular to our generation simply to explain away something that I like or do or think. This is perhaps one of those times, but my experience suggests otherwise. In my circles of relationships, I am surrounded by a number of people who have grown up in Christian homes. Some of the homes have been nominally Christian, while others have been one step past devout. What is so common, however, is that while growing up, many of these friends of mine came to view Christianity as a burden or as irrelevant to their lives. I have to admit that there have certainly been times when I would definitely fall into this camp.
The image that comes to mind is the pink offering envelope. I don't know what color yours was, but maybe it still invokes the feeling of works righteousness in you as it does me. This envelope had a place for "read Bible everyday" or "prayed everyday," and it asked how many times we witnessed. I am sure that this envelope was meant for good, but for me it was serious hindrance to my faith. I came to see church as a set of motions and rules. Do this and this and do not do this and you will find favor with God. This could not be anything further from the truth.
The truth is that God is full of grace and mercy, and no matter how many times we go to church in a week, we will not be able to earn it. Not understanding this led me to have some difficult views of God. It also effected how I worshiped, how I prayed, and how I approached the Bible. It also, unfortunately, made me suspicious and loathing of really religious people. My response was to avoid, not to rebel, but to avoid. If only reading the Bible or praying on a semi-daily basis was not good enough, what was the point?
Though I have come to understand the grace and mercy of God, the spiritual habits that developed in my past have caused me great difficulty in how I have come to practice better habits. Part of me hoped that seminary would repair these practices, but there I read the Bible differently. I had to read, and I had to read so that I could pass a test. It was not often worshipful or spiritual. Sometimes it was, but in the end I would be more upset for forgetting the outline of Romans on a test than for praising God for the message that is presented in that outline.
It got better though. It got better once I left the world of seminary and the Christian university. It got better when I was not surrounded by praying and reading and worshiping. I realized how much I missed it, how much I needed it. I have prayed for some time that God instill in me the desire to read his word and to speak with him. Gradually it became stronger and stronger. Quite honestly, it took one of the lowest points of my life where I had to sit in the moment and decide if I truly believed in God's love and grace or if I would turn away. I am thankful for the fact that I could not leave God, and He has drawn near to me in a way that to understand it, you would have to experience it yourself. He has given me a desire to talk to him all day long. He has made my heart yearn for the Bible and its teachings. I honestly cannot wait to get a chance to read more of his word. I praise God that this is my experience and my joy. These tests of faith are painful, but they also contain so much healing and renewal for our souls. They make us realize that our faith is not about rules but about grace and love. I thank God for answering my prayer to give me these desires, not for my righteousness but for my joy.
The image that comes to mind is the pink offering envelope. I don't know what color yours was, but maybe it still invokes the feeling of works righteousness in you as it does me. This envelope had a place for "read Bible everyday" or "prayed everyday," and it asked how many times we witnessed. I am sure that this envelope was meant for good, but for me it was serious hindrance to my faith. I came to see church as a set of motions and rules. Do this and this and do not do this and you will find favor with God. This could not be anything further from the truth.
The truth is that God is full of grace and mercy, and no matter how many times we go to church in a week, we will not be able to earn it. Not understanding this led me to have some difficult views of God. It also effected how I worshiped, how I prayed, and how I approached the Bible. It also, unfortunately, made me suspicious and loathing of really religious people. My response was to avoid, not to rebel, but to avoid. If only reading the Bible or praying on a semi-daily basis was not good enough, what was the point?
Though I have come to understand the grace and mercy of God, the spiritual habits that developed in my past have caused me great difficulty in how I have come to practice better habits. Part of me hoped that seminary would repair these practices, but there I read the Bible differently. I had to read, and I had to read so that I could pass a test. It was not often worshipful or spiritual. Sometimes it was, but in the end I would be more upset for forgetting the outline of Romans on a test than for praising God for the message that is presented in that outline.
It got better though. It got better once I left the world of seminary and the Christian university. It got better when I was not surrounded by praying and reading and worshiping. I realized how much I missed it, how much I needed it. I have prayed for some time that God instill in me the desire to read his word and to speak with him. Gradually it became stronger and stronger. Quite honestly, it took one of the lowest points of my life where I had to sit in the moment and decide if I truly believed in God's love and grace or if I would turn away. I am thankful for the fact that I could not leave God, and He has drawn near to me in a way that to understand it, you would have to experience it yourself. He has given me a desire to talk to him all day long. He has made my heart yearn for the Bible and its teachings. I honestly cannot wait to get a chance to read more of his word. I praise God that this is my experience and my joy. These tests of faith are painful, but they also contain so much healing and renewal for our souls. They make us realize that our faith is not about rules but about grace and love. I thank God for answering my prayer to give me these desires, not for my righteousness but for my joy.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
The Ministry Lifestyle
Have you ever wondered why we put so much emphasis on a person's call to ministry? Why don't we ever talk about a call to be a teacher or a lawyer? After all, it is the same God who calls chefs that calls ministers. As someone who has been called to ministry, I have a few theories about this.
One reason is that the Bible is full of instances where God has specifically called out a person to the lead the people or to serve Him. We see this in the examples of Abraham, Moses, Aaron, David, Samuel, Isaiah, Noah, Nehemiah, the disciples, Paul, etc. These people are specifically called by God to do His work. The understanding is that by His grace, God gives these people special abilities or performs miracles while they lead. In some ways we continue this tradition by hoping to identify the person who has been called of the Lord with the expectation that He will give them the ability to lead and to shepherd His people.
Another reason for emphasizing a call to ministry is that a minister/pastor/preacher has a special relationship to the holy and the eternal. From the beginning of the priesthood in Exodus, God calls the priests to be set apart from the people. They avoid unclean things in a special way so as to have the ability to continue their work for the Lord. Even the New Testament makes special mention of the fact that ministers will be held to higher standards. On a very common sense level, ministers need to hold higher standards as examples of righteousness and Godly wisdom. Who would listen to an abusive pastor speak about God's unfailing love for humanity?
A third reason, and one I offer only partially in jest, is that to be a minister requires one to endure some fairly painful experiences. Ministering to people is a great privilege, but it is a privilege that welcomes criticism and interpersonal hardship. The responsibility of shepherding people who often go astray can be burdensome and draining. Ministry is not a job field, it truly is a lifestyle, one that has no real work hours or job description. A minister is a speaker, a counselor, an executive, a planner, a bookkeeper, a student, a supervisor, a janitor, a development officer, and much more. He or she must have a clear calling if they are to participate in this lifestyle. While I am honored and so thankful for my ministerial calling, all I need to do is to look to my pastor father who works 60 to 80 hours a week to see that my path will not be an easy one. Without a calling from God who enables us to understand and appreciate our calling, it would be easy to turn aside and follow a different path.
I think that part of the reason that it is so hard to be hired by a church is that ministry is serious business. After all, we are talking about people's souls and their faith. Interviewing and pursuing church jobs has been a difficult experience for me, basically because I never anticipated how complicated it can be. One of the pitfalls has been the experience factor or the we would hire you, but you have not logged enough paid ministry hours factor. There is also the factor of the perfect match. When interviewing for a church job, many of the people have an ideal candidate in mind; sometimes one committee can have three different people who each have a diametrically opposed ideal candidate. Then there is the fact that ministry skills are hard to define. You need to be a great speaker, a good counselor, understand budgets, be the right age, have the right theology and training, have the right passion, and be willing to work for what the church is offering. At times it would seem that if God did not ordain people to have these jobs, most would go unfilled.
I look forward to the time when my ministerial lifestyle will begin its next stage. It is reassuring that God has a place prepared for me, and that He has called me to His service.
One reason is that the Bible is full of instances where God has specifically called out a person to the lead the people or to serve Him. We see this in the examples of Abraham, Moses, Aaron, David, Samuel, Isaiah, Noah, Nehemiah, the disciples, Paul, etc. These people are specifically called by God to do His work. The understanding is that by His grace, God gives these people special abilities or performs miracles while they lead. In some ways we continue this tradition by hoping to identify the person who has been called of the Lord with the expectation that He will give them the ability to lead and to shepherd His people.
Another reason for emphasizing a call to ministry is that a minister/pastor/preacher has a special relationship to the holy and the eternal. From the beginning of the priesthood in Exodus, God calls the priests to be set apart from the people. They avoid unclean things in a special way so as to have the ability to continue their work for the Lord. Even the New Testament makes special mention of the fact that ministers will be held to higher standards. On a very common sense level, ministers need to hold higher standards as examples of righteousness and Godly wisdom. Who would listen to an abusive pastor speak about God's unfailing love for humanity?
A third reason, and one I offer only partially in jest, is that to be a minister requires one to endure some fairly painful experiences. Ministering to people is a great privilege, but it is a privilege that welcomes criticism and interpersonal hardship. The responsibility of shepherding people who often go astray can be burdensome and draining. Ministry is not a job field, it truly is a lifestyle, one that has no real work hours or job description. A minister is a speaker, a counselor, an executive, a planner, a bookkeeper, a student, a supervisor, a janitor, a development officer, and much more. He or she must have a clear calling if they are to participate in this lifestyle. While I am honored and so thankful for my ministerial calling, all I need to do is to look to my pastor father who works 60 to 80 hours a week to see that my path will not be an easy one. Without a calling from God who enables us to understand and appreciate our calling, it would be easy to turn aside and follow a different path.
I think that part of the reason that it is so hard to be hired by a church is that ministry is serious business. After all, we are talking about people's souls and their faith. Interviewing and pursuing church jobs has been a difficult experience for me, basically because I never anticipated how complicated it can be. One of the pitfalls has been the experience factor or the we would hire you, but you have not logged enough paid ministry hours factor. There is also the factor of the perfect match. When interviewing for a church job, many of the people have an ideal candidate in mind; sometimes one committee can have three different people who each have a diametrically opposed ideal candidate. Then there is the fact that ministry skills are hard to define. You need to be a great speaker, a good counselor, understand budgets, be the right age, have the right theology and training, have the right passion, and be willing to work for what the church is offering. At times it would seem that if God did not ordain people to have these jobs, most would go unfilled.
I look forward to the time when my ministerial lifestyle will begin its next stage. It is reassuring that God has a place prepared for me, and that He has called me to His service.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Waiting
Most Christians, even the most devout, will enter a time of tested faith. Typically this testing is the result of a traumatic experience or a significant disappointment. Perhaps it is the death of a loved one or a major financial event. I have lately found myself in a period of testing, but it did not spring out of a major drama or disaster. Instead it has come from waiting. Just waiting.
Waiting is much more painful than I ever imagined. Dramatic and traumatic events at least have a process where they end and then you begin recovery, however slow, but waiting is waiting. It is undefined and indeterminately long. There are several kinds of waiting. For me, it has been waiting on my vocation to take shape. Understand, it is more than waiting for a job or even a better job; it is about vocation.
I know that I am called to a career in ministry, but God's answer to me for over a year now has been to keep waiting. I have been close to several opportunities, final two candidates and all of that, but here I am still waiting. In some ways it has been a good experience. It has strengthened my resolve to work with a church. When I begin thinking about a different path, my heart calls me back to the place where I am meant to be.
It also makes me thankful that it has given me another experience that I can use to relate with other people. A lot of people are waiting on a lot of things. Some are waiting on children. Some are waiting for a husband or wife. Others are waiting on test results or for healing. And still others are just waiting to be happy. We all wait for something, but that does not make it much easier. The good news is that God is waiting with us. Eventually what we are waiting for may arrive. We also might just start waiting for something different, or we may realize that we already have what we thought we were waiting for. I don't know, but I do know that there is a reason that faith and hope are usually mentioned with love. Because God loves us, we can know that he will provide and he will be there while we wait.
Waiting is much more painful than I ever imagined. Dramatic and traumatic events at least have a process where they end and then you begin recovery, however slow, but waiting is waiting. It is undefined and indeterminately long. There are several kinds of waiting. For me, it has been waiting on my vocation to take shape. Understand, it is more than waiting for a job or even a better job; it is about vocation.
I know that I am called to a career in ministry, but God's answer to me for over a year now has been to keep waiting. I have been close to several opportunities, final two candidates and all of that, but here I am still waiting. In some ways it has been a good experience. It has strengthened my resolve to work with a church. When I begin thinking about a different path, my heart calls me back to the place where I am meant to be.
It also makes me thankful that it has given me another experience that I can use to relate with other people. A lot of people are waiting on a lot of things. Some are waiting on children. Some are waiting for a husband or wife. Others are waiting on test results or for healing. And still others are just waiting to be happy. We all wait for something, but that does not make it much easier. The good news is that God is waiting with us. Eventually what we are waiting for may arrive. We also might just start waiting for something different, or we may realize that we already have what we thought we were waiting for. I don't know, but I do know that there is a reason that faith and hope are usually mentioned with love. Because God loves us, we can know that he will provide and he will be there while we wait.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Titles
The concept of thin places has always been a powerful one for me. I first heard about the idea from an Irish monk who was lecturing at Beeson while I was there. He explained that thin places were places in nature that the Irish believed the spiritual world and our world to be especially linked. The concept actually arose out of pre-Christian Irish culture, but the Christians easily adapted the idea as a way to talk about feeling the presence of God and the eternal.
I think that this concept holds special significance for me because I believe that if we strive to develop an awareness for the holy and the spiritual, we will actually find thin places everywhere. Maybe sometimes we find them in nature, but they can also be found while listening to a song or viewing a piece of art. I also think that these "places" can be events like a sharing a meal with good friends or watching your daughter play. If we seek these things and appreciate them, it is then that we feel God nearer than we ever thought possible.
One more example of this thin places concept can be found in the experience of thousands of teenagers and mission trip participants. We always talk about the fact that while were on a mission trip or at church camp we felt God presence so strongly. I think that it is because for us these were our thin places. The picture that serves as the background for this blog's title comes from one such place for me--the top of a mountain in Guatemala. Jenn and I were there spending a week working with an orphanage called Eagle's Nest. A former presidential resort, the orphanage overlooked Lake Atitlan and its majectic volcanoes. In this place the beauty of mercy and love intersected with the beauty of creation and wonder. It is no wonder that God felt very near that week. My hope is that we will all find these thin places in our lives everyday.
I think that this concept holds special significance for me because I believe that if we strive to develop an awareness for the holy and the spiritual, we will actually find thin places everywhere. Maybe sometimes we find them in nature, but they can also be found while listening to a song or viewing a piece of art. I also think that these "places" can be events like a sharing a meal with good friends or watching your daughter play. If we seek these things and appreciate them, it is then that we feel God nearer than we ever thought possible.
One more example of this thin places concept can be found in the experience of thousands of teenagers and mission trip participants. We always talk about the fact that while were on a mission trip or at church camp we felt God presence so strongly. I think that it is because for us these were our thin places. The picture that serves as the background for this blog's title comes from one such place for me--the top of a mountain in Guatemala. Jenn and I were there spending a week working with an orphanage called Eagle's Nest. A former presidential resort, the orphanage overlooked Lake Atitlan and its majectic volcanoes. In this place the beauty of mercy and love intersected with the beauty of creation and wonder. It is no wonder that God felt very near that week. My hope is that we will all find these thin places in our lives everyday.
Beginnings
Welcome to my blog. My hope is that this will be a place where I can ponder life and communicate my thoughts. I used to love writing and thinking and being creative so perhaps my hope is that this exercise will rekindle that love. I also hope that it will be a recentering activity that allows me to step outside of the busy and the complicated and just breathe a little. Who knows what I will write about or how often, but you are welcome to come along on the journey.
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